The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to challenge yourself to engage in spiritual practices that are new to you. The practice below, Imaginative Meditation, is an ancient practice that today is finding a new audience. Read on and try integrating it into the spiritual practices and disciplines that you engage in on a regular basis. Ignatius of... Continue Reading
I find it puzzling that we readily accept the importance of practice in sports, in music, in any successful business, and in any creative endeavor, but for some reason most of us do not see the importance for it in the arena of spirituality, where it is probably more important than in any other area. And, regretfully, many who have... Continue Reading
In his book, The Mystic in You: Discovering a God-Filled World, Theologian Bruce G. Epperly describes the lives, faith, and spiritual practices of saints and mystics in the difficult days of the Middle Ages. What he says about one of those mystics, Lady Julian of Norwich, is most applicable to these days of struggle, pain, and suffering caused by the... Continue Reading
In these days of world-wide suffering and uncertainty, consider gazing upon the cross of Jesus Christ and letting its depth of meaning and symbolism evoke questions to ponder, pray, and reflect upon. The Symbolism of the Cross From early Christians to today, the cross has symbolized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His sufferings and subsequent death and resurrection. Over the... Continue Reading
These are indeed extraordinary times we are living through. The COVID-19 Crisis and the constant media coverage has created an air of anxiety we all are breathing. And, our bodies are carrying this stress and palpable sense of dread whether we realize it or not. The Welcoming Prayer is a contemplative practice that can help sustain you through these uncertain... Continue Reading
Responding well to the Coronavirus demands spiritual resilience. Father Richard Rhor reminds us that one practice Christianity has developed over the centuries to nurture resilience is “lamentation.” Prayers of lamentation arise in us when we speak to God and one another about how stunned, sad, and silenced we are by the tragedy of human events, such as the COVID-19 Crisis.... Continue Reading
The forced isolation that comes with the Corona Virus Pandemic can be viewed as a gift when seen as an unprecedented opportunity for engaging in a variety of spiritual practices that require solitude. What if you thought of these days as the Jews consider the Sabbath—the most sacred of times? A time to cease, rest, reflect, delight, and pray. Using... Continue Reading
The forced isolation that comes with the Corona Virus Pandemic can be viewed as a gift when seen as an unprecedented opportunity for engaging in a variety of spiritual practices that require solitude. What if you thought of these days as the Jews consider the Sabbath—the most sacred of times? A time to cease, rest, reflect, delight, and pray. Using... Continue Reading
Brian McLaren is an author and contemplative activist. He spent over twenty years as the pastor of a church where he lived, worked, and prayed with people in good times and bad. The Crisis Praying practice below found in his book, “Naked Spirituality”, is an excellent resource for your own times of prayer during these days of crisis in... Continue Reading
The forced isolation that comes with the Corona Virus Pandemic can be viewed as a gift when seen as an unprecedented opportunity for engaging in a variety of spiritual practices that require solitude. What if you thought of these days as the Jews consider the Sabbath—the most sacred of times? A time to cease, rest, reflect, delight, and pray. Using... Continue Reading
The forced isolation that comes with the Corona Virus Pandemic can be viewed as a gift when seen as an unprecedented opportunity for engaging in a variety of spiritual practices that require solitude. What if you thought of these days as the Jews consider the Sabbath—the most sacred of times? A time to cease, rest, reflect, delight, and pray. Using... Continue Reading
I invite you to engage in a contemplative spiritual practice with a familiar Eastern Orthodox prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The Jesus Prayer is mirrored after the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14, where the tax collector said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” The Jesus... Continue Reading
Jim is a Church Organizational Leadership and Management Coach, Consultant and Trainer. Throughout his career Jim has demonstrated a passion for showing Pastors and Ministers how to use organizational tools for church and personal growth and health.
More About Jim“For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5