Author shares her spiritual journey
"I slowly made notes and learnt and shared with other people, and realised God wants us to change, to think like Him and act like Christ."
LOCAL author Louise Onen’s journal notes on her growing relationship with God have been put together and published in a new book, Be Transformed, Theology of Spiritual Growth.
Louise said she learnt that being a Christian was about having a personal relationship with God.
“Christians I saw were always joyful, but no one told me becoming a Christian would cost a lot! I battled to become a committed Christian as I was still drawn to other things and couldn’t reconcile how a loving God could allow suffering,” she said.
Louise said she was encouraged by good Christian friends and came to understand that what was important was a relationship with God, even in the midst of situations we don’t understand.
“I slowly made notes and learnt and shared with other people. I realised God wants us to change, to think like Him and act like Christ, hence the title of the book, to be transformed. My passion is to see Christians mature and grow up spiritually to reflect God,” she said.
Louise decided to put together a book from her notes as she felt others could benefit from what she had gleaned and learnt over the years. It took her two years to complete the book.
“I went the self-publishing route and published the book in July. It is very exciting and I have had great feedback. It’s challenging to make yourself vulnerable to other’s opinions, but I hope there’s something in the book to spur people on,” she said.
Louise has always been interested in theology, and while working admin jobs over the years, she studied her Bachelor of Theology and Honours degrees through UNISA, her Masters through the South African Theological Seminary (SATS) and is currently completing her PhD through SATS.
She also attended the Bible Institute in Cape Town for a year. “I love academics and I find it fulfilling, it gives me a sense of purpose and I enjoy what I learn. It’s also always been important for me to be active in ministry and I was involved in the inner-city ministry in Albert Park for six years after my husband Jim died,” she said.
During her time ministering at Albert Park, Louise met her husband, Godfrey, to whom she has been married for 11 years.
She is currently writing a book, A Marriage of Inconvenience, based on her marriage to Godfrey.
“Godfrey is Ugandan and this book is based on our experiences of being in a cross cultural and cross racial marriage. It has been an eye opener to see people’s responses to us as a couple,” she said.
Louise is also excited about her children’s book, Merry Christmas Mrs Sparrow, which will be published in October, in time for Christmas this year.
If local church or ladies’ groups are interested in having Louise talk further on the subject of spiritual maturity or wish to take part in the Is Jesus in the Mirror”workshops, they should contact Louise.
Copies of the book Be Transformed are available from Louise on 072 267 9432 or lonen@mweb.co.za or on Amazon Kindle: www.amazon.com.
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