What Happens in Our Friday Seminars
Our Friday Seminars have evolved into intimate gatherings where participants share deeply about life's most challenging seasons. The central theme revolves around navigating periods of feeling "stuck" or "restless" - what we call "life's ruts" - and how our relationship with time changes through significant life events.
Each week, participants courageously share their personal experiences with:
- Medical diagnoses that alter our perception of time
- Career transitions and unexpected periods of stillness
- Loss of loved ones and family crises
- Learning to surrender control and trust God's timing
- Finding purpose in suffering and helping others
"This setting is new to me and helpful. I've never been able to bounce these kinds of things off of people that understand the Spirit. It's comforting to hear others doing the same thing, living the same."
- Mark, regular participant
Real Stories from Our Community
Time & Medical Wake-up Calls
"A heart rhythm issue in 2023 significantly altered my perception of time's value, moving from taking it for granted to a profound appreciation for 'one day at a time.'"
Navigating Forced Stillness
"After losing two wives and sustaining an injury, I'm learning to contend with abundance of time in a period of 'downshifting' that contradicts my lifelong nature of constant activity."
Multiple Family Tragedies
"A series of dramatic losses - parents, brother's stroke, son's schizophrenia, daughter's health issues - reminded me of God's ability to lift me from 'a deep pit.'"
How Faith Meets Real Life
Participants discover practical spiritual strategies for navigating difficult times, including honest prayer (like David in the Psalms), small steps of obedience, community connection, and learning to be content with God's daily plan rather than their own to-do lists.
Biblical references emerge organically from the discussion, providing comfort and framework for understanding struggles. Recent sessions have drawn wisdom from Psalm 40 ("lifted from a deep pit"), Romans 8:28 ("all things work together for good"), and Philippians 4 (contentment in any situation).
The Power of Shared Experience
What makes these seminars transformative is the recognition that personal suffering, when openly shared, can be "repurposed" by God to bless and guide others going through similar trials. Participants regularly express how encouraging it is to hear others "doing the same thing, living the same."
Sessions are recorded via StreamYard and made available for those who might benefit from hearing these shared experiences of navigating life's difficult seasons with faith, hope, and community support.
"God can use these things that we share to encourage them on their journey. No experience is wasted when shared with others who understand."
- Session facilitator