Tag Archives: spiritual formation

Hypocrites: Always room for one more!

Is the Church full of hypocrites? I hear it often. It seems like an auto-response for many when describing the Church;  "the Church is full of hypocrites."  I usually end up smiling as I remember an old friend when faced with the same response. He would smile and warmly reply "Yes! And there is always…
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Being Fully Alive & The Glory of God

"Gloria Dei vivens homo” proclaimed St. Irenaeus, the second century Bishop of Lyons. It translates generously to “the glory of God is men and women who are truly alive.” He, with great enthusiasm, declares that God is glorified by people like you and me who are fully alive human beings – fully enlivened by divine love…
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Growing Up in Christ: Friends not Servants

When my sons were younger, age three or four, it was perfectly reasonable for us as parents to set out their clothing, help them get dressed, cross the street and prepare their dinner plate.   Imagine if my son, the eldest being 21, still waited for mom and dad to set out his clothes, help…
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Light Dispels Darkness

An excerpt for "Becoming Love. Avoiding Common Forms of Christian Insanity"  Exploring how God is faithful when we need Him most! Many people are under the impression that the holy God flees in the presence of sinful people, He cannot stand our sin and removes Himself from us, but as we have seen it is quite the…
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Childlike Faith – Approaching God with empty hands

There is a lovely story in Matthew 19 where Jesus welcomes little children and spends some time with them and encouraging that to such as these belongs the Kingdom of Heaven. 13-15 One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed…
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One Size Fits All Spirituality? – Ministry

As a recovering "Big Box" church pastor, I understand a lot of the challenges that face pastors. I have experienced the challenge they face to keep the church rolling, to provide a great Sunday service, and because of the size, the most efficient way to teach and minister to folks is the familiar meeting style.…
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Transforming Power of Love:: 1 John 4

Ever feel worn out by trying to be a good Christian?  Do you find that you spend most of your time hating your sin, trying to manage it and never quite getting free?   Bouncing off 1 John 4, Michael explores the implications of living loved and in love by God. How by living love…
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Blind Faith or Faith Filled Living?

“Oh no... I don't believe in works at all” he said. “I just believe that the sin we do is on one side, and the good things we do are on the other, and we hope the good outweighs or at least reduces the bad side!” “ Hmm Sounds like works to me” as I…
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Reflection at Days End

In this restful audio reflection you prayerfully look back over your day. As you review your day, you ask God to bring those things to mind that He wishes.  As you become aware of situations and feeling, you are invited to offer these back to God to perhaps hear what He might be saying and…
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Growing Up :: Life

I am cultivating silence in my life. It is not about eliminating the noise of life but becoming quiet in my mind and in my heart. I am cultivating rest in my life. Not inactivity but an interior stillness amidst everyday life which displaces driven-ness. I am cultivating weakness in my life. Being honest and…
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