In my early 30’s and a season of immense change, the Lord gifted me with an experience that I had always longed for; someone to really, truly listen to me. Formally, this experience was named Spiritual Direction, where two come together to listen for the Voice of Jesus. Informally, it was a place deep within me where I knew I had come home and could honestly be myself, just as I was. My self disclosure was met with interest, compassion, grace, gentleness, kindness, and a sacred reverence that I had never known before. I still recall hearing myself say in that first conversation, “This is love, and I don’t know how to love like this.” And so began my second birth; the awareness that “Christ liveth in me." It was a slow and at times arduous gestation into coming to know myself as the Beloved One of God.This new season in my life afforded me the freedom and space to slow down and learn to be present to God, to listen and to pray. I’ve loved the Lord Jesus and his word since I was a child and I was given the gift of enjoying the memorization of his word. Now again, I voraciously devoured the Word. Eventually I began to be troubled by the messages of my teachers, especially the voices that wanted to shame me for my wretchedness and lay yet another brick on my back with the hopes of dying to myself. Thankfully the Lord had placed different kinds of teachers in my life. I began to notice that a new kind of teacher could evoke my desire for transformation into Christ likeness without shaming me. This learning seemed to occur best within spiritual direction conversations or in reverent and respectful group settings led by a gracious and gentle facilitator, one who honored the unique responses of each one present and allowed the tension of truth to remain. I had begun to plumb the depths of the love and grace of God.

My conversations in spiritual direction assisted me in maturing both spiritually and emotionally. It was during these conversations that I could say things out loud and learn to discern the source of the voices within. I could confess my sin, my shame, my fear. I found encouragement to listen for God’ desire, my desire, and graciously assert myself and establish necessary boundaries. Jesus has met me profoundly in these times being so compassionately present, loving and forgiving. I have experienced inner healing and deliverance from lies and strongholds through prayer within spiritual direction sessions.

I began to recognize God’s invitation to listen for the voice of the Jesus with others. Although mentoring and shepherding have always been a way of life for me, spiritual direction was a new one; one that provided a nest for me to heal, be nourished, and grow, eventually finding my wings and learning to fly. This life changing experience has compelled me to provide the same kind of space that allows others to be honest, to hear their Lord’s voice themselves and know his love and grace in greater measure. As I have become more patient and accepting of my own growth and transformation process my desire has increased for others to have freedom in their own time and process. I desire to listen for the truth with another and to love another in their pain while directing their pain and attachment to Christ.

Prior to this season of intentional learning to listen, I completed my business degree at the University of Manitoba and was employed as a senior divisional manager of a furniture manufacturing company for 10 years. I loved to travel then and I still do. I’ve been married for over 20 years and have two children. We like to play together outdoors, particularly anywhere near water. I enjoy reading, walking, baking bread and turning my gaze back to my Lord.

kim@restorationmn.org  

Deborah Luedtke

The choice to live a life-with-God has given me perspective that I could not have found in my own resources alone. I have discovered that the spiritual journey is an on-going pilgrimage and process with many highs (times of consolation) and lows (times of desolation). I have grown into a deeper understanding that my journey goal is not achieved as a reward for right behavior but is lived out in a love relationship with God.

As I have experienced more of God’s love and grace I have allowed God to become a part of every area of life, including the most ordinary. God wonderfully provides an understanding of this love relationship through His son, Jesus. As a spiritual director, I accompany others seeking to know God’s love and the process of allowing God to live in their everyday experience. Spiritual nourishment, clarity and strength can come from regularly meeting with a companion on the journey. I know because I speak from experience and a changed life!

For the past thirty years my profession has been in the public education field ranging from classroom teacher, adjunct university faculty, induction program coordinator and supervisor of state education programs. I enjoy my church activities especially if it involves working with small groups and individuals in their spiritual journey. Life with my husband and daughter provide great joy especially as our family has expanded with a son-in-law and soon-to-be grandchild. Where I have felt most at “home” has been in places where relationships are tended and nourished so that good work and hope can abound. I believe God continues to call me to be “home” and it often occurs around the kitchen table with family, over a cup of coffee with friends, with a small group studying the scriptures or at a work table with colleagues.

 

 deborahluedtke@restorationmn.org 

Diane Johnson

I believe that throughout my life God has been preparing me for the ministry of Spiritual Direction. In my early childhood in downtown Minneapolis, through college, and in each of my work and personal experiences I have been challenged to recognize Gods presence in my life. At times my relationship with God has felt solid, at other times I felt far removed and longed for a deeper relationship with the triune God who is my Creator, Savior and Sustainer.

I worked for 35 years in corporate America where my positions ranged from computer programmer to project lead to middle manager. In each position my underlying concern was for the welfare and spiritual lives of my coworkers. God eventually called me out of corporate life and I entered Luther Seminary where I graduated with my MA.

After graduation, I realized my spiritual journey into a deeper relationship with God was only beginning. I sought Spiritual Direction to help me discern where the journey might lead. As a result I began and completed my training as a Spiritual Director.
Now my passion is to listen to the life stories of people and discern with them how God has been and continues to be present in their lives. With each person I meet, I am reminded of God’s involvement in all of life. Each of my interests from kayaking to reading to travel also points to that involvement. I am especially touched by floating with the loons in my kayak. The loons are God’s amazing creations and gazing into the clear water of the lake reminds me of my own transparency to God.
My husband, who journeys alongside of me, and I live on the West edge of Chanhassen with our head of household cat.

dianejohnson@restorationmn.org

Paul Causton

Paul Causton is a husband, dad, doctor, pastor and spiritual director. Paul’s educational training has been extensive, having completed his undergraduate work at St. Thomas in mathematics, then accepted into and graduating from Mayo Medical School, with a subsequent residency and graduation with a Doctor of Anesthesiology degree from Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.

God continued Paul’s preparation for Paul’s specific and unique calling and ministry. Paul sensed and discerned direction from God into pastoral ministry. Paul earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2001 from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. God further prepared Paul for the ministry of Spiritual Direction through his participation and completion of Larry’s Crabb’s School of Spiritual Direction. Though his educational preparation has brought him into ministry within the church and through Restoration Ministries, it is his deep longing for God and keen awareness of “Christ in him” that sustains and nourishes Paul’s soul, flowing out of him into the lives of others.

Paul and his family live in Eden Prairie, MN.

Paul describes his own faith journey in these words: Looking back on my own spiritual journey thus far, I think that ever since high school I have been seeking deeper meaning from life. Even when things were seemingly going well and looked good on the outside, inside there still was a void that needed to be filled. I believe this influenced my decisions to enter the field of medicine and later the ministry. I felt that if I did enough good for others, my life would be completely fulfilling, or at least satisfying enough. But it wasn't until relatively recently that I have begun to see what the Lord has been revealing to me all along. Life isn't primarily about "doing" the right things, even though those things may be good and noble. Jesus defined life as knowing and relating to Him and His Father through their Holy Spirit. In other words, life was more about relating to and "receiving" from God rather than "doing" or achieving for myself. It is all about RELATIONSHIP--first with our God, and then with others. Through an intimate and completely dependent relationship with the Trinity, His very life flows into us and through us to others. We simply receive everything from Him. It sounds simple enough. But I was soon reminded that there are many forces, including our own sinful natures, that are pulling us in the opposite direction--away from relationship with God. This is what makes every relationship so difficult. This is why life is often times a battle and filled with so many struggles. We are so often more self-centered than God-centered and easily distracted by so many other things. I can speak for myself in how difficult it is to stay focused on God while relating to my wife and three young boys. Only when we are intentionally and intensely focused on our relationship with the Trinity will we ever receive the victory that our Lord Jesus has already won for us. And we all need each other's help to truly see God's activity in our lives and to follow Him down the narrow road of the truly authentic life.

It is my great desire, and actually the desire that God has placed in all of us, to receive real life and love through a deep and growing intimate relationship with our awesome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The road will be rough at times and the journey hard, but if we are willing to be open and honest about our lives with each other and seek to draw near to our God, He has promised to draw near to us. He will fill the void by giving us new life and transforming us into people that can receive from Him and relate to others with the very love of Christ. Let's join one another on this incredible journey!

 
paulcauston@restorationmn.org

Vicki Degner

I have had a passion to know God and experience Him since I was a child. I have always had a love of hearing another’s story and receiving it with great interest and concern. Over the years I have had many opportunities to do just that as I have been a mother, wife, friend, nurse, spiritual director, and now pastor. Most importantly, God has held my story in His hands for my lifetime. He has shown me His tender care and constant attention during a life in which I have experienced significant darkness and loss at times. Through these times of darkness and wondering, God worked in me some core truths that I hold dear. These core truths are: God is always at work even in the dark; I am never alone; today is not the end of my story; and I am first and foremost the beloved of God. If I had to identify the core spiritual experience of my life it would be that “God has shown me the full extent of His love.” For this truth, that I am unconditionally loved by the God of the universe, I am deeply grateful and forever changed.

I have spent 30 years of my life working as a nurse. During those years I enjoyed most working with the dying, the disabled, and with families. It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to be with another in a time of transition, dying, wondering, change, or crisis. I went back to school in 2002 to pursue a degree in Christian Ministries at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. Two years later I pursued training and certification in the ministry of spiritual direction at Christos Center for Spiritual Formation in Lino Lakes, MN. God was literally pouring Himself into me during those years of training of study. It was shortly after that I was commissioned as a pastor in my home church, Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN. This theme of being in places of listening and prayer with others has remained a constant for all these vocational and educational experiences.

I live with my husband of 34 years in Minnetonka, MN. I value quiet, solitude, fun, family, friends, learning, prayer, nature, and rest. I can see that God has used the loss and pain in my life to draw me closer to Him, to be loved and changed by Him, and to bring hope and healing to His people around me.

vickidegner@restorationmn.org