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The Tapestry of Worship
However, the beauty of such a meditative journey is not confined to any single denomination. The longing for a tangible connection to the divine, a structured means to delve into the depths of Scripture, and a dedicated time for reflection and prayer is universal across the Christian faith. Recognizing this, there arises a compelling need…
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Embracing Spiritual Disciplines: The Journey of Working Out Your Salvation
The Christian phrase “working out your salvation,” refers to a lifelong process of spiritual growth and transformation, not earning salvation. Key to this journey are spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fasting, service, worship, and fellowship. Despite its challenges, practicing these disciplines fosters personal growth, enables a deeper relationship with God, and enhances one’s witness…
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Examen in Daily Life:
Understanding and Applying the Examen in Daily Christian Life In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it can be challenging for believers to maintain a sense of spiritual awareness and presence. However, the ancient practice of the Examen, developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century, offers a profound yet simple way…
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Gazing upon God: Visio Divina in Personal Devotion and Worship
Visio Divina, or “divine seeing,” is a peaceful, personal spiritual practice that engages believers with God through visual imagery, rather than written scripture. This practice, rooted in Christian spirituality, involves preparing a sacred space, observing and reflecting on selected images, and responding and contemplating revelations. Guided by this serene discipline, believers embark on a profound,…
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A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
May 3, 2022 I have had several acquaintances in my 57-year journey on this earth. Some have been close, and some have been those who needed me to do something. Whatever the case, I have had the privilege of knowing many people. When I was young, I was not so lucky. I was a funny…
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The Battle is the Lord’s
April 28, 2022: Most people believe that when they begin following Christ their lives will become simpler, easier with more blessings. Jesus clearly stated that if they persecuted Him, they would persecute His followers. Most people, like me, think the following: let me get this straight; I surrender my life to you and now my…
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Recovery in a Broken World
by Cliff Kosier Recovery in a Broken World / Love; Trust; Trial; Prayer; God’s Power; Spiritual Discipline; El Roi / Psalm 63:1–4; Acts 16:22–30; John 16:33; Genesis 6:13 Patience in trouble is one of the most difficult emotions to master. How do we trust in a God that is invisible? Can we really trust him?…
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Worship Through Prayer
Today, I want to share with you the spiritual discipline called “BREATH PRAYER”. Our breath is the sign of life within us, when we breathe in we take the sustenance of life that nourishes our lungs and body; with exhalation we discard those things that are not good for the body. Breath Prayer is similar…
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Spiritual Disciplines: Worship Through Music (Musica Divina)
While music is important in our lives and provide a means of expression, relaxation, grieving, celebration and fun in our modern world, it is advantageous to know that it was equally important in the ancient days of Israel. We only have to look at the Psalms to realize that music was a significant part of…
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Worship Through Your Eyes (Part II)
Now that you have chosen your work of art, photo or place you will observe in nature, here is how we begin our journey to worship with our eyes through Visio Divina. You might want to grab a piece of paper, pen or pencil so you can write thoughts down as they occur. Begin by…
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Worship Through Your Eyes (Part I)
Have you ever seen a piece of artwork that transported you into another realm? Great works of art have a tendency to help us see things that are outside of our realm of vision. As I embarked on a new discovery this week during a spiritual week of refreshment, I discovered that nature, photography, and…
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The Elephant in the Sanctuary: Spiritual Disciplines that Enhance Worship – Part III
From the beginning of creation, there has been instilled in the human heart the act of worship. Whether the object of worship is work, beauty, family, or money, the human heart has always become infatuated with the worship of another. For the human heart that has accepted Jesus, the yearning of worship must be directed…
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Rediscovering the Spiritual Depth of Christmas: Embracing Spiritual Disciplines
As the Christmas season unfolds, with its twinkling lights and festive songs, there’s often a palpable excitement in the air. Yet, amidst this bustle of activity and commercialization, the profound spiritual significance of the holiday—the celebration of Jesus Christ’s miraculous birth—can become overshadowed. This year, let’s explore how turning to spiritual disciplines, including the practice…
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Worshiping God is not painless:
The Daily Discipline of Worship: Embracing God in the Midst of Challenge Worship is often thought of as a momentary act—something we do on Sundays or during formal religious services. Yet, the true essence of worship in the Christian faith extends far beyond these moments; it is a daily discipline, an offering of one’s entire…
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Journey to the Divine
The author shares their spiritual journey discovering Ignatian spirituality, a path offering personal worship and divine communion. Through practices such as contemplative prayer and discernment, and adopting a life of reflection, they experienced a transformative and intimate relationship with God, transcending rituals and doctrines. The author invites readers to share their spiritual experiences, fostering a…
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It’s Not About You!
May 11, 2022 In a society that claims taking care of yourself is of utmost importance, we tend to think everything revolves around our wants and likes. Just a couple of older commercials come to mind: “Have it Your Way”, “You deserve a break today” and “It’s not selfish to take care of yourself”,…
Living a Life of Worship 