Reading the Bible like Dallas Willard
What if spiritual formation isn’t an extra part of the church’s mission — but the whole thing? That’s the shift Dallas Willard urged pastors to make. His vision wasn’t about more programming, but about returning to the heart of discipleship: becoming like Christ from the inside out. When churches take this seriously, the visible and invisible realms of God’s kingdom begin to overlap in everyday life.
How To Know the Mind of Jesus
Knowing Jesus isn’t about collecting facts. It’s about learning his mind, his ways, his heartbeat. Scripture becomes a means of connection, not just comprehension.
Nobody Is Above Serving Others
Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve — and he calls us to do the same. No title, platform or gifting exempts anyone from the call to serve.
The Growth of Productivity and the Fall of Stillness
Our world glorifies productivity, yet silence is where we meet God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, ‘Teaching about Christ begins in silence,’ but how often do we truly stop? We measure progress, check off boxes and chase efficiency — but what if our striving drowns out God’s voice? Maybe the most vital thing isn’t doing more, but learning to be still and attend to his presence.
The Intimacy and Mystery of ‘The Secret Place’
The secret place with God forms identity, heals wounds and deepens intimacy. It’s where heartbreak becomes transformation — where rejection refines, not defines.
Fill Your Life With Wonder and Delight
Childhood wonder often fades as life’s hardships take hold, but joy and delight remain central to God’s plan for us. Every baby’s laugh, painted sunset and shared hug reflect his love. Slowing down to notice these gifts helps us step into the fullness of life he designed — one marked by childlike faith, meaningful connection and the beauty of the everyday. Joy isn’t lost; it’s waiting to be embraced.
The Voice in the Alley
Listening to God’s voice can transform everything. Israel, once an orphan on the streets of Tijuana, found his life’s purpose through an unexpected encounter. His story reveals how hearing God shapes our identity and leads us toward a life of meaning and fulfillment. Are you open to hearing him? God’s voice invites us into the fullness of life we were made for — if we’re willing to listen.
Learning to Serve Like Jesus
Serving like Jesus requires that we open ourselves up to the destruction of our schedule. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we see the priest and the Levite cross the road to avoid the robbed man. Maybe they wanted to avoid trouble or maybe they had a legitimate place they needed to be. Either way, both of them passed up an opportunity to take care of the man lying on the side of the road. It was the Samaritan that demonstrated true love and service by allowing himself, his schedule, and his pocketbook to be disrupted.
The Secret of Supernatural Living — Intent
The path of spiritual growth in the riches of Christ is not a passive one. Grace is not opposed to effort. It’s opposed to earning. People are more active than when they have been set on fire by the grace of God.
Discerning and Using Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit gives each one of us a particular spiritual gift or set of gifts, which can be used in a range of ministries that serve others in the Christian community and beyond. Do you know yours?
A Vision Set The Course For My Spiritual Journey
There have been perhaps five times when the supernatural burst headlong into my mundane, drone-bee existence. For me, on average that figures out to one visitation (or whatever you want to call it, I’m not a stickler about terminology) every 12 or 15 years, although my experiences haven’t been that predictable.
Study the Bible as if It Were a Journey
God will accompany you and speak to you as you travel and explore and have adventures. Be eager but patient, too; you will hear his voice and sense his presence more clearly at some times than at others.
Living Out the Liturgical Year
Becoming aware of—and living out—the Christian liturgical year allows followers of Jesus to enter into communion with him in a way that touches body, mind, and soul.
The Three Elements of Loving God Outdoors
My agenda is frequently different from God’s. He must be the initiator in my spiritual walk. He knows what I need to hear. When I go to the woods, I go to receive.
What Is a Spiritual Awakening? And How To Pray for One
We cannot create spiritual renewal by ourselves, but we can “prepare the altar” and ask God to send his Holy Spirit to change our hearts, our churches, and our communities.
Nine Ways to Connect with God
Do you ever feel guilty because quiet time just doesn’t cut it for you? Are you ever frustrated by a “one size fits all spirituality”? Don’t despair.
The Gift of Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction helps us to learn to ask better questions like, “Where is God in this?” It creates a space where we can search for hints of the divine in our lives.
Christian Ornithologists Find Deep Meaning
For many, the relationship between birds and Christianity does not stray further than the dove and olive branch on a banner at church. However, for Christian birdwatchers, the link is alive.