Posts by GEM Spiritual Life
Abiding in Christ
An ongoing, lifegiving connection with Christ and His love that results in fruit, joy, and glory to God. Living in His love includes our responsibility to continue interacting with His Word, keeping His commandments, and conversing (prayer) with Him. Biblical References: Ps. 90:1; John 15:4-11, 16:13-15, Acts 17:28; 1 John 2:24ff For more on abiding…
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Spiritual Pathways
by Joy McAuley How many personality type assessments are you familiar with? Have those assessments been helpful in understanding how you respond, operate and think? What kind of personal or professional growth has come from learning more about how you are made? The Birkman, Myers-Briggs, Strengths Finder, Enneagram, to name a few, show us that…
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Lent: the What and the Why
by Steve Caton The practice of Lent was ‘born’ in a fascinating time. In the 3rd Century, Christianity was squelched and on the fringe, being held and observed by people hiding in deserts working to preserve a simple and holy life modeled after Christ and His ways. God used this group exiled on the fringe…
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I’ve heard so many stories this year of transitions. Transitions to new types of ministry, new roles, new locations. It feels like the Covid years have been a salt shaker, shaking people up and around on the dinner plate of life. For me, part of that has been walking through a process of re-exploring my…
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Hearing and Responding
by Gabe Bernal And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot” – Acts 8:29 (ESV) I am reading through the book of Acts in my reading plan, and I’ve always found the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch interesting. Philip was just minding his own business when an Angel appears…
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The Word and the Spirit
by Lena Larsen Key Verse: When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by…
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Meditation
Meditation involves ruminating, pausing, wondering, contemplating, and reflecting on an idea or subject. In Christian meditation we focus on an aspect of God, his work and/or his Word allowing ourselves to profoundly taste and see the goodness of God. Through meditation our understanding deepens and strengthens within our soul. Although it’s not essential you might…
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Sabbath
Practicing sabbath is a rhythm of rest in which we lay down our work and our worries to delight in God and celebrate His love. Sabbath has as its purpose rest, restoration, renewal as expressed in the commands for Sabbath, Sabbatical year, and Jubilee (Lev. 25)). It is an opportunity stop or cease and let…
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Talbot Talks: Spiritual Formation with Dr. John Coe
Dr. John Coe of the Institute for Spiritual Formation (Biloa University) discusses the Christian definition of and approach to spiritual formation, including the importance of a well developed spiritual theology.
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Wrestling on the Promises
“For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love…” (Lamentations 3:31-32, ESV) Promises—they have the potential to do so much. They can give hope in times of waiting, bring sweet satisfaction when they are fulfilled, or bring heartbreak when…
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