Spiritual Formation The Pilgrim Life

When Transformational Change Doesn’t Happen

Why is change so hard? Creatures of habit, creatures of comfort. We all know and resonate with those phrases. It’s comforting to predict the general outcome of our day. If we can anticipate an upcoming change and plan ahead so as not to upset the rhythm of our lives, then that means we have everything under control. Life is good, right? Practically speaking, habits make life easier, run smoothly, and give us that sense of…

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Ignatian Spirituality & Practices Prayer Life Spiritual Formation

Noticing God in Your Story: An Ignatian Examen

Like Jesus, who went to the cross not for pain in itself but ‘for the joys that were set before him’, so we are to make this journey through the memories of pain and darkness, not to stay with these things but to redeem them and move beyond them. […] We, who build so many hells on earth, need to know that there is no place so dark, no situation so seemingly hopeless, that cannot…

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Advent & Christmas-tide Prayer Life Seasonal Devotions Spiritual Formation

The Practice of Journaling in Advent

Last year I provided an Advent practice of journaling with the words of Advent. This is a practice that I started a few years ago as a way to be intentional in this season. If you don’t know much about Advent or weren’t able to participate in last year’s practice you can view it here. This year I want to provide the same opportunity. I have put together a new list of words for those…

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