The Helper

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, the day we remember the powerful arrival of the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension. It came suddenly…a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came down from heaven and filled the whole house where the disciples were sitting. Tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. Utterly amazed and perplexed, they asked one another about the meaning of their shared experience (Acts 1,2). At that moment they were confused, but this was all in fulfillment of what God had ordained long ago, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Joel 2:28) and “I will not leave you as orphans…the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things” (John 14: 16, 26).

The Counselor (also translated Helper or Advocate) comes from the Greek word parakletos, which identifies what the Holy Spirit does for us – He comes alongside to help us sort, sift and discern the tender voice and loving call of the Master. Helper or Counselor is probably Jesus’ favorite name for the Holy Spirit. Each time that term is used in the Scriptures (John 14: 16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) it is a reference of intimacy and warmth, repeated by Jesus during the Upper Room Discourse. It relates to both our salvation and our sanctification. The Helper guides us into the Kingdom and He aids us daily in navigating our way as Kingdom builders.

In what way do you most need The Helper today? All you need to do is whisper a prayer of salvation, confession, petition, or protection and the Spirit is there to lead you into all truth. His indwelling and filling keeps genuine spiritual renewal within your grasp…therefore, turn your hearts toward the Spirit and He will most certainly Advocate in your behalf. Trust that indeed this will be your experience today and reclaim your inheritance as a beloved child of God.

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.