I’ve been asked if I would lead a small group, and the material I’ve been given to lead is called “Practicing The Way”. It is apparently popular right now. I’m reviewing the material. Some initial thoughts, this is about spiritual disciplines and I think not unlike Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipleship.

Richard Foster’s book, from the 1980’s has been a standard read for many in ministry or preparing for ministry. Practicing the Way is a parallel I think, but so far its weakness seems to be that the Scripture References are minimal. I’m looking forward to the group discussion, but we’ll see about the material.

For most of us, we would admit that we could pray more. Pray about more. Pray for more. Pray with more honesty and more thought. And yet the Bible encourages us with the reminder that when we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit of God takes our place and sends to God those things which are not perhaps even clear to us.

Practicing the Way includes looking at Sabbath, Fasting, Seclusion, and other topics which we might consider for our walk in faith.

But our reflection cannot be on how we feel about these things – it must be based on what we know and what we know of God. Faith is based on what we believe, though what we believe may be influenced by our emotions.

It was an emotional moment for me when I surrendered my life to Jesus. There were tears. Yes emotion has a place but my faith is based on what I know but cannot see. It is based on what The Word of God says…

Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead? – Acts 26:8

In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. – 2 Corinthians 1:9

And so I know that God is the author of life and death – and I can trust Him with the very beginning and ending of my life.

I believe and therefore I trust.