"If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. A canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, and a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus without loss to itself communicates its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day we have many canals but few reservoirs." --Bernard of Clairvaux
Originally commissioned by Food for the Hungry to spiritually nourish staff members serving on the front lines of international relief work, The Reservoir is an accessible weekday devotional for renewal and growth in Jesus. Written by Renovaré team members including Chris Hall and Carolyn Arends, it first covers foundational questions--What is spiritual formation? What is my picture of God? What is my picture of myself?--then dives into in the six great Christian traditions outlined by Richard Foster's book Streams of Living Water.
Each entry contains a quote, thought, Scripture passage, and questions for reflection or discussion to help you "live in the overflow" and become a reservoir rather than a canal.
Your purchase helps further the work of two nonprofit organizations. All proceeds from the print version are donated to Renovaré, and proceeds from the digital version are split between Renovaré and Food for the Hungry.
Arends, Carolyn: - Carolyn Arends is Director of Education for Renovaré, and oversees the Renovaré Institute. She is known for messages, books, and songs that stir the soul, and a warm, engaging style that leaves her audiences feeling like they've found a new best friend. Arends has also released 10 albums and authored 3 critically-acclaimed books and the long-standing WRESTLING WITH ANGELS column in Christianity Today. Fifteen of Arends songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards Songwriter of the Year. Her prose has been recognized by the Evangelical Press Association, The Word Guild, and The Canadian Church Press Association. She has a degree in Psychology and English from Trinity Western University, and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband, Mark, and their children Benjamin and Bethany.
Hall, Christopher a.: - Chris Hall currently serves as President of Renovaré. Previously he served as Director of Academic Spiritual Formation and Distinguished Professor of Theology at Eastern University. Dr. Hall is the author of a number of books, including The Mystery of God (with Steven D. Boyer; Baker Academic), Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers, Worshiping with the Church Fathers (InterVarsity Press), and The Trinity (with Roger Olson; Eerdmans). His most recent book is Living Wisely with the Church Fathers (Intervarsity Press). Chris and his wife Debbie reside in Philadelphia. They have three grown children.
