Hello SUMites.  

We have a question for you:

We're compiling a collection of the best of the best of our articles as a resource for future readers, and we need your help.

Many of you have been reading along here for years. So, here's our question:

Do you have a favorite, stand-out article, or story, from our blog?

Is there an article that particularly helped you?

Is there a teaching that has particularly stuck in your mind?

Is there something from one of our books that particularly helped you?

Whatever it is, we'd love to hear it. So please, let us know in the comments, or drop us a line by email.

Many thanks

Ann, Lynn, Ian and team

By LuAnn Wendover and Nickole Meierotto

Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This past week has been an amazing time in the annual corporate fast. When Nickole and I were asked to lead it, I jumped at the opportunity without a whole lot of thought or prayer. I knew it was an honor as well as a big responsibility. However, I didn’t take it on without some trepidation next to the elation. In the meantime, Nickole expressed a need to take a little extra time in contemplative prayer, not because she wasn’t honored to be asked, but because she wanted to be sure she could handle all that would be expected of her.

I had hoped to do a 5-day water only fast. I was looking forward to writing a couple of pieces for the blog. And knew that this would be a stretching experience. I was right on the money with that one! Nickole did a liquid daytime fast, having dinner with her children at night.

I KNEW that this fast was supposed to be centered on abiding in Christ: in using this time of fasting and praying to rest in Him. Warfare in a Sum can be a daily part of our lives and usually is. Many times, we get worn out with constant battling. I was excited to learn what abiding during a fast would mean. I thought of abiding as simply resting but it is more than that…it can also mean enduring. And my word for the year was abiding!

The first two days of the fast were great. Some hunger but not uncontrollable. By the third day, I needed to hydrate and added a hydration pack to my morning water. It helped tremendously. But by day four I knew I needed to switch to a Daniel version for the remaining two days.  And so I did, without self-condemnation or recrimination. Fasting is a wonderful way to get closer to the Lord.

Nickole here. I didn’t know what I expected other than an opportunity to focus on my time with Abba during my fast. As I began the week jumping back into school routines, the Lord showed me that I have had an enduring habit of allowing myself to zone out and live life unintentionally, on autopilot. This revelation led to my word, Intentional. If I am to be sanctified for the Lord, I must be intentional, in everything…how convicting.

The Bible says to fast in secret. But in leading a corporate fast that is not possible, although the particulars of any fast should be spirit led and individual. Both Nickole and I had been holding a Wednesday fast and prayer for several years in the Sumite Sisters group, so we were used to posting for prayer requests and then praying together for the needs of the group. But leading a 5 day fast was a different experience for both of us. Eye opening and challenging.

As we reflected and wrapped up our corporate fast, we wanted to encourage those of you who fasted with us this year to remember to apply what was revealed to you during the fast. Too often we lose focus, return to our daily lives and get caught up in the repetitive day-to-day living. Let us be intentional in ALL we do…whether it’s washing the dishes, folding laundry, our outside jobs, or our recreation and amusement. To learn to be consecrated and connected to Christ 24/7 is truly a part of abiding in Him and being intentional in living for Him.

How do you intend to move forward from this fast? How can you become more intentional in abiding in Christ?

SUMites, Ann here. Happy new year to you all.

Our community fast starts this coming Monday -- Exciting!

It is a favorite time of year for me: A time of drawing close to God.

Many of us have found in previous years that significant things happen when we fast, whether it be a revelation from God, or some kind of shift.

We fast from sunrise on Monday to sunset on Friday. The most meaningful kind of fast is one where you fast from food in some way.

• If you're new to this, you might like to try fasting from sunrise to sunset each day and having a small meal in the evening.
• If you're more used to fasting, you could try going without food altogether for the week.

Plan to drink plenty as you go -- That's important.

To prepare:

• Pray and ask God for strength and direction about how to fast.
• Get plenty of liquids in stock
• Consider telling your family so that less pressure is put on you over the week.

You may have guests, work, or things to do. Try not to let that deter you: I, for one, this year will be visiting friends for three nights of the five. However, on those days I still plan to fast until sunset each day.

Finally, we have LuAnn Wendover and Nickole Meierotto leading the fast this year. They are two of our long-standing SUMites who have a passion for fasting. So, they will write something each day next week for us. Stay tuned!

Well, that's all for now. All the very best preparing for it, and the team here it SUM will see you in the comments next week.

Love

Ann

SUMites

I wanted to share this great pic from one of our SUMites Barb Twigg. This photo was taken of her in church, worshipping her heart out.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4, NIV)

Many of us know Barb, as she gives a lot of time to this ministry. She serves every week behind the scenes, and we also see her in the comments quite often. We know her to be the strongest kind of woman of God.

She walks her SUM walk in victory, joy, praise and worship. She is an inspiration! 

And for us, we can take a look at this photo and say to ourselves, 'this is how we fight our battles.'

The SUM walk is not for the faint-hearted. It is really, really hard. It is spiritually a wrench in our hearts that often has the potential to cause us grief. But it is also a fight, and one of the ways we fight in heavenly terms is to have the right heart posture - A heart posture that is:

• Restful
• Worshipful
• Joyful
• Thankful

When we worship, when we are thankful, things fall into place.

Thank you, Barb, for modeling this for us. We are thankful for you.

With love

Ann

Donovan Clan Update   Three Million Dollars

As I turned the calendar to November and consider the holidays are upon us, I’m sensitive to the praise and thanks that is welling up inside my heart.

2024 has been a challenging year. I prayed for so many things that needed divine intervention. One specific prayer was for provision. When Mike became sick and I was left to figure out how to navigate all the government agencies and insurance forms, I felt panic. Without a paycheck I was facing the probability that we could lose our new home. I didn’t know what kind of medical expenses would occur and how I would pay the bills.

I know so many of you face or have faced financial insecurity as well.

But now as I am watching the leaves turn colors, I will tell you, God provided in a surprising way.

First, every bill we owed was paid in full and on time. Thank you, Jesus.

Second, our mortgage was paid and even extended so it took some pressure off our finances.

Thirdly, that this is the most unexpected.

Three Million Dollars

The first bill for Mike’s stay in the hospital in May was nearly 1 million dollars.

The bill from Stanford was 2.2 million, so far.

Mike is the Three Million Dollar man. I didn’t even consider that my good Dad in heaven paid three million dollars to save Mike’s life. Our insurance covered all of it but a few thousand dollars.

God spoke to me recently and said, “Lynn, did you see that?”

I knew exactly what the Lord was showing me. Provision that I didn’t even think about…

Our Great Father in heaven is rich. He is dependable. He is trustworthy.

We are heading home from Stanford today as you read this. We serve a great King. And I’m also thankful for all the doctors, nurses, and care teams who saved my husband’s life.

I’m thankful for our neighbors who really helped us out.

I’m mostly thankful for the prayers of all of you. I felt them. Truly, I believe that your prayers made such a difference. Mike has done so much better than many who go through this process.

All month long I’m writing in a praise journal. I’m so thankful to the Lord for all of you.

I love you and bless you this season. Look for the unexpected and then rejoice.

Blessings and hugs, Lynn

Ephesians 1: 15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

SUMites, Ann here.

When I read scripture, I find the words of God so creative. 

I sometimes like to take them and turn them into a prayer for my home, or a prayer for someone I know.

Well, today, in that spirit, here's a prayer for our homes. How about we all pray this together? There is power when we speak in unison.

Lord, make my home like Eden, like the garden of the Lord, that it will be full of joy and gladness, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

(Inspired by Isaiah 51:3)

Amen!

Ann

Hello SUMites

Do you have a burning story you'd love to tell? Something that could bless another reader on this blog?

Well, we're looking for guest posts and we would be delighted to receive your contributions. It is so helpful to others when they can hear the story of someone else who has walked a similar path.

So, if that lights a little flame of an idea in you, here are our guest post guidelines -- 

• Write up to 750 words maximum
• Focus your post on a topic that relates to spiritually mismatched marriage, or life with Jesus
• Be honest and encouraging
• Include a lesson or moral of some sort
• Use scripture references, including the translation in brackets after the scripture
• Finally, include a photo of, and short bio, about yourself, along with your full name

Once we receive your post, we will do a little edit with you so that it fits with our style, but that is a nice process of collaboration. Finally, we can't absolutely promise to publish your post, although we always try our best to!

Ok, over to you, and happy writing! 

Ann

SUMites, Ann here, I have missed you!

While having a pause from writing, I have been luxuriously snacking on Lynn's Bible study. Wasn't it great to marinate in the words of Jesus.

Thank you also to you, SUMites, for your prayers and kind comments to me behind the scenes as I took the month off. 

Anyway, Bryce and I have now finished our travels and come home to New Zealand. The photo here is of our view as we landed. It is a beautiful homeland, and it is marvelous to be back.

But we are over the moon, most of all, to be back with our two boys. God looked after them well while we were gone. 

Meanwhile, across the ocean, Lynn is coming into a sunnier place after Mike's cancer treatment. She has seen her daughter married, and God has provided for her during this hard time. She too will be coming home in the next few weeks.

Isn't it strange that Lynn and I have both been away from home for quite an extended season, but now we are back. It's been a strange season, but it's as if we are now picking up our tools again, looking at them, examining them, and wondering what to do with this new-found time that we will have.

In this spirit, it seems timely to ask God for what is next. So, perhaps we can pray this together --

Lord, give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation for this next season of the SUM ministry. Lord, we invite you to be all over this community, this ministry, this blog. Open our ears wide to what is next.

We speak your name -- JESUS -- with joy and gusto! And we pray your name over this blog.

Bless the team who lead SUM, bless the readers, and lead those who need it to come and find our little home on the web.

In your name, Jesus, we always pray.

Amen!

Back next time, dear SUMites.

Ann

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you..

One of the main topics that Jesus was trying to communicate to the disciples on His final night of ministry before the Cross is to abide.

Several scripture verses in chapter 15, Jesus implores the disciples to abide in Him. And we have already covered the aspect of Jesus pointing us to the Father and how we are in one another (John 14:20.)

But WHY is this topic so important? Why is Jesus doing everything He can to communicate this notion of abiding and to dwell in the Father?

This is the answer. Jesus is helping the men who have been serving Him for three years move from slave to friend. Within this transformation we discover all the blessings that Jesus outlines in these few chapters. Read them again and see what becomes ours such as “you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7).” Say what???? That’s amazing.

God wants a friend.

Let me explain it in “Lynn” terms.

For three years the followers of Jesus operated in a slave mentality. And that is OKAY. Truly, we are to be slaves of Christ and through sheer obedience we learn many aspects and truths about the Kingdom of God.

But, now listen to this, a slave doesn’t know the why.

A master will give a command to go do such and such. And the slave will go and do. However, the slave lacks the understanding behind the Master’s order (desire).

Moving from slave to friend, or better said, moving from slave to Child of God is when we are invited into understanding, conversation, and even decision sharing or decision making with God.

Whoa!!!!

Examples of people who became a friend of God are in the Word. These are people who could reason with God, discuss a change of events, even sway the Lord in His opinions of actions. The story that comes to my mind is when Abraham reasoned with God about saving Sodom and Gomorrah.

Noah, Elisha, David, Enoch and more became more than slaves, they knew the mind and heart of God. They were trusted in God’s court. They were men of renown.

God wants obedience, but mostly because blind obedience will keep us out of the devil’s hands. But our Father desires a trusted friendship, a mature son or mature daughter who can ask the hard questions and receive answers. He wants a people who know what is the right thing and will do it without needing to pray about the issue. He wants a people who know Him and realize life will work out okay and for His glory.

It’s time for this Bible study to conclude. So many wonderful and powerful lessons are within these few chapters in the book of John. But the best lesson you can take out of this is abiding and becoming a friend of God.

Why?

The answer rests in the prayer in John Chapter 17. It’s magnificent. Go read it now.

Thank you for studying the Word of God with me. I adore you.

Did you enjoy this study?

Was it helpful to develop concepts of faith for you?

Did it make you ponder and meditate of the meaning of the passages?

Were you encouraged?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Blessings and hugs, Lynn

Politics and the Unequally Yoked

Lynn here.

Politics in the Bible? John Chapter 14?

I’m so glad you asked.

Let’s quickly define the scenario that is often at hand in our mismatched marriages as it relates to politics (and religion).

In our marriages we view life, morals, beliefs and purpose through the lens of God’s Word. There is a clash of world views within our marriage relationship and within our home. For me, our political views are as different as our religious perspectives. However, our faith differences have lessoned over the last several years, but our political views can still clash.

But, within the context of John, chapters 14 & 15 and a verse in 16 we can rest, without a doubt, in the truth. Jesus begins to describe the “Helper.”

This is such a profound new thing for the disciples. And the Holy Spirit is so important to us as New Covenant believers that Jesus said this:

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16: 7

Say what????

It’s better for us to have the Holy Spirit than to have Jesus, Himself with us.

So, here is the key to the Holy Spirit. Remember, I told you that this summer the Holy Spirit was teaching me to ASK Him to manifest. I’m more convinced than ever that we NEED to ask for His help, strength, wisdom, and peace.

When we ask, this is what happens. We gain power in the spiritual, which impacts the natural realm. This is why Jesus sent the Helper. And boy howdy, do we ever need power. But also, we gain discernment and wisdom.

It becomes quite easy to discern the heart of a person, good or bad. It becomes easy to hear a lie and then reject it by replacing it with truth.

Example: I will not watch the news because I just can’t put up with the lies or half-truths (distortions). My Holy Spirit meter starts to fire almost with every story and especially when it comes to politics.

So, want to test this out? Watch the news after praying and asking the Holy Spirit to manifest and reveal truth.

How does this affect our marriages? Well, when it becomes common place to recognize the lies and know the truth, you don’t need to engage, fight, or defend. You also don’t walk around in confusion. It becomes very peaceful.

Give it a try. Ask the Holy Spirit to manifest next time you walk into a meeting at work. Ask the Holy Spirit to manifest in your prayer time and in Worship. That will be an amazing experience. Be persistent. This is a lifetime of abiding in the Lord. Learning to manifest this precious Spirit was so important that it’s a large portion of what Jesus taught the disciples on His last day on earth.

Don’t you think it should be profoundly important to us today?

Thoughts? I want to hear your understanding on what Jesus is teaching about the Holy Spirit. PS. No right or wrong answers here, only learning. See you in the comments.

Blessings and hugs, Lynn

Hi Sumites, Lynn Donovan here.

A few weeks ago, I was stuffed in the backseat of a rental car with my two granddaughters. My son and his wife were driving us to an overlook in Portland where we would view the entire city and the volcano in the background. It was spectacular.

Somewhere in the conversation topics that ensued in the backseat, ranging from gymnastics, hair styles, boys, and parents, my eldest granddaughter shared a story about a girl at school who said to another girl who didn’t believe in God that “said” girl would go to hell.

Wow, nothing like being put on the spot. So, here is my best recollection of my response to this statement. “Well, you know that we all will make a choice about our beliefs in Jesus and God. And the girl who told the other girl she would go to hell probably heard that from her parents. But, what this sounds like to that child is that God is mean.”

I continued, “Why would anyone want to find out more about a God that is mean?” They both listened earnestly. Parents ears in the front seat tuned in.

“God doesn’t send people to hell. He doesn’t hurt people or make them sick. He loves them and cares about every detail about our lives. He loves our dogs, and he is with you kids in your classrooms at school. He would never hurt you.”

“This little girl only heard that God is mean and cruel but never learns about the good Father that we really have.”

“Now, on the other hand, the devil will do everything to hurt, destroy and make you sick.” At that point the conversation bounced to another topic. But the truth was made clear. God is good and it’s the devil that is the “bad guy.” (PS. Just for clarity, God doesn't send people to hell. Indeed, we choose hell for ourselves. *gulp*)

Sometimes you just have to tell people about the real God, our Father. Who is kind, loving, and filled with goodness and forgiveness.

John, Chapter 14 reveals the entire purpose of Jesus ministry. His ministry, not His death and resurrection.

The ministry of Jesus was and IS: To reveal the Father. And reveal that He is good!

The entire exchange with Philip is our invitation to “know” the Father. To understand and experience God, as an intimate and good Father, because we have seen and know Jesus.

The implications of being known and knowing God as Father are so far reaching, I doubt we can unpack it all, if ever.

Jesus leads the disciples to a statement that is life changing.

Verses 19 & 20: A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Knowing the Father will lead us to comprehend who we are because He is in us, and we are in Him. We understand the power and authority we hold. The significance and the identity we receive from this statement, is a complete mind-blow.

If we are in God, and God in us, why would we fear the future. If this is true, we can do all things through Christ. We are more than conquerors. We are the head and not the tail. We are loved, strong, stable, fortified, provided for, never forgotten, abandoned, or insecure.

In all truth, I've only slightly begun to unpack the implication of these verses in my life. But knowing this, assures me that I hear God’s voice, that I will overcome everything the devil sends my direction, I am secure in my life, health, finances and I have a GREAT hope for every day of my future.

Sure, sometimes the chaos of the enemy works to pervert this truthful knowledge but, my greatest warfare is to simple return to the truth. Jesus is in God, the Father, and I am in Jesus and He is in me. This is the beauty of the Holy Spirit that abides within. God in us. How could we ever lose?

Gang, if you understand the implications of this message in John 14, please share. I’m waiting with great anticipation to hear what you think.

I love you. PS. If Jesus is in the Father, and you are in Christ and I am in Christ, does this mean we are all connected and within one another?

So many crazy and profound thoughts to consider.

Lynn

Glory and a New Command

(Read to the end. The prayer at the bottom is good) John, chapter 13, concludes with two messages. The first, Jesus is glorified.

But what does that mean? I jumped into some research and the one-word-summary that fits is: honor.

Father, is bestowing honor upon Jesus. And the honorable actions and life of Jesus bring honor to God. I believe these few passages are conveying meaning and depth that I’ve yet to grasp. Our understanding of what is implied is limited.

In other words: THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

Yet, I can’t unpack it fully. I can only compare this glorifying to how it feels when we are respected, honored, and appreciated for what we accomplish and stand for. It’s deeply satisfying and fulfilling. It’s peaceful and meaningful. Hmmmmmm probably a very weak description for what is actually happening in this portion of scripture. Please add your thoughts in the comments.

Secondly, tucked in this chapter is a new commandment: Verse 34: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

What came to mind when I read this is the obvious command to love, but then my thoughts were, What are the commandments of Jesus?

1 & 2. The greatest commandment, Love God with all your heart, soul, mind. Second commandment, love your neighbor as yourself. Matt 22:37-39.

3. Love your enemies. Matt 5:43-44

4. Forgive others. Matt 6:14-15

5. Do not judge. Matt 7:1-2

6. Give to the poor. Matt 19:21, Matt 6:3-4

7. Be humble and serve others. Matt 20:26-28, John 13:5-20

8. Pray for your enemies. Matt 5:44

9. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. Matt 6:33

What is interesting to me is that all these singular commandments lead to a life of love.

Forgiveness of friends and enemies opens our closed and bitter soul to love and peace.

Judgement/offense shuts love off. Humble service allows our viewpoint to change and builds compassion within. Praying for our enemies is difficult and teaches us we can do hard things and yet, not allow our hearts to harden. All of the commandments lead us to the Kingdom of God and right living.

This is the path of love.

This is the path to peace and contentment.

This is the Kingdom of our God. Everything about the life of Jesus was to reveal our Father and His Kingdom. A Kingdom of love.

This begs the question: What is the door to the Kingdom? Well, the answer awaits us in chapter 14. Stay tuned.

The most important thing about this Kingdom of love begins with knowing you are loved. Truly love, accepted, enough, and made powerful because God loves you.

In our world of strife, grief, and fear, this truth is always under assault. For me, sometimes, I have to cry out, pray, and ask God for a greater encounter of His love.

My friends, this is a great prayer and God will respond, just remain persistent. I couldn’t have walked these past six months without knowing God really loved me. He wants you to know that too. He will affirm, reaffirm, and do it again.

Just ask. Okay, here we go. Father, today I feel less-than, unworthy, beaten down, discouraged. Today, this very day, I need a love encounter with You. Reveal your love and approval in a way that changes my discouragement to great hope, wonder, and expectancy. 

Jesus, reveal yourself and power in my life. Show me where you are today and lead me in wisdom to make decisions that are centered in love and reflect Your character. Reveal love to me today in a way that changes me. In Your name, Jesus. AMEN

As I was preparing this teaching last week about washing feet, I received the following text from a SUMite. She had no idea I’d just started this study and this week we were reviewing John, chapter 13, Jesus washed the disciple’s feet.

This is what she wrote to me:

I haven’t shared this with anyone, but I thought, you know what, Lynn’s heart would love this, and she would know how miraculous this moment was. 

I’ve been wearing that victory bracelet every day since you sent it, even during the separation (and I had no intention of getting back together with my husband) Then I prophetically drew his ring on one day in a church service a few months back in response to a message I heard on The bible story when Elijah accidentally cooks poison gourds and makes everyone sick but prophetically throws flour in the pot and it feeds His people.

Well last week I wanted to go get a pedicure cause my feet were rough, but I decided not to and instead, do it myself. 

I was in the bathroom and suddenly my husband says to me, “Let me wash your feet.” I sat there on the edge of tub with him. I just sat there in silence and in awe of what God is doing in him and in our marriage.

 Lynn, he washed my feet! I’ve held that close to my heart and I’m only sharing it with you because it was so precious to me. You and your obedience to the call on your life are a huge part of my story!

My friends, God can restore, redeem, refresh, rearrange and restart. Every now and again, we get to participate in the divine and witness His love and miracles in our lives.

This is one of those moments.

Thank you, Father.

Share today how you have witnessed the bible come alive in your life? I can't wait to read these testimonies. When you share your story, your words are written down in the annals of heaven. I love you. Lynn

Did you read the summaries in the comments of the previous post? Link here. They are SO GOOD!

Question: Why is this particular study important to an Unequally Yoked marriage?

Answer: Jesus said in John 13:34-35: ³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This commandment really is a summation of all that Jesus taught and modeled. But before we look at the end of Chapter 13, we need to take a look at the Feet Washing.

Let me begin this next portion of our Bible Study be agreeing with your summation that Chapter 13 is about service. Indeed, this passage is about service, born of a heart of love. But there is something magnanimous going on here.

While studying in July, I’ll remind you, Father was teaching me about what holiness means to Him. Jesus had, still does, have me camped in John 13-17.

One morning while reading this passage, Jesus asked the question: John 13:12: Do you know what I have done to you?

This question is so interesting. It implies that there is something more here than the simple service of washing dirty feet. Hmmmmmm. But what is it. I prayed, Lord, what is it that you are doing here? What does this mean the washing of feet? What is it that you have done to these followers? What does this all mean?

John 13: 10: Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

I sat there stunned as revelation came to me.

Clean….. Jesus is actually speaking of making them clean….. CLEAN

Then I asked, Jesus, what is clean? Then I heard the prompting of the Holy Spirit, look it up. So, I whipped out my concordance. (I looked online). The exchange between the Lord and Peter is the key.

The Word, clean, from the Greek Lexicon: ethically:

1. free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
2. free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
3. blameless, innocent
4. unstained with the guilt of anything

Then the Father said to me, Lynn, this is the moment when they were sanctified. Made holy. This is holiness. This is the love of the Father demonstrated through My son. Then He sealed this act with His life-giving blood the next day. 

You see, Lynn. The disciples were made clean (sanctified and holy) because of my love (John 14: 7.. We will get there in the study). 

Lynn, you and all who choose My Son, Jesus, are made clean. This means every time you fail. When you are frustrated with Mike after 32 years serving him, your service cleanses you and him all over again. When you have a thought that you failed because you were angry, frustrated, fearful, the blood cleanses you again and again. 

The foot washing cleansed the disciples again, although they were already clean because of their belief and faith. But that night they were fearful. They were confused. Peter was frustrated with Jesus, yet they were cleansed over and over through the blood. The foot washing was the cleansing ceremony to which even the betrayer, Judas, was offered. 

When you fail and have a meltdown because of your challenging life-circumstances, it’s the blood. You are clean. You are clean, sanctified, and made holy. That is why you are welcomed into my Court and into My Presence.

I wept. Recently, I’ve felt so much failure. I have thoughts, I am supposed to be a mature child of God, so WHY did I let those words come out of my mouth. Why did I hurt that person. Why didn’t I do this sooner. Why do I fail to trust God for absolutely everything?

The Lord knows and yet He cleanses. He says just keep trying. Stay the course and believe.

Sanctified, in our doubts.

Made holy, when afraid.

Cleansed when disappointed

Welcomed into His profound Presence.

This is holiness. And this is the answer to the question,” Do you know what I have done to you?” Jesus said to the disciples, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

We are the people of the “after this.” We are made holy again and again, when we are fearful, regretful, ashamed, and at our wits-end.

We are STILL welcome to sit on the Father’s lap and tell Him all about our life and ask for his divine help.

I’m undone!

What has the Lord cleansed that utterly changes you? How does the Lord's Presence recalibrate your life? Whose feet need washing? Yours? Your spouse? Your kid? Your co-worker? O Lord, teach us. What does foot washing look like today in 2024?

Share your thoughts in the comments. Your summaries. Your experience. Revelations of this passage. I can't wait to read your wisdom. I love you, Lynn

Hello Sum Nation,

Lynn here. I'm going to step in while Ann is off through September. 

Let me ask you a question. Jesus sat with His disciples the night before his death and taught his disciples. Don't you think if this was his last night with Him, he would have some profound thoughts to share? Shouldn't we take a thoughtful examination of His words? Do you believe they are important for us today?

For the last several months, Father has been teaching me about holiness. WHAT a lesson to learn during tremendous pressures. Jesus has been instructing me through the book of John, chapters 13-17. And the Holy Spirit has been instructing me to ask to manifest Him in my life. I wrote about this to our SUM ministry financial supporters in July.

As I've camped on the later part of the book of John, I have gained some insight. So I thought we would walk through these chapters together through September and perhaps beyond when Ann rejoins. 

These chapters in the book of John are the last words of instruction spoken to his followers before died and they are incredibly important-life and faith-instructions for us.

So, get out your Bible, your pen, markers and a journal. This is an in-depth study of the later chapters in John. Today, read chapter 13 from the NKJV. Click here.

In the comments, please share what you believe Jesus' main message is in this chapter. Then share what it means to you and how this message plays out in our lives.

I can't wait to hear what you have to share. And please share, even if someone else summarized before you in the comments. Add your voice. It's incredibly important for the angels to see your testimony.

I adore you. I'll be back with some interesting nuances on this chapter in the days ahead. Love you, Lynn

Hello my Sumite Sisters,

My name is Evie, and I have been following this ministry since 2015. I became a Christian after I married. My faith was not received well by my husband, my family or his family, and 26 years later, it still isn’t.  There has been a lot of ups and downs, confusion, and lack of trust. 

I grew up in a very dysfunctional family. Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse took place, and I have real trust issues. I was searching for the love and affection my soul desperately desired, but I was searching for it in all the wrong places. I believed I was too broken, too dirty for God to possibly love me.

In 2001, I accepted Christ as my Savior.  My healing has been a long process, and it is one that is ongoing.  I didn’t receive His love right away. I believed it for others, but it was hard for me to accept for myself. I desired God's love, but it was a battle. I listened to the enemies lies and still felt the effects of the trauma I endured as a child, but also the dysfunction of my family in the present.  

Through a lot of prayer and counsel with Lynn, I found strength through God to forgive, not because they deserved it, but because it was what Jesus did for me. It is a daily process, but since I have chosen to bring my pain and emotions to the throne of grace and ask God to help me forgive, I am overcoming the trauma, the anger, rejection, and resentment that had a hold over me.

I have a lot of heart work to do and am only beginning to grasp the depth of Christ and His love and grace for me.  And I am asking God, my true Father, to show me how He sees me, and how He loves me, and He has.  I am able to receive the blessings the Holy Spirit bestows on me daily, throughout the day, and that has changed my heart in a powerful way.  

I’m starting to receive the identity Christ has given me, and to stop listening to the lies of the enemy, by whatever means he uses to snare me.  Whether it be my flesh, his lies, or the worlds lies. I am rebuking them in the name of Jesus. And asking God to show me His truth, and I’m learning to be still and to listen for His voice.

It is a daily battle, but I know He has me, and He is guiding me one step at a time. The hard shell around my heart is breaking, and I am not hiding in shame, self-hatred, or the other lies anymore. I have asked God to help me to be the Evie, He designed me to be, to show me how, and He is doing that. I don’t have to explain myself or hide because of my shame anymore. I can be proud of who I am, because I am a child of God, and He knows everything about me, and He loves me. He will not leave me or forsake me, and that is truth.

That is not just truth for me, that is truth for each of us, that is willing to believe His truths and promises.  

God has been very fun and kind to me, as He reveals who I am. Helping me to use the voice I have been so afraid to use for pretty much my entire life. Showing me, I have a witty sense of humor and really love color.  That I am compassionate and love to serve others. In a few months I will be 60 years old, and I have finally realized I have a lot of love to offer, because He is in me, and He is love and God knows just the people He wants me to bless, to bring His light too, and I am grateful to Him that He is patient, kind and true to His word. He really loves me and you.

Blessings, Your SUMite Sister in Christ, Evie

Eve Moran, I have been married for 26 years. Both of our second marriage. Together we have five children, two each from our previous marriages and one daughter together. We have three grandchildren. I love the Lord, and I love being a wife, mom and grandmother! I volunteer with the children’s ministry and my church and love to watch the young children learn about Jesus. I enjoy cooking, the outdoors, painting and reading the Word. 

My friends

One of the beautiful things about running this ministry is that we get constant encouragements from God as we go along.

From a personal point of view, he will often send me a confirmation of what I have just written about, as if to say, "Keep going, my hand is on this ministry." A quirky 'coincidence' will often happen, or a testimony will come through, or a dream, a word or a picture from the Holy Spirit.

In ministry you need this. If you didn't have that from God it would become too difficult to keep going - You need the quiet confidence in your heart.

Well, with the 'house' series it happened again. God gave me a little nod.

What happened was this: A couple of days ago, after writing my last post, which I knew would be the last in the series, I was sitting in my living room and I looked up towards the front window. For the first time since I'd been in this particular house where we're staying, I noticed the curtains. They were lace curtains. Well, blow me down, I realized then that embroidered in them were houses!

Here is a photo. Take a close look. There are many houses on the curtains, like the SUM community. And not only that, I'll be here for a month, so I will be spending that time now looking at these curtains and thinking about you all.

My friends, let's believe that God was right there in that series with us, nodding, and cheering us on as we build and fashion our unique spiritual houses. Let's believe, also, that the power of us doing this together, will lead to good for our respective homes (i.e. families).

I'll finish by listing off the Proverbs we have covered in this series:

It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife (Proverbs 21:9, CJB)

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down (Proverbs 14:1, NIV)

Better a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened calf and hatred with it (Proverbs 15:17, ESV)

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures (Proverbs 24:3-4, NIV)

All the best as you care for your homes, SUMites!

With love,

Ann

My friends, while travelling I've ended up staying in quite a few houses of different shapes, sizes and flavors. It sure has had me reflecting. 

Bryce and I have now landed on the island of Gozo, which is part of Malta. It is not too far from Libya and Tunisia. This means it has a middle eastern flavor. 

The house we are staying in, for a month, is a wee stone house. Built in 1430, the owner believes it might be the oldest house on Gozo. It is like a little cave inside. Limestone dust falls on us while we're inside the house, trying to stay cool. And it has a rooftop that I go and sit on in the morning to read my Bible. 

Here is the view from the roof top.

It is like living in Biblical times!

Not only that, but I am literally living and breathing this 'House' series in Proverbs, as I stay in these different places. Now, for example, I am literally sitting on a rooftop every morning, and here we've just looked at this verse:

It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife (Proverbs 21:9, CJB).

Here's that verse in a few translations:

It is better to live in a small corner on the roof than to share the house with a woman who is always arguing (ERV).

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman (AMPC).

So, I thought we could look at this verse again --

It's funny that it's a woman who's mentioned here, not a man. Is this scripture talking about a particular propensity that women have? Is it that we talk more, therefore we have a particular propensity to verbalize things in a negative way? 

In our spiritually mismatched marriages, it is tempting to be argumentative, I guess. And us women, because we care so much about our homes -- we're the life and soul of our homes -- can be tempted to be controlling. When it comes to our faith difference, perhaps it is tempting to be negative, critical, fault-finding, and to talk about it with others as well.

The wise woman builds her house,
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down (Proverbs 14:1, NIV).

Negative words spoken about our spouse or children to others literally tears our house down. They are curse words spoken by our mouths that have power. 

They will cause the walls to crumble like the limestone dust that disintegrates. 

My friends, we'll do differently to this! In the SUM community we work together to grow in this area: We aim that our words spoken over our homes be like torrents of life, and that they build our families up. We don't always do this perfectly, but we try. And we want our spiritual houses to be long-standing like this wee house here.

We aim to be people of peace within our homes. We aim for our homes to be an oasis of peace. A place where the Spirit of God is felt.

Lord, let us not be quarrelsome or fault-finding to our families. Guard our tongues. Let us build our houses, not tear them down. And, finally, let our houses be long-standing, lasting for generations.

Do you have any thoughts about quarrelsomeness or fault-finding in marriage, or in a family setting?

What strategies do you have for being less quarrelsome?

What do you do if it's your spouse who is prone to be quarrelsome?

Sending love to you all,

Ann

Hi friends

Ann here --

Today I wanted to interrupt our 'house' series, to write a short and sweet post. I've had the word 'Resolute' in my head for much of the day. So that's what I wanted to say:

Be RESOLUTE, SUMites.

I pray that God enables you to be resolute.

I bless you to be resolute in your hard and bumpy path.

An online dictionary definition of 'resolute' says that to be resolute is to be 'admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.'

That's what we have to be. 

My friends, the SUM situation might be a journey of many years. Your faith journey might involve some unexpected twists and turns, disappointments, steps back, or detours. Things don't always look the way you think they're going to look; God's move on your life is always surprising. God is surprising! 

Stay resolute.

Love you all

Ann

By Ann Hutchison

My friends, today I went a-walking through country lanes with Bryce and my parents (photo attached).

As we did so, I walked past quite a few houses that I deemed my 'dream home'. I salivated over these houses and wished they were mine. 

Yep, a little material lusting went on this morning. What would your dream home be, I wonder? Mine would be old, British, in a country village, with a thatched roof, a rose-overgrown garden, and spacious .... Of course, way beyond what I could afford!

But is that really my dream home?!

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife (Proverbs 21:9, ESV)

And

Better a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened calf and hatred with it (Proverbs 15:17, ESV)

God tells me, through these verses, that the most precious thing that I could have -- house-wise -- is a home that has love in it. My dream home, then, should be a home with love. That's it.

That means love around the dinner table and an atmosphere of love within the walls. It means a home that a spouse and children want to come home to in the evening, because it 'feels' like a place of love.

Have I been undervaluing that? Perhaps I have.

Specifically, it means an atmosphere that is patient, kind, not self-seeking, not boastful, hopeful, rejoicing in the truth, bearing all things, and believing all things (1 Corinthians 13); and it means interactions between family members that ooze those qualities.

Ok, that last one is a noble idea, but easier said than done. What if you live with a particularly cantankerous family member? What if you're at the end of your tether and struggle with anger issues yourself?

Well, we're not perfect, so it's not going to be love, love, love all the time ... It might be very much a work-in-progress. I suppose the point is that LOVE in the home is far more precious than material possessions. God in the home is far more precious than having a materially nice house. And that dream is where our energy is best spent.

If you already have a home that is full of love, wow, rejoice and thank God: You already have your dream home! Who cares how many bedrooms it has, whether it has a garden, whether it has a thatched roof, what style it is ...... You already have the very best thing possible. 

And if you currently don't have a home like that, love goes out to you. I know that many in our community face a struggle there. We have all kinds of homes here at SUM. But these verses do bring to the fore an important question: Is it time to make a change? 

Well, that's all today. Is this a 'work in progress' in your home? Do you need prayer for this one? Reach out for prayer if you need to.

Much love

Ann

Ann here!

Well, SUMites, this week I had a very pleasurable experience, from a SUM point of view.

My son Miles is in Birmingham, England, right now playing sport; and, so, we are watching. He is playing in the under-20s world championships for Disc Ultimate, a team sport involving a frisbee. He and a team of other boys are battling it out on the fields against teams like Belgium, Canada, Japan, China, and Mexico.

Exciting!!

One of the sweetest parts of this week is that one of our SUMites, Libby, who lives locally, came for the day to support our team and join in the fun of the tournament.

Not only that, Libby brought her two sons, one of whom is in his early teens and the other in his twenties, along with the older son's girlfriend. The Son was shining on us as we watched the games together and chatted a wee bit. But for me there was something extra special about this: We have been talking about our houses here on the blog, and now here I was hanging out with Libby's house.

She and I, and her boys, and the girlfriend, chatted away as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And quietly, I sat and thought, "She and I each stand in faith for our families, and we support each other in this."

We don't always feel strong in it, but the spiritual truth is we're positioned. We've put a stake in the ground for our family. And even if we don't see change in the natural, the impact will be seen in eternity. What a job it is, and what a privilege.

Proverbs 31 speaks of a woman who puts her all into her life, house and family, however hard it is. In that passage it promises two things, among several:

Her children will rise and call her blessed.

And --

Her works will praise her at the city gate.

When I read this, I think of the SUM men as well as the SUM women. For any person who fights for the faith of their whole home and does it alone, I believe that chapter is for them. When it speaks of their children arising, I think of that as our children being resurrected into eternal life; and when it speaks of works praising us at the city gate, I think of that as happening in eternity when we reach heaven's gates. 

Keep fighting, dear friends! The story's not over yet.

Ann

My friends, I am still lingering over Proverbs 24, which encourages us to build our houses with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

Sometimes God plants you in a scripture, and you don’t move on from it for a while! Well, that’s the case here.

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4, NIV)

I did a little study of these three words -- Knowledge, wisdom and understanding -- as I was keen to know what they looked like more specifically. Here we go:

Wisdom, in Hebrew, is the word Hakma. It means, skill in war, wisdom in administration, shrewdness, prudence in religious affairs, and wisdom in ethics.

Understanding, in Hebrew, is the word Tabun. It means intelligence, discretion, reason, the act of understanding, insight.

Knowledge, in Hebrew, is the word Da’at. It means cunning, knowing something, discernment, perception.

Together, these three descriptive words – which do overlap in meaning – capture the ingredients of how to build a strong house (i.e., family). They are the builder's materials, as we wisely build our homes.

So now, let’s take some of the above definitions and discuss what this looks like, in practice, when building our own homes:

Skill in war: I understand spiritual warfare. I understand that there are forces of evil as well as good, that are trying to derail my house, and I actively fight in prayer for the protection and spiritual health of my family. (Side note here: If you haven't yet, and want to become upskilled in spiritual warfare for the unequally yoked, read Lynn's book, Spiritual Enforcer!)

Wisdom in administration: This could refer to having Biblical wisdom about things like finances, lending and borrowing, the management of a family, and linking your family in a healthy way to community, church and society.

Discernment: It is important to be able to discern spiritual things in relation to our home. That is, we learn to discern the spirits. If there is a problem, we should be able to ask ourselves and God 'What is the root cause of this, spiritually?' God gives us eyes to see and ears to hear, so that we can keep our homes healthy.

Prudence in religious affairs, insight, wisdom: I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ and understand what pure and undefiled religion looks like (James 1:27), then I bring that into my home in insightful ways.

Intelligence: I know why I believe what I do, I have examined truth and error, I have a good grasp of scripture, and I am growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Cunning: I am wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove in my home, and as I lead my family.

When I say 'I' in all the above statements, I don't mean myself: I mean all of us, and what it looks like to build our homes with these ingredients.

My friends, we could go on here, but that gives us a little taster: Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are profound things, and have a key impact on our homes. What’s more, scripture shows at various points that these are things that others unwittingly recognize and find themselves attracted to – Like the Queen of Sheba who came to see Solomon and marveled. There are quite a few statements in scripture that say others will be attracted to, and will notice, your hakma, tabun and da'at.

So with all that said, all the best building your homes with knowledge, wisdom and understanding; and once again I pray for a downpour of these things for our SUM houses!

Love you all

Ann

Hello all!

Today's post was delayed due to the global IT outage – Oh dear! But thankfully the blog is up and running again, phew.

I have been, once again for a few days, staying at my parents’ house in Oxfordshire, England. Sitting at their dining table yesterday afternoon, I looked up to see my Mum’s Bible sitting open. She reads it all the time and leaves it sitting around here and there. I thought to myself, ‘That is a woman who builds her house with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.’

Later, she and I went for a walk along the River Thames, and to a pretty village. We passed a church, and it had a verse on it. She stopped me and said, ‘You know, that verse is a special verse that I pray over Travis’ (my son).

Then she spoke it out, the whole verse to me.

She then said, ‘I have a special verse for each of you – I have one for you, one for Miles, one for Travis, one for Bryce…. I feel God has given me a verse specifically for each person.'

‘Oh, what’s mine, what’s mine?’ I said, like a kid in a candy shop.

She told me…

And then –

‘What’s Bryce’s?’

She told me that too.

That’s one example of how you build a house with wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

Here’s a pic of us out for lunch in an English pub garden. My mum with the house she's built.

Love you all!

Ann

By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.

Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)

SUMites, today we're going to talk about how the above verse applies to our houses.

Collectively, we each have a house that we treasure. Mine is in Auckland, New Zealand; and it consists of Bryce, my husband, and Travis and Miles, my two young adult sons.

Yours is somewhere else, in another pocket of our world. I love that about our SUM community.

We each build our 'house' carefully: We think about what we teach our children and spouse, and we think about what we allow into that house. I would say every SUMite I know thinks ever so carefully about such things. And in this way, we are each already building with wisdom.

Sometimes God will give us a blueprint as to how to build our house; sometimes he will be very specific. For example, one time he clearly asked me to remove Pokemon cards from my children. Eeek, that was hard. It was unpopular and my family still talks about it with a groan. "The time that Mum made us get rid of our Pokemon cards". I still don't understand why God asked that of me, but I did it and, in so doing, I built according to the blueprint.

At other times, we don't have a clear blueprint, so we go for it and do our best.

It's not just about what we allow in. It's more positive than that: It's equally about the encouragements we give our family, the way we conduct ourselves, the routines we build, and the things we enjoy and celebrate together.

I've been thinking about whether wisdom, understanding and knowledge are different to each other. Having studied the use of these three Hebrew words over the weekend, I don't yet grasp the difference between them. But the point is all three of these things come from God. Scripture makes it clear that it is God who gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and that these three things are things we are to pray for. So, a first prayer for our houses can be this:

God, give me wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so that I can build my house well.

Go into a quiet place, and deliberately pray this prayer. Find a photo of your house and/or your family, lay it mentally before him and say:

God let this house be built with wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

The next part of the scripture talks about the rooms of our house being filled with rare and beautiful treasures. I like the sound of that! But what might these rare and beautiful treasures be that come from God's hand? For me, I think of these things:

• The ability to hear God's voice
• Favor from God
• Salvation
• Knowing Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit
• Promises from God
• Gifts of the Spirit
• The fruits of the Spirit.

The above list is the best thing in the world, better than any bank account full of dollars, or any material possessions. And these things are rare indeed: How many people do you know in your life who have the above? Me: Not many at all. Though I will say that through the SUM community I am blessed to know quite a few.

Next, just imagine that the 'rooms of our house' are actually our family members. Say, in my case, that one room of my house is Travis's life and legacy; another room is Miles's life and legacy; another room is Bryce's life and legacy; and another room is mine. Imagine each of those rooms being filled with the above list of rare and beautiful treasures.

Oh God, please!

So then, let us pray:

God, fill the rooms of my house with rare and beautiful treasures.

My friends, God will honor these prayers, and will make our houses richly beautiful -- Brimming with rare and beautiful treasures. Some of these rare and beautiful treasures might not be seen or perceived until we are in eternity, but they are there.

For he is faithful who promises.

Ah, what a nice thing this has been to write about today. Can you think of ways in which you have built your house with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding?

Much love

Ann

Ann here, with the beginning of our series on building our house.

As a reminder: Our 'house' =our family, and our descendants. It includes ourselves, our spouse, any children and grandchildren we might have, our home, and the legacy we leave. 

So, let's go! Here is the first proverb we're going to look at:

By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)

I am going to pause here and ask some questions before we continue with the next blog post (which I am yet to write):

• What is the difference between 'wisdom', 'understanding', and 'knowledge'? Is there a difference?
  
• What are 'rare and beautiful treasures' in Kingdom terms - what might they look like?
• What about the different 'rooms' of our house in spiritual terms? What might that mean?

Can I suggest we all have a chat with God about these questions -- I will too -- and then perhaps you can share in the comments any insights you might have?

This is going to be fun!

Ok, catch you again next week once we've prayed into these questions.

Much love,

Ann