The Encourager

The objective of the Trailhead podcast is to inspire and aid your spiritual growth. Subscriptions, both free and paid, make it possible to maintain a substantive conversation concerning the pathway from superficial spirituality to a deeper life with Jesus.

Christian Centering Practices

My formative years in ministry were spent in a contemplative Christian community that valued centering prayer. Centering prayer is a Christian contemplative prayer method that involves resting silently in the presence of God. It is an invitation to discover and become attentive to the presence and activity of God in what is being said, read, felt, and experienced in a given moment. Our openness to becoming more deeply united with the Divine Presence creates a fertile inner condition for God to transform us, making us more like Christ. As that happens, intimacy with God deepens and expands.

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Centering Scripture: Colossians 2:1-2

Centering Prayer

Read these sacred words from scripture several times, pausing between each reading. It will only take 2-3 minutes to read it several times. Be aware that God will use a word or a word picture to hook your attention. When that happens, quit reading and meditate on what drew you into the words. In your journal, write the prayer that comes to you as you meditate on what captured your attention. Your prayer might take many forms: a heartfelt statement, poetry, a confession, a pleading, a sketch. What is important is that it represents the movement stirring your heart as you read the provocative Word of God.

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How are you centering—and re-centering—yourself in God’s love and presence? What have you learned that would encourage and assist us in living centered lives?

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Trekking: A Guidebook for Spiritual Transformation

Maynard has done a fantastic job of making the intricacies of spiritual journey accessible to all people. Whether you are a new Christian, or are a seasoned follower of Christ, you will find lots of good information in this book. His enthusiasm for Christ is infectious, as is his enjoyment of digging deeper into the spiritual journey process. He does a brilliant job of pairing illustrations from his journey on the El Camino de Santiago with insights from relevant theologians. This book is a must read for anyone wanting a deeper relationship with God. Even before I finished reading it, I already had plans to read it again – it is really that good. Paula Hisel