Around the Fire

Thank you for the listen! If you haven’t already, subscribe today to keep from missing the latest episodes of The Trailhead. Also, if you have some friends or family who would benefit from resources to help them find and navigate the way to a deeply life with Jesus, share this post. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...

CENTERING TEXTS "No longer do I call you servants…; I have called you friends.” ( John 15:15). “Adonai would speak to Moses face to face, as a [person] speaks to a friend ” (Exodus 33:11). Centering Art * Gaze at the above image. Notice the shapes, the colors, and the lighting. Notice the detail of both the foreground and background. * What has caught your attention. Just like in the lectio readin...

A CENTERING TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s peace, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. Centering Art * Music and art helps us get beyond merely thinking about ideas. Images, artful words, and music all invite us to linger...

“ Keep living your life united with Christ. Remain deeply rooted in him…so that you overflow in thanksgiving ” (Colossians 2:6-7, Complete Jewish Bible). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit genemaynard.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit genemaynard.substack.com/subscribe

Mountain lake canoing pictures: * A mountain lake * a canoe * a willingness to dial back and slow down This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit genemaynard.substack.com/subscribe

I’m thrilled about your interest in spiritual formation! The Compass Spiritual Formation Newsletter is here to guide you toward a richer life with Jesus. A free subscription keeps you updated and moving forward. A paid subscription unlocks more resources to dive deeper into a fulfilling spiritual journey. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

Lisa Colón DeLay, the talented communicator, podcaster, and writer behind the Substack channel SparkMyMuse , has long been captivated by the spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. Later this year, she will release her new book, The Way of the Desert Elders , which explores the inspiring stories of men and women who left behind the comforts of Roman culture to journey into the desert in se...

Did you know that 88% of American Christians have progressed no further than the spiritual 'toddler' stage? Or that, despite this, there’s a spike in hunger for a deeper connection with God? These shocking truths point to a critical gap in how the church is helping hungry people grow spiritually—one that needs urgent attention. This data comes from two sources: Grey Matter Research and Barna. Firs...

As you go through your day, look for those small moments—like waiting in line, sitting in traffic, or even during a brief break—where you can pause and pray for someone in need of rescue. Whether it’s a minute or five, use that time to join Christ in His mission, praying for those who don’t yet know the source of true rescue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subsc...

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on [yourself]; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord.” Proverbs 3:5-7 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit genemaynard.substack.com/subscribe

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices in Christian spirituality, and it plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice, spiritual direction invites us t...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices in Christian spirituality, and it plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice, spiritual direction invites us t...

I appreciate all who support, subscribe, and share this independent endeavor in spiritual formation with friends and family. If you haven’t already — please consider choosing a free or paid subscription as well as gifting a subscription to someone who be interested in finding the way to a richer connection with Jesus. Tracing the words that capture my attention have helped me pay attention to what...

Yesterday, I focused on solitude and silence and a practice of both spiritual formation and guidance. The last section of that article focused on the opportunity it provides for listening to the speaking voice of God. I decided to go back and revise this article about listening to God. This is such an explosive idea and practice, and under-emphasized, I think, in the standard practices of contempo...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices in Christian spirituality, and it plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice, spiritual direction invites us t...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices in Christian spirituality, and it plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice, spiritual direction invites us t...

Today: Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Practices Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices in Christian spirituality, and it plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transf...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices within Christian spirituality and plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice of spiritual formation, its gift...

I always appreciate each read of these words about the possibility of a richer connection with Jesus. A subscription — free or paid — not only helps me keep this independent publication in spiritual formation growing but also helps you stay on the way to a deeper life with Jesus. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit g...

Three notes: * First, apologies for the rough ending to this video. A connectivity event in the area where I was located happened at about the place where I finally decided to edit the ending. It was a challenge—for me—to retrieve the content and work through what became a garbled ending. In The Trailhead podcast, I have made a decision to do as few edits as possible as I like raw and real better...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices within Christian spirituality and plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice of spiritual formation, its gift...

Yesterday was a rest day for me. I call it a day of sabbathing. It is my full-on assault on hurry sickness in life. Spiritual formation into a richer life with Jesus depends on defeating hurry. Effective spiritual direction does, also. Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices within Christian spirituality and plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices within Christian spirituality and plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice of spiritual formation, its gift...

Spiritual direction is one of the most sought-after practices within Christian spirituality and plays a vital role in the process of spiritual formation. Rooted in various streams of Christian tradition, this biblical practice helps cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a clearer discernment of His work in our daily lives. As a transformative practice of spiritual formation, its gift...