Invitation To A Journey Summary

I noticed in the Fall term my directees did not fully understand what spiritual direction session was about. Hence in the Winter term, I provided them with the article "Spiritual Direction - A Brief Introduction" written by Dahlia Fraser. Fraser mentions in it what spiritual direction is, the process, the history and the goal of spiritual direction. I note for those directees with major in counselling they will find it helpful as Fraser provides a brief explanation that spiritual direction is not counselling.

The book is divided into seven parts. The book focuses spiritual growth and it is a manual for building a Spirit-filled life in a world where perfection can only be found in God’s loving vision. Ortberg helps us gauge your spiritual health and measure the gap between where you are now and where God intends you to be. As the author emphasizes on

Many times, we have memories that we would like to forget, such as an unpleasant or traumatic experience. My memory of my first internship was something that I always tried to forget, along with a lot of other negative experiences in my life. However, now that almost two years have passed, and after reflecting on it time and time again, I began to reclassify that memory as a learning experience rather than a negative experience. In life, we are faced with many obstacles, sometimes on a daily basis. Our society values stories of overcoming life’s obstacles because they are inspiring, interesting and may lead to personal growth.

Henri J. M. Nouwen’s book, Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, examines three aspects of spiritual movement in which he unveils how humanity relates to self, others, and God to achieve true spirituality. The first movement revealed is the movement from loneliness to solitude, second is the movement from hostility to hospitality, and finally, is the movement from illusion to prayer.

Another, aspect, spirituality is not as much a prearranged system, it is a quest and a prolongation of one’s development.

Charles B. Hodge, Jr., is a prolific writer and a minister of the Church of Christ. He closes each chapter of The Agony & Glory of the Cross with “The Cross…there is no other way!” Thus, I have taken Reverend Hodge’s declaration for the title of this review. He further explains his thesis of the importance of the cross: “Jesus could not save Himself and still be our Savior. There is no way but the cross.” The unique approach to teaching the New Testament – and Christs’ journey to Calvary – requires several readings, analysis, and return to biblical text.

I am writing my review on my partners book Enrique’s Journey written by Daniel Foley my partner. I believe that my partners review was written very well and that he also was able to convey his message about the grassroots issues in Central and Southern America. This book takes place in Honduras where the main character Enrique’s mother leaves him in search for a better life and a better future for her child. She leaves them in the hope she will be able to bring him with her and send her family money back in her homeland in Honduras. Daniel explains that often times when a parent leaves their children in search for a better life and money that the kids are left to deal with emotional consequences and anger toward their parent because they have left their children.

How does one find their spirituality? The overlaying theme between Michael Yaconelli’s, Messy Spirituality, the book the Wounded Healer and the guest speaker Roy Petitfils are all closely intertwined. How do we accept and grow to find accept and find our inner beauty and divine chosen path? Introspection and acceptance are critical to personal growth and enablement of happiness.

The chapter titled “Every Trip is a Quest” peaked my curiosity, the meaning behind the chapter name led me to a realization which had not occurred in my head before. Foster gives an interesting take on the daily like tasks and issues that we go through every day. He gives a very short, but descriptive made up event, in which a guy named Kip faces his own hardships and accomplishes his true mission. These sample paragraphs were my favorites, in this order

Spiritual disciplines will prepare us for our journey in Christ. I feel if understanding correctly, the classical Christian Pilgrimage remind us that we all have issues requiring regular examination. In chapter eight, the classical Christian Pilgrimage tells us we are at different stages on the path of wholeness in Christ. However, in my thoughts some areas of our Christian journey we may be doing well, but in other areas we have not touched at all. Not to mention, these are the place we are not ready or capable of handling yet, however, as we mature in God and He knows what we can handle, then we are awakened. God awakens us to our true selves which have not been completely revealed. In reality, once we reach maturity to God, he reveals all that is hidden deep inside of us (the real us/you). By the same token, he let us see the inner behaviors, attitudes, desires, in fact how we measure up in them being Christ-like. I feel the awakening stage deals with the comfort of being set free of these issues that are holding us back also causing detours on our path to wholeness in Christ. Equally, the threat is being afraid to see who we really are; also how far from Christ-like we really are. We must first be awakened from our separation also alienation from God (Mulholland 79-82).

Long ago, when the gods and goddesses still roamed the Earth as they pleased, the Greek god, Hermes, decided to go and travel the world, as it is what he loved to do. He promised his father, Zeus, that he would come back to the place on Earth of Zeus’ choosing in 365 days. Zeus decided to make a deal with Hermes. If at the end of 365 days Hermes had not returned to this isolated place on Earth,, Zeus would banish him to stay in this area of the Earth for another 365 days. Hermes accepted this deal and prepared for his trip throughout the night.

In chapter five, the concept of taking a “meandering path” as a legitimate means to spirituality is introduced

This course has had a great impact on my walk with Christ as well as my witness for Christ. I pastor a church and teach two classes and for me I thought that I was doing plenty. However this course has helped rekindle my passion for sharing Jesus Christ with people through personal evangelism. This paper will demonstrate what I have learned throughout this course.

I will explore a few of unique approaches as outlined in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola. I will describe my experience of integrating some of the concepts of spiritual direction into my practice.

Furthermore, it is vitally crucial for the church leadership to clearly articulate its missional vision, which is to be embraced by the rest of the church’s community. The process of spiritual transformation starts from the invitation and continues through engagement and discipleship. This transformational process embodies the missional vision and the language for 'right now ' and 'here '. Surely, the church’s vision ought to be aligned with the missional attributes of the gospel itself, which are 'the good news is for everyone ' and 'belonging before believing '. Our witness should take place amidst relationship and listening. One principle that I consider to be exceptionally useful in my community is St. Patrick’s idea of Celtic Evangelism: establish community, engage in conversation, and invite commitment (2009, 101).