Following Jesus
Have you ever wondered how God guides your life? Is it step by step?
I grew up in Florida. It was a wonderful place to be out in the weather every day, whether rain or shine! My father was a golfer and taught myself and family how to play. At some point he relinquished the teaching to those who knew more and could demonstrate how “to hit the ball” with greater precision. Dad, mom and the three of us loved being outside and our vacations consisted of traveling to different places in Florida that just happened to always include a golf course close at hand. Those were wonderful days growing up! At some point dad signed me up for a children’s tournament. I didn’t know what that meant at age 7 but I went and played. That was the start of many years of traveling with the family to tournaments in the South.
I still love golf! In fact my husband surprised me recently by getting a picture of St. Andrews Golf Course in Europe and placing it over our fire place where I see it every day, many times!
The golf course peeked my curiosity to know the One who made the trees, the grass and the water, watching the Seasons come and go.
At 15 I heard a special speaker was coming to the Church my family attended. I wanted to go. I was becoming very curious about who Jesus was in a SPECIFIC way. So I went with friends to hear what the speaker had to say. For the first time I heard a very clear presentation of what we call the gospel message Jesus spoke throughout his 3 years of ministry. Something happened to me that evening! I felt the speaker was speaking to me personally, which I learned later was the work of the Holy Spirit in my mind and heart. I spoke with the leader and he invited me to come do a Bible Study with him and his wife. I was in!!
I was turning 16 so I could get there on my own. Every Tuesday when I came home, having studied a gospel, my father invited me to share what I had learned. We had a “hearty” discussion at times for over an hour. I found out later dad had wanted to go into the ministry. I learned a lot from him.
Something very significant was happening to me and I knew it and so did dad. I wanted to go to a camp way out in Colorado. My parents struggled to made it happen. I went in a bus load of teenagers way out to Pike’s Peak to the Camp. I listened and learned, met others who were hungry to learn too. One day I went off by myself and looked over the vast Canyon. I somehow knew I wasn’t alone! He was there with me….I did what seemed right at the time. I sang a hymn to Him…How Great Thou Art! I wanted to know more and more about Jesus! He had become my “friend” and Lord. I knew He was leading me even though I didn’t know where! As I tell you this story of my conversion and falling in love with Jesus and the Christian life I realize, again, how personal, gracious and loving Jesus is!
Fast forward to my life being led by Him…I came to California to teach at a College but I quickly realized the Lord brought me to enter Fuller Theological Seminary. Jesus has never quit leading me…always inviting me to the next step…that’s how he leads and wants to make Himself known through His Spirit for everyone’s life….but letting each person figure out what they understand and want to do.
In 2005 the Lord gave vision, inviting and guiding me to start the Renewing Life Center, a Christian Counseling Center. In 2014, again with Much Guidance by Jesus, He directed me to begin the Spiritual Formation Institute (SFI). I wanted people to not stop in their relationship with Jesus but have an opportunity to go DEEPER with Him, supported by others wanting the same.
What about you? Where are you today?
Jesus is no respecter of persons….He seeks out those who are hungry to know Him, like I was and am. SFI works in tandem with Christian Churches all over this city and beyond. SFI isn’t a Church but a vehicle to serve all Christian Churches here and beyond….by welcoming persons to come up the Mountain and keep growing with others to KNOW JESUS MORE DEEPLY. Jesus knows each of us intimately, as we can see in the gospels….He KNOWS us…LEADS us and LOVES us…never leaving or giving up! We can start over again and again.
We have opened registration for the coming year of SFI, 2026. There are 4 Retreats…all of them taking place at Mt. Charleston hotel, being spread throughout the year. This is your time to keep growing with others who are curious and hungry to go deeper with Jesus. There is planned teaching, all grounded in the Bible. We have a team of 7 teachers who delight in going up the Mountain to meet you, interact and engage you. We believe Jesus is The Teacher guiding each of us, through His Spirit, using the Gospels as the focused Key tool… and the Old and new Testaments to go deeper.
If you are hungry to know and experience more of Jesus, go to our Website, to see the specifics of SFI and how to register. We begin in January, assisting participants to experience Connection with Jesus and others who find their way up the Mountain!
I look forward to meeting new students, alongside Year Two and Year Three. If you have questions make an appointment with me, Pat Meye, and I would enjoy hearing how the Holy Spirit is nudging you.
