Spiritual Direction
Sometimes I need some help.
Spiritual Direction
Forgiveness given and forgiveness received are always the pure work of uncreated grace. Such unearned and undeserved forgiveness is necessary to break down the quid pro quo world that I call meritocracy. Only when we experience undeserved love does this inward and outward flow begin to happen. Before that, we are dry, dead cisterns. Before that, we... See more
Forgiveness and Freedom
Commenting on Kuyper’s proposals for liturgical reform, Wolterstorff observes that, for Kuyper, “various parts of the liturgy, and the liturgy as a whole, are to be seen as ‘an interaction between God and the congregation.’ Liturgy is action; and the actions are not just human actions and not just divine actions but ‘an interaction between God and
... See moreJames K. A. Smith • You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
“When you listen with your soul, you come into rhythm and unity with the music of the universe,” Irish writer John O’Donohue
since our hearts are made to find their end in God, we will experience a besetting anxiety and restlessness when we try to love substitutes.
James K. A. Smith • You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
love is both habit and hunger, then our tastes and cravings for what’s ultimate will be changed in the same way. Reflection is important—indeed, I hope this book can serve as a catalyst for your thinking about the liturgical formation (and deformation) of your loves. But reflection should propel us into new practices that will reform our hungers by
... See moreJames K. A. Smith • You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
Liturgy is the way we learn to “put on” Christ (Col. 3:12–16).
James K. A. Smith • You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit
Contemplative spirituality, on the other hand, is concerned with slowing down to be with God, focusing on such practices as:2 awakening and surrendering to God’s love in any and every situation; positioning ourselves to hear God and remember his presence in all we do; communing with God, allowing him to fully indwell the depth of our being;
... See morePeter Scazzero • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature
The ego loves to take sides; it gives us a false sense of solidity, importance, and intelligence. Contemplation is any way we can find to help us penetrate illusion and touch reality—and reality will always be bigger than us. It will always leave us a bit uncomfortable, a bit off center stage. If we’re still on center stage, it isn’t Reality.
The Purpose of Contemplation
I think this is one of the key things in parenting, and the difficulty of raising children in a very, very fast-moving culture: that, again, it’s the difficulty of creating a space where children can actually unfold and where they can be truly accompanied in their journey