Many thanks Jonathan for all the reflection questions! I’m recording them into my book. This little gem is my #1 giveaway to people all the time. Just refilled my supply and also put a stack in my little church around the corner’s prayer room. I hit day 30 every month and then hit repeat. I write in it like a journal and when no more space is on the page, I get a fresh copy to begin again. Each one becomes a living journal, and I love sharing this with others! I give a small bow in gratitude and can’t wait for your full book to come out! No pressure🤣
Beverly, this means so much. I’m deeply honored that the questions have become a kind of rhythm for you—and even more amazed that you’re sharing them with others in such a thoughtful way. A living journal—that’s brilliant. I’m finishing Chapter 9 of 10 right now, and the manuscript is due Sept 1, so things are moving in the right direction! Thanks for the encouragement—it really helps me keep going.
I am so excited to hear an update on your progress! I have even searched the web, just in case I missed your publication announcement. Please keep us posted! I think this is the longest and the most intensely I have longed for a book. And yes, waiting is a spiritual discipline.
Question 1 is tough to express in words. I like to live awake and aware of my life with God so that my responses hopefully arise from there. This is a starting point for more complex thoughts.
Question 2. The most constant saint’s voice for me is Dallas Willard. His first words to catch my attention made me realize he understood how people are ungodly; he was wise enough to describe their harming nature and then he moved on in his teachings. He consistently lived his faith.
And, as far as living souls who make me feel less alone in this journey, I am deeply grateful for you Jonathan. Everyday.
Question 3. Slow growth? No problem—at least there IS growth. And without slow growth, there is no growth. If it is too fast, there will be more backtracking and correcting. Maybe I have come to savor the sweetness of slow and steady.
Celeste, thank you for taking the time to share all of this. Your reflections are honest and rich, and I’m grateful to be on the journey with you. It means a lot to know that the questions are sparking something meaningful. And I’m with you on slow growth—it really is the kind that lasts.
One thing I think about upon reflection is the idea, in the Gospel of Thomas, and with certain passages in Luke and in Paul's writing, how God lives not only around us but within us. That sense that God is within gives me solace and hope and courage.
Paul, I’m grateful you shared ... that line—“God lives not only around us but within us”—carries a lot of power. It’s one of those truths I want to keep returning to. Thank you.
These questions are SO good! One of the figures who make me feel less alone in this season is Hildegard of Bingen. I love the way she was willing to bet on the projects God placed on her heart, even in the face of a society that undervalued women. I love that it was a God-fearing nun that blazed trails for all women of this time period, and that we have a saint to thank for such early steps in feminism.
I don’t know much of Bingen, but your comment makes me want to learn more. Thanks for sharing how her life is speaking into yours right now. And I'm glad the questions are resonating!
It is definitely a process! For me, the discovery of writings from the Christian mystics (thanks to Rohr, Finley, and the CAC) has fueled my walk. I am able to separate my ego from my true self and rely on my experience of God in stillness and quiet to ground me. It is the mystics (Merton, Finley, Teresa of Avila, The Cloud of Unknowing, Meister Eckhart) who guide this practice.
Korie, I'm in process too! I’m grateful for the way the mystics have shaped your journey—and I completely resonate with how grounding stillness can be. These authors have helped me also, in deep and lasting ways. I’ve found that a prayer of stillness has become one of my most important spiritual practices. Thank you for sharing this.
Many thanks Jonathan for all the reflection questions! I’m recording them into my book. This little gem is my #1 giveaway to people all the time. Just refilled my supply and also put a stack in my little church around the corner’s prayer room. I hit day 30 every month and then hit repeat. I write in it like a journal and when no more space is on the page, I get a fresh copy to begin again. Each one becomes a living journal, and I love sharing this with others! I give a small bow in gratitude and can’t wait for your full book to come out! No pressure🤣
Beverly, this means so much. I’m deeply honored that the questions have become a kind of rhythm for you—and even more amazed that you’re sharing them with others in such a thoughtful way. A living journal—that’s brilliant. I’m finishing Chapter 9 of 10 right now, and the manuscript is due Sept 1, so things are moving in the right direction! Thanks for the encouragement—it really helps me keep going.
I am so excited to hear an update on your progress! I have even searched the web, just in case I missed your publication announcement. Please keep us posted! I think this is the longest and the most intensely I have longed for a book. And yes, waiting is a spiritual discipline.
Yes. I will keep everyone up to date! Appreciate your encouragement all these years.
Question 1 is tough to express in words. I like to live awake and aware of my life with God so that my responses hopefully arise from there. This is a starting point for more complex thoughts.
Question 2. The most constant saint’s voice for me is Dallas Willard. His first words to catch my attention made me realize he understood how people are ungodly; he was wise enough to describe their harming nature and then he moved on in his teachings. He consistently lived his faith.
And, as far as living souls who make me feel less alone in this journey, I am deeply grateful for you Jonathan. Everyday.
Question 3. Slow growth? No problem—at least there IS growth. And without slow growth, there is no growth. If it is too fast, there will be more backtracking and correcting. Maybe I have come to savor the sweetness of slow and steady.
Celeste, thank you for taking the time to share all of this. Your reflections are honest and rich, and I’m grateful to be on the journey with you. It means a lot to know that the questions are sparking something meaningful. And I’m with you on slow growth—it really is the kind that lasts.
One thing I think about upon reflection is the idea, in the Gospel of Thomas, and with certain passages in Luke and in Paul's writing, how God lives not only around us but within us. That sense that God is within gives me solace and hope and courage.
Paul, I’m grateful you shared ... that line—“God lives not only around us but within us”—carries a lot of power. It’s one of those truths I want to keep returning to. Thank you.
These questions are SO good! One of the figures who make me feel less alone in this season is Hildegard of Bingen. I love the way she was willing to bet on the projects God placed on her heart, even in the face of a society that undervalued women. I love that it was a God-fearing nun that blazed trails for all women of this time period, and that we have a saint to thank for such early steps in feminism.
I don’t know much of Bingen, but your comment makes me want to learn more. Thanks for sharing how her life is speaking into yours right now. And I'm glad the questions are resonating!
It is definitely a process! For me, the discovery of writings from the Christian mystics (thanks to Rohr, Finley, and the CAC) has fueled my walk. I am able to separate my ego from my true self and rely on my experience of God in stillness and quiet to ground me. It is the mystics (Merton, Finley, Teresa of Avila, The Cloud of Unknowing, Meister Eckhart) who guide this practice.
Korie, I'm in process too! I’m grateful for the way the mystics have shaped your journey—and I completely resonate with how grounding stillness can be. These authors have helped me also, in deep and lasting ways. I’ve found that a prayer of stillness has become one of my most important spiritual practices. Thank you for sharing this.