Introducing you to Spirit-indwelled formational tools designed specifically to help you care for your soul by slowing down, going a bit deeper within, and finding your truest self while re-discovering your great worth and goodness in Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus’ Great Invitation.

In today’s culture, life moves at the speed of busy. Sadly, most Americanized church environments mirror this ‘get-r-done-fast’ environment, suggesting that the best Christians are those who are running around, keeping busy at doing great things for Jesus. Yet in the Gospels, we rarely find the Master and His disciples hustling from place to place, absent-mindedly filling their hours with work that glorifies God. As a matter of fact, it was Jesus Himself who asked His friends…

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Jesus of Nazareth – Matthew 11: 28-30 (MsgB)

Caring for your soul – finding your true self.

Throughout church history, there have been others who have picked up on this great need to slow down in order to go fast with Jesus. After thirty-plus years of pastoral ministry, we have learned that it’s in this slowing down process, as we “learn to life freely and lightly” in Jesus, where we discover a greater communion with God and with each other. In truth, through the help of some powerful tools of spiritual formation, combined with the inner freedom found by working alongside a trained spiritual director, we now consider ourselves to be “recovering” 3-B pastors on our way to becoming Christ-centered 3-C contemplative activists, measuring our ‘success’ today by simply adapting our lives into an honest pursuit of God combined with an equally-honest awareness of self.

Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But, while joined by many bonds, which one precedes and brings forth the other is not easy to discern.  John Calvin – Institutes of the Christian Religion

There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace, my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God. If I find Him I will find myself and if I find my true self I will find Him.”  Thomas Merton – New Seeds of Contemplation

I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart. Jeremiah the prophet – Jeremiah 24:7 (NIV)

Practical Tools in Practicing the Presence of God.

Here at The Contemplative Activist, we believe that God has many treasures to share with you if you will only take the time to listen! Our goal is to come alongside you as you learn to better care for your soul, stepping out of the busy traffic of everyday life and giving yourself a bit more time for silence, solitude and practicing the in-breaking power and presence of God.

Allow us here to introduce you to some ancient spiritual disciplines often associated with St. Ignatius and what’s called, Ignatian theology. We suggest reading the material we present here, begin practicing these disciplines at home. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop us an email and we’ll offer you a helping hand.

Centering Prayer

Lectio Divina

Visio Divina

Daily Examen

Welcoming Prayer

Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius

So…what’s next?

Might we suggest meeting regularly with trained spiritual companion (director) who can come alongside you in your journey with Jesus? Click here for more information.