Question 5. What are three to five core values that you identified in this lesson? How do these values reflect your personal convictions? How will you communicate them to others?

Using Fr. Dan’s suggestion, I went through the process of looking at a long list of Christian values. From there, I identified fifteen, and then, with some d…[Read more]

Response
6) In the coming week, how will you lean into the joy of developing your skills and gifts for the benefits of others?

How I can use my skills and gifts for the benefits of others is a question I have been pondering for some time. I mentioned in the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course offered by Christ Mission Academy that I have a…[Read more]

What really strikes me in looking more closely at Psalm 51 than I have in the past is that it includes the problem of King David’s sin and the emotional consequences he suffered, as well as the solution and its benefits surrounding his redemption. As a person who struggles to forgive myself for my many sins and still in fact ruminates on…[Read more]

Rule of Life Reflection

In my response to Chapter 6, “Discover the Rhythms of the Daily Office,” I wrote about a loving-kindness observance that I use regular to help me be open to the Holy Spirit’s power in strengthening my walk with Jesus. I combine this with prayer and devotions, which include taking time to express my gratitude to God and t…[Read more]

Question 1 – Workbook page 98

I actually completed the EHS assessment at the beginning of Lesson 7 rather than at the end. This turned out to be fruitful as I was able to reflect on my results when I watched the video and completed the text, daily office, and workbook readings and exercises. My EHS assessment results paired with these r…[Read more]

Question 1, Workbook page 83

One practice that helps me stay close to God is doing devotions along with contemplative prayer and participation in intercessory prayer groups. Some years ago, I led an adult Sunday school during Lent which encouraged participants to not only give up a vice or indulgence but also to ask to be filled with fruit of…[Read more]

Question 3 (Workbook page 71)

One loss I have experienced recently has been having to give up classroom teaching due to suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia, also known as the suicide disease because the pain associated with the spasms are more than some people can tolerated. When I experience attacks, it is as if a red hot length of barb wire is…[Read more]

Response to Question 6, Workbook page 60

The story of God’s test of Abraham has made me uncomfortable since I first heard it as a little girl because it led me to question why a loving God would demand the sacrifice of Isaac. Over the years, I have heard reasoning that somewhat attempts to put the near sacrifice of Isaac into perspective: for…[Read more]

Question 8
Joseph’s message in verse 20 of Genesis 50, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” is the one that speaks to me most strongly. I think it shows just how powerful his faith in God is. Having that faith allows Joseph not only to survive devastating circumstances but to transcend them so that he became a better perso…[Read more]

What are you anxious about? What are you glad about?

As I consider what causes me to be anxious, I think of some of the challenges and changes that I have faced that have affected me and my loved ones, sometimes in life-threatening ways. Surprisingly, these have brought me great peace because of my faith in God and in the power of the Holy…[Read more]