This week: Spiritual Formation Edited by: Jeff  
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"Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief."
— C.S. Lewis
About The Editor: Greetings! My name is Jeff and I'm one of your regular editors for the official Spiritual Newsletter! I've been a member of Writing.com since 2003, and have edited more than 400 newsletters across the site during that time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email or the handy feedback field at the bottom of this newsletter! 
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Spiritual Formation
In the Christian tradition, the concept of spiritual formation is the practice of deepening one's relationship with God by conforming our lives more closely to the example that Jesus sets. But even outside of a Christian context, spiritual formation is essentially an effort to more closely align your life and your habits with your beliefs in order to obtain a deeper sense of spiritual connection.
Some religious traditions encourage this explicitly. The New Testament provides a template for Christians to follow, in the life of Jesus. The Hebrew Bible provides the Torah, which provide religious laws to follow for greater proximity to holiness. Even Eastern religious like Buddhism have spiritual formation practices built around concepts like stillness, stability, and contemplation.
In less structured faith traditions, there might not be explicit practices spelled out in a formal religious text, but that doesn't mean that you can't develop them on your own. Even if you do belong to a religion with more established practices, coming up with your own habits to help you better conform your faith can be a really energizing and engaging process.
Some of the more popular spiritual formation disciplines include:
 Celebration
Confession
Fasting
Fellowship
Journaling
Meditation
Prayer
Reflection
Retreat
Service
Silence
Simplicity
Solitude
Stewardship
Study
Submission
Worship
If you're looking to adopt some formation practices to further your spiritual development and better conform with whatever doctrine or beliefs you ascribe to, I'd encourage you to look into and try some of these practices, especially if you've never done them before. Fasting or solitude can be really transformative temporary experiences, and practices like simplicity and journaling can completely reorient your life in a dramatic way.
There's a popular saying that goes, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." And I don't think that's strictly the province of the insane... I think a lot of us, especially when it comes to spiritual disciplines, hope for a better or more meaningful spiritual life without actually doing anything different. Or by doing the same things over and over again, except more so. Some people just aren't "study" people, so no amount of reading the study Bibles or Biblical commentaries is going to deepen their faith. But service and/or fellowship might! Some people will never be as comfortable with corporate worship, and no amount of worship services, prayer nights, etc. will change that. But solitude and/or silence might have a profound effect.
Unless you're just absolutely thriving with your spiritual growth, there's always room to try something new and see if you can get to the point of thriving!
Until next time,
Jeff
If you're interested in checking out my work:
"New & Noteworthy Things" | "Blogocentric Formulations" |
This month's official Writing.com writing contest is:
I also encourage you to check out the following items:
EXCERPT: Something I learned from Amy B. Scher’s “How to heal your self when no one else can”. The energy body rock test.
Start simple. With your name. Most people’s bodies will rock forwards if the statement is true, but some may rock to the right or left. If the statement isn’t true, you should rock backwards. I have found my body rocks to the left when the statement is partially true.
EXCERPT: It’s strange, isn’t it? To say those words with a heart so divided. A man can live his whole life alongside another and think he knows him — because blood is thick, because we’re family.
EXCERPT: He bought the ticket when he was out delivering pizza, making some extra cash at night since his broker job wasn't panning out like he thought it would. His boss kept telling him to hang in there, things would break loose. But it didn't. Pretty soon he was in debt, charging his utilities and groceries. He lost sleep worrying over the bills. Pretty soon he wouldn't make rent. The ticket was his last chance.
EXCERPT: Heart racing with atmospheric fear.
Wondering at once why I’ve been put here.
My existence is based on a purpose for sure.
To praise the Risen Lord and Savior forevermore.
EXCERPT: Before I became a married woman, I made a promise to God. In the months leading up to this decision, I was beset by an unease and corresponding restlessness that swept me unexpectedly during my sophomore year at college. A desire for change and more experiences out of life had me grasping at chance opportunities, the first of which came in the form of a college volunteer trip to Buffalo, New York. There a group of us were introduced to a couple who spearheaded a Christian ministry centered on hospitality. I walked away inspired by their stories of faith, miraculous angelic encounters, and God’s faithfulness.
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Feedback from "Spiritual Newsletter (October 2, 2024)" about rest:
As most Christians call it, Sunday is taught to be a day when we go to church. I go twice. We don't do daily chores; we can do them during the week.Over my many years traditions have changed. We sometimes buy things we need for the day, or eat at restaurants. As a child in my 50's, life was strict. I realize that we do need to set aside one day to worship God and meditate we can still function. I had a new oven and my husband called me in a panic because it didn't work. Nothing he did would bring it back. I got home and called the service center. I was told he must have hit the Sabbath button, which shut the oven down for two/three days. It was hilarious.
A very nice reminder to take time to rest. It does seem to be a thing of the past.
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Spiritual: October 30, 2024 Issue [#12819]
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