Category: Teaching/Formation

Parables and Private Lessons

June 12, 2024

My kids are learning to play the piano. While we could have had them watch YouTube instruction videos, we signed them up for private lessons. Once a week they sit side by side at the piano, Miss Liz “taking them by the hand” and tailoring lessons to their skill level and needs, manipulating their fingers, correcting and encouraging, addressing their questions and meeting each student where they are at. This reminds me of Jesus and discipleship. … More Parables and Private Lessons

Imago Vita: Contemplating God’s Work in You

April 30, 2024

Many of us know the Bible’s promises, but don’t experience God in a dynamic way. Our prayer life is dull. We’re bored singing worship songs. We’re brought to tears watching a movie, but feel nothing reading the Bible. It’s time to come to our senses—literally. Join us for a new series exploring the role of imagination and multi-sensory spirituality. … More Imago Vita: Contemplating God’s Work in You

Your Chariot Awaits!

April 24, 2024

The passage from Acts 8:26-40 reminds us to be open to the Spirit’s leading, even when we don’t understand why. Jeremy then offers a spiritual reading of the Ethiopian’s “Chariot” encouraging us to seek out spiritual mentors and sacred spaces where we can go for “chariot chats”: asking questions, grappling with Scripture, learning and worshiping and growing together. … More Your Chariot Awaits!

Spiritual Orphans and the Gift of a Mentor

February 7, 2024

This lectionary reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-15 emphasizes our need for spiritual mentors and role models, like Elijah and Elisha. The text illustrates three key lessons: disciples keeping their eyes fixed on their mentors, mentors leading mentees to important lessons and places, and mentors empowering mentees to overcome obstacles and stay on the Narrow Way. … More Spiritual Orphans and the Gift of a Mentor

Cow Manure and Spiritual Growth

August 19, 2023

In John 12, Jesus is telling us that life is to be found in the dying and losing process, not on the other side of it or by avoiding it. If you want to bear much fruit spiritually, then you may first need to be broken open, split in two, pressed into hard soil, plowed over by persecution, humbled by the spade that throws loose dirt over the false, airbrushed version of your life. … More Cow Manure and Spiritual Growth

Sit Still, Pinocchio!

July 12, 2023

If God is the true Sculptor and we are the clay, then we need to sit still on God’s workbench more often so he can do his job. Imagine old Geppetto trying to put the finishing touches on his masterpiece Pinocchio if he were already a living boy, jumping up and down and running around the room. That’s much of American Christian spirituality. We’re working too hard for God to work on us. We’re moving too fast for God to move in us. … More Sit Still, Pinocchio!

Jesus As LifeCoach

September 13, 2022

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and puts it into practice is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24 Dallas Willard wrote relentlessly urging Christians to place real, rugged apprenticeship to Jesus back at the center of Christian faith and the church’s task.  The problem, Willard says, is that “The … More Jesus As LifeCoach

Wise Teaching

August 13, 2021

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus drew huge crowds. There was an irresistible enigma to him. He is the ultimate charismatic teacher and leader. What is it about Jesus’ teaching and his style of teaching that was so attractive? … More Wise Teaching

Wise Music

August 7, 2021

Music has been and can continue to be a powerful tool in the transmission of wisdom. Like no other mode of communication, music has the power to transcend the spoken word and relate what is being said to the emotional and spiritual self in addition to the rational self. … More Wise Music