Spiritual Formation Articles

A Conversation with Teresa of Avila

Renovaré Institute graduate Matt Filer draws us into an imaginative conversation between himself and St. Teresa of Avila on the subject of prayer. This dialogue, begun as an exercise to solidify Teresa’s teachings in his own mind, is an accessible tool for anyone yearning to “hear God better.”

Matt Filer & Teresa of Avila

January 24, 2020

Dallas Willard on Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle

“This book and this author,” Dallas Willard says in regard to Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle, “immediately announced themselves as a unique presence of God in my life.”

Dallas Willard

January 20, 2020

Discovering Contemplation

In this classic piece, Bill Vaswig brings contemplation down to earth. It is, as Thomas Aquinas puts it, a simple, unimpeded, penetrating gaze at the truth.

Bill Vaswig

January 13, 2020

Becoming Like Christ

For Christians, heaven is not the goal. The goal is for Christ to be formed in us. Richard Foster shows how that forming happens through experiential, formal, and instrumental means.

Richard J. Foster

January 13, 2020

Knowing God Means More Than Describing Him

“For all my love of language,” writes Carolyn Arends in this column from Christianity Today, “I’ve been troubled by a growing sense that I need to pay more attention to wordless things.”

Carolyn Arends

January 9, 2020

The Rise of Educational Spiritual Formation Communities

Educational spiritual formation communities have sprouted up around the world. Nathan Foster unpacks their gifts and challenges.

Nathan Foster

January 9, 2020

Hints for How to Pray

Richard Foster comments: “When I read [Buttrick], I want to pray. Many authors help me understand prayer; few help me practice it.” These practical suggestions from the great preacher George Buttrick help us enter into prayer as friendship with God.

George Buttrick

January 3, 2020

How Do We Make Space for Retreat?

In this excerpt from her introduction to Wilderness Time, Emilie Griffin challenges our resistance to spending intentional time with God and argues for the indispensability of retreat in our spiritual lives.

Emilie Griffin

January 2, 2020

How Did Jesus Pray? (A One-Week Devotional)

From The Reservoir, these daily devotionals dive into the Contemplative Stream: The Prayer-filled Life.

Renovaré Team

January 1, 2020

The Humble and Messy Arrival of God

Did the shepherds stop to wonder why the Messiah was born in a stable attended by animals? Someday we can ask them. For now, we notice, with help from this meditation by Miriam Dixon and Margaret Campbell.

Miriam Dixon & Margaret Campbell

December 20, 2019

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