Do you ever feel like you're going through the motions in your spiritual life?  Many of us crave a deeper connection with God, but where do we start? Today, I chat with John Mark Comer about the power of spiritual disciplines, the practices that can unlock real transformation in your faith.

We discuss the following key points:

• Spiritual Formation: John Mark Comer defines spiritual formation as the process of becoming someone with a greater capacity to receive and give love in relationship with God and others.
• Spiritual Disciplines: Discussed as "means of grace" that allow us to surrender to God's transformative work. They are practices, not performances, used to offer our bodies to God.
• Fasting: Highlighted as a way to let go of control and identify the things that control us.
• Sabbath: Examined as a challenge to our busy culture, teaching the importance of rest and stillness. Comer shares his personal experience with Sabbath and its transformative power in his life.
• The Three Enemies of Peace: Identified by the desert fathers and mothers as the world, the flesh, and the devil. These enemies hinder our ability to experience true peace.
• Following Jesus: Acknowledged as not an easy path, but the way to true joy and peace.
• Sin and Happiness: The impact of sin on our capacity for happiness is discussed. Trusting in God's definition of goodness is highlighted as essential.

John Mark also shares his experience growing up in a church that emphasized the importance of Sabbath and how it has shaped his family's life.

Let us know how you are deepening your relationship with God by tagging us @biancaolthoff and @johnmarkcomer.

XO,

B

RESOURCES/LINKS

Guest

John Mark Comer https://johnmarkcomer.com/ 

Quote

Working fasting into my regular life has been one of the most transformative things I've ever done.

Takeaways

1. Spiritual disciplines are means of grace that allow us to offer our bodies to God and surrender to His transformative work.
2. Fasting helps us let go of control and reveals the things that control us.
3. Sabbath challenges our culture of busyness and teaches us the importance of rest and stillness.
4. Both fasting and Sabbath are practices that can lead to spiritual transformation and a deeper relationship with God. Sabbath is a transformative practice that can bring emotional and relational healing and shape the rhythm of our lives.
5. The three enemies of peace identified by the desert fathers and mothers are the world, the flesh, and the devil.
6. Following Jesus is not easy, but it is the way to true joy and peace.
7. Sin sabotages our capacity for happiness by appealing to our God-given desire for happiness through deceptive ideas.
8. Trusting in God's definition of goodness and following His pathway to life leads to freedom and a deeper experience of love and joy

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