Walk across the room.

Over the last few weeks at my home congregation we have been discussing sharing our faith.  On Wednesdays individuals have shared their stories and on Sunday the topic has been "Walk across the room".  Walking across the room, simply stated, is acknowledging people.  I have been encouraged to do more, to share more.  But how? I work at home.  Most weeks I only leave my house to go to church or the grocery store.  How can I walk across the room? There is no one in my 'room' except my cat. 


For the last two Sundays my son, who is in S. Korea has virtually come to church with me via video chat.  I then realized that my 'walk across the room' was at my finger tips.  It was then that I decided to let my fingers do the walking.  I sat down and created several post cards to send out to whoever may need encouragement.  (I mailed 4 this morning).  I then e-mailed a study to someone who I care deeply for because they have decided to stop coming to fellowship.  I am posting it here for you.  I hope you will delve deep and share your answers:


1. What do you believe about Jesus?
2. Why do you believe it?
3. What does it mean to be a Christian?
4. What does God require of Christians?
5. What is the "church"?
6. What does God say about obedience? To Him? To elders? Parents? leaders?
7. What is grace? 


I pray that you will search the scriptures to find the answers.  

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

I have been very blessed to know many Godly men and women who are living the above passage. Mark 16:15-16 says "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'"  Matthew 28:19-20 reads "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  One of the women who obedient to these scriptures on a daily basis is Laura Ann Day. 


I am proud and happy to introduce Laura Ann Day.  She is daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and now a published author:

Colleen: Laura, I’ve know you for years.  Other than youth group Bible study lessons, Keynotes for Daughters of the King, and Son Quest lessons, have you written a full-length book before now?

Laura: No, never.  I have, however, felt a strong calling to reach out further beyond myself for a while now, but that energy never moved in a specific direction until now.

Colleen:  So what prompted you write “Soul Reunion”? 

Laura: The short answer is God. (laughter) But in sincerity, it was a very long process. We were transferred from our long-time home and I was searching—struggling really—to find what my purpose is here. I was approached to work closely with the women of our congregation to help re-define their direction. There was so much untapped talent! So, I took about a month to put together a 40-Day Study. We used that time to fast and pray for God to show us HIS direction.  As God revealed Himself and re-kindled a collective deep desire to know Him more intimately over the following two and a half years, that study was expanded into two quarterly studies.  At the conclusion of the last quarter, an elder approached me to “strongly suggest” I put the work into book form. I was like, “…seriously? Because I’m pretty sure I just requested to take the summer off to re-charge, and heal from the loss of my Father…” This elder was so very gentle and kind… he basically said that this was the perfect time to write the book, because there was none of “me” left to fight the process, and that God would have wide-open space to accomplish His words through me. As spiritually and emotionally exhausted as I was, those words hit me like lightening. I knew God was telling me to sit myself in that chair and get busy!

Colleen: What was your writing process?  Did you have a plan or did you just pray and drink lots of coffee?

Laura: Well, coffee was definitely involved! (more laughter) You do know me well!

 Honestly, I was just completely outside myself with this thing. I had no clue as to how to, I don’t know, “harness?” this work and steer it where it was supposed to go. I was working on it and collecting the lessons and arranging them into an outline, all while traveling and attending a bunch of weddings. One wedding turned into a gigantic family reunion—we hadn’t all been together in probably ten years—and that’s when the structure of the book was revealed to me. As we all shared old family stories with the new generation at the dinner table, I had a vivid vision in my head of our spiritual ancestors sitting at God’s table, sharing the stories of their walk with God. The scene was so comforting to me; very much in the way my family brings me comfort. I know without a doubt that God was showing me the exact direction to go. I went home and got busy… and God did the rest.  His words flowed through me in a way that I just can’t explain.  It was one of the most intimate and precious times of my life.

Colleen: When deciding to write the book, did you have a specific person/audience in mind? Sometimes author’s write for themselves, others for someone in specific. You?

Laura: There was nothing specific at the beginning of the process other than knowing God was calling me to do the work. As I went through the process I began to pray over the words. I asked God to give me exactly what needed to be written, because He alone knew who would be reading.  It was at that point that I surrendered it wholly to Him. I found myself completely at peace with whatever the outcome would be. If the only purpose of the process was to deepen my own faith… if I was the only person who would ever lay eyes on it…I was OK with that.  I didn’t worry about anything beyond that. I knew—I mean I KNEW—He had a plan and a purpose, and that He would accomplish it in His time.

Colleen: How did you come up with the format of the book?

Laura: Well, I basically went by the same format as the classroom studies. The original manuscript was distributed to five different people for review of content and marketability. One of my mentors, who has a very keen sense of organization, gave me some invaluable feedback concerning the flow and continuity.  I made a few adjustments, like including the “Points to Ponder” at the end of every chapter.  The original format only included it in about 75% of the chapters.  But he saw that section as an instrument that draws each reader into his or her own intimate encounter with God. Once that addition was completed I knew it was the way it was intended to be.

Colleen:  What did you learn in regards to your spiritual walk while researching the scriptures for this book? 

Laura: The one thing that has changed me the most is coming to an understanding that we are all connected. Every follower of Christ is undeniably linked to the faithful people of the past, from creation all the way to right now.  No matter where or when someone is called to a walk of faith with our Creator, the constant is God. Each of us has to confront those facets of ourselves that don’t fully trust God. Each of us has to wrestle with the mistakes we make.  God is always with us, not only in spite of our frailties and imperfections, but also in a way in which those things can be used to His glory and honor. This understanding has had a profound effect on my walk. I love God more than I ever thought possible.

Colleen: I had the privilege off proofreading the book for you.  I could feel you sitting beside me and telling me the stories and teaching. Maybe its because I know you, but your voice was in my head as I read it.  Do you think the reader, who may not know you personally, will feel the same way? What would you like to say to them to give greater insight to you?

Laura: I am very hopeful that this will be the case. I think more than anything else, I would like them to know that I never want to lead with my own words, or with my own agenda. There was a time in my life that I couldn’t say that, because there were parts of me that I hadn’t surrendered to God yet.  Most people think God is, you know, out there, far away, on His throne, in the corner office type of thing. While He is definitely His Majesty, He is also Abba—our Dad. He wants us to know Him so well that we feel His familial presence. That was the one thing I was hoping to accomplish for the reader…that “sit down next to you and chat a while” feeling.

Colleen:  Do you plan on writing another book?

Laura: Yes. I am currently working on another book, but it is still so completely in its infancy that there really isn’t a title yet. There are several others spinning around in my head, but until God directs that energy where it should go, they’ll stay there!

Colleen: Let’s say someone reads this blog and does not know God, has never read the Bible, but is curious... what would you say to them?

Laura: Nothing happens by mistake or coincidence. God led you to this blog, at this moment, to call you to follow Him. Contact the author of this blog, and she will know where to send you to get the information you need.  The life you’ve always dreamed of is waiting for you! Do it!


Colleen:
Soul Reunion is available now through Westbow Press and also Amazon.  Read it and be blessed by it as I was. 

I don't like ice.

I'm tired and grumpy today. I'm grumpy because I'm not sleeping well.  I have shoulder and neck problems so I went to see a physical therapist yesterday.  I left hurting worse than when I had arrived from all his poking and prodding and twisting and testing. 


Last night as I lay in bed with my arms propped up on pillows I began to pray, well whine actually, about how much I don't like to be in pain. The therapist said to not do any exercise that requires moving my arms - and that includes running. Bummer. That made me even grumpier. 


As I laid there praying about my pain my mind wandered to the cross. Jesus cried blood because he knew of the pain he was about to endure. For me. Willingly.  I began thinking about how much pain He must have been in. He was tortured, beaten, forced to carry a heavy wooden cross on open wounds, nails driven into his arms and legs. Not once did the Bible say that he complained.  I'm pretty sure I would not allow someone to poke me with a needle in order to save someone much less what Jesus endured. Oh, sure I've given lots of blood, when I was pregnant with both my children. I endured the pain of needles for them, however, that's a mere mosquito bite compared to the pain suffered on the cross for me and you and the entire world present, and future. That's love.


My pain is nothing now that I remember Jesus and how much he loves me. My pain is temporary but his love endures forever. Yet, as I sit here in my recliner typing this with ice packs on my shoulders I still want to yell, "I don't like ice!!!" 

MUSINGS

Last night was an awesome night of worship!  First, my husband taught class.  This was the first class that I had been in with him teaching.  Obviously it was not his first time to teach.  It was a great class on the subject of 'why do we read the Bible' and 'what do we read'.  He made me very proud to be his wife.  Which is nothing new.  I always am. 


After class one of the young women spoke in the auditorium.  She is a young mother of two children under the age of 2 years of age.  She told us that she wanted to rededicate her life to Jesus Christ because she had been living a life of 'me, me, me' and it was exhausting.  She told us she had been baptized at the age of 11 because she was a people pleaser and she thought it was the right thing to do because everyone told her so.  


That confession made me think a lot about my life.  I was baptized at the age of 13 because my mother set it up with the preacher because 'it was time'.  I then rededicated my life with baptism in a swimming pool when I was about 8.5 months pregnant.  This time because I knew it was something I needed to do. 


Still, something she said stuck with me.  She felt her life had been all about her and not about Jesus.  She had not been sharing with others her faith. Don't we all do that?  We are so afraid to share the good news of Jesus Christ because it isn't "politically correct". We are afraid of what other people will say about us.  Well, if you think about it, Jesus was never politically correct.  He told it like it is.  For goodness sake, he died because he was not politically correct so, excuse my language, but who the hell cares if we are politically correct when it comes to saving the lost???!! We are commanded in the scriptures to go into the world.  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (matthew 28). 


One last thing.  There is only ONE way to God. In John 14 Jesus says: "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well."


So when I hear people say there are many paths to heaven, they are wrong. Wrong, sadly, but true.  I think people get offended when they are told that there is only one way to God because they are being convicted to their very core and it makes them uncomfortable.  They are faced with the possibility that they may be wrong and they do not like to admit it because it means they will have to make difficult changes in their life. Stating this fact in John 14 is not being exclusionary or being self-righteous or intolerant.  It is a fact.  Just because people do not like it or agree with it does not make it any more a fact. 


Sermon over.  Have a blessed day.