Whole Magazine: september 2013 issue

7 Practical Ways to Love Jesus Through the School Year

September comes with a little bit of coolness to remind us the summer months are over and a realization that this school business is serious. For some of us, the cool weather can cause coldness in our relationship with the LORD. The busyness that comes with getting in a routine for school and other extra-curricular activities can seem to cloud our love for our King. In my relationship with the LORD, I have found it is so important to fight for time with Him and intentionally find ways to keep my fire burning.

I hope some of these practical tips can help others keep the LORD as their first love:

Wake up a little earlier in the morning to spend time with Him: This has been the most important thing I have done in my relationship with the LORD. Spending time with Him in the morning is a declaration that He is LORD over your day, and you choose to put Him first above all. When you are entering a stressful season in your life, it’s important to spend even more time with God to receive clarity on how handle different situations.

Unplug a little bit more: We are constantly surrounded by all kinds of technology and sometimes it’s so hard to get away from it and just sit quietly before Him. Learning to “unplug” from technology on a regular basis creates a deeper intimacy with the LORD.

Engage in Worship Times: Worshipping is a huge way to set your heart on the LORD and make Him bigger, while making yourself and your issues smaller. Whether it’s a quick jam session to worship music in your car, or singing loud to God in the bathroom. Find your special way to refocus on the One who truly matters.

Have mini-prayer times in between classes: While walking across the school to your next class, sneak in a little conversation time with the King.

Set a marker on campus/have a prayer corner: At my undergrad college I had a spot on the swing that reminded me to pray on campus. Every time I passed by it, I would be reminded to pray and after a while it became automatic. God thoughts started popping up before I got to the swing. This is one of the most intentional ways I found to keep my mind set on the LORD while in college.

Serve others: We are never closer to the heart of God than we are when we get out of ourselves, leave behind our agendas and pour into other people. Find opportunities in your school and community to connect with God in this way.

Find an encouraging group of Christians to meet with and talk about the LORD: While we are called to be the light in the midst of the darkness, it is important to have a group of people who you can comfortably talk about what the LORD is teaching you and know they understand. It is so important to be filled up and held accountable while we try to shine light into the dark places.

Salem Afangideh is a second year law student that moved from Nigeria, Africa to Alabama. Her passions include pursuing and being pursued by Jesus, fighting against human trafficking, bringing justice and compassion to wherever God leads her, speaking and writing to encourage others in their relationships with the LORD. When she is not too busy studying you can find her blogging at setapartwarriorprincess.blogspot.com or on instagram @afro_princess.

[photo: Angelo Gonzalez, Creative Commons]

Serving My King

The Day I Say "I Do"

I have an entire board on Pinterest called “future and beyond” dedicated to this day, and if you have caught the Pinterest bug and are not yet married, chances are you probably have a similar Pinterest board. However, even before Pinterest fueled our thoughts of our future wedding day, most of us girls have spent a good bit of time thinking about the day – it’s almost apart of being a girl.

I hope I will marry a man who is not only gorgeous on the outside, but has a heart that pursues Christ. I pray that he is a man who is strong and secure enough in His relationship with His King, to lead me. My prayer is that he will be the person I can serve the LORD the most with, and God's vision for His life will be suitable with the path God has called me to walk on. I pray this man will not be perfect, but will set His eyes and heart on the One who is perfect and will live His life modeled after the perfect lover – Jesus Christ.

My dream for my wedding day is to create a day solely dedicated to making God’s name famous (like any other day should be). So rather than fix my heart on what kinds of flowers I will have, or how to make sure my day is picture perfect, I hope my heart will be fixed on the beauty of Jesus and the wonderful gift He has entrusted to me on that day – the heart of His son, my future husband. I hope it will be a day when I can show honor to my parents for training me to love Jesus, for putting up with me, and loving me unconditionally. I hope I would be true to my vow to save my first kiss till the altar so I can be an example of purity to the younger generation of girls whose hearts I have been entrusted with. I hope my groom will see in me a radiance that will not come from my makeup or the white dress, but radiance found in a woman who is in relentless pursuit of her Savior.

If the LORD blesses me with the privilege of being married, I dream of having a Christ-centered wedding day, and that dream helps me not obsess over wedding boards on Pinterest, or make a wedding day my ultimate goal. Instead, I choose to intentionally focus on serving my King through the ordinariness of my everyday life. Although my wedding day will be a special day, it is just like any other day – an opportunity to serve and bring glory to my King.

[photo credit: Shannon Lee Miller]

Grace: Four Truths

Dropping the ball seems to be my tendency this month.

My mind must be elsewhere because certain deadlines and due dates have completely eluded me (I ask myself, "Kristen, where is your brain?"). Thankfully, I am surrounded by many people who love the Lord, who are willing to extend me grace during these times of...well...being human.

Grace is a miracle. Let me specify, God's grace is a miracle. It is because of His grace that we have a new identity in Christ. That believers, who are sinners by nature, are able to become the righteousness of Christ. All of our darkest sins get washed away and we have the hope of eternal glory to look forward to someday. All because of grace. An absolute miracle.

As I read 1 Corinthians 15 this morning, some important truths about God's grace stood out to me. If you have ever found yourself wanting a deeper understanding of grace (that's me, for sure), then Paul's words here will bless you - and hopefully soften your heart to the miracle that grace is.

Paul aims to remind us of the gospel in this passage; for only in the full extent of the gospel can the miracle of grace be understood. And how often we need the reminder!

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

He reminds us of Christ's death for our sins, His burial, His resurrection, His appearing to the disciples and to five hundred witnesses, then to all the apostles. Lastly, Paul tells us how Christ appeared also to himself:

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

From these final verses, we glean four truths about God's miracle of grace:

ONE: It is God's grace that makes us who we are in Christ. Paul was Saul, the persecutor of Christians, before Christ transformed him by saving grace through faith. His identity is now in Christ, but this change was not his own doing, or by his own efforts! It was God's miraculous grace that claimed him. How can you apply this to your own story? How has grace transformed your identity?

TWO: God's grace can be believed in vain. "In vain" means "without effect or avail; to no purpose." Paul reminds us that it is possible for grace to go unapplied to our lives--and what an unfortunate thing that would be! Christ gave His very life that we would be saved. May grace repurpose our lives as we submit to God's lordship and walk by faith. May it free us to live in the light of our new identity in Christ, holy, blameless and set apart for His purposes.

THREE: God's grace compels us away from sin, and toward godliness. Paul tells us that he "worked harder than any of [the apostles]"--but this is not a personal boast. He says that it was the grace of God that compelled his ministry. So then, grace motivates us by the Spirit at work within us to live holy lives that are zealous for good works (and what a wide range of good works there are--from outward acts to inward change, which are all precious to God).

FOUR: We are instruments of God's grace. Paul says finally that the Corinthians believed as a result of the ministry of preaching, whether by his work or the apostles'. How is God using you as an instrument of His grace?

Today, meditate on His miracle of grace. Live in its freedom. And praise Him for it!

Gracious Father, Thank you for grace. Where would I be without it? Thank You for sending Christ to save me, that I am what I am because of grace. Please work out Your grace in my life, as I trust You each moment.

Amen.

[photo credit: Shannon Lee Miller]

Kristen Leigh Evensen is a writer, blogger and singer/songwriter. She writes on faith, identity and Scripture at The Identity Project. Her articles and blog also appear on iBelieve.com. Her desire is to see women transformed by the Gospel! Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.

Beautiful Imperfections

Embracing Your Imperfections Instead of Running Away From Them

My husband and I have been married for just over 9 months now, and during this time I have learnt much more about my imperfections than any other season of my life.

I have an attitude when I do not get my way, I am moody, I am impatient – I have serious heart issues that I never even knew were there. But, I try to cover it up. Being a new wife, I thought that everything always had to be perfect. I was obsessed with lists and doing everything according to the book – after all, everything had to be “perfect”. At one stage I went so overboard that my husband had to sit me down. What he told me then pierced right through to the core of my soul.

“Baby, what are you doing?” I stared at him, wondering what he meant. He had a sad, yet mildly frustrated expression on his face. “What do you mean? I am busy cleaning the house.” I finally replied. “I can see that, but when will you give yourself a break? You are always running around trying to get things done; you barely have time to sit down and spend time with me,” he said. Something clicked in my head. He was right. I thought back on my behaviour the past few months and was instantly filled with condemnation. I messed up yet again. He could see the distressing look on my face. I sat face down while he held both my small hands in his. He lifted my chin, looked me in the eye and said, “Baby, I know you are not perfect. In fact, I knew that when I married you. There is no need for you to over-compensate and cover up with deeds. I love you with all your imperfections.” That did it. I started crying because I could recognise my Heavenly Father’s voice in my husband.

I was so busy trying to be the “perfect” Proverbs 31 wife that I forgot about the more important things. I forgot to spend uninterrupted time with my husband, whether that be watching TV at home or going out for dinner. I was trying to put our marriage and life together in a box, running it according to my “to-do” list, afraid of failure. I realised that I sometimes do the same with the Lord. I try so hard to keep busy so that I have no time to sit down, spend uninterrupted time with Him and allow Him to minister to me about the true condition of my heart. It is always a touch-and-go kind of situation. So, I over-compensate with my “good deeds” to cover it up. Then, He would tell me exactly what my husband told me. “Be at peace, give yourself a break. I know you are not perfect. I knew that when I created you, and I knew it when I entered into this intimate relationship with you. I love you – imperfections and all.”

That conversation with my husband really opened up my eyes. It allowed me to not only enjoy him more, but also my relationship with my Saviour. It made me see that there is beauty in imperfection – and that beauty is Jesus. Our imperfections push us closer to Him, to rely on His perfection instead of attempting to fix everything on our own. It opens up our eyes to His magnificence. His compassion. To His limitless grace and never-ending love. His love that allows us to embrace our faults instead of denying them, because we know we have a Saviour who loves us regardless of and despite our mistakes.

So, my dear sister, I encourage you to rest in the Lord. Give yourself a break every now and again, and refuse to be the most judgemental person in your life. Learn to see the beauty in your imperfections, because it is okay to not be perfect. Find peace in the fact that Jesus does not expect you to be perfect. He love you – imperfections and all.

[photo credit: Shannon Lee Miller]

Danelle Vingtas is the Founder of South African based young women’s ministry, Proverbs 31 Sisterhood. Through her testimony she is determined to show the love of Jesus to the young women of this generation. She believes that knowing your worth in Christ is not only the door to a better self-image and future, but more importantly...a better eternity. Through P31 Sisterhood, she hopes to re-establish the standard on which this exact scripture is based and to influence young women to be virtuous.

Dating: Good Or Bad Fruit?

What is your dating relationship producing?

[Spoiler alert!] In a season one episode of Downton Abbey, we see a classic example of "good girl falls for bad boy". The tall, dark, notorious footman, Thomas, has conivingly convinced the innocent kitchen maid, Daisy, that he is worth trusting. Naturally, sweet Daisy falls for the bad boy, her emotions overtaking her reason. Thomas, however, feels absolutely nothing for her, using her for his own evil, twisted purposes.

She falls for his dirty schemes; she falls so hard that she begins to lie for him. More than once. She spats unkind words at the people she loves all because Thomas dislikes them. And ultimately she begins to lose a sense of her identity, morals and values altogether.

Daisy eventually busts. Her good-natured heart cannot handle the negative results of her time spent with Thomas. She eventually frees herself and tells the truth to those she wronged.Have you ever been in a situation like Daisy's? Or rather, a relationship?
I think a very important question to be asking ourselves when dating is, "What is this relationship producing?" If our dating relationships are intended to be responses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then certain traits will distinguish them as such. Let's call these traits "fruit", and let's look at a passage from Luke to unpack the importance of fruit, itself:

"A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." (Luke 6)

Just as a tree is identified by its fruit, so a relationship's virtue or vice is identified by what it produces, both in the couple and in each individual person. Fruit, then, acts as an identifier. When picking a shiny, red apple from a tree, we can very confidently state that the tree is an "apple tree".But what about your relationship? When you examine its fruit, what is identified?

According to Galatians 5, there is a certain kind of spiritual fruit we should see being produced:

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Because we are in Jesus Christ, we have been given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. And the Holy Spirit produces unique, set-apart fruit within us! This fruit identifies who we are, and whose we are. Notice, though, that the fruit of the Spirit is not limited to our individual lives: "...let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives".

The Spirit's leading is also tantamount to our dating relationships because then, and only then, will we produce fruit that is lasting, good, and built on a firm foundation.

I remember the moment when I once realized that a relationship of mine was not producing the fruit of the Spirit in me. At first it saddened me and shocked me. But eventually, there was freedom that came with this understanding, a deep knowing that Christ had given me the power to realize this--all because of the Spirit dwelling in me! When we allow the Spirit to lead us in our dating relationships, we "won't be doing what [the] sinful nature craves" (v.16). The sinful nature produces bad fruit, while the Spirit-led nature produces good fruit!

Here are a few questions we can ask to determine

what fruit our dating relationships are producing:

Am I being led forth in peace? A very wise friend recently reminded me that the peace of God is the fruit of pursuing Him in everything we do. If we are truly seeking Christ and walking in righteousness, then He will give us deep peace if good fruit is yielded! Paul says in Philippians 4: "...Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."

Am I compromising in any way? If a relationship is causing us to brush aside our convictions and values in Christ, then good fruit is most likely not being produced. In Jesus we have "nailed the passions and desires of [our] sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there". A relationship should encourage us to be Spirit-led, not urge us into compromise. This could mean anything from physical and emotional boundaries, to brushing aside other equally important relationships.

Are we serving one another in love? Mutual submission is key to any relationship, whether between family members, friends, or in dating. "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too" (Philippians 2:4). But service is a two-way street, and dating is an excellent way to see if both parties are willing to serve the other in love. The fruit of the Spirit is full of loving service: "Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another" (v. 26).

Does this relationship encourage community and accountability? "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12). We need the other important relationships in our lives to be strengthened consistently, especially during dating. Our family members and closest friends know us best and can speak into our lives. Isolation rarely produces good fruit. Is your relationship encouraging community?

Does this relationship encourage our walks with God? "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:33). The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with everything in us. This is priority number one. Our dating should remain in right standing to this priority!

As a tree is identified by its fruit, so the foundation of our dating relationships will be identified by what is produced.

What is your relationship producing?

Father in Heaven, You relate to us perfectly. You made us to relate to You first and foremost, and then to one another. Thank you! Lead us by Your Spirit in every part of our lives, including our dating relationships. Lead us in peace, teach us to mutually serve, and provide us with community to spur us on to completion. Bear the fruit of the Spirit in us.

Amen.

[photo credit: Shannon Miller]

Best Dressed

Clothed In Strength And Dignity

Every woman has that one outfit or one item of clothing that can turn bad days into good days. You know what I’m talking about; maybe it’s a pair of shoes, a dress or a great pair of jeans. Whatever the item of clothing or accessory is, wearing it makes you feel like the most beautiful, confident, and capable woman in the room.

You walk taller, there’s a little extra pep in your step, your smile is brighter, and there’s a special glimmer in your eyes. Wearing this outfit or accesory gives you the confidence to tackle whatever obstacles come your way and for once, there is no stopping you.

Imagine feeling that every day. Imagine if that feeling of confidence and assurance came from within you rather than from a man-made garment.

“She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25

Strength: the power to resist strain or success; durability.

Dignity: a term used to signify that a being has the innate right to be valued and receive ethical treatment; the quality of state of being worthy of esteem or respect.

When you are clothed in strength, confidence comes naturally. This confidence is not contingent on the cut, color or fit of an article of clothing either. This confidence is built on the resume of someone greater. It is built on the knowledge that there is someone who goes before you, someone greater than any obstacle or challenge your future could ever hold.

When you are clothed in dignity, you recognize who you are and who you belong to. You not only know your worth, but it is so evident that everyone who crosses your path immediately recognize it as well. A dignified person does not need to explain their worth. They don’t need to explain the level of respect due them. It is understood.

When you look at it like that, no wonder the woman described in Proverbs 31 can laugh without fear of the future.

Imagine if you could wear your favorite outfit every day of your life. The outfit that gives you all the confidence in the world and makes you feel absolutely beautiful and unstoppable.

When you clothe yourself in strength and dignity, every day you’re wearing your best. Because you know who you are and you know who goes before you. You know your worth. And because your strength and dignity didn’t come from anything man-made, man can’t take it from you. So the next time you get dressed, don’t forget to put on your strength and your dignity.

No outfit is complete without it.

[photo credit: Shannon Lee Miller]

Danielle Erwin is a writer, speaker, sister, daughter, servant and friend, She operates daily by the saying, "find a whole and fill it." With a heart for women of all ages, Danielle uses the God-given ministry Pursued to encourage women to live lives that are reflective of the one, true God. Her writings are filled with transparency and authenticity in an effort to inspire change and healing in the lives of others. You can connect with Danielle at www.iampursued.org or on twitter at @Elle_OVE.

Miss Understood

The intentions of the Anointed

Do you ever wonder if you truly need to respond to the thoughts that are going through your head? Recently, I found myself in a situation where I hoped and desired that what I was hearing from the other person was something I misunderstood, or their perception of me was misunderstood. I really did not want to respond to the subject. I was afraid my honest response would wound our relationship. Then I considered, “Do I need to muster up the courage to defend myself?”

As I was reading the book of Romans, I waited to hear from God. This verse stood out to me:

Romans 12:18 "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

What I began to consider was that God has an anointing on this friendship. The way He has orchestrated our friendship is undeniable. When God anoints someone He says, “Within you is My oil of anointing which heals, delivers, and gives comfort.”

Now, defending ourselves is not the answer. Nor is letting these situations slip away and not discussing these matters out of fear. However, honoring individuals who are hand picked with an anointing from God is vital in living an obedient life and obedience is the fruit of faith.

When we are blessed to be amongst the anointed, we must be patient with their hearts. We must be willing to consider that our intentions could have been misunderstood or we could be misunderstanding the intentions of the anointed. The intent of the anointed is acts of obedience to the Lord. For God has instilled wisdom in their minds, patience in their hearts, and direction in their walks.

My challenge to you when you are asking yourself if you must speak now, is to consider the precious view God has of the individual you are in conflict with. Ask God to give you eyes to see what He sees. Ask God to break your heart for what is breaking His. Do not act out of selfishness and self-defense, for the Lord does not misunderstand you or your conflict.

About Morgan Fisher

Philippians 4;13 " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is the verse that established her faith in the Lord when Morgan accepted Christ into her heart in pre school. At the age of 14, Morgan's passion for music and Africa led her to establishing a non profit organization, Bands that JAM for Africa (btj4a.org). Morgan is currently a Social Entrepreneurship student in Nashville, Tennessee and pursuing Bands that JAM for Africa in South Africa when she is not studying.

[photo: Garrett Gill, Creative Commons]

My Secret Love Affair

How I fell out of love with Beauty.

Have you ever fallen in love with someone who wasn’t good for you?

A few years ago I fell in love - hard. I thought it was with this guy I met in college, who seemed wonderful. But soon enough it became clear: There was someone else.

Night and day, this love consumed my thoughts and dreams. It haunted me, controlled me, promised illusions of great things, and broke me.

I called this love “Beauty.”

But it had many nicknames - Thin, Skinny, and Good Enough, to name a few.

As the relationship with my college boyfriend grew sour, as he encouraged me in losing weight and compared me with other women, my love affair with Beauty grew stronger. Beauty promised to make me good enough, to make my boyfriend fall in love with me, to give me an intoxicating kind of power.

And I believed every single lie.

I’d never been fully content with myself; my face was too long, my stomach too curvy, and my sense of humor too dull. But until college, those insecurities never consumed me. I had an idea of who I was. I knew some of who God was. That was enough.

Until the insecurities came at me with fury! They attacked me every moment of every day, leaving me in tears at night, begging God to make me beautiful.

My boyfriend and I broke up eventually, but my love affair with Beauty only intensified, and my struggles with disordered eating nearly swallowed me whole. I lost far too much weight, but never enough to please Beauty. I got a new wardrobe, which was nice until I went out in public and saw what the “truly beautiful” girls were wearing.

I was willing to do anything to make Beauty happy, and I did things that hurt my body. Things I never thought I would do, not in a million years.

And yet none of it worked. The further I fell into the affair, the more broken I became. I lost myself so completely that I had no idea who I was anymore. Nor did I know who God was. All I knew was the perfect facade I wore at all times, the mask I wanted people to see of the girl who had it all together.

But that wasn’t me. The real me was curled up in the fetal position, and numb all over.

One day my dad walked over, took me in his arms, and said some of the most beautiful words I’d ever heard:

“Tiffany, I don’t love you because you’re good enough. I love you because you’re my daughter. And nothing can ever change that.”

My world was awakened, my thoughts clear for the first time in months, as I heard God saying the same thing to me: “Tiffany, I don’t love you because you’re good enough. I love you because you’re My daughter. You don’t have to try and impress Me or earn My love, like you did with your ex-boyfriend. You can’t ever earn My love; even your most perfect deeds are like filthy rags. So stop trying! Just come close to Me, let Me show you how much I love you. Let Me tell you who you are. Find yourself again ... find yourself in Me.”

The spinning stopped in the blink of an eye, and I saw a heavenly Father I’d never fully known. Not in all my life.

A Father who delighted in me - delighted even in my feeblest attempts to come closer to Him. A Father who rejoiced over me - just wanted to have me near Him. A Father whose love would never change - whose love would always remain, no matter what I did or where I’d been. I’d finally found a love in which I could rest.

Ending the love affair with Beauty was anything but quick and easy. It was one of the longest and most painful journeys of my life. I had to ask lots of people for help, particularly my parents and mentors, who walked with me through the brokenness over several years.

But what changed me more than anything was a daily discovery of my Father’s love. Every time I just knew I’d blown it; when I’d turn and run for dear life... Each time He caught up to me, wrapped me in His arms, and said, “I don’t love you because you’re good enough; I love you because you’re My daughter. I just want you to stay close to Me.”

Along that journey I found myself. I know who I am because I know Whose I am - a daughter of the King. I no longer struggle with disordered eating. I like what I see when I look in the mirror, but it doesn’t matter so much whether or not others think I’m beautiful. My Father delights in me. Somehow that eclipses every other opinion.

I have a new love - a true love. A love that is for my good, not to hurt me. A love that heals me and makes me whole. A love that sets me free.

And all I want to do is give Jesus all I am. I want to live every breath for Him. Because when you see a love like His, surrender is the only response that stirs up from your heart. I am my Beloved’s, and He is mine.

And that is when freedom erupts.

Tiffany Dawn, is a 27-year-old author, speaker, and singer/songwriter. She shares her journey into freedom from struggles with body image and identity through “The Insatiable Quest for Beauty” book and seminar. With her master’s degree in music therapy, Tiffany serves as adjunct faculty at an online high school, where she teaches music classes, including “Intro to Songwriting.” Some of her favorite things to do are watch spy movies, take long walks, eat marshmallows, and grab coffee with her girlfriends.

[photo: Angelo Gonzalez, Creative Commons]

Surrendering Your All

There is a song by Deitrick Haddon titled “Have Your Way” and just as the title suggests, the song invites the Lord to have his way concerning our entire being. The lyrics seem as though they are lifted right out of my soul; they explain that after all of the trying, rebellion, and sin that has widened the gap between us and our savior, we no longer desire that way of life. We simply want the Lord to have His way in us. We have arrived at the point where we have had enough and we surrender. These words are used to form a prayer I share with my Abba, but sadly have sparked no real change in any of my actions.

This last time the song came on, God made me think, “Do I really mean the words I sing, do I know what it means to surrender?” The words that flowed out of my mouth were real and I can honestly say each time I cried out to God, it was from the heart. However, once the worship was over and life began, my actions did not align with those surrendering words. We must ask ourselves do our actions align with our worship, or do we merely want God to transform us because we tell Him to, without giving our all to Him?

Merriam-Webster defines surrender as: To give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another.

The Free Dictionary defines it as: To give up or give back (something that has been granted).

Both definitions suggest that in order to surrender we must give all of ourselves. The Free Dictionary also provides an excellent point that we are not giving up something that is ours, but essentially when we surrender to God, we are giving Him what is rightfully His. How would we feel if someone only gave us back only half of what was ours? We shouldn’t only give God the areas we want fixed or won’t affect us, if we make the decision to surrender we must know God deserves all of us.

Surrendering means trusting God, humbling ourselves, and being ready and willing to do whatever He asks us to do. We will make mistakes, and will not always get everything right, but our mindset should be that no matter what we will keep dying to our flesh and letting God use us.

We all want to let God use us and to be more like Him, and I know I gloss over what it really means and imagine the blessings that will come forth. However without sacrifice, obedience, and suffering we will fall short of becoming more like Him. The absence of those will actually prevent us from allowing God to have His way within us. Surrendering means choosing God over my emotions, and denying my flesh when I want to sleep instead of spending time with Him. It means being bold and audacious, and inviting Him into every area of my life. Let us not be afraid of giving ourselves completely to God, and losing our life for Him. Know that once we let go we will find ourselves in a better place.

Matthew 16: 24-26, “24Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be of a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’”

Chanale Propst is a woman of God who is truly enjoying every step in her walk with God. Her aim in life is to put God first, and to remove any distractions that will prevent her from doing this. She is in love with Christ, and desperately wants women to experience this love as well. By unfolding her wings and soaring to Christ, Chanale hopes to encourage and inspire women on their journey. You can find her blogging at soaringtogodsrealm.blogspot.com.

[photo: Angelo Gonzalez, Creative Commons]

Social Media, Not So Social Ministry

When social networking has damaging effects on how we do ministry.

The social media world has definitely made the way we communicate with the world around us quick and easy. We can wish our friends a “happy birthday” by posting it on their Facebook walls, congratulate couples on their engagements and marriages, or even tweet a friend "good look" for their upcoming job interview. Why drive twenty minutes out of the way and deal with traffic to deliver your friend a handwritten "get well soon" card when you can send her a message on Facebook instead? We live in a society that prefers instant gratification over consuming our time. Our society prefers the easy and convenient route, instead of the route which requires a little more sweat and effort. And because of this, many of our relationships become less personal. Don't get me wrong, the social media world isn't a realm that's only made up of flaws, but what happens when social media affects the way we do ministry?

As Christ followers, we've been called to share the love of Jesus with the rest of the world. Mark 16:15 instructs us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." That sounds easy enough. I can update my tweets and statuses to Bible verses and make them public for anyone in the world to see! Although that is true, and the social media can be an effective tool for ministry, it should by no means become our only tool for ministry.

The dangerous thing about the social media and ministry is, it becomes easy for us to think if we post enough about the love of Jesus online, we don't have to share it face to face in real life conversations.

That is when the convenience of social media becomes a drawback. Just think for a moment. If Jesus was alive, walking around on Earth in our 2013 culture, how do you picture him sharing the love of God? Do you see him having a conversation with an old widow in the park about what it means to have faith, preaching the gospel to college students on college campuses, or helping mission teams drill clean drinking water wells in Africa? Or do you see Jesus just laying back on a laptop preaching through Facebook statuses and then calling it a day?

Ministry is not meant to be easy. Ministry is not for the faint of heart. It involves taking risks, and choosing challenging routes over the quick and easy routes. Sure we can play it safe by trying to lead a friend to accept Christ through the security of being hidden behind the computer screen instead of boldly having the conversation face to face, but how does that at all reflect the passionate, thriving, ambitious, heart of Christ for loving God's people? In fact, we've been told through scripture that we will go through suffering when it comes to carrying out God's love. 2 Timothy 2:3 says "Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

Good Soldier - In order to be a good soldier of Christ when it comes to combating the lies and deceptions of sin and rescuing the lost who don't know the love of God, we have to join in Christ's suffering. We have to get our hands dirty. Jesus and his disciples would walk for miles and miles in the intense desert heat with nothing but the sweaty clothes sticking to their backs, and would go for days without food when they were out spreading the gospel and serving others. So why shouldn't we get off of Facebook and meet up with our friend who needs to know about Christ's love through a face to face conversation over coffee? Ministry is meant to be relational, sincere, and social. Ironically, using only the social media as a ministry tool isn't so social after all.

Katelyn Bode is a 19 year old passionate about encouraging others in hopes to expose them to the love & hope Christ has to offer to all the heart break & injustices in the world. She is currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in Child & Family Development, & a minor in Journalism. She enjoys drumming, serving as a camera operator for her church, & working on her "Beauty Exposed" Blog that can be found at katelynbodeblog.blogspot.com.

[photo: brlnpics123, Creative Commons]

Whole Magazine Celebrates One Year!

Looking Back At Your Top 12 Posts of Our First Year

Jesus turned around and said to her, "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you whole." And the woman was healed at that moment. - Matthew 9:22

I woke up this morning feeling so thankful. So loved. So excited. Whole Magazine celebrates one year!

I still remember last Fall when God gave me the vision for this ministry. I was so scared, and even more I felt so unworthy. Questions filled my mind;

"Why would God choose me?"

"I'm not a leader."

"What if this fails?"

"I'm not qualified!"

For months my prayer was that the Lord would just use me. Place me somewhere. I just wanted to serve. When God told me to start Whole Magazine, I was shocked. I never had desired to even be a writer growing up or as an adult.

This past year I have learned so much. God has been teaching me things that I would have never imagined. He has taught me how to be a compassionate leader to my writers. A good friend once told me that, your ministry is not your readers, but your very own writers. Since that day, I was on my face praying daily for my "Whole Sisters."

I have learned that ministry is not for faint hearted. You need to have thick skin to work in God's Kingdom. When you are called you are attacked. I've had writers with writers block, some stepped down due to personal problems, and so much more. It made me pray harder for them. The enemy was mad. We were sharing our story. We were being transparent. We we were healing. And he didn't like that.

God calls the unqualified to be qualified.

The most important thing I learned this past year is that although I felt unqualified, God chose me. He seen something in me that I didn't see. This was His way of bringing me to a deeper reliance on my relationship with Him. Yes, I was unqualified. But He called me to be qualified. And only in Him, would I be just that.

One year ago we started with but a handful of writers. Today, we celebrate one year with almost 40 writers, from California to South Africa! What a blessing. Some have come and gone, but remain our sisters and in our prayers. Others have been with us since the beginning and just confirms that they are where God wants them to be.

To the WM Writers...old and new

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation -- those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ -- for this will bring much glory and praise to God. —Phil. 1:3-6, 9-11

To our readers with love.

Our WM readers are a big part of this ministry. We have received so many messages, facebook comments, and tweets from you all telling us what a blessing WM has been in their lives. Friendships were restored, families reconciled, and much more! It's those messages that remind me of why Whole Magazine exists. For you, the reader. For you, the writer. And for His glory. So thank you for supporting us this past year.

If you haven't, subscribe to receive our posts directly to your email free. We have some amazing things this year and we want YOU to know first!

Which brings us here. We have gathered some of your favorite posts of our first year. And it was some of our favorites as well. Today, sit back, and enjoy and be encouraged...

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Whole Magazine

7 Practical Ways to Love Jesus Through the School Year