I'm trying to quit caffeine. It's really tough some days, some days not so much. I have found out that caffeine is the reason why I'm having strange sensations happen in my legs - deadness, tingling, etc. So no more coffee for me. Which means I yawn a whole lot more. I find myself occasionally yawning in my relationship with God, especially when everything is the same all the time.
You see, sameness anesthetizes our spiritual lives. It's so easy to get into a rut - read two chapters of the Bible followed by a quick prayer. No thought necessary (yawn), and it's done.
What we need from time to time are rut levelers, ideas that energize our relationship with God and open us again to the wonder of his gift of salvation through Jesus. I think I found these in an old Discipleship Journal magazine back in college and have kept them throughout the years. Today, I bring you number 1 through 25:
1. Telephone a prayer partner dailly and talk to God together for five minutes.
2. Do a study of the Synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and Luke. How are they similar? How are they different? Why did God give us three books that have many of the same stories in them?
3. With a friend, visit three churches where Christians worship in very different ways. Talk about the experience. How was God honored? How did He speak to you?
4. Teach a preschooler to sing a motion song that says something special about Jesus.
5. Write a letter to God praising Him for how you are made - your mind, your body and your skills.
6. Buy ten cards and send them to people who need to know they are loved by God and remembered by you. William Law, 1686-1761, in A Serious Call To a Devout and Holy Life, wrote: "Isn't it strange that people place so much emphasis upon going to church where there is not one command from Jesus to do so, and yet neglect the basic duties of our ordinary life which are commanded in every page of the Gospels?"
7. Plan a hospitality event in your home. Invite people from your church who need a party, not the people you know and enjoy most.
8. Pray aloud in a group.
9. Give God a tithe of your time - teach Sunday School, visit the sick, baby-sit for a young mother, fix and elderly person's car.
10. Every day for a week, list the times during that day when you suspect you disappointed Jesus. Consciously try to shorten the list as the days progress.
11. Read a biography of a faithful missionary or preacher.
12. Bake your church's Communion bread. Pray for church members as you bake.
13. Get to church ten minutes early. Spend time praying that God's presence will be felt throughout the service.
14. Take a walk alone in a park or field and pray aloud to God.
15. Read a novel written by a Christian. Talk with a friend about what the author was trying to accomplish. Was God glorified through this art form?
16. Each evening put all your pennies into a penny pot. At the end of the year, give the money to a Christian organization. Encourage your children to participate.
17. With a trusted friend, share a temptation that often traps you. Make yourself accountable to this friend as you work to overcome the temptation.
18. Study a book of the Bible until you "own" it.
19. Plan a family meal time discussion around the topic of what Jesus has done for each person.
20. Tape record the testimonies of elderly relatives. Encourage them to tell stories of how they met Jesus and how He guided them at key points in their lives.
21. Visit a museum and study several paintings with biblical themes. What do they suggest about the nature of God? What insights do they provide?
22. Listen to an audio tape/cd of Scripture being read. If you are a visual learner, close your eyes and allow your mind to pain pictures of what you're hearing. If you are a kinesthetic learner who enjoys moving while you learn, allow your body to express what you are hearing.
23. Sing a hymn to God; pay close attention to the words.
24. Each Sunday look for someone who has done something special to make the service work: preacher, person who made the coffee, usher. Let that person know that his or her gift of time and abilities was noticed.
25. Write a special prayer for each of the children who touch your life. Give them a copy of your prayer, perhaps on their birthdays.
4 comments:
Hey Adam
Caffeine is addicting for sure :) I'll say a little prayer for you I like your list alot
Well back to my conferences Say a prayer for me that I get back home on Sunday..I found out I have to go to the airport 4 hrs early and they have called the national guard to LAX ..security check should be interesting
Just make sure you consume all liquids before going through security!
Have a safe trip - I'll be praying for safety and a good conference (and cruise dinner!)
Adam,
Funny :) I'll be dehydrated by the time I get home ..no long lines for the bathroom though The cruise dinner was nice ..couldn't see the ocean too well in the dark :) This is definitely a mission field I have never seen so many poor/homeless in one place
Rochelle,
You're definitely right about L.A. I've done three different missions trips to the inner-city there, where you spend the week with different ministries around the city. One morning you may share your breakfast with the homeless in MacArthur park, and then in the afternoon play with some kids at a free daycare for single moms. I have so many stories of the inner-city of Los Angeles.
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