Showing posts with label Spiritual Formation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Formation. Show all posts

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, April 26, 2021

Resisting Growth

     "Author and Presbyterian minister Eugene Petersen was quoted in an interview as saying, 'The assumption of spirituality is that always God is doing something before I know it. So the task is not to get God to do something I think needs to be done, but to become aware of what God is doing so that I can respond to it and participate and take delight in it.'
    This is the motivation behind waiting prayer. We place ourselves in postures of the heart, in the stillness that enables us to become aware of what God is doing so that we can gradually say yes to it with our whole being." (Kidd, p. 129)*

What do you make of this spiritual insight?  

Shifting the preferred, modern mindset of being in control to letting go and trusting God is often a difficult journey.  I suspect it was tough in ancient times too.  Take Daniel, for example.  A young man at he prime of life and with plans is suddenly taken captive and relocated to a foreign country and culture where he lived thereafter.  

Franciscan priest and author Richard Rohr describes the spiritual transformation process as moving from order to disorder to reorder.  Often suffering triggers transformation.  Often waiting prayer is involved as we process, adjust, and eventually receive unexpected happiness.

Kidd, S. M. When the heart waits: Spiritual direction for life's sacred questions. New York, NY: HarperOne, 1990.

Glacial Grooves, Lake Erie


Sunday, March 14, 2021

Spiritual Spring Training: Resources

Daffodils

What will you toss in your gym bag to work your spiritual muscles this spring?  Give your brain a workout that will transform you from the inside out.  Christian authors and speakers bring their deep and broad life experience as well as years of research and study to us through books, speeches, podcasts, interviews, broadcasts, videos, etc.  Sharing life and learning with fellow disciples of Jesus Christ will strengthen your spirit and equip you for ministry.  Enjoy this buffet of new books at your library or bookstore.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." Deut. 6:5 

Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home. Barbara Brown Taylor. Westminster John Knox Press.  Oct. 20, 2020.

Broken Sign Posts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World. N.T. Wright. HaperOne. Oct. 6, 2020.

Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage. Anne Lamott. Riverhead Books.  March 2, 2021.

God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath. N.T. Wright. Zondervan, June 19, 2020.

Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter.  Timothy Keller. Viking. March 9, 2021

How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice. Jemar Tisby. Zondervan. January 5, 2021.

My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices. Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch. Baker Books. Nov. 17, 2020.

Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today.  Rabi Jason Sobel and Kathie Lee Gifford. Thomas Nelson.  March 23, 2021.

A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal. Sarah Bessey.  Convergent Books, Feb. 9, 2021.

Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. Katharine Hayhoe. Atria. Sept. 21, 2021.

Seeing Beautiful Again:  50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story.  Lysa TerKeurst. Thomas Nelson. March 31, 2021.

U-Turns: Reversing the Consequences in Your Life. Tony Evans. B&H Books, January 12, 2021.

Until Unity. Francis Chan. David C. Cook. April 2021.

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Waiting to Spring

Well, it's been a year since we have stopped social interactions and gone into hibernation.  This pandemic-enforced isolation has taken its toll on us.  Lost lives, lost jobs, lost family gatherings...  But Easter hope and resurrection power are a month off, April 4, 2021!  

Vaccinations are being offered to more of us.  Life is about to shift and we will emerge transformed, after a year of WAITING.  

How have you changed in the past year?  Take 10 minutes or 3 pages to just journal your journey from NOWHERE to Now Here.  It wasn't the trip you planned, but you traveled nonetheless.  How have you grown?




Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Keep Out of the Way

Cincinnati Nature Preserve

Have there been spiritual troublemakers in your life who wrecked havoc?  
Have they nearly crushed you or chased you from church?  

One would think that living the Christian faith would be plain and straightforward.  Love God.  Love your neighbor.  Jesus simplified the Old Testament law for all of us in the gospels.  Unfortunately, "love, joy, peace" is not the church history record on file.  

Many are the tales of those damaged in the church and by church people.  Jesus Christ comes to mind, as the church was launched.  Philip Yancey, Christian author, comes to mind, in our own day.  On his website, Yancey "jokes about being in 'recovery from a toxic church.'"   In my own life, a charismatic church led me to believe I no longer needed to wear glasses, as I had been healed.  (This librarian still wears glasses.)  Controlling churches and personalities harm your health, job, relationships, finances... 

Scripture warns us about persecutors, false teachers, legalistic leaders, those who err in interpreting the meaning of the law, and those greedy for gain.  Human nature bends toward the abuse of power, in other words.  In contrast, humility characterizes the Messiah Jesus Christ.

Don't be naïve about the dangerous, misguided people within the church.  They are adept at soul-poisoning and spirit-crushing.  Set boundaries, separate from them, and remind yourself:  "the truth will set you free" John 8:32.  Spend time getting to know the mind of Christ, watch how Jesus interacts with others in the gospels, learn what he values in the New Testament. 

Here's the script that Paul sets before us in Romans 14.  

First, "Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others."  Romans 14:22

Love God.  Serve God.  Recognize that Jesus is our Lord, our Savior, and "our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free(s) us from the petty tyrannies of each other." Romans 14:9

Don't fall into the trap of trying to perform for and please the people around you.  You are always and only called to follow Jesus, full of grace and truth.

Finally, keep out of the way of those growing in the faith.  Don't become a hindrance to them, whether children or weaker believers.  

"Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is." Romans 14:13 (The Message)

Focus on proclaiming the good news which is a liberating message of forgiveness and redemption.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Spiritual Adventure Awaits

How will you walk with God in 2021?  A new year deserves a new approach to meeting with God.  
Would you like to start reading one of these Christian devotionals in addition to the Bible? 
Spending time in God's presence produces good fruit and a changed life.
Check out these devotionals from the 1600s to present day, at your library, bookstore, or online.

Celtic Treasure: Daily Scriptures and Prayer. John Philip Newell. 2005

Diamonds in the Dust: 366 Sparkling Devotions. Joni Eareckson Tada. 1993

For the Love of God: Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word, Volume One. D. A. Carson. 2006.

God is With You Every Day. Max Lucado.  2015

Gracelaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through the Seasons of the Heart. Ruth Chou Simons. 2017

Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations.  Frederick Buechner. 1992

Morning and Evening: A New Edition Based on the Holy Bible, English Standard Version.  Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Alistair Begg. 2003

My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language. Oswald Chambers. James Reimann. 2017

New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional.  Paul David Tripp.  2014

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.  Tony Dungy. Nathan Whitaker.  2011

The Songs of Jesus.  A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms.  Timothy and Kathy Keller. 2015

Streams in the Desert. L. B. Cowman and James Reimann.  1999

The Valley of Vision. A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Arthur G. Bennett. 1672

You Are the Beloved. Daily Meditations for Spiritual Living.  Henri J. M. Nouwen. 2017










Thursday, December 17, 2020

Christian Resources, Winter 2021

WANDER IN WONDER

Take a winter walk.  Notice the sights and sounds around you.  Pray.
 
LISTEN & LEARN
Join the free, lecture and cultural arts January Series from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI from January 6, 2021 to January 22, 2021. In its 34th year, this leading series is completely virtual in 2021. Check out these national speakers and their books, including Andy Crouch, Tara Westover...

Registration is required but free in order to receive the link for each presentation. All presentations are live at 12:30 to 1:30 EST. You can also listen anytime that day; then the link times out.
Go to: calvin.edu/january Click: Register

WATCH The 2019/2020 story of Jesus, free on YouTube:  The Chosen.  Season One.  All 8 Full Episodes
Watch for more in 2021 @ Crestview, facilitated by Loel McIntosh.

NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY GUIDES
Looking for a blend of readable but scholarly background information and discussion questions for yourself or your Bible study group?  Why not use the eBook series in Hoopla from your public library,  
N. T. Wright FOR EVERYONE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE SERIES.


Here’s how it works.   If you have a library card for the MidPointe Library System in Butler County, OH, create a free Hoopla account from their website.  Download the app on your device. Then search and download the guide that interests you.


READ 

Christianity Today’s 2021 Book Awards, “Our picks for the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.” December 14, 2020


LOCAL CHRISTIAN RADIO

93.3.  WAKW
93.7   WFCJ

104.3 WNLT


Contact the Adult Christian Team @ Crestview Church to learn more.



Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Following Jesus: Resources

So growing up in Christ is one of your longings, but you’re not exactly sure how to get started or how to get back on track.

Start Reading.
Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety. Henri J. M. Nouwen. 2019.
Dutch-born Catholic priest, Nouwen lived the scholar’s life of teaching at Harvard and later a servant’s life to an adult with mental disabilities in Toronto’s L’Arche community. Based on a Lenten lecture series, Nouwen encourages us to become peaceful, joyful people who rediscover how to love as Jesus does.

Go Deeper.
A Shelter in the Time of Storm. Paul David Tripp. 2015. 52 meditations on Psalm 27, a psalm of trouble and worship. Start meditating on scripture. Fill your mind with God’s truth and grace.

Pray More.
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. Timothy Keller. 2014.
Become a person who prays. Your prayers will become more personal and powerful as you practice. Because Keller carried the weight of church leadership and faced the personal trial of cancer, he is an experienced guide in practicing prayer.

Get Grounded.
Register for a 6 week foundational theology course at Crestview, starting October 11 - November 15, 2020 at Crestview. Participants receive a copy of Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Wayne Grudem. 2005.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect Romans 12:2

Contact Adult Education Team members at Crestview to learn more.
Beth Tumbleson. 9/22/20

Kauai, Blow Hole



Monday, May 18, 2020

Renewing Your Mind

spring flowers by log
These are challenging days when your Christian faith is being stretched. Our world is in pain. You’ve felt it.

When life becomes demanding, the Christian message of hope and help are needed all the more. Would your ways of relating, daily routines, or thinking patterns benefit from observing Jesus in action? Renewing your mind is a daily practice that transforms a life. It leads to joy. God is at work in you by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Consider spending time reading and studying how believers in the Bible and Christians today manage problems, persevere, problem solve, and fortify their spirit.

By practicing Christian spiritual disciplines like study, prayer, service, and stillness in God’s presence, we mature in Christ. Spiritual transformation is not easy or convenient. It forces us to change attitudes and behaviors.

Block out time to meet with God. Check out 1 of the digital collections linked in Midwest Musing Resources to nourish your spirit. There are many online Bible websites, sermon video archives, podcasts by Christian authors and speakers, and Christian worship music to help you on your faith journey. 

Join one of Crestview’s on-going Bible study groups. New summer online groups will start in June. Christian Boot camp is slated for the fall. Jump in. Now is a time to reprioritize.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Christian Spiritual Formation Resources

During these COVID-19 days when life can feel like you @home on an endless spin cycle, consider rethinking how you spend time.  Meet with God and go deeper in your faith. Travel with the Holy Spirit while you are “stay safe” @home.  Listen, Read, Study, Watch, Worship!  Godspeed! 

  


Beth’s Top Picks, May 2020 

European Leadership Conference, May 22-28, 2020.  Free, Online

The Bible. All-time bestseller. Read a passage, a chapter, a book.

Crestview Sermons Archive. Rev. Shawn Barkley, West Chester, OH.

Podcast: The Well.  Rev. Shawn Barkley 


Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. John Ortberg, Menlo Park, CA. Watch messages.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church. NY, NY. Tim Keller
Resources: Meditations, Skeptics Series, Audio files, Sermon Archive, Recommended Reading, Articles,etc.

Park Street Church. Boston, MA. Sermon Library

Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Calvin University 

Calvin Center of Faith and Writing. Christian writers in various genres. Biannual conference.

Hall of Church History.  Phil Johnson.  Church history information.

Ligionier Ministries.  Founded by R.C. Sproul, Learn Resources

IF Gathering TV. Jennie Allen.  Women's ministry resources, videos, annual conference.

Ann Voskamp. Daily Blog. Women's ministry.

On Being with Krista Tippett.  Radio and Podcasts 

Virtual Religion Index  Websites

YouTube Watch, Listen, & Worship. Search  Christian authors, speakers, musicians.

Looking for something to READ by a celebrated Christian author? Pick up a book by
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Corrie ten Boom
Frederick Buechner
Francis Chan  
C.K. Chesterton
Elisabeth Eliot
Richard Foster
Bill Hybels
Timothy Keller
C.S. Lewis
Max Lucado
Kathleen Norris 
Henri Nouwen
John Ortberg
Eugene Peterson
James K.A. Smith
R.C. Sproul
John Stott
Joni Eareckson Tada
Barbara Brown Taylor
Ann Voskamp
Dallas Willard
N. T. Wright
Philip Yancey


Want more?  Willing to pay tuition?
Christian Witness and Ministry in a COVID-shaped World.  
Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI. Online 3 week summer courses. 3 Sessions.