For a number of reasons (excuses),  in the past four years I have not followed a strong diet and exercise program.  One can only surmise the results, but, let us just say that the weight gain has not been helpful, and, the physical results are not ones that have helped me maintain the kind of life to which I have been called.  So, within the last six weeks, I have taken stock of the situation and started my exercise program with the help of an awesome and very helpful personal trainer.  It has been a challenge but I am feeling better already.

One of the first exercises the personal trainer had me do is to stand on a device that is half of an exercise ball built onto a small platform, called a Bosu ball.  It looks simple enough, but, it takes about two seconds to realize that I have lost a great deal of my ability to maintain balance.  My 6 foot 4 inch frame (still somewhat substantial at this point) wobbles like a new born calf.  The real challenge comes because I am not only expected to stand on the ball; I am to also do squats.  The results are interesting to say the least.  I have to be “spotted” and anyone watching receives their entertainment for the day.

What the trainer is doing is helping me to strengthen my physical core.  A good solid core provides balance, prevents injury and promotes good health.  I am assured that through the training program that I am on, that I will, in fact, retrain my core and regain my balance.  A good solid core will help me with the rest of my physical training with less injury and stronger results.

Core training is also essential for our spiritual life.  The physical disciplines strengthen our physical core and the spiritual disciplines strengthen our spiritual core.  Study of Scripture, prayer, meditation and other disciplines strengthen the spiritual core and allows opportunity for the Holy Spirit to make one more aware of the presence of God which is always there.  Through the strengthening of the spiritual core one regains spiritual balance.

Core training for the spiritual life leads to spiritual balance and allows one to walk steady, in the Lord, through all the transitions, trials and tribulations that life may bring.  Spiritual direction provides opportunity for spiritual core training with the spiritual director helping one listen to that voice of God as the balance is restored.

For support in this process, contact Steve Arnold. (steve@pivotpointministries.org) 

A personal retreat is a time to get away to catch your breath and relax in the presence of God. A personal retreat offers a chance for praying the Scripture, listening to the voice of God in the silence, journaling and reflection. A personal retreat is a time of renewal.

You can establish a personal retreat on your own or you can meet with a spiritual director who can guide you in setting up a personal retreat.

Planning a Retreat on Your Own

If you wish to develop your own personal retreat, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Plan to go somewhere that offers few distractions. There are many wonderful retreat sites that serve the one on pilgrimage and retreat, but, a quiet place to camp would also serve you well.
• Prepare to enjoy silence by avoiding places that are filled with noise. Leave noise-makers (radio, Ipod, etc.) at home.
• Leave work at home. Plan a ritual and time of transition.
• Bring Scripture. Scripture would be the focus of the retreat but other devotional readings would be appropriate.
• Plan to stay at least two nights and three days. As one person has said, “It takes a day or two for my soul to catch up with my body.”
• Experience a rhythm of praying Scripture, walking, engaging in intercessory prayer, sleeping.
• Take time to journal and reflect upon the presence of God in your life.
• Take a nap as needed. Rest is a part of the sabbath experience.

Working with a Spiritual Director

If you wish to work with a spiritual director regarding the development of a personal retreat, contact Pivot Point Ministries and I would be pleased to work with you. You can reach me through e-mail: steve@pivotpointministries.org.

May God bless your journey.

She came into the room and sat down and said, “I just can’t think. I don’t know what to do. Tell me what to do.” She was experiencing a time of overload in her life and was unable to slow down or stop in order to figure out what was next.

What do you do when you are overloaded and feel like you are going to shut down?

• Find a quiet spot away from clutter.
• Sit with your feet flat to the floor and back straight.
• Breath deeply and feel the tension leave your body.
• Focus on the love of God.
• Pray: Lord, I am here in your presence. Fill this moment with Your peace.
• Sit quietly in God.

The word Sabbath can literally mean to “catch one’s breath. God gives the breath of life and then it becomes Satan’s goal to make a person breath-less. Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, wrote that if “the devil can’t make you bad he’ll make you busy.”

God created us to take a rest. God has been very clear that we are not to be busy 24/7. It is God’s intention that we take one day per week to “catch our breath” and then to take times throughout the day to do the same.

The Sabbath Times throughout the day are the Prayer Hours or the Divine Office. For those who would like structure, the Prayer Hours are a true gift. Every few hours there is a time out for prayer and a chance to refocus.

It doesn’t have to be along period of time. Some take 5-7 minutes for each prayer liturgy and some take 30 minutes each time. The rhythm includes Morning, Noon, Evening and Bedtime. The idea is not to add pressure, rather to add a time of truly resting and restoring in prayer.

So, take a breather and come into the presence of God.

Spiritual direction is a process of discernment in the Holy Spirit. Gordon Smith (Listening to God In Times of Choice, 1997, InterVarsity Press) says “Discernment relates to the whole of our Christian experience, not just to an isolated segment—a time of decision. Our life in its entirety must be lived in response to the Word of God.” The Rev. Dr. Brian Hooper states that we are “called to be wholly present before the Holy One.” Living before God in the present moment leads to daily new life.

From my experience and observation I see a strong partnership between spiritual direction and psychological counseling. Counseling is able to name and diagnose while the process of spiritual direction takes that which is named and lays the named at the foot of the cross. It is in laying the named item at the foot of the cross that healing begins.