An “awakening” if you will. I want to tell you about a fairly new book, that is becoming the most widely read book throughout Christendom and the world. It is highly controversial.

The saddest thing to me is how many people are judging this book, without ever reading it. Pretty typical of closed off religious minds, eh?

There are many concepts that modern Christians have been taught and now believe, but these concepts are just a few hundred of years old. Starting with the King James version of the Bible being created – to be exact.

Rob Bell challenges some of these concepts in his latest book “Love Wins – A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.”

I want to share a few thoughts directly from the book’s cover.

“Millions of Christians have struggled how to reconcile God’s love and God’s judgement. Has God created billions of people over thousands of years only to select a few to go to Heaven and EVERYONE to suffer forever in Hell?  Is this acceptable to God? And how is this “good news”?

Troubling questions – so troubling that many have lost their faith because of them.  Others only whisper the questions to themselves, fearing or being taught that they might lose their faith and their church (and friends) if they ask them out loud.

But what if these questions trouble us for good reason?

What if the story of heaven and hell that we have been taught is not, in fact, what the Bible (all original manuscripts before 1600s) teaches?

What if, what Jesus meant by Heaven, Hell and Salvation are very different from how we have come to understand them?

What if it is God Himself that wants us to face these questions?”

Would you even be open to questioning or considering anything different than what you have been taught?

“The result is that the “Good News” is really GOOD and much, much better than we ever imagined!

” “Love Wins” is a bold, prophetic and poetic masterpiece.  I don’t know any writer who expresses the inexpressible love of God as powerfully and as beautifully as Rob Bell!

Many will disagree with some of Rob’s perspectives, but NO ONE WHO SERIOUSLY ENGAGES THIS BOOK WILL PUT IT DOWN UNCHANGED.

A must read book!”  Greg Boyd – Senior Pastor and author of “The myth of a Christian nation.”

Now, if you still aren’t sure you  want to read this little book, I encourage you to read my next blog post, right below this one, on “Destroying the Little Boxes”.

Don’t be afraid. Your God is big enough to stand the test of all Truth.  He will prevail. With, or without our agreement or consent.  Truth does not need consensus.  Could God be bigger, greater and more loving than you have ever possibly imagined or been told your whole life?

Maybe?  I, personally, am so relived that HE IS NOT AS SMALL AS OUR LITTLE BOXES that we create for Him.

I heard a man say the other night, that the full revelation has not been given to man on this entire subject yet….selah.

God reveals bits and pieces of Himself, throughout the ages, as He chooses. Never be afraid to ask real questions and put them before Him, as you seek Wisdom and Truth.

It will come…….I can promise…..if it is really is Truth you are seeking.

EXCITING TIMES!!!

Convinced their way is right – on a big scale – as in their belief system – down to all the little things they do. They are right, and even their spouse and closest loved ones are wrong and don’t see things right (their way).

God creates us to be free – free to love – Him, one another and ourselves. Free to fly – in our souls – not to be locked down. Judgements of any sort – lock us down – and the people that we judge.

Every time we choose love we are set free – to soar and live – as free as a bird. Our souls will soar to heights and dive depths never before known to us. Love EMPOWERS flight and freedom!

Judgement imprisons – every time. Locking our own souls up, even worse than those we judge.

To judge another is to be vexed and embrace anxst in one’s own soul – that God never intended man to live with. It is not our responsibility to fix each other or figure out another’s life or destiny or what they should be doing differently.

Does anyone really believe he has it ALL figured out yet in his own life.

Pity to that person…..

Life and God are both so deliciously beyond our ability to grasp and box in – that one of our greatest delights – in this human journey – is the privilege of learning and growing – every day that you are given life!

To relinquish that gift… is to die.

Don’t lock yourself into a little box, thinking in small and petty ways. (hint that you are there – the thoughts you are having make you feel yucky.)

To think openly………and to love hugely…….is to be one with God – bigger than life.

One of my all time favorite poet-philosophers, Kahlil Gibran, said “Would that you seek the Father, as the brook seeks the sea.” As we seek our source and return to Him at every turn – there is no limitation or end to the richness of all He longs to give you. The love, the grace the forgiveness that is soo beyond us – you may only find in Him. But to “live in Him” is to grow every single day, in all ways, beyond our own human limitations.

Gibran also said, “The greatest teaching of Christ was the Kingdom of Heaven and THAT IS WITHIN YOU.” Live like it…..and you will love your life, AND…..all those around you who are so hard to love.

I challenge you to pray this pray with me – over this new year.

Father God, Please show us all the ways we lock You up, and each other, and ourselves in these tight little limiting boxes, that are not at all of You. Lead each of us in Truth that sets us free, that we may set others free – even as you came “THAT WE MIGHT BE FREE INDEED!” Teach us to love like you do Lord, that our lives would KNOW YOUR LOVE. May we say yes, yes and YES to all that you want to shake up and do in our lives, with us individually and through our lives.

We are not our own, we are Your children. LIVE FULLY LORD – IN AND THROUGH US!

We can’t do this on our own Lord. But we give You permission – as our God and invite you to truly have Your way in our lives.

So be it! in the Holy name of Jesus!!

God IS alive and He lives in you! That’s incredible – unfathomable!
Does it show? Even to you?

God in you is your greatest wealth and resource. Don’t hide Him under a bushel – oh no – come on – LET HIM SHINE!”

Bar/Bat Barakah – A Blessing Ceremony and Rite of Passage for Young Men and Women

Most of you have heard of the Jewish ceremony called the Bar Mitzvah, which means “son of the law”. It originated over a thousand years before Jesus ever came on the scene depicted in the Bible. Well, there is another equally ancient Rite of Passage called the Bar Barakah (for young men) or Bat Barakah (for young women).  It translates “Son, or Daughter, of the Blessing or Grace.”

When each one of our sons or daughters reaches 18 years of age, we observe this very sacred and powerful ceremony, with adult family members and friends.  We have had this ceremony with everyone of our children the week that they turn 18 years of age. We think 18 or 21 tend to be the best and most logical ages to do this, but this can work whenever you choose to officially “launch” your son or daughter into adulthood, on or after their 18th birthday.

We have heard of fathers who have had this ceremony when their son or daughter was into their 60′s, married, with kids, and grandkids themselves. It is never too late.
 
We have performed this rite of passage with 4 of our own children and have been a part of a few others now with the sons and daughters of family or close friends.  It is a most monumental and significant ceremony – that the son or daughter will build upon for the rest of their lives.

Most cultures have some sort of requirement, initiation, ceremony, or event that young people can point to and identify clearly when they became a man or woman.  Our American culture leaves that transition very nebulous, much to our demise.

We begin by helping our son or daughter invite the most significant 20-25 adult influences in their lives. A best friend or two are allowed to attend, but mainly to watch the ceremony.  We ask them all to come prepared with a word, thought, memory, encouragement, or blessing to this young person.

This could be prophetic in nature, or a scripture, a story, a word of wisdom, or purely a blessing.  During this time, people tend to share encouraging things about what that young person has meant to them, if they know them well.  Not only does this immensely bless the recipient, but encourages them to go even higher toward greatness in every area of their lives.

A huge bonus of the night is that everyone leaves so blessed and inspired in their own lives.  It inevitably happens – every time.

It is ideal that the father or a father figure of the son or daughter officiate the evening. If the physical father is not in the son or daughter’s life, this may be done by the next closest father to his life. We had a Bar Baracha in our home over the Thanksgiving time this year that was officiated by the young man’s grandfather, who has been like a father in the young man’s life since his father was never a part of his life.

Another man, other than the father, acts as the evening host. This man briefly explains the history of the Bat/Bar Baracha ancient rite of passage, gives everyone present at the ceremony the instructions that they will need to know to participate, and then introduces the father and young man or woman.

The son or daughter will stand in the middle of the room, with everyone else sitting around them in a circle.

The father will go around the room in a circle, starting to his immediate left or right. The father will have each individual or couple stand up and face the son or daughter, and he will ask them if they accept their son or daughter as an equal from this day forward.

When they have acknowledged yes, then the father will give that person or couple an opportunity to speak to the son or daughter.  It is very important that before each person or couple speaks that the father ask them if they will accept this young man, or woman, on equal status to them as an adult, starting with the man first if it is a couple. After the person or couple speaks, then – an embrace – usually happens most naturally.

You can have everyone bring a card only or card and gift, and it can be given at this time individually, or at the end of the ceremony all together.

By the end of the evening, this young person has had all these adults call him into adulthood and bless him and accept him and launch him forth into his world to make a difference – as someone who feels highly believed in and supported.
This is one of the most powerful events I have ever been a part of. I feel  it establishes and builds on their destiny and effects the generations  to follow in the most amazing and profound ways.
This is how we do it and have seen close to 10 performed.  You make it your own and begin building your tradition, however you see it.  But we believe that our country would be a different place, if children left home feeling so honored and called forth so intentionally. It becomes more clear than ever, their unique giftings and how they can bless their world. It sends them forth with so much more purpose and conviction.
 
Let’s make our children – SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE BLESSING!

My “gift” is that of encouragement and empowering others to literally love their lives and adore their spouse, children, and families and also their world. Well worth your time, all the way back to the beginning.

Would love to hear from you. ENJOY!

To access the radio broadcast, go to KCFO.com.
On the left column, second box down, click on “Program Guide” and then Saturday.
Then Click on 12: 30 – The Homeschool Life.
Half way down the page then is HEAR PAST PROGRAMS IN THEIR ENTIRETY. I am about half way down that page.
(worth the minute to get to it

ENJOY!!

David asked me to do some short simple video clips on subject matters concerning family living that contributes to the overall wellness in our lives.

I will be posting these on my blog, but you may also see them directly on his website, along with many others at BuildingStrengthWebinars.com.
And I now have a YouTube account, where you can view My videos,
(just copy and paste this at the search bar)

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMotherHeart

The first video is on the difference Honor and Respect make in a family household and other individual relationships and how to cultivate honor and respect to reduce tensions and strife.

The second one is on “Making Love your Highest Aim” and how that one goal will transform your life with simplicity, health and beauty. And then there is a part 2 to Making Love your Highest Aim.
The fourth one is on the “Power of our Words”.
And the fifth is “Sacred Quiet Times”.
The content is rich and they are simply bite-size nuggets to refer people to – whom you know that they can help.

They are only about 5 minutes long – so please – take a look.

Disclaimer – IF you are a tad bit “religious” this could be offensive – so skip it. No harm done.

The other day i went into the local religious store, where i saw a ”Honk if you love Jesus” bumper sticker. I just had to buy one and proudly put it on the rear bumper of my car as a witness. It worked! I found, to my surprise, that lots of people love Jesus. This is what happened………

I was stopped at the traffic light at a busy intersection, lost in thought about the Lord, and did not notice that the light had changed. The man behind started to honk his horn like crazy. He must of REALLY loved the Lord, because pretty soon, he leaned out of his window and yelled ”JESUS CHRIST”, just as loud as he could. He went on to encourage me in my faith by yelling ”GO, FOR CHRIST SAKE!”. Then everyone else started honking their horns too, so i leaned out of my window and waved at all of those loving people.
There must have been a Christian man from Florida back there too, because I could hear him yelling something about “sunny beach”, giving me a strange one fingered wave. I remembered that I had seen that wave before, and had asked my family about it. They kinda squirmed and giggled, then they finally told me about it being the hawaiian ‘good luck sign’. How nice!

Several cars behind him, a very nice black man stepped out of his car and yelled something. I couldn’t hear him very well, , but I think he wanted to tell me about his family. I think he said his mother was a trucker. He must be very proud of her and i’m sure they must both really love the Lord.

Another couple of people were so caught up in the joy of the moment, that they got out of their cars and were walking toward me. I’ll bet that they wanted to pray, but just then, I noticed that the light had changed to yellow, so I stepped on the gas. And it was a good thing that i did, because i was the only driver to get across the intersection. I saw all those loving people in my rear view mirror still at the light, so i leaned out of my window, gave them a big smile, and held up the Hawaiian ‘good luck sign’ as i drove away.

What a blessing to meet such wonderful folks. And i owe it all to my Christian bumper sticker.

The night I learned that Caleb was going to be a boy, I was with 2 of my best friends at the Atlantic Sea Grill here in Tulsa.  Afterwards, while we were dancing around and hanging out together, just us 3 girls, outside the restaurant on a beautiful eve, I came up with the name Caleb Abraham.  I would call him “Caleb Abe”. I loved it. It helped me to accept the fact and even get excited about another boy coming into the Fowler family. He was my 4th boy out of 5 kids.

David did not care for it, because he thought Abraham was too old-fashioned and patriarchal.  So, 15 years ago, we welcomed Christopher Caleb into the world.  He would be called Caleb – that much we knew. Well, guess what? CalebAbe stuck for me and I have called him that his whole life.

Last week, when the whole family was swimming together, he admitted that he preferred Caleb Abraham. We all agreed it fits him better. He is a very strong person and will be quite the patriarch, if time allows. We are going to change his name legally, as soon as we are able.

Caleb is one of those extremely strong, choleric personalities.  We laugh at remembering when he was barely 5 years old, his oldest brother Josh said to him, “Caleb, you would rule the world if you could, wouldn’t you?”  Caleb responded with “what do you mean?” and Josh explained “tell everybody what to do.”  Caleb, so knowingly responded and said “yes, of course, except Dad, he knows what he is doing.”

Caleb has never been one to “second guess” anything he decides.  A very independent thinker, he knows his own mind and heart.  He is a self-taught man. He decided a several years ago, to pick up piano.  He sat down and began to play.  Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” was his first number – done perfectly and beautiful. Every time he ever sits down to play, it moves my soul. He has never played any basic chopsticks or had any piano lessons – just amazing since day one. I kid you not!

He has done the same thing with computers and keeps all of ours up and running.  I do not know how he knows everything as he does – blows my little (untechy) brain.  I am sure many of your households have one of these types also.  They are a trip to a parent, eh?  I can’t figure out where he came from.  :)

He also has a video production company of his own called Aesthetic Creations.(http://www.youtube.com/user/AestheticCreations ).  He is an amazing photographer, videographer, director, and video editor. In fact, he has already been invited by friends of ours who live in Botswana, Africa to come and stay with them for a year and attend their school and produce videos for them, maybe even a documentary. They have a Cambridge University affiliated K-12 school and also an orphanage. He is very excited for this privilege and will probably go for his senior year.  He is just finishing his freshman year.

He has had a difficult time with his studies, because he is clamoring to get out into the world, be creative and produce videos and forget wasting all this needless time on school.  ”Pleeease Mom – seriously consider!”  Can anyone relate – or remember such feelings?

When I was pregnant with Caleb and it was too early to ascertain his sex, my soul mate, Ronda – from Seattle, called me and said the Lord had just given her a prophetic dream about this boy in my womb.  I immediately felt mad to hear it was even a boy.

Then she told me he was going to be a fireball, and would accomplish great things.  That he would be a lot like Paul, in the New Testament.  I got off the phone and got in the tub and remember crying, angry at God.  I did not want another boy. I wanted a calm, peaceful girl.  We already had enough testosterone in this house.

Savayvah Grace did not come until number 9, after 4 more boys.

By the end of that evening, the Lord had met me and ministered to my heart the absolute privilege of having this man for Him and co-creating with Him for His purposes.

Proverbs 19:21 tells us “Though we make our plans, His purposes will prevail.”  What a promise.  It used to make me mad. And now that I have lived and experienced this over and over, I can tell you – go ahead and make your plans, dream your dreams and when the Father’s plan is different than yours, learn to embrace it – Because He is Father God and His plans for us are GOOD – TO GIVE US A HOPE AND A FUTURE.”  (Jeremiah 29:11).

He always has the better plan.  And I could not be more grateful for this man He graced our lives with rather than giving me what I was wanting with all my heart at that time.

Caleb Abraham – you are the epitome of tender and strong.  You are creative and brilliant.  You are so fun, loving and such a man already.  We couldn’t be more proud of you!

P.S. Caleb left for Jamaica today, with 2 of his brothers, on a summer missions trip.  He still needs funds for the mission trip. (It’s not to late to give.)  Here is the information if you want to give to his mission trip. You may view here the video he produced that he sent out to friends in lieu of a “support letter”.
http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=1135869969 (third one down)

Good Samaritan Fellowship
8177 S Harvard Ave #711
Tulsa, OK 74137

In fact, he is producing the video for the mission team as part of his trip payment. He negotiated that deal himself. 

I FEEL gorgeous
not perfect
just beautiful
and one
with all of creation
that is so beautiful.

The beauty I feel inside my heart,
that eminates to my outside,
to all the world which i inhabit

is a powerful beauty
that overwhelms me
from the inside out

from outermost horizons
to deep inside me.

I am connected
to all that is beautiful
and because of that privilege,
I am a conduit
to feed beauty
back to my world.

As I explained to my 7 year old this evening – When you consciously drink in God’s beauteous creation, it makes your very soul beautiful, so that you indeed give beauty back to your world.

I only shared this, of the beauty I feel, to help you grasp this Truth for yourself.