A Handbook for Spiritual Formation
Many of us have spent too much time in our lives burned out and tired of the Christian walk. We don't leave our faith, because we love God and others, but we find it difficult to remain zealous and energized to serve him as we did before. Some of this may be due to simply growing older and physically not being able to maintain our previous schedules, but much of it can be spiritual in nature. The answers often lie within.
Without balance and a proper orientation in trusting God to work, we can experience a fatigue that is faith damaging. We tire physically and spiritually, and our love for God may grow cold (Matthew 24:12). But God is an expert at healing hearts and bringing life to the dead (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26), and this ministry of healing continues to this day with his Son, Jesus. The topics covered in this book will help you find rest in God. The men and women (therapists, ministers, counselors, teachers, and scholars) who authored these essays are often at the forefront of change in our churches.
Our hope and prayer are that your time in this book will allow you space, knowledge, and encouragement to find approaches that help you to connect with God, follow Jesus, and listen to the Holy Spirit in refreshing and life-giving ways. Learn from writers like:
- Timothy Sumerlin
- Byron Parson
- G. Steve Kinnard
- Joel Peed
- Shane Engle
- Tracy Jones
- Jennifer Konzen
- Diana Steer
- LaShell Pope
- Robert Carrillo
- Sean St. Jean
- Denice C. MacKenzie
- Glenn Giles
Attend a Sabbath Retreat
Be Refreshed by the Holy Spirit in Alaska
The Gateway to the Arctic, in partnership with INmotion Counseling, is excited to be offering spiritual formation retreats. These retreats are an opportunity to take time away from the noise and distraction of everyday life, to truly rest and listen for God. This is a TRUE RETREAT in the sense that we are making space to connect with God in new ways that nurture your personal spiritual development, rather than a retreat to plan out your ministry. This is self care in its purist form, believing that this will yield incredible fruit for you personally and your ministry. This is even more important as a result of the recent Pandemic and the age of anxiety, isolation and disconnection. The retreats are focused on exploring, developing and nurturing the interior spiritual disciplines such as:
- Silence, Solitude, Contemplative Prayer, Meditation and Meditative Activity (Nature Walks / Gardening), Journaling, Lectio Divina(Divine Scripture Reading) and Presencing the Spirit and Future.
Through your registration you are offered the services of dedicated and trained professionals, both therapists and church leaders, who are versed in church building and spiritual formation to guide you as spiritual directors (see our team) who will accompany you during these days of silence and contemplation. God longs for relationship with us–a loving, growing relationship. Prayer is relationship, and silence is simply making a space for us to listen to God. When a retreat is directed and silent, it means the that there is intentional time alone with God in prayer and silence, as we listen to what the Spirit brings forth.
Finally, we believe there is no better place than the Last Frontier, the vast and majestic wilderness of Alaska. Be amazing at what God has done and let HIM minister to your soul.
