28 days of discipline

Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of logic and science in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the rational 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 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.

Sometime in the next day or so, take note of the symbols where you live that represent either God's truth, goodness or beauty. If helpful, write them in a list.

Now, select one of those symbols (or make, buy or establish a new one) that strongly represents the aspect out of the three above in which you most need to grow.

Sometime in the next day or so, arrange to go for a few hours alone to a place that you find peaceful and is free from distractions. If you need to be freed up to do so, be sure to tell a friend what you are wanting to do and ask if they can help to free you from any responsibilities for that short time.

Take with you any prompts that help you to feel near to God as well as a note book.

Sometime in the next day or so, bring together a small group of your friends or family in order to share with them three things that most excite you or that you most appreciate about God. These may relate to your native spiritual style or anything about God that means a lot to you. Allow the fullness of your feelings about God to be expressed and visible.

Sometime during the next week, engage in one or more of the following ascetic discisplines on the same day.

- fast from two or three meals on a given day (if you are not used to fasting, fast from lunch and your evening meal having made sure you have had a good breakfast)
- spend an extended time in silence (making sure that any people around you know that you are not simply ignoring them)

Choose a non-believer in your world or someone who you sense is not strong in the Christian faith and bless them extravagently sometime in the next day or so. Think of something significant that would be beyond their expectations of you.

At some stage during the next day or so, visit the http://www.biblegateway.com web site and look up the following passages in three or more different versions of the Bible. If unsure which versions to look up, refer to the New International Version, The Message, and the Amplified Bible.

Write a list of 6-12 words or short phrases that describe an ideal church in your view.

Now sort those terms into 3 groups so that similar or related items are together (you can have a different number of items in each group).

Recall a topic from your Christian experience that does not fully seem to make sense to you. It may be something you've read in the Bible, words you've heard spoken by a Christian about their beliefs or something that God has or hasn't done that is a surprise to you - basically anything that could be considered "one of the mysteries of God." Now make up a question about that topic that starts with the word "Why?"

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.).

Speak out the following prayer today. Even if the thoughts expressed are a stretch for you, speak them out so that their reality might be birthed within you.

"An Act of Love"

Reflect on your life since childhood and make a list symbols and rituals followed by your family or circle of friends (eg. Birthday cakes and singing happy birthday, regularly taking part in a particular form of worship service, wearing a type of clothing or uniform, going to a particular holiday destination repeatedly, etc.)

If you have any negative feelings toward the sacramental 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...

The Nicene Creed (below) is the statement of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. Today, go to a place that, for you, symbolises closeness with God and speak out the creed. While doing so, be mindful of being one with the millions of Christians around the world who will also speak out the creed as a profession of their faith this week.

We believe in one God,

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.

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

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".

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

Share with at least 3 people today a way in which you have been blessed by God or sensed his presence in the past week.

-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org

Think of a person you know quite well who may not know Christ or has drifted away from the church.

Make a list of anything you can think of that may be a barrier between that person's current life and a deepening connection with God and the church.