With my kids getting older, and more of them on the way, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to pass on to them as far as what I think the spiritual life is all about. I’ve been thinking in terms of what I want to write for them. (…of course, our live together is going to say so much more than some words…)

I’ve had too many ideas….I’m not sure how I want to organize the entire thing, but currently I’m thinking about the characteristics of my faith in particular…. not just the things that “everyone” should know,  be, do…. the basics are essentials by definition, but I want to capture the my perspective… I’ve been working on this list for a few weeks now:

FOUR PURSUITS of the spiritual life: love, hope, truth, humility

NINE PRACTICES for spiritual growth: devotion, confession, commitment, discover, discern, delight, reflect, sacrifice, consider

TWELVE PITFALLS to avoid: pride, foolishness, despair, fear, temptation, self reliance, isolation, insecurity, popularity, influence, hypocrisy, discontent 

SIXTEEN PATHS to better relationships: understanding, revealing, forgiving, listening, sharing, empathizing, reflecting, time, improving, laughing, crying, raging, serving, persevering, committing, and confessing

I’ve decided that I’m going to keep adding and refining this list as I read through some of my very favorite scriptures (Deut., Ecc., Isa, Mt., Jn, Rom., Heb., Ph., Tim., and James)

NOW, I’m not hoping to write something that can be summed up in a sentence or two… that’s for sure! Although, I fear I’m trying to be too cute with the pursuits, practices, pitfalls, and paths… we’ll see how that shakes out.

what’s the spiritual legacy you want to leave?