https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 23:44:23 +0000 Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/thoughts-spiritual-pride It is important to have confidence in our faith lives. However, we must be be wary of falling into conceit and pride, especially as these things are becoming more and more common. A Syndrome of Spiritual Pride Theodore Lim https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/thoughts-spiritual-pride Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/metanoia-moving-beyond-mere-repentance Meet “METANOIA”, a concept that leads to new life in Christ, renewal, and revival. Bev Sterk https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/metanoia-moving-beyond-mere-repentance Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/moses-mountain-and-mass-email Christians and non-Christians alike constantly talk about the need for “self-care” these days. Rob Golding https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/moses-mountain-and-mass-email Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/practicing-gratitude We're entering the season of Thanksgiving! Canadians will celebrate on October 9, and Americans on November 23 this year. It's a time to give thanks for the harvest, and it’s also a good time to remember that throughout the year there are many things for which to be thankful. Anita Brinkman https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/practicing-gratitude Fri, 06 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/neighbors-bookshelf I have too many books. That is the opinion of some people and even people who are close to me and love me. My family recently bought me a t-shirt with the following testimony: “I rescue books trapped in the bookstore. I’m not a hoarder, I’m a hero!” Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/neighbors-bookshelf Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/days-noah This past Saturday my colleague Deb Rienstra had an excellent reflection on a different way to observe Advent from the wastelands of life all around us.  In a somewhat similar vein—that is non-Ch Scott Hoezee https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/days-noah Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:26:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/celebrating-ordinary “Can I ask you a question about your sermon?” Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/celebrating-ordinary Wed, 07 Sep 2022 13:11:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/only-wrong-way-pray-not-pray-open-wonder Jill Weber, Global Convenor of The Order of the Mustard Seed, lives near the ruins of a 12th century monastery on the Waverley Abbey Estate in the United Kingdom. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/only-wrong-way-pray-not-pray-open-wonder Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:29:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/bible-reading-plan-lets-stay-close-god-and-his-word "Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the Lord that had been given through Moses." II Chronicles 34:14  Lloyd Wolters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/bible-reading-plan-lets-stay-close-god-and-his-word Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:22:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/confusing-conviction-condemnation It’s so predictable! As a speaker for Life Action Canada at Revive conferences, I always know what the response is going to be on the evening we dig into the remarkable vision that Isaiah was given of heaven’s throne room. Shawn Brix https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/confusing-conviction-condemnation Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:43:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/curiosity-and-war-stories “Stay curious just a little bit longer.”  Nathan Groenewold https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/curiosity-and-war-stories Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:03:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/3-fun-and-intergenerational-ways-practice-gratitude In One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp observes, "Slapping a sloppy brush of thanksgiving over everything in my life leaves me deeply thankful for very few things in my life. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/3-fun-and-intergenerational-ways-practice-gratitude Thu, 14 Oct 2021 13:35:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/savoring-life "God doesn’t need our exhaustion.” That is one of the lines that got my attention in Kirk Byron Jones’ wonderful book, Addicted to Hurry. Deb Mechler https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/savoring-life Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:13:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/how-are-you-finding-rest-summer Summer can be a time of rest, but it can also be busy—with different stressors and responsibilities.  Do you find "rest" challenging in the summer? What helps? Mark 2:27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/how-are-you-finding-rest-summer Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:55:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/creative-prayer-resources-kids-and-teens I will turn 60 this year, and I can STILL remember verbatim certain lines from the prayers my mother and grandparents used to pray. They each had special phrases that they would repeat in their prayers at mealtimes and before bed. Some of those phrases still give me comfort.  Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/creative-prayer-resources-kids-and-teens Tue, 22 Jun 2021 14:18:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/have-you-become-disciple The ultimate goal in our faith life is to be a disciple of Jesus. Above all, the disciple must be able to perform what the teacher has done and walk on his path. Today, however, many people believe in Jesus, but not all of them become his disciples. Theodore Lim https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/have-you-become-disciple Sat, 12 Jun 2021 22:51:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/practice-walking It didn’t seem like much at first. On March 23, 2020, I decided to start walking daily. With the first wave of Covid-related lockdowns, I knew I would need to do something that would benefit both my physical and emotional health. Chris Schoon https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/practice-walking Wed, 14 Apr 2021 16:43:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/difficult-spiritual-discipline-listening These days it feels to me like everyone is packing a giant flyswatter, ready and eager to verbally whap those with whom they disagree. This is true across the theological and political spectrum. We see it daily on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. We hear it on news programs and talk shows. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/difficult-spiritual-discipline-listening Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:13:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/spiritual-disciplines-family-fasting Fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline, one practiced by Jesus himself. Clearly, as followers of Jesus, we should consider imitating his spiritual habits, including fasting, which is simply avoiding something for a time, usually food, in order to focus our hearts. Kim Sullivan https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/spiritual-disciplines-family-fasting Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:25:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/cultivate-what-spiritual-discipline Our Journey 2025 describes our first milestone this way: “Cultivate practices of prayer and spiritual discipline, transforming our lives and communities by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As people have started engaging with this milestone, some have Chris Schoon https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/cultivate-what-spiritual-discipline Thu, 11 Feb 2021 13:42:27 +0000