Tag Archives: spiritual formation

Rediscovering Our Reverence

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Carl Simmons

“In spite of the amazing advances that we have seen in the church, one great overwhelming loss troubles me greatly. The gains are wonderful, but they do not offset the one devastating loss, and that is the loss of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lay Down Your Agenda

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Carl Simmons

We’ve had to lay down a lot so far. Some of it has no doubt been difficult; maybe it’s even felt unnecessarily negative to some. But we have a much longer journey ahead, and we need to travel light—especially since … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Future: a small-group session

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Carl Simmons

For this session, you’ll need…. beanbags, stress balls, or other soft items that can be tossed around—two for every group of four or five   Laying Down Your Day (10+ minutes) Have everyone get into subgroups of four to five. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Fears

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Carl Simmons

A great deal of the sin in our lives is little more than a lame attempt to protect ourselves from the possibility of being sinned against. Whether it’s a preemptive strike or a full-scale retreat, we’ll do just about anything … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Lay Down Your Expectations

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Carl Simmons

Stop expecting too much from yourself spiritually, or otherwise. Stop expecting instant regeneration, or instant success. Trust God as you once did. Don’t try to anticipate his moves before he’s made them. Allow him to grow you at his pace, instead of thinking you can run out ahead. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lay Down Your Goals

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Carl Simmons

Let’s return to the idea of us “taking things out of God’s hands” through our own control issues—specifically, through the plans and goals we lay out for ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with having goals for our lives. They give us … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Doubt

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Carl Simmons

Our anxiety expresses itself through doubt. And our doubt expresses itself by taking things into our own hands. Whether we say it or even consciously think it, trying to make things happen on our own says, at best, “God’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lay Down Your Anxiety

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Carl Simmons

Let’s begin our exploration of our future at its most immediate location: Today. My dad has a phrase I’ve used a lot in the past couple decades: “He’s the God of 11:59.” In other words, God intervenes in our lives … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lay It Down and Lay It Out (retreat session 3)

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Carl Simmons

God has called each of us as individuals, and to respond to him in the unique way he’s called each of us… but we’re not in this alone. God wants us to share what he’s done and give him the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down and Listen (retreat session 2)

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Carl Simmons

Even if you’re with a group, this session is about you and God spending time together. Just you and God. This might seem scary, or lead to unrealistic expectations, if you’re not used to “wasting time with God.” Don’t let … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment