Glory Flaming ’round

One of the things that happens to us when we hear the Word of God is that we are comforted. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” Jesus says (Mt. 5:4). In the Book of Acts, Luke says that “The Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied” (Acts 9:31). Unfortunately, through the years, “comfort” has lost some of its dignity and meaning.

The word “comfort” is derived from two old English words. In its original sense, it meant “to strengthen greatly.” The second part of the word — “fort” — comes from the same root as the word “fortress” or the word “fortify” or the word “forte” used in music to indicate strength. Under the weight of the variety of trials and tribulations that come our way, our spirits sag, and we need the power and the strength to raise them up…