Tag Archives: Weakness
Transforming our Pain
Wounded Healers Transforming our Pain Friday, September 18, 2020 If I were to name the Christian religion, I would probably call it “The Way of the Wound.” Jesus agrees to be the Wounded One, and we Christians are these strange believers in a wounded healer. We come to God not through our strength but through our… Continue Reading Transforming our Pain
It Must Happen to Us
Order, Disorder, Reorder: Part Two It Must Happen to Us Monday, August 17, 2020 Sooner or later, if we are on any classic “spiritual schedule,” some event, person, death, idea, or relationship will enter our lives that we simply cannot deal with using our present skill set, our acquired knowledge, or our strong willpower. It… Continue Reading It Must Happen to Us
Praying in Crisis
The Path of Descent Praying in Crisis Wednesday, March 25, 2020 CAC faculty member Brian McLaren is an author and contemplative activist. He spent over twenty years as the pastor of a church where he lived, worked, and prayed with people in good times and bad. Responding to crises is not theoretical for him, but a deeply felt and… Continue Reading Praying in Crisis
A Radical Surrendering
Twelve-Step Spirituality: Part One A Radical Surrendering Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Step Three: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God. [1] We each have our inner program for happiness, our plans by which we can be secure, esteemed, and in control, and… Continue Reading A Radical Surrendering
Thérèse of Lisieux, Part II
Mysticism: Week 2 Thérèse of Lisieux, Part II Wednesday, October 4, 2017 I understand so very well that it is only through love that we can render ourselves pleasing to the good Lord, that love is the one thing I long for. The science of love is the only science I desire. —Thérèse of Lisieux… Continue Reading Thérèse of Lisieux, Part II
Thérèse of Lisieux, Part I
Mysticism: Week 2 Thérèse of Lisieux, Part I Tuesday, October 3, 2017 Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) has long been an important teacher for me. The French Catholic Church of her time emphasized an ideal of human perfection, which took the forms of legalism, perfectionism, and immense self-preoccupation. Yet Thérèse humbly trusted her own experience, as… Continue Reading Thérèse of Lisieux, Part I
Absolute Vulnerability
Trinity: Week 2 Absolute Vulnerability Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. —Brené Brown [1] “Weakness” isn’t… Continue Reading Absolute Vulnerability
How to Meditate
Meditation How to Meditate Thursday, February 23, 2017 Guest writer and CAC teacher James Finley continues to share insights on meditation (another word for contemplative prayer). There is no single way to meditate. There are, however, certain acts and attitudes inherently endowed with the capacity to awaken sustained states of meditative awareness that form the… Continue Reading How to Meditate