Spiritual Formation Archives - Brethren in Christ U.S.

3 Ways I Saw the Lord Renew Hope Amid My Church’s Crisis

3 Ways I Saw the Lord Renew Hope Amid My Church’s Crisis

Would our church remain open or close? I’ll never forget the September night four years ago when that question was the only item on our church board’s agenda. I can still picture where each of us board members sat, along with our… Read On

Published September 15, 2023

What is Fasting?

What is Fasting?

For more than 30 years, I’ve incorporated fasting as an integral part of my spiritual formation. One day per week, one week per month, and one month per year, I abstain from things that I would otherwise enjoy. Additionally, I fast sometimes for… Read On

Published February 21, 2023

Impact + Profiles

Pastor Profile: Luke Embree

Hitchhiking across the United States at 18, Luke posed a question to the Creator of the universe. He had been about to head West on Route 50 — the highway slicing America’s midsection — when he’d been struck by the majesty of the Appalachian… Read On

Published June 7, 2019

Hold the Desserts: A Lenten Reflection

Hold the Desserts: A Lenten Reflection

46 days. 1,104 hours. 66,240 minutes. 397,4400 seconds. This is how long I am fasting from desserts and sweets. The fast began on Wednesday — Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is observed in many Christian traditions over the course of… Read On

Published March 7, 2019

Hope for a Relationship with a Sex Addict

Hope for a Relationship with a Sex Addict

Just this week, a couple of Christian guys told me about being found out while “watching porn.” The reason I heard about it was not that they felt bad about doing it. But because they got an email the next day saying that they had been filmed… Read On

Published January 25, 2019

How Porn Helped My Church Mature

Impact + Resources

How Porn Helped My Church Mature

Not far from my elementary school, my friend unfolded the pages of a magazine. For the first time, my eyes gazed Playboy. Shortly afterward, the internet gained popularity. And before I even understood the concept of addiction, I developed an… Read On

Published May 21, 2018

A Good Friday Journey into Shadows

Culture & Perspectives

A Good Friday Journey into Shadows

I remember a particularly disastrous piano recital from my teenage years. Since my toddler brother was sick, my parents had sent me off to the recital early with the promise that one of them would try to attend. As I waited for the program to begin… Read On

Published March 29, 2018

Awareness: Our Key to Welcoming Diversity into Our Congregations

Culture & Perspectives

Awareness: Our Key to Welcoming Diversity into Our Congregations

“I think it is one of the tragedies of our nation, one of the shameful tragedies, that eleven o’clock on Sunday morning is one of the most segregated hours, if not the most segregated hour, in Christian America. I definitely think the Christian… Read On

Published February 7, 2018

Five False Narratives Driving Your Decisions — And How to Defy Them

Culture & Perspectives + Impact

Five False Narratives Driving Your Decisions — And How to Defy Them

The other day I asked my six-year-old daughter what I assumed was a simple question — “Where do you want to go get ice cream?” There are two great options in town, and I wanted to let her make the final decision. Instead of the enthusiastic… Read On

Published December 10, 2017