Yesterday’s post focused on seeking renewal this summer, and not merely rest. Which promptly lead someone to message me asking, “Great post, but what does renewal mean?”
My first thought was to reply sarcastically, but my friend is an intelligent fella so I took a moment to consider his question. I like being pushed a little so it looks like I have a follow up post inniated by a reader – I’ll take it and know that I appreciate you engaging with me.
So what do I mean when I say spiritual renewal aside from the terse obvious answers of “to be made new again but you know, like, spiritually ” “to be reinvigorated spiritually of course” and “to feel fresh … ?” If I was selling a moisturizing body wash, this would suffice but in terms of spiritual renewal, these words only scratch the surface. Now if I was selling a Christian moisturizing body wash, I’d imitate the Axe campaigns or even the Old Spice ones. Could you imagine a cool looking worship leader wearing cool clothes and a scarf talking about his new morning routine of singing songs and showering with a holy skin care product called “Anointed?” What about Moses sitting on top of a T-rex bringing water down on a town like … I don’t know, Las Vegas, holding up a bar of soap called, Ancient Cumin. Man if I had the time, I’d rent a table at Catalyst and boom, watch these soap bottles get raptured off the table. I’d even do it as a one-for-one campaign. Buy one for yourself and I’ll give a bottle to a dirty self-righteous Pharisee. Win-win ;)
Anyway, spiritual renewal is not just about feeling reinvigorated nor is it a “spiritual high.” While I recognize being reinvigorated is a good thing and appreciate there are all sorts of highs in life, these things are more responses from a particular experience. Nothing wrong with them, but they are not worthy pursuits as they diminish our faith to be flimsy vehicles for”feel-good moments” which is alien to what Jesus taught about being His follower.
Spiritual renewal has more to do with two things. First, reawakened and rediscovering identity and second, a galvanized sense of mission and practice. When do you feel most yourself? What do you do that gives you the most joy. Why is it when you are this certain person or do this particular thing that you think to yourself, “This is me” and further, why does it feel so deep and so spiritual?
We generally feel this in a handful of moments doing a few things. We experience this in our relationships, we feel this when we hold the hand of someone dear to us. At times we feel this when we serve others, when we listen and support a friend or when we create or restore something beautiful. I know someone who tells me he feels this when he paints. He would say it’s just a hobby, it doesn’t pay bills, it takes time away from the family, but he finds so much renewal on working on that canvas. Whatever it is for you, it’s in these moments we feel most ourselves and we think “This is how God made me and why I’m here.”
I doubt I’ll say that in some other contexts as it tends to come off as “pop-spirituality” but here framed in this way, it may be helpful to use that inner monologue. It’s easy to over simplify these experiences and walk around and say things like, “God has me on this planet to make Christian body wash because I feel most myself when I’m clean and using Christian cliches.” It’s also easy to over-complicate these things and drift through decades of living without any sense of purpose and overcome by the idea of identity-searching. The default is to be inactive and cynical while supposedly waiting to find something worthwhile. It’s usually only true for a short duration, usually not for years and years. Spiritual renewal is helpful for both extremes and much of the gray life in between.
It’s been my experience that as we go through life, we refine our callings, we add more intentionality to our practices, we reduce the unnecessary, maybe even abandon what we deem worthless for the sake of something better. Spiritual renewal is not merely a “life plan” but has more to do with that life transformation. Paul’s idea of being a living sacrifice (Rom. 12) is another way of describing this idea of calling and practice.
This summer, I want to grow in my calling as a husband, a father, my many other family roles. I want to evolve not just in my vocational role as a pastor but also as a child of God. I desire to be a better friend, I also desire to be a better stranger or a better citizen of the world. But in addition to growing and evolving, I want to be re-awakened, maybe even re-energized, and in addition to that I seek greater clarity, resolve and mission. All these roles, all these actions are spiritual and they all need to be renewed.
Probably more can be said, feel free to add, but for the most part this is what I mean when I say I’m seeking spiritual renewal. Thanks again for the push-back – feel free to do so openly in the comment section.
Greetings,
I found this post to speak directly to me, so thank you. It captured my attention because of the humor infused in a very deep subject! I prayed for guidance in the coming year (2018) and the word Renewal came strongly into focus. What brought me to your post was searching the internet for the “Spiritual” meaning of “Renewal”. You see, I saw myself in the words, “The default is to be inactive and cynical while supposedly waiting to find something worthwhile”. This is where I have landed, but with the message of renewal I can move towards, “I want to be re-awakened, maybe even re-energized, and in addition to that I seek greater clarity, resolve and mission. All these roles, all these actions are spiritual and they all need to be renewed.”
You not only defined Spiritual Renewal in words that resonated, you offered direction AND you did it with humor and insight.
Thank You so very much! I will be printing this off & keeping it in my journal!
I agree with Dee, it’s as if I had written that my self. I was looking for the definition of renewal because that is my word the 2018 and I came across your article and it is just exactly how I feel thank you so much for sharing with us your definition of spiritual renewal, it definitely resonated with me and I believe it will be a real help to me as I take this journey of renewal because that’s exactly what it’s going to be a journey of being renewed and reinvigorated! I don’t want this to become a huge reply I just really wanted to say thank you and Godspeed!
Kindly explain to me on a topic “Minister Renewal”
Excellent web site. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your sweat!
It is such good information. It is clear and really touching the core of spiritual renewal?
Hello!
You Need Leads, Sales, Conversions, Traffic for blackcoffeereflections.com ?
I Will Findet…
Don’t believe me? Since you’re reading this message then you’re living proof that contact form advertising works!
We can send your ad to people via their Website Contact Form.
I WILL SEND 5 MILLION MESSAGES VIA WEBSITE CONTACT FORM
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, Contact us => lisaf2zw526@gmail.com
Regards,
Parkinson
Userbola is one of the most trusted gambling online real estate agent sites from 2014 and
is a trusted on the internet gambling agent with full
games. Userbola also offers a very friendly and active customer service service which is safe 24 hours a day and also comes with an official permit to become an Asian wagering company
which has never committed fraud or fraud at all to members.
Presently there are already very numerous senior
gamblers who don’t hesitate to choose us as their trusted broker.
As a trusted online soccer gambling agent, we here provide games along with very superior technology these
kinds of as Android, iPhone, Tablet and Desktop features therefore you can play where ever you are.
In inclusion, Userbola also provides attractive promos and loyal members will get
VIP facilities about our website.
How to be able to Register a Userbola Accounts
For how to register is very easy since it only requires some data such as bank account names, account numbers, and telephone numbers that we can contact with a valid email address.
These information are only for security purposes, if one day time you forget your
password, then from Cs all of us will ask for a few
data to be matched to reset the fellow member account password and with regard
to the advantage of the down payment and
withdrawal process. Userbola also supplies a guidance services
for registering from our Cs live and can manual us to
register userbola to get an IDENTITY. The registration process will take no more than 3 minutes, other than that the
userbola customer service has a new fast respond that will directly serve
members regarding all processes needed from the member.
For anyone who like to perform gambling of course, if you are usually looking for partners in gambling activities,
Mabosbet is the right choice. Mabosbetransfer You can contact our own customer support and make
dealings with us. Mabosbet livechat is available 24 hrs nonstop and is all set to serve you that help you online
with gambling.
Mabosbet. com as the responsible gambling agent, all of us always provide an alternative link to mabosbet in order that members feel comfortable.
You no longer require to have trouble obtaining an alternative Jababbet link
for access, it is previously available for you.
We also always give top priority to the safety regarding our members,
very rigid protecting each of the privacy of members of Jababbet.
Reliable Mabosbet From 2010
With good praise, the support from the Headquarters is usually no doubt.
Friendly, quickly response, under 3 moments.
Mabosbet is highly appreciated by gambling bettors
coming from Indonesia because whatever success you get will be approved by mabosvip.
We constantly want to provide the particular best for members with maximum
service. The site mabosmail. com can also be very straightforward to access,
since you only want internet access and alternative
links mabosvip, no want to use proxies, news letters, or troublesome applications.
That is why many folks join mabosbola and help to make deposits, then, win the particular match.
The best plus quality alternative mabosbola option site.
Come join mabosbet. com the trusted online gambling agent in Dalam negri.
Contact livechat mabosbet today in the lower right corner to get
a new user ID. Welcome in order to the club.
MABOSBET is usually a Trusted Online Wagering Site that has been established for more
compared to 9 years with the particular most significant amount of
online gambling players. This gambling site also provides the most satisfactory online gambling game with the most popular gambling providers in Indonesia.
On the internet Gambling Games that can be played at MABOSBET are Sportsbook Soccer Gambling, Live Casino,
On-line poker Card Gambling, Online Slot Gambling and Online Togel.
Mabosbet itself has provided many different excellent facilities for online gambling players in Indonesia which range from 24-hour
Live Chat Support, Bonuses with the least difficult conditions,
additional wins with regard to True Gambling Players.
This particular MABOSBET Gambling Site likewise proves to be very
trustworthy, while this Gambling Site can also pay for any winning player with no deductions.
So you may play gambling comfortably in addition to safely without
anxiety about having to pay. In addition to a new definite win at MABOSBET, you will also supply additional bonuses to provide
a different experience actively playing online gambling.
JOBI BALL OFFICIAL SBOBET ONLINE WITHIN INDONESIA
Online Soccer Wagering has become a very popular internet
gambling game in Indonesia where every game has a market for betting.
MABOSBET is becoming a great official partner of SGD777 Indonesia, where more compared to a decade has provided football
gambling games for betting players in Indonesia.
This SBOBET Soccer Gambling Industry allows a fair where
gamers will actually be given the live market through
the recognized match directly. So you will be very
lucky in order to play SBOBET in this specific MABOSBET.
RELIABLE ONLINE SLOT MACHINE SITE SITE NUMEROUS INCOME
Online slot gambling will be currently popular in Philippines, where online slots are incredibly successful with huge jackpots and freespins that are an easy task to win.
Because associated with that this MABOSBET 1st
provided Online Slot Games from 2012 for gambling players
in Indonesia. Exactly where Jackpot is provided more than USD $ one, 000,
000 for slot players who register at MABOSBET. The Slot Sport machine at MABOSBET does not just use your
Equilibrium, the Slot Game has been made with the FREESPIN Bonus that comes out more often, so an individual will
probably be Fortunately.
For anybody who like to enjoy gambling and if you usually are looking for partners in gambling activities, Mabosbet is usually the right choice.
Mabosbetransfer You can contact our customer care and make transactions with us.
Mabosbet livechat is available 24 hrs nonstop and is prepared to serve
you that help you online with wagering.
Mabosbet. com as a new responsible gambling agent,
we always provide an alternative link to mabosbet to ensure that members feel comfortable.
You no longer require to have trouble obtaining an alternative
solution Jababbet link with regard to access, it is already
available for you.
We also always give top priority to the safety regarding
our members, very strict protecting all the privacy associated
with members of Jababbet.
Trusted Mabosbet From 2010
Along with good praise, the support from the Headquarters will be no doubt.
Friendly, fast response, under 3 mins.
Mabosbet is highly appreciated by gambling bettors through Indonesia
because whatever triumph you get will be accepted by mabosvip.
We usually want to provide typically the best for members with optimum service.
The site mabosmail. com is additionally very simple to access, since you only need
internet access and option links mabosvip, no
require to use proxies, notifications, or troublesome applications.
Of which is why many individuals join mabosbola
and make deposits, then, win the particular match. The best and quality alternative mabosbola alternative site.
Come join mabosbet. com the trusted on-line gambling agent in Philippines.
Contact livechat mabosbet today in the lower right corner to get the user ID.
Welcome to the club.
MABOSBET will be a Trusted Online Gambling Site that has recently been established for more as compared to
9 years with typically the most significant amount of online gambling players.
This gambling web site also provides the most satisfactory online gambling game along with the most popular wagering providers in Indonesia.
On-line Gambling Games that can be played at MABOSBET are Sportsbook Soccer Betting, Live Casino,
Online Poker Credit card Gambling, Online Slot Wagering and Online Togel.
Mabosbet itself has provided a variety of
excellent facilities for online gambling players in Indonesia which range from 24-hour Live Chat Assistance, Bonuses with the
easiest conditions, additional wins for True Gambling Players.
This particular MABOSBET Gambling Site also proves to become very reliable,
while this Gambling Site can also pay regarding any winning player with no deductions.
So you may play gambling comfortably plus safely without fear of spending.
In addition to a definite win at MABOSBET, you will also offer additional bonuses to offer a different experience actively playing
online gambling.
JOBI BASKETBALL OFFICIAL SBOBET ONLINE IN INDONESIA
Online Soccer Gambling has become a very popular gambling online game inside Indonesia where every
sport has a market with regard to betting.
MABOSBET has become a good official partner of BOLA
TANGKAS Indonesia, where more compared to 7 years has provided football gambling games for
betting players in Indonesia. This SBOBET Soccer Gambling Industry allows a good where gamers will actually be given a live market through
the recognized match directly. Which means you may be very lucky to play SBOBET in this MABOSBET.
RELIABLE ONLINE SLOT SITE SITE WITH MANY INCOME
Online slot gambling is currently popular in Dalam negri,
where online slots are extremely lucrative with huge jackpots and freespins that are an easy task to win. Because associated with that this MABOSBET first provided Online
Slot Online games from 2012 for gambling players in Indonesia.
Exactly where Jackpot is provided more than USD $ just one, 000, 000 for slot machine game players who register
in MABOSBET. The Slot Sport machine at MABOSBET doesn’t just use your Stability,
the Slot Game has been built with the FREESPIN Bonus that comes out
more often, so an individual will probably be Fortunately.
Option Link l69
L69 is probably the official sites that offer the newest alternative link trusted online
betting sites. L69 provides more than just one alternative link from each and every
betting site, and we here have become probably the most comprehensive alternative link companies and the L69 internet site has a responsive display that will makes it easy that you can access our site coming from the display of your own device or laptop.
Plus what you should know is of which we here have only one official link, l69.
me and if there are other websites that offer information or
call the website is not the official site.
Ball betting and casino gambling are forms of games that are very favored by the
people of Indonesia. Why l69? Because we’ve been here for a lot more than five a number of have got become the trust regarding the folks of Dalam negri as a
location to perform soccer gambling as well as on the internet casino gambling.
Itself has additionally obtained a license from the Asian and European governments in 2009 to become an online
gambling betting provider site in Asian countries
and Europe. By offering lots of different types of
wagering bets which can be played on one ID, it makes typically the members
feel happy actively playing in your bookie.
Great things about Alternative Links l69
But sadly lately there are many members who encounter problems and
problems any time entering into their Sgd777 game for the reason that Sbobet internet
site is frequently blocked and many older sites have been blocked
by the Indonesian government rather than a few usually are also affected with
what is usually called the Newsletter Job. The Indonesian government recently is struggling to get rid of links or paths to gain access to sites that smell associated with
pornography, gambling and right now there are a great many other
content that is deemed inappropriate.