Introduction to Christian Spirituality

Generally speaking, spirituality is looked upon favorably by our culture today. We humans recognize that we are more than mere physical matter that exists in this human form for a brief amount of time only to return to the Earth when we die. We sense that there is a deeper, spiritual part to who we are; a part that can’t be seen, heard touched or measured, and yet is essential to making us who we are; a part that continues to exist even after our hearts stop pumping blood through our arteries and veins; a part that connects us to a spiritual something or someone who is beyond this world. Different people have different ideas of who or what this something or someone is – the big man upstairs, the spirit in the sky, extraterrestrials, Allah, God, the “force” – but the one thing that all would agree upon is that this spiritual something or someone is behind everything that is going on in this world, and that in order for us to reach our full potential as humans, it is essential that we are in some sort of relationship with this someone or something.
Recently I spoke with a girl who shared with me that she had planned to go on a three week fast during which she would only drink water. Three weeks! That’s a long fast! When I asked her why she desired to do so she told me (and I’m paraphrasing here) that she needed to figure out some things in her life and that this fast would give her an opportunity to do some soul searching. She seemed to be implying that by performing this spiritual discipline (fasting as a practice is based upon the idea that there is more to us than our flesh and bones which require food for sustenance – a spiritual side.) she would be able to look inside herself and find answers to her life problems. Popular spirituality often focuses on the power within, self-actualization, self-enrichment and self-empowerment through the proper spiritual exercises. However, this view is a quite different from Christianity’s view of spirituality.
Now I am by no means opposed to an individual taking time to be introspective and look within. In fact, I believe this is a crucial part of Christian spirituality. But where I believe popular spirituality differs from Christian spirituality is in what one expects to find when they do this soul searching. Popular spirituality looks for answers and spiritual power from within, but Christian spirituality is very skeptical of anything our soul tells us. As Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Why this drastic difference? Why does the Bible promote such a seemingly pessimistic view of the human soul/heart? It’s because of the understanding that humans in and of themselves are spiritually corrupt – that ever since the fall into sin the human heart has been the source of evil, not holiness (Mark 7:14-23). Spiritual power in the Christian view is a gift to be received from without – from Jesus and the Holy Spirit who come to us through God’s Word.
With this being the case, why is it beneficial for an individual to look inward? Because when one looks within and compares their heart/soul to the standard set by God in His Word, he sees his own wretchedness and is shown the importance of looking to He who is the source of spiritual power and enlightenment – Jesus and His Word. Christian spirituality begins, continues and ends with Jesus.
As I continue with this series on Christian spirituality I hope to show how God uses various spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation and fasting to give us His spiritual power and wisdom.

Peace in the Community Intro

Starting Sunday, March 20th and continuing for the month leading up to Easter, Peace launches a new venture called Peace in the Community. The idea behind Peace in the Community is quite simple – we would like for as many of our ministries as possible to conduct their regularly scheduled meeting time somewhere in the community. Do you have a Bible study that usually meets at Peace on Sunday mornings? How about meeting at a local coffee house? Do you have a small group that ordinarily meets in a home? How about a local restaurant? Or what about a board meeting at a local pub (Just like Lay Ministry did in January!)? This is a simple and effective way for Peace to be a Christian presence to the world around us. There will be fliers promoting Peace’s Holy Week events available in the office so that when your group goes into the community you can easily invite those you encounter (and maybe the next people to visit the table you were at?) to our worship services. We strongly encourage you to participate with us being Peace in the Community this year. Be creative with the places you choose to go and be sure to share your stories with the church office. God bless you as you serve as a light to the world!

Coming Up Sunday, February 6, 2011

Time to take off the floaties...

Recently, as this Texas girl has been learning to ski, I’ve had some flashbacks to some of my earliest memories, especially where my parents were trying to teach me something, such as how to ride a bike or how to swim. As my husband waits patiently for me to carefully (therefore, slowly and timidly) make my way down a run skiing, I think back to my parents and learning how to swim. I would start on one end and they would be a few feet away, slowly backing up so I would have to swim a little farther each time, but never too far that if I started to freak out they wouldn’t be right there to catch me. Skiing’s the same way now, 20 years later. Now (even as much as I want to) I don’t ski between someone’s legs or on a rope to guide me like the little kids do, I do have to experience it on my own, or else I'll never get it. Andy waits for me, skiing a little farther and farther down so I don’t stop, but keep going instead. Yet, even though he is challenging me in my fear (heading straight down a mountain going 100mph), if I were to fall or something, he would be right there to help me up.   Just knowing that helps in my confidence to even try.

Crazy enough, God is the exact same way, but even more so. He so desires us to have this incredible life and relationship with Him. Throughout our life situations and circumstances he is pushing us and breaking us to bring us closer to him. It seems so hard at times, like the end goal is impossible. We just want to quit – give up. We don’t want to go on, because really, is it even worth it? God however, is standing right there as the ultimate parent, the ultimate Savior.  We may fall, yes, but he is right there to pick us back up and tell us to keep going. He sustains us. He gives us strength. He allows us to carry on, even when the “impossible” looms in front of us.

^“11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

Phil. 4:11-13

May our God of salvation, strength and contentment be ever so present in your lives, so that you may rejoice in his ultimate comfort and provision. 

Coming up Sunday, January 30, 2011

Coming up Sunday, January 23, 2011

"See I am doing a new thing."

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland…
To give drink to My people, My chosen,
the people I formed for Myself
that they may proclaim My praise.”
Isaiah 43:18-21

This Bible verse caught my eye for a couple reasons:

1. Especially at New Year, I get excited for new beginnings and the thought of leaving the past in the past.
2. At Peace there always seem s to be a sense of change in the air, not change regarding our Unchangeable God, but new spins on presenting the eternal Word and engaging believers in living out our faith.

“New” often means challenging and risky. I am a traditional girl myself and change is hard and sometimes uncomfortable for me. But if a new change will reach those not being reached by the church today, if it means my children’s peers and my grandchildren’s friends will know Jesus, then I welcome change for their sakes. I already know my Savior… they don’t. Might a new change be God’s way of “making streams in the wasteland to give drink to His people”?

Whether we are a person who embraces new things as exciting opportunities, or a person who dreads even more change and what it will mean in our life, (I’m a little of both), we all can agree that God leads or allows new situations in life. “See I am doing a new thing.” Sometimes it brings fear and discomfort. Sometimes it brings hope and confidence. But each new path has been lovingly and carefully chosen for us to take by a God who knows our today and our tomorrow. Can we walk with trust the new path He bought us to? I hope so.

Polly Wegner
Dir. of Discipleship