Birth Of A Vision
God’s prompting came clearly during my Sunday morning time alone with Him. It wasn’t an audible voice, but it was unmistakably Him, prompting me to write a class for those desiring to go deeper with Him. The possibility of writing and teaching such a class excited me to my core. I couldn’t wait to discuss it with Ann and Butch, our ministry leaders. I hoped Ann would be as thrilled as I was.
Upon entering the church lobby, I had a clear vision of Ann at our Quiet Time Ministry booth, straight ahead. I rushed toward her.
“I have some awesome news for you.” I blurted out.
“So do I. Me first!” she spontaneously responded, “During one of my quiet times this week I heard God say He wanted you to write an advanced class for those ready for more of God.
My eyes widened in surprise as the corners of my mouth turned upward into a smile. I was stunned speechless that we had both gotten almost identical messages from God in the same week. What a confirmation!
Anne continued, “I’ve already spoken to the pastor and it’s been approved, so you can begin whenever you’re ready.”
Finally, unable to contain my astonishment, I chimed in, “That’s what I was going to tell you! Just this morning I heard God say almost the exact same thing to me!!”
We were both genuinely thrilled, and I planned to move forward with the project.
I had just completed my second year of training to become a Spiritual Director and had so much I wanted to share from all I had learned.
Writing the curriculum, developing the syllabus, and training our team took approximately a year. When the preparatory work was completed, we advertised our 8-week class plus a full day contemplative retreat and collected the names of interested people. With close to 100 sign-ups, we were ready to begin.
That first morning as I stood in front of a room filled with eager learners, the enthusiasm was palpable. That same excitement continued throughout the entire nine weeks.
Participant reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting that their lives had been changed. One young man in his late 30s told us that he had, for the first time in his life, actually felt God’s loving presence and acceptance during an Imaginative Prayer Practice. He had envisioned himself, as a child, sitting on Jesus’ lap, receiving a warm hug. Once the class was over, he began teaching the spiritual practices he had learned to others in his small group at church. I was amazed at how quickly he had assimilated the information and the practices well enough to make them available to others.
A second young man in his early 30’s told me he had made an appointment with our pastor, explaining that he had learned exciting new ways of connecting intimately with God, that he had never before experienced. “I’ve attended church most of my life, but using these practices we’ve learned have revolutionized my quiet times with God.”
A third man in his early 50s came up to me after the third class. He thanked me for teaching the class, which he said he was enjoying so very much.
“I’d like to share something, “He stated with some reticence.
“Of course, I replied”, curiously.
“Three weeks ago, before this class began, I was contemplating suicide. I was at the lowest place, emotionally, I’d ever been. When I heard about your class I decided to give it a try. This will be my last effort to make sense of my life. I told myself. Right from the start of the very first class, I sensed God speaking to me and drawing me to Him. I felt hope for the first time in a long time. Through this class, God has given me a reason to live again!
It was a humbling experience standing with this man as he shared so vulnerably. After a few weeks he asked to join our ministry. We eagerly invited him in and he served with us for the next five or six years. He is now happily married and doing quite well.
Subsequent classes all reflected similar results, as we continued to fine-tune the curriculum, as well as our teaching approach. My husband and I, along with our supportive team, taught Heart of the Journey for the next ten years. We walked alongside those who wanted a more interactive relationship with God, encouraging and equipping them to enjoy a fuller, freer life of intimacy with Jesus.
This very effective class has now become a book. The Heart of the Journey book and workbook will hopefully make its way into the hands and hearts of those ready for an exciting adventure toward spiritual wholeness, healing, and maturity.
Peruse this website and then…
Get ready to enjoy the journey!
