Thursday, January 10, 2008

Dallas Willard and a Life Well Lived

Men and Women who have consistently demonstrated an on-going personal process toward Christ-likeness is always a life worth observing. This is especially true when these individuals have done so over the long-haul of their life.

Dallas Willard is one of these individuals who has committed his life the the on-going process of spiritual formation.

I've had the opportunity to sit before Dallas Willard all this week as he's taught on various key components of spiritual formation. What's been equally as meaningful has been being able to converse with him over several of our lunches here at the Retreat Center.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Celtic Worship

It's amazing to see how different cultures, races and peoples throughout history have expressed their love and worship for God. It's fascinating indeed.

This week I'm in Sierre Madre, California at a Passionist Retreat Center and Monastery. I am joined by approximately 70 other like-minded friends who are dedicated to learning, growing and experiencing personal transformation into the image of Christ. We are all a part of a Masters Program at Spring Arbor University in Spiritual Formation and Leadership.

The make up of cohorts is an amazing diversity of age, experiences and church backgrounds, all with a phenomenal perspective that we all have much to learn from our various backgrounds and experiences.

Our primary lecture is well-known author and philosophy professor at Univ. Southern California Dallas Willard.

Our worship for the retreat/class week will be varied as well, but the main stream of genre for the week is Celtic. It's been interesting to note the themes that are prevalent in many of these Celtic hymns, songs and prayers. I'm looking forward to how this will broaden my understanding of Christian Spirituality.