It might be more honest if this class were titled: "Theological Provocations". It is my intent to provoke you to think theologically. The process of recovery is, at its core, about spiritual change. As you sometimes hear: "Talking about the spiritual part of the program is like talking about the wet part of the ocean". Because recovery is rooted in spiritual change, theological concerns will turn … [Read more...] about Recovery 102: Theological Considerations
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Seeing Others More Clearly Part 1: Barriers to Intimacy
by Juanita Ryan All of us long to love and to be loved. We long to both experience and express respect, kindness and acceptance in our relationships. We want to know and be known, to understand and be understood, to care and be cared for. To love and be loved. But our relationships are often marked by tension, misunderstanding and distance rather than by the safety, empathy and closeness we … [Read more...] about Seeing Others More Clearly Part 1: Barriers to Intimacy
When You Are Ready To Try Again: Going Back to Church
by Jeff VanVonderen When we were born we had no idea what was in store for us in our physical family. And we had nothing to say about the behaviors, character traits, or priorities of our biological family. None of us could choose what our family would be like. But what if it weren't impossible? What if we did have a choice? What if, prior to actually becoming part of a family, we were given … [Read more...] about When You Are Ready To Try Again: Going Back to Church
Being Held as Prayer
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10 Prayer is knowing that wherever we go, wherever we are, we are held securely by God. We might pray this way by reflecting on images of being held by Love. We might sit quietly for a few minutes and feel ourselves held securely in God’s … [Read more...] about Being Held as Prayer
Being Held as Prayer
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10 Prayer is knowing that wherever we go, wherever we are, we are held securely by God. We might pray this way by reflecting on images of being held by Love. We might sit quietly for a few minutes and feel ourselves held securely in God’s … [Read more...] about Being Held as Prayer
Being Blessed by God as Prayer
And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16 Sometimes prayer is receiving God’s blessing. Sometimes prayer is allowing Jesus to gently place his hands on us and speak words of blessing over us. To bless someone is to envision a positive future for them. It is to speak of the promise of God’s care and provision throughout their lives. We often envision … [Read more...] about Being Blessed by God as Prayer
Entrusting All to God as Prayer
Therefore, I urge you…in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 Prayer is an act of entrusting … [Read more...] about Entrusting All to God as Prayer
Entrusting All to God as Prayer
Therefore, I urge you…in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 Prayer is an act of entrusting … [Read more...] about Entrusting All to God as Prayer
Becoming Like Little Children as Prayer
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:14 This story … [Read more...] about Becoming Like Little Children as Prayer
Dying as Prayer
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24 Prayer awakens us. Prayer is a source of conscious contact with the One who is Life itself. So how is it that prayer is also the experience of dying? What might it mean that prayer leads us to fall, like a kernel of wheat, into the ground … [Read more...] about Dying as Prayer