Meanderings Along the Way
Welcome to the official blog of GEM's Spiritual Life Team.
Blog posts on everything related to the spiritual life, updated weekly.
by Gabe Bernal “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV) As part of the hour-long exercise we are allowed in England during our lockdown,…
by Karen Huber “Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life…
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”” (John 8:12, NAS95) When Christ reconciled me to God through His work on the cross, I thought I had repented, but I really hadn’t.…
by Karen Kurth But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV) Recently I asked God to show me my attachments that took me away from His presence. What came to mind was my preoccupation with body image.…
by Sarah Bently God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19, ESV) God made me a promise ten years ago. Only it wasn’t…
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…
Spiritual friends are soul friends. Their love for each other translates into a desire that the other settle for nothing less than becoming all that he or she was intended to be. This means that they care for each other as whole people, not simply as spiritual beings. Friends become spiritual friends when they seek…
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…
by Jazz Becker “In Jesus we hear a resounding ‘yes’ to all of God’s many promises. This is the reason we say ‘Amen’ to and through Jesus when giving glory to God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, The Voice) People make all sorts of promises. Pinky promises. Calling someone back at a certain time. Marriage vows. Often,…
Wanting some help figuring out what to do for a half-multiple day personal retreat or time away with God? We’ve gathered a few books, guides and other resources in the hope of facilitating a renewing time interacting with God and enjoying His presence. Books: Invitation to Retreat by Ruth Haley Barton This book guides the…