Spiritual Formation

I realized that I had taken up space in the church, consumed the resources of the church, and even recognized the faces of people in the church, but I’d never actually gotten the most out of my Sunday morning. Three questions can help keep you from making the same mistake.

I knew I needed to change my actions. But it wasn’t due to anxiety. Or fear. Or shame. Those motivators were much more familiar to me.

In college, I got a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and leisure studies. I avoided anything and everything that was hard.

The closer we resemble Jesus, the closer we are to being truly humble.

Now that I’m in midlife, I find Sabbaths all the more important.

As a creative person, my Sabbath involves items that draw me closer to the presence of God in creative ways.

The greatest challenge to our evangelism isn’t a hedonistic culture or a relativistic worldview. Nor is it scientific reasoning or religious pluralism. It’s our own faithless witness.

What do we do with disappointment? What do we do when there’s a gap between what we wanted or expected and what actually happens? Even more, what do we do with God in the face of disappointment?

Bulging biceps. Watermelon-sized shoulders. Abs so defined you could see them from outer space. No, I’m not describing myself. Well, I guess I sort of am. I’m trying to describe the image in my head of the “ideal me.”

A healthy Seven is an amazing force for good. But we have to get serious about entering into the real world, having real conversations, and pursuing real joy.