Awaken Your Soul

I only read the title. Not the subtitle. When I picked out this book to read, I thought the title was interesting and felt that it was in keeping with a theme that God has had me on recently...Awakening.  Renewal. Personal Revival.  Restoration.  How like God to remind me that FASTING goes along with renewal and revival when it comes to a Christ Follower seeking to stay intimate and fresh in their walk.

Stovall Weems is not a name I have not been familiar with.  However, I like this pastor, friend, mentor.  He writes in a real, relevant and modern voice drawing the reader into his view of the 21st Century Christ Follower's need to seek God in an age old manner yet with out the staleness of days gone by.

In chapter 3, Stovall describes how fans at a sporting event do not need to be instructed on how to cheer for their team. No one says to clap because we are excited to see our team score.  No one encourages the crowd to stand to their feet to shout loudly as the unexpected play is made leading to victory.  The fans know what to do.  And others know who you are a fan of by your exuberant expressions of excitement and passion.

"Likewise, real followers of Christ will express genuine, authentic passion toward HIM..."


"Genuine spiritual passion comes from our hearts, but it manifests itself in our emotions and lifestyles..."


"Whatever you are passionate about, you will also be emotional about."


Stovall Weems suggests that staleness in our relationship with The One whose name we claim is an opportunity for us to grow cold in our love for the things of God... He teaches that FASTING will bring us into Agreement with God, Alignment with His Will and Word, in order to fulfill the Assignment we have been given.

Pastor Weems leads the reader to seek a 21 Day Fast in order to overcome the power of the will and to find fresh faith filled days.  He gives clear instruction on how to prepare, fast, then proceed.  He also has  a web-site that offers more devotional material, encouragement and other resources to revolutionize your relationship with God.

Honestly, I had planned to read the book, then sell it on eBay or Amazon or something.  I can not do that now as I have marked almost every page, highlighted many quotes that I want to remember.  I will tell everyone I know who seeks the Way to read and take to heart the message of Pastor Weems.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The review posted reflects my personal opinions.  

Peace

Peace

Peace and Quiet

Shhh... Listen

Peaceful Soul Peace of Mind

The voice of God speaks when we silence the noise.

He is Our Peace

The Word. Worship. Prayer.

These are my Roots.

What IF?

What happens when we the Bride of Christ, the Church of the Living God truly understand or even seek to comprehend or "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Romans 11:33)?  


What happens if we even tried to imagine the extreme love and sacrifice  that Jesus Christ paid when he bled, suffered and died...What does that look like? sound like? feel? Do we feel?

Would we truly worship him differently? Would our expressions of love for HIM reveal our honest thanksgiving and praise?

Would we abandon ourselves, our  pride and the Country Club atmosphere on Sunday morning for the sake of simply pouring out our love for the HOLY ONE and running toward HIS Presence?  Do we want His Presence? Desire it?

Lioiness Arising-Book Review

If ever there comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known.  "

                             – Mathew Arnold, 19^th Century British Poet and Philosopher

 In Lioness Arising, Lisa Bevere discusses how women are the called of God, co-heirs in the kingdom and fully equipped to carry out what God has called each of us, as followers of the Way, to accomplish
By observing and studying the life of the lioness, Lisa applies the similar character qualities we as the Woman of God share with these  majestic creatures.  The ability to care for and train her young, the ability to wait and watch, hunt.  The way she works with other lioness in caring for the pack and how she submits to the Lions authority in the pack.  

Lisa Bevere is the kind of writer who beautifully weaves together an illustration to achieve the message of the moment.  In her observation of how the lioness would sleep and rest, un-noticed by other animals in the plain, when she did rouse herself, the air was electric with anticipation of what the lioness would do.  So, too, when the women of God rise to our feet and respond to our place in the kingdom, there is anticipation in the heavenly places with the realization of our potential to change the world around us.

To this idea, she quotes from the Message:

 “Get out of bed and get dressed!  Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute.

 Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!”  

Romans 14:11-14.

Sometimes I need that admonition.  Get UP.  Don't WAIT.  Do you?

Lisa addresses the issue of women in the church and the role we are to play in the work of the kingdom.  Using the example of the relationship between the lion and lioness, she describes how both male and female work together to accomplish the common mission:  to protect and provide for the pack, to establish a legacy of strength with the next generation.  While each knows their role, they do not usurp the role of the other. 

This causes me to pose the question:  What will happen in the kingdom's work when genders are reconciled and finally work together to accomplish the great commission, honoring one another, encouraging one another, supporting one another in our gifting?  What could we accomplish if we weren't so busy worried over who is supposed to what and simply accept that:

"He created them male and female and blessed them.”

Genesis 5:2

Lisa writes, " it’s time for us to lay aside our gender issues and move away from extremes that render us ineffective.  It’s time to wake up to how God has purposed us to be—strong in him, an asset to men, and a voice of redemption to the lost and hurting in the world. "

Lioness Arising is a must read.  I plan to read this book again before sharing it with a friend.  I hope you will read this powerful, encouraging, inspiring book too.