Chrissy Chang

Fulfilling | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 04


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Tom Griffith

When there’s something important expressed to us from a member of the body of Christ we are to receive it as an expression of grace that has both inspiration and conviction from the Father.” –Tom Griffith

The third component of Crafting a Rule of Life is to understand how our personal rule is fulfilled in the context of community, with our spiritual friends and among our faith community. With good friends by our side, we will not be shaken from the pursuit. Instead, as we are loved well by being actively listened to, we can rest in God at a deep level of trust. Offering to one another the gift of attentive presence is one of the best acts of love. Principles of good listening are covered in this episode with the encouragement to do so in a trustworthy manner.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Fulfilling | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 04 Read More »

Forming | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 03


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Tom Griffith

As Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man, so shall we as ones created by God and accountable to him to steward and share our lives.” –Tom Griffith

We form our personal rule of life by considering prayerfully the main time frames of our lives. What is God inviting us to consider as priority on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis? The areas we seek to review include our spiritual practices that deepen our affection for Christ and his Church; our relational priorities that feed and foster trust with others; the physical care of our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit; the stewardship and generosity of our finances; as well as our missional service to others. There’s joy in this journey of discovery!

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Forming | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 03 Read More »

Framing | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 02


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Tom Griffith

“There is no arrival in this world, but to have a great relationship with God the Father, and when we listen to God, we begin to meaningfully live our rule of life.” –Tom Griffith

In Macchia’s Crafting a Rule of Life, we are learning how to live intentionally for God. A healthy, flexible, and fruitful rule of life needs to be articulated rather than assumed. Discovering how best to frame a personal rule of life begins with prayerful attentiveness. Our roles need to be defined and clarified, in order for our relationships to be prioritized. Our gifts, personality, strengths and temperament display the unique and mysterious way God creates us as individuals. Our passions, vision, and mission inform how we fulfill a God-blessed life.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

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Introduction | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 01


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Tom Griffith

“Rule of life helps me to be present, not always looking to the past or projecting ahead to the future. The treasure is right here, right now, in God’s presence.” – Tom Griffith

In this series, we will be noting Steve Macchia’s book, Crafting a Rule of Life (IVP). Tom Griffith is our special guest, and is the founder of Greater Formation. A personal rule of life is a pattern or way of living both descriptively and prescriptively for God. This ancient concept comes from our spiritual fathers and mothers, like St. Benedict, who chose to listen intently to God’s voice for how wholistic ways of living faithfully and fruitfully. We in turn are invited to consider how best to steward every facet of our lives in ways that honor God and build up his kingdom.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Introduction | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 01 Read More »

How to Prepare for Retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 05


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano

The Lord has his way of weaning us from our attachments or affections in this world, and cleanse the air, helping me face the dilemmas of my heart on retreat.”– Jeremy Stefano

One thing I ask of the Lord, this only do I seek…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gaze on his beauty, and seek him in his temple (Psalm 27). As we dwell, gaze, and seek God, our heart’s truest longings emerge from deep within our soul. Like Jesus’ invitation to abide, the singular focus of a spiritual retreat is to find our way home to the embrace of God. This will require a releasing of our attachments and distractions, the idols of our heart. In that attentive space of retreat, the fruit will emerge and then remain forever.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

How to Prepare for Retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 05 Read More »

Who and Where to Retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 04


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano

Sometimes people think we need to be all put together in order to come into the presence of God, but that’s simply not true.” – Jeremy Stefano

Spiritual retreats are a wonderful opportunity to experience the hospitality of God amidst one’s desire to be hospitable to the soul. Where we experience such retreats should open us up to a fresh move of God’s Spirit, even if we come from a dark valley or a season of fear. God sets the table before us and invites us to enter willingly, with unforced authenticity. Even though setting and location shouldn’t matter, in many ways it does. The external environment and people, location, and mindset, all coalesce in enhancing the deep interior joy of intimacy with Christ.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Who and Where to Retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 04 Read More »

What to do on retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 03


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano

Spiritual retreats place us in a position to receive what Jesus is already doing in our behalf.” – Jeremy Stefano

There are so many options for retreats, but a spiritual retreat is unique. Designed to heighten our attentiveness quotient, participants are invited to place themselves in postures of graced receptivity. It’s here where we notice and receive all that Jesus is already providing for us…his shepherding provisions of goodness and love, inviting us to lay still beside quiet waters, and be restored in heart, mind, body, and soul. On retreat we reconnect contemplatively with the state of our souls and the Lover of our souls, in the Word, prayer, and in various reflective practices.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

What to do on retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 03 Read More »

When to retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 02


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano

“Turn away from other things that pretend to satisfy the soul and find rest in the Lord…in repentance, quietness and trust.” – Jeremy Stefano

Often unaware, we become productivity machines and lose sight of what it means to be a human being longing for relationship with God. Spiritual retreats are great experiences of rediscovery and restorative renewal. It’s on retreat where we are reminded of the myriad gifts of God, primarily his unconditional love, flowing forth in his mercy, grace, compassion, kindness and forgiveness. Retreats allow us set apart time to wait on God, notice him, attend to his still small voice, receive his gifts, and delight in his presence. When to retreat? How about now!

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

When to retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 02 Read More »

Why retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 01


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano

“A holy place to draw away to a space and time dedicated solely to God, to be present to God.” – Jeremy Stefano

There are many ways to retreat, but on a spiritual retreat the exclusive desire is to be with Jesus. Likened to his invitation to the disciples immediately prior to the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus says “come with me by yourselves to a solitary place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31). On spiritual retreat we are saying yes to that invitation, hopping on a boat in the middle of a lake (or a retreat center), separated from the busyness and noisiness of life, to simply be with the Lover of our souls. Retreats are special times with Jesus, replenished in wilderness or in plenty.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Why retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 01 Read More »

A Powerful Grace | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 05

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Ted Wueste

“The ways of God are mysterious, but the person of God is reliable, trustworthy – even and especially in times of suffering.” – Ted Wueste 

It is certainly possible to discern God’s presence during seasons of suffering. Yes, even in our darkest days, the love of God is there to guide, sustain and encourage us. Ted Wueste shares the deeply profound invitation of God to walk into and embrace our times of suffering and receive the gifts God wants to offer. When we frame our lives in the context of our story, which is also God’s story, we can discern our with-God life as firmly rooted in the loving character of God. Themes of grace, hope, and presence are covered in this episode to encourage all of us.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

A Powerful Grace | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 05 Read More »

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.