This is my response to the suggestion made in the "28 Days..." exploration of the Mystical style to re-read the section in "3 Colors..." on the mystical style and post reflections.
Imagine a church where your pastor is in another city and the sermon is "broadcast" to the various campuses. Imagine a church where the garage band (not the "modern" but still melodious music that you may hear on K-Love (a US Christian radio station) today) is the worship music. Imagine a church where the Bible is on everyone's iPhone and everyone can annotate and comment on both the pastor's interpretation and each other's comments, much like a Wiki.
I have been working with "The 3 Colors of Spirituality" for about two weeks now. I have discovered my native style to be Rational, leaning toward Sensory. I have just begun exploring the Sensory style in the "28 days of discipline," and was asked to share thoughts in this venue after re-reading the chapter on the Sensory style. Here are two of my thoughts:
I began working through the Three Colors of Spirituality book about a week ago, and reached the place of taking the spiritual style inventory a couple of days ago. I learned to my surprise that my native style is Rational, leaning toward Sensory (making my opposite style Ascetic--it is also surprising, therefore, that my second highest score on the inventory was Ascetic (!)).
When I took The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality Test, I could not believe that my native style was the Enthusiastic style. I have wished to be uninhibited enough to worship this way, but have not been able to really open up (pray out loud, speak in tongues, etc.)
As my wife and I started this journey, we both immediately began to relate non christian family members to different styles. This has opened our eyes to look at different ways to show Christ according to how the person relates to spiritual issues.
For example, it is obvious to us that one relative is rational, and another is mystical.
I took a workshop in 3 Colors of Your Spirituality at a church convocation this month. Initially, I thought I was fairly comfortable in my native style (sensory) and open to other styles. Perhaps I am, but what I realized as I read the book was that I feel that I could use some work on my foundation (prayer and worship, learning from scripture, etc.) and sink into that this Lent. I think I am in need of the intensification of Level A growth right now.
Prayers welcome! :)
Jolene
Toledo,OH
Recently completed the Spirituality book and have yet to receive my first 28 day discipline email.
I wanted to find a friend walking a similar path from sensory strength to sharing growth.
If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the sensory spiritual style.
The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").
Make a list of 10 encounters, objects, discussions or experiences you come across today that reflect God's love for you or the world - love shown directly by God or via another person. Simply be sensitive to your surroundings and see what comes your way. You don't need to write all of the details down, just note down a few words that will remind you of each experience.
What do you believe Jesus saw, heard, physically or emotionally felt, smelt, and tasted in the following encounter?
"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
If you have any negative feelings toward the sensory 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...
Draw a quick picture, write a short poem or use any other kind of artistic expression to depict your thoughts or feelings about life today (don't worry about trying to create something perfect).
Now, imagine God looking at you through what you have expressed and what he might say to you at that moment.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the Sensory style
Motto: enjoying the works of God
Focus: beauty & perception
Key Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)
Share them with a friend.
-- 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 beauty and perception in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the sensory 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.
During the next day or so, take time out to use all of your 5 senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste) one at a time in order to focus on God's creation. For example, you could watch children play, listen to instrumental music, smell some flowers, hug a loved one, slowly eat one of your favourite foods. (if you are missing one of these senses, please just spend a little longer on the others). Try if possible to limit the input you have from your other senses at that time (e.g. eat in a silent place with your eyes closed etc.).
Make a list of 10 encounters, objects, discussions or experiences you come across today that reflect God's love for you or the world - love shown directly by God or via another person. Simply be sensitive to your surroundings and see what comes your way.
You don't need to write all of the details down, just note down a few words that will remind you of each experience.
What do you believe Jesus saw, heard, physically or emotionally felt, smelt, and tasted in the following encounter?
"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
If you have any negative feelings toward the sensory 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...
Draw a quick picture, write a short poem or use any other kind of artistic expression to depict your thoughts or feelings about life today (don't worry about trying to create something perfect). Now, imagine God looking at you through what you have expressed and what he might say to you at that moment.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Für Christen mit einem sinnlichen Stil ist es am natürlichs- ten, ihrer Spiritualität über ihre fünf Sinne Ausdruck zu verleihen. Stärke des Stils ist die stark aus- geprägte Wahrnehmungs- und auch Genussfähigkeit; die Gefähr- dung liegt in seiner Neigung zur Fixierung auf das sinnlich Schöne (Hedonismus)...Auszug von Die 3 Farben Deiner Spiritualität - Christian A. Schwarz
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the Sensory style
Motto: enjoying the works of God
Focus: beauty & perception
Key Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)
-- 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 beauty and perception in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the sensory 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.
Re-read the chapter in The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality about the Sensory style. Note down any thoughts or questions that have come to mind about the topic and post one of them on the web site for others to consider and perhaps respond to or comment on.
- Just visit the link below
- Create a free account on the site or just log in if you already have an account
Make a list of 10 encounters, objects, discussions or experiences you come across today that reflect God's love for you or the world - love shown directly by God or via another person. Simply be sensitive to your surroundings and see what comes your way.
You don't need to write all of the details down, just note down a few words that will remind you of each experience.
What do you believe Jesus saw, heard, physically or emotionally felt, smelt, and tasted in the following encounter?
"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
If you have any negative feelings toward the sensory 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...
Draw a quick picture, write a short poem or use any other kind of artistic expression to depict your thoughts or feelings about life today (don't worry about trying to create something perfect). Now, imagine God looking at you through what you have expressed and what he might say to you at that moment.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
My wife and I both have taken the 3 colors of Ministry, Love and Spirituality.
My Spiritual style is very Green (Sensory with a Rational wing).
My love themes are evenly split between green (justice) and blue (grace) with red (truth) trailing.
My Gifts are dominantly (half) blue and my starting point is also blue (Mary).