If you are interested, go here to download the whole series and stop back (or just subscribe to the site and get all our posts sent to your RSS reader or email) here starting next week.Similar Posts:

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Lent is not just about giving up something for the sake of giving up something. As with all fasting, we say “no” to habits or things in order to say “yes” more deeply to Christ.

One of today’s Scripture readings (Amos 5:6-15) tells us to “seek the Lord and live” to “seek good and not evil”. Now, the things that we choose to fast from may not be inherently “evil”, but if they are preventing us from living the full abudant life that Christ came to give us, then perhaps we should consider saying “no” so that we can say “yes”.

So, I encourage you to enter fully into this season of Lent (even if you never have), and prayerfully ask God to reveal what in your life you should abstain from so that you can more fully enter into the life he wants you to live.

Today’s Scripture readings from the Book of Common Prayer

LENT BONUS:

Lent: Inquiry and Instruction

By Robert E. Webber

Question: What is the meaning of the word Lent?

Answer: It has no religious meaning like Advent or Pentecost. It comes from an Anglo-Saxon word, Lencten, meaning “spring.”

Question: Why do we observe Lent?

Answer: The purpose of Lent is to provide a time for us to enter into the suffering of Jesus and to go with Him to the tomb.

Question: How can we do this?

Answer: The experience of the people of God who have gone before us is that we best identify with Jesus by adopting a discipline of prayer, fasting, almsgiving.

Question: How should we pray?

Answer: Our prayer may be a spiritual meditation on Jesus Christ–His teaching, His suffering, His death on our behalf.

Question: Why should we fast?

Answer: Fasting is an aid to prayer. Years ago Augustine wrote, “When a man imposes on himself the burden of fasting, he shows that he really wants what he is asking for.” Christians fast in order to pray more intently.

Question: What is the purpose of almsgiving?

Answer: We give alms to the poor and needy because it is a specific expression of the brotherly love produced by prayer. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we care for our neighbor.

Source: Robert Webber, The Family Book of Prayer (Hendrickson, 1996).Similar Posts:

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Photo by Jordan Hill

I am currently in a class titled “Christian Spirituality in Everyday Life” and we are currently discussing the topic of discovering the sacred in what may seem like the mundane – experiencing God’s presence in ordinary life. A basic foundation is the truth that God is “omni-present”, everywhere at all times. Consider Psalm 139:7-12. But, how do we learn to “practice the Presence” in ordinary times? It can be “easy” to experience God when we are at worship or participating in communion, but what about when we are at home doing chores or at the office keeping up with work?

I think the Message translation of Romans 12:1-2 offers us some guidance here.

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Perhaps one way we learn to be attentive to God’s presence in everything is to very practically take our normal activities and offer them to God. Sometimes, I know from experience, that we can feel overwhelmed at this proposal as we try to jump in feet first and attempt to transform the way we see everything all at once. While God can surely open our eyes in dramatic ways, most of the time this is probably akin to quickly taking off your sunglasses on a bright day. Our eyes take time to adjust.

Perhaps a more practical approach would be to look at our daily, ordinary life and prayerfully choose just one activity in which we will practice God’s presence on a daily basis – “fixing our attention on God”. What would it look like to begin to practice God’s presence on our daily commute? The daily task of cleaning dishes? The evening dog walk? The morning cup of coffee?

Can we take these “everyday, ordinary life” activities and begin to invite God into them (really he is already there) and “embrace what God is doing” in these simple times? I think it is this type of practical approach that will enable us to awaken to the presence of God and become sensitive to God’s activity in and around us.

What do you think? What is one daily activity that you could begin to see as sacred time? How might you go about experiencing God in it?Similar Posts:

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Emergent theology is a very controversial topic. Critics say that it is watering down and diluting the gospel, while its proponents say that it is making the gospel relevant to our contemporary world.

According to Stoner, many who believe in Emergent theology are trying to domestic God. While Christians believe that God is love (1 John 4:18), and know He gracious and compassionate (Psalm 145:8), it can often be difficult to reconcile these truths with the fact that terrible things happen, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti. Ironically one of the chapters in the book is called God Is An Earthquake. No doubt many would object to this, but Stoner makes the point that God is in control of the universe. To illustrate his point, Stoner points out two incidents in the life of King David: taking the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and the counting of David’s army. In both of these incidents God seemed to act in ways we cannot fully understand. Stoner also points out in the book that God never explained to Job why he suffered the way he did. The Old Testament is full of accounts of God acting in ways that seem beyond our comprehension. We cannot domestic God and put Him in a neat little box. As difficult as it may be, we must admit that God is good and bad things happen, both through nature and the evil acts of men.

Stoner also points out in the book that many who profess Emergent theology put more emphasis on caring for the poor than preaching salvation. No doubt the church is called to help the poor, and both the Old and New Testaments are full of references urging believers to be generous to the poor. While there is merit in helping the poor, the church’s primary calling is to preach salvation through Jesus Christ. Stoner admits that at times the church has gotten judgmental and bigoted with this mandate. However, he still contends that the message of salvation still needs to be preached. Some in the Emergent movement have watered down this truth, and in an effort to be polite have ignored the consequences of rejecting Jesus.

Stoner’s book acknowledges that the Emergent movement has some important things to say to the church, mainly  be open in worship, don’t allow minor things to get in the unity, and listen to what unbelievers have to say. However these things should never be used as an excuse not to preach the gospel or exalt Christ.

The God Who Smokes is ultimately about God, the One who baffles, surprises us, love us beyond measure, and is worthy of all our worship and praise. This was a highly readable book and I would recommend it.

Book review submitted by Steve RyanSimilar Posts:

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What topics would like for us to discuss on this blog?

(Obviously they need to stick to the general realm of spiritual formation, but I’m open to ideas).

Also, I’d like to develop more of a sense of conversation and community on the blog. We have a lot of readers and visitors, but not too many commenters (you may notice that we have a new comment system that will allow you to link your comment to your Facebook or Twitter account too). It’s totally fine if you just want to read and reflect, but I also want to invite you to join in the conversations! Feel free to express your thoughts, questions, whatever (just stick to the general rule of being courteous and respectful).

So…if you have some ideas for topics, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.Similar Posts:

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To help with this, I’ve put together a simple tool to help you plan for growth in 2010. It covers areas of your life with God (based partially on Renovare’s six streams), your personal sphere of influence, and other areas of life that you may want to grow in.

I encourage you to download it, take some time to prayerfully think through it, and start your new year by planning for growth.

Feel free to share what some of your growth plans are in the comments section below.

Download the New Year Growth Planner

(if you find that you would like some assistance, please feel free to contact me or just leave a comment below)

Online Bonus:

Check out these links too…

• Examen.me - an online devotional and prayer guide
• Michael Hyatt’s 7 questions to ask about last year
• Donald Whitney’s 10 Questions to ask to start the new year
• Donald Miller’s thoughts on living a better story this year

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Mark re-discovers these four “spiritual loves” as: Heart – Compassion, Soul – Wonder, Mind – Curiosity, Strength – Power. In doing so he gives a fresh understanding to how we are called to love God with everything we are and in everything we do.

The book closes with a challenge and an invitation for the reader to join in the Reformation that this generation so desperately needs by going primal. And I agree, if those who believe and follow Jesus would get to the “soul of Christianity” and focus everything on loving God with all our compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power (heart, soul, mind, and strength), we would see world transformation.

This book was an easy and compelling read and I would recommend everyone to check it out!

The Official Description:

Be Astonished Again
We have a tendency to complicate Christianity. Jesus simplified it: Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we are to live out the essence of Christianity, we must commit to being great at this Great Commandment.

In Primal, Mark Batterson explores the four elements of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. Along the way, he calls you to be a part of God’s reformation, starting in your own life.

As Mark writes, “Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission trip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you’d never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush—and reignite a primal faith.”

Primal will help you live in light of what matters most and discover what it means to love God. It will help you become great at the Great Commandment.Similar Posts:

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This passage starts off with a dispute between brothers that was based in greed – “tell him to split the inheritance with me”

In the Parable:

• Rich man gets even richer
• Decides (on his own, in isolation) to store up his wealth and live a nice life
• God calls him a “fool” -

1. He disregarded God
2. He was not “rich toward God”
3. He disregarded others
4. He did not choose to be a wise steward

• Jesus goes on to explain what it is to be like for those that follow him:

1. They are not to be caught up in worrying about material concerns
2. “Do not worry” “Do not set your heart…” “The pagan world runs after all such things”

Luke 8:14 echoes this– “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those that hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.”

• They are to live a life of cooperative trust in the Father

1. Like the raven and the flowers of the field
2. God provides what is needed
3. “your Father knows that you need them”

• They are to put the kingdom first in their life
• They are to realize that where their treasure is, their heart is also

So, how do we live as disciples of Jesus today, in a world that encourages us to get more and more for ourselves?

Especially at this time of year, how do we not be “conformed to the pattern of this world”?

The Answer is to Live Generously

God calls us to be disciples who live generously

Generosity…

• It is not simply “paying dues” into a religious system
• It is not giving to charity, so we feel good about ourselves (though it does bring joy)

God calls us to live “open-handedly”, generously, as an outward expression of a changed heart that no longer puts its trust in worldly materials, but in God alone.

Part of the process of our spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness is the shift that we make from trusting our self to trusting God.

When we live with a “closed fist” (the opposite of “open-handed) we trust our self and we hold on tight to the things that we think will bring us safety, security, pleasure and satisfaction.

And because these things can’t satisfy those needs, we reach (striving) for more and more and hold tighter and tighter.

But, when we live “open handedly” we release those things and we turn to God alone for our safety, security, pleasure, satisfaction, and salvation.

And because God DOES satisfy, we learn to hold on to those other things loosely and we can live generously and freely as we put the Kingdom first.

Jesus doesn’t just give a command here. He is attempting re-shape the way we think – our reality – our worldview. God as our faithful, loving, providing Father.

How generosity shapes us

• Our generosity reflects the generosity of God

-Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us

and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

• It is an expression of the love and generosity of Christ

- 2 Cor 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

• It breaks the chains – “freely you receive, freely give”

• Grows our trust. Being a generous disciple is really about trust – God wants to teach us to trust him and to live in his abundance (John 10:10)

- Jesus teaches us in this passage that God is a loving father that cares for and provides for us (the kingdom and necessary material provisions) – therefore we can trust him and not be bound by the need to store up our possessions.

Living Generously

• Cheerful, joyful – attitude matters

- 2 Cor 9:7 – Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

• Caring for the needs of others – Early Church model

- Acts 2:44-45

- Acts 4:32-34

• “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” – Wesley

- Be a steward of God’s provision

- Luke 21:1-4 – Widow’s might

- Use what God blesses you with for his kingdom
- 1 Tim 6:18-19

• Live simply

- 1 Tim 6:7-10

THIS SEASON…

• Give to those in need
• Limit what you spend on yourself and your family
• Nurture the generosity of Christ that is in you

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Uncompromised Faith

The God Who Smokes

You can choose which book you’d like to review and you get to keep it!

Oh and I’d prefer a local reviewer so I don’t have to ship the book.

If you are interested, just let me know in the comments below…Similar Posts:

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After a while of having these thoughts and continuing to walk, he came up to a rest area where he met another hiker. He initiated conversation with this fellow nature lover, hoping that he might gain some wisdom from this man who looked as though he had hiked this and other trails a hundred times before. After listening for several minutes, the experienced hiker asked if he could join the young man on the remainder of his journey. Excited at the possibility, the young man accepted and they began to walk side by side down the trail. As they walked, the more experienced hiker asked questions such as, “Is this your first time on this trail?” “Do you hike often?” “What have you experienced so far?” and “What are you hoping to experience?” Throughout their conversation, the experienced hiker would point out things on the trail that the young man didn’t notice at first. Things like the calls of different birds and the names of flowers and trees. He didn’t talk much about his own experience hiking this trail, but he focused on helping the young man experience the hike in way he wouldn’t have on his own.

After a few hours of walking together, they came up to another rest area. Though the young man was eager to continue with his new hiking partner, the experienced hiker urged him to go on by himself. He reminded him of some of the wisdom for good hiking: keep your eyes open, pay attention to sounds, and take your time and enjoy the experience. The young man now had a renewed excitement about the unknown adventure that was ahead of him and went ahead on the trail no longer feeling as though he was missing something, but feeling like he was finally experiencing the trail the way it was meant to be experienced.

We all need someone in our life that will come alongside us as we move through our journey with Christ. Someone to help us see things in a new light and help us to experience the “with-God” life in greater depths. Perhaps you either feel like you need someone to come alongside you, or maybe you can be that person to someone else. The place to start is in your conversations. Every conversation can either help someone along the journey or hinder them.Similar Posts:

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