Jennifer Howe, Author at Facets of Faith

Truth, Lies, Amnesia, and a River in Egypt?

08.14.2018 by Jennifer Howe //

Friends, this month’s topic seems to pierce my (Jennifer) heart. Truth is a funny thing. Some of us speak it absolutely and unapologetically every time. The culture seems to believe it can be “flexible” or “situational.” Some desperately seek it, hoping to find a solid foundation for life. Many of us hope it never catches up to us after an ugly slice of life. (Been there and done that.) Truth can be terribly hard to embrace. It’s so—permanent and unchanging; and it’s often in conflict with one little word that is not a river in Egypt. So, in order to step into truth, we’ve got to step out of denial. Truth and reality are two tightly-twisted strands in the thread of a healthy life.

Truth is, what we don’t know or what we choose to ignore can hurt us. And that’s why I wanted to write a sort of open letter to your heart (and mine!).

Dear One—

Once upon a time life was amazing. Daddy-God created our reality with a word. Light and dark were separated. Water was given boundaries. Solid ground waited to be explored. Green things grew. Critters began to breathe and live the critter life. Man. Woman. Beautiful identity. Perfect unity in a perfect world.

Then it got complicated. Brokenness.

For thousands of years your Daddy-God has been speaking into and to creation. He’s still speaking to you today. Do you believe that? Many of His children suffer from something like amnesia after a head-on collision with the brokenness in life. Because you are so dearly loved, this letter was written just for you.

Truth for Lies
Once the truth was widely known and accepted—truth told you who you are, why you are here, and where your life was going. But you (you and everybody) “exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25 NIV). Sweet heart, what preoccupies your mind, interests, passions, or activity? Truth? Lies? A created thing? A caricature of who you were meant to be? Is it your Creator, Daddy-God?

Maybe you suffer from amnesia, or maybe the diagnosis is more serious. Get gut-level honest; find out what’s in that heart of yours. Lay your bare heart out for serious examination because it matters. Step out of denial because it’s deadly. Eternally so.

[F]or those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Romans 2:8 NIV

Your Daddy-God hates self-seeking behavior, evil, and lies—meeting all of that with a strong response, period. Now you should meet lies and “flexible truth” with the strength of real truth. Truth can be known, and it obliterates denial, lies, and darkness. There is freedom in truth. Take it!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Fr-ee-ee-ee-dom!
You are offered amazing freedom in truth. You have also been offered everything you need to know and obey the truth. Take Jesus up on the offer!

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

You can receive the Spirit of truth. Leave the river of denial and stand on solid truth ground. You’ll have power to walk away from “shameful secret things…deceit…and distorting God’s message,” and many people will be receptive to “an open display of truth” (2 Corinthians 4:2 CSB).

It’s all about Love
Would you believe strychnine is superfood designed to improve quality of life? (Ask any rat about that!) Would you allow someone else to believe it? Of course not.

You know some truth right now. You’re responsible for that. And you’re responsible to yourself and others. Don’t look at this world on fire and play your tiny violin for the people in chaos. That would be cruel. Downright evil. That’s not love.

Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (emphasis added)

Sweet heart, receive truth eagerly and speak it lovingly. Receive it because your life depends on it. Speak truth because your life and others’ depends on it.

Truth may not feel warm and fuzzy, but receive it and speak it anyway.

You may quake in your cute, impractical, form-over-function shoes. Receive it and speak it anyway.

Denial demands you paddle harder on the river, but it never changes the truth. Receive it and speak it anyway.

Your Daddy-God is truth. Jesus is the truth that reunites the children of God with their Father. The Spirit of truth will fill, teach, and lead you. Receive and speak that truth.

You are loved. Truth!

~Your Daddy-God

Sweet friend, is truth in your life muddied and dead on denial’s riverbank? When do you want to step out of that denial?

Which truths have you “forgotten” in the middle of this hard life? Do you know who your Daddy-God says you are? (Maybe start with that truth.)

Which truths do you most need to embrace more than anything right now? Does it start with embracing Jesus, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6)? That and repentance are the foundation for everything else.

Thanks for reading along, friend. I hope this letter speaks to you. It speaks more loudly to me than you know. Share your thoughts in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. As always, the Facets love when our readers share!

Love you, Dear One.

The Jet Fuel That Propels Our Hope

07.11.2018 by Jennifer Howe //

Hi, everyone! I wish you the very best (a little late) as we Americans remember the historic significance of July. I’m thankful to live in this amazing country with the blessings it affords. If not for brave souls who made sacrifices—even risking their lives and fortunes—this would be a different nation. I’m grateful our founding fathers were smart and determined. Their choices and wisdom made all the difference. With all her faults, I hope God would still bless America with his presence.

But I digress. On to the real reason I’m here…

We’re talking about something dear to my heart: prayer. There are precious fruits of the labor in prayer; we chose to think about hope. My soul often leans into prayer. I was planted in a family who prays. I am beautifully connected to a sort of second family who prays in my church. And I hope my sons are the next generation of men who pray prayers that echo like thunder. Prayer is powerful and effective for the needy soul. (I’m that soul on any given day.) Are prayer and hope inextricably linked?

What is prayer anyway?
Prayer is comprised of words. But, it’s not yammering on or making small talk. Often the words aren’t warm, fuzzy feelings, and they aren’t some kind of “light” or “positivity” we send out into the universe. The words are a two-way exchange incorporating listening, and so they become a conversation. Prayer’s focus—and the most important part—is who the conversation is with.

Words and The Living Word
The Bible tells us what prayer is and to whom we pray. Prayerful words are designed to create intimate communication with God—all of God, the Trinity. Prayer puts us in direct communication with the God of the universe, our Heavenly Father; through Jesus, the Son; by the power of the Spirit. And that sounds a little heavy in the theology department, but it’s important to think in those terms sometimes.

But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. Matthew 6:6a CSB

I’m thankful our Father hears what is prayed privately, or even silently (6:6b).

Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. Hebrews 10:14-16

In what other way can we approach the throne of God (from the physical world) but through prayer?

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. Romans 8:26

Plain and simple. Sometimes there are no words. Sometimes we don’t know how to pray. When we’re at a loss for words or we fear our wants and needs might be muddled, we count on the Holy Spirit to speak into that moment. He is willing to step in, and if we let him, Spirit will pray in our stead.

Why Pray?

He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say: Father, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Luke 11:2

Let’s never forget who we are praying to, first. We’re asking God to break through in our world in the ways only he can. He is holy, set apart. Today that looks like a whole other reality; someday we’ll walk into his presence and see his face. Nothing in this world happens without his knowledge, but we can have meaningful, intimate conversations with our almighty Father in heaven from this realm.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44

…bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28

The hardest prayers to pray can be for those who have hurt us, friends, or family members. Those are tough prayers, but this is a command.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13a

We’re familiar with these prayers. When we have compassion for the sick, weak, or hurt, we pray. That’s actually a directive. We learn to pray in the big and little stuff. (The latter can be harder to remember.)

Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:38

Let’s not forget to ask the Lord to equip his people to speak well, be able to give answers, and to share the hope! (See 1 Peter 3:15-16.)

…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 ESV

We pray. At all times. All kinds of prayers. Persevering in prayer for all of God’s people, including ourselves.

But, where’s the hope?
I need to know where the jet fuel in prayer is for the hope I need, and you may too.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

Our good and merciful Father has given grace through Jesus. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn it. Our “living hope” is salvation through Jesus. We were saved from sin into a beautiful relationship with the Father. All because of Jesus. This life will end. What comes next hangs from nails in a cross. It’s a free gift—but a choice we make nonetheless. Since it’s an “already but not yet” kind of thing, we employ hope. We are children of God now, but we’ll walk heaven’s streets later. This is fuel for the hope fire, isn’t it?

I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in Your word. Psalm 119:147

…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Because God is good (see his goodness in grace above) and he cares for us, our concerns are his concerns. When we are distressed or depressed, it matters to our Father. He has given us his Word (the Bible), the Living Word (Jesus), and his Spirit because he loves us that much! We have all we need in our terrible trouble. Every. Single. Moment. More hope. He cares about the little things and the big things.

If we don’t have strength or words or wisdom…

We have Jesus and the finished work on the cross.

We have the precious words from God on the pages of the Bible.

We have the Spirit who will pray with and for us.

God strengthens us through the pages of scripture, none of which make sense without Jesus or the Spirit. He hears our words, which are often inspired or amplified by the Spirit. But the only way to the Father is Jesus. The gift of the Spirit is through Jesus. Jesus is our hope. We pray to stay in close relationship with the One who loves us, cares about our lives, and acts on our behalf.

Nothing is possible without Jesus. (Talk about hopeless!) If we pray…if there is any hope to be fueled at all…it’s because of Jesus.

Thanks for reading, friends. Do you find prayer fuels your hope? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on that. Share a time when prayer solidified hope for you. Comment below or stop over at the Facebook Page.

Love you all!

Fun in All the Things: an INTJ, Facts, and Faith

06.12.2018 by Jennifer Howe //

Hi friends, this month’s topic is all about the fun things in life. We’re asking “What do you do for fun?” and we want to know what you think makes the perfect opportunity for joy, laughter, entertainment—your definition of fun—or what fuels a refreshing passion in you. Take a peek at Tracy’s thoughts, and keep an eye out for Kim’s next week.

Many of us carve out time for fun in the summer when we can. The weather can be perfect for a variety of outdoor activities (if you don’t melt above 83 degrees like I do). Summertime vacations and staycations are common. I love a getaway, but I need regular refreshing. And I have to be intentional about it.

There are four letters that influence my idea of fun: I-N-T-J. If you know an INTJ, you wonder what they do for fun, right? I read somewhere that these people are the “packrats of wisdom.” The ability to focus and be in “the zone” for long periods makes them hard workers. Even with a touch of distraction in the mix, an INTJ can be driven. The collaborative academic groups I participated in were thankful for my creativity and drive; I think they prayed I wouldn’t expect that same work focus of them. About two percent of the population fits within the group. (We’re special! *Grin*)

A little about my ideas, plural, of fun…
First, there are so many things I love to do! I joke about wanting to do “all the things,” but there’s a good measure of truth in that. Each experience I choose is the variety and spice in my life, the fresh learning material, or the new challenge to conquer. So this is how things look from my perspective. I love to read, write, edit others’ writing, sing, draw, decorate my home, work out at the gym, play with and train dogs, target-shoot—all with one little thing that seems to overarch it all. When I spend time at my favorite hidey hole with a cuppa, I’m learning about all of those things and more specific areas of many topics.

Learning, Knowledge, and Wisdom…
Once upon a time, I heard that the fuels of the human soul are to know and be known; to love and be loved. Truth? I think so. I resonate with both parts of the statement, but the knowing and being known is strong. Knowledge is a beautiful thing, friends, but it’s not the end. I’ve taken a look at the VFOGI (vast fund of general information) in my head, and I’m challenged.

First Corinthians 13 reminds me that I can know all kinds of things. In my current culture, I might be a key player in a game of Trivial Pursuit (in some categories) or Bible Trivia. But what I know, what I take into my mind, needs guidelines.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 CSB

In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Colossians 2:3

The kind of knowledge I need is rooted in God. Thankfully, this is my Father’s world, so learning about its workings reveals something about the One who made it if I look carefully. The masterpiece reveals the heart of the artist. I love that! But notice something up there? There is knowledge, and there is wisdom and instruction.

If you ask li’l, old INTJ me what I love, what fuels refreshing in me, it’s learning and being teachable. To me, those two things say all I need to know about knowledge and wisdom.

Wisdom is supreme-so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

The Geek in Me…
When I geek out in “all the things,” I want to think about how my study opens up some understanding of Daddy-God, the people He’s made, or the creation He sustains. From the topic of astronomy to zoology (and everything between), everything references the Creator. The interest I have in psychology makes more sense in light of the One who created the human mind. When I write, I hope to reveal the heart and mind of God. When I train a dog, I see the creativity of the One who fashions companion animals with complex senses and instincts. On a trail ride, I celebrate the beauty of nature and the horse beneath me. When I learn a little bit about how the world works, it shows more of the incredible mind of God!

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! Romans 11:33a

I’m hard-wired for geekiness. My friends are gracious when my VFOGI leaks in conversation. They know I had a learning moment sometime prior, and the material sat in storage for years just waiting for its nanosecond of usefulness. What they may not know is the connection between the facts and my faith.

I love knowing, and now you know that. I guess I feel settled in the knowing and being known at the moment. *Grin* Thankfully, I have friends and family with differing definitions of fun, so I’m a little more well-rounded than just scratching my brain from the inside.

What does your fun look like? I’ve got to know. Jot a quick comment to share your experiences of fun below or at our Facebook page. And, as always, sharing is caring—or at least inviting others into the conversation.

Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing!