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Happy New Year! And, so, we enter yet another new year. New beginnings. New possibilities.  Learning to Choose a Guiding Word:  Some twenty years ago, I was challenged to set a spiritual goal for the new year. Initially, I balked at the suggestion, assuming it probably wasn’t very “spiritual” to set such a goal. Finally, I capitulated, and wrote in my journal, “I want to learn to be a better pray-er!”  The decision to embrace that challenge changed the trajectory of my spiritual journey. Over subsequent years, I have moved from setting a spiritual goal to choosing a short sentence, phrase, or even a single word to establish focus for the upcoming year.  Many behavioral researchers suggest choosing a word rather than making resolutions or setting specific goals may be a more effective way to begin a new year or even a new season. This method seems to nudge the brain in a direction which aligns with core values and often leads to transformational change.  Serenity – Anchor for a New Decade: In January 2020, at the dawn of a new decade, I chose three words to guide me into not only the new year, but hopefully into the remainder of the decade. Now, at the mid-point [...]

Sue Reeve Interview with Dr. Rhonda Davis The Spirit uses a variety of methods to transform our souls. Encouraged by Dr. Debbie Gill to interview Dr. Rhonda Davis about a unique way crocheting has helped Rhonda develop soul care, I was privileged to spend a few inspirational minutes via Zoom visiting with this remarkable woman. At the time of our interview in early May 2023, Rhonda served as Executive Vice President of The King’s University and Seminary in Southlake, Texas. She was, however, on the threshold of transitioning to a new position as head of the Preschool-12th Grade Bethesda Christian School in Fort Worth. Rhonda has been married 22 years to Daniel, who is a spiritual director, pastor, teacher, and church leader. They have three sons: Evan, 19; Gideon, 18; and Lincoln, 12. Oh, and she wants you to know they also have a Goldendoodle named Fitz. Born and raised in Joplin, Missouri, Rhonda is a graduate of The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with a D. Min. degree. Rhonda and Daniel have served in pastoral ministry through the United States. Curious, I was anxious to hear more about her unusual spiritual practice of crocheting. Rhonda enthusiastically explained how this unexpected, good gift from God began. Some [...]

  St. Francesco of Assisi (1182-1226) Can a Vacation Become a Pilgrimage? When my husband, Ron, and I went to Europe in May 2023, I did most of the trip coordination. Since our first two weeks would be spent in Italy, I wondered: Could this time be as much about pilgrimage as it was about vacation? Of pilgrimage, Spiritual Director Lacy Clark Elman, says: No matter the itinerary or location, pilgrimage is a sacred journey—a movement that brings us toward the Divine …. To live as a pilgrim—whether at home or abroad—all you need to do is see your life as a journey and your role as a Seeker of the Sacred.” [i] No doubt about it. I see life as a journey, and I am a “Seeker of the Sacred.” While my husband doesn’t share the same spiritual intensity as I, growing, learning, and becoming more like Jesus are desires of his heart as well. Together, we decided yes, our vacation could become a pilgrimage as well as a dream vacation. Sandwiched between five days in Rome, then three in Florence, and two days in Venice, we spent a week at an apartment in Assisi, one of the “hill towns” in Italy’s Umbria Region.  Assisi was [...]

God Writes Our Stories Sherpa Septuagenarian Recalls the Faithful Love of God Interview by Sue Reeve with Connie Brand Stories Matter Eugene Peterson calls the Bible “an immense, sprawling, capricious narrative … revealing God and God's way to us.” * Jesus masterfully used storytelling in his parables, drawing listeners into real-life situations to make a point, teach a principle, or illustrate the heart of God. Stories matter, and stories are important elements of spiritual direction. Oftentimes, answers to perplexing spiritual questions can be found embedded within an individual’s story. In today’s Sherpa blog post, the story of Connie Brand, member of Sherpa Cohort 3, is highlighted. I met Connie during a Sherpa in-person retreat in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the Spring of 2023, and following a couple brief conversations, I believed she had a story worth sharing.   A Story Built on Love and Grace Connie, a septuagenarian, is full of vigor, purpose, and deep love for Jesus. Her story contains many inspirational chapters. Born in Buffalo Center, Iowa, she was the firstborn of five children. When her parents were married in 1944, her father was in the military and would have been deployed if it had not have been for victories in Europe and the Pacific which [...]

By Sue Reeve & Contributors Left to right:  Sharon Smith, Sue Reeve, Jeannie Carpenter, and Cindy Ward Spiritual Direction Sisters Re-Unite: In the late afternoon on Sunday, February 25, 2024, four Sherpas from different regions in the U.S. met at the Franciscan Renewal Center near Phoenix, Arizona, to attend the 8th Annual ESDA Gathering. Following joyful hugs and catching-up conversations, each of us was anxious to settle into four days of listening, learning, growing, and building new relationships with like-minded spiritual directors. Jeannie Carpenter, Sharon Smith, Sue Reeve (all members of Sherpa Cohort One), and Cindy Ward (Cohort Two), registered for not only the main conference, which began Tuesday, but also participated in the excellent Monday Pre-Gathering Event, The Art of Retreat, facilitated by Mike Bowden.  Uncovering Stories We Believe:  The theme for this year’s Gathering was The Stories We Believe:  Uncovering Shame in Spiritual Direction. We prepared beforehand by reading recommended books: The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson, M.D., and As I Recall - Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life by Casey Tygrett.  A Foundation of Scriptural Teaching: Debbie Swindoll, founder of Grafted Life, the parent organization of ESDA, began each morning with scriptural teaching.  Opening with the story of [...]

By Sue Reeve Each week of Advent, a new candle is lit, joining previous week’s candles on an Advent wreath I put together using a fresh evergreen wreath. It is simply decorated with pinecones, baby’s-breath, red berries, and ceramic pieces of the holy family I borrowed from one of our Nativity sets. On Christmas Eve, the youngest member of the family lights the tall candle, which signifies Jesus.  Introduction:   In my non-liturgical faith tradition, little emphasis was placed on Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. I was introduced to the significance of this season several years ago through a meaningful advent devotional. Celebrating the season of Advent has added a deeper dimension to my Christian faith and a greater appreciation for Immanuel, the God who came to be with us!  There are variations of the order in which each week of Advent is symbolized. The ones I have used are:  Week One, Symbolizes HOPE: The first week of Advent reminds us of the long-hoped-for Messiah, the arrival of Immanuel, through the mystery of theIncarnation. Concerning the Incarnation, Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) said, The nativity mystery “conceived from the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary,” means, that God became human, truly human [...]

How the Enneagram Helps Reveal Truth Leading to Spiritual Formation and Freedom By Starla Gooch Introduction:  The Enneagram is an ancient tool used in spiritual formation. The Enneagram helps us explore the uniqueness of our God Design, or True Self. It also helps to expose the lies we have believed, which create disconnect and feed into False Self narratives. Starla Gooch, Sherpa alumna, explains how the Enneagram helps gain self-knowledge, inviting us to meet a God who is better and more loving that we ever would have guessed.  Wherever you are in your journey, may the insights Starla shares draw you into the loving invitations of the Spirit to receive courage enabling you to follow where the Spirit leads.   Disconnection in the Message:  “Come to the altar if you’ll commit to spend 15 minutes every day in Scripture and prayer.”  The chapel speaker’s call for response at the end of his message was ironic. He had just spent 30-plus minutes exhorting students to embrace grace without law, yet now he was expecting them to sign their names on a spiritual contract, binding them indefinitely to one particular way of communing with God. There was a disconnect between the main content of the message he’d preached and [...]