In every extended discussion of spiritual practices “silence” always becomes a focus of attention at some point. Many times the importance of silence is questioned, especially as it is “heard” as a withdrawal from the world, the community and our call to be … Continue reading
I have the feeling that C. S. Lewis won’t let me go. I find Lewis speaking to me again this week. What do you think? Does Lewis have something important to tell us? ” . . . substituted religion for God … Continue reading
These wise words dropped into my inbox a few days ago and they struck me as indispensable counsel for our approach to all spiritual practices, “As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only … Continue reading
One of the mailings that finds its way to my inbox most all weekdays is from the Yahoo Group, Awareness-TheWaytoLove. Each mailing is a very short piece from the writings of Anthony de Mello, S.J. Last week this appeared in my inbox, “What’s … Continue reading
Last year I got an ebook edition of Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (edited by Shane Claiborne and others). I skipped around in it, read some and was impressed and pleased. This year I decided to read the office … Continue reading
The past several weeks we have been thinking about the balance between the passive and the active in our lives. With that lens in mind I invite you to spend time meditating on Psalm 23. When I recently came to … Continue reading
As I have continued to think about passivity (and activity) in our Christian walk and practices, I remembered some words of Dallas Willard I shared many months ago on “abstinence and engagement.” He identifies the disciplines of abstinence as solitude, … Continue reading
For the past two weeks, first from Evelyn Underhill and then from Eugene Peterson, we have heard about a certain kind of passivity in the Christian walk. Today, let’s listen to Dallas Willard, “[Disciplines are] activities we engage in that are within … Continue reading
This paragraph from Evelyn Underhill recently was delivered into my email inbox, “There is no need for peculiar conditions in order to grow in the spiritual life, for the pressure of God’s Spirit is present everywhere and at all times. Our environment … Continue reading
Dallas Willard sees no replacement for Christians coming together to share their lives, “In fellowship we engage in common activities of worship, study, prayer, celebration, and service with other disciples…. Personalities united can contain more of God and sustain the … Continue reading
