The spaces through which we are changed tend to be experiences of great love or great suffering. Peter's life is an example of both.

It may seem like growing in our faith would mean that we would end up more certain. That may be true of some things (for example, God's love for us). But an important part of transformation involves putting on humility; admitting that we don't have all the answers (and may never have them); even embracing mystery.

God is always present.

And it is in the present moment - no where else - that we experience God (and, each other).

Growing, maturing, deepening our faith requires us, therefore, to be present - a very very difficult challenge for humans to believe and live.

The created world is a gift, teaching us things that are true about God and about ourselves. This week we consider what trees teach us about our growth and maturity.

Week 2: The End of the Rope is Not the End

We begin a new series in which we look at important principles related to our spiritual transformation (and transformation in general).

Week 1 considers the truth that in order to grow we must learn to embrace BOTH death AND resurrection.

The six stories we've considered so far fall short of their promise. They give us something, but it is not what we really want. We need a seventh story.

We see aspects of the seventh story in the hours before and after Christ's death and resurrection -- and we see it clearly in the resurrection itself. This story is hard to believe, if we're honest, but it is the story that leads to life.

The Story of Accumulation is everywhere. There isn't a day that we're not inundated with the message that we'll find our happiness and security in more (fill in the blank).

But does this story give us what it promises? What is the alternative?

The Story of Victimization is a challenging one. It tells us that when we've been harmed we should let our pain define us. It's a story that encourages us to get stuck in our pain -- sometimes even fueling us to harm others while feeling righteous in doing so.

But this story does not move us toward life. Instead, we must courageously face our pain -- almost certainly with the help and care of others.

Teresa leads us through a look at the Story of Isolation