Tagged: spiritual formation

For last week’s reflection on the outlook of life and peace in Romans 8, click here. For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6   Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 For some time now I have been deeply contemplating what it means to be shaped by God in every season and stage of our spiritual formation. As one who is in… Read More

For a dear friend who was just gut-punched with a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, and anyone else who is in the dark today. I don’t know where You are, Lord,  It’s so dark in here. Where are you? I am reaching for You.   I know You are here, Lord, In the darkness. Where are You? I am looking for You.   I don’t know where You are Lord, I am so very tired. Where are You? I am waiting for You.   I know You are here, Lord. The darkness is As light to You. I surrender to You.   You are here, Lord With me Present in the dark.   by Audrey Frank   ...even there your hand would guide me, your right… Read More

Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice —I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. Luke 6:47-48 The word practice is so graceful. I quite prefer it over resolve. At this time of year, when everyone is talking about New Year’s Resolutions, I like to ask myself what I’m going to practice. Practice implies trying, and trying again. Keeping at it. Persevering, even when one day is missed. Pressing on, although a week of the flu knocks down… Read More

  Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may be spread everywhere.  Song of Songs 4:16a (NIVUK) I live at the moment in a small and simple space on the edge of the Rift Valley in East Africa. The first thing I did when I arrived was drag the wooden desk to a window, where I spend most of my days writing and watching monkeys. I counted 21 last week. I know they are near when the trees in front of my window start moving in every direction. The branches bounce and shake, the fluffy black-and-white tails of the Colobus monkeys making them look like gigantic skunks as they swing from limb to limb, while their friends, the… Read More

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:4 The door to the cheese shop is sparkling The pedestrian crosswalk is shimmering I turn aside to see As you walk away from me. I parked in this spot A long time ago To drop off a friend who thought I needed to know. The fears I had for you Were come true It’s too late are the words That stuck to. The tree-lined street Was dark that day As all my hopes Fell away. But today! Here I am again Bringing you to help That same dear friend. Fear for you Has been replaced With joy… Read More

  To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1   Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalm 86:4   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8, all ESV Mysterious soul, how challenging it is to translate you into the languages of the earth. Each of these Psalms shares the small and mighty Hebrew word for soul, nephesh, but translators struggle to fully communicate its beautiful breadth. There is only one small phonetic difference between nephesh and the Arabic word nefs. Many years ago, rather than… Read More

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. Psalm 62:5, AMPC Shy soul Carefully guarded Peeking out from Behind a wall Built over decades To protect.   Curious soul Hoping…? Will they  Love me Accept me Welcome me Maybe not Try tomorrow Or another day one hundred years from now.   Safe soul  Stay Behind the wall Built over decades To prevent.   Surrendered soul Behind a wall Light cascading Inviting.   Patient soul Waiting Silent Hoping Expecting God alone. By Audrey Frank   The soul is like a wild animal—tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient and yet exceedingly shy. ― Parker J. Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life: Welcoming the Soul… Read More