Discovering Our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God's Beloved

by Trevor Hudson, Dallas Willard (Foreword by)

Overview

Each chapter in this workbook by Trevor Hudson is peppered with "holy experiments," simple practices that bring us into God's presence and help us experience life as his beloved. At the end of each chapter is a set of questions which are ideal for discussion with one or two spiritual friends or a small group.

This practical and winsome book covers topics such as

• hearing and speaking with God
• growing in spiritual friendship
• practicing stewardship of our work and play
• learning discernment
• approaching our death and the world beyond
• living now in the kingdom of God

Wherever you may find yourself along the Way, a real and vital spirituality awaits you in these pages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830810925
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	11/04/2010
Series:	Renovare Resources
Edition description:	Combined
Pages:	197
Sales rank:	635,340
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Trevor Hudson is a pastor in South Africa and the author of a number of books, including Listening to the Groans (Upper Room). He is a teaching fellow with the Renovaré Spiritual Formation Institute and speaks in the U.S. several times a year.

Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was a professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles for over forty years. A highly influential author and teacher, Willard was as celebrated for his enduring writings on spiritual formation as he was for his scholarship. His books include The Divine Conspiracy (Christianity Today's Book of the Year in 1998), The Spirit of the Disciplines, Hearing God, Renovation of the Heart and others. His books have received numerous Christianity Today Annual Book Awards and other recognitions. Willard served on the boards of the C. S. Lewis Foundation and Biola University, and was a member of numerous evaluation committees for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. He received bachelor's degrees from both Tennessee Temple College and Baylor University and a graduate degree at Baylor University, as well as a PhD from the University of Wisconsin in Philosophy and the History of Science.

Table of Contents

Foreword Dallas Willard 7

Introduction 9

1 Drawing a Picture of God 13

Holy Experiment: Knowing God Through Knowing Jesus

2 Discovering Who We are 22

Holy Experiment: The Beloved Charter; Relating to Others as Beloved

3 Developing a Christian Memory 35

Holy Experiment: Remembering Jesus in the Gospels; Remembering Our Personal Stories; Remembering the Present Day

4 Receiving the Kingdom 46

Holy Experiment: Turning Toward Jesus; Opening Clenched Fists

5 Belonging to the Family of God 54

Holy Experiment: Spiritual Friendship

6 Becoming Holy, Becoming Ourselves 62

Holy Experiment: Solitude and Silence; A Desert Day; Suffering with a Neighbor

7 Loving Those Closest to us 73

Holy Experiment: Confession; Listening; Conscious Loving Actions

8 Discovering God's Call for our Lives 82

Holy Experiment: Discernment

9 Practicing the Presence of God 90

Holy Experiment: Mindfulness; Thankfulness; Welcoming God into Your Next Task

10 Opening Our Hearts to God 101

Holy Experiment: Praying Our Feelings; Praying the Psalms; Praying the Lord's Prayer

11 Overcoming Evil Within and Around Us 111

Holy Experiment: Journaling Your Inner Struggle; Overcoming Evil with Love; Intercessory Prayer

12 Witnessing to the Good News 124

Holy Experiment: Witnessing Without Words; Divine Openings; Testimony

13 Stewarding Faithfully What We Posses 137

Holy Experiment: Pledging to Tithe; Divine Ownership

14 Speaking Words of Life and Power 150

Holy Experiment: Halting Harmful Speech; A Blessing Day; Offering Encouraging Words

15 Looking to the Life Beyond 163

Holy Experiment: Centering Prayer; The Present Moment; Relinquishment

16 Growing into Christlikeness 176

Holy Experiment: Hospitality; Praying for Our Enemies

Conclusion 186

Acknowledgments 190

Further Reading 192

Notes 193

What People are Saying About This

Dr. David G. Benner

"To those who have already discovered him, Trevor Hudson is a much loved and trusted spiritual guide who is known for his practical books on the Christian spiritual journey. Organized around sixteen signposts toward a renewed spirituality that is centered in Jesus, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity presents a series of what he calls 'holy experiments'--time-tested practices that hold the potential of transforming hearts and minds, attention and awareness, willing and doing.Don't just read this book; take the time to live it, to make space in your life for these experiments to gain a foothold. It will leave you forever changed."
— Dr. David G. Benner, author of Opening to God and The Gift of Being Yourself

Gary W. Moon

"I consider Trevor Hudson to be a wonderful friend. He must be because even after my wife started using one of his books (instead of mine) for a college course she was teaching on spiritual formation, I still like him. And she's certain to begin using Discovering Our Spiritual Identity, because I can hardly imagine a better resource for Christ-following; like the author, it is practical and profound."
— Gary W. Moon, M.Div., Ph.D., vice president, Richmont Graduate University, and author of Apprenticeship with Jesus

Joyce Huggett

"A moving, inspiring, easy-to-read testimony to the pure goodness of God. By posing pertinent questions, Trevor Hudson takes us into the transforming, healing presence of God. Individuals and groups desiring to grow in grace and go deeper into God could benefit enormously from applying themselves to this profound and powerful book."
— Joyce Huggett, author of The Joy of Listening to God

Scot McKnight

"I met Trevor Hudson one sunny day in his home country, South Africa. The moment I met him I knew him to be a profoundly spiritual person, and our lengthy conversation that day confirmed my initial impression. Trevor Hudson is one of South Africa's contemporary spiritual masters. The book in your hands contains the wisdom of a gentle pastor guiding each of us into a deeper walk with a God who heals. If I had one person I'd choose to be a pastor to my children, it would be Trevor Hudson."
— Scot McKnight, author of Jesus Creed and blogger at www.patheos.com

Jan Johnson

"From his long-time pastoral heart and skills, Trevor invites us to be shepherded and strengthened with practices that immerse us in God and lead us into Christlikeness."
— Jan Johnson, spiritual director and author of Invitation to the Jesus Life and Spiritual Disciplines Companion

Editorial Reviews

"From his long-time pastoral heart and skills, Trevor invites us to be shepherded and strengthened with practices that immerse us in God and lead us into Christlikeness."

Jan Johnson

"A moving, inspiring, easy-to-read testimony to the pure goodness of God. By posing pertinent questions, Trevor Hudson takes us into the transforming, healing presence of God. Individuals and groups desiring to grow in grace and go deeper into God could benefit enormously from applying themselves to this profound and powerful book."

Joyce Huggett

"I consider Trevor Hudson to be a wonderful friend. He must be because even after my wife started using one of his books (instead of mine) for a college course she was teaching on spiritual formation, I still like him. And she's certain to begin using Discovering Our Spiritual Identity, because I can hardly imagine a better resource for Christ-following; like the author, it is practical and profound."

Gary W. Moon

"To those who have already discovered him, Trevor Hudson is a much loved and trusted spiritual guide who is known for his practical books on the Christian spiritual journey. Organized around sixteen signposts toward a renewed spirituality that is centered in Jesus, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity presents a series of what he calls 'holy experiments'—time-tested practices that hold the potential of transforming hearts and minds, attention and awareness, willing and doing. Don't just read this book; take the time to live it, to make space in your life for these experiments to gain a foothold. It will leave you forever changed."

Dr. David G. Benner

"I met Trevor Hudson one sunny day in his home country, South Africa. The moment I met him I knew him to be a profoundly spiritual person, and our lengthy conversation that day confirmed my initial impression. Trevor Hudson is one of South Africa's contemporary spiritual masters. The book in your hands contains the wisdom of a gentle pastor guiding each of us into a deeper walk with a God who heals. If I had one person I'd choose to be a pastor to my children, it would be Trevor Hudson."

Scot McKnight

"To those who have already discovered him, Trevor Hudson is a much loved and trusted spiritual guide who is known for his practical books on the Christian spiritual journey. Organized around sixteen signposts toward a renewed spirituality that is centered in Jesus, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity presents a series of what he calls 'holy experiments'--time-tested practices that hold the potential of transforming hearts and minds, attention and awareness, willing and doing. Don't just read this book; take the time to live it, to make space in your life for these experiments to gain a foothold. It will leave you forever changed."

--Dr. David G. Benner, author of Opening to God and The Gift of Being Yourself

"I consider Trevor Hudson to be a wonderful friend. He must be because even after my wife started using one of his books (instead of mine) for a college course she was teaching on spiritual formation, I still like him. And she's certain to begin using Discovering Our Spiritual Identity, because I can hardly imagine a better resource for Christ-following; like the author, it is practical and profound."

--Gary W. Moon, M.Div., Ph.D., vice president, Richmont Graduate University, and author of Apprenticeship with Jesus

From the Publisher

"To those who have already discovered him, Trevor Hudson is a much loved and trusted spiritual guide who is known for his practical books on the Christian spiritual journey. Organized around sixteen signposts toward a renewed spirituality that is centered in Jesus, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity presents a series of what he calls 'holy experiments'—time-tested practices that hold the potential of transforming hearts and minds, attention and awareness, willing and doing.Don't just read this book; take the time to live it, to make space in your life for these experiments to gain a foothold. It will leave you forever changed."

Doctor - David G. Benner