How Hurricanes Help Develop Habits for the Long Journey Home!

In Addictions, Formation, Freedom from Porn, Fully Awake, Habits, Pornography, Sex and Violence, Small Groups by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

Here we go again.

Hurricane Dorian is wreaking havoc already, and it’s still days from making landfall.  I have lived in Florida nearly all of my adult life.

As such, I am accustomed to dealing with hurricanes.

By saying that I am accustomed to dealing with hurricanes, I don’t mean to imply that I know how to handle them. Instead, I mean that expecting them, preparing for them, and doing my best to endure them is now a matter of habit.

Indeed, activities I used to give considerable forethought, are …
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Feeling, Rather than Fleeing, Pain!

In Addictions, Brokenness, Formation, Fully Awake, Habits, Loneliness, Psalms, Purpose and Meaning, Resolution, Soul-Care, Spiritual Formation by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

The Princess Bride, a modern fairy tale employing all of the standard elements like Royalty, clearly defined heroes and villains, stark contrasts between good and evil, hints of magic and happy endings, is one of my favorite flicks.

While there are so many parts of this movie that make one laugh, there are also just as many parts that offer insight.

In one poignant moment, just after Princess Buttercup is mocked by the “Dread Pirate Roberts” and before she rediscovers her long, lost Wesley, the Pirate King reminds her that …
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Imagine Yourself in the Presence of the King

In Change, Contemplation, Culture, Delight in God, Desire, Discipleship, Formation, Fully Awake, Heaven, Imagination by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

Imagine Yourself in the Presence of the King

Imagine yourself in the presence of the King of Creation.

Imagine the majestic environment – the rarefied air, trees bustling with beauty and dignity – an atmosphere encased in a feeling of delight and joy!

Imagine sinking your teeth into a delectable piece of fruit, soaked with the fullness of life and the freshness of His touch.

Just beyond the horizon, you spy a crowd of animals: healthy and vibrant, on glorious display – marching in rhythm – beneath the base of …
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God Bless Us, Every One!

In Christmas, Culture, Formation, Fully Awake, Loneliness, Purpose and Meaning by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

God Bless Us, Every One!

Just before the light of Christmas morning beams into Scrooge’s newly minted heart, the gloom of Christmas Yet-to-Come settles deep within the bowels of his soul.

Of all the apparitions, this is the one Scrooge fears most.

And, to the reader’s eye, this is certainly the most intimidating Spirit of them all!…
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You Are What You Love!

In Christian Leadership, Community, Discipleship, Fully Awake, Habits, Love by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

For many, discipleship is more about what you know than it is about what you love.  James K.A. Smith, in his excellent book, You Are What You Love, challenges the assumption that drives this cognition-as-belief model of discipleship.

Smith suggests that “Discipleship is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive to and intentional about what you love.”

He argues, quite persuasively, that discipleship is an issue of what we love more than it is one of what we know.…
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What is a Contemplative Bible Study? Pt. 4, Mediation that’s Uniquely Christian

In Contemplation, Formation, Fully Awake, Habits, Spiritual Formation, Surrender by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

Meditation that’s Uniquely Christian

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16

The subject of Colossians 3:16 is “the word of Christ.”

While that seems self-evident, it’s important to note a few implications of this fact.  First, the subject is not me or you.  The subject is always Christ.

This is why Paul invites us to surrender.

We often come to the Word …
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Do You Remember When?

In Contemplation, Formation, Freedom, Fully Awake, Habits, Spiritual Formation by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

I concluded last week’s blog with the following question:

Do you remember when you last felt the Word of Christ dwelling richly in you?

Now, before you read further, pause and identify that moment or those moments when you recall sensing the deep indwelling of the presence of Christ in your life.

We never seem to have enough money, time, sleep, coffee, joy, love, etc.

We all – at times – complain about our lack of resources.  We decry our lack of time and we sulk when we see others …
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What is a “Contemplative” Bible Study?

In Christian Leadership, Contemplation, Culture, Discipleship, Formation, Fully Awake, Habits by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

Our culture is, perhaps, the most distracted and disengaged culture in human history.

New York Times Journalist, Tony Schwartz, recently noticed how distracted he’s become when trying to read a book – something an award-winning Journalist and author ought to be able to do with ease.   Upon reflection, he realized that unread books were piling up in his home: mocking him, rebuking him, as they lay silently – untouched – on the bedside table.  In an insightful article, he writes:

“Instead of reading them, I was spending too many hours …
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Recognizing Triggers and Traps in Overcoming Porn Addiction, Part 2

In Addictions, Freedom from Porn, Fully Awake, Men Against Porn, Pornography by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

In my last post, I wrote about the importance of identifying the Trying Season.

The Trying Season is that moment or season of life where stress grows and relief is needed.  Porn exploits those times of our life and extracts our dignity in the process.

Today I am going to consider another trigger we need to be aware of in our fight against porn.  It is,

The Teasing Sensation.

Life is full of teasers.  A teaser is, according to Merriam-Webster, “something that is done, offered, or shown to make …
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A Daily Prayer for this Season of Celebration and Cheer!

In Desire, Discipleship, Formation, Fully Awake, Habits, Prayer by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

This daily prayer is one I crafted as a part of my Granular Rhythms of Grace. Specific to this season, I hope this  prayer equips you to enjoy the rhythm of becoming aware of our lesser loves and how they point to our Ultimate Love.   Happy Thanksgiving!

Gracious Lord,

You are, indeed, a good, good Father.

This day, of all days, you’d think an awareness of your grace and goodness would be intuitive to those whom you have loved.

My King, I confess: This day – indeed, this entire season …
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