discipleship

Whispers of the Ancient Path

2018-01-17T22:39:12+00:00By Joel|discipleship, Featured, Home of Prayer|

"The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 I know the title is a bit mysterious...and probably a bit too epic for a blog, but it is what it is. I've just been contemplating how the grit of schedules, paying bills, and doing things we enjoy (while putting up with the things we don't), can often make us feel like we're just hanging on. The dust and sweat of life lingers inch by inch closer to tomorrow and it often feels so consuming. One of the themes of my life [...]

Retreat Hiking

2014-08-28T14:03:24+00:00By Joel|discipleship, Home of Prayer, Simplicity|

Over the years, I've found that I'm prone to contemplate, and I've also learned that some people are not naturally introspectively oriented. Usually, major experiences (death of a loved one, major transition, etc.) may lead us to soul search - but I do think that quiet, introspection, and contemplation on who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing, is a very important part of our spiritual health. Sometimes it comes more naturally than other times, but it is a discipline as well as something I enjoy doing. Just because I enjoy doing it doesn't mean that I'm always in the mood to do it. It takes intentionality. Yesterday, I decided to head out [...]

Rest: The Missional Introvert Part Two

2018-01-16T15:27:31+00:00By Joel|discipleship, Missional Community|

As I've been thinking about being Missional. I've thought more about what that means for me as an introvert. Susan Cain did a great TED talk on "The Power of Introverts" I think one of the biggest things that I need to keep in check is my rest. Not just alone time, but figuring out my rhythms for re-energizing the ways that I re-energize, as well as how I abide (abiding is related but separate, and I've been thinking about that lately too...). Now, everyone "re-energizes" differently, but for our health as humans (extrovert and introvert alike), it is essential to have downtime - quiet. Yes, while it looks different on the scale of introversion and [...]

The Missional Introvert: Part One

2014-08-28T14:30:34+00:00By Joel|discipleship, Featured, Missional Community|

My wife and I have decided that we want to lead our family as a family on mission. That means that "extended family" is being built around our family's mission, and that also means discipleship is taking place and discipleship takes access to and opening one’s life. Being available. Here's the thing though: I am an introvert. It’s not an excuse; it’s just the truth of the matter. As much as I love people, they tire me out. I need down time. Like, literally, all-by-myself-time: to contemplate, to read, and sometimes to watch movies which makes fodder for future conversations. Whatever it is, that balance must be maintained if I’m going to function well. The interesting [...]