WordsByJoe.com

Dear Friends,

I want to ask again for you to visit my writing blog at www.wordsbyjoe.com.  Each word of encouragement and prayer has sparked an avalanche of inward motivation to write. Don't forget to subscribe to the feed as well.  Please click on the video that is there to receive a proper thank you for your visit and leave a comment.  I appreciate each of you for encouraging me to write more.

Joy,

Joseph

P.S. This Awakening blog is still continuing so visit here often as well.

Words: Speak Carefully

^"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:35-37)

This Scripture used to haunt me as a spector on the fringes because my speech was in need of repair.  Now, I see these words as a tutor that is helping me guard my tongue.

Each word we utter has power.  Each word is precious.  Jesus was a master of words and their use.  He submitted each thought to the Father, received the go ahead, and then spoke accordingly.  "And the people marvelled at the authority of the words He spoke."

Choose your words carefully.  You and I will give account.

Repent and Reconnect: The Church at Large

I write as one who has shifted in his thinking... again. For over ten years I have been involved in organic, simple forms of church. It has been an amazing adventure of living missionally and authentically in Christ. During this time, I subtly shifted into an unhealthy mindset that has drawn artificial lines between myself and my traditional church brethren. This mindset set me up as an elitest. What I thought was a prophetic edge to what I was saying was often poison to my brothers and sisters.

The Lord can no longer allow us to separate and divide along artificial lines. If you belong to Jesus, then you belong to me. I am yours as well. We may disagree on a number of things, but if we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior we cannot separate. Is Christ divided? Didn't Jesus say that a house divided against itself cannot stand?

Remember Paul's words in Ephesians 4:2-6, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

In this season of ongoing sanctification, I repent of my elitist mentality.  I also repent on behalf of my organic church brothers and sisters for their negativity and divisive words.  May Jesus' prayer that we be one be answered that the world will know that we are His.

My Rigidity Has Snapped!

Dear Friends,

Through many months, much counsel and lots of prayer, I have decided to no longer use the term "gospel poverty" to describe the lifestyle I am living in Christ.  It has unnecessarily turned people away from this vital message that the Lord is using me to share in words and deed.

From now on I will use the term "Kingdom simplicity".  None of the principles have changed, except in their maturing, but the name must change.  I was too rigid and filled with zeal in the use of "gospel poverty".  This purist mentality forced out the wisdom of the Lord and  turned brothers and sisters off to the message.

I apologize to each person who has been offended.  Thank you for allowing me to grow in wisdom. 

On a more positive note...the book is really progressing along.  I feel the pleasure of the Lord as I write on Kingdom simplicity and this pleasure goads me onward in the grueling task that the writing has become.  Balancing family, disciplemaking, business ownership and writing has been quite the adventure. Yet, the Lord is smiling and I am filled with joy.  Please pray for my continued perseverence.

Joy and humility,

Joseph 

Internet Hiatus

Dear Friends and Readers,

I am on an internet fast until July 30th for time with the Father and writing.  Thank you for continuing to read that which I write.  I hope my time with God will bring new animation to the blog entries that follow after July 30th.

Joy,

Joseph