Living for God Bloghttp://blog.livingforgod.netQuick BlogTHE PRAYER ROOM - by Calvinhttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/05/06/the-prayer-room--by-calvin.aspxIf you want more intimacy with God, a prayer room will really help. It doesn't have to be fancy and you don't need to build an addition to your house. You only need a space with a door. A dear prayer warrior who prays for Lisa and me every day uses a stair well that has a door at the top and bottom for his prayer room. Another friend closes the door to his home office, lights a candle, and he has a prayer room.

Lisa and I have the luxury of our own individual prayer rooms because we're empty nesters. But in the old days, Lisa would lock herself in the bathroom because we all know that's the only place where a mom can escape from the children. As for me, I used to have a prayer altar in the garage; honest! Once again, all you really need is a space with a door and you have a prayer room.

A prayer room is more than a place for prayer. It's also a place of solitude and silence where you can be alone with God. Now, the desert is a place of solitude and silence. But even there the ancient desert monks complained to the desert fathers, "We have fled to the desert, so now where can we go for greater silence?" The wise desert father answered, "Go to your room and close the door and there you will find the greatest silence."

Desert wisdom also tells us that it isn't the door that creates the silence. We only find silence in quiet lips and quiet minds. We alone are responsible for creating silence behind the closed door. The prayer room is a place where we can wait for God in silence.

Here lately, I've been troubled in the Spirit. So I have determined to enter my prayer room, close the door and sit in the silent presence of Christ. I have learned that he can accomplish much more in me when I am still. My faith tells me that he's at work within me so I am free to wait in silence. How much more intimacy can we find than in quiet moments alone with our beloved? Conversation would only break the oneness.

Of course there are times when we must cry out to God, "Oh Lord, come to my assistance and come quickly to help me." But don't neglect the times when the greatest intimacy and the greatest assistance will be found in still silence with Christ. After all, he is the lover of your soul.

Of course, I don't want you to keep silent about this blog entry - so please post a comment. Even if you're at ease with silence, tell us your story.  Share your heart.

At His Mercy,

Calvin]]>Calvin Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-05-06T16:52:03ZREAL SPIRITUAL FORMATION - by Calvinhttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/04/24/real-spiritual-formation--by-calvin.aspxSpiritual formation seems to be all the buzz in Christian circles these days. Despite the trendy feel of those conversations, spiritual formation properly applied is no fad. Real spiritual formation is as old as rabbis and disciples. Unfortunately it is part of the baby that was thrown out with the bath water during the Protestant Reformation. We are simply rediscovering an ancient Christian tradition.

As with any popular trend, there are hucksters ready to market their own brand of snake oil under the guise of spiritual formation. Since I have experience presenting leadership development training from my old corporate days, my favorite example are people who sell leadership practices under the brand label of spiritual formation. Leadership development will not form anybody in the spiritual life. In fact, very few Christian leaders ever grow beyond the level of leadership toward true Christ-likeness. Maybe they believe that leadership is the pinnacle of Christian living.

So what is real spiritual formation? Dr. Kenneth Boa defines spiritual formation as, "The grace-driven developmental process in which the soul grows in conformity to the image of Christ." In modern Protestant practice, spiritual formation has been attempted through the modes of teaching and preaching. In this model all you get is information and intellectual assent. But in the ancient traditions, spiritual formation is practiced in the context of long term relationships where a mutual desire for transformation reshapes the soul in the image of Christ. 

Jesus invites us into a spiritually formative relationship with his offer, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." (Matthew 11:29 TNIV) "Take my yoke," is rabbi speak for, "Be my disciple." A disciple in this sense is a person under a vow to become like the master, Jesus Christ. Real spiritual formation requires intentional effort to become like Jesus. That's what it means to be a Christian disciple. Such discipleship demands a life long commitment to self-denial.

Jesus was perfectly obedient to the Father even to the point of dying on a cross. Do you want to become like him? That will be a demanding goal which can only be attained through long term spiritual formation. It will require as much effort as it requires grace. It calls for as much human spirit as it does Holy Spirit. The true disciple will need a skilled and gifted guide as well as a community of believers who are also committed to the process of spiritual formation unto the image of Christ.

Where are you on this journey of spiritual formation? Are you well along the path or would you like to enter the race? Let me know what you seek.

At His Mercy,

Calvin





]]>Calvin Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-04-25T10:12:44ZYIKES! - by Lisahttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/04/18/yikes.aspxHi Again -

Do you do much air travel?  What do you think about air turbulence?  Is it fun, just an annoyance, or downright scary?

I'm in the last group.  I've never liked it.  So I don't exactly look forward to getting on an airplane.  But sometimes there's no way around it.

A few weeks ago we took a trip to the southeastern United States.  It was actually very cool because we had won a contest at our bank and the prize was $1000.  So we went on our dream vacation.  But since we live in Colorado, the trip included several airplanes.

I don't know why I freak out so much.  Whenever there is turbulence, I grab the armrest for dear life.  And I worry and I pray like crazy - but mostly I worry.

But on this trip I had a revelation.  In my mind I thought that if I worried enough, the plane would stay in the air.  Now how crazy is that?  I know enough theology to realize that it is God that keeps the universe going - not me.  So why would I think that I had the power in my own thoughts to keep an airplane at 30,000 feet?  Silly me.

So I decided to just turn the whole thing over to God where it belongs in the first place.  And then I felt much better. The rest of the flight was peaceful and calm, even with the turbulence.

Do you ever think that somehow your worries are powerful enough to save yourself from disaster?  Post a comment.  I promise to answer.

Lisa]]>Lisa Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-05-19T13:27:35ZPEACE LIKE A RIVER - by Lisahttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/03/21/like-a-river--by-lisa.aspxHi Again -

A few weeks ago Calvin and I spent several days on retreat in New Mexico.  This particular retreat center is in a remote location that is prone to getting lots of mud whenever it rains or snows.  During our visit the mud was particularly difficult to negotiate, both on foot and by car.

Anyway, the Chama River is at the far end of the grounds.  One day I ventured out in the mud and made it all the way to the river without slipping and falling - a major accomplishment!  (Unfortunately my white tennis shoes didn't fare too well on this excursion.)  But the journey was worth it.

I sat by the river for awhile.  It was quiet and incredibly peaceful. Nobody was there except a cow off in the distance.  The chilly air turned warm when the sun beamed down on me.

I watched the water as it slowly moved downstream.  It wasn't in any hurry at all.  I sensed God speaking to me about my frantic pace.  I felt that he was asking me to slow down and just enter his flow.  The world is moving on like that river and he is in control of everything.  He was asking me to live at his pace - along with the rest of creation.

There was a profound sense of peace.  I know I do tend to try to do too much on my own power.  I want to "make it happen" - both personally and for Living for God.  I need to remember that I am just a small part of the river and my job is to flow with what God wants.  Nothing more - nothing less.

Have you ever had experiences like that?  What is God telling you about the pace of your life?  Tell me - I promise to answer.

Blessings to you today,

Lisa

]]>Lisa Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-03-21T13:11:21ZSEEKER FRIENDLY - by Calvinhttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/02/27/seeker-friendly--by-calvin.aspxI have decided to become seeker friendly. Now, I am not a newcomer to the church growth movement. I attended a conference on church growth in 1979 that was presented by Peter Wagner and Win Arn near the Fuller Theological Seminary campus in Pasadena, California. So I have been tuned in to the seeker friendly strategy for a long time, or at least I thought so.

Seeker friendly strategies have been criticized from many directions. I have heard them all with great understanding and humility. But recently, I listened to a critic who got me thinking. Perhaps we have overlooked the seeker friendly strategy that is at the core of what or who we profess to follow.

Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Have you adopted this practice as your primary seeker friendly strategy? Public opinion tells me that this particular teaching of our Rabbi is not widely followed.

Christians are generally seen as hypocrites who argue viciously with one another and as people who spread hate. Please don't write this off as lies of the devil. If you don't believe me then just pick up a copy of the book, "unChristian," by David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group. He chronicles behaviors and attitudes among Christians that undeniably explain the reasons for such public opinion.

The problem is simple. We pass off a casual, "Hi how are you?" greeting on Sunday morning as Christian love for one another. We say an amen, then return to business as usual, buying and selling as if there were nothing wrong. If that is how we love our church folk, then how do we love our Sunday morning visitors or non-Christians?

We not only fail at authentic love for one another, but we fail even more miserably at showing non-judgmental love to our neighbors. The public opinion that we have is the public opinion we deserve. Think on that for awhile.

If you consider my words to be harsh, then answer this question. What would Jesus say? "Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." If we take these words to heart, then our love would be obvious to everyone. Where are these disciples?

I have decided to become seeker friendly by learning how to love my brothers and sisters and then loving my neighbors the way I want to be loved. That is how everyone should behave who is saved by the one who loved enough to die for the whole world.

How would you become seeker friendly? Tell us what you think by leaving your comment.

At His Mercy,

Calvin]]>Calvin Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-02-28T12:03:33ZIT'S ABOUT FAITH (PART I) - by Lisahttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/02/14/its-about-faith-part-i--by-lisa.aspxHi Again -

Hey - I've been working on a project that involves finding a lot of quotes about faith.  Since there are so many cool ones, I thought I'd share them with you from time to time.  They range from biblical authors to modern day Christians.  See what you think:

Faith is the proof of what cannot be seen.  What is seen gives knowledge, not faith.  (Gregory the Great - 6th Century)

We should submit our reason to the truths of faith with the humility and simplicity of a child. (Alphonsus Liguori - 18th Century)

For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (Apostle Peter - First Century)

It is because of faith that we exchange the present for the future.  (Fidelis of Sigmaringen - 17th Century)

We are not justified through ourselves or through our own wisdom or understanding or piety, or through actions done in holiness of heart, but through faith, for it is through faith that Almighty God has justified all men. (Clement of Rome - First Century)

Faith comes from the disposion of the soul, but dialectic comes from the skill of those who construct it.  Therefore for those in whom the action of faith is present, the demonstration through arguments is unnecessary, or even useless. What we perceive through faith you attempt to establish by arguments, and often you cannot even express that which we see, so it is clear that insight through faith is better and more secure than your intellectual conclusions. (Anthony of Egypt - 4th Century) 

Gladly endure whatever goes against you and do not let good fortune lift you up.  For these things destroy faith.  (Clare of Assisi - 13th Century)

When a man really gives up trying to make something out of himself - a saint, or a converted sinner, or a churchman, a righteous or unrighteous man...when in the fullness of tasks, questions, success or ill-hap, experiences and perplexities, a man throws himself into the arms of God...then he wakes with Christ in Gethsemane.  That is faith, and it is thus that he becomes a man and a Christian.  (Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 20th Century)

So what do you think?  I like them all.  I especially like the one from Clare.  She was a friend of St. Francis.  I think that really speaks to modern day Americans.  Sometimes we don't want to endure hardship.  On the other hand, when things are going well, we often think we don't really need God.

My other favorite is the last one.  In the end, if we want to be truly holy, the only thing we can do is throw ourselves upon Christ.  There is no other answer.

Which of these speaks to you?  Post a comment.  I promise to answer!!

Lisa
 

]]>Lisa Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-02-14T16:25:09ZA MIGHTY CELEBRATION - by Calvinhttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2008/01/21/a-mighty-celebration-by-calvin.aspx"David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD." Can you imagine how loud and raucous this time of worship might have been? The rest of verse 5 in 2 Samuel Chapter 6 tells us that God's people used harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals. They certainly followed the admonition to" love the LORD with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength!" After all, they were celebrating the presence of God in their midst.

We encounter God in such mighty worship today. Psalm 47:5 tells us, "God has ascended amid the shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding trumpets." If true worship occurs under the inspiration of God's Spirit, then great freedom is required for a mighty celebration such as this. I personally enjoy rich encounters with the living God when I celebrate in the congregation with all my might as David did.

On the other hand, I have also experienced the profound presence of God in the liturgy of the " Great Litany." I know the ecstasy of beholding God in silent contemplation. You see, we meet with God in a mighty way through all forms of worship when we approach him in Spirit and in truth. Liturgy is not dead but the Spirit may be lacking. Loud songs of praise are not irreverent but the Spirit may be lost in human emotion.

The same King David who danced before the LORD with all his might and even shed his clothes because of his exuberance, also knew how to seek the face of the Lord in silence and stillness. He not only wrote psalms but David and the whole house of Israel prayed them together liturgically.

My experience tells me that the God I worship, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is so great that no single form of human expression is adequate to know him fully. It is good to embrace all the styles of worship from all the Christian traditions through all the centuries of the Church. And by the way, many of these expressions date back to our Jewish roots before the time of Christ.

In all honesty, the inspiration for this entry came to me in the midst of loud and passionate praise. But I also seek the LORD in the ancient liturgies and in the ancient discipline of silent contemplation. The voice of the LORD is powerful and it thunders over the waters. But God is also found in silence where we hear his still small voice. We should be like him.

What is your experience? Share your thoughts with us by writing a comment.

At His Mercy,

Calvin

]]>Calvin Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-03-11T20:03:45ZWILT THOU REFUSE - by Lisahttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2007/12/30/wilt-thou-refuse--by-lisa.aspxMother Teresa has been the subject of much controversy lately.  A book came out recently about her private letters to her spiritual directors.  The stir has been about the darkness she experienced for many years during her ministry.

But that's not what I'm writing about.  The book is called "Come Be My Light."  This title is a phrase that she says Jesus spoke to her when he called her to begin her work with the poor in India.  It's a fascinating look into the soul of a person of profound faith.

One of the things that really struck me as I was reading it was that several years before she began the work, she made a solemn vow to Jesus that she would never refuse anything he asked.  Apparently this vow was undertaken with serious consequences if she should fail.  

It took a few years for her to set up her organization and all during that time she kept hearing an insistent voice saying, "Wilt thou refuse?"  No wonder she was so devoted to her mission to the poor.  It was part of a promise she had made many years before.

I wonder if I would have the guts to make a vow like that?  It sounds so attractive.  Giving control of my life to God and only doing what he asks is the ultimate in selflessness.  To be a vehicle only for his will and to be totally devoted to him seem like worthy goals.  

I would like to do it.  But do I have the capacity to totally and utterly remove myself out of God's way and obey him no matter what the personal cost might be?  I wonder.  I would hope that someday, perhaps even soon, I could make such a vow.  

What would it take for you to make a promise like this to God?

Blessings,

Lisa
  ]]>Lisa Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-03-11T20:04:19ZTEARS OF SILVER - by Calvinhttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2007/12/17/tears-of-silver.aspxI find that the journey from the head to the heart follows a pathway marked with tears. There are painful memories along the way. Some of them are so deep that they don't even offer clues that can be seen or heard on cognitive wavelengths. But when the sonar of the Holy Spirit hits them, they ping back.

I spent a full day in solitude since my last blog entry, following the pathways of my soul. That morning I wrote, "Today I will not hurry. I will go slowly and follow where ever my heart goes. Today there is time for every needful thing." As I said before, old country-western music has been opening the depths of my soul. That was the music my father and my mother played when I was a little boy. So I listened to the songs and I followed my heart.

The music led me to tears. Not just a trickle but a flooding stream. An unstopable force pushed its way through the boulders of my heart until tears ran streaming and screaming from deep into deep. I prayed, "Lord Jesus, break the dam and let all of it flow into your vast sea of love and grace. Let me know the real love of my true Father in heaven."

I don't feel abandoned by God on this pathway as in the dark night of the soul. Jesus is walking with me. He is guiding me through the hidden rooms of my heart. Christ is leading me ever closer to the lost room I seek to find. What are these things I keep inside and why does God want me to go there? It is for my refining.

Last night I learned that silver is the last impurity to burn off in the refining process before all that's left in the crucible is pure gold. It was a wonderful picture of what the Lord is doing in me. My refining is for the glory of the Father. My tears, as silver droplets, vaporize in the inscrutable heat of the refiners fire. Drop by drop I draw closer to that lost room. My heart must become a pure and holy dwelling place for my beloved Jesus. I am on the way. These tears of silver mark the path I have traveled thus far.

Have you been there? Please share your tears with me. Your comments are welcome here.

At His Mercy,

Calvin

]]>Calvin Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-02-08T23:34:06ZGIVING OR GETTING? - by Lisahttp://blog.livingforgod.net/2007/12/05/giving-or-getting.aspxAre you a giver or a getter?  That was the question the other day in church.  The pastor wanted to know how many people were there to get something out of church.  Lots of hands went up.  Then he asked how many were there to give something.  Only a few arms were raised in the air.

So I started thinking.  We all want blessings from God.  We all want the good things that he has to give us.  We all ask him daily to help us with our needs and struggles.  But something's missing.

What about giving?  I don't mean just giving money.  What about giving of ourselves?  I believe it has been said that we are the hands and feet of Jesus since he doesn't have any now.  So when we're giving, are we not reflecting him to the hurting world that needs him?

I have several pictures of Jesus and my favorite one is of him rising out of a communion cup.  It's called the "Bread of Life."  The reason I like it is because I hope to have my life reflect this picture.  I like to think of myself as figuratively serving communion, or the body and blood, to each person I meet.  I'm not always very good at it, and sometimes I fail miserably.  But that's my goal.

So what are you looking for in your faith life?  Receiving from God is certainly good and edifying.  But what are you giving?  That's a tough question.  Sometimes we don't think we have anything to offer.  Sometimes we're too worn out to give.  Sometimes we just want to look the other way.  But is that true holiness?  What do you think?

Blessings,

Lisa

]]>Lisa Wulf's EntriesCalvin and Lisa Wulf2008-02-08T23:35:19Z