Spiritual Formation in Every Season

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

What happens when you take a knife to a piece of wood and run the blade across the same spot repeatedly? Eventually, the indentation will become deep. It will be noticeable–the wood will be able to feel it and others will be able to see it. For me, “spiritual formation” can often mean making noticeable indentations on my own heart.

In our progressive society, ancient rhythms often get a bad rep. However, people are consistently finding that the “new and improved” ways of spiritual formation are leaving them emptied and dry. You know which “new” ways I’m talking about; they are always under scrutiny, causing rifts within the church and constantly spawning turmoil and controversy. As the new ways fall short, people choose to return to ancient methods of spiritual formation. One of these ancient ways is observance of the seasons of the liturgical year.

Many Christians are not familiar with the seasons of the liturgical, or Christian, year. They are as follows:
Advent (which we are currently in; the four Sundays before Christmas)
Christmas (December 25-January 5)
Epiphany (January 6)
After Epiphany (after January 6 to the beginning of Lent)
Lent (begins six-and-a-half weeks before Easter)
The Great Triduum (Thursday, Friday, Saturday of Holy Week, before Easter Sunday)
Easter (extends for fifty days after Easter Sunday; ends on Pentecost)
After Pentecost (from Pentecost Sunday to the beginning of Advent; about six months)

What is so important about these dates? Think about the first Passover, the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first manifested and the church began, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the preparation of John the Baptist for the coming of Christ, and the birth of Christ Himself. All of these dates celebrate and remember real events, real moments in the life of Jesus and the church.

We can also remember events in the nation of Israel that relate to these dates. Even in the time of Isaiah, the people of Israel longed for a Messiah: “It will also come to pass that before the call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). The themes of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany are in anticipation and celebration of Israel’s Savior–our Savior. The seasons of the Christian year even observe Jewish holidays–Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Passover. We are united with the nation of Israel–God’s people through the ages–in our observance of these events and seasons.

The understanding that I have of the Christian year is that it follows the pattern of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. As we travel through His life time and again, we are practicing the spiritual discipline of living in the pattern of Jesus’ saving life throughout the year. Of course, we cannot attain spirituality on our own. The spirituality that we can claim and have is because of Jesus’ choice to come to earth in human form, resist sin, overcome it, and reconcile us to God. Everything that we have depends on His life, death, and resurrection. Which means it is REALLY important, or, rather, essential.

Observing these seasons year after year etches scripture, tradition, and sacred memory on our minds and hearts, just as that knife on wood makes an irremovable indentation. It brings joy and excitement, reflection and rememberance. In Christianity Today, Mark Galli (managing editor) says of Christian author Robert Webber, “In an age that says, ‘time is money,’ Robert Webber says, ‘time is spirituality.” Time and humanity are two of God’s most intricate and unexplainable creations. Exploring how the two can work together, based on Jesus Christ, in a way that is spiritually formative brings renewal from season to season and new discoveries with the passing of time.

God in Heaven,
Thank you for sending Your Son to overcome death for us in Your name, so that we may be reconciled to You.
Thank you for the life of Your Son, the life of Your people, and the seasons of the year, in which we can celebrate life with Christ Himself.
We love You in seasons of change, seasons of lament, seasons of want, seasons of joy, and seasons of abundance.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Erin Daugherty, Stephenville, TX

To find out more about the seasons of the Christian year and to learn how they can be spiritually formative, read Ancient-Future Time by Robert Webber or go to http://www.crivoice.org/chyear.html.

All for One and One for All

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

As the holidays are approaching, everyone is looking forward to the NFL Playoffs and the numerous bowl games. There is the Cotton Bowl, Ticket City Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Rose Bowl, and countless others. The regular seasons are winding down for collegiate and professional football and the championships begin. I remember the beginning of the season. As you followed your favorite team this year, you possibly watched a transformation before your eyes. The team started the season as individuals. The individual players wanted all the glory for themselves, to be in the spotlight, to carry the ball and to catch the game winning pass.

As the season grew long and teams faced adversity, the individuals looked for leadership and bonded with each other. The teams that banded together, overcame adversity, and played with all their hearts may not have won all the games or even be competing for a championship, but those who believed in a common goal still formed bonds and transformed from an individual to a team.

Similarly, you began your spiritual life as an individual. You tried to find happiness and be fulfilled by turning to God. But, you began to get discouraged and possibly distracted. You continue searching alone and seem to fall short.

Just like any great sport, we need a coach and teammates. We must have a relationship with our spiritual coach. If you look to this coach with an open heart, He will guide you through the tough times and celebrate with you in the great times. We should be training with the Lord on a daily basis, determined to be more like Christ in our daily walk. Just like your favorite sports team, greatness and perfection do not happen without practice. The coach urges the players to perfection during practice, as well as during big games. We should listen to the Lord during our life journey and He expects us to practice and perform in the time of need. However, we must remember we are not alone in the spiritual walk. We have teammates! Our teammates and we have an even greater bond than that of any sports team--we are bound by blood. We are meant to open our hearts to the Lord and have a relationship not only with God, but with others. Through spreading His word we shall all be unified.

Jesus prayed in John (17:20-24) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

As Jesus prayed, we are all one in Him. So as you study the word of God on your own spiritual walk, remember that we are not alone. Submit your heart to the Lord and look to your teammates for support.

Gracious Heavenly Father. Thank you for your guiding hands in our spiritual walk and for the blessings of our spiritual family during this time of growth. Open our hearts to allow us to look for your guidance. Allow us to work in unison to spread the glory of your name. Guide us through any obstacles that we may face. Please give us the strength and knowledge during this time. As Jesus has prayed, may our love be spread throughout the world through our growth. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Adam Tittor
Cleburne, Texas

People Watching

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

People watch television, sporting events, the stock market, and grass grow, but have you ever just watched people. You know; people watching...It’s what you do when you’re bored, sitting on a bench at the mall or by yourself at the airport. Some may say it’s tacky, but it can be very entertaining. People will do all kinds of things in public that they don’t think anyone will notice. I won’t go through any kind of list, but it can be quite humorous. Then, sometimes people or more ironic than humorous.

For instance, the father who gets on to his daughter for sucking her thumb while he puts a big dip of snuff in his mouth or the mother who screams at her child for making a “scene”. My favorite is the “lovey dovey” boy friend who can’t keep his eyes off of every other young lady that walks past him and his girlfriend. The best part of people watching is that you can think about and criticize other people and completely avoid any self reflection at all.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What if people could watch us not just at the airport or the mall, but 24/7. What ironies would they see? Better yet, where would they say that our treasure lies?

In the United States today and in churches all across this great land people are discussing how true spiritual formation occurs in people. In small groups and coffee shops from shore to shore people with frustration in their voice confess that they are stagnant in their faith. They feel as if their heart is not truly in it. There is a lot of truth to that statement. Spiritual formation begins with the heart and Jesus knew that our heart’s focus is on those things that we cherish.

What do you chase after with an unquenchable thirst? What was your last Indiana Jones moment all about? Ironic, isn’t it? There’s a correlation between the answer to that question and what our spiritual pulse is. You can be in it to win it, but if your heart isn’t in it, nothing truly formative can happen in your spiritual life...in my spiritual life.

Prayer:
“O God, I can fool everyone and even myself, but there is no place too far that you are not there.

Help me to seek the kingdom of heaven and treasure the God who first loved me. Help me to love and bear fruit in the lives of those created in His image. When my flesh seeks out treasure that is fleeting and temporary give me the courage to let it all go and find true treasure in You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.”

Tanner Fain
Stephenville, Texas

The Heart of the Matter

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart.
Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep.

Why questions are important questions. Why do you want to marry her/him? Why do you want to go to school there? Why do you like that field of study? Why did you decide to take that opportunity? On and on it goes. Some reasons are better than other reasons. “Why” gives us some insight in what motivates us to do certain things.

Faith growth is essentially a “why” question, too. Why am I a Christian? Why do I serve people? Why do I honor the teaching of the Word about holiness? Why do I look for ways to encourage other believers and build up my congregation? Why is my faith growing? Why is it in disarray?

I like listening to Paul offer up (and remind us!) of his “why” for serving Jesus. Do these sound familiar?

• By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:8-10)
• Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15)
• The love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. 5:14)
• Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
• You obeyed from the heart that form of teaching which saves. (Romans 6:17)

These simple texts take us back to the headwaters of faith and more importantly, what sustains our faith. We aren’t simply baptized and added to the church. Jesus said to Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” I guess another way of putting it would be, “Peter, how do you regard me in your heart? Think about that as you enter into ministry with me.”

The story in Luke 7 stirs my heart every time I read it. What would I have done if I had been there? A uninvited woman breaks into the banquet and plops down at Jesus’ feet. It’s socially awkward. Her gratitude compels her to toss social protocol aside. She rests at Jesus’ feet, applying perfume, kissing them, weeping on them and wiping the tears with her hair. By any cultural standard that’s strange to say the least. But, “thank you!” is the only thing on her mind. Jesus turns to the offended host and says, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).

I think that is the baseline for spiritual maturation. Being gripped in our hearts by the magnitude of grace, our sinfulness, our utter desperation and what God has done for us is first order business for genuine faith growth and enduring discipleship. We get up in the morning with a “why” for living and serving in the gospel that compels us forward with zest and purpose. It isn’t tradition, or peer pressure or a strange sense of “ought to”. It’s because our hearts have been turned over. We have become as those who are willing to do whatever and be whatever because God has done the most extraordinary thing for us. Perhaps that’s what Jesus meant when he said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”

Prayer:
Father, may our hearts be captivated by the power of your love and mercy. May our lives be surrendered each day to the gospel as a celebration of praise and thanksgiving that reaches into every corner of our lives. May your will be ours and your holiness sought after because our hearts are lost in pursuit of yours. Amen.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Spiritual Formation and Our Hearts

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

Wikipedia defines spiritual formation as: The growth and development of the whole person by an intentional focus on one’s (1) spiritual and interior life, (2) interactions with others in ordinary life, and (3) the spiritual practices (prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, worship, etc.). The key word for today here is focus!

Speaking in general terms of spiritual formation as a universal experience, American philosophy professor and author Dallas Willard writes, “it is a process that happens to everyone….Terrorists as well as saints are the outcome of spiritual formation. Their spirits or hearts have been formed.” And with respect to Christian spiritual formation, he continues, “spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.”

Ahh……….”the inner world of the human self”, that part of us that we might also refer to as our heart. Not the organ that pumps the life sustaining blood thru our physical bodies, but that inner core of our being that encompasses the entirety of our mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements, that gives us the awareness of being alive……both physically and spiritually! The heart thus becomes the seat for experiencing and expressing life’s situations: grief, joy, desire, affection, perceptions, thoughts, understanding, reasoning power, the imagination, conscience, intentions, purpose, will and faith.

In terms of thinking of our spiritual formation as a process, we need to realize that it is a life long process! Revelation 2:10 tells us, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life”. And we also need to remember that we have an “adversary, the devil,” that “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1Pet 5:8) We will no doubt have ups and downs! It truly becomes a matter of focus!

Peter’s life is a perfect example of a spiritual journey with ups and downs!! His impetuous nature would cause a roller coaster effect for most of his life. One minute, he’s walking on water, the next he’s crying out to the Lord to save him from sinking. One minute, he’s drawing his sword, the next he’s fleeing the garden and following from afar. One minute he’s boasting that he’s ready to go to prison and even die for Jesus, the next he’s denying that he even knows the Lord!! That particular night had to be the all time “down moment” of Peter’s life!

Another man hit an all time “down moment” that night, Judas the betrayer. But, there is a significant difference in the response and outcome of these two disciples. Peter’s heart would hold on to the virtue of God’s grace. He would RE-FOCUS and go on to become a “rock” for the cause of Jesus and the church! Judas as we know would not!!

Heavenly Father, as we live our lives and strive to focus on your son Jesus, transform our hearts with a deep connection to the virtues of your grace, so that when the adversary comes prowling, we can re-focus! In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Ron Smith
Beeville, Texas

Submit Yourselves, Then, To God

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

My husband is a Teddy Roosevelt enthusiast. He loves history in gen-eral, but within the past couple of years, he has discovered TR and all his eccentricities, and he is completely hooked. There are many, many wonderful quotes I have gleaned from his fascination with our former president, but the one you hear most often in our household is, ―Say ‘I can,‘ and you‘re halfway there!

We say this to each other, most often in jest, because it seems like such a ridiculous stretch. I mean, a positive attitude is great, but it in no way equals half of a daunting task. In regards to faith, though, and one‘s personal walk with Jesus, I believe this type of simplicity is more predominant than many people (especially young Christians) realize.

James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you” (James 4:7). These verses radiate the simplicity of a Christian life that seems to elude so many. Such a great deal of a righteous life has to do with one‘s will, or resolve – NOT with one‘s feelings. God does not expect that we always ―feel close to Him. Rather, He asks that we come near to [Him]– that we pray, read scripture, attend church, serve others and allow the gospel to express itself through us – all in order to give Him the opportunity to meet us halfway.

Similarly, God does not require that we always ―feel toward our spouses as we did on our wedding day. What a relief that is! He instead expects us to remember the promises we made to love and honor. Then we must submit our will to those vows. And when it comes to feeling charitable toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, the same principle applies. As C. S. Lewis states in his book Mere Christianity: “Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.”

We allow ourselves to become so wrapped up in what we are feeling that we forget that God doesn‘t care (entirely) about our complicated and fickle emotions. He just wants our will. Now, surrendering to Him is not a one-time act – we must do so over and over every day for the rest of our lives. And practice helps, but doesn‘t make perfect. Just don‘t waste time obsessing over ―feeling the way a Christian ought to. Simply submit your will to your God, and give Him the chance to meet you halfway. It really is that simple.

(Author unknown)

Prayer: O God, who can discern his errors? Forgive our hidden faults. Keep us from willful sins; may they not rule over us. May our hearts reach for your thoughts and be shaped by your calling of us so that your likeness can be seen in us. Amen.