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4 Steps to reading this post. (Yup, this requires some time and work)

• Read 2 Peter chapter 1. (ESV version of this text is here)
• Check out the awesome 6 minute video from Granger Community church below.
• Re-read 2 Peter chapter 1. (ESV version of this text is here)
• Write down what stuck out for you. Meditate on that this week and act accordingly.

For me, this is what I loved, felt challenged by, and what stuck out to me:

• A great history lesson on Nero, the burning of Rome and how the Christians suffered because of it.
• Incredible context on 1&2 Peter. (I will never read these books the same way again)
• A good reminder that I have never had it “that bad.” That was incredible suffering they endured for Christ’s sake.
• I love Peter’s passion to be constantly reminding other believer’s of the faith, hope, and power we have through Christ.(2 peter 12-14)
• To also share and be a “reminder” of Christ’s good news to others. (it’s funny to me how easy it is to separate being a disciple and disciple maker)

So, what stuck out to you?

So I’m sitting home alone, I just took a nap and feel like crap. However, my foggy head is starting to clear. A good cup of Starbucks helps with that. I’m feeling quite reflective at the moment and am missing Naomi and the kids.

So this past new years I caught myself staring out the window praying and asking God for what He thought I should focus on in the coming year. I felt like he said, “people”. In my mind I replied back to Him and said, “but God that’s my job, that’s what I already do every day. My whole job description is about people.” And yet it felt like He just said, “focus on who they are, who i have made & called them to be. Pray that you would see them as I see them. Be more intentional. Don’t be so rushed always.” I agreed and didn’t think much further about it, except that I would try and do so.

This past Monday I went and saw Avatar with my sister. Fresh off of my conversation with God I was struck by the phrase “I See you.” The Na’vi, when they meet each other, greet each other with the phrase “I see you.” Of course they physically see each other, but to the characters in the movie there was a much deeper meaning.  There was this understanding, a shared empathy between both individuals, a recognition of sameness (why they greeted Jake that way even before he was fully Na’vi), an acknowledgment of the divine.

While I don’t want to get carried away with over analyzing a plain ole fun movie to watch. It did serve to remind me to fully “see” people as God see’s them. Deeply loved, full of promise, unworthy of Christ’s grace and still the great potential to be called sons and daughter’s of the most high God. So, a good reminder for me to see people not as “us vs them” or “me and you” but see you as Christ see’s both of us.  Simply, the same. Unworthy, yet patiently loved beyond measure. I don’t have that perspective nearly often enough.

So, there’s my New Years resolution for 2010. Praying to have His eyes.

INTRO

I find that a deep, consistent prayer life is very difficult to sustain and even engage in.  God made me to be a doer, a lover of crossing off the items on my list. I’m someone who loves to achieve. When I pray about something, I’m usually already acting out my solution as I’m praying.  Simply, I find it difficult to be still.  During our staff chapel this week we walked through the Jesuit tradition of “The Examen of Consciousness.” While any traditions can be taken to an extreme I found the exercise helpful and thought I would explain the steps in 4 different blog posts of the next couple days. Information used from the Jesuit Society of Jesus.

Step #2: Examination. Spend A Moment Looking Over your Day With Gratitude. You can read Step 1 here.

Be concrete with this step and let special moments or events spring to mind. This is also called the step of Examination. Simply put, “Today, in what ways have you experienced God’s love and grace?” What are your intentions today? If you love coffee, remember the smell of it, the taste of good food, children laughing, a beautiful smile, a word of encouragement, a thought that came from God. A key component of this step is to take stock of what you gave and received. For those doers out there this step can be easy to skip and go straight to the action item or next steps. Force yourself to only reflect. Thank God for favors you have received and the permanent gifts in your life. Recall how He has given you strength in specific circumstances over the last day. To laugh in the midst of difficulty, for family, friends, the smile of your child’s face as you come home. As you move through the big and small details, give thanks for how He sustains you and for His presence in and through it all.

Simple Next Step: Practice only reflecting for 3-5 minutes.

I would encourage you to take only 4 minutes, perhaps even right now, and take whatever steps you need to calm your mind and spirit and reflect on the large and small favors He has given to you. Lord show me what has been happening to me and in me this day.

What Did You Think/Experience?

What were you made aware of during your 4 mins?

Did it feel like a long time?

Did God remind you of some thought or idea?

Did the exercise feel “weird?

I find that a deep, consistent prayer life is very difficult to sustain and even engage in.  God made me to be a doer, a lover of crossing off the items on my list. I’m someone who loves to achieve. When I pray about something, I’m usually already acting out my solution as I’m praying.  Simply, I find it difficult to be still.  During our staff chapel this week we walked through the Jesuit tradition of “The Examen of Consciousness.” While any traditions can be taken to an extreme I found the exercise helpful and thought I would explain the steps in 4 different blog posts of the next couple days. Information used from the Jesuit Society of Jesus.

Before you start try to be in a place where you will be least likely to be disturbed, distracted, etc. Jesuits would often light a candle to mark the beginning of their time in prayer.

Step #1:  Recall that you are in the presence of God. (Thanksgiving)

No matter where we are in creation we are in the midst of God. As you begin to quiet yourself you become aware of God in you and in the people and events around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to let you see all those around you as He sees them.  If you have difficulty quieting yourself, being able to concentrate there is another tradition that I find helpful.  Because I like to “do” things I often need something tactile to concentrate on.  The Jesuits would have a tradition of taking a deep breath in while Saying Jesus’ name and then exhaling slowly while saying something similar to, ” Would you grant me your mercy today.”  They would often spend the first couple minutes of their prayer time focusing on their breath while saying His name and asking for His mercy in their life.  Personally, I found this an extremely helpful exercise in simply calming me down and entering into what Jesus would have for me during that time.

Simple Next Step:  Practice being quiet for 4 minutes.

I would encourage you to take only 4 minutes, perhaps even right now, and take whatever steps you need to calm your mind and spirit and reflect on His goodness for you and those around you.  Lord, we realize that all, even myself, is a gift from you.

What Did you Think and/or Experience?

What were you made aware of during your 4 mins?

Did it feel like a long time?

Did God remind you of some thought or idea?

Did the exercise feel “weird?”