Tag: spiritual direction

My Favorite Prayer about Spiritual Growth

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.

Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

(Eph. 3:14-21 NLT)

 

Thoughts? Comments?

What is Backsliding?

 

Is backsliding a matter of perspective?

 

This is not an article that defines backsliding with a simple answer. Rather, it is one that is asking questions, and interrupting our presumptions about spiritual things.

On the surface-Backsliding implies that something or someone is pushed/set back, off track, or somehow, something has gone wrong. It connotes that one must “make up ground” once backsliding has happened. One should avoid or prevent it. It is not the “best for us.” But, perhaps we can take this definition to task, and investigate further…

So, I ask: Is backsliding used as a term for other things? Is it a nicer way to say rebellion? Is it a more pleasant way to say, “my heart is not as loyal,” or “I’m doing my will, for now” ?

What if backsliding is actually not a backwards motion at all, for some. Could this be true?  Perhaps the term is a misnomer?

Could it be part of the journey that takes on the appearance of wrongheadedness, doubt, or bad judgment?

And is backsliding the same as “going astray,” or is it something different?

I was thinking about this a lot because I see a tendency for Christians to label things as all good or all bad. Tough times, like a period of dark night of the soul, does not feel pleasant. Many can mistakenly name something such as this, something it is not. At times, the Christian may not be going backward, but ever deeper into the love and understanding of God, and will come out on the other side, strengthened and changed.

I put the question out there: How do you see it? Does it matter? If not, what does?

Jehovah Java, My Provider (The God who supplies even my coffee)

Smile, It's Coffee Time

On Sunday mornings I’m reserving my home, and my coffee for friends who want to enjoy it with me, along with some snacks, and a bit of time to converse about the things of life and God. (9:15-10:10 a.m.)

I’ve decided, if my husband makes the coffee, we won’t be forced to look at passages in He-brews. (A few coffee and Bible jokes there. Not very good ones, though. Sorry.)

I may create a home page tab to reflect specifically on our times together, and the topics, or the insights that come from it. Feedback on this idea would be appreciated.

If you join us for Jehovah Java Coffee Club time, or plan to, or would like to join in “at a distance,” please be encouraged to continue our conversation after posts, or add your input.

Today’s topic was entered as the previous post, Sunday Homily.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Help for blind spots

photo from failblog.com

"Oh, what to do... this sunshine is bothering me again!"
"Oh, what to do... this sunshine is bothering me again!"

I thought this picture was a great example of trying to figure out a problem (glare from the sun) on-the-fly. The easy answer is, simply, “shield your eyes.” With the help of a friend, though, this guy could realize he’s already wearing a hat perfectly suited as sun gear.

The better answer: “Turn your hat around.”

We most often learn best in community (through others) and we grow as people this way. Our individual perspective throws us off, and cuts us off from seeing solutions, and places to improve.

Spiritual direction works in the same sort of way. A person seeks spiritual direction, or guidance, not because they can’t see well at all, but because they are wise enough to realize they have blind spots.

Everybody has blind spots, and many are still trying to figure out what those blind spots really are. That’s were community can help too, for the same reason. Whether it’s for productivity; personal growth; becoming better at a particular skill; or in a particular area in your career or your character, outside perspective gives the benefits of revealing our blind spots. That is, if we can be brave enough to hear and learn what they are, and how to overcome some of those obstacles.

The challenge really lies in risking with people, we grow to trust, to be honest with us, and journey with us, for our best interest. And-we mustn’t fail at starting, and nurturing relationships purposefully moving to this level of familiarity.

I encourage you to invest in one or two relationships that will reveal your blind spots. Do it right away.

Have you done this already?

Encourage us, and share a bit of your story here.

Thanks for reading.

unambiguous self-promotion

I just designed my new business card, not for my graphic design business, this time, but for my work in spiritual things.

(btw if you are looking for business cards, I’m running a special for custom cards, 500 designed, printed & shipped to you for just $43, available in September only. Graphic design is how I help put food on our table, since I don’t get too many donations here, as of yet.)

(also note- I am a senior this year, but I won’t complete my M.A.R. degree until May, 2010.)

lisascard