Faith for an Upside-Down World: Ascension to Pentecost

By Shirley D. Andrews and J. Michael Fuller

I have known Shirley for many years, as I was her pastor for while serving in the United Methodist Church. Shirley brings forth not only beauty through the photos, but her use of the Holy Scriptures to open to the reader the true understandings of Pentecost and the Resurrection of Jesus.
I highly recommend all her devotionals; they will draw you closer to God through the Word. They will open you to the beauty of creation by the Creator of the Universe.
- Rev. Patti Molik
United Methodist Elder of Upper New York Annual Conference

Shirley’s wonderful compilation of prayer, Scripture, photography, and devotional reflections, contained in “His Eye Is On the Sparrow,” provided me with a greater respect of the interdependence between humanity and creation and the way in which God’s presence sustains and maintains the fragile balance between the two. This inspiring devotional highlights insightful lessons to each of us through the life of various birds God has gifted to this world. I know I will look at birds differently from now on.
- Rev. Penny Brink
Elder, Upper New York Annual Conference
United Methodist Church

I am often asked to write an endorsement or a forward for a new book, but this time, I begin this endorsement with a “feeling of excitement.” I absolutely loved the idea of linking nature to a devotional. Nature has always been inspiring to me, and I often talk to God as I walk through the beauty of God’s creation around me. How can you possibly see the beauty and wonder of our planet and our universe without being inspired by the God who made it?
So, when I looked at even the very idea of this manuscript I was inspired. I read the book and then I sat down to write this. I first took a walk through the wonder and beauty of God’s creation around me. As always, I can not walk through the trees or along a creek or stream without being inspired. Therefore, as I write these words I am inspired not only by this book, but my last encounter with nature.
As I read the pages, I met an author who through the beauty of her writings has linked nature and Divine inspiration and truly inspired me. Just to think about nature and talking to God brings inspiration to my whole being.
So, with anticipation and great emotion, I endorse FAITH for an UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD by Shirley D. Andrews. As I looked at the beautiful pictures I saw nature, but I also felt the hand of God. As I read the words of this manuscript, I knew that this author would introduce me to God, because like the artist inside me, I would feel and experience God by what I was about to read, and I did. Thank you, Shirley for introducing me again to the God who spoke nature into existence.
You must experience this book and see the God who not only has his eye on the sparrow, but made the sparrow. Shirley, you will truly inspire the world.
- Dr. Thomas F. Reid

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664278868

Shirley D. Andrews

Shirley is a graduate of Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and has a master’s degree from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY. She taught elementary public school music for 31 years. Most of those years were in the Scotia-Glenville School District. She also taught music education classes at Schenectady County Community College. Shirley loved her career in teaching. She has two children and two grandchildren. After retirement and the death of her husband, Shirley pursued a second career as a Certified Lay Minister in the Adirondack District of the United Methodist Church (UMC), and has held leadership positions at Porter Corners UMC, Ballston Spa UMC, and led worship at Woodlawn Commons in the Wesley Community. At present, she is the keyboard accompanist for the Galway UMC in Galway, NY. Shirley continues to be passionate about devotional writing for God lovers, God seekers, nature lovers and the family altar; hoping that more families will use these books to worship and pray together. “MERRY CHRISTMAS – Advent to Epiphany,” A Devotional Inspired by Nature: Volume 3 is her third project. Future writing may include “DIVINE LOVE - Ash Wednesday to Pentecost,” A Devotional Inspired by Nature: Volume 4.

Book preview

FAITH FOR AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD

ASCENSION to PENTECOST

A Devotional Inspired by Nature: Volume 5

Shirley D. Andrews

Copyright © 2023 Shirley D. Andrews.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Image Credit: J. Michael Fuller, Photographer

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

ISBN: 978-1-6642-7885-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-7886-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022917686

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/28/2023

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Part 1 Ascension of the King of Love

Part 2 Pentecost

Part 3 Faith Hall of Fame

Personal Testimony of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with Evidence of Tongues

Photographer

Author

References

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I offer a special thank you to those who have lifted this project to God in prayer and have continually given me words of encouragement. Your prayers and support were essential in taking this devotional from vision to reality. I am especially appreciate of:

J. Michael Fuller, photographer extraordinaire and praying friend, whose photography inspired my writing in each part of FAITH – Ascencion to Pentecost: A Devotional Inspired by Nature Volume 5.

Johanna Calabro and Sharyl Backus, loving friends and intercessors, for their prayers and encouragement along this journey of faith, especially their prayers.

Matt Richmond, a servant of Jesus Christ, marketing services for this new project.

Rev. Jay Richmond, President of Renewal Prayer Network, member of Capital District Ministers Association, Albany, NY. Pastor Jay is a life-long friend who is making time to help me with media advertising and I am so grateful to him.

And a special thank you to those whose endorsements have blessed me and encouraged me to keep moving forward in a writing ministry for the purpose of making disciples for the transformation of the world:

Dr. Thomas F. Reid, retired pastor and author of several books.

Rev. Patricia Molik, Elder in the Upper New York Annual Conference, United Methodist Church.

Rev. Penny Brink, Elder in the Upper New York and Annual Conference, United Methodist Church.

Shirley D. Andrews

John 10: 9-10

PART 1

ASCENSION OF THE KING OF LOVE

The Resurrected Messiah, Jesus Christ, on the Road to Emmaus

When they, the women, came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came along and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still; their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days? ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’

"He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained