On St. Francis’ method of meditation on Scripture:

1. Begin by becoming aware of the presence of God. “ . . . call to mind that God is not only present in the place where you are, but that he is very specially present in your heart and mind”

2. Engage your imagination, not just your rationality. “It is simply kindling a vivid picture of they mystery to be meditated on within your imagination, even as though you were actually beholding it.”

3. An emotional experience without action is an incomplete experience. “. . . you must not stop short in general affections, without turning them into special resolutions for your own correction and amendment.”

4. Conclude with three acts of prayer: thanksgiving for who God is and what he’s done, surrender to his purposes, and asking for what you need.

Thanks to Kristyn Komarnicki for the kind mention over at Evangelicals for Social Action!  Kristyn sees Embodying Our Faith as a counterpoint to the why-I’m-leaving-the-church genre of books that are coming out recently.  Great to hear, as that is one of the primary audiences I had in mind as I wrote EoF.

Great article – begs the question, how committed am I to spending what God gives me (talent, money, time, expertise, giftedness) for God’s kingdom and glory?  Our actions reveal the answer.

From today’s Wall Street Journal:

MANUTE BOL’S RADICAL CHRISTIANITY

By JON A. SHIELDS

As any churchgoer who tuned in to watch the recent NBA finals contest between the Lakers and Celtics already knows, the term redemption is probably now heard more often in NBA sports broadcasts than in homilies. A Google search under "redemption" and "NBA" generates approximately 2 million hits—more hits than "redemption" and "Christianity." The term can also be found in more than 2,600 stories on ESPN.com.

What does redemption mean in the world of professional basketball and sports more broadly? It involves making up for—or, yes, "atoning"—for a poor performance. When the Lakers beat Boston, for instance, Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times called the victory "redemption for the Celtics' 2008 Finals beating."

On praying well:

1. Expect it to be messy.  “Children learn to speak by hearing their mother talk, and stammering forth their childish sounds in imitation”

2. We learn to pray as we meditate on Scripture. “. . . if we cleave to the Savior in meditation, listening to his words, watching his actions and intentions, we shall learn in time, through his grace, to speak, act, and will like himself.”

3. Start by being still and recognizing the presence of God.  “Begin all prayer, whether mental or vocal, by an act of the Presence of God.”

4. Less is more.  “. . . not purporting to say many words so much as seeking to say a few with your whole heart.  One Our Father said devoutly is worth more than many prayers hurried over.”

[adapted from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, pt II, ch 1]

I heard a great lecture on preaching this week from the always amazing Timothy Keller (hat tip to Jeremy for sending me the link), and among other things I was struck by this line:

“Don’t confuse the gifting and the grace.” 

You may be gifted by God to do a certain thing, but the effectiveness you have in using that gift is determined by the amount of God’s grace in your life – the strength of your connection to him – not by the gift itself.

There’s a pattern that as leaders we easily fall into, which goes something like this:

Thanks to TC Porter of Adams Avenue Crossing (a fine missional venture in urban San Diego) for his kind words and for giving some good press to Embodying Our Faith!  I appreciate his description of EOF as being both mind-stretching and practical (my favorite line: “[some others] might at times seem too far away, Morey is right there with you.”)  Thanks TC, and keep up the great work in San Diego -

On morning prayer:

“Foremost among [your spiritual disciplines] is your morning prayer, as a general preparation for all the day’s work.”

1. Gratitude and putting on grace - “Thank God and adore him for his grace . . . and if in anything you have offended him, ask forgiveness.”

2. Commit the day’s work to God - “Call to mind that the day now beginning is given you in order that you might work for Eternity, and make a steadfast resolution to work for those purposes.”

3. Anticipate the day and pray for what you need - “Consider beforehand what occupations, duties, and occasions are likely this day to enable you to serve God; what temptations . . . may arise, etc.”

4. Confess your need - “Next, humble yourself before God, confessing that of yourself you could carry out nothing that you have planned, either in avoiding evil or seeking good . . .”

“All these acts should be made briefly and heartily, before leaving your room if possible, so that all the work of the coming day may be prospered with God’s blessing”