It has come to this! I’m “sharing” recipes.

Have you tried a pinolillo? It is a drink that will “replace your ice tea habit.”

From Blue Zones:

In countries like Costa Rica where pinolillo has been widely consumed on a regular basis for centuries, it was traditionally ground with a mortar and pestle and served from a hollowed-out gourd.

It does sound inviting. However, I don’t have an ice-tea habit or mortar and pestle. I don’t think Walmart sells hollowed-out gourds. Have you tried a pinolillo? I’m not going to bother unless someone will verify it is worth the effort.

We were pastoring near Joliet when David & Karen Mains pastored Circle Church in Chicago. The ministry of David and Karen and the resources from Circle influenced us. It was during the Charismatic renewal with discussion and disagreements. Karen Mains shares a story of her own hunger for Holy Spirit and no desire to get crazy. Friends of the church had a missionary friend home on leave who came to speak at Circle Church. The missionary had been working on a Pacific Island when the Japanese captured it. She was kneeling waiting to be beheaded when the Holy Spirit spoke a Scripture verse to her. She attributed her saved life to that encounter.

The missionary stayed in the Mains’ home for ten days. That visit linked to Miss Karen’s hungering for Holy Spirit was a gift—someone to answer her questions. After many conversations, her guest said,

“When He, the spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.

You may know those are also Jesus’ words recorded by John in John 16:12-15. It was a life-altering shared “word.” Ms. Mains is not a Charismatic! but her walk with Holy Spirit is valued.

My Sunday began with evangelist Mario Murillo urging the Church to revisit Holy Spirit relationships. My Sunday closed with that story from Karen Mains. Now from a few hours’ distance, the messages seem very timely and pointed. At a time when chaos, uncertainty, confusion and questions are constant and weighted, Jesus’ words catch my attention.

“When He, the spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.

Holy Spirit, You are welcome, here. Come visit us.

©2020 D. Dean Benton—writer, wonderer, listener.