What do you think when you see the above picture?
How does it make you feel?
Do you want to be sitting near this stream, quietly, by yourself or with a good friend or spouse?
Or does this just not do anything for you?
For me, it brings comfort to my soul.
It makes me thankful I know the Personal Creator of the beautiful colors depicted here.
It reminds me of the beloved Adirondack mountains where I spend much of my free time, either with friends or family.
It is one place where I feel close to God.
It is a type of place where I can connect with my Redeemer and feel His presence and begin to worship Him.
I am a Naturalist!
I don't have time to do a complete book review yet as I am not finished with the book (Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas).
However: here are a few nuggets of what I have learned so far along with some really good quotes that jumped out at me in the first few chapters:
"ultimately, it's a matter of spiritual nutrition. Many Christians have never been taught how to "feed" themselves spiritually. They live on a starvation diet and then are surprise that they always seem so "hungry". Others have lapsed into routine devotions......their love for God has not dimmed, they've just fallen into a soul-numbing rut." (pg. 15)
"God wants to know the real you, not a caricature of what somebody else wants you to be. He created you with a certain personality and a certain spiritual temperament. God wants your worship, according to the way He made you." (pg. 16)
A "sacred pathway" describes the way we relate to God, how we draw near to Him...how we feel connected to him and prefer to worship Him.
Once I finish the book, I'll do a more complete review.
Here are the 9 Sacred Pathways (spiritual temperaments):
How does it make you feel?
Do you want to be sitting near this stream, quietly, by yourself or with a good friend or spouse?
Or does this just not do anything for you?
For me, it brings comfort to my soul.
It makes me thankful I know the Personal Creator of the beautiful colors depicted here.
It reminds me of the beloved Adirondack mountains where I spend much of my free time, either with friends or family.
It is one place where I feel close to God.
It is a type of place where I can connect with my Redeemer and feel His presence and begin to worship Him.
I am a Naturalist!
I don't have time to do a complete book review yet as I am not finished with the book (Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas).
However: here are a few nuggets of what I have learned so far along with some really good quotes that jumped out at me in the first few chapters:
"ultimately, it's a matter of spiritual nutrition. Many Christians have never been taught how to "feed" themselves spiritually. They live on a starvation diet and then are surprise that they always seem so "hungry". Others have lapsed into routine devotions......their love for God has not dimmed, they've just fallen into a soul-numbing rut." (pg. 15)
"God wants to know the real you, not a caricature of what somebody else wants you to be. He created you with a certain personality and a certain spiritual temperament. God wants your worship, according to the way He made you." (pg. 16)
A "sacred pathway" describes the way we relate to God, how we draw near to Him...how we feel connected to him and prefer to worship Him.
Once I finish the book, I'll do a more complete review.
Here are the 9 Sacred Pathways (spiritual temperaments):
- Naturalist (loving God outdoors)
- Sensate (loving God with all your senses)
- Traditionalist (loving God through rituals and symbols)
- Ascetic (loving God in solitude, simplicity)
- Activist (loving God through confrontation)
- Caregiver (loving God by loving others)
- Enthusiast (loving God wiht mystery/celebration)
- Contemplative (loving God through adoration)
- Intellectual (loving God with your mind)
This book will help you identify which of the spiritual temperaments you have.
Sometimes we relate to more than one area. Or we start out our Christian walk in one area but then we change. However, the author does point out that we all need the common denominator as found in Mark 12: 30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all yourstrength." Complete Christians, which we're all called to be, should be exhibiting adoration, belief, commitment, and service.
Questions I have been getting answers to:
How do I learn to love God, day in and day out, through the seasons of life?
How do I keep this love fresh?
How do I grow in my adoration?
How do I grow in my understanding of God?
The simple answer: by spending time with Him.
How?
Read the book to find out more!
Sometimes we relate to more than one area. Or we start out our Christian walk in one area but then we change. However, the author does point out that we all need the common denominator as found in Mark 12: 30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all yourstrength." Complete Christians, which we're all called to be, should be exhibiting adoration, belief, commitment, and service.
Questions I have been getting answers to:
How do I learn to love God, day in and day out, through the seasons of life?
How do I keep this love fresh?
How do I grow in my adoration?
How do I grow in my understanding of God?
The simple answer: by spending time with Him.
How?
Read the book to find out more!
3 comments:
This is so good Faith. I think I might have to go get this book. I think I can find bits and pieces of myself in all those temperments but I definitely lean mostly towards the first.
Aah, the good old Adirondacks. No where like them. Would love to be hiking along the creek or wading through the clear, cold water.
But, I have found that like Paul I can be content in whatsoever State I am in. Know he didn't mean the United States, but this applies to me. :) Aunt Helen
Hi susanne: Yes, I am definitely liking the book!
Hi Aunt Helen: Well, your state (of Virginia) has some gorgeous mountains to hike in too from what I've read about. My dave and I would love to get down there sometime...maybe once the girls are in college??
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