My guest in episode 48 is my friend, Chris Eaker. Chris is a husband, father, former engineer, academic librarian, musician, and spiritual director who lives in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 2000 with a degree in civil engineering and in 2013 from the University of Tennessee with a degree in informational sciences. He received his Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Richmont Graduate University in May 2020 and now offers a contemplative and reflective style of spiritual direction in Knoxville and virtually. His own spiritual formation formation has been guided by contemplative prayer practices, journaling, and silent retreats. Together, those form the foundation of spiritual direction through Stepping Stones Life Ministries. In this conversation, we discuss Chris' spiritual evolution, recently being shown the left foot of Christian of fellowship by his local church, and how contemplative practices and spiritual direction have helped lay a foundation of freedom in his life. You can connect with Chris and Stepping Stones Life Ministries on Facebook. While you're on Facebook, please follow our podcast as well! You can also join our listeners only FB group Messy Conversations. For more information about Chris and his spiritual direction ministry, please check out his ministry website here. Our brand new online course-"Navigating Your Spiritual Evolution" is now open for registration here ! Please be sure to subscribe, follow, rate, and review the podcast on your platform of choice. Finally, please consider helping us keep this podcast on the air with a Patreon pledge of $1, $5, or $25 by clicking here. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Connect with the crew : You can find Lola on Facebook , Instagram , and TikTok You can find Kyle on Facebook , Instagram , and TikTok. You can find Jason on Facebook , Instagram , and Threads (because he's way too old for TikTok). Be sure to check out our Youtube channel. Also, please join the conversation over on our Messy Conversations group on FB! Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating or review and subscribe or follow the show on your platform of choice!