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Love is the Why
We define The Service Practice as the expression of Christlike love through meeting the practical needs of others. At the heart of the Greatest Commandment and all of these spiritual disciplines or Practices of Jesus is love. Love for God. Love for Others.
Reflection Sunday
On the surface, Fasting seems hard—perhaps even unnecessary. Why would anyone choose hunger? How could denying the body possibly be spiritual? These are natural questions for those of us shaped by a culture of abundance, where food is always within reach and consumption is as common as breathing.
Stand With Others
On Baptism Sunday this summer I was here putting things back in storage after the picnic and just marveling in what was a wonderful day anointed by God. That’s when I happened to notice that someone had left a voicemail on our church phone line. All the person said was something like, “I’m asking for prayer. Thank you.”
Amplify Our Prayers
It was May 1940. The Nazi’s have just overrun France. 338,000 Allied troops were trapped on the beach at Dunkirk (Western France on the English Channel). British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is gearing up for the annihilation of the British army and the last line of defense against the Nazi’s and England.
Grow in Holiness
One of this week’s core passages is Jesus’ own definition of discipleship—the foundation for our three pillars of spiritual formation at Formation Church: Denying Self. Surrendering Fully. Following Daily. (Matthew 16:24). The spiritual discipline—or Practice—of Fasting invites us into this very posture.
Offer Ourselves to Jesus
The practice of fasting is not merely about abstaining from food—it is about offering our whole selves, body and soul, to God. When we feel hunger, it reminds us of something missing, an emptiness. In fasting, that physical longing becomes a spiritual longing, redirecting our desire toward God Himself.
Reflection Sunday
As we look back over these past four weeks of the Scripture Practice, I believe we can all see how our appreciation for God’s Word has grown. There is a reason the Bible remains the best-selling book of all time and is found in nearly 78% of American households.
Memorize
The Scripture Practice is the slow, prayerful, contemplative reading of Scripture with the goal of formation, not only information. This week, we focus on storing the truth of Scripture deep within our hearts, minds, and even our bodies. Memorizing Scripture is far more valuable than the speed.