Hope is not always something we feel strongly. Sometimes it is something we learn to practice. When circumstances are uncertain, our minds naturally begin imagining what might go wrong. We rehearse conversations, anticipate difficulties, and attempt to control outcomes that are beyond our control. Christian hope offers another way to live. It invites us to…
Walking by the Spirit does not require us to spend every day searching for dramatic spiritual experiences. More often, it means becoming attentive to God’s presence in ordinary life and learning to respond faithfully. The Holy Spirit forms Christ within us as we listen, obey, practice, and depend upon God one day at a time….
Silence and solitude are ancient Christian practices that help us step away from noise and activity long enough to become attentive to God. They are not about escaping life. They help us return to life with greater awareness of what is happening within us and greater openness to the presence of God. Why Do We…
Over the course of this series, we have explored a variety of Christian practices and rhythms that have shaped believers for centuries. We have discussed why practices matter, how they help move us from knowing to becoming, and how rhythms such as the Daily Office, Lectio Divina, Silence, the Practice of the Presence of God,…
When I look back on this journey, I am grateful for many things. I am grateful for the Daily Office and the structure it provided when I needed a way to return to God more consistently. I am grateful for the Psalms that taught me how to pray with honesty. I am grateful for the…
As we learn to read Scripture through practices like Lectio Divina and cultivate awareness of God’s presence throughout the day, another ancient practice helps bring these two realities together. It is the practice of carrying God’s Word with us beyond our devotional time and into the ordinary moments of daily life. Throughout the history of…
As these rhythms became a regular part of my life, I began to recognize a subtle danger that accompanies every spiritual practice. It is possible to become so focused on the practice itself that we lose sight of the relationship it was intended to support. What begins as a pathway to God can slowly become…
As we learn to slow down through practices like silence, prayer, and sacred reading, we begin to discover something deeper. God’s presence is not limited to church services, devotional moments, or special spiritual experiences. He is present in every part of our lives. The practice of the presence of God is the intentional awareness that…
As these rhythms continued to shape my life, I began to notice something else happening beneath the surface. The practices were not only helping me engage Scripture and prayer more consistently, they were also strengthening me internally. Not in a dramatic or immediate way, but slowly and steadily over time. There was a growing resilience…