Have you ever longed to do something great for God, but lacked the ability to put “feet” to your longings? Have you tried to overcome your lack of passion for God or the things of God, but felt harnessed by spiritual lethargy? Do you want to impact your world for God? This book unveils the possibility that your own inner spirit may be slumbering…unfocused…even apathetic because of unresolved spiritual issues. It shows how this can affect your conscience, or hinder you from building and sustaining personal relationships, intimate communication, and devotional life. As you read this uniquely written book, you will find life-transforming principles for allowing the Holy Spirit to awaken your personal spirit and help you learn to walk confidently in the nature and image of Christ.
John Sandford and and his wife Paula are co-founders of Elijah House, Inc., an international ministry established in 1975 in response to the Lord's calling in Malachi 4:5-6 and Matthew 17:11
They have traveled extensively, teaching the biblical principles of repentance and forgiveness, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They are considered pioneers in the prophetic and inner healing movements. Their vision has been to reveal that which keeps believers bound in repetitive sin; by, as John says, "evangelizing the unbelieving areas of the believer's heart."
John and Paula have sown a deeper understanding of the Word into the Body of Christ, especially regarding the four spiritual laws, illuminating the biblical truth that these laws are just as certain as the law of gravity in how they affect our lives. Their work in the Kingdom has brought transformation of individuals and reconciliation of relationships to countless thousands, from individuals and families to denominations and people groups,and most ultimately, reconciliation with The Father.
John graduated from seminary with an M. Div. in Religion and Personality. He pastored churches in Illinois, Kansas, and Idaho for 21 years before founding Elijah House. Paula was active in these churches in music and Christian education, and also taught English and Spanish in public high school for several years. She joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.
John and his wife Paula experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in 1958, which has enriched their ministry ever since. They have been married since 1951, have 6 children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
This classic book discusses the sleep state of most people's personal spirits and what can be done to awaken it, nurture it and encourage it to live life to the full.
The authors surmise that spiritual gifts alone, even with the release of the Holy Spirit, are not necessarily enough in every case to awaken a personal spirit. This, they point out, is because Christianity is an incarnational faith and Jesus wants the church to be involved in it happening, person to person, loving each other to life.
Highlight thoughts for me:
Humanism is the glorification of the human position - putting man at the centre of the universe and counterfeiting the transformation of people into the character of Jesus through His saving grace. The goal of true humanity is to become more like Jesus.
Fathers are vitally important. Ideally, they should be the first person other than the mother to bless the personal spirit of a child. Thus the baby learns in the spirit how to meet a persona other than mother.
Transcending time is the ability to learn from the past and project into the future. It develops hope, reminds us of good times and encourages us to believe they can come again. People who cannot transcend time are trapped in the present.
A remorse conscience is of little guidance because it only works after the event to remind you of what you did wrong. A true conscience works on the basis of an awakened personal spirit.
As you know, I do not give out five stars often. There are few books worth more than three, and like the teacher who says that "average means average", I consider the majority of books as average (after all, isn't that what the word means?).
But this book is far from the middle. There are really no books that deal with this subject. The authors focus on a real spiritual and emotional condition: For many people, the inner part of their soul has fallen asleep. It usually does this for one or more reasons:
Lack of a father's love and nurture Use of depressants (i.e. alcohol, pot, certain medications) Multiple broken soul-ties through sexual activity Rebellion and bitterness.
The answer to this condition is straightforward but not simple. And for those people I have suggested read this book, almost every one of them has said it changed their lives.