Entrees to the Soul

What is it for you that opens up your soul, the place where God alone seeks to reside? For me, in addition to personal and corporate worship, there are two major entrees: creation and music.

In creation, when I am near any body of water (stream, brook, river, lake, ocean, cove, etc.) there’s something about this part of creation that stirs my soul. As I’m writing this blog I’m looking out on a Cape Cod (MA) inlet with swans gracing the placid sea marsh, a handful of sail boats moving slowly across the salt water, and green foliage everywhere surrounding this small body of water. This sight is brimming with vitality and my soul comes alive when I consider how creative God is in designing this luxurious setting for his people to enjoy. in addition to bodies of water, my soul sings with majesty and awe at the sight of dramatic mountains, dynamic storms, four-legged creatures, birds in flight, blooming gardens, delightful sunsets, and wide open spaces. God’s creation is amazing to consider.

In music, when i hear God-honoring lyrics harmonizing with the sounds of instruments being played by those who are gifted to compose and play their songs, I’m brought to a sense of worshipful wonder. My soul especially resonates with the great hymns of the church, written over the centuries to emphasize good theology and meaningful praxis for the body of Christ. Singing alone, in choruses and in congregations makes my soul swell with joy – whether in absolute delight in God or as I’m touched in a deep and tender place within. God’s gifted song-writers, singers, and instrumentalists bring music to our ears and minister grace to our souls.

The most natural default of my innermost being, drawing me into the presence and praise of God, is through the mediums of creation and music. These two entrees into my soul bring to life the reading and receiving of God’s Word, my ability to listen for God’s still small voice in prayer, and my inmost desire to become ever more reflective about my life in Christ.

What are the entrees into your soul? Pay attention to the ways you invite God into the place he longs to reside: at the center of your heart and soul. He’s more than eager to meet you there!

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus 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.