Exploring More

Belonging is a key ingredient of love, and yet most of the time belonging ends up in the conditional category. One can feel "I belong if...one acts a certain way, one looks or dresses in a particular manner, or one talks like the group." How can we shift from "I belong if" to "I belong because"? Michael and Greg explore the idea of belonging and how Zoweh creates resources and spaces to cultivate belonging. Connect with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

The kingdoms of light and darkness that battle over our hearts have to follow the rules set up in God's universe. Michael and SJ discuss the legality of these terms and the algebra equation of wounds, vows, and agreements. Learn how invite God to help you solve the equation and restore freedom in your heart. Connect with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

The first step to healing is to identify the wound. Relational and spiritual wounds are tricky because the symptoms often do not match the underlying cause and could go for years without being treated. Furthermore, we are not likely to rush to the Emergency Room of a spiritual doctor as we would rush to a medical doctor if we had a physical ailment. Join Michael and SJ as they delve into where wounds come from and how to identify the False Self agreements that are made in response. Do you need resources for healing emotional and spiritual wounds? Connect with our team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

No matter how we parse or define the heart, we recognize the critical function of the heart in governing our thoughts and actions. Why does the Bible say that we must guard our heart? Who could break into our heart and what damage could possibly be done? Can we escape having a wicked heart? Is it even possible to be pure in heart? Michael and SJ discuss the importance of guarding the heart and how it's possible to have a new heart that is yielded to God. Connect with the Zoweh team at ExploringMore@Zoweh.org.

Getting your heart back begs the question, "Where did it go?" Although we are born with a wandering, wayward heart, once Jesus takes residence and breathes in new life, we are transformed. Is the heart still wicked after Jesus has transformed it? Join Michael and SJ as they explore the concept of the heart as described in Scripture and how God is in the heart renovation business to ensure we can partner with Him in His Kingdom. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Haste makes waste including wounding relationships. Discover the benefits of slowing down - creating a gap between the stimulus and the response. Taking time to ask the question, "God, what's going on here?" allows for discernment and deliberate decision making. Join Michael and SJ as they unpack the Do's and Don'ts after a mountain top weekend encounter experience. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

To share or not to share, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler after a "Major Encounter with the Lord" to share emphatically with thy family, or to take a different approach and thereby experience wins via Practicing the Presence of God and Patient Endurance. Join Michael and SJ as they tackle the challenges of Re-Entry to the Home Front after a weekend Encounter. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Kindness begets kindness. Michael and Robin explore both fiction and real-life stories where kindness is a central theme or plays a significant role. As we begin to notice and experience kindness, we can discover ways to employ kindness in situations where it may be difficult such as kindness to self and kindness to enemies. Imagine a world where the default trait is kindness to diffuse anger, to encourage the downtrodden, and to loving confront wrong choices. Connect with the Zoweh Team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Discouragement and disappointment can invade one's heart when something doesn't go well. And yet...the provocation could usher in a Dangerous Encounter with God. Sometimes a disruptive whistle blowing event is needed to get our attention so we will talk to God. Are you willing to take a time-out to quiet your heart and mind to dialogue with Him? Join Michael, SJ and Caleb as they discuss stories of learning to collaborate with God. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Who or what do you associate with kindness? Would strength be a word that you initially choose to pair with kindness? Join Michael and SJ as they explore how the meaning of kindness has deepened an understanding of the fruits of the Spirit, helped to process emotions and self-talk, and open the doors for honesty and clarity. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Showing kindness is easy when people are kind to you. Kindness shown in an adversarial environment exhibits "next level" Kingdom grace and strength. Extending kindness to self, especially one's younger wounded self, may be the greatest challenge to overcome in this Kingdom journey. How does the pursuit of kindness land on your heart? Join the discussion and share with the Zoweh team - exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Narnia buffs know the answer to the question, "Is Aslan safe?" 'Course he isn't safe, but he's good. In the Old Testament, encounters with the divine often started with an angel stating, "Fear not." In the New Testament, the disciples learned that walking with Jesus became a dangerous proposition. Today, in the age of grace with the Holy Spirit operating fully, we can experience dangerous encounters that change us forever. Are dangerous encounters safe? 'Course they aren't safe, but they're good. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Every community has a culture. Some of us have a good guide book to navigate the community and some don't. Chances are high that you've experienced things not going well in your community. What are your options? Michael and SJ discuss how people react when friction creates discomfort or dissastifaction within community. Discover stories in the Bible where men walked through disagreement, but later learned to embrace reconciliation. Connect with the Zoweh community at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Community is a two-sided coin. On one side there are amazing benefits like fellowship and the sense of belonging, while on the other side there are risks of things going badly. What motivates people to become a part of a community? What are the risks involved with existing community members versus new members? Join Michael and SJ in the discussion to explore more about community and how it affects our lives. Connect with the Zoweh community via email at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Michael, SJ, and Josh discuss how a man becomes Dangerous For Good: he's a man with a whole heart, a full life, and Kingdom authority. He joins arms with his Kingdom brothers on a mission to protect the hearts and lives of others. Learn the lies and traps that the enemy sets to cause warriors to stumble. Discover more about how the Zoweh team recruits DFG men at the Heart of a Warrior Encounter weekends. Connect with the Zoweh team by email: exploringmore@zoweh.org

As part of the battle cry against the kingdom of darkness, Zoweh has adopted the phrase "Dangerous For Good." Michael shares where he first encountered the phrase while he, SJ and Josh discuss what the phrase means to each of them. How do we see Jesus as being Dangerous For Good and ultimately how can we wield power and authority to better defend and uplift what is good and right in this world? Join the Zoweh team on this expedition. Connect with the Zoweh team by email: exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Elder Sage Ron Gascho stated, "If you want to know who you can encourage or who you can validate, just find somebody breathing." Michael unpacks two words on the Zoweh Validation Coin, kindness and healing, that are resonating with him in this season of life. SJ shares how God recently orchestrated a validation ceremony for Zoweh teammate Christopher. Explore more regarding a culture of honor and the power of validation in this final episode on the Honor and Validation series. Connect with the team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

We hunger for validation, but often search for it in the wrong places such as social media. How can we cultivate healthy validation and a culture of honor? In the military, challenge coins are a symbol of honor and commitment. In this episode, Michael and SJ reveal Zoweh's validation coin including the process to create it and the importance of images and the words inscribed on both sides of the coin. Connect with the Zoweh team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

As a key ingredient of love, validation provides food for the soul. Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings unpack the concept of validation and how it's evident from social media to movie clips to everything in between that people are hungry for validation. How does God validate us and how can we build a culture of validation for those around us? Join us on the journey of honor and validation as we explore more of God's Kingdom together. Connect with the team at exploringmore@zoweh.org.

Our hearts overflow with the stories we want to tell, but often something stops us. Perhaps we don't have a trusted story listener who will hear and care about our story. Maybe we have a jaded view and have resigned never to share stories of the heart. Michael and SJ discuss the benefits of pausing to rest on the Observation Deck to share and listen with God, to consider stories that tug at our own heart's story, and to explore the effect that your story has had upon your soul. Your story matters. You matter. Discover what The Author has to say about your vital part in the Larger Story. To connect with the team, send an email to exploringmore@zoweh.org.