Balanced Spiritual Life

(NOTE: The book "A Balanced Spiritual Life" includes many useful tools such as the 6 included in this congregation's Lenten series.)

A Balanced Spiritual Life

A Balanced Spiritual Life was the theme for our Lenten Series during Lent of 2003. I have read material from Richard Foster for many years. He has books like Celebration of Discipline, Prayer, Simplicity, Money, Sex & Power.

During Lent we studied six spiritual traditions from A Spiritual Formation Workbook by James Bryan Smith with Lynda Graybeal.

We had an exercise sheet for each of the traditions. These sheets were handed out each week and people were to be accountable to one other person in the working out of these sheets. There was much conversation throughout the week about the exercises and a lot of excitement. The attendance at our Lenten series was up over the last several years.

Material regarding these traditions and other materials can be found through the Renovare' website. www.renovare.org

Renovare' means "to renew". Renovare' is committed to the renewal of the Church of Jesus Christ in all her multifaceted expressions.

____ 1. I will pray 10 minutes each morning or evening
____ 2. I will pray without words (in silence) for five minutes each day.
____ 3. I will offer a short prayer throughout each day (for example, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner" or "Lord Jesus, come and abide in my heart more and more.")
____ 4. In this week I will set aside one hour that will be free of distraction. I will use the time for solitude, prayer and meditation on the Bible.
____ 5. I will write out a prayer and/or a letter to God and put it in my Bible.
____ 6. I will take a walk outside and appreciate God through His creation or simply sit and watch a sunset.
____ 7. I will set aside in this week, 15 minutes as a time of thanksgiving. I will sit and think about everything I am thankful for. (This is not a time to pray for others, simply to say thank you.)
____ 8. I will practice listening to God. I will take one verse of scripture and spend 10 minutes in this week just thinking about one verse.
____ 9. I will spend 10 minutes holding my family and others before God in prayer.
____ 10. I will prayer for the pastor and the leaders of Elim Lutheran Church. I will ask God to give them courage and strength and wisdom. I will pray for their protection.
____ 11. I will read from a devotional book. I will read it "with God." I will discover God in the reading.
____ 12. I will remember the Sabbath. I will allow myself to do nothing and sit in His presence.
____ 13. I will thank God for being with me in this week.

Smith, James Bryan with Lynda Graybeal. "A Spiritual Formation Workbook." Chairperson, 1999. Used with permission.

____ 1. I will continue to pray 10 minutes each morning/evening.
____ 2. I will work on taming my tongue; I will speak only when necessary.
____ 3. I will try a 24-hour fast to discipline my appetite. I will eat no food from one lunch to another, skipping both dinner and breakfast. I will modify the fast by drinking fruit juice and plenty of water.
____ 4. I will fast from television for at least one day (more if you can). I will use the time for quiet reading or taking a walk.
____ 5. I will be a "gossip buster." When you or someone you are with begins to gossip, you will quickly end it and change the subject.
____ 6. I will practice this week the art of speaking positively. I will make two positive remarks about someone or something for every negative remark that I make.
____ 7. I will spend 10 minutes each morning thinking about good things. (Philippians 4:8)
____ 8. I will memorize/re-memorize the 10 commandments. (See Psalm 19:7-14)
____ 9. I will write out a confession. I will ask God to forgive me and then I will rip it up and throw it away.
____ 10. I will do a "covet" check in my life. Is there something that I am wishing for more than anything? Finally, I will offer a prayer of thanksgiving for all that I do have.
____ 11. I will do a "treasure" check in my life. Are there things that I value too much? (See Luke 18:18-30) Can I give what I "treasure" too much away.
____ 12. I will remember the Sabbath. "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy." Do I see the Sabbath as a gift from God to a "frazzled world?" I will give myself permission to simply rest in God and do nothing, absolutely nothing.
____ 13. I will set aside an hour for "holy leisure." I will find one hour to nap on a couch or relax over a cup of coffee, tea, or glass of juice.
____ 14. I will thank God being with me and helping me in this week.

Smith, James Bryan with Lynda Graybeal. "A Spiritual Formation Workbook." Chairperson, 1999. Used with permission.

____ 1. I will continue to prayer 10 minutes each morning/evening.
____ 2. I will search the Scriptures to discover my own spiritual gifts. (Romans 12:6-8 and I Corinthians 12:8-11). I will read these passages and pray about them and seek understanding.
____ 3. I will pray for the Holy Spirit to be evident in my life. (Luke 11:13)
____ 4. I will spend time reading about the "fruit" of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) I will use one fruit that I would like to see increased in my life. I will pray for its increase, and seek ways I can nurture its growth.
____ 5. I will bless others with my "fruit." What fruit is more evident in your life? I will seek in this week to be a channel of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that the Spirit has given me.
____ 6. I will allow the Spirit to become part of my prayer life.
____ 7. I will let the Spirit interpret the scripture to me as I read from God's Word.
____ 8. I will read Ephesians 6:10-17 and put on the armor during this week. I will make a list of the various pieces of armor that I need at this time.
____ 9. I will work to exercise my spiritual gifts. If I have discovered a particular gift (from #2) I will spend an hour using that gift.
____ 10. I will ask others about how I can best use my spiritual gifts. What gifts do others see in me? I will ask a few friends that I trust…
____ 11. I will enter worship with a "spirit of thanksgiving." I will sit for a moment of silence before the worship begins. I will fill the sanctuary with prayer.
____ 12. I will continue to remember the Sabbath. "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy." I will pray that the Spirit will guide me into the Sabbath rest.
____ 13. I will pray that the Spirit will give me confidence in the promises of God. I will read Romans 8.
____ 14. I will look and find references of the Holy Spirit and think about the nature, the role and the deeds of the Spirit.
____ 15. I will thank God for being with me and helping me in this week.

Smith, James Bryan with Lynda Graybeal. "A Spiritual Formation Workbook." Chairperson, 1999. Used with permission.

____ 1. I will continue to pray 10 minutes each morning/evening.
____ 2. I will write a supportive letter this week to someone that I feel may need a word of encouragement.
____ 3. If I live with others, I will help out around the house. My willingness to do more than my share of the work will be a service to others in the household. If I live alone, I will find a way to help a neighbor.
____ 4. I will recycle my trash. I will work at caring for the environment as a way of leaving the next generation a brighter future.
____ 5. I will help a friend in need. Do you know someone who needs assistance? Like, painting or hanging wallpaper, grocery shopping, helping with a move, or cleaning up a yard.
____ 6. I will write to a member of Congress, Senators or Representative, and share my views. Is there an issue that you feel strongly about? Can you express a genuine Christian concern to them?
____ 7. I will address an area where I see injustice. Do you see someone being treated unfairly? Do I see that my words can be a help, rather than remain silent?
____ 8. I will practice a service of hiddenness (don't let anybody know). I will do a kind deed (for example, calling on someone in a nursing home, or a person who is shut in) without being asked or expecting recognition.
____ 9. I will serve others with my words. I will protect others' reputations and speak well of others as a way of serving them.
____ 10. I will serve others by letting them have "space." I will ask others what they want to do or if they want to be alone or if they are free to talk, before imposing my expectations on them.
____ 11. I will serve others by letting them serve me. Am I guilty of not letting other people do things for me? Do I hold a door for someone else? Do I buy a cup of coffee for someone else? It is a gift to others to let them serve you; do not deny them this joy.
____ 12. I will practice in this week some random act of kindness to someone I don't know. For example, pay for someone's meal at a meal site, or restaurant.
____ 13. I will write a paragraph during this week about the following question: What is the most pressing social justice issue today and what position should I , as a Christian, take?

Smith, James Bryan with Lynda Graybeal. "A Spiritual Formation Workbook." Chairperson, 1999. Used with permission.

____ 1. I will continue to pray 10 minutes every day and evening.
____ 2. I will read from the Bible for 15 minutes each day.
____ 3. I will meditate on John 1:1. I will write the verse on several 3 x 5 cards and put them on my bathroom mirror, in the kitchen, on the dashboard of my car, and in other places where I spend a lot of time. I will meditate on Jesus being the living Word of God.
____ 4. I will ponder the role of John the Baptist. I will read John 1:6-9 several times. I will consider how John's example can help me proclaim Jesus to others.
____ 5. I will read a chapter of the Bible before I fall asleep at night.
____ 6. As I go about the activities in this coming week I will think about how my understanding of God's Word affects the practice of my faith.
____ 7. I will talk about my faith with a relative or a close friend.
____ 8. I will meditate on a psalm once a day.
____ 9. I will meditate on John 1:14 remember that "Word" in this verse refers to Jesus.
____ 10. I will make a real effort in my conversations to let others know that this Word is a part of my life.
____ 11. I will write at least a small paragraph describing the "living Word" in my own words. (Read 1 John 1:13)
____ 12. I will reach out to a neighbor and show kindness to them. I will be "living Word" to them.
____ 13. I will study one passage or one chapter and find other comments about that passage and/or chapter.
____ 14. I will read Revelation 1:12-20. How do I respond to the presence of Christ in my life?
____ 15. I will read Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:14-36, and answer these questions: Who was Jesus? What did He do? What were the results? How do my answers affect my daily life?

Smith, James Bryan with Lynda Graybeal. "A Spiritual Formation Workbook." Chairperson, 1999. Used with permission.

____ 1. I will choose a day this week to do everything in honor of God. I will drive my car, answer the telephone, greet people, work at my computer to an audience of One.
____ 2. I will receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. I will receive this Sacrament joyfully, knowing that Jesus Christ is truly present to me and He longs to strengthen me and teach me daily of His love for me.
____ 3. I will remove any barrier that keeps God outside. I will imagine that I am wearing a full-body armor that keeps God's spirit out. I will remove it, invite God in, and wait until I feel that He is inside again and give Him thanks.
____ 4. I will bring the presence of God to someone who is ill or in a nursing home.
____ 5. I will listen to some good music; for example, Handel's Messiah. This music has endured for over 200 years and has broken down many of the sacred/secular walls in the world of music.
____ 6. I will ask God to help me in my daily work.
____ 7. I will bless my home. I will walk through my house and offer a prayer and a blessing in each room of my home.
____ 8. I will visit with a child or children. Children can help us see God at work.
____ 9. Invite God to go with you wherever you go. Make a special effort to be a "tabernacle" where God dwells. Cooperate with God to bring good wherever you walk, outside, at work, in your home, and in your church.
____ 10. I will invite God to be with me in my mealtimes.
____ 11. I will thank God for being with me in all of the moments of my life throughout this week.

Smith, James Bryan with Lynda Graybeal. "A Spiritual Formation Workbook." Harper, San Francisco, 1999. Used with permission.