Jordan Stones Blog

Psychotherapy Is a process of “welcoming” the stranger-he who is estranged from himself, away from home, wandering in an alien land-into a relationship of trust, care, and mutual respect. Psychotherapy Is a process of “visiting” the imprisoned, those chained to their own compulsions, shackled by self-deception, pacing the narrow cells of guilt and anxiety, and talking with them about their prospects for freedom. Psychotherapy Is a process of “clothing” the nakedness of those who have been stripped by illness of all pretense and self-respect, whose emptiness and failure have been laid bare to the world, who have been deprived of all protective devices, masks, barriers, and hiding places. Psychotherapy Is a special way of “calling” upon and sojourning within the inner frame of reference of those who wait under the conditions of helpless sickness, yearning daily for the day of deliverance. Thomas Oden

August presents a "New Year's Eve" experience for many of us.  Just as much if not more as January calls us to a recalibration of ourselves, because of the change of tide around the school year...this month requires a reset too. During the summer there is a shared longing to  "exhale" - to enjoy the change of rhythm and the experiences offered through that nurture our soul if we let them.  There is an example in the Bible of a man on a journey that includes a trajectory of high productivity, leading to high stress and fear, leading to  a collapse into restoration that looks like this "exhale" we long for in the summer season. Many of us have recent months behind us that look somewhat similar. Elijah in 1 Kings 19 doesn't really have a say in his rest...he more or less crumbles into it.  Our pursuit should be to honor when we need to peel away and be replenished BEFORE we have nothing left to show for it...see my last post on " dange...

This is an insightful excerpt from Ruth Haley Barton's book "Invitation to Solitude and Silence".   It is about tiredness.  She very wisely creates a distinction between " good tired" and "bad tired".   I think it is so important to recognize which characterizes your insides so that you know how to proceed with wellbeing. You are going to love it. Take a second and scroll down to read.   Those of you who spend time with me know I refer to my own inner space as having a "climate" often as I take my temperature and pay attention to what I am in need of.  As you read the below, you will notice her weather metaphor and will connect the metaphors I have used in the past. I think it is a rich building block on that foundation. I would also like to note that there are different kinds of rest required for different kinds of tired.  Sometimes exhaustion feels deep. We take a nap or a vacation, and when resuming our lives, we find that tired...

Come explore how to incorporate the traditional ancient art of reading and praying scripture found in the lectio divina into your spiritual walk - find ways to connect with God that fit YOUR personality.  SATURDAY JULY 25TH  9:00 AM - 11:30 AM   50$   Through short tests (Myers Briggs Temperament) and discussion, we will discover our individual spiritual personality bends.  We will discover which practices fit into YOUR soul shape and lifestyle and   give you access to more Jesus . We'll match your spiritual personality to one of a few traditional streams: Franciscan, Tomastic, Ignatian, and Augustinian.      We will begin with basic LEVEL 1 Holy Yoga on your mat so make sure to bring it and any props you know you will need!   This is for anyone who would like to feed their spirit, rest and refuel, and feel a stronger anchor into their True Center.  For those who want to nourish and freshen their connecti...

This is inspired by all my dear ones that have recently  graduated, those looking ahead at significant shifts, and for my sweet friends in transition.  I would love for you to know that God  is DEEPLY passionate about your highest blessing.  I would love for you to know that deciding what the next right thing to do,  whether big or small, is not a cosmic guessing game.  He's not "upstairs" just wondering if you are going to pick what is behind the right door or not.   That is not in the Good Shepherd's nature.  At all.  His will for you is unshakable and unmovable and you CANT MESS IT UP.  No need to feel struck with fear  that somehow picking wrong would change the course of events away from blessing. "We usually focus on what we are doing or where we are going, but God's primary concern is who we're becoming in the process.  We talk about "doing" the will of God, but the will of god has much more to do with "b...

Abide. In. My. Love. John 15:19 As Christians, we are invited to live a Temple Life. A With-God life.  I am passionate about the healing and wholeness found there.  This Kingdom Life  is an invitation to trust Jesus not just for our eternal destiny, but for an inheritance lived in the Here and now, in the "land of the living" (Psalm 27). We are containers, Abiding in Jesus and Jesus abiding in us.  But how often does our reality reflect that? What percent of our daily moments feel lived in His presence and favor?  How many of us criticize and curse our containers?  How many of us use them more as ornaments than instruments? How many see them as obstacles instead of vehicles ?  Struggle to feel God's presence in the middle of the coming and going and haste of days?   I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant" John 15:5 (M...

Teach us to be people who stay I feel like the mug of clear hot water...lower in the tea bag...watch the burnt ember color swirl round the clear regular water as it works though the whole cup, changing completely how it tastes.  I've got teaching all around me this month, in the form of a yoga training program called Holy Yoga.  I imagine you will hear a lot more of the overflow of that from me as I grow. But now, I want to share with you some thoughts on prayer and meditation.    In one of my curriculum books, "Eat This Book" (Peterson, 2006) (Author of The Message ) the Hebrew word for meditate is discussed.  The word is hagah.  It is used in verses like Psalm 1: " 1  Blessed is the one      who does not walk   in step with the wicked or stand in the way   that sinners take      or sit   in the company of mockers, 2  but whose delight   is in the law of the   Lord...