Eva Yang

The Square

The Square

By Gill Vriend

The shape of the square in CWF apprears first on the Understand step, and answers the questions “How are you?” and “Where are you?”. Divided into 4 quadrants, the right side of the square represents God centredness, the left side represents self centredness. The horizontal wavy midline divides the top half of the square (flourishing) from the bottom half of the square (suffering). Typically, Living Wholeness practitioners refer to the position of the quadrant to indicate where they are that day: for example God centred flourishing is ‘top right’, self centred suffering is ‘bottom left’. As individuals alive in Christ our goal is always to gravitate to top right; with our clients our goal is for them to identify where they are, often using a 1-10 scale which can be compared session by session to help us, and them, understand the depth and duration of the impact of their problem issue.

I was reflecting on what it is that pushes us as believers down from above the water line flourishing to under the water suffering. Top right to bottom right, or to bottom left. From flourishing to suffering. With awareness of God with us, or without. As one down there, how to get back up again. Recently severe flooding hit the province of Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I live. One of the most memorable pictures was of 3 elephants standing together in shoulder deep water as the flood waters rose at their river side elephant camp. All three have their trunks raised up through the dirty brown water to breathe the clean air above. What a great illustration of how to survive and stay God centred while suffering , I thought. Staying together with others who understand and respond likewise in a God centred way, as this in itself increases the capacity to endure, all the while taking in whatever healthy, sustaining ‘nutrients’ are available.

What, then, could be responsible for drift to the left, from God centred suffering to self centred suffering? I thought of the polluted floodwater, full of debris and sewer effluent swirling around the elephants. The potential for wounding, and for infection; the pus, the poison, the damaged tissues. Psychologically, the fear and lies in the mind, the pain and judgments and deception of the heart. Deep stuff. Yet familiar to probably all of us, at some time in our lives, as Kingdom workers in His vineyard. At times like that, who is with us? Who can stand with us, breathing healthy air, as it were, while encouraging us to do the same? Who can channel the peace and love and power and truth of God at times when we cannot see it?

All of us will find ourselves in ‘deep water’ situations at some point. My next question is, “How long do I stay there?”. How long does it take me to recognize where I am, and to take whatever action is necessary to enable a shift to the right? To come out of shame and hiding, or blame and accusation, to face uncomfortable and painful truths with God so He can raise me up?  The three elephants in the photograph all survived, though others did not and were drowned and swept away. Quite a parable. Let us find our place in Him, alongside trusted others (which maybe only one other), that we can endure and raise each other up in hard times. The best is yet to come!

The Circles

The Circles

By Claire Wadsworth

I am wondering if watched any of the 2024 Paris Olympic. Games?  The Olympic rings are one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, representing the Olympic Games and the values they embody. Designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913, the rings symbolize the union of the five inhabited continents of the world and the meeting of athletes from around the globe. Their interlocking-coloured rings stand for unity, peace, solidarity and friendship across all nations and peoples.

I am wondering if watched any of the 2024 Paris Olympic. Games?  The Olympic rings are one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, representing the Olympic Games and the values they embody. Designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913, the rings symbolize the union of the five inhabited continents of the world and the meeting of athletes from around the globe. Their interlocking-coloured rings stand for unity, peace, solidarity and friendship across all nations and peoples.

Pierre de Coubertin introduced the Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius,” Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger.” This phrase embodies the relentless pursuit of excellence and the drive to surpass limits. Similarly, the circles of Christian Wholeness Framework challenge us to strive for spiritual and personal growth, urging us to reflect on Christ as our example. They prompt us to examine areas for improvement and to explore the underlying beliefs we hold about ourselves, fostering a continuous journey toward Christ-centredness.

The five interconnected circles—Social, Physical, Mind, Heart, and Spirit—symbolize the holistic nature of human existence, illustrating that we are a unified being comprised of various interdependent aspects. These dimensions of our being are shaped and coloured by factors such as age, gender, and culture, which together contribute to each one’s uniqueness. This concept aligns with the biblical passage from Psalm 139:13-14: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” This verse underscores the idea that each person is a distinct creation, meticulously crafted by God, akin to a one-of-a-kind artwork. It suggests that every aspect of our being, from our physical form (Physical Circle) to our thoughts and feelings (Mind Circle), and our deep sense of ourselves (Heart Circle) has been intentionally designed. In this view, human diversity is not merely a product of biological or cultural differences but is also a reflection of divine intentionality, where every individual is thoughtfully and wonderfully made.

The journey of life can be likened to a race, one in which we are not alone but surrounded by spectators who encourage and support us, (Pyramid and Social Circle). This prompts a critical reflection: Are we spiritually fit for this race, or are there aspects of our lives that burden us and make the race more challenging? (Heart and Mind Circles)

Hebrews 12:1-2 provides a pertinent exhortation: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” This passage emphasizes the need to discard the spiritual and moral encumbrances that hinder our progress, directing our focus towards Christ, (Spirit Circle) who is central to our faith and the ultimate guide in our life’s journey. In this context, some essential questions arise: Who governs our lives? (Control) Who or what occupies the central position in everything we do and are? (Centre). From where or from whom do we obtain our sense of value and worth? (Love). This evaluation is vital for determining the direction and success of our race, as it challenges us to examine the forces and values that influence our decisions and actions, and our very identity. Spiritual fitness and the alignment of our lives with Kingdom values are crucial for running the race of life with endurance and purpose (Heb 12:1).

Reflection: Engage in an honest self-assessment by completing your own circles. Reflect on what God is revealing to you about your true self. Consider whether any aspect of your life is misaligned with His identity and purpose for you. If discrepancies exist, consider the changes necessary to cultivate beliefs and behaviours that are more Christlike, seeking a deeper alignment with His teachings and example.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16)

The Triangle of Connection

The Triangle of Connection

By Susanne Nikles

The triune loving Godhead decreed “Let us make man in our own image”. (Genesis 1;26) As the human race we were born out of the God who lives in constant love, relationship and attachment.  The triangle draws us back to where we belong – to that loving relationship with God, ourselves and others. It reminds us of the purpose that we can be instrumental in others connecting or reconnecting to God.

 But what does it mean to connect with God, ourselves and others?

An essential element is to let ourselves be wholly and fully loved by God. For me this has meant getting a growing picture of His endless grace-filled desire to be in relationship with me, no matter how I am. Ephesians 3: 18 & 19 describes the incredible dimensions of God’s love.  When I was with a client in trialogue, she had a picture of God with His arms wide open, saying “I’m always here for you, you just have to turn to me”. That picture often reminds me of His constant invitation. And yet how often during a day in our stress or distress, do we turn more away from Him, rather than to Him?  I have to admit that I often allow the uninvited guests of disappointment, frustrations, small griefs and losses, to initially push me away from, rather than towards those open welcoming arms. 

My capacity to hear God’s whispers in the jostle and hustle of my daily life seems to grow when I am able to take longer times of resting in and delighting in His presence. I need to take intentional time to still the busyness of my mind, and my inner anxieties, and then I can feel that deep desire expressed by the psalmist (Psalm 27:4 ) to  ‘gaze upon the beauty of the Lord’. I can hear his voice saying to me “Seek my face, and my heart says to You Your face Lord, will I seek”. (v 8). He knows everything about me, and everything I am going through as expressed in Hebrews. “It was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful High Priest”. (Hebrews 3 : 17). Because He Himself has suffered and been tempted, we can boldly come before the Throne of Grace to find help with every  need (Hebrews 4: 15 & 16).

To know that He truly cares about the state of my heart, my soul and even my body, gives me encouragement and permission to connect with myself.  Encouragement to breathe deeply and notice how I am really doing. And to accept, rather then judge, or blame myself – or deny what I don’t want to see! What a precious gift to know that whatever state I am in, I can bring myself  back into those open welcoming arms of love.

With others: The triangle can represent the relationships within the trinity of attachment, love and connection, and this can be a guide for us to have life giving supportive relationships where we are truly known, with at least a few others. The value of having a few close reciprocal relationships has been scientifically shown to improve the length and quality of our lives. Jesus himself had special relationships with Peter, James and John, and invited them into the deeper places of His life, in the transfiguration on the Mount, and into the garden of Gethsemane.

It is from that life giving space of grace that we can then extend welcome and delight to those we encounter. To be truly present with another, even for a few minutes, can switch on the relational circuits in our brains. The triangle invites us to “Love one another as I have loved you”. (John  13: 34 – 35). My mother’s favourite verse was “We love because He first loved us”. (1 John 4:19). In her humble simple way, she was a living example of this in my life.  Being truly loved by God and others allows us to pass that on to others.

And then we may have that privilege of being part of another’s journey towards, or back towards their Loving Heavenly Father. The third side of the triangle reminds us of the great commission “Go into all the world and make disciples”. My daily prayer is that today I may notice and take those opportunities to extend grace and bless others, that they may taste something of the goodness of God through me.

Reflect:

What spoke to your heart today as you read this?

How might you deepen that side of the triangle between you and God? Do you regularly take time to connect with yourself and bring all of you before our loving God?

How might you build life giving relationships in your own life?  How might God be inviting you to give this to others?

Through the Lens of the Circles: “God be the Center for “Who am I?”

Through the Lens of the Circles:
“God be the Center for “Who am I?”

By Sally Ladignon

The question of “Who am I?” seems a bit overwhelming to answer especially if there is nothing to anchor on. The 5 circles and its 25 sectors in the Understand Step of the Christian Wholeness Framework (CWF) provided the fitting answer to said question because it captured the Biblical anatomy of man. The circles give a map of “who am I?” as created in God’s image and likeness as shouted out in Psalm 139:23-24 which says,

“Ipraise you, for Iam fearfully and wonderfully made. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

The truth that we are God’s masterpiece cannot be denied, but many might find it hard to believe especially that people are more prejudiced to define “who am I?” based on the triple A of false securities, which are appearance, achievement and authority. All these are temporal with no eternal attachment. The “who am I?” is more than our looks, accomplishments and influences.

I admired people like Drs. John Warlow and Arnold Lazaro who came up with their respective prodigious works on understanding and helping people. Dr. Warlow articulated the beauty and wisdom of the 5 circles with its 25 sectors for deep understanding of “who am I?” with emphasis on God as the center of our being. Likewise, Dr. Lazaro with his multimodal perspective used 7 considerations of assessment to understand and eventually plan for appropriate interventions in an abbreviated acronym of BASIC ID, which stands for Behavior, Affect, Sensation, Imagery, Cognition, Interpersonal factors, and Drug/Biological. These 7 elements (or sectors as called in CWF) represented just 3 circles (social, physical and mind). The 18 more sectors by Dr. Warlow will further draw out the missing puzzle pieces in the “who am I?”

I likened the 5 circles to an earphone when I listen to people’s narratives as they come for help. Their narratives are information-rich containing life themes revealing their conditions sector by sector in each circle. Sectors are like pieces of puzzle, which needed to securely fit to each other to paint a complete picture of “who am I?” promoting better understanding where one might be coming from.

May I introduce a young female adult who I called “Growing Little Girl” or GLG for short who I saw through the lens of the circles. She came for counseling because of a pressing concern. Life was difficult for her while growing up. Most of the time she is below the waterline navigating from left to right or right to left of the square. She is now 30 years old, working and living alone by herself for a long time. During our sessions I reflected back to GLG her narratives circle by circle which she appreciated and felt understood.

Social Circle

GLG and her boyfriend work in the same company as an office staff and a supervisor, respectively. Their relationship lasted for a year and was kept a secret from their co-workers as demanded by the guy until he finally broke up with her. This left her so devasted and heartbroken. She just cannot accept the break-up easily and shamelessly begged him to give their relationship a second chance. Annoyed by her persistence for a reconciliation, he thought of lodging a harassment complaint to local officials to prevent her from getting near him. This pained her more and felt so bad and rejected.

At work, she received a lot of disapproving feedback from supervisors and to compensate for (un)satisfactory performance, she worked extra hours not claiming for overtime pay. She also volunteered for additional work outside of her usual assignments to prove her worth in the company.

At early childhood, her mother left the family and eloped with another man. She and her younger brother were left under the care of their father and his female siblings who also have their own families to tend. Such early abandonment imprinted an empty core in her heart circle damaging the love (self-esteem) and truth (identity) sectors. She lived from one aunt to another when her father died while she was in elementary grade experiencing physical, emotional, verbal and mental abuse.

Physical Circle

By just looking at her appearance no one cannot suspect that she is actually below the waterline. She always put smiles on her face to hide whatever deep hurts are there. She blames herself a lot and harbor guilt feelings when several relationships failed. Because of the break-up she cannot sleep and eat well. Her bothering gastrointestinal issues worsened and needed medical attention from time to time. She also sought psychiatric help for her anxiety concerns. She cried a lot as she remembers how significant people abandoned her without proper closure.

Mind Circle

She lives in fear because of abandonment issues she experienced at home, schools, work and special relationships. Her fear of abandonment makes her anxious for losing someone she cares about. She felt betrayed by people who she thought would be there for her, but at the same time felt guilty for failing them to keep the relationship.

The recent break-up left her so devastated and heartbroken. She felt dead inside, struggled so much mentally and emotionally while wondering where her emotions are coming from which made her cry easily.

Her basic desire is to be helpful by pleasing people which end up abandoning herself of her own needs.

Heart Circle

She realized that people easily gave up on her and leave without reciprocating her need to be loved. She thought she is not enough and lack in many ways for people to appreciate and love her in return. She believed that she is not worth keeping that people will just dump her when they found out she is flawed.

The default message of her childhood that “it’s not okay to have her own needs” led her to repress her own needs and prioritize others’ needs losing her value and identity along the way. She centered more on others missing the triangle of relationship that is founded in God’s love so she can love God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31)

Spirit Circle

Starting to relate to Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior and not experiencing yet how she can cast her burden upon Him. Oftentimes, she needed to be facilitated to walk her journey and understand the transformation God is doing using her deep pains.

 GLG’s journey will be marked by learning to uproot lies stemming from negative childhood experiences by entrenching God’s truth to live free from past wounds. Although this entails a crucial process, the goals and plans of interventions will be discussed and employ not only the 5 circles, but the entirety of CWF.

I am still a beginner and a trainee in terms of adapting CWF into my counseling practice but through supervision and collaboration with the LW community, GLG will discover and settled of “who she is” in God being her center.

The Power of the Triangle

The Power of the Triangle:

Developing God-Centered Relationships

By Karen Grace Paul

The Triangle of Connection creates a powerful bond between God, others, and ourselves. God is at the center of this triangle, connecting us to those we invite into therapeutic relationships. In this sacred space, we invite others to speak to God, express their emotions, and pause to listen in His presence. This simple yet profound approach keeps us present with Him, cultivating peace and connection.

This Triangle of Connection is an useful tool for developing strong, enduring relationships. We begin with God as our Source, allowing His love to flow through us and into others. His love anchors these interactions, forming bonds of hope that can withstand even the most difficult challenges.

This divine connection serves as a strong, three-fold cord, providing the stability and strength required for healing relationships. Within this connection, love flows in two directions: from God through us to others, and in mutual giving and receiving. Drawing on God’s strength keeps all relationships balanced, healthy, and whole. This dynamic relationship, known as the trialogue, entails a transformative conversation in which we invite others to talk to God, finding freedom and rest in His presence. In a trialogue, God plays an active role, allowing us to linger in His presence and seek His guidance. It’s more than just speaking; it’s about making room for God to speak into our lives. Engaging in a trialogue allows us to form deeper connections by sharing our thoughts, fears, and hopes with God and one another while seeking His wisdom. 

This shared experience fosters unity and purpose, as we look to God for guidance and understanding. The impact of these trialogues is enormous. When we linger in God’s presence, and listen for His voice, we gain clarity, peace, and a renewed purpose. This not only changes our lives, but it also affects the lives of those we bring into the conversation. 

Bringing others into a space where God’s voice is central allows them to experience transformation and growth. Regular trialogues strengthen our faith, deepen our relationships, and inspire us to live more intentionally.

Over time, we become more aware of God’s presence and willing to follow His guidance. Time spent with others, inviting them to engage in trialogue with God, creates opportunities for deeper conversations, softens hearts, and brings profound healing.

The Triangle of Connection serves as a conduit for others to encounter God. Trialogues help us and others develop deeper, more meaningful relationships with God, others, and ourselves. I hope we embrace this powerful approach every day, allowing God’s love to guide our interactions and transform our lives one conversation at a time.

Healing that comes from a Christ-centred attitude to Evaluation

Healing that comes from a Christ-centred attitude to Evaluation

By Geok Cheng

I consider myself a reflective person. Due to my rather difficult childhood, somehow quite naturally, I began the habit of thinking through and recounting the incidences (i.e self-reflection) I faced ‒ to try to make sense out of it.

Gradually, as I reflected, I realised that I also evaluated (i.e judging what worked and/or what didn’t from that reflected experience) myself and the circumstances I was in. The scripture by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves… ” has become my life guiding principle. Selfreflection and self-evaluation are now my innate nature.

The Triangle directs me to evaluate my relationship with my heavenly Father, my shepherd and Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit who is my counsellor and helper, and also my relationship with others. It directs me to examine how strong or weak the relationship has been and how it has grown or weakened through time.

The Circle takes me to a deeper level of examining how I have been relating and responding to God and others. The circle is like a compass showing me where to look at.

The Square forces me to be honest with myself ‒ if my response to God and people, in good or difficult times at the various sectors of my circle, were selfcentred or God-centred.

The Cross is the ‘home-base’ I would return to regardless the struggle I am in. No matter how weak or reluctant I might be, I will always find His grace to press on moving towards His ways for me, towards the right side of the square.

The Pyramid directs me to find the right source of help and support I need such as prayer, tangible help or resources. Sometimes, the pyramid helps me to recognise if the person whom I truggle with should be in my pyramid of support.

While the shapes and the steps are helpful in the process of evaluation, I realise (especially after learning CWF) that the attitudes i.e Face (F), Vulnerability (V) and Humility (H), are key towards having a spirit-led and truth-based evaluation of myself. The shapes and the steps shows us ‘how’ to evaluate but the attitudes FVH determines my posture that I take in the evaluation process.

My Attitude Journey

Last year, I was badly hurt and unjustly accused by a close friend. While we ended the conversation amicably, I knew I was deeply wounded.

I reflected on the sharing and could not quite get out of my own emotional turmoil I was in. The thought that my truthful and loving feedback was received as rebuke (she was offended), stirred a huge guilt and regret within me. I was burying myself below the water line and on the left side of ‘the square’ for awhile. It was only until I met my Lord Jesus and talked to Him about it (return to ‘home-base’), that gradually I was mentally able to evaluate the incident.

Face

The moment I met my Lord in prayers, His loving presence so embraced me that I broke down in tears. I finally faced the hurt and talked to Him about it. I no longer dwelt in my own emotions but had enough courage and strength to talk through the issue with my Lord. After a good cry in His presence, the Light of Christ simply shone into my heart and led me to review my feedback objectively. I realised that I had approached the feedback with care, love and much prayer. The evaluation of myself was shifted from man’s perspective to God’s perspective. I began to see what I needed to take responsibility for and what the accusations were.

Jerry Bridges, a Christian author, said, “We should never be afraid to examine ourselves. But when doubts do arise, the solution is not to try harder to prove to ourselves that we are believers. The solution is to flee to the Cross and to the righteousness of Christ, which is our only hope. And then, having looked to Christ alone for our justification, we can look to His Spirit to enable us to deal with those areas of our lives that cause doubt.”

Indeed, when I returned to the Cross and looked to Christ, His spirit enabled me to ‘face’ the issue courageously and His Light directed me out of the woods, I found clarity of mind through His Light. The evaluation of myself was not based on man’s response but by His written and spoken Word.

When we evaluate together with the Lord, His grace provides us with the capacity and courage to ‘Face’ ourselves and all that has happened in the event. His Light brings clarity that we may see and assess all things based on His Word. His truth becomes the standard on which the evaluation should be based on; it should never be based on man’s responses or expectations or the values and standards of this world.

Vulnerability

It was a painful process to ‘face’ my hurt. Though I know our Lord is with me every time I poured out my soul and bared my heart openly and fully the emotions within me, it was just so unbearable. Though those moments were simply difficult to go through, yet His ever consoling spirit pressed in upon me to give me sufficient grace to hang in there with Him. The Lord lovingly drew out deeper and deeper inner thoughts and feelings I had that was buried deep within me. While I felt so vulnerable and ‘exposed’ before my Lord with all my ugliness and weaknesses, the greater the grace I had to persevere through. I was naked before my Lord and my whole self was laid open for His access and for His healing in me.

The world does not esteem vulnerability as a strength. However, there is safety in Jesus when we are vulnerable. He is the safe refuge we can run to. As we become vulnerable before our Lord, we open up ourselves to His perspectives and understanding, thereby allowing ourselves to be healed, restored and realigned ourselves to His ways.

Humility

Being vulnerable certainly go against the natural grain of my whole being. The strong and steady persona I once had, seemed to vanish as Jesus takes His healing deeper. I was humbled mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Just when I felt the pain was dissipating away, my Lord asked me gently if I would surrender this friendship totally to Him. Immediately I knew that God was revealing to me that the importance I had placed in this friendship surpassed that of Christ.

James 4:10 says “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (NIV). My Lord wants to lift me up and I have to learn to humbly recognise that nothing can be more important than Him in my heart. He desires to strengthen me so that I may be blameless and holy before Him (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

As I surrender this friendship to Jesus, Romans 5:20 “. . . where sin increased, grace abounded all the more . .” (ESV) suddenly became so real. The freedom that came from His gracious lift was felt so intimately as I obediently submit this friendship to Him daily.

Louie Giglio, the founder of the Passion Movement once said that “Humility is not a character trait to develop, it’s the natural byproduct of being with Jesus.” Humility comes as we remain connected with Jesus our Lord. He increases and I decrease.

The attitude of Humility in the Evaluation step directs us to look beyond ourselves and beyond all human judgement. He humbles us as we remain connected with Him. The entire self-evaluation no longer centres on ‘I’ but what He has to reveal.

What is Evaluation

Through this healing journey with my Lord, I discovered that besides the use of the 5 shapes and 5 steps to direct my reflection and evaluation, the attitude I possess to approach the evaluation ultimately determines the clarity and depth of the process.

Only our Creator God is well acquainted with our ways (Psalms 139:1-4, Proverbs 21:2) and He weighs our human heart.

The clarity and objectivity of our evaluation stems not on man’s understanding and certainly not based on man’s established standards. Only His truth sheds light and brings forth an unbiased evaluation that is truly constructive, life giving and life-building.

Conclusion

When Jesus is with us in the Evaluation step, there is true freedom and absolute objectivity when we face courageously our circumstances and ourselves. We need not fear when we choose to be vulnerable before our loving Lord. Most of all, being humbled by our Lord means He is going to lift us up. There is no shame as we face our fallen nature, our sins and our wrongs in His loving presence. He humbles us without crushing us and He lifts us up.

As Brennan Manning says, “take God’s evaluation of yourself instead of your own, and God expects even more failure from you than you do!”

Certainly, He knows our fallen nature but He is here to redeem us into His likeness.

I praise God for His healing grace.

Evaluate – Seeking to be an A+ student

Seeking to be an A+ student

Steffi Gerber

As the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9

In a dream at night I saw myself in the final exam to become a pastor. The task of the exam was to preach exactly what my heart is passionate about. I had a few minutes left to think before it was my turn. I had no idea what my passion was. Should I preach about God the father? Jesus my friend? About Mission? I started to panic. I don’t know what is truly important to me – something that is worth living and dying for. And then it was time to walk to the pulpit. Standing on the pulpit and looking into the face of the listener I knew exactly what my heart is burning for: “………………”

I remember waking up with racing heartbeat but also with this deep peace and joy in my heart! I knew what is worth for me to live and die for! I know what my message is! I know, I will not fail this exam.

When I search my heart, my thoughts, my doings – what is worth keeping? What needs to be adjusted and done or thought differently next time? God is helping us finetune our heart’s desire. And he gave us already a guideline to evaluate myself safely attached:

Faith:

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God”. John 6:68+69

I believe in God the father. I believe in Jesus. To Him is given all power. I believe that I am His child and for this I am called to live with Him.

This solid faith is the foundation of our life. In a picture language using a boat, its course and its captain – faith could be the course of the boat.

Hope:

Be on guard; stand firm in the faith: be courageous; be strong. 1 Cor 16:13

Hope builds on this foundation of faith and is like the boat in our picture. It follows the course through the storms and calm water.  Without the course the boat is lost. But the boat trusts the course and because of the course the boat can be brave and courageous.

Love:

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hears by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Rom 5:5

The course of the boat is correct, the boat takes courage and does what faith is telling but it would not go well for long if there would not be this eye-contact to the captain full of love. Sometimes the boat has carried hope bravely through a storm and looks with excitement into the eyes of a loving God. Sometimes hope went overboard and we look downcast into His eyes – still loving.

How did I do today? Which action, statement, thought, decision was build on faith, carried out by hope and securely attached in his love? Where did I lose my anchor (hope)? Where did I betray my Lord (faith)? Have I lost connection with the captain (love)?

God in his character is love. And when we find in our actions shortcomings, we can practice our faith and hope and turn to the LOVE OF OUR FATHER GOD.

To me that makes someone an A+ student.

What is your heart burning for?

And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

Engage Help

Engage Help

John Wadsworth

The story of Moses is a profound illustration of servant leadership, humility, and the necessity of community support in fulfilling one’s calling. When Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he felt inadequate and voiced his concerns. In response, God provided Aaron as a companion and spokesperson (Exodus 4:10-16). This act of divine provision sets a precedent for the importance of seeking and accepting help from others.

As Moses continued his journey, he frequently relied on the support of others. During the battle against the Amalekites, when Moses raised his staff to ensure Israel’s victory, Aaron and Hur supported his arms when he grew tired (Exodus 17:8-13). This symbolic act demonstrates the power of communal support in achieving success.

Additionally, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, observed Moses’ overwhelming burden of leadership and advised him to delegate responsibilities to capable men, thereby appointing seventy elders to share the load (Exodus 18:13-26). This wise counsel prevented burnout and ensured more effective governance.

When constructing the tabernacle, God appointed skilled artisans like Bezalel and Oholiab to execute the intricate work (Exodus 31:1-11). This further emphasizes the necessity of specialized skills and the importance of recognizing and utilizing the gifts of others to fulfil a larger purpose.

The “Engage Help” step in CURE reflects this biblical model. Just as Moses needed a support system to fulfil his divine mission, we too must recognize the importance of seeking help from various sources, including friends, family, and professionals. However, many of us struggle with asking for help due to pride, embarrassment, or uncertainty.

It’s essential to acknowledge our limitations and understand that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. When we feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or tired, we must remember the examples set by Moses and his community. Asking for help is not only practical but also spiritually wise.

Just like Moses, we must first seek God. At the top of the Pyramid on the “Engage Help” step is God, and through Christ, we have access to the Holy Spirit, the ultimate helper. As John 16:7 (AMPC) states: “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].”

By seeking God’s wisdom, discernment, and strength, we can navigate our challenges more effectively. Engaging help from God and others is crucial in our journey of transformation and in serving those around us.

As we support others, let us be mindful of our own needs and the resources available to us. By asking, “Can you please help me?” we open ourselves to a wealth of support that can empower us to fulfil our callings and assist others more effectively. Embracing this step fosters a community through servant leadership leading to transformation, reflecting the collaborative spirit demonstrated by Moses and his companions.

The Engage Help Step

The Engage Step

By Amanda Barclay

I would like to share with you how important the Engage Step and the pyramid practically are for me: in my own life, in the small group (for vulnerable women) that I co-facilitate and anytime I connect with a person who is under the water level.

When I meet with a person and they share with me, that they are really struggling in life, I am often the first person that they have shared this with. To ensure their safety and that I am not the only one supporting them, I try to make sure, ideally in the first meeting, that they have at least someone else in their pyramid. Once we have achieved enough safety and connection in the conversation, I often skip from the U step straight to the engage other help step as.

In Australia, I have found that the easiest place to start in helping someone   build their pyramid is often in the professional work corner: The first step usually is that I make sure they have a general practitioner they can trust. If this is not the case and the person has depression for example, I have in the past assisted them in finding a good GP and in getting a referral to a specialist or counsellor.

I am continually collecting names and contact details of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors that have been recommended to me.

I am aware that in some other countries it would be a lot harder to help someone build their professional corner due to the lack of mental health professionals.

The next step would be to help them access the local church and people helper’s corners:

I also give them the contacts available based on their most pressing needs: To help me in doing this, I am actively collecting information on the range of help different churches in our area offer. Every church or para-church organization has their specific focus and strength in their outreach and are able to offer assistance in different areas: for instance some offer free food, others offer support groups for divorcees. In doing this I think we can really see that there is such power in working in unity as the Church. I see this unity beautifully expressed in the Living Wholeness community.

Building the Family and friends’ corner: by giving someone an overview of the steps and the principles of SAFETY the quality and depth their everyday relationships are inhanced.

Top of the pyramid: The women in our small group often struggle to see God as a safe person, either because they haven’t had a safe earthly father (alcohol addiction, abuse or neglect etc) or some of the preaching or even how they themselves read the Bible (through the glasses of their hurt and pain) has made them feel like God is condemning. Unfortunately, there are people in church that don’t understand that salvation, forgiveness and prayer don’t heal everything immediately and that there is such a thing as God centred suffering. This can make church an unsafe place for hurting people. In the safety of our small group the woman can learn that God is safe, but this can take years or may be a lifelong journey.

In our small group we had to support women go through the complicated process of applying for social security payments, so they had the funds needed to access professional support. In Australia, this process is complex and overwhelming/impossible for someone with mental illness to complete. The support and advocacy needed for this is sadly lacking.

Again, I am aware that in many countries there is no social security available.

I am also aware of how important it is for me to be the recipient and to proactively build my own pyramid. I am blessed to have a good pyramid of safe people in most corners.

The area that we as group facilitators have found the hardest to get is adequate support and supervision from pastoral care.

I have also really struggled with the lack of awareness at church and in society in general for how hard living with mental illness or supporting a family member with mental illness can be.

This again points to importance of the pyramid and the amazing work of Living Wholeness!!

Being on the Respond Step with God

Being on the Respond Step with God

By Sharon Khoo

Looking at the Respond step, we see that there are many elements there for the purpose of our growth in Christ, for the influence of the Gospel. The Cross & Combi-Shape are 2 shapes that stand out, along with the key words ‘to grow’, ‘Influence for the gospel’, ‘C.H.A.N.G.E.’, Therapeutic Map, and tools like Trialogue & Tennis.

I remember a time when all the above items were real and present for me, as I was responding to God, in my worst pain and suffering. I was suffering from Clinical Depression, beneath underwater in the square, and needed some help and deliverance to say the least! I was a self-Centred victim (right side, bottom, square), not yet a God-Centred Victor (left side). 

That was the space and time in my life that I felt like I had no choice but to turn to the Cross – my first response to God. I called out to God in my psychological overwhelm of pain and despair, and found myself met by the Presence, Person and Provision of Jesus Himself (some wonderful ‘Ps’ or gifts that we find at the Cross), during my inner healing and deliverance sessions with my pastoral counselor whom I saw for many years in my healing journey. 

This Holy space of meeting Jesus in the underbelly of my suffering, can be likened to being at the Home position for our heart, right beside the cross in the Combi-shape. Through this experiential knowledge of God, I found that He comes down to our lowest levels of suffering, doesn’t just meet us there as Immanuel, but responds to us at our deepest, darkest pain here as we respond to Him too. Just like Jesus talks about rescuing the one lost (or broken & vulnerable) sheep in Luke 15:4-7. Or in Psalm 23:4, where though we walk through the darkest valley, our Good Shepherd is with us, comforting us with His rod & staff.

Here, in this home position, I played tennis & Trialogue regularly with God and Jesus. Wrestling with Them over tough inevitable questions I needed answers to (albeit with much blind rage and ignorance) like, “Why did you do this to me (& my F.O.O.) God?”, “How could you be good and still allow such bad and harm, evil and violence come my way against my will, as a child who is vulnerable no less?”, and, “What were you thinking, letting your own son die when you could slay the devil & end all this madness & evil Yourself instead? Are you mad?”

Well, God always has His own wisdom & response to ours, especially when we are throwing them unkindly, wrongly or blindly at Him, to say the least. And I thank HIM that He was able to more than graciously forgive me for my serious shortcomings, love me in my severely broken state & naïveté as a child who not only needed to heal but to be properly educated in my faith about God & grow up in Christlike maturity (as is a purpose of the Respond step).

In my or any of our initial poor response to Him, I Thank God, for His better one. For not condemning me but responding back in great kindness, understanding, wisdom, undeserved grace and unconditional love as a Father who is Bigger, Better, Wiser & Kinder. He gave me the answers I needed, convicted me that He understood where I was coming from and that He was really ok. And more than ok, He was going to help me be ok too. He is and always will be good, to all of us as humanity, despite our broken, sinful nature & the evil nature of the enemy.

I thank Jesus too, for being the Wounded Healer & Best Friend I needed, identifying with all of my flaws, pain, brokenness and iniquities, saving me too, from my own kind of painful insanity. Needless to say, our God who is more than able, responded back in love to me at this R step, with all the answers He knew I needed, with time playing more trialogue and tennis with Him over some years. That included His answers to my earlier questions. It was finally not just a one-way conversation I previously had as a child & teen with God, but a 2-way, even three-way connection, with the presence of my counselor too, helping the responding, healing and growth process – much like the nature of the triangle. 

At the end of traveling this therapeutic map of having quality pastoral & professional counseling, inner healing, deliverance and more (I chose to receive clinical counseling and therapy such as seeing a Psychologist and Psychiatrist too, which God worked for my eventual good of wholistic healing. And is one wholistic therapeutic map I thoroughly recommend and encourage my own clients who desire to overcome mental illness to take in my pastoral counseling practice), I found myself transformed. God delivered me out of deep waters. 

I moved from the left self-Centred side to the right God-Centred side of the square, to be above water level with & in Christ. ‘C.H.A.N.G.E.’ happened. I was … 

Challenged to be more like Christ daily, Heightened in my knowledge & understanding of why God allows suffering and sickness in the world, 

Affirmed in many countless ways by other healthy people & God in the area of overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21), New Ways of being more healthy & whole, not just happier, such as having healthy boundaries & imitating Christ, 

Growth in character was a definite in this process of responding to God, and I was Empowered to forgive, love again, and walk out of the dark fog of depression & bitterness, after 22 years of bearing with & healing from this unwanted dis-ease. 

Fast forward 10 years later & only by His great grace, I thank God that I am more than an Overcomer & Victor in Christ (Romans 8:37). My humbled response to God out of an overwhelmingly grateful & transformed heart, is that I choose to love & live for Him daily. To put God first and foremost in my life, and to obey His commandments, especially His greatest one (Mark 13:30-31); with full devotion & commitment to be more like His son. To love and serve others too, with a desire to make Him known, by sharing the good that He is and offers to us all, while we still live life on earth, this other side of Heaven. As His Missionary, Pastoral Counselor, guest speaker and the author of the book, ‘Hope in Despair’ – God’s story of how He got me out of Clinical Depression, Complex Trauma and Abuse – I am responding to God by using these roles to be an influence for the Gospel by sharing with others the good news & hope of Christ, in the midst of mental illness & suffering. All because He responded to me, and I too, was desperate enough to respond to God. Truly, God is worthy of our response to love, honor and worship Him, even in deepest pain and darkest suffering. (Job’s response to God & Jesus’ submission to His Father before, during & at the cross, comes to mind here too as further greater examples.) 

So, the ‘Respond to God’ step? It is definitely a broken but beautiful place to be in. And though everyone’s state of being at this step might be similar or different depending on how you are responding to God and what you are coming to Him for, so much powerful and positive C.H.A.N.G.E. can happen here, with Jesus. God responds to us when we turn to Him, no matter what state we’re in. But we too, need to make our choice if we want to respond to Him or not. 

In closing, perhaps one question we can take away from this is – What might you find relevant, to Grow or Respond in today, in your response to God towards greater healing or wholeness, at this time of your life? 

God, the wonderfully good author & perfecter of your faith and life bless you as you ponder, wonder, wrestle & respond, with Jesus. He loves & cares for you.

To God be the Glory.