28 days of discipline automated newsletter, with 9 streams.
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the mystical style
Motto: resting in the presence of God
Focus: mystery & devotion
Key Scripture: We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of mystery & devotion in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the mystical style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Arrange to pray together with a friend (or two) at some time during the next few days. Set aside enough time that it would be a stretch. That might mean 15 minutes, half an hour, an hour or more depending on how long you would usually pray with another person.
Today, act upon an inner prompting to which you otherwise might not pay attention or disregard as just your imagination. It might be to call someone on the phone, to stop and speak with someone, pray for someone, speak up about an issue that concerns you even if you're not sure why, or to look up a reference in the Bible.
Reflect upon and memorise the following passage...
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:11-12
If you have any negative feelings toward the mystical style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.
Or...
Today, spend 10 minutes or more in silence and solitude. Find a place as free as possible from any form of distraction. Consider going away from your every-day environment to somewhere peaceful or even sitting inside a closed wardrobe if necessary. If you have only very limited time, set a (non-ticking) alarm clock so that you are not thinking about the time while in this period of solitude.
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the mystical style
Motto: resting in the presence of God
Focus: mystery & devotion
Key Scripture: We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of mystery & devotion in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the mystical style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the enthusiastic style
Motto: celebrating the power of God
Focus: power & excitement
Key Scripture: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of power & excitement in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the enthusiastic style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Arrange to pray together with a friend (or two) at some time during the next few days. Set aside enough time that it would be a stretch. That might mean 15 minutes, half an hour, an hour or more depending on how long you would usually pray with another person.
Express yourself with greater enthusiasm today whenever there is something to celebrate anywhere in your world. It may feel awkward, but everything new feels that way in the beginning (e.g. learning to ride a bike).
Accept that some people may find it unusual and perhaps even belittle you for it. Just smile and allow them to be intrigued by what is happening in your life.
Reflect upon and memorise the following passage...
"Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good." 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
When considering this passage, do you place equal emphasis on both the words "test" and "everything"?
If you have any negative feelings toward the enthusiastic style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.
Or...
Consider the following passage...
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:9-11
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the enthusiastic style
Motto: celebrating the power of God
Focus: power & excitement
Key Scripture: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of power & excitement in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the enthusiastic style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the ascetic style
Motto: developing discipline for God
Focus: sacrifice & inner values
Key Scripture: I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:27)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of sacrifice & inner values in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the ascetic style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Arrange to pray together with a friend (or two) at some time during the next few days. Set aside enough time that it would be a stretch. That might mean 15 minutes, half an hour, an hour or more depending on how long you would usually pray with another person.
Go without one or more regular luxuries today as a deliberate act of self-denial. Put the money that would normally go toward those things in a safe place (separate from any money you usually give to others).
When you have repeated this discipline each week through the 28 days of ascetic discipline, give the money toward a cause that represents those in need.
Consider the ascetic style key verse...
"I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Make a list of any ideas that come to mind about what it would mean in everyday practical terms for you to "beat your body" and make it your "slave".
Consider the ascetic style key verse...
"I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Make a list of any ideas that come to mind about what it would mean in everyday practical terms for you to "beat your body" and make it your "slave".
If you have any negative feelings toward the ascetic style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.
Or...
Choose to go without a pleasure that you would usually enjoy today. It might be a meal, a show, a pleasant walk, affection, etc.
During the time that you would normally be engaged in that activity, make a list of 10 reasons from the last week for you to rejoice in God's love for you. Share the list with a friend.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the ascetic style
Motto: developing discipline for God
Focus: sacrifice & inner values
Key Scripture: I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:27)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of sacrifice & inner values in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the ascetic style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the sharing style
Motto: passing on the grace of God
Focus: evangelism & service
Key Scripture: We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of evangelism & service in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the sharing style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.