Tag Archives: spiritual disciplines

Seven Free Apps for Your Walk with God

We seem to spend a lot of time on our phones or tablets these days. We grab our phones to check the weather forecast only to realize several minutes later our focus has been hijacked. Suddenly we realize we’ve been scrolling Instagram and lost track of time. We may have even forgotten to check the weather at all!

Installing apps to help our spiritual life may seem like a stretch, but this can be an incentive to spend some time with God, in prayer or in the Bible rather than browsing the web or Facebook. But how?

Instead of vegging on social media or Youtube, we can go for our Bible app or another spiritual app when we grab for our phones. Then we can redeem the time by giving that time to Jesus and our spiritual growth instead.

Tip: “Hide” the apps that distract you most! Put them in folders or on a home screen view several swipes away. Then move a faith app or two to the first screen you see instead.

Below are seven free apps I have used and recommend for your walk with God. Continue reading →

How to Truly Live the Christian Life

The Christian life is often very busy, isn’t it? Activity after activity fills the calendars of churches and the agendas of our lives. It can sometimes seem to gravitate to more and more doing, serving and doing some more.

Even our times of prayer–whether together or alone–can veer off from proper focus. For example, instead of first asking the Lord what He might want us to pray, we launch straight away into prayer based on what comes to our minds or is gnawing at our hearts.

Our activities are not necessarily bad in and of themselves. They can, however, help or hinder our Christian life. Continue reading →

Experiencing God’s Love and Freedom in Spiritual Community

Did you know that some of the lies we struggle with can be extinguished as we do life in community?

There are some lies we can be set free from especially as we do life with others in community. Things that can only be proven to us when we are not alone, not isolated nor in hiding. I’ve recently learned this in a big way in the midst of my own Christ-centered spiritual family.

As someone both in spiritual community and in leadership, I was so afraid to let my guard down. By choosing to face my fears, I discovered that I can stop trying to be perfect and that I don’t have to act like I’m okay when I’m not. I’ve discovered I can be the “still-in-process” me around them.

I’ve come to know that I can share my pains and struggles, knowing God will meet me there and display His love through them. I’ve seen the love of Jesus in the people of the house of prayer where I have planted myself.

Some of the lies that can be confronted in community include the fear of being rejected, abandoned, or hurt by people. Other lies relate to feeling like you don’t measure up, or that you have to be perfect or good enough to be loved or accepted. Continue reading →

Seeking God Early

There is a preciousness to be discovered in rising early to be with the Lord. I’ve found this to be the best time to spend with Jesus. Before anything else holds me back, I awaken the day to be with this One who never slumbers nor sleeps.

It is probably your quietest time of day. The birds have yet to sing, the sun yet to rise. Our homes are quiet and few cars break the silence in passing by.

The Lord looks forward to the moment we awaken each day, just to be with us. As we set aside time to open our souls to Jesus, we declare His worth into the atmosphere of our lives.

We must be intentional. God’s Word speaks of seeking Him early. When we do not, daily tasks can steal away this time.

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”‭‭ – Psalms‬ ‭63:1‬ ‭(NKJV‬)

Anyone can do it. I encourage even those who do not see themselves as early risers to try giving that time to the Lord by waking earlier.

Continue reading →