This Monday: Sacred Pathway - The Traditionalist

Like Tweet Forward Traditionalist: Loving God Through Ritual & Symbol It's another 1st Monday of the Month! It's also the last 1st Monday of the year. The AWA Christian Connections group retreats again this monday to talk about traditions, ritual, symbol and your traditions for Christmas. There are some good nuggets to pass on from the chapter on Traditionalist in Sacred Pathways (it was the longest one in the book, so Gary Thomas must be a Traditionalist!). So, we'll spend some time with that. HOWEVER.... We also want to hear from those who've come: What have been traditions or ritual which have deepened your spiritual "walk," in a church worship setting, or in your individual practice. No one is forced to talk, but this group usually has a great collection of mature women with great insights. I'm looking forward to what happens when we open it up for discussion! Can't make the meeting? Share your spiritual traditions or rituals here with the group!  More about Monthly Mondays & Sacred Pathways: Our desire with these once a month Monthly Mondays mini-retreats is to create a place for individuals from different backgrounds to explore drawing near to God and knowing him better. There is a core team of women who have agreed to read the book Sacred Pathways, by Gary Thomas. They help me plan these gatherings for the larger group. We have really enjoyed this past year and look forward to more in the future! Our hope is that we plan them in such a way that it will be enjoyable not only for those who follow Jesus from various Christian backgrounds, but also for those who are interested in learning more about Christian spirituality. Monthly Mondays is part of the AWA (American Women's Association) Christian Connection sub-committee. You don't have to be American, or be a member of AWA to attend (though we encourage joining!). We strive to create a safe place where people seeking the God of the Bible can find him, whether or not they are involved in regularly attending a church. If you want to pick up the book Sacred Pathways from Amazon (kindle), Fishpond or any of the local Christian bookstores (our favorites are SKS and Campus Crusade Media). You don't have to read the book to prepare, but it is a great resource, highlighting ideas for nine various spiritual temperaments! We've already explored Caregivers, Naturalists, Aescetic, Sensate and Contemplative. Still to explore are Traditionalist, Enthusiast and Intellectual. Blessing. Joy. Humility. Gratitude. Grace. K!Mberly Creasman Church Resource Ministries

"What's Your Passion?"

Forward This is a question I love to ask people when I meet them. Almost everyone, after they settle into the unusual question, has an answer. Eventually. For as long as I can remember, the answer for me has been: "Exploring ways to use theatre and the performing arts in service of Christ's church and the advancing the Kingdom of God." For the last few years, my clarity about this has begun to lost its conviction. I'm still not sure what this means and I'll keep asking God what's up. It's been mystifying. I've not been too short on opportunities this year. There was the role in the play 8 Women, singing in a Music Festival, even a small one-episode role in a TV show. But, well, there was just no "groove" if you know what I mean. I have looked at it as a gift from God during a season I'm needed in more supportive roles. By removing my passion for the arts, perhaps God's keeping me from initiatinggood things, when the best thing is for me to travel with Jim for his ministry and being a homemaker. I've enjoyed making this new home a retreat for him when he's not on the road. He's weary and having a struggle in the "groove" department too. Beside's, there's been plenty of real life drama moving across the border to Malaysia! What's your passion? Is it white hot or waning? Or are you still trying to discover it? I'd love to hear! Fueling the Passion for Leading People out of Spiritual Darkness We are writing this from meetings in Ukraine with 20 international CRM leaders representing 11 countries.  We are discussing ways to grow and help each other in our common vision: We envision movements of fresh, authentic churches, pioneered by godly leaders, fired by a passion for their world, compelled to multiply their lives and ministry; so that the name of God is renowned among the nations. It is a privilege to be in the room with this small group. These people have spiritual depth and spiritual authority. Middle East, Ukraine. Hungary. Canada. Southern Africa. Western and Eastern Africa. United States. Venezuela.  Charles Tan, the new CRM Singapore President is with us. We are thrilled to now have a Singaporean partner interacting with Christian mission leaders from around the world and bring the Singaporean gifts and perspective to the table. Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for God's Kingdom in Asia. We love hearing from you & pray that you have a rewarding life of great faith and generous service. We also pray as well that you will have great joy in your charitable contributions. If it's with us, thank you! It is a sweet and humbling blessing to be your partners in the Gospel! Jim & Kimberly Creasman Learn more about CRM/donations online:www.crmleaders.org 1240 Lakeview Ave, Ste. 120, Anaheim, CA 92807 USA. You may designate by adding: "preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651" I dont know how I missed reading Lord, Teach Us to Pray all these years! This short classic book is public domain = free. If you have an electronic reader, this is fuel and tools for speaking with and hearing from God. Both of us have read Movements That Change the World, Steve Addison. If your motivation for seeing people find new life (real life) in Christ is waning, this easy to read book will give you a serious re-charge! Read this book with us and let us know if it inspires you to invite people to join our movement!