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- It is done!
A post to celebrate finishing my degree.
- It is done!
- Creator of Small Things
The 3rd in a series on Isaiah’s view of God as Creator, this article looks at the Artist’s tender work of undying love with his people.
- Creator of Small Things
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- The Incomparable God
When Isaiah wants to encourage his disheartened people, he sets before them an image of Yahweh as Creator. This Creator has many facets, but Isaiah begins with his vastness and incomparability.
- The Incomparable God
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- Shimmering Artistry
Trees shimmering with hoar frost prompt some reflection on one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith.
- Shimmering Artistry
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- Of Dreams and Sinkholes
Sometimes hidden hurts surface to reveal sinkholes in our souls. Here’s one such experience brought to the security of my Heavenly Father’s embrace.
- Of Dreams and Sinkholes
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- A Tended Heart
A reflection on the parable of the sower.
- A Tended Heart
- The Passover Lamb
A Holy Week reflection on the Table, the Garden and the Cross.
- The Passover Lamb
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- Love That Binds
A prayer poem expressing a longing for community.
- Love That Binds
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- Spiritual Formation and Direction
In my circles in The Netherlands the terms “spiritual formation” and “spiritual direction” are still fairly unfamiliar. This article, published by my seminary, articulates the focus of my chosen field very well. I share it here by permission of one of the authors, my valued professor and advisor, Donald Goertz.
In recent years across a wide […]
- Spiritual Formation and Direction
- Falling in Love
A challenge to seek God whole-heartedly, written by Pedro Arupe.
- Falling in Love
- Here is My Heart
A ‘prayer song’ inspired by Teresa of Avila.
- Here is My Heart
- Hindrances to Grace
In this sermon excerpt, I identify and unmask common hindrances to living in God’s grace. This is a common theme in the ministry of spiritual direction.
- Hindrances to Grace
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- Spiritual Direction in a Nutshell
A repository for quotes that describe the practice of Spiritual Direction.
- Spiritual Direction in a Nutshell
- Patrick's Breastplate
A powerful prayer used for centuries to appropriate God’s power and protection.
- Patrick's Breastplate
- Nouwen on Spiritual Direction
In the introduction to his (new) book, Henri Nouwen unfolds the content and practices of spiritual direction with his classic gentleness and wisdom.
- Nouwen on Spiritual Direction
- Spiritual Direction, An Introduction
For those who are new to spiritual direction, this gives a brief introduction to what it is and what you can expect from it.
- Spiritual Direction, An Introduction
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- The Gaze of the Soul
The Transfiguration accounts invite Jesus’ followers to develop the transformative habit of gazing upon Jesus.
- The Gaze of the Soul
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- Food for Transformation
From the Equipped for the Quest series, this article introduces Formational Reading as an approach that nourishes the soul.
- Food for Transformation
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- A Sense of Expectancy
Mentoring relationships shape us. Jesus, the master mentor, calls us to meet with him, expectant for what he will impart. This is the second article in the “Equipped for the Quest” series.
- A Sense of Expectancy
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- An Enthusiastic Spirit
The first in the series, Equipped for the Quest, this one encourages us toward enthusiastic praise on our trek with God.
- An Enthusiastic Spirit
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- Cooperating Christians
Teaching about human beings being transformed in Christlikeness is a tricky business, for we quickly run into questions about who does the work–God or us. Gary Thomas tackles this well in his book, The Glorious Pursuit, from which this excerpt is drawn.
- Cooperating Christians
- Questions for the Heart
Two simple yet profound questions can make a world of difference in mastering the heart.
- Questions for the Heart
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- Timeless Insights from Tozer
An excerpt from The Pursuit of God in which A.W. Tozer presents God’s attributes with worship-inspiring beauty and clarity.
- Timeless Insights from Tozer
- Read for Depth, Not for Distance
Buddy Owens packages traditional principles for reading the Bible in contemporary imagery. Condensed into 6 travel tips, his advice has the potential to be life-changing. It certainly was for him.
- Read for Depth, Not for Distance
- Luther's Guide to Scripture Meditation
Martin Luther’s classic guide to reading Scripture, published under the name A Simple Way to Pray.
- Luther's Guide to Scripture Meditation
- Duty & Devotion
A thought-provoking article by David Timms which calls us beyond the familiarity of duty toward devoted love.
- Duty & Devotion
- To Worship in Truth
Jesus’ call to worship in truth involves more than intellectual assent to his identity. It is a call to truthfulness. This is the final article in a series on John 4.
- To Worship in Truth
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- To Worship in Spirit
John 4 holds Jesus’ only recorded words about the nature of worship. This article looks at what it means to worship in spirit as it gathers clues from the flow of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman.
- To Worship in Spirit
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- Let Grace Spring Up!
Jesus’ encounter with the ‘woman at the well’ is packed full of significance. This meditation, the first of 3 on this story, looks at how the grace Jesus extended to her produced a wellspring in her life and that of her community.
- Let Grace Spring Up!
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- Time for Restoration
A New Year’s reflection as I re-surface after 6 months of intensive living.
- Time for Restoration
- Brother Lawrence's Lifestyle of Worship
A fresh look at Brother Lawrence, viewing the practice of the presence of God through the lens of worship.
- Brother Lawrence's Lifestyle of Worship
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- George Mueller's Great Discovery
George Mueller is renowned for his faith that God would provide all the needs of his orphanages in 19th century England. This is his own account of the life-changing discovery which fed his joy and faith throughout forty years of ministry.
- George Mueller's Great Discovery
- Resolved to be Grateful
Expressing gratitude is a learned discipline and is one of the most powerful tools in the Christian’s toolbox. This journal entry expresses how turning my soul toward gratitude transformed a day from glum to glory.
- Resolved to be Grateful
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- Worship Stations-Trend or Treasure?
Worship stations are definitely “in” but will the trend last? And are they worth the effort? This article discusses those dynamics and offers a brief guide to using them effectively.
- Worship Stations-Trend or Treasure?
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- Going Organic
Describes a new approach to designing worship gatherings which is “organic” rather than “linear”. Drawing from Dan Kimball’s books, it explains some key elements of what makes it different from the traditional contemporary approach.
- Going Organic
- The Essence of Worship
In Psalm 138 King David gives us a ‘worship primer’ with a great deal of substance.
- The Essence of Worship
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- Worshipers on a Journey
Using the analogy of a tour guide, worship leaders are encouraged to plan worship as if they are preparing to lead a tour group on a trip. The comparisons assist the leader in envisioning the worshipers’ experience and in inviting their full participation in encountering God.
- Worshipers on a Journey
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- On the Praise of God
A segment from “”Art and Craft in Worship Leading”", this considers the meaning, practice and effect of Biblical praise.”
- On the Praise of God
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- Worship is . . .
A compilation of definitions to kick start our thinking about what worship is and what we as worship leaders are called to accomplish.
- Worship is . . .