https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:07:20 +0000 Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/walk-your-steps There was a time we longed to know more about our loved one, wasn’t there?  When we were dating, we wanted to know everything there was to know about our beloved’s life… from childhood to adulthood… who they were in the depth of their heart, and what made them who they are today.  We of Linda Roorda https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/walk-your-steps Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/grace G.R.A.C.E. Linda Roorda https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/grace Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/3-responses-falling-short-god We look to Christ’s life for our salvation and righteousness, but do we also look to His story to define our own? Or do we think Christ merely gets us into heaven, yet it’s our job to ensure our lives are up to par? Rob Golding https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/3-responses-falling-short-god Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/call-servanthood-ordinary-loving-our-elderly Recently, I had a conversation with a 92-year old man. Let’s call him Bill (not his real name). Bill was astonished at his life. He didn’t expect to break into the nonagenarian years, as his relatives had never made it past their 80’s. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/call-servanthood-ordinary-loving-our-elderly Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-history-youve-never-heard History can feel dull when it's just names, dates, and events in a textbook. While I'm drawn to the text myself, I recognize that others are not, yet still seek to learn about the past. And what better history to learn about than the very institution that Christ established? Jared Luttjeboer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-history-youve-never-heard Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-part-iv-salvation-streets The Heidelberg Catechism has been divided into three sections: sin, salvation, and service (or guilt, grace, and gratitude). The traditional titles for the questions and answers were renamed and reframed to fit the urban context. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-part-iv-salvation-streets Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/christians-clothed-babylonian-silk A decade later, I still remember one of my professors in college telling the class that he thought Christians should not own luxurious things unless they were necessary to do the work God had called them to do. Rob Golding https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/christians-clothed-babylonian-silk Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-god-so-joyful-when-worlds-so-sad It is time to dust off an old theological doctrine about the glory of God—divine impassibility. Impassibility is the notion that God’s passions or emotions cannot be negatively affected by anything outside of Himself. Rob Golding https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-god-so-joyful-when-worlds-so-sad Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/you-quiet-my-soul Saturday morning while doing some garden cleanup, admiring the beauty of the autumnal leaf carpet, I listened to the quiet… broken only by low-flying geese honking their conversation, and several birds trilling their beautiful summery songs. Linda Roorda https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/you-quiet-my-soul Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-iii The salvation section introduces the rescue plan of God found in Jesus Christ. The road of deliverance takes us through many stops on the salvation train. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-iii Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-i What does a text written by two white dead guys who lived in Europe over 568 years ago have to say to urban young people? Much, if it’s translated from the streets. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-i Wed, 04 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finding-time-spiritual-growth Is your faith life feeling stagnant? Are you wishing that you had a more active and vibrant faith? Rev. Deb Koster https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finding-time-spiritual-growth Mon, 21 Aug 2023 21:03:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/encouraging-faith-formation-home Your Children and Their Children after Them Chris Schoon https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/encouraging-faith-formation-home Fri, 04 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/living-beatitudes-our-families Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of God. He surprised people by describing a picture of God's Kingdom that looked rather different from the things of this world. Rev. Deb Koster https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/living-beatitudes-our-families Mon, 24 Jul 2023 22:11:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/deep-gladness-deep-hunger My dad and I talk to each other on the phone once a week during my noon dog-walk. He updates me on the joys of newly married life and the woes of living in a 73-year-old body. I update him on the brutiful dramas of parenting three teen girls and the various tributaries of my vocational journey. Heidi De Jonge https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/deep-gladness-deep-hunger Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finding-calm-uncontrollable-storm When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finding-calm-uncontrollable-storm Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/gods-big-pentecost-story-celebration-families The story of Pentecost is an exciting one. It’s the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send his Spirit to be with all believers—including kids! Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/gods-big-pentecost-story-celebration-families Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/beauty-violence-and-redemption-displayed-baptism The river is high. Where it was once a gentle-flowing, shallow stream just days ago, the Eerste is now a rushing river. I’m struck by just how fast and violent the flow is this morning as I make my way across the bridge to the café. Tyler Helfers https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/beauty-violence-and-redemption-displayed-baptism Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/resurrection-power-relationships I grew up with Easter being a holiday to wear a new ruffled dress, a pastel straw bonnet bedecked with ribbons, and my shiny patent leather shoes. I loved hearing the exuberance of the trumpets on Easter morning and the worship service felt special. Deb Koster https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/resurrection-power-relationships Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-ive-come-see-church-warm-nest-community-and-belonging If I go back to the beginning, the deepest truth that I have always known about church was that we were all in it together—like a family. There was a profound sense of connection at church that I understood to be important and true. Katy Sundararajan https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-ive-come-see-church-warm-nest-community-and-belonging Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000