For Lent, 2010

I've recently been invited by Renovaré, the organization founded by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and friends, to begin blogging on their website. Today was my first post there. Appropriately, I've shared some reflections about Shrove Tuesday (which is today) and Lent (which starts tomorrow.) What follows is the first paragraph of that post. You can read the rest by clicking on "Read More."

For Lent, 2010

In the Protestant
and Catholic traditions, today is Shrove Tuesday. Most people in North
America know today by its more popular name—Mardi Gras, a day for
pancakes and watching most of New Orleans go more than a little bit
wild.

"Shrove" is actually the past tense of the English verb "to shrive," a
verb that doesn't conform to all of those neat and tidy conjugation
rules that I learned in school, but is nonetheless a very useful word
for followers of Christ to know. According to Merrimam Webster, "to
shrive" means "to confess ones sins, especially to a priest" or "to
administer the sacrament of reconciliation to" or, most kindly, "to free
from guilt."

To free from guilt.

That phrase just makes you take a deep breath, doesn't it? 

Read more here.

Spiritual Direction In The News

Spiritual directors and the practice of spiritual direction has been in the news quite a bit in the past few months. While the mainstream media still isn't sure what to call a spiritual director (writers are using everything from "spirit guide," which makes us sound like we're experts in the paranormal, to "spiritual counselor," which leans a little closer to the therapeutic than most directors are comfortable with), the media is starting to pay attention in a new way to the practice of soul care and the impact that it can have on leading a healthy, full life.

Below are a few of the pieces and perspectives recently published. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on these articles and videos.

Rome Reports

A short video in which Pope Benedict XVI recommends that people seek counsel and guidance from a spiritual guide or director.

Watch it here.

Philadelphia Inquirer: "Certified Spirit Guides"

Quietly, compassionately, spirit directors take the soul by the hand, helping a seeker tap deeper dimensions.

By Anndee Hochman

Read more here.

The New York Times: "Right Way To Pray?"

In an article about religious life and prayer, New York Times writer Zev Chafets asks if there is a right way to pray.

Read more here.