The Holy Spirit Hour

Many of you may have heard the old phrase, the Witching Hour. A European term referring to the 12 a.m. hour or early hours where supernatural things happen. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that is dark outside, which makes just about anything creepy.

Well, I would like to introduce an new phrase, The Holy Spirit Hour.

You ask, "Now, what the heck is this?"

This is the hour where your animals go bonkers.

It shall be called this for a number of reasons. Like most Godly things, it is out of our understanding why our creatures find the spontaneous need to rampage through our house like their tails are on fire. Also, like the Holy Spirit, it can descend at any time, no matter the hour. So, be prepared.

The Holy Spirit Hour occured at the O'Brien household about 9 p.m. last night. RykerDog caught the spirit and went tearing up and down the hall. Squeaker Men were flying. Gummy Bear toys were flung. There was much hootin' and hollerin,' spinning of claws on hardwood floors and ruffling of carpet.

This is not just limited to my puppy. I have seen it in my dearly departed feline friend, Tailer. I have seen it in my outlaw pals, Bonny and Clyde, just to name a few. Let's face it peeps, it's real!

And I like it!

So here's to the Holy Spirit Hour. Proof once again that God has a big, big sense of humor!

Baseball Booboos and Big Debates

Well this past week has been interesting for two reasons.

1. Baseball is winding down and getting crazy. We played a really nasty team the week before and even their fans were rude. So that wasn't as fun of a baseball time as I usually like. Then this past week Joe was faced with something new -- hitting a batter. As part of baseball, if they throw at your guys, you're supposed to throw at theirs. Now as humans, we're all about getting even, but it doesn't always work the way we want it. And in baseball, yeah, so it's part of the game, but do you have to do it? Why is it part of the game? Something the O'Brien household is figuring out.

2. Big Debates - As part of baseball, Joe has gotten to share his testimony and bit o' knowledge about God with his teammates. It has really been a blessing and just crazy how God can take the simplest things and direct it to Him. And with that, comes in one of his Christian teammates who believes in Calvinism - or where there are those "elected" or already chosen who will go to heaven. This has caused quite a debate between the to guys, and has also spilled into our family/friend discussions.

It's a tricky topic as how do we know God's ways? If those who are going to be saved are already predetermined, why are we charged with spreading the gospel? And on and on and on...

Would love to hear your thoughts!