Viewing our daily work as holy . . . Selah . . .

One of the significant aspects in our ongoing Shaping Spiritual Practices Program seminar experiences is practicing “the discipline of rumination”  . . .

• Actively thinking through our thoughts, biblical meditation(s) in the settings of our “whole of life experiences”

Simply put, rumination praxis relates into our “Rule of Life rhythms” in ways which enable all of life to be holy . . . while at the same time assisting our living to be open, integrated or holistic . . .

Message Bible translator Eugene Peterson offers a great rumination on “viewing our daily work as holy” . . .

In listening with Eugene (aka “Ruminating”), methinks one’s daily-work is an Opus Dei* every bit as much as is reading the scriptures and praying . . .  Selah!!!

THOT: With that in mind . . .

• “How’s your rule-of-life shaping-up and working-out in the working-up-phase of its development?”

*Latin: “Work of God”

#5 - Rhythm, Response, Reflection and Rule

“A Rule of Life” comprises a simply structured routine of value-based life practices intentionally undertaken in maintaining and deepening one’s relationship with God; it comprises aspects of personal and communal praxis.” Rule of Life frameworks enable in the formation and fulfillment of an intentional Christian discipleship.

Christian discipleship’s intention and more; it’s formational-action within structure. A disciple’s heart allegiance to Christ is intentionality or desire harnessed as lifestyle. Historically pursuing discipleship-desire “the journey of formation” will be commonly framed through constructing (or adopting) and embracing a “Rule of Life”; one adequate of supporting both personal and communal formation. “Rule of Life practices are firstly modeled within the “textual communities” of Torah, John the Baptist, Jesus, Apostolic, Pauline churches, and later-epistle Christianity; secondly, in the key monastic communities of Pachomius, (323BCE), Augustine (400BCE) and Benedict (540BCE). And thirdly as a praxis-life feature in a diversity of historic renewal movements like Anabaptists, Wesleyans, and Navigators. Contemporary Rule of Life applications grow from these historical experiences.

 

Stephen Macchia’s explanation is really helpful . . .

The word “rule” derives from the Latin word, regula, which implies not so much a system of rules and laws, but rather a way of regulating or regularizing our lives so that we can stay on the path that we have set for ourselves. A rule is like a trellis which offers support and guidance for a plant, helping it grow in a certain direction.[1]

Your personally applicable Rule of Life generally integrates daily, weekly, monthly, and annual praxis routines and spiritual exercises within its working structure. It is a rule in two senses; (1) as a tool that equips one in establishing natural and spiritual life patterns and disciplines, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and evaluating the progression of intentions, and (2) as a set of common or communal values of biblically ascertained Christian discipleship which enable the nurturing of personal and corporate spiritual formation.

Now . . . it’s time to consider your “Rule of Life”

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION

“My Rule of Life” in 1^st draft

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[1]Stephen A. Macchia, Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Way. Downers Grove, Ill.: Formatio/IVP Books, 2012, p.14.

Keith Meyer. Spiritual Rhythms in Community  Being Together in the Presence of God. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2012.

 John C. Douglas, "The Effectiveness of a Rule of Life as Growth Processing Framework in the Development of New Zealand Evangelical Church Leaders’ Spiritual Discipline Behaviors (Project Draft)." doctoral dissertation, Denver Seminary 2013.

 From SSPP Seminar session #7

JOURNALING - Read, Reflect, Ruminate, Record, Respond, Renew . . .

Christian spiritual formation or discipleship is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. Active processes within spiritual disciplines applied in Christian formation are invigorated by six “R’s” - read, reflect, ruminate, record, respond, and renew. Simply, our ongoing Christian formation is , the experiential interactive development in intentional engagement with Word and Spirit through “ruminating disciplines.”

 “We need to listen and reflect on our experiences in the

presence of the Holy Spirit to learn from them”

 Ruminating disciplines have a way of paying attention to our lives . . .  way of knitting the vast ball of our experiences into something with shape that attests to the state of our soul.

A brief list of “ruminating disciplines” embraces . . .

• Bible reading
• Meditation
• Reflecting
• Prayer (especially the “Prayer of examen”)
• Retreat
• Worship
• Theological reflection
• Journaling

Ruminating leads to recording . . .

"What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon.   I'll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint." (Habakkuk 2:1 - The Message)

Reflecting on Ruminating and Recording – especially journaling . . .

1. If I live my life at full tilt, when and how do I reflect on my life and its experiences?
2. How does writing help you focus or know what you think?
3. If writing is not a medium you enjoy, what other ways might you process and reflect on your experiences in the presence of God?
4. What is it like for you to read someone else's published journal?
5. How does the thought of someone reading your journal strike you?

DESIRE

•  To be alert to my life through writing and reflecting on God's presence and activity in, around and through me

 DEFINITION

•  Journaling is a tool for reflecting on God's presence, guidance and nurture in daily comings and goings.
• Journals can be kept regularly or during time of transitions. 

Journaling - Yes, but how?????

Take three and a half minutes to “take-in-the-testimonies” on the video clip . . . 

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2005, p.56-58.

Simon Chan. Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1998, p.155-158, 180-185.

From SSPP Seminar session #6