formation – Page 5 – 300 words a day

Praying for the hallways.

When people say, “Prayer works”, I wince. “God works,” I say, sometimes out loud. Because prayer isn’t a formula or an incantation. In fact, we would be better off replacing the word “pray” with one or more of the hundred words we use to describe our interactions with persons. Like “converse” with God or “invite” […]

by Jon Swanson

Taking notes on community

Most training sessions start with introductions. As I was starting three days of training, I wanted to start with introductions, too. But for a course called “Spiritual Formation”, I want even the process of introductions to teach. So I used my “how do you want to be known in five years” exercise. (I talked about […]

by Jon Swanson

Who we are guides us more than what makes sense.

James March talks about decision-making. He says that we think people make rational decisions. We assume that people will evaluate options and choose based on what is reasonable. Which is why we often feel frustration at poor choices of ourselves and others and we say, “What were you thinking?” Instead, we are more likely to […]

by Jon Swanson

A rule of life.

What do you want to do today? Not because it’s Monday and you have a project due. Not because it’s Monday and you have to make up for what you didn’t get done this weekend. Not because you made a list of six things last night and have to get them done. What do you […]

by Jon Swanson

Spiritual training: distraction and the unwritten note.

I was shoveling and writing. The kind of writing you do in your head when your body is working steady but not too hard. And when you are not thrilled with the work you are doing. I was writing a note to a couple friends. I wanted to challenge themselves to do something bold, something […]