Feeling out of control? This is unpleasant, isn’t it? That is the nice way of describing it. If you are like me, or the other 8 billion people on the planet, control is something for which you strive. It may be conscious or unconscious. But we really want control. What I am about to share with you is very personal. By personal, I do not mean secret. I mean it was meant for me, in my life, at a specific point. It may or may not be helpful for you, in your life, as you are reading today. A few years ago, as I was praying, a very specific phrase…
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Eliminate Hurry
Is hurry running your life? How does that feel? Is it a good leader? Is it guiding you where you want to go? What if you could eliminate hurry from your life? Last month, I mentioned a few books on my next-to-read list. John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry was at the top of the list. Earlier this month, I read it. It only took me a week. The next week, my wife read it. This is an awesome book. Definitely putting it on my keeper list, aka my reread list. This is not a book to consume and move on from. It is one you want to…
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7 Books for Spiritual Formation
First, it is important to spend time in Scripture. Do that more than anything else. Start there. Continue there. Finish there. Start again. Complementing Scripture, there are many great resources to help you know and follow Jesus. Here are seven books I have found helpful in my journey with Jesus. Most are a collection of writings, not meant to be read through in one sitting. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun Devotional Classics by Richard Foster The Philokalia The Golden Book of Prayer by Donald B. Aldrich Moving Mountains: Praying with Passion, Confidence, and Authority by John Eldredge Conversations with God: Two Centuries of Prayers by African Americans by…
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Listen: Create A Breath Prayer
In Scripture, God tells us to “pray without ceasing.” That may seem like an overwhelming task. In fact however, it is no task at all. It is an invitation to constant relationship with Jesus. One way Jesus followers through the centuries have prayed without ceasing is through “breath prayers.” The most famous of breath prayers is The Jesus Prayer. It goes like this, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” You can create your own breath prayer as well. Here are some examples: Jesus, let me feel your love. O Lord, show me your way. Holy One, heal me. Holy Wisdom, Guide me. Breath of Life,…
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Listen: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
Not long ago, if you had asked me what a spiritual discipline is and how many are there, I would have given you a pretty short answer. “Well, it is a way to connect with God. There is Scripture, prayer, going to church and…. Some people fast.” Yeah, that was about all I had. Then a friend gave me this amazing resource on spiritual disciplines called the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun. It has like 50 spiritual disciplines to learn about and practice. I’ll give you the same advice my friend gave me. Don’t try and read the book through. Each discipline is about 3-4 pages. Check out the…
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Jesus Rose From The Dead
Today, around the world, followers of Jesus Christ celebrate that a dead man rose to life again. He even predicted his own death, burial and resurrection. Because of this, we believe the other things he said. Because of this, many of his followers were martyred. Because of this, we have a relationship with God and share this with others. Because of this, we serve. Because of this, you can know God. Jesus died and rose again. This is the most important thing we believe. This event in history changed everything. If you want to know more about God, ask a friend whose life has been changed by Jesus Christ. Don’t…
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Jesus Died
Today, Christians celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. He did this in order to bring us back into relationship with God. If you have never read about this event, check it out here. Here is a shorter version.
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Listen: Pray Without Ceasing
Prayer is kind of boring. I know I’m not supposed to say that in a post about prayer. For most of my life, though, this is how I thought of prayer. It is simply that thing some people do before they eat. It is part of a transition in a Sunday service so the next person can get on stage while everyone else closes their eyes. It is a long list of requests we make to Santa, I mean God, when we are desperate. Prayer is a one way conversation. If you are like me, you did not grow up with a big emphasis on prayer in your life. Perhaps…
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Listen: Prayer and Scripture
Two primary ways to hear from God are through the Bible and prayer. A lot of my Listen posts this month will center around reading Scripture and praying. I will share some of the things I do, ideas others share with me and resources I have but may have not tried much yet. I’ll include some other spiritual disciplines also. To start off, check out my previous post on Lectio Divina. This is one of my favorite spiritual exercises. It includes prayer and Scripture. If you are like me and prayer was not a huge focus growing up, this will be challenging in a good way. Let me know if…
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A Poem to Patrick: Were You Afraid?
Perhaps you had heard of them.Those fierce warriors, strong and mighty.Those pagan slave traders, feared by all. Oh yes, you knew of the Irish!Before your life with them really began, were you afraid? Perhaps you had been having a normal day.You probably spent time with loved ones. You did not pray that day, for God was not a big part of your life.Everything was about to change!On that frightful night when they took you, were you afraid? Perhaps you would yet live. Now you were a slave, a mere shepherd boy.Now you began to pray, as you said goodbye to your former life.Your faith grew and grew over those cold,…
