Between the “Leadership in the New Parish” think tanks and the hundreds of parish walkabout Tim Soerens, Paul Sparks, and I have lucky enough to have engage over the last few years, we’ve identified 2 vital questions, and 10 practices
A lot of folks have talked about, and even more of us have felt the paradox of loneliness while simultaneously being so well connected. The combination of text messaging, IM’ing, blogs, cell phones, email, even the speed of our snail-mail
I’ve been having a great time finishing my syllabus for a course exploring the Theology of Spiritual Formation which I will be guiding this summer. This is not a course in the practice or practices of formation but is a
First off let me say that I am well aware of the health risks associated with smoking. If you feel you must send me links to the Surgeon General’s smoking warnings you are welcome to do so, but please note,
I was talking with my friend Kyle today and he introduced to Ole Hallesby. Hallesby was Scandinavian mystic… of sorts. I liked this quote from his classic book, Prayer: “Be not anxious because of your helplessness. Above all do not
I’ve been keeping my eyes open for online advent calendars. I been using the one created by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; I bet many artists, spiritual directors, liturgists, and faith communities are making some interactive advent calendars. If you
To say that the internet is changing web of life in an understatement. The once, assumed claim that Americans are largely isolated individuals is certainly being emailed, IM’ed, live-journaled, blogged, gamed, webbed, surfed into new territory. Tim Bedner’s “We Know
The spiritual directors who have walked alongside me throughout my life journey are one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. These unique people play a particular role our lives. Within the swath of Christian traditions we generally speak
“Every soul has a will capable of loving God.” St. Francis de Sales Centering Prayer is a practice of prayerful meditation, which prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence, often referred to as contemplative prayer. It consists of
Meditation, solitude and silence. Great-sounding words, neat concepts, but practical and obtainable? We are bombarded with noise from the moment we wake until we retire at night. Think about it. We wake up to a clock radio blaring, turn the
Prayer is talking with God, it is a dialogue of the soul. But prayer is much more than words. It is an expression of your heart, mind and emotions toward God. It’s an experience, a relationship, not merely an activity.
