Spirit, Breath, Wind

The Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word, pneuma, both have three meanings -- breath, wind, and spirit. Different translations of the Bible may make different choices about which understanding to us, dependent on the context of the story. The breath of God may connect with God speaking creation into being in the first chapter of Genesis. Portraying wind in other stories connects with the spirit coming like a violent wind at Pentecost. Whatever image of God's movement or action in a story you wish to portray -- a gentle, ethereal presence; a connection to the very source of life, or a rushing presence that cannot be ignored -- choosing one or more signs to accompany the words you speak can strengthen the story you tell.