Discovering Our Spiritual Identity

Each chapter in this workbook by Trevor Hudson is peppered with "holy experiments," simple practices that bring us into God's presence and help us experience life as his beloved. At the end of each chapter is a set of questions which are ideal for discussion with one or two spiritual friends or a small group.This practical and winsome book covers topics such as



- hearing and speaking with God

- growing in spiritual friendship

- practicing stewardship of our work and play

- learning discernment

- approaching our death and the world beyond

- living now in the kingdom of GodWherever you may find yourself along the Way, a real and vital spirituality awaits you in these pages.



Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was a professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles for over forty years. A highly influential author and teacher, Willard was as celebrated for his enduring writings on spiritual formation as he was for his scholarship. His books include The Divine Conspiracy (Christianity Today?s Book of the Year in 1998), The Spirit of the Disciplines, Hearing God, Renovation of the Heart and others. His books have received numerous Christianity Today Annual Book Awards and other recognitions. Willard served on the boards of the C. S. Lewis Foundation and Biola University, and was a member of numerous evaluation committees for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. He received bachelor?s degrees from both Tennessee Temple College and Baylor University and a graduate degree at Baylor University, as well as a PhD from the University of Wisconsin in Philosophy and the History of Science.



Trevor Hudson has been in the Methodist ministry for the past thirty odd years, spending most of this time in and around Johannesburg, South Africa. Presently he is part of the pastoral team at Northfield Methodist Church in Benoni where he preaches and teaches on a weekly basis. He has written nine books, including A Mile in My Shoes and Listening to the Groans, which have recently been published in the U.S. Much of his ministry has been shaped by two passions: helping ordinary people experience the transforming presence and power of Jesus in their everyday lives and helping people build the kind of local faith community which seeks to take seriously the suffering of those around them. His interests include watching sports, walking and running, discovering new places, reading and writing.

Foreword by Dallas Willard


Introduction


1 Drawing a Picture of God


Holy Experiment: Knowing God Through Knowing Jesus


2 Discovering Who We Are


Holy Experiment: Beloved Charter; Relating to Others as Beloved


3 Developing a Christian Memory


Holy Experiment: Remembering Jesus in the Gospels; Remembering Our Personal Stories; Remembering the Present Day


4 Receiving the Kingdom


Holy Experiment: Turning Toward Jesus; Opening Clenched Fists


5 Belonging to the Family of God


Holy Experiment: Confession; Listening; Conscious Loving Actions


6 Becoming Holy, Becoming Ourselves


Holy Experiment: Silence and Solitude; A Desert Day; Suffering with a Neighbor


7 Loving Those Closest to Us


Holy Experiment: Confession; Listening


8 Discovering God?s Call for Our Lives


Holy Experiment: Discernment


9 Practicing the Presence of God


Holy Experiment: Mindfulness; Thankfulness; Welcoming God into Your Next Task


10 Opening Our Hearts to God


Holy Experiment: Praying Our Feelings; Praying the Psalms; Praying the Lord?s Prayer


11 Overcoming Evil Within and Around Us


Holy Experiment: Journaling Your Inner Struggle; Overcoming Evil with Love; Intercessory Prayer


12 Witnessing to the Good News


Holy Experiment: Witnessing Without Words, Divine Openings, Testimony


13 Stewarding Faithfully What We Possess


Holy Experiment: Pledging to Tithe; Divine Ownership


14 Speaking Words of Life and Power


Holy Experiment: Halting Harmful Speech; A Blessing Day; Offering Encouraging Words


15 Looking to the Life Beyond


Holy Experiment: Centering Prayer; The Present Moment; Relinquishment


16 Growing into Christlikeness


Holy Experiment: Hospitality; Praying for Our Enemies


Conclusion


Acknowledgements


Further Reading


Notes

"A moving, inspiring, easy-to-read testimony to the pure goodness of God. By posing pertinent questions, Trevor Hudson takes us into the transforming, healing presence of God. Individuals and groups desiring to grow in grace and go deeper into God could benefit enormously from applying themselves to this profound and powerful book."



"From his long-time pastoral heart and skills, Trevor invites us to be shepherded and strengthened with practices that immerse us in God and lead us into Christlikeness."



"I consider Trevor Hudson to be a wonderful friend. He must be because even after my wife started using one of his books (instead of mine) for a college course she was teaching on spiritual formation, I still like him. And she's certain to begin using Discovering Our Spiritual Identity, because I can hardly imagine a better resource for Christ-following; like the author, it is practical and profound."



"I met Trevor Hudson one sunny day in his home country, South Africa. The moment I met him I knew him to be a profoundly spiritual person, and our lengthy conversation that day confirmed my initial impression. Trevor Hudson is one of South Africa's contemporary spiritual masters. The book in your hands contains the wisdom of a gentle pastor guiding each of us into a deeper walk with a God who heals. If I had one person I'd choose to be a pastor to my children, it would be Trevor Hudson."



"To those who have already discovered him, Trevor Hudson is a much loved and trusted spiritual guide who is known for his practical books on the Christian spiritual journey. Organized around sixteen signposts toward a renewed spirituality that is centered in Jesus, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity presents a series of what he calls 'holy experiments'—time-tested practices that hold the potential of transforming hearts and minds, attention and awareness, willing and doing. Don't just read this book; take the time to live it, to make space in your life for these experiments to gain a foothold. It will leave you forever changed." weniger anzeigen expand_less