"Whatever job we get and whatever task we are assigned can serve as a container for grace" (Eugene Peterson in "Practical Resurrection").
We pray that the words and sentences on this blog may also serve as "containers of grace" for its readers.
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Tag Archives: spiritual formation
Going Deeper with God – Stages of Spiritual Maturity
Eugene Peterson’s book Eat this Book teaches us to chew on a passage of scripture, digest it, and then put it to use in practical ways. Our Christian fathers and mothers called this process Lectio Divina. In these passages, we learn … Continue reading
Posted in Going Deeper with God
Tagged Adele Calhoun, Holy Spirit, James Bryan Smith, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, spiritual formation, The Good and Beautiful God
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“Composing A Life “
In 1989, Mary Catherine Bateson (daughter of anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson) wrote a book titled Composing a Life. Among other things, Bateson proposes that life is not a straightforward path, but more like an “improvisatory art.” As explanation, she … Continue reading
The Vocabulary of Spiritual Growth
Recently, as a birthday gift, my son took me to a lecture by David Brooks, New York Times columnist, commentator on PBS News Hour and Meet the Press, and author of The Road to Character. One of Brooks’ major themes … Continue reading
Fostering a Deeper Commitment
Nathan Foster recently admitted having a “broken ‘hoper’” – even when it comes to the Church. He says: “It doesn’t take many years of living life, watching the way things work out, the conclusions, the trends, the frailness and predicaments … Continue reading
A Lesson from the Civil Rights Movement
LIVING AS APPRENTICES January 19 is the celebration of Martin Luther King’s Birthday. The powerful movie Selma has been released. And February will be Black History month in America. With this backdrop, I listened today, spellbound, to an interview with John … Continue reading
Posted in Living as Apprentices
Tagged Civil rights movement, John Lewis, nonviolent demonstrations, SNCC, spiritual formation
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The Day After Christmas – Part 2
MY JOURNEY At 6:10 AM on the day after Christmas, I stumbled and bumbled into my son’s car and we headed to the hospital. I was to check in at 6:30 for a scheduled minor, but important, procedure an hour … Continue reading
Posted in Karen's journey
Tagged blood clot, Higher Power, Holy Spirit, Seek the Kingdom of God, spiritual formation
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Powerlessness Case Study
THE TWELVE STEPS AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION My husband woke up cranky today. Maybe it’s because he’s sick. Maybe it’s because he just has a cranky personality. Whatever the reason, he said something very mean. I automatically defaulted immediately to my … Continue reading
Living as Apprentices 