"Christian Philosophy" by Andrew Wommack and a Brief Look at My Personal Growth

When I sought help for my addiction in 1992, part of my self-examination/recovery process caused me to sift through my ideas, beliefs, and values (my personal philosophy) in search of what I truly believed in.

A Dysfunctional Model

 Many of my situational responses were based on what I had been taught by an increasingly dysfunctional family model that revolved around an alcoholic parent. In recovery, a day arrived when I realized I couldn't use that model anymore. I had to learn a new, healthier pattern of behavior. Seriously, I felt like I was white water rafting without a paddle. Out of control. Lost. My belief in Jesus, a good support system of recovery meetings, sponsorship, and a commitment to sobriety kept me from becoming mired down in depression and relapsing into alcoholism.

What is Christian Philosophy?

So what does this have to do with Andrew Wommack's book? Well, the first chapter, What is Christian Philosophy? caused me to carefully examine my philosophy again. As I read through Chapter One, I kept saying,"This is exactly how I feel!" or "I believe that, too!" Andrew's book helped me see the different threads of my personal faith, beliefs, and values as an interwoven, complete fabric. A Bible-based fabric that wraps up my thoughts, actions, and behaviors as I walk through today.

In Colossians 2:8, Paul says,"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Paul also told Timothy to,"guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith." (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

A Little of Jesus, A Lot of Sin

Human traditions and the basic principles of this world were my number one priority for sixteen years. I believed in Jesus. Jesus was my savior. He was there to help me in bad times, hard times, and whenever I decided to give him an opportunity. I would tell you I was a Christian. However, my relationship with Jesus was just a small part of my life. There was an emptiness inside me that wouldn't go away. Sin pervaded my life.

 Sobriety Changed My Priority

When I quit drinking, reading my Bible became a more regular part of my life. Gradually, Bible reading, regular church attendance, and sobriety changed my number one priority. In 1994, I knew I wanted to be baptised by immersion and rededicate my life to Christ. A spiritual relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is my number one priority. Prayer keeps me focused on God. My goal is to be more Christ-like. What would Jesus do? is a question that helps keep me on the narrow path.

More Study, Less Chatter

My Christian philosophy changes as I spend more time in bible study and listening to bible teachers. Several years ago, my favorite Bible teacher lost a pupil because of several teachings that didn't mention one scripture. Not one. The "sword of the spirit" is the bible. I want teachers who will help me "sharpen my sword". Paul warned the church at Colosse against hollow and deceptive philosophy and warned Timothy to turn away from godless chatter. Which brings me back to Andrew Wommack's book.

God is #1

Andrew's book encouraged me to review my Christian walk over the last eight years. The review has helped me see the growth and maturity that has appeared since my life became God aligned. God overshadows every area of my life. He is first in all things.

Jesus's Prayer

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:22-23




 

Christian Motorcyclists Association Outreach At Lake of the Ozarks Bike Week

Bill and I arrived at the Harley shop (Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson) around eleven thirty. We parked in the rear lot because it was close to vendors row and the hospitality tent. However, the front and side parking lots were already full of bikes, so that was the only place to park anyway. After parking our bikes and unloading the chairs, we walked to the hospitality tent pictured below. We relieved another couple who manned the tent from nine til we arrived. I was a little surprised at how many people walked up and asked about the items on the table. When they found out everything was free, another item or two left the table. 

 Outreach to the bikers in vendors row
All items on the table are free
Pictured left to right - Kelly N. and Andy N. with a visitor

 

Some of the items we give away are motorcycle themed bibles - Hope for the Highway, coins with a Christian Motorcyclists Association phone number on it, and rag tracts. Kelly and I folded fifty Ragg tracts and about fifteen were left when I took this picture. Ragg tracts are shop towels with a paper tract folded inside. I tell people that the towel will help clean up messes on their bike and the tract will help them clean up messes in their life. Curiosity will usually cause people to pick one up. Many
Bill and I packed up our chairs, fired up our bikes, and rode out of the Harley dealership parking lot around three-thirty. We are truly blessed to be riding disciples for our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 If you would like to find out more about Christian Motorcyclists Association, visit www.cmausa.org

9/11, Washington D.C. and Motorcyclists

Last night I watched YouTube videos showing the hundreds of bikers streaming toward Washington D.C. Then, I read some of the many articles covering this event and the misinformation that has been dominant with this effort. My motorcycle is in the garage, but I am with my brothers and sisters on the road in heart and mind. Prayers are being lifted to the Lord to protect the riders, their machines, the event, and our country. I still remember the day the Twin Towers fell.

I was at work in Belle,MO at the elementary school when the Twin Towers fell. The principal came around and notified the staff quietly that something had happened on the East Coast and no one was sure what was happening. Then, parents started arriving and checking their children out of school. About a quarter of the students were gone in less than an hour. TV sets were connected to the Internet in classrooms and everyone watched the Twin Towers fall and the crash of the commercial airliner that had been headed for the Pentagon. Little learning happened that morning, but everyone knew that a monumental event had happened in the United States of America.

For the next two or three days, the USA was welded into a single unit. Color, class, and race was forgotten as the population of the USA came together and merged in heart and mind. Slowly though, this merging of the citizens fell apart. Local, state, and federal government contributed to this. Instead of bonding the way the population had, politicians continued to argue and then pass laws that changed the inherent freedom of America. The people dissolved back into factions of culture, race, sexual orientation, and the stew of other issues. The "sleeping giant" faded away.

Please pray for the patriotic motorcyclists who are riding and standing in the capitol city as a gesture of unitedness. Pray for the unity that this country experienced for a few short weeks to return. This unity of purpose is what won World War Two. The "Silent Majority" is vocal and visible today. The bikers who are in the national capitol today are part of the "Silent Majority" who have become convinced we need to show unity and give honor to the victims of the horrific events which took place on September 11.

My Ebook, Fractured into Faithful, is Live at Amazon.com

Whoopee! Yahoo! Fractured into Faithful by Sallee Bonham (me), is now a Kindle ebook at Amazon.com. Hours of writing, revising, organizing, and editing are finally over and the end product is for sale world wide! Poetry and short stories taken from the peaks and valleys of my journey through life.
Click on the link and sample Chapter 1.

 

A Command from Jesus - Quiet! Settle down!

A Stressful Weekend

Labor Day weekend has been fairly stressful this year. I allowed myself to become mentally and emotionally wrapped up with an issue that arose Thursday evening. Last night, my husband and I sat down and prayed together. My inner turmoil calmed down gradually throughout the prayer. However, I awoke at 3:30 AM wide awake. Knowing that sleep wasn't going to return, I arose and checked my email.

A Personal Revelation

I opened up yesterday's Girlfriends in God devotional, Be Still and Know from Sharon Jaynes and started reading. 

"Like the men caught on the stormy Sea of Galilee, I felt I had been reeling in the waves for years - never in danger of truly sinking – just reeling from one rolling wave of work and deadlines to the next. But on this particular morning, I began to see the cast of characters in this Galilean scene in a different light. I was definitely in the scene, but I wasn’t in the boat at all. I was the storm.

I love how Eugene Peterson describes Jesus’ words to the wind and the waves as his friend stirred him from his sleep to calm the squall: “’Quiet! Settle down!’ The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.”(Mark 4:39 The Message)...And all the while God has been whispering to me, “Cease striving and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NASB). “It’s not that hard. Settle down. Be quiet.”

Now, I am sitting here knowing that God spoke to me through Sharon's devotional. Oh how I wish I had started yesterday out with that message instead of the mental merry-go-round my mind couldn't seem to stay off of for more than an hour or two.

I Was the Storm...Inwardly

I was the storm. How those words struck home with me. All weekend, I was the storm, not outwardly, but inwardly. Jesus finally had enough and told me this morning,"Quiet! Settle down!"

This isn't the first time he has had to bring this home to me. I am reminded of a devotional I read several years ago that said,

"sometimes you just have to sit in park for awhile, before you put yourself in gear and move ahead."

Brothers and sisters, I am going to follow Jesus's command to be quiet and settle down. God wants me to cease striving and know that He is God. He will hold me in his hand and set me to his purposes.

You can find Sharon's devotional at:
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/be-still-and-know-girlfriends-in-god-september-2-2013.html

Update: 9/7/2013 

My mom shared a photo with an accompanying message from J.I. Packer, onto my Facebook page today. This is what is said:

“Wait on the Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come." ― J.I. Packer

My heavenly Father has my godly, faithful Mom reminding me of the personal revelation I received four days ago. I'm sure you think this is just a coincidence. There are no coincidences in God's plan for me.

Calling Glory - A Christian Rock Band

 Rock n roll has been a part of my life since the first time I listened to Elvis sing, Jailhouse Rock. As a squeak-through-the -door baby boomer, 1959, the 1960's rock music made a huge impression on me. As a follower of Jesus, I listen to Christian rock music. Calling Glory is a Christian rock band that I discovered about eight weeks ago.  I hope you enjoy the band's music.  God Bless.