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.
Resistance is an underlying and often unconscious response in which we avoid or push back on an issue, experience, or insight. It is a normal part of all growth and is caused by the struggle or tension we feel toward change in others or ourselves.[1] God’s holiness, his unpredictability, even his tenderness can feel threatening,…
Prayer is fundamentally talking to God about what He and I are doing together. – paraphrased from Dallas Willard Prayer then includes conversation, talking, silence, listening and interaction around God’s desires (hence, what He and I are doing together). Prayer can be request, worship, meditation, listening, talking, etc. Generally, prayer is paying attention and responding…
When we engage in listening prayer, we are taking the time to be quiet in God’s presence in a posture of open readiness to receive His words and respond. God is in the driver seat, and we acknowledge that we can’t force him to saying something. We surrender to His terms and His timing. We…
The Prayer of Examen is a time of regular self-examination with God. Under God’s leading in prayer and listening we discern our faithfulness in following Christ throughout our daily activity. This is not a time for self-condemnation but for discernment of where one was in step or not in step with the Holy Spirit. The movements…
Centering prayer can also be identified as “silent prayer” or “prayer without words.” It is the practice of gazing on God who gazes on us in love. The word “centering” is used to emphasize focusing one’s attention and senses on the presence of God. It grants us permission to detach from thoughts and emotions that…
“Practicing the presence” has become a catchy phrase in the Christian world, but what does it actually mean when someone uses it? At the core, practicing the presence involves cultivating a way of life that enables us to become aware of and be present to the God who calls himself “Immanuel, God with us.” God…
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…
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…
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…
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…