Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Spiritual Disciplines Series: Getting Started Seeking God

Christianity is an ancient religion.  Around the world and throughout the ages, many have practiced spiritual disciplines to draw closer to God.  Like any healthy friendship or marriage, it doesn't just happen.  It requires time, effort, and intention.  When you make time to meet with God, the relationship deepens.  We see many references to "Seeking God" in the Old and New Testament.

"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1

Do we really need God?  Do modern people like us have time for God?  In a word, yes.  Those mentioned in holy scripture are just like us.  We are still seeking God:

To Worship God
To Give God Glory
To Serve God
To Know God's Will
To Obey God's Laws and Commands
To Repent
To Find Comfort
To Find Peace
To Find Refuge
To Find Salvation
To Get Guidance
To Get Help
To Receive Forgiveness
To Receive Healing
To Receive Blessing 

In the end, ancients and contemporaries have found God to be trustworthy, praiseworthy, and all-sufficient.

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Matthew 6:33 (Message)

"But even there, if you seek God, your God, you’ll be able to find him if you’re serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. When troubles come and all these awful things happen to you, in future days you will come back to God, your God, and listen obediently to what he says. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God. In the end he will not abandon you, he won’t bring you to ruin, he won’t forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them." Deuteronomy 4:29-31 (Message)

People from every age and place, who prize relationship with the Creator and purpose, seek God. They walk daily with God. I-AM exists. I-AM loves.  I-AM is present.

"Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Practicing the spiritual disciplines is one way seekers cultivate relationship and communion with God. Let's get started seeking God with 1 or more of the resources below.

RESOURCES
BOOKS







VIDEOS
Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Full Movie. Nov. 9, 2020.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqAiVyBwsog  (3 hours)



Willard, Dallas.  Spirit of the Disciplines. (1/3) Changed Lives, Is it Real?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSZzJRJZSXE (1 hour)


Willard, Dallas. "Dallas' Personal Daily Practices?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqLmeubS65Q (6 minutes)



Monday, September 13, 2021

Fall Reading for Christian Growth



Fall is a colorful season.  Find a sunny spot in God's presence.  Spend time communing with your Lord and Savior.  Grow in Christ.

Reading is one tool available in Christian formation.  In addition to the Bible, you might read one of these recently published books, written by well-known authors, speakers, pastors, and psychologists.

To find a copy, go to your local bookstore or shop online at Amazon or Christian Books Distributors. 

 To save shelf space and money, go to your local library.  Often they will have the book in print or provide it as a digital copy: eBook or audio book for download.  Do you have a free Hoopla or Over Drive account from your public library?  It's easy to create by contacting your library branch or checking its website.

READ
Begg, Alistair. Brave by Faith: God-Sized Confidence in a Post-Christian World.  The Good Book Company, 2021. 

Brown, Brene. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. Random House, 2021.

Cloud, Henry and Townsend, John. Growth Has No Boundaries: The Christian's Secret to a Deeper Spiritual Life. Zondervan, 2019.

Lucado, Max. You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow. Thomas Nelson, 2021. 

Martin, Charles. What If It's True?: A Storyteller’s Journey with Jesus. Thomas Nelson, 2020. 

Moore, Beth.  Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life. Tyndale Momentum, 2020.

Simons, Ruth Chou. When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace. Thomas Nelson, 2021.