And the lights came on!

Isn't funny how things can come together in the most unlikely ways. Connections become clear when you weren't really looking for them, it just happened, in that moment of revelation.

The other night I was working with my Conquer group and the lights went on about a connection I hadn't expected. A Conquer group is a group which helps men deal with their sexual addictions and in particular their problem with pornography. I lead this small group to support men overcome this major issue which is a blight on the 21st century Church and society in general. It is an issue that appears to be more and more rampant as reality comes to the light. After 20 -30 years of the internet revolution the magnitude of pornography's development and the effect that revolution has had is now becoming frighteningly obvious.

The scene is now set so what was the revelation? Well............it dawned on me that on of the major reasons for the growth of pornography on the modern church is in fact of our lack of spiritual formation in any depth. We do not have real understanding of what the Father and the Son were up to in the new covenant and what they means for us. We stay sick because we don't realise the answer is with us all the time. It will take time, effort and a certain amount of pain to heal the wounds that we medicate in so many ways in modern society. From pornography, Facebook or internet shopping to food, we try it all.

So when looking at spiritual formation in any way would be remiss not to use the resources I have available. I am going to look ay The Conquer workbook and 7 Pillars of Freedom as well. I believe they will bring a very practical balance to your life and mine as we explore our journey with God towards Christlikeness.

I am really excited about this because it will bring me real purpose to this process. We are in fact contending for ourselves, our families and many hurting and wounded Christians out there. Let  alone a lost and spiritually oppressed generation that we have been given to introduce to Jesus Christ. As we begin to make sense of the real implications that a deeper spiritual formation will have on us, the potential is breath taking.

In a generation that is content to know information about the Christian faith, we must shift to an understanding of what we truly believe........................... and then use it everywhere we can! We must move that most difficult 12inches from our head to our heart.

"Spiritual formation requires taking an inward journey to the heart" Henri Nouwen

Spiritual Formation is not a formation of the head but a formation of the heart. So unlike the previous year we are not time scheduled with a new topic and author each week. We will slow down and read sources as in "Lectio Divnia". I will read slowly until God brings revelation then I will share what he shows me. I believe there will be multiple sources confirming the same message.



I believe God has just joined strands and passions of my life together in a way I wasn't expecting. I hope it will bless your life too!