Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
R. Ashbrook
Read between
January 22 - February 11, 2019
Lillian paused, gulped some now-cold tea, and went on before Barry or Jim could comment. “Surely someone in Christian history has expounded on those passages and suggested what that kind of spiritual growth looks like. Jesus taught us that transformation comes after adoption. We have to learn what that process looks like in real life so we can help others grow up spiritually.”
“That’s right where we are now,” Barry blurted out. “Jesus has adopted us and taught us; but now we’re learning how to hear and follow our King. It does take more than knowledge; it takes guts—guts to follow Jesus. Courage like that comes from learning through experience that He’s trustworthy. Trusting God only comes through the school of hard knocks, in the hands of the Holy Spirit. We have to fail a few times to experience that He does in fact work all things together for good for those that love Him and are called into His plan.”
Some of us need healing before we can progress. I’m a good example. Before Jesus and I could get anywhere, I had to deal with my wounded heart about losing Elaine and the anger I felt toward the Lord.
“Okay, okay. Here’s what the Lord whispered. ‘You will become a mother to many you don’t yet know. You will show them the mother-love of God, and I will help you.’” She paused. “The words are imprinted on my mind as if He’s written them on a plaque and hung it inside my skull. But I honestly have no idea what that means. I hope it doesn’t mean Walt and I are going to have more kids!”
I know Jesus wants this church, all churches for that matter, to become a community that actually experiences Him as Present.
“That’s another thing,” Jim stood up and started pacing again. “The world we live in exhibits a lot of hostility toward the church and its teachings. People consider us judgmental bigots, because we believe that some behaviors are right and moral and others are wrong and hurt people. This generation wants to do and believe whatever they want and can get really hostile when someone calls them on it. We’ve got the same problem within the church. People have their individual idea about what church should be like. Some want this and others want that. Most come as religious consumers. Everyone’s
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People have to experience the truth, not just be told about it.
‘Jim, my son, open your heart to the winds of the Holy Spirit who will sweep you into my Presence so that we may shepherd together.’” He paused, as tears welled in his eyes. “But He really got to me when He spoke again. He whispered, ‘Just let me love you; the rest will come.’ His last statement really nails where I struggle. Even after all I have experienced with Jesus, I still have trouble accepting that He really loves me—loves me enough to guide me through all this.”
Ten years later to the day that Jesus first appeared to the three and changed their lives, Pastor Jim, Lillian, and Barry stood together in a wide open space on Barry’s farm holding hands. Hundreds of people stood around them as they all sang songs of praise and worshiped God. Video cameras stood poised on tripods as the media worked to capture the scene and document its story. News about Emmaus had spread.
Lonnie Riley testimony
Over these ten years, much has changed their lives, accompanied by many trials and restarts that challenged their resolve. But the Lord led them and taught them faithfully, developing an amazing tapestry of the Lord’s Presence.
In the following months, a radical idea emerged out of one of their talk-and-prayer times. As they discussed the kinds of relationship and support they would need from each other, Jim commented that what they needed sounded a lot like what has historically been called an “order”—people with a common life calling and vision to love and serve Jesus, a common way of life, and common commitments to one another. Of course there would be some significant differences between their group and most historical orders. For example, they wouldn’t necessarily live together; the Order would include both men
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Lance Teel
The covenant addressed aspects of their relationships such as how often they would meet, openness and honesty with one another and others, daily prayer for the members, and the subjection of every aspect of their lives to the authority and direction of Jesus. They would meet at least weekly for prayer, sharing life experiences, discerning the Lord’s leading, and celebrating His Presence. Based on their covenant, they hammered out a Rule of Life which described the spiritual practices that they each would follow in their personal lives. Their Rule included spiritual disciplines designed to help
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Jesus would make the connections if and when it became right, so they agreed not to be too quick to encourage others to join.
He longed for a community of peers with whom to discuss and explore experiencing Jesus’s Presence.
The Order of Christ’s Presence published no documents, held no conferences, nor established any long-range plans or mission strategies. They simply met for mutual support, encouragement, and prayer.
Soon they began to pray together about their family and the activities of daily life, waiting for Jesus to teach and guide them.
Some had become interested by overhearing discussions about spiritual formation and deeper intimacy with God. For others, their awakening had come through some difficulty or trial that caused them to cry out to the Lord for help, realizing that they needed to learn how to become attentive to His Presence and leadership.
Lillian and her family have moved and, after extensive renovation by volunteers, now live in the “servant quarters” of that large historic mansion. People have come to know the mansion as the Fellowship, short for “The Fellowship for Knowing Jesus.” Walter now works from their home at the Fellowship using his phone and computer to carry out his work as a consultant, with only occasional trips for meetings. Part time, he also manages the Fellowship’s finances and facilities. Their son, Evan, will soon turn 17, and is already
Stephen Walker's friend Doc's castle
But he now realized that there needed to be more to living as a follower of Jesus in the workplace. It occurred to him that whatever product a business might be dealing with, Jesus ultimately originated it and knows how to make it work correctly. He also knows all a company’s employees, customers, and competitors, and wants the best for all of them. What would it mean to follow Jesus as a businessperson, a professional, and an employee?
The Rhythm contains a daily pattern which can be adapted to any work environment. The Business Day Rhythm recommends starting the day, whether at home, in the car, or at work, with prayers expressing one’s utter dependence upon God. It invites us to recognize that the coming day will be influenced by forces and events impossible to predict; the implications of the day’s actions and decisions will extend far beyond anyone’s anticipation, affecting many people for good or evil.
