My Reformation Day Reflection and Book Giveaway!!!

Dear Phoenix Road Friends,

Here’s a reflection for Halloween or Reformation Day depending on the circles you travel in… either way, it is the day I remember my conversion to following Jesus Christ. Below is a re-post from Phoenix Road’s Facebook page.

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Today, All Hallows' Eve (aka Halloween) and Reformation Day, is the day I remember my own personal reformation. Last night a fire in Fullerton blazed nearby but left us unscathed. Twenty-two years ago I had my own "Great Fire" that forever changed my soul. 

This year I will cross the threshold into more years lived in Christ than out. Twenty-two years ago I had a radical conversion experience that I've shared in Phoenix Road. Life has been ever the more rich, full of purpose and meaning, and eventful. In many ways, I'm still living out a twenty-two year olds life as a "born again" believer, or new creation in Christ. In other regards, 44 is a few weeks away and I feel ever ancient of days as I page through Phoenix Road and remember the journey life has been. And still is! 

Since I published Phoenix Road in 2014, I've gained a Masters in Philosophy of Religion and another amazing daughter. Now our family is preparing to embark on another journey for my PhD at St Andrews in Scotland. Symbolism has always been a strong representation of meaning in my life. This year, my 44th year, we will be heading to the UK whose country code is +44. And, while I don't see a substantial amount of meaning there, I find it comforting nonetheless. Of course, there's many ways God has related with, convicted, directed, and comforted me the past twenty-two years. One has been the blessing of giving Phoenix Road to others.

Recently, I was encouraged and humbled by an elder at my church who shared with me that he had just read Phoenix Road and was deeply moved by God's work in my life. That pricks my nose again now and makes those pseudo-tears well up! But really, the reason why this cuts deep is not because I don't think I've experienced God's presence in my life in countless ways the past 22 years, but there's something unique about another human, and in this case, a respected elder at my church, who comes to you and thanks you for sharing your story and testifies to God's goodness and grace in your life. When others can share in your story there's deeper meaning and greater substance to your own experience. 

That being said, I want to thank everyone who has made my journey what it is and what it is yet to become. Some near, some far, and some nearly long forgotten. Thank you for your faith, hope, and love... for your willingness to enter into the story with me and bleed a little, share lives, sharpen one another's swords, and even laugh till it aches like a stitch in the side. 

Phoenix Road is all these things to me, and it keeps on winding. So, here's to another twenty-two years and the road ahead! It just so happens that on October 22nd my publisher "discontinued" their traditional cloth bound, gold-foil stamped hardback. Again, the symbolism! So, I thought it appropriate to order a few copies for the annals and give two copies away. I'd give more but I'm a poor self-published graduate student, give me a break! Plus, it would throw off my symbolism! Hence, if you're still reading and you'd like your "name in the hat" for the book giveaway, comment here or DM me. I'll get back to the winners when I get the books.

Well, enough said, if I keep this up soon I'll be set to writing the next volume. But, London's Calling and I've got some living and learning to do first! Yes, I know, I messed up the symbolism there, but hey, it's my story too, right!

Until we meet again, "May your spirit rise and your heart burn! This is Phoenix Road!"

God Speed Friends!

-Jon

Half Off Books in Fullerton, California

The Kellys are Heading to Scotland

Dear Phoenix Road Friends,

I am excited to share that after living in Orange County, CA the past 5 years while I completed my Masters in Philosophy of Religion, our family is now preparing to pull stakes and set sail to the UK. In January we will be relocating to St. Andrews, Scotland for my PhD in philosophical theology at the Logos Institute. This is a dream opportunity for me!

In order to help with this faith adventure, we’ve recently launched a Gofundme campaign to raise funds to offset the huge costs of our relocation. Please see the link for more info about our family and my research on the transformation of the human person. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Jon and Fam!

Kellys California 2019 | Thanks for your support!

#SendtheKellystoScotland #KellystoStAndrews #JonKellyphdLogosInstitute

Happy Halloween From Phoenix Road!

I posted this on Facebook earlier but I thought I’d drop it here too…

https://www.facebook.com/331346723662785/posts/1493457250785054/

In remembrance of my conversion twenty-one years ago on Halloween I thought I’d share a few pics I snapped in July in Wisconsin... home of my ”younger years” (ch. 2) and my salvation experience—the “shattering of all forms and boundaries of my existence!” (184).

The farm with the smoke billowing is, to my best estimation, the same farm where my “Great Fire” occurred (185-87). Ironically, the new owners had a burn pile fire the day we drove by. The surrounding area had changed greatly with a new road cutting across where farmers fields were now developed. Interestingly, the new owner was a pastor.

The oak tree is still standing strong... the hill behind it was the “high place” (102-03, 158, 175) I often worshipped on and eventually sought out my Creator on. Behind it was the “oak grove” (100-104) and “the (my) woods” (101, 168, 174) lay behind it.

Much of the heart of Phoenix Road centers around these places physically and symbolically. If you’ve read the book I thought you’d enjoy seeing them; I did. If you haven’t read the book here’s a snippet that might capture some of the depth and vibrancy that these places held for me.

See Phoenix Road chapter 6: Higher Power, subheading: The Oak Grove (101-02):
“I entered the oak grove on the backside of the woods nearly every afternoon. . . . .Every day I felt honored and welcomed to enter their circular space, embraced by their peaceful ambience and lasting strength. The evening light shone down through their canopy, casting shadows amid playful twirls of acorns and dancing leaves. Autumn’s warmth comforted my spirit as I leaned back, propped up against the thick familiar bark of an old friend. Golden farm fields rolled out from my leather boots, hovering and emanating creation’s glory before vanishing into the west. The horizon aglow, soon it’s ember would die out and smolder into night. The oak grove was my hiding place.”

Thanks for being a part of Phoenix Road’s story! Here’s to another year on the road... Like always, “May your spirit rise and your heart burn! This is Phoenix Road.”

God Speed!
Jon