“Soulation”

Food for thought from Jonalyn Grace Fincher of Soulation: Sturdy answers.  Better souls.

Shared by: Kristine, author, blogger, homeschooler, humorist, professional mom, human.

Are You Listening?

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

We have a new family member, Jack, a Jack Russell Terrier. Jack is a sweetie pie, cute as a button, the total opposite of Zeke. Jack loves to hunt, he has a field day in our yard running from tree to tree chasing whatever it is that he is chasing. He plays keep away with Zeke, they chase each other around the house, each one trying to keep the ball or stuffed animal away from the other. Jack has never had an accident, he’s not chewed up anything except chew toys. He’s a good dog. But Jack does not listen to me.

I can be calling his name and he’s so focused in on what he’s doing … he totally ignores me. I have to actually go over to him and pick him up for him to stop doing what he’s doing and look at me. Jack does not hear my voice.

Zeke, on the other hand, who has been my best buddy for over five years always hears my voice. Even when I don’t want him to hear me, he does. I cannot say one word without Zeke being at my side. Sometimes I don’t have to even speak, I can just look at him and he’ll come over and lay his head on me. Zeke loves me, he listens for my voice and the second he hears it, he responds.

Sometimes I act like Jack, with God. I am so busy running around doing my thing, I don’t hear His gentle whisperings. He literally has to put a wall up in front of me for me to stop what I am doing and listen.

I want to be more like Zeke in my walk with Jesus. I want to hear His voice, whatever I’m doing – where ever I’m doing it. I want to stay attuned to His call.

I want to be part of His flock. I want to follow HIM.

Father, thank you for allowing me to see this example so clearly. Teach me Lord Jesus, how to hear your voice, no matter what the circumstance.

I Love You Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God’s Blessing Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

Million Copy Give-Away.
    Will You Help?

http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
   it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Just As I Am

Have you ever had one of those days when you just felt like a dork? Efforts made – came up short. Comments and actions – seemed to miss the mark. Basically, your self esteem just wasn’t feeling solid on that particular day!

Sometimes I assume that people will see and know my heart and soul. Oh, how I wish they could see into me at times! To know and understand my motives or intent. But, they don’t. And no matter how long I’m alive, I will probably always be astonished that people in my life will continue to misunderstand or second-guess me.

So, yes – today was one of those days for me. I felt like a dork. I just wasn’t able to quite “connect” with a few people, and my feelings got bruised up a bit. I shouldn’t be surprised, actually. I had a few other encouraging things happen this past week and I should have had my armor on and been ready for Satan to hit in retaliation. But, I wasn’t. And oh, how Satan loves to get us where it’s personal – doesn’t he?

How thankful I am, that I can come to God – just as I am. No pressure to perform to certain standards or expectations, no misunderstandings (for He can not only see my heart – He can read my mind!) – and nothing but open arms welcoming me into His presence – wanting to see me, be with me, and love me. How reassuring and thankful I am! Because this evening, I need those open arms. I need His love to remind me that I am not a dork. I need His strength to build me up again and show me that I’m doing okay and I’m on the right track – regardless of responses by others. He can encourage me to stay the course. Because Satan loves to make us feel sorry for ourselves and powerless – doesn’t He? We can’t be used to spread God’s love and cheer if we’re too busy being wrapped up in our own pity party. I know that, and I see that.

It was just a day. One day. And not all days are going to be beautiful, lovely, charming, and lovey. I know that. Tomorrow morning, the sun will rise and I can start fresh.

My soul is comforted by being able to take my feelings of “dorkiness” to the Lord. He is always there for me – ready, waiting, and welcoming.

For God said,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Or – as in my translation -
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in (dorkiness). Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my (dorkiness) so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake – I delight in (dorkiness), in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am (feeling like a dork), then I am strong.”

I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to come as I am.

 

Read Dionna’s blog at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com

Akeldama

Step into the pages of Akeldama, my historical novel of Faith.  Meet beautiful Yo-hannah, whose tortured past has imprisoned her body and heart.  Walk in the stooped steps of Veronica, whose mysterious malady has made her ceremonially unclean.  Thirst for living water with a half-breed whose checkered past is about to catch up with her.

Thrown together from different dead-ends, each woman seeks answers to her own desperation.  Will Yo-hannah find the peace she craves?  Can an unclean woman receive a touch of mercy?  Where can a despised half-breed go to be made whole?  And what about old Hadessa, whose enigmatic past is as mysterious as the young rabbi from Nazareth who crosses each woman’s path?

Each woman’s life and future hinges on the Nazarene’s answer to  one question: who are you?

Click here to order

“I have read only a few Christian novels worthy of the name.  My favorite Christian authors are C.S. Lewis, Stephen R. Lawhead, Joseph F. Girzone, and now Kristine Lowder.  I must tell you that her book, Akeldama, touched me so deeply that I cried like a baby as I read the final chapter.  Yes, the final chapter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ – not a new subject.  But something in her telling of it blessed me with joy, gratitude, awe, and wonder.  I cannot remember a time when I wanted to re-read a book as soon as I finished it.  Treat yourself to a great book!

- William C. Oakes, Senior Pastor,

Living Stones Fellowship, Warrens, Wisconsin

Click here to order

“If all men…

“If all men are offended because of Christ, let them be offended; but where is the sense of their being offended at something that is not Christ and is nothing like Him? We do Him singularly little honor by watering down His personality till it could not offend a fly. Surely it is not the business of the Church to adapt Christ to men, but to adapt men to Christ. It is the dogma that is the drama-not beautiful phrases, nor comforting sentiments, nor vague aspirations to loving-kindness and uplift, nor the promise of something nice after death- but the terrifying assertion that the same God who made the world lived in the world and passed through the grave and gate of death. Show that to the heathen, and they may not believe it; but at least they may realize that here is something that a man might be glad to believe.” -

Dorothy Sayers, Creed or Chaos?

Originally posted at Et. Elle.

Shared by Kristine, blogger, author, humorist, homeschooler, professional mom and chief wrangler at the ‘ole testosterone ranch.

“A Hunger and an Openness”

“Confession is an art of relationship that has been lost in our era.”

- Dan Allender, The Healing Path

See James 5:16.

What do you think Allender means by this? How important is confession to a relationship?

Continues Allender, “Confession is twofold: first, opening our heart to God, admitting we are far from home and need his grace, and then saying to the other what we have already said to God. The word “confession” comes from a Greek word that means `saying the same thing as’ –it is repeating what is obvious. I have stepped on your foot. Now I need to say, ‘I have stepped on your foot’ and ‘forgive me.’ Confession releases pent-up fear and self-hatred. It also exposes the hidden part of my self-righteousness that says, ‘I would not have stepped on your foot if you hadn’t gotten in my way.”

Do you see the difference? Do you know someone who doesn’t? Common within much of Christendom is the “you-must-forgive” refrain. Which is fine. But when it comes to restoring a relationship, forgiveness is only half of the equation. Forgiveness is a solo act; reconciliation is a duet.

“Confession acknowledges failure, but more important, it admits desire: ‘I have failed you, we are divided, and I long to be restored.’ Confession remembers a day of intimacy and sees the current division in light of what was once a relationship of shalom. In asking for restoration we outstretch our arms to receive the blessing that can come only from one who knows the playful anticipation of forgiveness as well as we do.”

“Ultimately, availability is a hunger to be forgiven, and an openness to bless and forgive.”

Amen?

A musing shared by Kristine. author, blogger, humorist, professional mom, homeschool and chief wrangler at the ‘ole testosterone ranch.

Allies

Ever notice how most Christians look for “fellow sojourners” or “allies” in the church?   But what if a church doesn’t teach that the heart is central, or that the spiritual battle is real? Many churches focus on programs, busyness, social causes, teaching “sound doctrine” and so on. Nothing wrong with any of that, but take the heart out of “church” and it can become soul-killing. Where do we learn how to walk with God, from and with the heart?

Take it a step or two further.   How do you get to know several hundred or even several thousand other people beyond the superficial Sunday morning “Hello” and “Goodbye”? Where do you do “life together”?  How do you pray for one another, specifically and strategically?  When and where do they learn your story, and you learn theirs?

It could be in a small group. An “organic church.” A home fellowship, “cell group” or “fellowship hour” or a “growth group.”   Whatever you  call it, it has to be real and “bite-sized.”  It has to be small enough, yes, intimate enough to form authentic alliances.

It has to be in “a company of Christians.” These people must be open to being moved and changed by the works they’re reading, the parties they’re throwing, the plans they implement, by the stories and shared lives of the group. These clubs or groups or fellowships or friends don’t gather just to critique or plan or hang out, but to be transformed.  (See Romans 12:1,2.)

Do you have allies like that? If not, ask God to lead you to people who share a similar vision. Pray. Then – initiate.  Open your heart first.  Then open your doors… and watch God work.

Shared by Kristine.

In Company

From May 1…

Contrast the anemic version of look-alike, sound-alike, dress-alike, think-alike-ism and ask what entering the agora in company looks like?

Maybe neighbors or friends who attend the same of different churches link up and throw a joint Vacation Bible School? Maybe they form a book discussion group, and read something besides Christian books! Maybe they make a pact to remember each other’s special dates – birthdays and anniversaries, etc. – and host a friendly competition as to who can throw the craziest celebration over a year’s time.

Reading, talking, laughing, month by month over years, these folks become part of each other’s stories, chapter and verse. They can’t do it as “ministry” in the manner in which that term is usually used.

Christian author and speaker John Eldredge of Ransomed Heart Ministries puts it like this:

“When we turn to God from the heart, seeking to recover our first Love, we awaken to the Gospel as a romance. Not a set of principles to be mastered, not a roster of programs to get involved in. First and foremost, the Gospel is a love affair with God. What a wonderful revelation; … We soon discover that the heart is absolutely vital to the Christian life – the heart of God, and our heart, too. We begin to taste a bit of what Jesus meant when he said he came to give us life (see John 10:10).”

We live in a world at war. Unseen forces swirl around us, engaged in an invisible battle. Sometimes we see the effects – broken homes, addictions, abuse, suicide. Sometimes not. Sometimes we get so “used” to living in a fall world that we forget this isn’t our final destination. We have an Enemy. Where can we find allies? With whom can we share this journey?  How?

Asked by Kristine.

What Would Happen? #3

Continuing from the April 29 post with a few more questions:

Why did Jesus choose his followers from some “unlikely” candidates? I mean, really. Brothers from the same family? Political enemies, wild men? One of the first and most basic principles of the world is “avoid conflict at all costs.”

I’ve been in more small groups, Bible studies and women’s ministry forums than I can count where “avoid conflict at all costs” was the main mantra. You probably know how it goes: Join with people who are like you, think like you, look like you, act like you. Hold the same values, accept the written and unwritten rules and for goodness’ sake, whatever you do, don’t rock the boat!

The result? Well, that sort of group or ministry is usually “safe,” but it’s also myopic, ingrown, and stagnant.  Is that what Christians are to be about, being “safe”?

The gospel comes along and says, “You are meant to be fools. Strangers. Pilgrims looking for home. Aliens in a foreign land. Re-enter the world and share my love by loving those with whom you wouldn’t normally get along.”

Or, as Dan Allender writes in The Healing Path, “We are to join with our motley crew members and enter the agora, intending to do more than merely have a good night out and kill some time.”

What do you think?

Wondering by Kristine.

What Would Happen…

Ever seen this?

“People sit in church on Sunday morning. If they are really committed, they go to a Bible study or a small growth group. And if they are amazingly disciplined and committed, they will take on another ministry in the church like teaching Sunday school or helping out in a youth group. All these activities are wonderful. But what would happen if we also left the church as apostolic bands and entered the agora to join a fly-fishing club and visit a nursing home? What if we hung out in coffee shops and got involved in Big Brothers?” (Dan Allendar, The Healing Path, p. 246)

In describing what he calls the “institutional church,” Frank Viola puts it this way in Reimagining Church:

These churches are constructed on programs and rituals rather than relationships. They are highly structured, typically building-centered organizations regulated by set-apart professionals (“ministers” and “clergy”) who are aided by volunteers (laity). They require staff, buildings, salaries, and administration. In the institutional church congregants watch a religious performance once or twice a week led by principally one person (the pastor or minister), and then retreat home to their individual lives.”

Is this the kind of church we see modeled in the New Testament? If not, what happened? Why?

Asked by Kristine.