Spiritual Formation. First of all, I don’t like the term. It is too “spiritual” for me. We’re talking about personal formation, about becoming a more gracious, loving, virtuous human being; the person God created me to be. It is not about developing some part of me that is “spiritual,” it’s about me becoming more mature.Continue reading “Spiritual Formation: What Is It?”
Category Archives: Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation: A Place to Begin
By Chaplain Mike A.W. Tozer once wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is the Bible’s perspective, as well. “In the beginning, God…” “You shall have no other gods before me (the one true and living God)” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is ourContinue reading “Spiritual Formation: A Place to Begin”
iMonk Classic: So Where Does an Evangelical Go For Spiritual Formation?
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted Aug 30, 2008 MOD Note: We will be focusing on the subject of spiritual formation in the days to come. In Aug/Sept, 2008, Michael Spencer had several posts on the subject, emphasizing the lack of tradition and practice with regard to spiritual formation in evangelicalism. This isContinue reading “iMonk Classic: So Where Does an Evangelical Go For Spiritual Formation?”
“For” God or “With” God?
By Chaplain Mike One of my favorite teachers today is Skye Jethani, senior editor of Leadership Journal and Out of Ur.com. The following video is a good example of why I appreciate his emphasis so much. In it he describes a turning point in his own thinking and ministry when he realized we may beContinue reading ““For” God or “With” God?”
Redefining Greatness
By Chaplain Mike The older I get, the more my definition of “greatness” changes. For many of us who grew up in the age of mass media, great has often equaled “famous” in our minds. The great are those with public celebrity. Whose faces are seen in print and on screen. Whose words are capturedContinue reading “Redefining Greatness”
“Don’t (worry about trying not to) waste your lifeâ€
Today we welcome guest poster, Sean Muldowney. A Note from Chaplain Mike: One of the most subtle forms of legalism takes hold of believers through forms of pietism. Pietism is an approach to the life of faith that emphasizes the intensity of our religious feelings and devotion. Modern evangelicalism is rife with it. Go toContinue reading ““Don’t (worry about trying not to) waste your life—
A Gospel Thought for Monday Morning
By Chaplain Mike To start our week out, here is a good thought from Tullian Tchividjian: I once assumed the gospel was simply what non-Christians must believe in order to be saved, but after they believe it, they advance to deeper theological waters. Jonah helped me realize that the gospel isn’t the first step inContinue reading “A Gospel Thought for Monday Morning”
Filled with Passionate Intensity
Does anyone else cringe when they hear the over-used word “passion”? What’s your passion? — “I have a passion for — something.” “I’m so passionate about that.” I don’t think these people know what they’re really saying. Bear with me here. I’m launching into a history of the word from its origins to its modern usage.Continue reading “Filled with Passionate Intensity”
Shaped By Jesus III
By Chaplain Mike Update: We’ve had some good comments, but they have focused on academic issues. That is fine, but I’m really much more interested in how this text speaks to Jesus-shaped spiritual formation. It’s time to get back to our series, begun in June, on the Jesus-shaped life. “Shaped By Jesus” is a seriesContinue reading “Shaped By Jesus III”
The Terror Of Faith
(It may be that the things I say below will be useless or even damaging to some people at this point in their life of faith. I hope those people will ignore what I’ve written if it’s unhelpful to them. Caveat lector.) Growing in faith is an extremely dangerous proposition. It’s been compared to leapingContinue reading “The Terror Of Faith”
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