While speaking at St. John’s Lutheran in Mahoning Township I had a bit of what I call a “Twilight Zone” moment. It was Pentecost Sunday and I had explained that the Scriptures refer to the third person of the Trinity as a descending dove. This was seen at Jesus’ baptism. I went on to tell the folk that we have a have a pair of doves at the Hazel house.

I’ll never forget that afternoon, while sitting in the backyard I noticed a dove land on the top of my tool shed. It might have been calling to its mate, and walked back and forth like a soldier pulling guard duty. Every few seconds it seemed it would let out a dove call. “Who who who, who-who-who!” It was comical to watch it moving back and forth for quite a while.

Perhaps it is a good illustration of the what the Holy Spirit is. Reformer Martin Luther in his catechism would write.

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.”

That dove reminded me that it is the Holy Spirit that calls me, and like a guard pulling guard duty, protects me. The Spirit gives me guidance, and conveys God’s presence, slowly allowing me live as God would have me live here on earth and in eternity.

It is the Holy Spirit, for instance, that allows me, while preparing for a sermon or Bible study to see a passage of Scripture in a whole new light, even if I’ve read the thing a thousand times.

It was the Spirit that gave me such a sense of peace, while in an ambulance some years ago, going to the hospital, that I knew, however the night would turn out I was in God’s hands.

God’s presence inspired me, amid the confusion and thoughts of my own mortality, to sing, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.”

A few days later I’d be the proud owner of a pacemaker.

To serve as a punch line to this peace, uh piece, let me tell you what happened during that outdoor service with the dove illustration.

The sermon was finished and we were praying the prayers of intercession. I usually conclude with some to the effect of, “Lastly Lord we offer you the petitions of our hearts, spoken and unspoken.”

Usually, some folk mention a name or thing to be prayed about, I can usually count on a minute or so of silence.

Not this time, though, for after the last person spoken, from the field behind our outdoor pavilion came, “Who Who Who, who-who who!!!” I’d like to think the Holy Spirit was having its say.

As a kid we use used to sing, “Bird Bird Bird, Bird is the word.” I’d like to think The Holy Spirit was having the final Word that day.

Perhaps we are all guilty of treating God as the “The Big ATM in the Sky.” Next time after you have made your intercession, sit back and listen for the One who-who-who is the great Holy Spirit.

Perhaps Rod Serling might show up with an answer.