[Formatio] Enduring Spiritual Formation Classics

Spiritual Practices from IVP Formatio

Spiritual Practices from IVP Formatio Contact IVP Enduring Spiritual Formation Classics Dear Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog (Rick), "As it is in the height and breadth and glory of the sunshine that the smallest speck dancing in its beams is seen, even so humility is taking our place in God's presence to be nothing but a speck dancing in the sunlight of his love." As I wrapped up my summer spiritual reading group last Saturday, I was encouraged to hear how this particular line from Andrew Murray's 1895 classic Humility resonated with so many of those gathered. Nearly everyone had highlighted or underlined these words in their copy of the book. Most summers, I invite a small group of people—from different Christian traditions and in various stages of life—to discuss a short spiritual classic together. We aim to pay prayerful attention to God's invitations to grow, to wonder, or even to voice contrary views. While there were various responses to Murray's teachings in Humility (including some disagreement), it was striking how this pastoral and spiritual text spoke powerfully to us across the years. The same has been true of other short spiritual classics we've discussed, from Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God to contemporary spiritual texts like Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Jacques Phillippe. While the times may change, the needs of the soul do not. Spiritual classics—whether they're centuries old or from more recent voices like Eugene Peterson or Dallas Willard—invite us into the lively, dynamic work of the Spirit as we gain fresh insight, wrestle with ongoing questions, and are formed into Christlikeness. One reason I joined IVP's editorial staff this year is IVP's committed investment in publishing for the spiritual life—such as our updated editions of Peterson's A Long Obedience in the Same Direction and Willard's Hearing God Through the Year. Through texts like these and Murray's, we can respond to Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:29: "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Kelli B. Trujillo IVP Trade Editor Living for God's Words By Dallas Willard "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."  —Deuteronomy 8:3 People are meant to live in an ongoing conversation with God, speaking and being spoken to by him. God's visits to Adam and Eve in the garden, Enoch's walks with God, and the face-to-face conversations between Moses and Jehovah are all commonly regarded as highly exceptional moments in the religious history of humankind.  Aside from their obviously unique historical role, however, these moments are not meant to be exceptional at all. Rather they are examples of the normal human life God intended for us: God's indwelling his people through personal presence and fellowship. Given who we are by basic nature, we live—really live—only through God's regular speaking in our souls and thus by "every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."  Pray: Talk with God about the idea of having ongoing conversation. Tell God what truths you most need to hear from him regularly. Ask God to show you circumstances and places in which this conversation might occur most easily (praying, gardening, exercising or cleaning house). Keep Reading Taken from Hearing God Through the Year by Dallas Willard. Copyright ©2004 by Dallas Willard and Jan Johnson. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL.  www.ivpress.com A Guide for Drawing Close to God Being close to God means both telling him what is on our hearts and understanding what he is saying to us. The second half of this conversation is so important—and so difficult. How do we hear God? In these daily devotionals, Dallas Willard helps us understand how we can know the voice of God and act on it. Each day you'll read Scripture on this topic and find suggestions for prayer, journaling, and reflection to become more open to God's presence.  Order Now Going Deeper This week, consider creating a Genogram. This diagram of your family can reveal patterns in behavior, priorities, and decisions. As you build your Genogram, notice which characteristics of your family stand out to you. What do you hope to emulate or, perhaps, not emulate? As you look at the finished diagram, prayerfully submit your family history to God with gratitude and lament. Ask God for wisdom, restoration, and healing for the future. "What Makes You Think You Can Race Against Horses?" By Eugene Peterson This world is no friend to grace. A person who makes a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior does not find a crowd immediately forming to applaud the decision or old friends spontaneously gathering around to offer congratulations and counsel. Ordinarily there is nothing directly hostile, but an accumulation of puzzled disapproval and agnostic indifference constitutes, nevertheless, surprisingly formidable opposition.  An old tradition sorts the difficulties we face in the life of faith into the categories of world, flesh and devil. We are, for the most part, well warned of the perils of the flesh and the wiles of the devil. Their temptations have a definable shape and maintain a historical continuity. That doesn't make them any easier to resist; it does make them easier to recognize.  The world, though, is protean: each generation has the world to deal with in a new form. World is an atmosphere, a mood. It is nearly as hard for a sinner to recognize the world's temptations as it is for a fish to discover impurities in the water. There is a sense, a feeling, that things aren't right, that the environment is not whole, but just what it is eludes analysis. We know that the spiritual atmosphere in which we live erodes faith, dissipates hope and corrupts love, but it is hard to put our finger on what is wrong. Keep Reading Taken from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene H. Peterson. Copyright © 2021 by Eugene H. Peterson. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL.  www.ivpress.com. A Timeless Call to Deeper Discipleship Since Eugene Peterson first wrote this spiritual formation classic more than forty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Christians have been inspired by his prophetic and pastoral wisdom. This commemorative edition includes a preface taken from Leif Peterson's eulogy at his father's memorial service and a bibliography of Peterson's works. Order Now Finding Ourselves in the Church Calendar In this season of Ordinary Time, we offer this collect from Prayers for the Pilgrimage by W. David O. Taylor: For Children Going to School Dear Jesus, you who promise to be with me always, I pray that you would be with me this day as I go to school; bless my going and my coming, bless my learning and my playing; protect my heart from fear, keep me safe, and give me good friends, so that I might experience the fullness of your joy this day and evermore. I pray this in the name of Jesus, the One who loves me from head to toe. Amen. You Might Also Enjoy The Singer Trilogy By Calvin Miller Through the story of the Singer, his Song and his battles with the World Hater, Calvin Miller has created an extraordinary retelling of a life unmatched in human history. Now you can find the complete, powerful tale of incarnation and redemption in one volume, with all three of Calvin Miller's books together: The Singer, The Song, and The Finale. Invitation to a Journey By M. Robert Mulholland Jr. M. Robert Mulholland Jr. fleshes out a carefully worded definition of spiritual formation that encompasses the dynamics of a vital Christian life and counters our culture's tendency to trivialize, methodize, and privatize spirituality. Now revised and expanded by Ruth Haley Barton with a new foreword, practices, and study guide. Deep-Rooted in Christ By Joshua Choonmin Kang With fifty-two brief readings ideal for weekly reflection, this devotional from pastor Joshua Choonmin Kang invites you to walk slowly, paying attention to God's work in you and around you, to walk intentionally, using spiritual disciplines to develop Christlike character, and to walk purposefully, experiencing deeper grace and vision. "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."   – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring In partnership with Richmont University - Christ-centered graduate program, specializing in counseling, spiritual formation, and ministry.  Visit the Conversations Journal store to purchase back issues you may have missed. Copyright © 2024 InterVarsity Press, All rights reserved.  You're receiving this email because you signed up at ivpress.com, at an event, or through a promotion. 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