Devotion

What Am I Thinking About?

By JP

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength. — Mark 12:30

Today, we pause to reflect on the gift of the mind. In the Christian Wholeness Framework, the mind is not just a place of thought—it’s a sacred space where cognition unfolds. Cognition includes memory, intelligence, concentration, and orientation. These aren’t just mental functions; they are spiritual capacities through which we experience God, understand His truth, and walk in His presence. Isn’t it amazing how God designed us?

Through memory, we hold onto the stories of God’s faithfulness. We remember the prayers He answered, the comfort He gave, the Scriptures that came alive in moments of need. Memory is more than recollection—it’s a spiritual anchor. When we remember what God has done, we strengthen our trust in what He will do. I invite you t think back: what’s your favourite memory of you and God together? Perhaps a moment of worship, a breakthrough in prayer, or a quiet sense of His nearness. Let that memory rise again today and just linger with God in that moment.

Intelligence is another gift—one that allows us to understand God, not just know about Him. It’s through our ability to reason, reflect, and learn that we grow in relationship with Him. God doesn’t ask us to leave our minds blank as in some religions. He invites us to love Him with our minds. When we study His Word, wrestle with truth, and seek wisdom, we are engaging in holy thinking. I invite you to thank Him for the intelligence He’s given you (not just natural intelligence but also your educational and spiritual background which has helped you grow). Ask Him to sharpen your understanding, to help you grasp His ways, and to use your intellect for His glory.

Concentration is the ability to focus—and in a world full of distractions, it’s a discipline that draws us closer to God. When we fix our thoughts on Him, we quiet the noise and open ourselves to His voice. Whether in prayer, Scripture, or simply being still, our focused attention becomes a form of worship. How can you concentrate on Him today? Maybe it’s setting aside a few minutes to meditate on a verse, or choosing to pause and breathe in His presence before a busy task. Whatever it looks like, let your focus be on him today.

Orientation is the mind’s compass. It helps us know who we are, where we are, and when we are. It grounds us in reality—not just physical, but spiritual. To be oriented is to be present with God, aware of His nearness, and rooted in our identity as His beloved. Ask Him to orient you today. Invite Him to help you be fully present, to know that you are here for a reason, and to remember this moment as one of connection with Him. You are not lost. You are known, placed, and called.

Scripture reminds us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). This renewal is not a one-time event; it’s a daily invitation. As we daily surrender our minds (cognition) to God—our memory, intelligence, concentration, and orientation—we begin to think with the mind of Christ. We begin to see as He sees, love as He loves, and live as He leads. “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). That means our thoughts are not bound by fear, confusion, or distraction. They are being shaped by truth, peace, and purpose. So today, let your mind be a sanctuary. Let your thoughts be worship. Let your focus be prayer. Let your understanding be light. And let your awareness be rooted in the presence of the One who made you, knows you, and walks with you.

What Am I Thinking About?

By John Wadsworth

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5
“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2

As I sat down to write this devotional, I was surprised by how easily my thoughts wandered and how powerfully they influenced my emotions. Distraction and procrastination crept in, and old memories resurfaced, voices from the past whispering words of inadequacy. I remembered my English teacher once telling me that I would fail my exam, that I wasn’t good enough (Truth Sector).  It’s remarkable how one throwaway comment can linger and affect how we see ourselves years later. During my life there have been so many times when I have let my negative or destructive thoughts and images cloud my judgement and impact who I am.

As Christian counsellors, we are entrusted with walking alongside others in their journey toward wholeness. One of the most powerful truths we must hold onto, and help others grasp, is this, that our thinking profoundly shapes our lives. Our thoughts are powerful. The “thought sector” is where we notice the steady stream of words, images, and ideas that pass through our minds each day. These inner narratives can either draw us toward life and peace or trap us in fear, shame, or pride. The question for us becomes: Lord, what thoughts are shaping my heart right now?

Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:2 reminds us that renewing the mind is not optional, it is essential for spiritual discernment and whole living. Paul doesn’t ask us to stop thinking, he calls us to bring our thoughts into alignment with Christ. In the Christian Wholeness Framework, the renewal of our thought life is not about repression, but transformation. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). When we allow His truth to enter our minds, we find freedom from the looping, condemning, or distorted thoughts that weigh us down.

Inviting Christ into our thinking begins with discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal which thoughts bring hope, gratitude, and life—and which ones spiral into fear, shame, or bitterness. Some thoughts simply distract us from God’s presence. As we can understand our thought life and gain clarity over our thoughts this will begin to impact other sectors in our circle, particularly our heart circle.

Our thought life is deeply connected to our emotions, choices, and relationships. When our minds are renewed, our whole selves begin to shift. Romans 12:2 reminds us that as our thoughts are transformed, we learn to discern God’s will, finding both peace and direction for living.

A simple practice is to write down a recurring thought and hold it up to Scripture. Does it reflect God’s truth, or contradict it? When we discover lies or distortions, we don’t merely reject them, we replace them with the truth of God’s Word. This is how renewal takes root, and we continue the journey of transformation.

Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for creating me with a mind that can think and imagine. Jesus, I yield my thought life to You. Help me to train my mind to dwell on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). Shape my thought life until it reflects Your mind in me. Renew me daily, that my thoughts may glorify You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. What thoughts most often shape my outlook on the day, and do they reflect God’s truth or the world’s patterns?
2. When I notice a recurring negative or anxious thought, how can I bring it captive to Christ?
3. Which Scripture promise can I hold onto this week as a replacement thought when unhelpful patterns arise?

The Riches of the Perception Sector

By Gill Vriend

Perception in Living Wholeness is found in the mind circle, and describes how we perceive something with any one of the five senses: vision, hearing, taste, touch or smell. It also includes seeing with our imagination, with our ‘mind’s eye’. Notably this is also a rich doorway to encountering the spirit realm. “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” says Psalm 34:8 seemingly encouraging us to experience and encounter Him in sensory ways. 

Creation has been called ‘God’s other book’, and certainly it ministers to us in powerful ways. I recall the onset of the pandemic in northern Thailand where we live, in April 2020. It was the hottest, driest, most polluted and most challenging time of year. We were already wearing N95 masks to protect our lungs every time we went outside, so no ideological struggles there! We found ourselves locked into our country, with families and loved ones being locked out, as the world we had known span on its axis. I remember stepping out onto my balcony one morning, unable to see the mountains because of smoke, yet drawn by vibrant birdsong. As I did so I saw another of God’s miracles was on display. Incredibly, when most trees lose their leaves and die back in the suffocating heat, certain flowering trees somehow burst into full blossom at the height of the drought. Miraculous! Right there in my garden! I filmed the scene with my phone, adding a commentary to send to my family. The power of beauty. Here was God’s creative beauty expressing itself unimpaired and free amid environmental ugliness, lockdown and global suffering. That hadn’t changed. It wasn’t overwhelmed. It endured and even thrived.  My heart and spirit fed deeply on these powerful truths.

 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Soviet dissident writer from the 1970’s survived years of extreme deprivation in the frozen prison camps of Siberia; he commented on the power of beauty as he accepted his Nobel prize for Literature after his release. He reflected on the ‘old trinity’ of Truth, Goodness and Beauty. He wondered, what would happen if the stems of Truth and Goodness were “cut down, crushed, not permitted to grow”? Then perhaps, he postulated,

 “ the whimsical, unpredictable, and ever surprising shoots of Beauty will force their way through and soar up …. thereby fulfilling the task of all three.”  (https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org)  If Solzhenitsyn could survive the deprivations of the Gulag, and yet speak of the redemptive power of beauty (itself representing something of God’s original design for this earth) then I praise Him from the depths of my heart. I thank Him for the myriad of ways He has designed me to receive and perceive the truth and refreshment He is always sending. Yes, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Ps 34:4). Truly.

Volition Sector of Mind Circle

By Claire Wadsworth

Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Every day, we are faced with choices: what to think, how to feel, what to do, and, most importantly, who to follow. At the heart of these choices lies volition—our God-given ability to choose. While it is a divine gift, volition can either lead us toward God’s purposes or away from them, or in CWF terms : God-centred on the right side of the square or Self-centred on the left side.

Volition, simply put, is the capacity to will, to decide, to intend, and to act. From the beginning, God created humans in His image (Genesis 1:27), which includes the capacity to choose. This distinguishes us from the rest of creation. We are not mere automatons; we are relational beings with the power to engage with God in love, which always requires choice. However, the fall in Genesis 3 corrupted this capacity. Humanity began choosing independence from God, and the consequences were devastating. Yet in His grace, God has never removed our volitional capacity. Instead, He invites us into redemption, a restoration of our ability to choose to come back to the foot of the cross and realign ourselves with His will.

In Galatians 5:16, Paul encourages us, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Walking implies continuous volitional action, it is not passive. The Spirit empowers, but we still must choose. The Spirit Circle is where our deepest identity in Christ is found. When our will is aligned with our new identity, as beloved children of God, our choices begin to reflect His purposes. We are no longer driven by the chaos of sin but led by the peace of Christ. This is not about perfection (Praise God for that!!), but it is about alignment and submission. Romans 12:1-2 urges us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” and “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Such transformation requires ongoing volitional surrender. But, our volition is under constant pressure, from within and without. The enemy, the world, and our own sinful nature all seek to distort or overwhelm our capacity to choose rightly. In many cultures, people live under external coercion, whether political, familial, or spiritual. Others suffer internal bondage, such as fear, trauma, guilt, and confusion. These can make healthy volitional action seem impossible. Yet, we have a God who sees and meets us there. Jesus stood before a man at the pool of Bethesda and asked, “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). This question pierces through layers of helplessness. It reveals that volition, however fragile, still exists. And with Christ, even the smallest “yes” becomes powerful.

This month I encourage us all to think, “How can I steward my volition well within the framework?” It may be by :

Inviting the Holy Spirit to lead : Begin each day by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your choices. “Lord, today, I choose You. Help me surrender my will to Yours.”

By cultivating our heart : Notice what you feel. Anger, fear, joy, sadness, these emotions are windows into your values and can either lead to or hinder godly choices.

By renewing our mind : Feed your mind with Scripture and truth. What you believe affects what you choose. Replace lies with the truth of God’s Word.

By honouring our body : Our physical circleimpacts volition. Rest, nutrition, and rhythm helps us remain spiritually and emotionally resilient. Any change is often slow, therefore celebrate small victories, such as when you forgive someone or succeed in turning off the screen to pray and in choosing kindness over revenge.

I am curious as to which area /circle you find it most difficult to steward? Ask God to help you in those areas and seek to find growth in it.

Choosing God is not a one-time decision, but rather a daily “yes” to grace, truth, obedience, and love. It is a lifelong journey of aligning our will with the will of God. Just as Joshua declared, so we too must declare: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Let your volition not be anchored on left-sided self-effort, but in the right-sided all empowering grace of Christ. Making it not a burdensome task, but a joyful gift. I pray we all find this joy in volition this month as we “press on towards the goal.”

CWF Mood Sector

By Steffi Gerber

The Bible and Emotions

The Bible acknowledges a wide range of human emotions, including joy, sorrow, anger, and peace. For instance, Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 reminds us that there is a time for every season, emphasizing that emotions are a natural part of life.

Mood generally refers to emotions of longer duration, which settle in for a while—like a rainy season. Emotions, on the other hand, refer to a person’s immediate feelings and are more transient, like an afternoon thunderstorm (Nikles, 2010).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In Galatians 5:22–23, the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—highlight the spiritual aspect of managing emotions.

Sometimes, I don’t feel or see the fruit of the Holy Spirit growing within me. Overpowered by strong emotions—like thunderstorms of anger or panic—I often feel ashamed and defeated afterward. How can God help me?

In my case, dealing with anxiety at night, the change—the fruit of the Holy Spirit—did not come overnight. My wailing prayers over several years brought no noticeable change. Spiritual warfare prayers did not bring change. Learning about the nature of emotions (e.g., primary and secondary emotions, recognizing and facing my anxiety, and being kind to myself (TTT method), learning about the “roundabout” etc still did not bring the peace I was longing for. Even personal counseling, where I worked on underlying beliefs and past experiences, did not help. At some point, things even worsened when menopause hit.

I had enough.

During a silent retreat, while wrestling with God, I received Deuteronomy 31:5–6:
“The Lord will deliver them to you… Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

And I believed it. With boldness—using the Word of God—and with kindness toward myself, I began practicing this almost every night for the last two years. Whenever my nervous system was triggered (and still is, at times), I realign my thoughts with God’s truth and apply His love to myself by speaking kindly to the anxious part of me, for as long as needed.

Sometimes, our brains take a long time to unlearn and re-learn. Even when it takes time—it can learn! It’s our decision to turn our eyes toward God’s loving face and to practice bringing our wailing—however weak our trust may be—into His presence. Romans 12:2 encourages believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation can lead to a healthier emotional state.

Disclaimer: As a counselor, it helped me to understand the nature of panic attacks and appropriate response techniques. I was also in contact with a psychiatrist during this time in case medical support was needed. Reflection: This is my story. What is yours? What type of emotional storms or mood-season is challenging you? How about seeing it as an invitation from God to trust Him deeper. Where would this perspective lead you?

SOMA

By Susanne Nikles

Time to think about Soma, the Greek word for Body. What is God’s purpose for the body? He gave us our incredible bodies as a gift to enjoy and be productive in the amazing world He has so generously and lovingly created for us. Romans 12:1 tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, which is our reasonable service. It’s only right that we would serve Him with our bodies, out of gratitude and love. And 1 Corinthians 6:15 reminds us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  So what does that look like, and how do we live that out?

The 5 S’s of the Soma in CWF serve us as a good guide. The first and last thing we meet in our day is sleep! Do we take enough sleep, knowing that it is God’s gift to reset and restore our body for the next day? “In vain you rise up early and stay up late toiling… He gives sleep to those He loves” (Ps 127:2  ).  Do we receive and care for that gift? There can also be worries on our mind that stop us from sleeping well – let’s deal with those worries. We enjoy in our marriage beginning and ending our day in communion with God, making Him the first thing we focus on  as we wake and the last thing before we rest.

The next S  we meet in our day as we wake is the Systems of the Health of the body. How is our health today? God has given us a marvellous interconnected body that requires maintainence, especially the older we get! Like a car, we need regular check ups for any area not functioning well. Our Health vehicle needs the fuel of good food and exercise to keep us chugging along! Learn to listen to your body – C & U with it, maybe doing a body scan, and see what the aches and pains might be trying to tell you. Our body is a great stethoscope to the inner world of our minds and hearts.  Modern medicine sometimes forgets this wisdom  “A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” Proverbs 17:22. Bessel Van der Kolk has a book titled “The body keeps the score”.  Caring for our health often requires addressing  issues in our heart and mind circles as well.

Take a check today about what substances you are putting into your body – too much sugar, caffeine, alcohol or even illicit substances? The Jesuits encourage us to limit our focus on the substances we ingest, including rich food, so we are not distracted by our appetite. Instead they encourage us to have a meal with Jesus, enjoying His presence and love. Jesus told His disciples  “ I have food that you don’t’ know about… which is to do the will of my father” John 4:32 – 34.

S for Sports – there is so much evidence now that we need to be more intentional about moving our bodies because of our often sedentary lifestyles. God has given us so many options – the joy of walking in a His tranquil nature is a pure joy if we can get there, and better for our whole person than doing strides on a treadmill. Sports and hobbies that we enjoy and engage our whole selves are not a luxury but an investment in our long term well being, so we can serve God and others for longer. If you have an enjoyable hobby you are more likely to be a Nobel prize winner!

Finally Sexuality, not talked about so much in our Christian circles is one of God’s precious gifts to us. If we are married, let us honour and give our bodies in love to our spouse, not denying, or worse, exploiting the other for our own desires ( 1 Cor 7). If we are single, let us regard our sexuality as a jewel, for us to value and steward, being careful with what we watch and look at, and keeping ourselves pure for our loving Lord. Paul reminds us that an unmarried person has more capacity to be concerned about how he/she can please God (I Cor 7:33).

And let’s remember that a well functioning body with healthy sleep, exercise and diet really impacts not just the health of our physical circle, but our mind and heart as well. Neurologically we think better and our mood is improved. Let’s enjoy the body that God has given us, not making our physical comforts and the desires of our bodies the centre of our focus, but gratefully receiving His care and provisions for us as a sign of His love(Matthew 6:25 – 34). We can then choose to love and serve Him and others as a sign of our gratitude. What has impacted you from what you have just read? Are there any changes that God is inviting you to make in this area? If so, take a moment to write them down.

Communication

By Claire Wadsworth

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

The Bible has much to say about communication, emphasizing honesty, wisdom, love and building others up. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Communication is central to our lives, from the beginning God designed us for connection (Triangle). He is the ultimate communicator. He desires that we communicate with him and others (Triangle). As a Communicator, God spoke creation into existence, Genesis 1, revealed Himself through Scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16, and sent Jesus as the “Word” made flesh, John 1:1,14. Communication should be easy but actually as I work globally, communication styles vary so much, not just languages and dialects but the vocabulary we use, our body language, hand gestures are all open to miscommunication. Relationships depend on communication, healthy marriages, friendships, and church communities are built on Godly communication, Colossians 4:6. And so we go back to our role model, Jesus, and our instruction book, the Bible, and we continue to grow in our own communication skills. One thing I am learning (still growing in) is to be gentle and kinder in my communication, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1. To be honest and transparent in our communication “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22, but learning to do this in a gentle, loving way. Then we want to be encouragers and offer uplifting communication, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24.

A personal reflection: My daughter, who is training as a Speech and Language Therapist, recently had to record a 20-minute conversation and analyse how she communicated—her words, tone, gestures, and expressions. She was surprised by what she learned. Have you ever considered doing the same? How aware are we of what we communicate—not just through words but through our presence, attitude, and actions?

The Gospel is spread through communication, sharing the Good News requires speaking, writing, and expressing God’s truth, Matthew 28:19-20. Each one of us are called to be communicators of His word and love for mankind. How do you communicate the Gospel and to whom?

Communication holds a deep holistic significance, aligning with both Spiritual and relational dimensions. Communication within the framework is about much more than just words, it is seen as a holistic practice that involves physical, mind, heart and spirit circles, always seeking to promote the truth, healing and connection in the light of God. When we search the scriptures God communicated with people in many ways, through a donkey, through writing on the wall, through dreams and visions, and being with people in conversation such as Zaccheus having tea together, sitting on the well with the Samaritan women and so many more. So today I encourage you to consider how does God normally communicate with you and how do you communicate with Him, Father, Spirit and Son.

Some thoughts to ponder:

• How, when, where do I communicate with God? Do I have enough time communicating with God?
• Who am I more comfortable communicating with, God the Father, Jesus the Son, or the Holy Spirit?
• How does communication style affect others? Is there something I want to grow in, be more aware of when speaking with others?
• What scripture passages are coming up for you as commune with Him today?

Devotional: Reflecting Christ Through Our Behaviour

By John Wadsworth

Scripture: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

In the Living Wholeness Approach, the Physical circle represents how we engage with the world around us. It is a two-way channel—where we express our emotions and beliefs, but also where external influences can shape the deeper aspects of our being, ultimately reaching our hearts.

Reflecting on our time in China, my family and I often felt like we were living in a goldfish bowl. As foreigners in a close-knit community, we stood out—our actions were constantly observed, from how we ate to the things we bought or the way we dealt with problems. We quickly realized that every detail of our lives was visible, and our behaviour spoke volumes.

More recently, while training in India with a small team, I’ve become acutely aware of how my behaviour can be influenced by my environment. In new and challenging dynamics—or when exhaustion sets in—unhealthy habits can creep in. Sometimes, my time with the Lord is neglected as commitments pile up, or I become irritable with others. Yet, by God’s grace, the team has been gracious, loving, and supportive, showing patience and understanding. This has prompted me to ask myself, “Do my actions truly reflect my relationship with Christ?”

A Transformed Life: When we accept Christ, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation should be evident in our behaviour—how we treat others, respond to challenges, and make decisions. It’s not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing righteousness, kindness, and integrity.

Reflecting Christ Daily: Living out our faith requires intentionality. We must be mindful of our actions, remembering that we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). This involves:

• Demonstrating love and grace, even in difficult situations.
• Serving others selflessly.
• Speaking truth with kindness and wisdom.
• Living with integrity, even when no one is watching.

Walking in the Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in a way that honours God. Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we yield to the Spirit, our behaviour becomes a natural reflection of Christ.

Yet, as humans, we will sometimes stumble, drifting toward self-centeredness. Thankfully, we can always return to Christ, acknowledge our failures, and seek His forgiveness and restoration. We are all on a journey of transformation. Let’s continue to be aware of our weaknesses, pressing on to live out our lives in the fruit of the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, help me reflect Your love and character in all I do. Let my actions point others to You. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk in obedience and shine Your light in every aspect of my life. Amen.

Reflection: Take time today to evaluate your actions. Are they reflecting Christ to those around you? Seek His guidance in areas where you may struggle to live out your faith fully.

Appearance: Three Questions

By Dr. John Warlow

1. How Important Is Appearance to You?

To be honest, appearance is one of the areas I focus on the least. I do mention it in my “observation” section of the iDoc, but my emphasis is more on outward expression—the observation of the mind and heart. Shopping centers, on the other hand, are all about appearance!

When I told my wife, Jill, that I was writing this blog, she lovingly laughed because she knows I’m not great with clothes! Growing up as a missionary kid in India, clothing was, as it were, optional but required (in other words, it didn’t really matter what you wore, as long as you or something)! In contrast, Jill’s father managed one of the finest menswear stores in New Zealand, and for her, external appearance is an expression of her internal vibrancy.

This difference became an interesting challenge in our marriage—Jill wanted to dress me up, and she’s done a great job! (I think I might be the “most improved” in this area! 😊😊)

2. What does the Bible say about appearance—for both men and women?

For Men:

Remember when Samuel was searching for a king among Jesse’s sons? He was impressed by their strong, masculine appearance, but God had a different perspective:

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
—1 Samuel 16:7

For Women:

The Bible also speaks about appearance for women:

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within …”
—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)

For both men and women, the deeper, inner appearance is what truly matters.

3. What Does the Bible Say About the Appearance of the Triune God?

Jesus’ Appearance:

I was deeply moved—brought to tears—when Dave in a LWTP (pre PACT) spoke about the presence of Jesus, using the circles and sectors will. His true appearance shone so brightly. I’ve tried to capture this in CURE 3 over about 8 pages, in the section on Jesus’ “life illustrated by the circles.”

The Bible describes Jesus’ earthly appearance in Isaiah 53:2:

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”

He came in human form, as seen in Philippians 2:8:

“He was found in appearance as a man.”

Yet, in Mark 9:2-3, NLT, during His transfiguration, we catch a glimpse of His divine glory:

“Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and His clothes became dazzling white—far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.”

A time will come when we will see Him fully revealed:

“When Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.”
—1 John 3:2-3

And in Revelation 1:13-17, John describes the breathtaking vision of Jesus:

“Dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet, with a golden sash around His chest. The hair on His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters… His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

Upon seeing this, John fell at His feet as though dead, but Jesus reassured him:

“Do not be afraid.”

The Appearance of the Father and the Holy Spirit:

We can also explore the appearance of God the Father—the expression of His deeper glory. (Where would you place glory on the “circles” and “sectors”?)

And what about the Holy Spirit? He appeared in different forms:

• As a dove at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
• As fire at the beginning of the disciples’ ministry.

A Final Reflection

Take a moment to look at Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Pay attention to what you notice. Be in His presence. Gaze at Him. See what happens

Getting to the TASK:  Transformation, changing Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge!

By Carolyn Russell

We recents had holidays.   Superb –  friends, memories from past, being with our granddaughter REALLY loving cold experiences. We planned, paid, travelled, then walked miles, ate food enjoying fellowship, lived in close quarters ( quite challenging at times!), and yet it was good. The job of a holiday was for a rest break ….  to return to life energised..RIGHT?

 I returned refreshed and ready in some ways, but there was persistent discomfort in my Heart…. A CONFLICT!

I tried to ignore this discomforting presence in that sector of my heart as I commenced the routine of home life/client work for the New Year–  one likely full satisfaction and joy.  The true character of the Conflict Sector was being expressed – on the one hand I think and believe ‘this’, on the other hand my body and my mind and spirit are wanting to give me a message that seems ‘opposite’. 

The Discomfort continued!  Then Sickness! – confined to bed for 2 days after a Gastro bug, it amplified… Shouted VERY LOUD.  ‘Take NOTICE’

So, I did. I had to STOP to do so. STOP running busy, STOP getting into my ‘regular’ way and FACE… but WHAT was I learning as I did this? 

Well, our God is Invitingly gracious in Discomfort. He wants to always teach us more of Him, to be present to us, as we choose to Centre. His Word is always there for me to read and learn from.

Where did I go in His Word through these sick days….?  Well, my brain was jetlag addled, but I prayed for Understanding, then thought of the short words, Do and Be.  

These words led me to read a lot of Scripture, illuminating the Discomfort in the Conflict sector….

[ As you read this, open the Scriptures, hear the words about HIM that illuminated, taught, and exhorted me to FACE then to offer Transformation.  

Let’s TURN the Eyes of our Hearts (Centre) to Him who knows us]

Three Scripture shone out as I researched Do and Be.

James Chapter 1

Colossians Chapter 3

 John Chapter 9

Firstly, there are SKILLS, obvious to all around as they read these chapters.  They seem to be all about Tasks… Doing work and activity, ‘putting on’ stuff!

Then hone down:

Col 3: 17  and 3: 22 :  The WHOLE, ALL, EVERYTHING words jump out ( CWF!!)

Now, James 1:  when we Turn (repent) and Centre on Christ, there is created in us a Heart seeped with righteousness, deeply Soaked in water then Cleansed, Activated,  and Being beautiful, LOOKing like Jesus!   

Now read John 9:  Jesus responded to the blind man, and the crowd in the gospel: He said ‘we must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world’.  Jesus knew that his character was to illuminate, and this led to doing tasks and work, but overall to Responses( his work) which cause the BLIND TO SEE. 

So, I spent that day resting, and thinking about CWF, and using the shapes to explore my discomfort

The word TASK on the LW card arrested me – how easy it becomes to DO tasks, get knowledge and apply skills, not allow the Transformation and changed Attitudes from Jesus to seep out i.e.The True TASK. People see the Skills and Knowledge, but the Character is not blessing others.   

The discomfort was easing – I was getting it! 

Carolyn, you have been sliding back L – over into DOING only, not BEING, and though your outer Circles were fed through the holiday, you did not take time for the Character of Christ to be continually formed, to become more and more HIS.

What have I learned from Him? 

Task = DO                                and yet….                            T.A.S.K ≠ BUSY, Doing

T.A.S.K = Being HIS… the WHOLE, ALL of us, With EVERYTHING

After recovering, I read Bible Hub, finding this: ‘… we seek diversion, distraction, and busy-ness to elude the encounter with God, and the examination of self in His presence’.  This attitude of Busy-ness had become pervasive for me through the last months, and I needed to notice my Discomfort more.  ( this is worth reading if you wish to follow up more on this topic: 2. Process Spirituality: Being Versus Doing | Bible.org)

Thank you Father for the Conflict sector that you have gifted us. We praise You, that You have given us minds, which have thoughts and emotions, and ways of observing ourselves, and hearts which can notice when we are not seated in your gates, learning from You. 

Help us all to be more aware of that Sector, to STOP, Feel the discomfort, think about ourselves, and to FACE the truth of our ways, and to Turn for HOME, to the inviting Transformational presence of Christ in Word and Spirit.  

Then help us by the Spirit’s power to submit ourselves to be Cleansed Soaked Refreshed, and to BE yours while there is light.

Come Lord Jesus,

AMEN