Learning to harness the roots of the inner life to the obedience of Christ
Whenever people asked my husband, How did you end up in our current community? He always answers, I followed the relationships. People were puzzled why someone with evangelical and erm, ultra charismatic background, would end up in a quiet denominational community? Especially the ex-ultra charismatic ministry-minded friends. Then they would look puzzled. hahaha.
Anyway, somehow this principle got stuck in my mind, and heart.
A few years ago, the Lord brought me to a group of ladies who meet regularly in the week. We were wanting to focus more on growth and maturity. So while considering which study book to use, one of us brought a workbook on the fruit of the Spirit, Love, -- which I browsed through, and realised the book's content, format of questions and I were a fit. (It is very hard to teach a study book where the author's thoughts and yourself don't jell). Near the end of the study, an old friend from NZ visited, and was very excited when she saw the name of author of the study guide. She share the author just had a great time of ministry in NZ back then. My interest was piqued.
A search online brought me to the work of Peter Scazerro, and his wife, Geri. One thing led to another, and soon I was trying to persuade everyone in our group to do a study on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS). EHS is a bridge that marry two major segments that are missing in the current main church scene. The monastic practice of stillness, silence, and contemplative theology
These were important, and I had been wanted to encourage the people to learn how to abide in the Lord. I guess it was one thing to realise how good the truth of EHS is. It was certainly another to teach it. And always wanting to teach it as accurately as possible. Oh boy! It was a challenging learning curve, despite reading the textbook, listening to the audio sermons on youtube, and its main sites, and watching the videos, and doing my homework.
I realised that I had to develop a new web of language for these principles in my heart and mind. It was a language needed to revolutionise one's deeper interior life. And seriously, I found I did not have much of it yet (yes, despite all the attempts at learning it).
I should have known better that spiritual truths cannot be taught effectively just with intellectual comprehension. It needs language that comes via experiential knowledge, and my knowledge in some of the areas were limited. Perhaps too limited. I then started to wonder whether I would ever be able to attend a live training session conducted by Peter Scazzero. I wanted to learn more.
Fast forward to almost a year later (and I still need to finish the study... seriously), I am happy to report last week, Peter Scazzerro actually came to town to teach EHS! Yes! I registered for the course, not knowing what to expect. But was thrilled to find it a leader's overview training session on the subject. It helped clarify some of my thoughts of the matter. There is so much I need think about, and also to share with the rest the missing gaps; hopefully it will encourage them to go on a journey to know themselves better, and ultimately, to create and protect their space and time with the Lord as all of us grow emotionally into maturity.
I came out of it feeling there is so much more to explore on this area. There is still so much to learn. Hopefully, I will experience more of the joys of practicing these truths in my journey as well as. Maybe I should aim to try out some of these Christian monastic experiences. If you are reading this blog, or come across it - do check EHS out: http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/
Anyway, somehow this principle got stuck in my mind, and heart.
A few years ago, the Lord brought me to a group of ladies who meet regularly in the week. We were wanting to focus more on growth and maturity. So while considering which study book to use, one of us brought a workbook on the fruit of the Spirit, Love, -- which I browsed through, and realised the book's content, format of questions and I were a fit. (It is very hard to teach a study book where the author's thoughts and yourself don't jell). Near the end of the study, an old friend from NZ visited, and was very excited when she saw the name of author of the study guide. She share the author just had a great time of ministry in NZ back then. My interest was piqued.
A search online brought me to the work of Peter Scazerro, and his wife, Geri. One thing led to another, and soon I was trying to persuade everyone in our group to do a study on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS). EHS is a bridge that marry two major segments that are missing in the current main church scene. The monastic practice of stillness, silence, and contemplative theology
These were important, and I had been wanted to encourage the people to learn how to abide in the Lord. I guess it was one thing to realise how good the truth of EHS is. It was certainly another to teach it. And always wanting to teach it as accurately as possible. Oh boy! It was a challenging learning curve, despite reading the textbook, listening to the audio sermons on youtube, and its main sites, and watching the videos, and doing my homework.
I realised that I had to develop a new web of language for these principles in my heart and mind. It was a language needed to revolutionise one's deeper interior life. And seriously, I found I did not have much of it yet (yes, despite all the attempts at learning it).
I should have known better that spiritual truths cannot be taught effectively just with intellectual comprehension. It needs language that comes via experiential knowledge, and my knowledge in some of the areas were limited. Perhaps too limited. I then started to wonder whether I would ever be able to attend a live training session conducted by Peter Scazzero. I wanted to learn more.
Fast forward to almost a year later (and I still need to finish the study... seriously), I am happy to report last week, Peter Scazzerro actually came to town to teach EHS! Yes! I registered for the course, not knowing what to expect. But was thrilled to find it a leader's overview training session on the subject. It helped clarify some of my thoughts of the matter. There is so much I need think about, and also to share with the rest the missing gaps; hopefully it will encourage them to go on a journey to know themselves better, and ultimately, to create and protect their space and time with the Lord as all of us grow emotionally into maturity.
I came out of it feeling there is so much more to explore on this area. There is still so much to learn. Hopefully, I will experience more of the joys of practicing these truths in my journey as well as. Maybe I should aim to try out some of these Christian monastic experiences. If you are reading this blog, or come across it - do check EHS out: http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/
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