Spiritual Formation I had read Paul’s letter to the Colossians before but it was not until I decided to read these passages slowly and practiced lectio divina that I fully understood what spiritual formation means. I decided again to laminate these verses and carry them with me as a book marker or leave them on my night table so I can read them when I have a chance. These Paul’s passages and Dallas Willard’s VIM (Vision, Intention and Means) model, described beautifully in Renovation of the Heart (Willard 2002, 85-91), resonated with me perfectly.
For me, the Vision of life in the Kingdom of God begins with an attitude of heart and mind. The first two verses call me to make conscious decisions about the way I set my heart and mind because …show more content…
As Paul said in verse 5, my intention is to put to death whatever belongs to earthly nature. I was born in Colombia, South America and moved to the United States fifteen years ago. I was raised Catholic but looking back I did not have a close relationship with Jesus. I remember that it was more important to follow the sacraments than to surrender your life to Jesus. Missing a mass on Sundays was considered a sin. It was only in United States six years ago when I attended a non-denominational church and heard about the good news of the gospel. I understood that I can count on Jesus as “the One” and that it is only through him that the gift of the kingdom comes to me. Trusting in Jesus and obeying Him is what I am working on right now and the main reason to join the Renovare program. I see some progress but I am aware this is a …show more content…
You install an antivirus program that will keep your computer off of malware software and allow that all its components are running in sync with the best performance. In the same way we should guard our minds and keep the most important things in our mind, and that is to keep a vision of life in God’s kingdom. As Dallas mentioned, images and ideas are the primary focus of Satan’s effort to defeat God’s purposes with and for. humankind. (Willard 2002, 100). We have the power to choose our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 is clear into the path to follow. I also like what Dallas mentioned about the three dangers of our thought life with God (Willard 2002, 110)
1) Pride and arrogance
2) Ignorance of fact (examine facts, think carefully, always listen to their part)
3) Looking for approval from others.
The last one is something that I need to work. I found this very difficult in my life, especially at work. Corporate America is not an easy place to avoid this danger. However, I have found that when I set the mind in Jesus and remember that he is my shepherd and my real boss and friend, I can act more “freely”, and I am not afraid to say “no” in several circumstances.
Last but not least the subordination of the components of the body that Dallas describe is a very good reminder of how our “operating system” must operate.
Proper Subordination comes when we allow the following path:
God –> Spirit –> Soul –> Body.
Improper Subordination will
For me, the Vision of life in the Kingdom of God begins with an attitude of heart and mind. The first two verses call me to make conscious decisions about the way I set my heart and mind because …show more content…
As Paul said in verse 5, my intention is to put to death whatever belongs to earthly nature. I was born in Colombia, South America and moved to the United States fifteen years ago. I was raised Catholic but looking back I did not have a close relationship with Jesus. I remember that it was more important to follow the sacraments than to surrender your life to Jesus. Missing a mass on Sundays was considered a sin. It was only in United States six years ago when I attended a non-denominational church and heard about the good news of the gospel. I understood that I can count on Jesus as “the One” and that it is only through him that the gift of the kingdom comes to me. Trusting in Jesus and obeying Him is what I am working on right now and the main reason to join the Renovare program. I see some progress but I am aware this is a …show more content…
You install an antivirus program that will keep your computer off of malware software and allow that all its components are running in sync with the best performance. In the same way we should guard our minds and keep the most important things in our mind, and that is to keep a vision of life in God’s kingdom. As Dallas mentioned, images and ideas are the primary focus of Satan’s effort to defeat God’s purposes with and for. humankind. (Willard 2002, 100). We have the power to choose our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 is clear into the path to follow. I also like what Dallas mentioned about the three dangers of our thought life with God (Willard 2002, 110)
1) Pride and arrogance
2) Ignorance of fact (examine facts, think carefully, always listen to their part)
3) Looking for approval from others.
The last one is something that I need to work. I found this very difficult in my life, especially at work. Corporate America is not an easy place to avoid this danger. However, I have found that when I set the mind in Jesus and remember that he is my shepherd and my real boss and friend, I can act more “freely”, and I am not afraid to say “no” in several circumstances.
Last but not least the subordination of the components of the body that Dallas describe is a very good reminder of how our “operating system” must operate.
Proper Subordination comes when we allow the following path:
God –> Spirit –> Soul –> Body.
Improper Subordination will