tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33849058200555660502024-02-08T04:33:21.227-08:00Soul HealthPersonal musings on care of the soul and connecting with God from a Christian perspectiveElisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-3839743408277655202013-05-07T06:54:00.002-07:002013-05-07T06:54:38.380-07:00Gazing at My Father<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The other day, I was playing with my just-turned-one-year-old daughter when she heard the sound of the lawnmower's motor starting. Her head turned as she sought to determine the source of the sound, then she immediately crawled to the nearest window to look outside. Still not finding it, she went from one window to the next until finally she saw him: "Da Da!" she cried. She stared at him urgently, excitedly as he mowed the lawn, filled with pleasure at the sight of him and yet frustrated by not being able to be outside with him, as near to him as possible. "Da da da da da!" she yelled repeatedly. As he cut the grass and moved from one part of the yard to another, she followed along to the nearest window, still shouting, "Da da da da da!" and grinning with delight as he got closer and said hello to her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watching her made think of my heavenly Father. Do I look to Him throughout the day? Do I long to be near Him, fixating my gaze on Him and crying out to Him? Do I feel a sense of urgency to focus on Him and follow along with where He is and what He is doing? Do I delight in His love for me? Sadly, the answer is mostly no. Seeing my daughter's desperation to watch her "Dada" reminded me of how urgently I need to focus my eyes on God and how much joy is to be found in Him.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-76179707661985660462011-08-09T13:26:00.000-07:002011-08-09T13:43:10.364-07:00Make Room for Peace<span style="font-family:verdana;">Stop for just a few seconds and breathe deeply. Take five slow breaths in and out. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Was that difficult for you? Did you feel like you were wasting time that could be spent on something more significant? </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">My mind is constantly revving, always thinking of several things at once. In addition, I love to read, and between books, newspapers, magazines, mail, the Internet, and so on, I'm regularly filling my mind with even more information. New facts to learn, new world events to fret over, new products I need and home improvements to consider. My brain's cup overfloweth. But it's just too much.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Beyond that, there are life's personal challenges to consider, friends and family who need to be loved and prayed for, etc. And sometimes life seems weighed down with worries, pain, and burdens.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I've been awakened to the fact that I have far too little peace in my life. Even when I'm not feeling as anxiety prone as I might at other times, the mental and emotional space somehow gets filled with lots of other junk. It's not all junk, but it also doesn't need to occupy so much attention or urgency. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I've found that the more cluttered my mind is, the less room there is for me to truly focus on God. I'm learning that I need to train myself to seek and enjoy peace. It might only be for 10 minutes a day, but I am trying to prioritize peace. That might look different for different people or on different days. For me, one day I might focus on a few Bible verses related to peace. Another day I might listen to calming music on my iPod. Or I might step outside, maybe for a walk, or maybe just for a few minutes to breathe fresh air and thank God for His creation. Whatever works best for you, I urge you to make some time for a little peace each day. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Here are just a few of my favorite peace-related verses:</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, o Lord, make me to dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6)</span>
<br />Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-59055862143661099172011-06-29T13:45:00.000-07:002011-06-29T14:13:57.877-07:00Trusting God<span style="font-family:Verdana;">You just need to trust God. How many times has someone told me that? How many times have I said it to myself? And yet, so many times I've failed to understand that properly.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">For many years, I think I interpreted "trusting God" as trusting that He would work everything out according to my preference or safety. I'd find myself anxious about an upcoming flight (what if the plane crashes?), a job interview (what if I say the wrong thing? or don't get the job?), confronting a friend, making decisions, dealing with job loss, and much more, and think, "I just need to trust God more." But what that meant to me was trusting that God would keep me safe, protect me, help me ace the interview, help me not to lose a friendship, help me make the right decision, or help me find a job (preferably on my timetable). While God obviously <em>can</em> do all these things -- He is all powerful! -- He doesn't always. He knows the best plan for us, and sometimes He intervenes to protect us from harm but not always. I've learned that trusting God doesn't mean trusting that everything will go smoothly.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The dictionary defines trust as "reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence" and "confident expectation of something; hope." God is the most worthy object of our trust, completely reliable in every way. However, we must be certain that we are trusting in <em>Him </em>rather than for Him to produce a desired outcome. I can still talk with Him openly in prayer and ask for that outcome. But my faith must not be shaken if I don't get what I want.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The ultimate example, as always, is Jesus. I remember how he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and said, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39) I'm trying to adjust my prayers accordingly. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Recently I was praying specifically that a negative thing would not happen to me. When that thing happened anyway, disappointment filled me. What was the point of praying? Hadn't I shown that I trusted that God could do this for me? Yes, God did have the power to protect me from that situation happening. And I'm certain He had compassion on me as I experienced it. But for some reason, He didn't prevent it. Through it, I learned (again) of the need to apply "Thy will be done" to my prayers just as Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Sometimes I even say something to the effect of "Thy will be done, and help me to accept Thy will." One thing we can <em>always</em> trust is that God will walk through any difficult circumstance with us and will give us the power to endure in our faith if we ask Him.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-62579192576047324012011-06-08T12:05:00.000-07:002011-06-08T12:24:13.345-07:00Why I (Sometimes) Love Studying the Bible<ol><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've always been someone who wishes God would speak to me audibly, especially at crucial moments of decision. The Bible contains God's words and exactly what I need to know about life here on earth (and thereafter!). It's the next-best thing to actually hearing His voice out loud.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Every time I read or study a book of the Bible or read a passage, even if it's one I'm very familiar with, I notice something new that's applicable to my life.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It's full of people who are just as messed up as I am.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It reminds me who I am in Christ and the importance of reflecting on that instead of what the world or the culture currently values.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Reading the prayers of Jesus, David, Paul, and more teaches me how to pray.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I love when one passage leads to another, which informs the first, and when I see the connection between one part of the Bible and others and marvel at God's plan in putting together this book.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In the Old Testament, I enjoy discovering passages from books like Isaiah, Psalms, and more that point so explicitly to the identity and mission of Jesus. </span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Reading the Bible is a way of preaching to myself and reminding myself of the endless nuggets of wisdom that are so easily forgotten.</span></li><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It helps make more of Christ and less of me, while at the same time becoming more of who God created me to be.</span></li></ol><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Now to address the "sometimes" part. I have great difficulty studying the Bible completely on my own. I much prefer to do it in the context of some type of group accountability. I like having "homework" and having to complete it by a certain day; otherwise, it's too easy not to do it or do only do it when I "feel" like it. With homework, I do it consistently because I committed to it. Somehow I don't slip into legalism, though some may struggle with that. Without a group, it's important to at least have a plan. Pick a certain book of the Bible to study, maybe even get a study guide or other resources, and plan ahead for the coming month(s). You'll be more likely to follow through. I guess the point of this is we each need to know ourselves and what works best for each of us and in different seasons of life. I often don't think I've fully processed something I'm learning until I've discussed it with someone else. That may not be true for you. </span></p>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-60773617189125666502011-06-01T14:03:00.000-07:002011-06-02T08:14:18.708-07:00Preventing Spiritual Amnesia<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You know the feeling--you've just returned from a Christian retreat or conference, and you're bursting with new knowledge you're excited to apply to your life. Or you've finished reading a book that seems to have shifted your thinking in a significant way. Maybe it's as simple as a particularly affecting time of worshipping God or a great conversation with a friend about spiritual matters. There's a sense of fullness, of motivation, of life changing for the better.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But you're quickly drawn back into the mundane matters of life, whatever those are for you. Responsibilities. Sitting at a desk getting work done, making phone calls, doing laundry, sitting in traffic, feeding hungry kids, doing the dishes. Over the course of a month, a week, or even the same day, the fresh lessons begin to seep out of you, and you return to old habits.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I've experienced this countless times, and recently was reading and discussing a Christian book with a group and had it happen again. With each chapter I amassed food for thought and new insights for, with God's help, making positive changes in my life. The day of the discussion or of reading that week's chapter, I maintained an awareness of the information and changed my behavior accordingly. But on the other days, I experienced varying degrees of forgetfulness. A couple weeks ago we discussed the last chapter, and I felt a low-grade panic: What if I forgot everything from the book and lost it forever? Was this material doomed to hiss out of me like air from a balloon?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It got me thinki</span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">ng: What could I do to prevent this spiritual amnesia? Here's what I've come up with so far, but I'd like to hear from others as well:</span><br /><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Find God in the ordinary moments of life. Train yourself over time to think about, talk to, and just be with God regardless of what you're doing. Sometimes I stand at the sink washing the dishes and think "I can be with God right here, right now!" Keep your eyes out for blessings, even ones that are more hidden (laundry is a blessing because it means I have clothes to wear, and if I'm also doing others' laundry it means I have people in my life and home).</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Make it a priority to hang out with others who are like-minded. I've found that I am much more likely to keep my mind set on spiritual things if I'm around others who are also seeking God and imitating Christ.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Teach what you learned to someone else. Obviously make sure you have a willing "student" first! This could be in a formal or informal setting. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Remind yourself of what you learned. Write a few summary points in a journal, or post a notecard somewhere with a one-sentence reminder.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Memorize scripture related to what you learned. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">Bible Gateway </a>is a great tool for quickly looking up Bible verses on various topics if you need help finding ideas.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Don't move on to the next topic of study until you have a better handle on this one. Sometimes I am very quick to put down one book and immediately open the next, or finish reading or studying a book of the Bible and jump into the next one. It might be even better to continue delving into the topic that has excited you for a while longer and let it settle in rather than speeding forward to the next victim of spiritual amnesia.</span></li></ul>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-35936953464781372122011-03-14T13:07:00.000-07:002011-03-14T13:39:04.698-07:00God's Fierce Love<span style="font-family:arial;">Maybe the word <em>fierce</em> has recently been associated with Tyra Banks and Beyonce, but for me it has come to describe one aspect of God's love for us. I've been studying Isaiah (with Bible Study Fellowship), so you may see me increasingly referring to it here. This book of the Bible is chock full of details about God's relationship with the Israelites, which I think gives us all insights into how we interact with God. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The intensitiy and protectiveness of God for His people has struck me repeatedly as I've read various chapters in Isaiah. Not only does God tell them they shouldn't fear because He will be with them, and that He will strengthen them and help them (41:10), He says</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. (41:11)</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I can only compare this fierce love to the love a parent has for a child, where if the child were attacked the parent would not just passively try to get her back but would respond with fervor, doing everything possible to retrieve that child. God is saying that if someone treats His people poorly, that person (or entity) will have to deal with Him and be punished accordingly. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:arial;">The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against his enemies. (42:13)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. (43:4)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet: And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame...I will contend with the one who contends with you, And I will save your sons. I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, And they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; And all flesh will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. (49:23, 25b-26)</span></p></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I confess: That last one shocked me a little. For those who think we worship a namby-pamby</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> God, they couldn't be more wrong. This is a God Who would stop at nothing to redeem His people. He stopped at nothing to redeem the Gentiles, too -- He sent His Son to provide a way for us all to be redeemed. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am encouraged that the God who loved the Israelites so fiercely loves me the same way. Another part that stood out to me was "Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame." It's like God is saying that hope in Him is guaranteed to be worthwhile. There are so many other things we can put our hope in, but when we put our hope in God we are 100% guaranteed not to be disappointed because He alone has the power to fulfill all His promises. It strengthens my soul to know that He is worthy of my hope.</span><br /><blockquote><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </p></span></span></span></span></blockquote>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-86664686815769136122011-02-16T13:02:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:26:49.980-08:00A Spiritual Kick in the Pants<span style="font-family:verdana;">Have you ever had a spiritual kick in the pants? A wake-up call from God? I've had multiple times in my life when I was shaken out of my relative apathy into rapt attention. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In Revelation 3, God addresses the church in Laodicea and comments that he will spit them out of His mouth because they are lukewarm. We also know from Hebrews 12:6 that the Lord disciplines those He loves. Sometimes He sends things across our paths that wake us up from complacency so we can return to Him. Or difficulties come our way that might not be <em>from</em> God, but He uses them to renew our faith.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Recently, I've been going through a trial. This trial has propelled me to cry out to God in my questioning, in the darkness, in the pain. It's caused me to sense Jesus' presence when I need it most and reminded me that He can relate to any suffering that comes my way. I pray that this sense of intimacy with God can be sustained even after the worst part of the trial has passed. We all know how easily we can fall back into old habits when the sense of urgency is gone. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Through this situation I'm experiencing, I've realized that it is <em>certain</em> that difficulties will come our way in life. Occasionally I partially create those difficulties through my own poor choices. But many times things just <em>happen</em> and couldn't have been forseen or prevented. Christians are not immune to difficulties. In fact, 1 Peter 4:12 says we should not be surprised when we suffer. And James 1:2 says we should consider it a joy when we encounter trials. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We can't avoid trials, but we can know one thing for certain: God is with us during them. There are many encouraging passages to this effect in the Bible, but here is one that has been meaningful to me recently:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you...you are precious in My sight...you are honored and I love you...Do not fear, for I am with you..." Isaiah 43:1b-2, 4a, 5a (NASB)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">How reassuring to know that God loves us and is with us each moment of each day! Sometimes even when I'm not "feeling" His presence I repeat truth to myself so I remember what's right. That's why Scripture memory, though not my strong suit, can be so helpful. In the moment of need, it is easier to pull out a helpful verse from your mind than to hope a Bible will be nearby and that you'll have the wherewithal to open it and find an apt verse.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">My latest spiritual wake-up call has pressed me to a greater commitment to Bible reading, prayer, and more consistently looking to Him throughout my day for every need instead of filling myself up with empty things. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I've also had a kick in the pants from a book I recently started reading, <em>A Hole in Our Gospel</em> by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision. I'm only a handful of chapters in, and it's already opening my eyes to the plight of the world's poor and how helping them is part of bringing the kingdom of God to earth. I encourage you to check it out if you're looking for an interesting read. </span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-78950389362255390052010-11-07T12:53:00.000-08:002010-11-07T12:59:37.522-08:00Jesus' Prescription for a Healthy Soul<span style="font-family:verdana;">"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit...Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15: 1-2, 4-5</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-28681421599606745522010-11-07T12:30:00.000-08:002010-11-07T12:51:39.894-08:00Holy AmbitionWith God's help, my desires for money and prestige have been tamed over the years (with occasional relapses). Back in junior high school, I remember evaluating future careers based on how much money I'd make. By the time I entered college, I had a double major in English literature and creative writing -- certainly not the typical route to a high income.<br /><br />Over the years, however, I've noticed that my ambition leans toward worthier goals, focused on making a difference in the world for the glory of God. There is a place deep inside me that longs to influence others for good, have a sense of purpose, be a part of something that lasts beyond my lifetime here on earth.<br /><br />Sometimes, though, I struggle with the question of whether this desire is truly pure of heart. (Prepare for some soul-baring here...) Here's when the red flag goes off: I hear about people who are my age and similar to me in many ways who are pastoring churches, leading ministries and non-profits, publishing books, sitting on boards, rubbing shoulders with the Christian "bigwigs" of our country and the world (not to imply that the "bigwigs" sought that out). When I see others doing these things, I think <em>Why am I not doing things like that? My life and contribution seems so insignificant in comparison. Am I a Christian underachiever? </em><br /><br />Am I the only one who has these thoughts?<br /><br />The truth is, there is an element in my life of letting fear hold me back from trying "big" things. There's also an element of lacking focus -- I have multiple interests but excel at none. And there's nothing wrong with hungering for a sense of purpose or wanting to contribute or use my gifts and abilities for God's glory.<br /><br />BUT...I think a bigger element is that I am right where I'm supposed to be, that I am having an influence in tiny ways that few will ever see (and who else needs to know but God anyway?), and that His main concern is that I love Him with all my heart, mind and soul and love others as myself. He doesn't care that I haven't gone to seminary, been published, planted a church, etc., as long as I am being faithful with whatever he's given me right now. He loves me as I am.<br /><br />That doesn't mean that it's wrong to do the aforementioned sorts of things if God so leads. But for me, for right now, I'm just going to give Him my attention and trust that if I'm heading off course or missing something He has in store for me, He will show me the way. I will seek to be faithful with what I have been given and trust that there's a reason I'm exactly where I am and seek to learn from it.<br /><br />I would love to hear if any readers also have these kinds of thoughts. I think "holy ambition" can also play itself out in the local church as some members become overinvolved or have their feelings hurt when they are not chosen to do certain things, lead ministries, etc.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-44034476985827174842010-10-01T13:40:00.000-07:002010-10-01T14:10:33.263-07:00Inside the Mind of a Church VisitorMy family is looking for a church community that will be a good fit for us. We moved to this area nearly a year ago, but only recently learned where we're likely to land on a more long-term basis. Thus, the search for a church home has resumed (we found a temporary home this summer at a church with a kid-friendly service where we could easily include our young child).<br /><br />Last Sunday as I sat in another perfectly fine but not right for us church, I found myself rapidly writing down notes about all the things that, regardless of denomination, can make things friendlier for visitors. Several years ago I was on a church committee where we often discussed how well our church welcomed visitors and subsequently connected them with the church body as a whole and met their needs. It was difficult for me to remember how it felt to be a visitor, so I'm sharing some of my thoughts in case they are helpful to any of this blog's readers. (Of course, this is only my perspective, and I'm sure coming from a different faith background (or lack thereof) could add another layer of questions and concerns.<br /><br />On the way to the service, questions flood my mind: How do I get there? Did I wear something appropriate? Do I need to bring my Bible or anything else? Where do I park? Where do I enter the building? Where do I sit?<br /><br />Churches that offer guest parking spots make parking simple. Conversely, those with severe parking issues (not enough spaces in the lot for the attendees) seriously need to address the problem. I contemplated leaving last weekend because I literally could not find a place to park. I ended up in a nearby lot for a business that wasn't open at the time. Not every guest will be that persistent.<br /><br />Make sure to have a pile of bulletins/programs placed near entrances for latecomers. Also, ushers should not be shy about actually helping people find seats (maybe even discreetly asking if a person would prefer to sit in the front, middle or back). I thought I found a seat last week but the entire pew, it seemed, was being saved with coats and Bibles. I ended up in the back, the only place I could find a seat.<br /><br />Be sure to have song lyrics available either in hymnals, printouts, or onscreen. Don't assume that everyone knows the words to songs that are widely known in your church.<br /><br />If you do communion, be sure that visitors understand your approach (doctrinally and logistically) eitiher through an announcement or an explanation in the bulletin.<br /><br />Try to make it clear, either with signs or volunteers, which entrance is closest to where the service takes place.<br /><br />Try to have greeters and ushers remain on duty for 5-10 minutes after the start of the service. Due to various reasons, visitors are likely to be late, and they are the people who most need assistance.<br /><br />Be sure to have extra Bibles available and/or put the words from a passage onscreen. (Side note: a church we attended where we previously lived had tissue boxes in each row, and I appreciated that several times!)<br /><br />Please don't force visitors to stand up, raise hands, introduce themselves, or be called out in any way. Often guests just want to get a feel for what your church is like. They typically appreciate some level of friendliness but not undue focus on them.<br /><br />On the other hand, if your church has a time where the congregation greets each other, be sure to make an effort to look for people who might be visiting (including in the back) so they are not overly ignored.<br /><br />If you have certain announcements that might be relevant to visitors, wait to make them until 10-15 minutes into the service so latecomers don't miss anything important.<br /><br />Have 1-2 (or more, depending on the size of your church) volunteers ready to help parents learn what the options are for their kids (unless there aren't any). It is nerve wracking leaving your young child in a nursery or preschool (or other) area for the first time. It helps if someone is there to explain how things work, escort you to the appropriate area for your child, etc.<br /><br />Related to that, make sure your children's areas are very secure! I'll never forget the time we came to retrieve our child, who was in the hallway unsupervised near an exit. We made an effort to tell the room leaders that we were the parents and they didn't seem to care. This was after an extremely detailed signup process that implied they had a great system.<br /><br />Try to have ample materials related to your church available in an obvious spot. Guests will want to know what your church believes, what programs are available, and much more. Make it easy to find.<br /><br />Also, if you have a welcome center or similar area, try to make sure that both a man and a woman are always available in case a visitor isn't comfortable approaching one or the other alone.<br /><br />I'm sure you'll all have a lot to add, but those are my thoughts so far. I'd love to hear more comments on your thoughts about visiting churches and/or things that have or haven't worked at your churches.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-1502127671466685042010-06-22T13:51:00.000-07:002010-06-22T14:13:45.596-07:00In Defense of a Moment of Silence<span style="font-family:verdana;">Our ears are overflowing with sound throughout the day. Coworkers, children, TV, radio, trains, horns honking, construction, alarms and timers going off, and so on. Beyond that, we have the "noise" of browsing the Internet, reading the newspaper, even looking at billboards as we drive past them, and the general buzz of an endless string of thoughts and concerns that fills our minds. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">At times, I have even been known to sabatoge perfectly peaceful quiet moments by seeking to fill the silence -- turning on the TV just to hear the sound of another person's voice when I'm home alone, reading a book, listening to the radio in the car, or flipping mindlessly through a magazine. There's nothing wrong with any of those things in particular. But if we're constantly giving in to the "noise," we may be missing out on something even better.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Is there space in your life to hear what God might want to tell you? Is there a time when you allot even a few minutes here and there to just being with Him, knowing that He loves you and you love Him, without an agenda? I've sensed lately that God has been nudging me to learn to take pleasure simply in being with Him and contemplating Him.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I am the mom of a preschooler, so I can't get away very often for personal retreat time. Maybe you have similar personal constraints (really, blessings!). That doesn't mean we're exempt from creating bits of silence in our lives. The bits might just be smaller or less frequent than we might have time for in other seasons of life -- but the point is to be mindful of creating some space instead of rushing to fill the potential segments of time with mindless "noise" like I am often guilty of.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">No one's time was under more demands than Jesus -- he had disciples constantly asking him questions and looking to him for wisdom and guidance, crowds following his every move, Pharisees and Saduccees looking to challenge him, sick people crying out to be healed, and much more! And yet we see multiple examples of him withdrawing for some time with the Father (and there were likely countless more that went undocumented -- after all, we don't get an account of every meal he ate or every little thing he did on a daily basis). "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." Luke 5:16 </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">My goal for now is to be more mindful, more aware of potential bits of time when I can truly quiet my mind and be with God throughout my day. It doesn't have to be a long stretch of time. It could be as simple as stepping out my back door, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the birds sing, saying a prayer of thankfulness to God, telling Him I love Him, and then being silent for a moment so I can listen, just like in a regular conversation with someone I love.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-23329834831883497542010-01-04T14:03:00.000-08:002010-01-04T14:18:41.001-08:00Glimpses of Heaven"The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell." Randy Alcorn, from his book <em>Heaven</em><br /><em></em><br />I recently began reading the book <em>Heaven</em> by Randy Alcorn. I'm only on about page 68 or so, and it's already re-shaping my views on Heaven and bringing to light how seldom this topic is discussed among Christians or preached about. I picked up the book with a specific hope: that it will help diminish my fear of death. The existence of this fear has often made me feel that my faith is not strong enough, but I think it's really my understanding of the reality of Heaven that is weak.<br /><br />The quote above stood out to me because I have often felt that there are specific experiences or moments in my life that were like bits of Heaven on earth or little loving touches from God. Alcorn goes on to discuss that earth might have been inspired by Heaven in sort of the same way that humans were created in God's image. This got me thinking: Could it be worthwhile, or even a spiritual exercise, to create a greater awareness of those heavenly moments and be more intentional about thanking God for them and using them as a reminder to set our minds on Heaven and eternity?<br /><br />Conversely, those darkest moments of our lives here on earth could be promptings to thank God for His grace in sparing us from Hell and to pray for others to open themselves to faith in Him.<br /><br />Sometimes we view the spiritual and things that can be experienced with our senses as completely separate, possibly even in opposition to each other. But what could be more spiritual than taking in a beautiful view of the mountains or sunset and then saying thank you to the Creator and meditating on the beauty of his works? So many things that can be felt, seen, heard, tasted, or touched could actually be foretastes of the incredible life that awaits us in Heaven.<br /><br />More thoughts on this to come, but I would be curious to hear what some of your "foretaste of Heaven" moments might be.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-7741210454611704022009-10-26T13:51:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:05:16.516-07:00Stewardship of the HomeI've found that in Christian circles we often say things like "my money is really God's money" or "this home really belongs to God." Then again, my husband is a Certified Financial Planner and a Christian, so maybe I hear these types of things more than most. But I wonder whether, at the heart level, we actually live that way? I thought I did until I recently had to give up my home.<br /><br />We had lived in our house for 9 1/2 years and needed to sell it. Although I didn't expect to live in the house forever, the timing was not of my choosing. The act of putting a For Sale sign in front of the house was excrutiating. I am a very sentimental person, and I kept thinking through all the beloved memories that took place in that home: various small group meetings, gatherings with friends and family, meals around the table, bringing my baby home from the hospital, digging all the beds around the house ourselves while the sunlight faded into evening, and so on. Our "fingerprints" were all over the house and yard. Suddenly I realized that I had an "it's mine!" attitude.<br /><br />When the sign was placed in the yard and I started cleaning frantically for the first showing, I had a sudden realization: the house was never mine. It was always God's, mine only to care for and manage well. Part of managing it well would be to present it in the best light possible so that it could sell, and sell for a decent price. My mind started to shift into managerial mode and I wanted to honor God with the way I prepared and cared for the house. I proceeded with the process of letting it go, thankful for the time spent there and realizing that it did not belong to me.<br /><br />The house ended up selling within a week, and everything proceeded quickly from there. But thanks to that nudging from the Holy Spirit, though some tears were shed (mostly related more to leaving precious friends), it became easier to leave the place we'd called home.<br /><br />But like any other discipline, cultivating an attitude of stewardship rather than a tight-fisted clutching of a house requires practice, prayer, and consistency. It requires reminding myself of what's true.<br /><br />Now I need to re-examine how I'm doing with stewardship of my body, abilities, money, and so on. I know one of the hardest things for me is to remember that my daughter belongs to God and not me and that I am raising her as His representative. That may be a topic for another post.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-54722278187577794902009-10-26T13:42:00.000-07:002009-10-26T13:51:42.234-07:00The Discipline of StewardshipWhen we think of spiritual disciplines, we tend to think first of Bible study and memorization, prayer, and maybe even fasting. Until I read some books over the past few years I didn't realize that there were dozens, maybe even hundreds, of things that can be considered spiritual disciplines. Really, anything that assists in the molding of our character into something more like Christ's could probably be considered a spiritual discipline.<br /><br />To me, stewardship is an oft-overlooked spiritual discipline. One definition (from Merriam-Webster) of stewardship is "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." If we consider that everything given to us comes from God and belongs to God, everything we have is really just under our stewardship and not truly owned by us, whether our bodies, our time, our money, or other resources in our possession.<br /><br />The act of living as a steward of these things is a discipline because through it we acknowledge God as the owner of all while we are the caretakers.<br /><br />Now that I've introduced this idea, I'll proceed to a more personal post about how this has recently played out in my life.Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-48519884362206112652009-09-03T17:51:00.000-07:002009-09-04T13:44:17.040-07:00Conformity is Overrated<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have you ever been with a group of people, let's say a Bible study or community group, and felt different from everyone else? Let me set the scene: you respond to a question, express a way you interacted with God over the past week, or share about a past experience and how it fit in with your testimony. You're met with blank stares or silence (or both). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Many years ago I began to share something deeply personal about my past in a small group from church when, at a particularly sensitive moment in the story, several group members began to laugh. Following their eyes, I saw that the hosts' dog was chewing its leg like it was a meaty bone. I never finished my story. But no one was to blame for that response -- it was circumstantial.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I guess what I'm talking about is less about a silly distraction and more a sense of feeling different from everyone else -- of feeling like you've shared something in a way others don't seem to relate to or that your approach to life or God is different somehow. I'm not talking about the "coarse jesting" that I'm often guilty of that Paul tells us to avoid. Or even of the many sinful attitudes I've expressed. It's more just a feeling of not being understood. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My intitial reaction to these situations is usually to avoid feeling that way again, which means trying to act like everyone else. Much less risky. Or to back off from talking as much in the group context (anyone reading this who's been in a group with me probably wonders if I've ever really employed that strategy!). Mostly, it takes me back to the junior high mentality of just wanting to conform. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But I've become convinced that conforming is the worst possible response we can have. I'm beginning to wonder if <em>the very aspects of ourselves that make us feel most different from everyone else might be attributes given to us by God to make a positive difference in the lives of others.</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I shared my hypothesis with a trusted friend who kindly pointed out that I tend to not be content with shallow conversation/interaction and ask more probing questions than most people do. She also mentioned that I have a real passion for savoring life rather than just going through life numbly. These traits have often felt like liabilities to me, but I am beginning to see that although they sometimes isolate me or are not initially understood, God has created me this way for a reason. When all our unique traits come together, unencumbered by the darkness of sin, God's character unfolds in wonderful ways here on earth. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Your "assignment," readers, has four parts: 1.) Reflect on situations when you've been in a group and felt different or felt compelled to censor yourself 2.) Talk with a friend who knows you well and try to determine what special traits/attributes your past experiences might be highlighting 3.) Thank God for those traits and ask Him to help you use them for His glory 4.) Start allowing those unique attributes to flourish and don't be tempted to conform any longer!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I'd love to hear your thoughts/experiences/etc. in the comments section.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-63487859770109098892009-08-21T12:44:00.000-07:002009-08-21T12:54:45.027-07:00The Art of Being Still<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Being still does not come easily to me. Oh, I can sit still with the best of them, but quieting my mind is nearly impossible. I am constantly thinking about something, if not multiple somethings. There is so much "noise" in my brain, and I've grown so accustomed to it that I don't know how to tone it down. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When I was dating my husband, I remember riding in the car somewhere with him in silence, looking at him and wondering what fascinating thoughts must be in his mind. Upon asking that common question "What are you thinking about?" (which I rarely ask anymore), the reply was "Nothing." "No, really," I said. "What are you thinking about?" I couldn't comprehend that someone could really be thinking about nothing. And the battle for a more peaceful mind rages on today in my spiritual life.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm convinced that, despite my struggle to do so, it's essential that I spend time periodically making a specific effort to be quiet in God's presence and listen to Him or just enjoy being with Him. Or to empty myself of everyday thoughts to make more room for praising His attributes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The question is, in the midst of our cluttered lives, mentally and otherwise, how can this happen? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Getting out of my house and away from other people tends to help me, though it happens very rarely. Finding a secluded area in a (safe!) park gives me a connection with nature and removes me from anything that might call to mind my to-do list. Even in those circumstances, though, my mind wanders. Sometimes I try to find one single thing to focus on, like a flower, so that I can weed out the junk from my mind.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What I'm really curious about, though, is how can this state of mind and soul be accomplished on an everyday basis, in my own home? If you've got something that works for you, please post it in the comments. Thanks!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-70190717993048327062009-08-06T20:05:00.000-07:002009-08-06T20:34:12.850-07:00Prayer's Block<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It all started an embarrassing number of years ago when I heard a radio reading of the day's <em>My Utmost for His Highest</em> devotional. My dad was struggling with yet another health issue, and moments before I had been praying that God would heal him and just let my parents enjoy their remaining time on this earth after all they've been through. Cutting through my previous understanding of prayer were these words (excerpted from May 3 in the book):</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"...we may find that our obedience to God in intercdeing is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. The danger in this is that we begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting up to a totally different level in direct answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from our close identification with God's interest and concern for others and step into having emotional sympathy with them, the vital connection with God is gone...Identification with God is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with Him it is because of our sympathy with others, not because of sin...It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, 'I will not allow that thing to happen.' And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God."</span></blockquote></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Honestly, I'd always thought of "emotional sympathy" for others as a good thing. Really, it's that concern for others that motivates me to pray for them in the first place. I hear of a situation and imagine what it would be like in that person's shoes. I empathize. I am moved to pray. To me, muting that sense of concern would hinder my ability to love others as I should. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But it got me thinking (and has, on and off, ever since): what if what <em>I </em>think is best for someone isn't what <em>God</em> considers best for them? What if He's allowing a difficulty in someone's life to make him stronger in some way, to draw him closer to God, or to make him better able to minister to others? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We can easily agree that God's plan and mine are not always the same. Which leads to another question: How can I see things more in tune with God's perspective? Chambers makes it sound so simple, but for me it seems much harder to lay aside my bias. I don't like to see those I love experiencing any suffering. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">These questions have plagued my prayer life periodically since that day I happened to turn on the radio. The result -- a serious case of prayer's block. I've had no shortage of prayer concerns and requests. In fact, I've got lists and lists of them. But my problem isn't the <em>what </em>as much as the <em>how</em>. As I bring my mind and heart into supplicational prayer, I've become so insecure about what to request that I have sometimes given up. It's become quite a roadblock in what is already a stumbling point (spending large chunks of time in prayer has never been easy for me, which I'm sure I'll mention in a future post). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">One approach that has been helpful to me has been to look at the prayers in the Bible for inspiration. Paul, in particular, often focuses his prayers on spiritual blessings, so I often pray for those types of things (see Ephesians 1:17-21, for example) for those who request prayer.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Recently, I've determined to push through the blockage by cutting myself some slack and letting myself pray without so much analysis. I won't push aside the issue because I think it's worth consideration, but it's not necessary to let it hold me back so much, either.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I don't remember where, but I once read that prayer is like hanging out a "Help Wanted" sign for God. That's exactly what I'm doing internally and externally right now -- God, I need your help, every moment of every day, in every way. It's definitely a state of being.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have some other "prayer's block" issues, too, that I'm not touching on now, such as "do my prayers actually change anything?" but I'll leave those for another day. I am reading <em>Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? </em>by Philip Yancey right now, so I'll probably wait untiI finish it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-19367019069576089102009-07-29T13:10:00.000-07:002009-07-29T13:26:35.398-07:00When God Seems Distant<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Maybe it's just me, but I have moments when God seems so far away. Cue Bette Midler: "God is watching us...from a distance." It's like going back to my childhood when I thought that heaven was right above the clouds and that's where the beautiful rays of sunshine came from that spread downward toward earth. God was up there, close enough to intervene when necessary but far enough away that humans were free to make our own choices in the meantime.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This feeling of distance often prompts me to examine my conscience to make sure that there's not a sin issue involved. Sometimes there's a specific sin that's creating blockage.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But just as with human relationships, the level of <em>felt </em>closeness can vary. I've found it essential in these moments to reflect on the times when I have profoundly felt God's presence or seen His direct hand in my life. These memories are vital to preserve -- they are touchstones for our darkest moments, or even just for blah ones. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In Deuteronomy 6, Moses exhorts the Israelites not only to follow the new commandments they have been given and teach them to their children and grandchildren but to never forget how they were brought out of slavery by God when they are in the Promised Land: "...watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Deut. 6:12) It's essential that we find ways to remind ourselves of the love God has for us and the ways He has intimately interacted with us. In addition, evidence of His care is all around if we only look in a new way.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">One final reminder of an important truth: God doesn't change. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. My sense of closeness to Him likely has more to do with me than Him. Also, it never hurts to pray specifically for a greater sense of His presence. That is probably a prayer He loves hearing!</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-17363298829694573252009-07-22T13:10:00.000-07:002009-07-22T13:18:09.234-07:00Treadmill Spirituality<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For the past few years, I’ve seen a couple women regularly when I work out at the gym. Recently I’ve noticed that despite their faithful workouts, they look basically the same to me. One day my mind snapped out of judgment mode and realized I’m guilty of the same thing. I’ve worked out regularly for about eight years now, and while my weight has had its ups and downs, I’m relatively the same, and certainly not different in any way that other gym patrons would notice. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Worse still, I wondered if the same thing could be said of my spiritual health. Am I different in any way from eight years ago? I am in any way more like Christ, more frequently exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit? Am I trusting in God more and worrying less? Am I living as though I believe what I say I believe, and does my life reflect that Jesus is my main love? If not, something about my spiritual “workout” needs to change. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The answers to those questions are sobering for me. I've decided to be more diligent in considering modifications I need to be making – realistic ones that, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, can last. We’re long past the time of New Year’s resolutions and Lenten sacrifices, but it is never too late to shake things up and start doing something differently. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). We can “start over” each morning or even at 4:20 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Please consider asking God to reveal one thing you could change to shake up your routine. If you’re the type of person who thrives on accountability, tell one trusted friend what you’re doing. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One final note about those women (and myself): though I don’t want to be someone who’s moving but getting nowhere, there is worth in faithfully doing something and at least not backsliding. No one can maintain constant growth or always be on the mountaintop. However, the ideal is to be in a growth pattern that, despite time in the valley or periods of stagnancy, is ultimately progressing.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-40293566139011574182009-07-21T12:34:00.001-07:002009-07-21T12:44:38.143-07:00Spiritual Personality Test<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sounds like an odd concept, but I actually got a lot out of this exercise. Gary Thomas wrote a book several years ago called <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Pathways-Gary-L-Thomas/dp/0310242843">Sacred Pathways </a></em>that explored the concept that we all have different spiritual temperaments that can affect the method that most easily helps us feel connected with God. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Quick synopsis from the publisher: "One reason many Christians become discouraged with their devotional lives is because they've adopted a narrow, cut-and-dried approach--one they're not wired for as individuals. Sacred Pathways explores nine time-tested ways to commune with God that honor the unique design he has given each of us. The naturalist, the ascetic, the traditionalist, the activist, the enthusiast, the intellectual . . . this engaging, insightful, and well-written book will lead the reader to a deeper understanding of his or her spiritual temperament, and new vistas of relationship with God."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Included in this book is an assessment to help you determine your primary way(s) of communing with God. From there, you can develop ideas of new ways to spend your devotional time with God instead of trying to fit a certain mold. Obviously, we should all spend time in the Bible and prayer in some way, but the when/how/where of it doesn't have to look the same.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Here's a <a href="http://common.northpoint.org/sacredpathway.html">link </a>to an online version of the assessment. To delve deeper into the temperament descriptions or devotional ideas, I recommend checking out the book.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Incidentally, right now I am an intellectual sensate naturalist, according to the results, but I think last time my results were slightly different.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-65548055136285968632009-07-21T12:23:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:31:31.579-07:00Formatio Book Series<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you are interested in spiritual formation, I highly recommend that you check out the <a href="http://www.ivpress.com/formatio/">Formatio series </a>from IV Press. By no means have I read all the books available, but I have a few at the moment and I'm very appreciative of the range of topics they offer. A few that I have right now are <em>Signature Sins </em>(talks about how our own temperament, culture, family, gender, etc. affect the way sins manifest in our lives and how to combat sin), <em>Coming Home to Your True Self: Leaving the Emptiness of False Attractions</em> (covers spiritual disciplines that can help us find our true selves in Christ), and <em>Sacred Rhythms </em>(discusses 7 spiritual disciplines). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I haven't read very far in <em>Coming Home to Your True Self</em> yet, but here's a quote I love from early in the book:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"The great tragedy for many of us is that in growing up, we become self-made, independent successes who are weighed down with thoughts of the past and worries about the future. We lose touch with our true self, the person God created us to be. We live off-center and alienated from who we really are."</span></blockquote></span><p></span></p>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-38944755320695892812009-07-16T12:58:00.000-07:002009-07-16T13:08:52.515-07:00Have I Met the Guilt Quota?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Driving in the car the other week, I experienced a rare quiet moment and realized that I hadn't been as attentive to God lately as I wanted to be. I've had the desire in recent years to cultivate a greater awareness of His presence throughout the day rather than just having a formal time set aside for Bible reading and prayer or whatever else. But I went through a period of dryness where I was living more on autopilot than I'd like to.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My usual pattern (am I alone in this?) is to then begin a stretch of time where I wallow in my guilt for neglecting God. It goes beyond the necessary confession of sin and thought of how I might change. It's more like the desire to prove to God that I really do regret my actions by ensuring that I've spent enough time in mourning. This is completely habitual.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">That day in the car, I suddenly realized that instead of proceeding with a period of lamenting I could just start talking with God and getting down to the business of connecting with Him in a positive way instead of fulfilling an unnecessary guilt quota. Sure, there are times when we need to seriously confront some sin in our lives and truly spend significant time on it. But I think there are plenty of times in my life when a genuine confession needs to just move right along to restoring intimacy with God by connecting with Him. Otherwise I become more consumed with my feelings of remorse than by my love for Him, and precious time can be wasted by continuing unhealthy patterns in my life.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-13363585366992440832009-07-16T12:19:00.000-07:002009-07-16T12:55:07.593-07:00Jesus Is My Self-Help Guru<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I realized something recently. I've always been drawn to self-help books. I appreciate the concept of identifying an area in my life that needs growth and finding a resource that helps me process and overcome an issue, struggle, or past experience. In fact, during a couple episodes of depression in my life, these types of books helped me treat myself (though I know many who've benefited greatly from counseling). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Back to my realization. Jesus, or my Christian faith in general, has become to me what self-help resources are to others. The good news: Jesus is obviously the best possible example of what a healthy human being is intended to be in the eyes of the Creator. Becoming more like Him ensures that I will be more loving, less selfish, and more focused on God's kingdom and things of eternal significance. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The bad news: Sometimes I'm too focused on what I can "get" from my relationship with God. </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Instead of being satisfied with doing things out of obedience to God and bringing more glory to Him, I often think in terms of how my relationships, mental and physical health, enjoyment of life and experience of greater peace, etc., might be improved. These things are not negative, but my sense is that if they occur they are added benefits. When they become the focus, they become potential idols in my life.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">One example is the struggle I, along with many others, have to eat healthy and exercise regularly. I often solicit God's help in making good choices, but the motivation in my mind and heart is more focused on the possible end result of having a slimmer, stronger, body that will look better and hopefully live longer. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">And when it comes to relationships, we all know that it is possible to seek God in every moment and try to treat others as lovingly as possible and still experience pain and disappointment and even abandonment. Overall, hopefully growing closer to Christ and seeking to imitate Him changes us in ways that improves our relationships. But sometimes relationships break down despite the best intentions, so the quality of those shouldn't be our ultimate goal in drawing closer to God. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Suffering, challenges, disappointment, and so on will always be a part of life. No amount of spiritual growth will eliminate them -- though attention to our souls' health can solidify our faith such that we are better able to be strong in times of trouble.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Bottom line: I'm hoping to get to a place where I'm less focused on how my Christian faith can benefit me personally and more focused on being glad to be with Him even when I don't see a concrete, positive change in myself or my life. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">More thoughts on related topics to come...</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-58209464470256962752009-07-12T21:47:00.000-07:002009-07-12T21:51:40.062-07:00Disclaimer<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don't have a seminary degree. I'm not a Bible scholar. I don't know all the answers, nor do I pretend to. I just have a fervent desire to learn and grow and become better at loving God and loving others throughout my lifetime. Expect to see honest wrestling with questions here, some practical suggestions regarding spiritual disciplines/practices and my personal experience with them, and general food for thought. </span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3384905820055566050.post-91202821674941464962009-07-12T21:23:00.000-07:002009-07-12T21:36:15.454-07:00Welcome<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've long had an interest in spiritual formation and spiritual growth. More recently, I've been periodically evaluating the status of my soul. The question, "Is it well with my soul?" often comes to my mind (based on a favorite hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul"). We constantly evaluate the health of our bodies, minds, money, relationships, and so on, so why not our souls?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Soul care is easily neglected because our souls are invisible and untouchable. Despite the unseen nature of the soul, the evidence of its health can be seen in our lives in the way we treat others, our focus on instant gratification, the amount of peace we experience, and so on.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I'm starting this blog because I care about my soul's health and that of others, I think about these topics often, and I need an outlet for my thoughts. Whether or not anyone reads my posts, I'd like a place where I can effectively journal my thoughts. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">If you find this subject interesting, I welcome you to enter the conversation or just browse. As is stated in the blog's description, my perspective here is decidedly Christian, so please keep that in mind as you read and comment. I am primarily writing for the benefit of myself and other Christians.</span>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10482693899798633812noreply@blogger.com2