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Several weeks before the start of 2023, I felt this undeniable nudging of the Holy Spirit. I felt it before, but I always had an excuse not to listen. Take a break. Pull yourself away. I kept returning to that still, small voice telling me to “fast” social media. I put “fast” in quotes because I don’t want to compare this fast in any way with the fasting described in the Bible. Breaking from digital platforms is in no way an equal comparison. But after being on social media for about 16 years, it would be a sacrifice in some way to go cold turkey. I have taken breaks before, but this was different. This was a clear direction to break away from all my accounts for one year. So, on January 1, 2023, I quietly stepped away.

I felt this calling for a sense of revival in my spiritual life. Merriam-Webster defines revival as “a renewed attention to or interest in something.” I needed a renewal in my heart, so I committed to becoming more rooted in God’s Word. Rooted was my word for 2023, and Colossians 2:6-7 would be my guide: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in Thanksgiving.”

I started a chronological reading of the Bible without any distractions during my devotional time. More times than not, I would sit down with my Bible but first check my social apps. Before I knew it, an hour or more had gone by. My time with God in His Word was often neglected by being consumed with scrolling the views of the world. I needed to make a clean break from the digital world and soak in the pages of the Bible. I started from the beginning in the book of Genesis. If God’s story defines my worldview, I had to be obedient and revive it with a renewed interest.

It Starts with His Word

I can’t explain it but my soul needed this fast. As a freelance writer and editor, the Bible is often the focus or reference of my work. But God’s Word often felt dry and dull. It was the resource I pulled off the shelf instead of what should be the lifeblood of my work. I hardly recognized it, but that quiet Holy Spirit nudge to break away was just what I needed to acknowledge that the roots of my faith were rotting out from under me. God wanted me to be obedient to nurture those roots and build my relationship with Him—starting with His Word.

A healthy tree that rises from the ground with a firm trunk and multiple branches fanning its leaves across the sky must be equally supported by a strong root system.  The 19th-century minister Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached about taking proactive measures to nurture one’s spiritual life. “They tell me there is as much of a tree under as above ground,” Spurgeon said, “and certainly it is so with the believer; his visible life would soon wither if not for his secret life.” The secret life Spurgeon was referring to was not to hide it from the world but to keep my time with God sacred. As a believer that sacred time develops a firm foundation. It is a call of obedience to holiness and, hopefully, a heart revival.

In 2022, the American Bible Society released its State of the Bible report describing an “unprecedented drop in the percentage of Bible users in the United States.” More Americans are becoming disengaged with the Word of God, and according to the study, only ten percent of U.S. adults use the Bible daily. That was me—I was becoming more and more disengaged. Don’t misunderstand; I had my Bible open at church on Sunday and almost daily found a quick scripture reference to try and apply to my life. But it fell in line with more of my to-do list. Bible reading: check. A quick prayer: check. On with my day. God was saying, “No, I want more of you, Julie.” So I carved out my mornings—away from social media—and each day the Bible became more alive to me than ever before.

It’s Not About Me

My reading time slowly developed into a habit, but I also changed how I read the Bible. This time, I stopped looking for myself in Scripture. What? It sounds crazy, but I heard a podcaster say she really didn’t comprehend the Bible until she stopped looking for the answers to her life and just read it to understand the character of God. “Stop looking for yourself in Scripture. Look to understand God.” I knew this would be difficult, and I would have to rewire my brain in how I read the Bible. But the more I read from this perspective, the more God revealed His character to me.

The Bible is not a story about me. It’s about God. Previously, I would bring my thoughts, preconceptions, and feelings into Scripture and often found it difficult to understand many passages of the Bible. But when I solely concentrated on looking for God’s character through the chronological story, I found a God who is constantly yearning for a relationship with His creation—including me. When I stopped looking for answers in Scripture, I found them and Him. Oh, how I treasure His Word in my heart!

Applying the Bible to our lives is important, but not until we read—cover to cover—and unlock the mystery of God and His character. It feels as if I have spent a lifetime reading devotionals, attending women’s Bible studies and conferences, and getting bits and pieces of God’s Word. But this year, when I committed to reading the Bible daily, without commentary or a well-meaning application, I began to be genuinely rooted in God’s Word.

The best analogy of this is I remember visiting a store with handcrafted quilts. There was a quilt folded over a wooden rack. Each square of the quilt was beautifully embroidered with a unique image. There were animals, trees, flowers, and water scenes. Each block on the quilt revealed these amazing intricate designs. But when I lifted the quilt off the rack, it revealed all those images depicting one seamless landscape. That quilter intentionally crafted every square with a bigger picture in mind. That’s the Bible; every author, book, chapter, and verse was intentionally designed to reveal God’s story to humankind.

Stop looking for yourself in Scripture. Look to understand God. — Tara-Leigh Cobble

 

A Lifelong Journey

So, here I am, nearly twelve months into my chronological journey through the Bible. I have grown in biblical knowledge, yet I have so much more to learn. There were days when the Bible became alive to me with greater understanding. And there were days when confusion was the theme of my day’s reading. But Scripture reading is a lifelong journey. It’s the relationship tool to know God. Those pages are taking root, and it’s up to me to nurture that growth.

It is humbling to write this part because I must admit I let social media cut in on my sacred time. If I had not been on social media platforms, other things might have overshadowed my time with God instead. But I am grateful for that gentle tug to step away. Shutting down the distractions was God’s gentle reminder to commit to His voice. I had to ask myself: Do I put Him in a place of prominence in my life? Do I idolize and strive for other things more than Him? It was only through quieting the voices around me that I heard His voice calling me to a deeper relationship with Him. God was reawakening in me a habit of daily aligning with Him. The same habit He taught to the Israelites—the practice where our identity is found in Him and Him alone.

With all this rooting and renewing, I think I have a treasure trove of things to share and blog about. I have asked God whether He is rooting me in His Word for a specific purpose. I haven’t received an answer. But for now, my Bible reading continues. I decided to concentrate on the Old Testament in 2023. So now I’ll venture into the New Testament in 2024, where the plot thickens and God’s redemption story is revealed. I am grateful that God was mindful of me in 2023. The time I have spent in His Word has been invaluable. Over the years, I let the habit of neglect uproot far too much. I never want to take His Word for granted again.

(Adapted from a previous article in Faith Family Freedom magazine)

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As a Christian blogger, I made a commitment.  I decided that if I felt I needed to share something that I would first commit it to prayer. And secondly, I’d have a grace standard with the words I write.

But this post has been a struggle for me.

How do I write words that bend towards grace but need to hit a mark that points out a negative aspect of human or sin nature?

Then I realized this post is really about the conflict in me, and I’ll share it for what it’s worth to others.

I’ve had a concern about Christian ministry. In particular, women’s Christian ministry. There is an aspect that I have witnessed that is self-serving. But let me back up a little.

With the achievement of women in society, there is also the influence of women in ministry. Well-known female Bible teachers, leaders, missionaries, pastors, have made a mark in the 21st century. I am grateful for their voices.

God has led many women to platforms that can reach a broad audience to point them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. These leaders share their powerful testimonies that resonate with women in a unique way that cannot be adequately addressed in the same manner by men. There is redeeming value in women’s ministry.

But I have also watched Christian women leaders get caught up in self-promotion. Their platform and their calling started to shift elevating themselves.

As an author, I understand the conflict. Our jobs require self-promotion. But as women of God—called to a higher purpose—we must hold ourselves to the gospel standard.

We do not espouse the same mantra of women’s rights in secular society. Perhaps, we can credit it to the advancement of more females behind the pulpit and the increase in women’s ministries, but we cannot abandon scripture.

John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) John’s words demonstrated incredible humility while serving out his ministry and purpose for the kingdom of God.

Ladies, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the seduction of this world. Platforms, attention, success, a social media following: it can get overwhelming. And let’s face it, as females, we tend to gravitate towards our outward appearance in the process of promotion.

But let me share a personal testimony. The more I grow in Christ, the more I value being placed in the background. Because my worth, my confidence, my calling is all wrapped up in putting Him and the gospel message at the center. There is joy and contentment when I am walking in the confidence of Christ alone; outside the need for attention from others.

And isn’t that the purpose-driven message we want to convey as Christian women leaders to other women?

It is not about us. It is about Him!

Now, if I do get an opportunity to be placed on any platform, I make sure to pray that I walk it out— front and center— with humility.

Is it a struggle? Yes! “The heart [my heart] is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Is there a balance to self-promotion and the message God has given to women? Always!

But publicity must always point to the message God has given over the messenger. When you fade to the background, the light of Christ will shine through your ministry.

The redeeming value of Christian women in ministry is that we point to the “One in us, who is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) As women of God, we live with a different viewpoint and calling than the world around us. We seek to serve others above ourselves.

The best way to sum this up is by quoting another blogger:

“…God asks us to remain in Him. He asks us to chase His heart. He asks us to know His Word deeply and to abide in that. Out of that union, that closeness, real fruit will grow, real impact will occur, but even then, it’s all Him. It’s still not about us. There is never a point at which it is ok to raise our own name. We raise His name, like a banner. We are to be after His glory, not our own. We call people to follow Christ, not ourselves.”

Walk it out ladies with balance—and an abundance of grace and humility. We are grateful for God’s calling on your life!

And let’s remember, sisters in Christ, to lift our women leaders in prayer. Walking out that balance is challenging and be ready to offer them a measure of grace as the standard.

 

 

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“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and be trampled by men.” (Matthew 5:13)

I heard a recent situation where a ministry leader disagreed with another leader and informed his staff that there was to be no communication with the leader to whom there was disagreement. No one was to contact or reach out to this gentleman. Not exactly what I would call a community-building effort.

I rolled my eyes and did a little huff!  I commented, “Oh, yes, Christians being so very Christ-like!” (Cue my sarcasm with an eye roll.)

My sarcasm gets the better of me, especially when I hear scenarios like this one. Growing up in ministry, I witnessed my share of conflicts among pastors, ministry leaders, and Christ-followers who failed to be the examples that they should have been when it came to conflict resolution, communication, and “loving your neighbor.”

At times, these relationship conflicts had a profound effect on my understanding of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I had to separate the Christ I committed to following from flawed Christian leaders who disappointed and hurt others that I deeply cared about.

In other words, I had to mature in Christ and in the counsel of scriptures resisting the temptation to let bitterness set in. I began to see my sins among the backdrop of flawed Christians—even those who were often continually put on a pedestal—and I realized we ALL fall short and need the grace of God.

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”     (Hebrews 12:15)     

 

But my recent sarcastic comment with eye roll started to prick my heart a bit.

Recently, I have witnessed other breakdowns in relationships and communication: family, marriages, friends, ministry… And mostly all of them have been within the Christian community.

Then I heard a sermon by Tim Keller, and he referenced Matthew 5:13. What does it mean as Christians to be the “salt of the earth?”

According to Keller, salt is a preservative and we—as believers in Christ— are called to preserve the relationships and the community God has given us. That means our family, friends, ministry-family, work-family… the list goes on.

The world is full of conflict and relationships seem to break apart in our society daily, but Pastor Keller reminded us (reminded me), “We [Christians] don’t do that!”

We are called to be set apart, preserve, and restore broken relationships. We are to communicate, and like Keller admonished, “We are not to be turf-conscious.”

Anyone convicted yet, or is it just me?

Here’s the other thing about salt. If you put it on an open wound, then it stings. It burns!

I have let the wounds of insults, rejection, miscommunication, and resentment fill me with pride. I have failed to see my own turf war of their wrong, and I am right!

But it is not about who is right or wrong; it is about humbly being set apart as believers in Christ!

It is about doing the very difficult work of forgiveness and relationship mending because you made a commitment and call yourself a follower of Christ.

I believe this is why Matthew continued with verse 14: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

If we live like we should and add salt to our relationships; we preserve what God has given us, through each other. We set ourselves apart as Christ-followers in a society of constant turmoil and conflict.

That, my friends, allows us to be “a light to the world.” A beacon calling others—by our example— to the gospel of Jesus Christ because the grace of God flows out of us in restoration instead of bitterness.

As Christians, we will never be perfect, but we can learn to swallow our pride, sting our wounds a bit, and add that preserving mineral that restores health to our relationships.

Life goal: To be saltier, so I can shine God’s light in me— a bit brighter!

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I am always amazed at how God plans out our steps even when we don’t understand where He is taking us or why. But when He reveals Himself, we have that light bulb moment, and we see clearly.

Let me explain…

Over three years ago, I was approached by my father, Don Wilkerson, about writing a book about the legacy and founding of Teen Challenge. Immediately, I felt called to write it even though none of it made sense. There were several reasons why I questioned it:

    1. What about the bestselling book, The Cross and the Switchblade that catapulted the ministry? That book has reached millions with its powerful story of my uncle’s calling to New York City and the establishing of the ministry of Teen Challenge. Why would I want to compete or even take away from that in any way?
    2. Was it relevant? Adult and Teen Challenge just celebrated its 60th Anniversary with over 1400 programs in 125 countries. Why go back to the beginning days? God has given each program its unique calling and thousands upon thousands have found freedom from addiction.
    3. Would people think I am writing this book for personal gain? I struggled with even using my maiden name on the cover of the book, which is not my legal name. I have never been a name dropper but how do I tell this story without acknowledging my family connection?
    4. Did I have the knowledge to write about a ministry that I only knew through my upbringing? I grew up in Teen Challenge, but I have never worked in the ministry.
    5. Could I write a book? The fear of accomplishing a task of writing a book was daunting.

 

Even with all my questions, I knew God wanted me to write this story but why?

I cried every time I talked about it. It was as if there was this well of emotion inside of me that I couldn’t explain, but the Holy Spirit kept nudging me—Write It!

Several months after the release of Giving Hope An Address, I still doubted. I received wonderful reviews and comments about the book, but I still questioned the book’s purpose. After struggling through promoting the book, I complained to God, “Why did I devote all that time to write the legacy story of Teen Challenge? What was the purpose?”

I kept coming back to that undeniable Holy Spirit nudge not to question but write. Despite the whispers of doubt and all my fears, I knew God wanted the founding story to be told again.

I now understand why I felt that nudge.

A Story For A New Generation

Recently, there have been decisions made that are compromising the original purpose and mission of Teen Challenge. There is a shift that is veering away from the ministry’s founding.

I am not here to write about the details of those compromises; I am simply sharing why God wanted me to write Giving Hope An Address.

There’s a new generation God is using at Adult and Teen Challenge programs worldwide. They have the same burden—as previous generations— to reach those bound by addiction.

But this new generation needs to understand the beginning days of the ministry to point, once again, to the source of the success of Teen Challenge.

The book is a reminder of what God did through David and Don Wilkerson— and countless others— in establishing Teen Challenge in the heart of New York City.

It’s a reminder of the power of prayer and how prayer brought my uncle to New York City. How prayer established Teen Challenge and how prayer built and sustained thousands of programs worldwide for over 60 years!

The story tells the humble beginnings, the financial struggles, and the way God provided for every need of the ministry.

Giving Hope An Address is a Holy Spirit nudge to a new generation that Teen Challenge was not founded on a man-made method of drug rehabilitation but by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

With over 1400 programs in 125 countries and countless testimonies of those who found freedom from their addictions, God has done the miraculous!

And at the center of that miracle is the saving power of the Cross—the foundation of the ministry of Teen Challenge!

The success of the ministry—to spiritually and physically heal those trapped by addiction— was what David Wilkerson coined as the “Jesus factor.”

There are 60 years of miracle stories of freedom from addiction and the “Jesus factor” is at the center of each one of them.

Don’t compromise God’s calling and purpose for Adult and Teen Challenge. The message of the gospel has to be the driving force of the method in treating addiction. If that is compromised in any way, then it is no longer the Teen Challenge method.

As long as the Cross remains at the center of the continual Cross and Switchblade story, God will keep blessing what He ordained!

Keep the Cross Central!

Know the history of Teen Challenge.

Read The Cross and the Switchblade.

Read Giving Hope An Address.

Be a generation that holds tightly to the founding mission.

Don’t let a ministry drift away from the purpose God miraculously set in place sixty years ago!

 

 

“I am confident of this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it and more till the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Hope An Address is available at these retailers:

   

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Have you ever just yearned for a sense of balance in your life?

That’s me. Right now!

It seems we are living in a world of extremes. Just take a few minutes reading the latest political opinions, and extreme is the narrative. Everyone seems to take an opposing side from one another. There’s rarely a balance in our interactions and debates.

And then we have this tolerance movement where no one can have a different opinion or at least we are not to share it.

It’s like we have forgotten to add the balance of reason, knowledge, kindness, and humility in our interactions with one another.

But how do we hold on to our convictions, stand boldly for truth without tipping the scales?

Is it even possible?

I recently went through an experience that I want to share with a questioning and prayerful heart. I am writing from a place of I don’t have the answers. But maybe my need for balance will answer the question indirectly.

It has to do with ministry and evangelism.

It was a seven-week training session to counsel women in crisis. I learned so much. I began to understand how to effectively minister to women and share the love of Christ without manipulation. No judgment. Just loving and comforting women in need and ALWAYS sharing the gospel by asking permission first. Not imposing my beliefs but sharing out of love and concern.

Yes, yes, yes!!

You see, I have seen ministry done the wrong way. I know the negative and intimidating effects of what “gospel” manipulation can do.  It’s devastating. And it is not the gospel as Christ teaches us through Scripture.

I soaked up this training, and it felt like I needed this in my life. If you are a part of any faith-based ministry long enough, you can get a bit jaded and hurt.

I’ve learned to navigate the stings and scars in ministry by always diving back into the word of God. And the Bible continually teaches—it’s not about me. Pour into others, Julie. Bitterness is a seed that takes root to manipulate and destroy your ability to minister.

I have witnessed others—more deeply scarred than me— soothed and healed by the power of God from their painful ministry experiences. It’s awesome when God balances out the extremes and heals the devastating effects of sin.

But my seven weeks ended with an unfortunate revelation. A woman who had been counseling other women in crisis pointed to her cross necklace. “See this,” she said. “I never wear this in the counseling room. I don’t want people to feel I am biased or manipulating them in any way. We minister, we don’t manipulate!”

My thoughts: But, wait! Isn’t this a faith-based organization? The cross around your neck is a representation of your hope. It’s your life. It is why you feel called to minister to other women in need. You ARE biased as a proclaimed follower of Jesus Christ.

I walked away from that training a bit jaded, again, but this time by the other side. That balance between ministry and manipulation was tipped the other way, and that side felt wrong too.

So you see, here I am— a follower of Christ—yearning for that balance in ministering to others.

How do I share the gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s society of extremes?

How do I balance not tipping the scale toward the devastating effects of manipulation or to the other side of timid evangelism that so often is overly concerned with tolerance and offense to others?

The only answer I keep coming back to is the word of God.

Scripture is the perfect balance in our lives. It is the resource that teaches us how to minister without manipulation but it also strongly compels us to walk with boldness; shining the light of Christ— that miraculous transforming power of the Cross—for ALL the world to see.

The balance is in putting the gospel first as the stable foundation of our ministry. For when you take away from that in any way—on either side—you lose your witness and effectiveness in ministering to others. The scale tips and you become an extreme—too assertive or too weak.

I have now witnessed both extremes in ministry that lead to unbalance. But look at this image. Where is the symbol of the cross? Smack dab in the middle. How about that?!

So I circle back to my question.  How do I become an effective witness for Christ to a hurting world in need?

I am reminded of this Scripture, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

Help me God, to always minister to others from the balance of Scripture and never be ashamed of the Cross that sets the captives free!

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Book: Joy In Surrender

Author: Deborah Stricklin

Publisher: Bridge Logos

 

When we decide to follow Christ, we soon realize there are trials and struggles we hadn’t anticipated. We come up against adversities in running the race God has called us to. But then there’s encouragement along the way: keep running, keep pressing on!

Joy In Surrender is a narrative cheering all believers with the message of hope to keep running and pursuing the call of God.  Deborah Stricklin weaves Apostle Peter’s life through the chapters and connects God’s plan for Peter with our own calling.

Through Peter, we find a transformed life we can emulate as Christians. If God can take Peter— the three-time Jesus denier— to become a humble minister of the gospel than we know God can use us!

If you are a seasoned Christian, this book will affirm you in your daily walk with Christ. And if you are a new believer, Joy In Surrender will guide you in understanding that surrendering to Christ through trials and suffering will not only mature you in your faith but bring joy in your surrender.

We are called to be the light of Christ to the world around us. This book will motivate you to be that light and to use every trial or suffering you experience to press on and keep running because heaven is our eternal reward.

 

Favorite Quotes:

“Succumbing to fear can position us as victims, and viewing ourselves as victims can cause us to become consumed with our own self-interests. We can become self-centered and self-serving as we continue to dwell on our victimhood. However, choosing confidence in Christ and His Word can lift us from the status of a victim and position us as victors in faith.”

 

 

 

“If we perceive our trials as only useless inconveniences—if we are unable to see the good God can bring from our suffering— then clearly we need to change the way we look at things.”

 

 

 

 

For more information about Joy In Surrender go to www.deborahstricklinministries.com.

 

 

For more books by Bridge Logos go to www.bridgelogos.com

 

Click image for information about my latest book.