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Post by Travis (admin) on Oct 8, 2015 14:43:50 GMT -6
In session 3 I gave out four spiritual disciplines and encouraged everyone to try at least one. Remember, I define spiritual disciplines as exercises to help us engage in prayer that brings us before God.
I'd love to hear some initial feedback and thoughts on the one you tried. How did it go? Was it difficult? Did you find it a worthy exercise?
The four:
_slowing
_unplugging
_memorization
_journaling
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Post by laurentallon on Oct 14, 2015 20:12:04 GMT -6
I chose to practice memorization. I started memorizing James several years ago, but gave up. So I gave it another shot.
I have successfully memorized the whole first chapter of James; however, I got so caught up in memorizing words and trying to come up with cues to help me remember the next section of the passage that I didn't focus much on the content. I think it's important to memorize scripture, but going forward I think it would be beneficial to learn smaller portions of scripture at a time. I memorized James 1 in two sittings, which explains why I feel like I didn't get much out of it.
One of the positive things about memorizing scripture is that it caused me to turn the radio off in the car on a three hour round trip to and from Tulsa so that I could practice. It also caused me to turn the TV off in the morning while getting ready so that I could practice my memorization. I just realized that Satan is trying to make me believe that I didn't get anything out of practicing this spiritual discipline in hopes that I won't memorize anymore scripture - GET OUT OF HERE SATAN! Sometimes you just have to put him in his place.
Also, I have been praying scripture aloud this week and am really enjoying that.
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Post by jkelley on Nov 2, 2015 21:51:04 GMT -6
I decided on slowing and really enjoyed it. I found that it was easier to pray more often throughout the day and it lowered my stress and anxiety levels, which allowed me to focus more on the present and give those around me more dedicated attention. I especially focused on slower breathing and being aware of what was happening around me during the moment and less on the past or future, even within that one specific day. I think I was more attentive to the people I interacted with and was a better listener because of this practice.
My New Year's resolution for 2015 was to make one journal entry for each day this year, and so far I've stuck with it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this practice and appreciate that it causes me to reflect on each day's activities and decisions. Initially, I hand wrote each entry but after I filled up one journal, I decided to make the rest of my entries electronically, which I would recommend. I'm able to record more information this way without spending an hour doing it. I've also been journaling some of my prayers and have found that I'm able to organize my thoughts with God much better this way than when I pray internally or through spoken word. Each prayer method has its own advantages but journaling is one of my personal favorites. I also enjoy looking at entries from earlier in the year and remembering petitions I'd made to God that he has since fulfilled. If you haven't tried journaling, I'd highly recommend it.
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