Summer is the perfect time for any gathering and especially so when it comes to sharing our faith!
As you know by now, I’m a huge fan of Lori Roeleveld’s book, Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life. And apparently, I’m not alone. This gem of a book recently won the Director’s Award at the Blue Ridge Mountains Chrisitan Writer’s Conference. {Congrats, Lori!}
I’m slowly reading through Jesus and the Beanstalk because I want to savor every word, and well, I don’t want it to end. Just last week I came across this:
“Too many of us have adopted the culture of consumerism rather than the culture of discipleship. Growing up in Jesus is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. We are climbing the true vine, and only he knows precisely where any one of us is in that process. Finding the next hold on the vine is not an exact science because it’s about a relationship with Jesus, not a nine-step self-improvement program. Building character doesn’t happen because we read we should do it. God builds character in us in many ways and through a variety of circumstances.”
Then Lori shared the following suggestion:
“Ask God to direct you to activities that will give you faith in increasing measure. One way we bolster one another’s faith is through testimonies or stories of God’s intervention. Invite some friends for dinner and swap stories of times you’ve seen God at work.”
And there it was, right in front of me: Why not host a Swim & Swap party this summer?
For a full-fledged introvert, that’s an undertaking — a faith-stretching activity — but the wheels are turning. I see friends gathered around our pool on a warm Saturday afternoon. Very casual, nothing fancy. As the sun sets, we begin to swap stories as to how we’ve seen⎯and are seeing⎯God at work. I admit the planner in me wants to cover every base but I’m learning that some things just can’t be planned, like the moving of the Holy Spirit.
{Having said that, there will be grilled burgers, dessert, lemonade, and S’mores involved.}
Swapping God-glorifying stories is good for the soul--yours and mine. #soulfood Share on X
I will praise you to all my brothers; I will stand up before the congregation and testify of the wonderful things you have done. Psalm 22:22
Our sense of hearing⎯and the power it holds⎯-is recorded throughout the Word:
- Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
- Acts 22:15, “For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.”
- Genesis 3:8, “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
I recently returned from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference. Every night, a gathering in the downstairs lobby huddled around coffee tables and sometimes delicious treats, thanks to Diana Asaad {thank you!}. As I heard those around me share stories of how God was moving through the worship times and interactions with faculty/other attendees, my own faith-walk was strengthened and encouraged. After all, that’s what happens when we’re brave enough to swap our gospel story with another!
God-glorifying gatherings can happen in coffee shops, grocery lines, around a dinner table, or a campfire. They can happen anywhere two or more are gathered in His name and for His glory.
Jesus and the Beanstalk Giveaway
Want to win your own copy of this faith-building giant-trampling book? Simply leave one way you’ve seen God recently move in your life, or in the life of a loved one, in the comment section. None are considered too small. One name will be randomly drawn next Thursday, June 15th.
Toppling giants in this strange land sounds very needed to me. Congrats, Lori for winning the award. I can’t wait to read and ponder all that you have written.
Me too, Jeanne. It would take hours to share how much God has used Jesus and the Beanstalk in my life. Fingers crossed for you! 🙂 Blessings…and thanks for sharing.
God moved powerfully through my Blue Ridge experience too. He sent a team of cheerleaders of professionals and fellow attendees to send me on a new direction.
NB Jesus and the Beanstalk sits on a side table in my living room for me to pick up and as a conversation starter. Lori’s the tops. 😀
Blue Ridge is a life-changing experience and I join you in praising Him for all He did for you through the experience! And I couldn’t agree more…Lori IS the tops! Thanks for taking the time to share, Sandra. God bless!
Wow. Excellent post and I love that you shared from Lori’s book. God was preparing me before, during and after conference. Before arriving I had asked God to confirm if I should continue my writing given how little progress I’ve been made over the years. I had determined my speed no one else.
I sensed I was to focus on others not myself this year and how I could be used. Honestly I was thinking of how to encourage newbies. But God had another way for me to serve.
I didn’t plan to pitch. God opened that door. I didn’t feel prepared yet had peace. God put people in front of me numerous times that week to encourage me when they didn’t realize God was using them.
Then he directed my path and confirmed I have a story to share. Ways that I can only give Him the glory. He is far more creative than I. And I will lean on Him in this journey.
Sometimes God does things in our life that can’t be explained to another person. It’s like trying to explain to your non-writing friends what your mountain top experience was like at BRMCWC.
I’d love to read Lori’s newest book. And I enjoyed her interview on the Christian Devotions podcast this week.
Rest assure, my friend, God used you in many ways to encourage others that week. Dee Dee would not have been able to do nearly as much as she did without you driving “Miss Daisy”. 🙂 I’m thankful the Lord gave you direction and confirmation. I look forward to seeing how God will use your writing for His glory — and I have no doubt that He will. Blessings to you, Daph!
Cathy, God moves my heart in big ways and small everyday. My cry as he does, is to have eyes to see every one of them. One especially sweet way recently was when he brought you into my life. You have encouraged me in ways that only God intimately knew I needed. Thank you for loving so selflessly Cathy and for so brightly shining our Fathers light!
I love when our heavenly Father weaves lives together in beautiful and unexpected ways — especially ours. Thank you for taking the time to share, Callie. Blessings to you and your sweet family.
Some of the footholds on my vine have broken, or overgrown. I’m still climbing up, but leaving extra leaves behind. This enables me to see more light.
I haven’t been at BRMCWC since 2013, but I’m determined to go in 2018.
One day(branch) at a time.
I would LOVE to see you there in 2018, Cyn! And you’re so right…one day (branch) at a time! That reminds me of another thing I love about Jesus and the Beanstalk — Lori wrote it in “bite-sizes”, which is why I’m choosing to slowly work through it. Thanks so much for sharing!
I loved being at Blue Ridge. I was encouraged watching the positive things God was doing in the lives of my writer friends. It was exciting to see God give them answers (both yes and no) and direction that they knew were from Him.
AND I want added to that “Swim and Swap” party! I’ll bring food and sweet tea!!!
I’d love to read the book, too!
You got it, Tammy! 🙂 And I agree about Blue Ridge — it is a place where God seems to confirm a lot of things in a person’s life. I know He has in mine, too. Loved seeing you there this year!!! Thanks for sharing! Good luck on the drawing. 🙂
Great idea! I’m going to be at the beach with a group of fellow MOPS Mentor Moms in a few weeks, I will suggest this. Blue Ridge was great this year! It was good to see you in person. I have Jesus and The Beanstalk so don’t include me in the drawing. I was so happy Lori won the Director’s Choice Award. I enjoy her writing.
Oh, let me know how it goes if you try it, Kim! And also just a quick reminder…there’s a link in my beach devotional guide that includes group questions if you want to try one of the exercises. 🙂 Enjoy your time away with the girls. 🙂
Writing is sometimes a giant, but God really inspired me at Blue Ridge. Working on a new project (prayers appreciated)! Great seeing you there!
I agree, Carlton! It is sometimes a giant. Good thing we serve the Slayer. 🙂 I’m adding you/your new project to my prayer journal and look forward to seeing what God will do through your gift of writing. Keep me posted! Enjoyed seeing you there, too. (Dee Dee says hello!)
You all come from a long line of giant-slayers. Remember, Jack was nothing without the vine – cling to Christ, bury the beans, and watch out giants!
Yes, and Amen!
Wow, can’t believe that i stumbled on to this site. Thank you Jesus. Jesus has been working t show me that he hears my prayers for my unsaved family. Also how important it is to grow my Faith! It’s easy to say yes i believe in His promises , but do I live like I do? So that has helped me to know that my unsaved family truly is His concern, too. Amen! My daughter joined a “MOm” group and one of the moms attends my church…so rejoice! Jesus is putting someone into her life to fulfill His Will . That is the God I serve. Thank you that I matter to Him.