Visio Divina: encountering God through images
Spiritual directors call meditating on a picture “Visio Divina.” Applied to a Bible passage, it’s an imaginative and refreshing form of Scripture meditation that helps us to enter into the narrative of Scripture and bring ourselves to Jesus. It’s similar to Lectio Divina, but instead of quietly listening to God through words we use a picture.
World-Class Novelist Wrestles Anew With Genesis
The American novelist and essayist Marilynne Robinson has accumulated numerous literary prizes, among them the 2005 Pulitzer, but also honors in religion. Her new nonfiction book “Reading Genesis” wrestles with the grand themes and thorny issues raised in the Bible’s first book. It’s a climactic testament at the twilight of a distinguished life and career.
Fasting: A Practical Guide
Fasting has been part and parcel of the Judeo-Christian tradition for millennia. Old Testament saints fasted at times of mourning, repentance, when they needed strength or mercy to persevere, and when they wanted a word from God. The New Testament church fasted when it sought God’s will and needed the grace and strength to remain faithful to God’s work.
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.
Whatever Issue, It’s Likely None Of Your Business
We butt into other folks’ affairs too often. Even with good intentions, minding our own business often demonstrates way more mercy and grace than trying to play the savior does.
Sabbath: The Radical Act of Stopping … Temporarily
The purpose of Sabbath is to enjoy your God, life in general, what you have accomplished in the world through his help, and the freedom you have in the gospel.
Celebration: Jubilee of the Spirit
The spiritual discipline of celebration leads us into a perpetual jubilee of the Spirit. We are rejoicing in the goodness and the greatness of God. As Saint Augustine said, “The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot.“
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.
Taizé Prayer: Seeking God’s Peace
Taize worship is marked by simplicity, silence, confession, reconciliation and prayer. This contemplative style of worship grew out of a community in Taize, France, founded after World War II to provide a place of refuge and forgiveness for those seeking healing and reconciliation after the distress and devastation of war. The service is a blend of Christian styles, both liturgical and free, both ancient and contemporary.
Gratitude: Overcoming Fear, depression and Isolation
Psychologists have shown that gratitude is one of the strongest predictors of happiness. And why is that? Because to feel grateful is to experience life as a gift, as an experience of grace and joy. Thus the practices of gratitude—the cultivation of the experience of receiving a gift—replace scarcity with an experience of abundance. When life is experienced as a gift, our anxieties lessen and the capacity to share freely and spontaneously is increased.
What Is Worship? A Survey of the Bible
In the Bible there are two major kinds of words for worship. The first means to bow down, to kneel, to put one’s face down as an act of respect and submission. Our body language is saying, I will do whatever you want me to. I am ready to listen to your instructions and I am willing to obey. The other kind of biblical word means to serve.
The People We Pass
More than money and opportunity, the people in our lives — our family, friends, colleagues, even our casual acquaintances — are among the most precious gifts God will ever give us. Do you know that?
Journaling: Written Reflection & Contemplation
Jim Martin keeps a daily journal and has for a number of years. The practice has been one of the most significant contributors to his spiritual growth and has become a crucial component in his relationship with God.
‘Sacred Alaska’ Explores Native Culture And Faith
“Sacred Alaska,” an award-winning documentary.
Experiencing God through the Creation Psalms
God comes near through his Word, and he comes close through his creation. If we don’t know and see this, we will miss so much of who he is and how he longs to be with us.
Humility: The Practice of Radical Trust
Humility will come to us all. ... But there are two paths to humility. The first is to humble yourself. It’s the decision to wake up to your reality, to say to God, 'I don’t know why this is the way it is, and I don’t know when it will end, but I trust You. I want to serve You. I will humble myself to show up today with joy and obedience and a heart to serve others.' The other way is to be humbled.
Book Excerpt: Marvin Olasky’s ‘Pivot Points’
Marvin Olasky describes his journey from Judaism to atheism to Marxism to Christ and his adventures in evangelical, conservative, compassionate, and journalistic circles.
The Long Tradition of Tattooing in Christianity
For some Christians, both in the United States and around the world, tattoos are an important way of representing their faith in Jesus. For example, pilgrims to Jerusalem will sometimes get tattoos during their time in the Old City, usually crosses on their forearms. But the evidence is clear that the practice started a long time ago—shortly after Jesus’ crucifixion, in fact—and has continued down the centuries.
Scorsese’s Faith Is Rarely Far off in His Films
Scorsese doesn’t need to defend his faith or burnish religion’s image. His movies are steeped in Catholic sensibilities but embrace painful questions that can accompany belief.