Our souls need JOY like our bodies need movement.
We all know that moving our bodies keeps us physically and mentally healthy. But what about our souls?
Without love, we wither. Without hope, we despair. Without forgiveness, we suffer.
Without God, we are lost.
Your Life with God is an immersion in the Christian faith - Spiritual Exercises that shape our souls daily.
It’s a way to follow Jesus, to find deeper joy, peace, hope, love.
To live a life transformed by wonder, gratitude, and awe.
To be spiritually healthy.
It’s a gym for your soul.
We aren’t the first ones to have this concept. In the 16th century, Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Roman Catholic order called the Jesuits) developed his own Spiritual Exercises meant to prepare the soul for conversion. He believed that ‘stretching oneself spiritually is as important as an athlete’s conditioning routine’.
We are all familiar with today’s gyms, promising to transform our lives through stronger, healthier bodies. We believe that Christian faith practices offer everlasting transformation of our souls: creating space to be in relationship with God and the church, to grow in faith, and to accept our salvation through Jesus Christ.
Like gyms for our bodies, Spiritual Exercises only ‘work if you work them’! Showing up and being present, even if it’s hard - or boring - is the key to a healthy interior life. Sudden leaps of growth or insight are born out of months - even years - of building the space for them. And the building - though sometimes quiet - is bringing us closer to God.
God’s love is always present - practicing our faith helps us feel it, know it, and share it.
Your Life with God (YLWG) is not a program, and it’s not a course. It's a set of practices. It’s a way of engaging your life of faith, based on how Christians have been engaging their faith lives for centuries.
Using the ‘gym’ analogy, we thought that no matter what ‘sport’ we take part in, there are basic areas of physical fitness to attend to. We’ve divided the YLWG Practices into four corresponding Exercises, and the practices related to them:
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Stretching: Fasting, Silence, Giving, Revelation
Strength: Service, Study, Confession, Testimony
Endurance: Prayer, Sabbath, Witness, Scripture
Teamwork: Worship, Hospitality, Evangelism, Communion
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Though we will highlight them at different times, the Spiritual Exercises may be used by individuals or groups at any time and in any order.
Members of YLWG will work to create a ‘Rule of Life’: a pattern or set of practices to deepen our life with God. (‘Rule of Life’ also has its roots in ancient monastic practices, especially the Benedictines).
A Rule of Life can be created by an individual or as a community. This is your ‘workout’ routine for your soul!
How it works
Weekly Reflections: Delivered via email, these are personal essays from your ‘spiritual trainers’ on the Christian life, and how the YLWG exercises work to engage your soul. These are the foundational concepts of the faith. (In the physical gym, this would be your articles about nutrition, hydration, avoiding injury, etc.).
Spiritual Exercises: All YLWG members have access to the exercises (as they are developed) -introduction and encouragement in the rituals and practices of the faith. These are the basics of the spiritual workout, building spiritual muscle and resilience. (In the physical gym, these would be your basic workouts).
Intake and personal training sessions: Those who join a YLWG ‘chapter’ (for a slightly higher subscription) will receive an intake form and a regular meeting with a ‘spiritual trainer’, who will help them choose specific Exercises and practices. Chapter members will also be invited to in-person chapter gatherings. [*** We’re still working on setting up our first ‘chapter’. Stay tuned for more details**].
Monthly Online Gatherings: Virtual community gatherings for connection, sharing, and encouragement. These gatherings provide the support and accountability needed to stay committed to the spiritual fitness journey. We will work on our ‘Rule of Life’ - personal or communal commitment to a particular set of practices for a particular time.
‘Chapter’ gatherings: YLWG ‘chapters’ are encouraged to hold in-person gatherings. ‘Chapter’ subscribers are invited and encouraged to attend. This is the "group fitness class" component, fostering fellowship and shared ministry. [***Ditto on the above ‘chapter’ details***].
Sharing Your Life with God: YLWG is designed to supplement existing church programs, not replace them. Congregations (and individual members of congregations) can subscribe to YLWG online, or you can subscribe to a ‘chapter’. You can also start your own! We are developing a process for expanding chapters via congregations.
Your Life with God is the ‘equipment’ and activity to stretch and strengthen your soul for JOY.
It’s a way to challenge our soul, grow in your faith, and experience transcendence within the Christian tradition.
It’s a way towards congregational vitality, and a path to follow Jesus for individuals whether they go to church or not.
It’s a way to use digital technology to transform the life of the church, and our own individual spiritual lives.
Join us to experience the transforming power of God’s love in the world, and live a life of wonder and joy.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
