Frequently Asked Questions
What makes you relevant to this subject of Strongholds?
Imagine someone who has spent a lifetime listening deeply and attentively to the full range of Scripture’s testimony, who has watched people, ministered to people, and personally dealt with the life challenges that at times can hinder their spiritual walk. Stepping back, they now describe what they have seen, heard and experienced. What emerges is a theological cathedral, laid out in a practical easy to follow way for beginning to address the patterns of behavior that creep into the life of the believer; fitted with biblically sourced materials. That person is relevant to discussing the strongholds that affect believers.
Why did you write Get Your Truth Back?
I’m called to invite people out of their hurried lives into an intentionally reflective space, where God can commune with them. Understanding we all need an experience with God more than we need information. And, that God wants us to have more of Him than just theology on a shelf or information in our head. The Bible says, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1).
You choose to create an eWorkbook instead of a regular book. Why?
The unhurried process of unpacking our own story invites us into a kind of sacred cadence, a rhythm that can reform our hearts and minds. Our stories are central to our restoration. Quick fixes are available all over today, in religious forms, in medicine, in self-help books, in internet and TV gurus. Yet, with these quick fixes Christian’s continue to struggle with overcoming. We long for a word from the Lord but somehow, we believe we can find it in a quick fix.
A.W. Tozer wrote, “More spiritual progress can be made in one moment of speechless silence in the awesome presence of God than in years of mere study”.
What was the rationale in your methodology of asking questions?
As a practical application, asking questions demands engagement, promotes thinking, and draws out a considered response. Throughout Scripture, God used questions to enhance the change He was making in the lives of individuals. In the Old Testament, He asked Adam, “Why are you hiding?” It was not a physical location question but a question of Adam’s thinking. In the New Testament, He asked His followers, “Who do you say I am?” A question aimed at provoking the disciples to consider their level of faith. Jesus refrained from telling His disciples about His death and resurrection until their faith had grown to the extent that they could express their conviction. We utilize this same methodology of asking appropriately challenging, engaging, and compelling questions to help you unpack and express the root causes of your strongholds. The questions set into motion life change.
Is this resource best for individuals or small groups?
It is designed for both/and. There is a benefit and value to group dialogue. Dialogue promotes learning, growing, understanding, healing and renewal. Yet just as a marriage will languish if husband and wife are never alone together, so will our union with Christ if our spiritual life has no retreat from community. It is where He reveals Himself and His plans for our lives. Get Your Truth Back is designed to accomplish both. Jesus went into the wilderness to be alone with God and He spent time with people.
Talk about the theology behind the eWorkbook
The mind is the access gate Satan uses to get access to our souls. The Bible tells us that, “the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits . . .” (1 Tim. 4:1)
We can be seduced into false perceptions and beliefs. Seduction is a process of blurring our judgement. It takes you to a point of thinking, “this sin is not really that bad.” And then as Solomon stated, “all at once he followed her.” Those pleasant sins easily gain the heart and mind. They lead us to accept as true what we know to be a lie. It’s not that we begin to hate God, we just don’t think about Him. Once you spot this godless enemy you must know how to respond. You are to “control yourself and be careful” (1 Peter 5:8).
Can you give an example of how this works?
Over time, Christians can experience a disconnect between their actions and their inner life. It’s not a sudden slip, but a gradual falling away. Ruth Barton uses a great analogy to capture this point. “Losing your soul is sort of like losing a credit card. You think it’s in your wallet or purse so you don’t give it much thought until one day you reach for it and you can’t find it. The minute you realize it’s gone, you start scrambling to find it, trying to remember when you last used it or at least had it in your possession. No matter what is going on in your life, you have to stop and look for it because otherwise there could be major damage done.”
What makes this process work?
It speaks to people about life as they know it, from their experiences, to ensure their involvement is a reaction to THEIR story. This is not intended to help them gather more information or provide another doctrine. By eliciting a reaction, it sets in motion life change. We don’t put pressure up on the participant to make a decision in any one direction, yet they are confronted by the necessity of making a decision which will affect their DESTINY.
What are you reading right now?
My routine involves a rotation of fiction, nonfiction, and religious books. Over time I’ve learned a system of reading books quickly. In my bi-monthly newsletter I recommend the 3 books I am reading at that time. A favorite of mine that I reread every month is Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman.
Who’s the intended audience for Get Your Truth Back?
That’s a great question. The individuals who will benefit most are those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and at times find themselves challenged by thoughts, beliefs, and habits that don’t line up with scripture. They realize these have become unexpected idols that demand complete allegiance. But we know we can’t serve two masters. My audience is believers looking for a direct Word from God. A breakthrough from their deepest concerns and issues. Those ready to do battle for their soul, their family, their community, and their church. Let me state it this way, who knows our weapons of warfare are prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit but need to reignite their personal operating system.
Will there be another version or sequel to this work?
Interesting question. I have been asked to create a tearing down stronghold of racism and tearing down strongholds of self-interest versions, but then I would be targeting the patterns of behavior with which someone is wrestling. There is a power and effectiveness to a person going on a journey of honest self-discovery. It’s easy to tell others you’re doing great that everything is fine; but that person in the mirror knows the real story. As I stated before,asking questions demands engagement, promotes thinking, and draws out a considered response. Through that considered response each individual will arrive at the version God intended for them.
What about a youth version?
That’s a possibility. The language, lingo and lessons of youth are sometimes different. But let’s not underestimate the intelligence or challenges young people are dealing with day-to-day. That version would have the same focus and structure that enables them to connect with God on a personal level. It wouldn’t be games and entertainment. I wouldn’t insult them that way because I understand what their going through.
What’s your end game?
The Greek word euperistatos, means well-positioned in every situation. Your carnal sins use to control you because they were well positioned in your mind to ensure their stronghold was secure. By getting your truth back you will have transformed your mind, so it is now well positioned to overcome the tricks of the enemy.
Anything else you want to tell us?
Behind every false behavior is a lie causing you to accept those mental, emotional, physical or spiritual statements the enemy has convinced you is your reality. It’s time to shine a light of hope into those areas that keep you bound. Let me state it this way – you can’t reconcile what you won’t reveal. If you are ready to overcome, to get back on path, God has been watching and has a plan for you. He is watching to see what you do, not what you say. It’s time to move from just existing to excelling.