Responding to a Connection Invitation
By Marlene Allen “Mom! Dad! Look! Look at me!” is the cry of a young heart. “Look at me. See me. Validate me. Affirm me. Help me become my own person by acknowledging that my actions have meaning. Enjoy this moment with me. It’s part of me forming my own personality. It’s me venturing out […]
Hosting Your Best Self
Several years ago in college, I had the privilege of reading Dallas Willard’s Spirit of the Disciplines. That book, among other of his works, impacted me deeply. One of Willard’s explanations that caught me was his view on the spiritual quality of hospitality. The spiritual gift of hospitality is commonly described as hosting someone in your […]
Finding Identity and Transformation by Seeking Things Above
(Part 9 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) By Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri Followers of Jesus are in the process of being transformed into the image of Jesus. We are born into an entirely new identity from the moment we receive […]
Grace as a Foundation for Peace in Your Small Group
(Part 8 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) By Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri The word grace was around for hundreds of years before Paul used it in his epistles. Grace is a relational term that implies an ongoing, mutual connection between […]
Breaking Through the Fog
(Part 7 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) By Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri Looking back over the previous blogs, it is clear we have been misapplying what the Bible says. In a sense, we have been creating fog around the topic. […]
The Shortcomings of Denying Wounds to Fake Peace and Building Community According to the Flesh
(Part 6 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) By Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri Hurt and wounding is destructive. Such experiences fester within us. That is why it is blatant stupidity to deny or try to toss away wounds by claiming they […]
Shortcomings of Enveloping Our Identities in Sticky Sin to Build Spiritual Community
(Part 5 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) By Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri Our perception of reality is skewed by all the wounds and hurts we experience — whether they result from our sin or someone else’s. Throughout every life, Satan […]
Sharing Wounds and Pain to Develop Attachment and Intimacy
(Part 4 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) By Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri Getting to know each other by talking things through is often used in Christian circles to form spiritual community. We get to know each other by discussing as […]
Relational Discussion or Enemy Mode Argument?
My enemy mode tendencies almost did some damage recently. Becoming relational takes time as neural pathways (FAST track) get retrained. I almost fell into a well-worn path in a discussion that ended relationally but could have taken a turn. My wife Deborah and I are moving this summer. After hundreds of hours on house hunting […]
From Brokenness To Relational Wholeness
By Rebecca Caputo When I was handed a little green book several years ago, I didn’t for a moment expect it to rock the foundation of my beliefs or my life. In my early 40’s I read, “Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You” by Dr. Jim Wilder et al and it changed, well, literally […]
Dusty Disciples
By Ed Khouri Dear Life Model Community, It’s a joy to be covered in dust with you! Let me explain. In biblical times, many rabbis and teachers had followers. The Gospels report huge crowds listened toJesus teach. Multitudes traveled long distances, hoping for a miracle and eagerly awaiting His words. Butthen, as now, there was […]
How to Develop Joy Strength
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Would you like to increase your joy and displace the internal emotional pain in your life? The key is […]
The Family of God
By this we know love that He gave his life His self-sacrifice … the Passion Play Once we who were takers become the receivers A new culture is born in this way We b’long to new friends in this Spirit of rest No more to be left all alone This family reflects back who we truly are […]
Brain Joy-Flow
The flow begins at bottom right For a caring one who’s full of light Delights to be with me Next the hub for my alarm Alerting me to cause for harm But all is quiet now I ask then, “Am I understood?” By others who will do me good I feel assured I am So joy […]
To Adore Is To A Door
It seems we’re always striving for opportunities To make our mark upon the world Our insecurity to ease We want to find significance in a noisy day The many voices drown us out So we push to get our say Working hard to find the doors that lead to open seas We trample love into […]
Childlikeness
Trusting, dependent, adoring, responsive Too honest for acting unreal Open and curious, willing to bond This is what children reveal Christ said that we must become just like them In the kingdom of God to share Let’s lay down our pride and humbly decide The stigma is worth it to bear In Matthew 18:2-4, Jesus’ […]
Mirrored Thoughts
Life rushes by at flurried pace Unless I clear some sacred space To adore the Source of all gifts good And grace appears to change my mood My thoughts return to traveled miles That reapply forgotten smiles I live again sight, sound and smell Deep thanks drawn up as from a well Wind, quake and fire weren’t […]
A Hearing Heart
In King Solomon’s story there is a grand clue To being God’s friend … it’s for me, it’s for you The young king was tender, he loved the Lord greatly God came near in a dream to see if he was stately “Ask what I shall give you,” bid God to the king His response holds the […]
God and Us
God is with us: You designed me from the start My life you had planned You have always been with me Though I didn’t see Your hand God is for us: Then one day You intervened My trust to Christ I gave Now that we are reconciled My whole life You will save God is […]
Love Bond
It feels like our imperfections Would turn our God’s face away To be mostly disappointed in us ‘Cause our weaknesses get in His way Men’s traditions have taught us to fear God In ways that have twisted the truth And kept us from bonding securely In His love for which there’s ample proof God has […]