Links & Downloads

The Mission of Zoe-Life Encounters is to facilitate experiences and discussions about deeper-fuller life and living in individuals and faith communities.

 

Sometimes that happens through the “explorations” we formally promote and sponsor.  And, sometimes, that happens through the commending of rich and meaningful resources. 

 

Here, we commend sites and resources that pass a three-fold test:
a) a sense of theological balance/integrity
b) an abundance of quality resources
c) minimal costs (to engage many of these resources)

 

Stay tuned, by the way, as this list will ever be evolving and growing!

Downloads: Articles

 

Downloads: Spiritual Formation “Guides”
(available for download “out there”)

Links to [Meaningful]
Spiritual Formation Mentors/Sites Worth Engaging…

  • Conversatio.org
    (a great repository of spiritual formation teachings from those behind the old “Conversations Journal”–with an especial focus on the teachings of Dallas Willard)
  • soulcare.com
    (spiritual formation ministry that exists to increase “soul health” in the body of Christ on the basis of seven core spiritual practices… founded by Mindy Caliguire, former Director of Transformation Ministry for the Willow Creek Association)
  • center for action and contemplation
    (spiritual formation ministry of Fr. Richard Rohr…  here, you will have a chance to sign-up for a daily email from Fr. Rohr… note, as well, the wealth of podcasts, videos and articles in the “Articles and Media” subsection)
  • renovare.org
    (spiritual formation ministry founded by Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline)
  • transformingcenter.org/
    (spiritual formation ministry of Dr. Ruth Haley Barton that exists “to strengthen the souls of pastors and Christian leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve”)
  • dwightjudy.com
    (web site for one of the “grandfathers” of spiritual formation in the United Methodist Church, with a wealth of online materials and resources)
  • contemplativeoutreach.org
    (a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel — with a common desire for Divine transformation (primarily expressed through a commitment to a daily practice) as explicated in the teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating.)
  • Spiritual Formation Reading Room at Tyndale University
    (points you to a host of spiritual formation readings via Google books [which provides a pretty generous sampling of each title])

Links Emphasizing Different Spiritual Practices/Disciplines 


“Traditional” Means of Grace

  • Engaging the Bible
    • The Bible Project
      (we’ve watched them evolve over the years — providing great videos that give survey to the Scriptures and each book of the Bible…  They are not the “end all” in your engagement of the Scriptures but do provide a good foundation for deeper learning and exploration)
    • First-Steps-To-Spiritual-Growth (by Rick Warren from a few years ago… while it covers the breadth of a “quiet time” we might have with God, it is especially focused on an approach to engaging the Scriptures)
    • How to Study the Bible (A Self-Study Resource by Brian McLaren from brianmclaren.net a few years ago) 
  • Sabbath
    • A few offerings from the Methodist Publishing House (which appear to be out of print):
      –> Take Time to Be Holy (“Faithlink” issue from July, 2002)
      –> Holy Rest (“Faithlink” issue from January, 2005)
    • The Sabbath Experiment (site dedicated to book by Rob Muthiah) 
  • Prayer
    • Sacred Space:
      Guides you step-by-step through daily prayer, scripture, and personal reflection.
    • Pray As You Go:
      multiple formats allow individuals to engage new prayer session is produced every day, lasting 10-13 minutes, that combines music, scripture and questions for reflection. The aim is to help you to become more aware of God’s presence in your life, hear and reflect on God’s word, and grow in your relationship with God. Produced in Britain with lovely British accents. Requires a high-speed connection.

 

Not-so-conventional or traditional “means of grace”/disciplines

Links: Various Materials-Offerings from The Upper Room…

Miscellany

  • Retreat_in_a_Box
    (a downloadable day retreat, produced by Rev. Larry J. Peacock  for the New England Conference [Annual Conference] Spiritual Formation Initiative)
  • An Online Retreat
    (a 34-week Ignatian retreat, offered by Creighton University)
  • Northumbria Community
    (web site of a diverse and dispersed network of people (alone and together) gathered around a Rule of Life as a Way to follow the Way)

Have another resource you’d commend to us for consideration on this resource page?

We’d love to hear from you!  Feel free to drop us contact us by clicking here!