Each lecture ends in a time of corporate prayer followed by individual prayer for those who desire it.

Incarnational Reality: God with Us*

Vital spiritual growth occurs with an understanding of the mystery that St. Paul taught: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27)  This lecture invites us to acknowledge the reality that God is present, living through His redeemed creation and available to sanctify us in day to day life.  This lecture also offers help to those who struggle with skepticism and unbelief as well as those who focus too much on feeling God’s presence in order to believe.

Freedom from Introspection

A negative thought-life is detrimental to the soul’s health and this lecture exposes introspection as the modern malady that holds us captive.  This teaching provides helpful tips on breaking bad mental habits by learning to place one’s mind on God, instead of one’s self or others.  As Dallas Willard says, “Basic human freedom has to do with where we put our mind – the choice to put our mind on God is the most important choice we make.”

Practicing the Presence

To practice the Presence of God is to walk in the Spirit.  This abbreviated lecture, taught with Freedom from Introspection, covers the discipline of drawing one’s mind to God and acknowledging His Presence in prayer.  This discipline is effective in breaking bad mental habits, killing the sin nature and bringing peace and life.  This lecture provides an overview of this discipline and an understanding of the process of ‘dying to self’, and encourages us to align our will with God’s will.

Healing Bentness

Fallen man is bent toward the creature rather than abiding in the Creator.  Born bent (relationally disconnected from God) and looking to find our identity in people and things, we must forsake bentness in our lives in order to be whole.  This lecture uncovers common areas of bentness and invites us look to Christ and to live to please God.  Additionally it provides key components involved in fostering healthy relationships with others.

Appropriating the Power of the Cross

The Cross of Christ is the power of God to free us of the guilt and condemnation that come from sins we commit, as well as the effects of sins committed against us. This lecture provides a better understanding of what was accomplished when Christ died for us, taking our sin, grief and sorrow upon Himself.  It specifically uncovers common causes of inner pain and offers practical steps in the process of looking back, grieving, forgiving and finding complete healing for emotional wounds.

Sense of Being and Well-Being

Development of being and well-being arise out of healthy personal relationships in infancy and then in later years.  If we have developed a sense of being in our early years then our lives will be marked generally by peace, hopefulness and patience in the face of difficulties.  We will be readily able to invest in concerns outside ourselves and sustain healthy relationships with others.  We will find the resources within needed to grow in all Christ calls us to do and become.

 

This lecture uncovers typical indicators of a lack of sense of being and well-being.  It specifically addresses two common roots: separation anxiety (an early breach of trust in relationship with mother) and the abdication of well-being later in life through sinful behavior.  It offers wisdom for parents as well as key steps for those in need of this kind of healing.

Freedom from Misogyny

One common, but seldom addressed, area of relational conflict, for men and women alike, is misogyny (the fear and hatred of woman). This lecture covers topics such as hardness of heart toward females and attitudes toward feminine attributes (such as the capacity to be, to relate, to contemplate, and to bear and nurture life). This lecture also provides an understanding of the detrimental effects of misogyny on our relationship with God, and offers steps to attain freedom from this sin that has affected societies for generations.

True Femininity and True Masculinity 

This abbreviated lecture, taught with Freedom from Misogyny, describes the true feminine and true masculine attributes found in God and encourages growth in all these attributes. Additionally, it addresses problems that arise from a lack of these attributes.

Renouncing Idols and Cleansing the Imagination

Sexual purity and wholeness is available in Christ.  This lecture uncovers the most common idols of our day and leads us into confession, repentance, and acceptance of forgiveness for sinful behaviors.  This teaching offers practical ways to pursue freedom, especially from sexual addiction and pornography, and encourages us to worship the Lord God and serve Him only.  Additionally, it provides an understanding of the proper use of the imagination and offers key steps for cleansing the imagination for holy purposes.

Listening Prayer

A well-rounded prayer life includes speaking and listening to God.  This lecture teaches the concept of listening obedience as the pathway of freedom inviting us to hear and obey God. Specifically, it describes the common ways God speaks to us and provides tips for discerning His voice. Additionally, it offers helpful ideas about incorporating this contemplative discipline into daily life.

Gaining Self-Acceptance

The failure to gain the virtue of self-acceptance is one of the main barriers to maturity and wholeness in Christ. This lecture uncovers hindrances to growing in this virtue such as envy, jealousy and self-hatred.  It addresses our need to see ourselves through God’s eyes and offers practical steps to grow in the virtue of self-acceptance. 

*We are truly indebted to Pastoral Care Ministries (PCM) led by Leanne Payne for teaching us these topics and ministering freedom to us in Christ.  For more information on each of these topics see Leanne Payne’s very fine books published by Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.