The Practical Disciple

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Lent has become one of the most significant seasons for me spiritually.  For the last three years I have taken on spiritual disciplines that have made a rather significant shift in my discipleship.  It began with wanting to work on excess and clutter in my life.  I felt the need to purge and reorient my relationship to “stuff”.  I did so by setting aside 40 grocery sacks and then each day filling one and getting rid of it.  Some items went to the thrift shop at our church, some went in the trash, and some went directly to people I knew.

The next year I wrote 400 words each day that would be a blessing to others.  I started writing about prayer and 40 days later I was still writing on prayer.  I have shared that document with a number of people and excerpts have been used for more than one post.

Then, I prayed an hour a day.  That really reset my whole system. I found myself more focused, peaceful and able to sleep and concentrate.

Last year, I gave up my car for Lent.  I only drove when I had to transport other people.  I road my bicycle and used the bus on bad weather days.  I learned a lot of great lessons and improved my health.  This year I am still considering what to do, but am leaning heavily toward writing; specifically, working on a book for The Practical Disciple and possibly love notes.  I am not committed to either yet though.

Below are links to PDF files of various opportunities for you.  I will be adding more as we approach Ash Wednesday.  So check back frequently.

• Luke in Forty Days.  This is a check list of readings that will bring you through the Luke of gospel in 40 days, plus tips on how to succeed
• Forty bags in Forty days.  This how I purged 40 bags of clutter from my life, with tips on how to get started.
• Forty days free of a media habit.  If you are a television or internet addict, try this discipline to set you free
• Love Notes. Write a short note of encouragement or thanks to 40 people in 40 days.
• Top 40 Bible Passages.  This check list of 40 core bible passage takes you on a great tour of scripture.  Created by Rev. Glen McDonald for his book, The Disciple Making Church.
• Fast and Contribute. Consider fasting once a week or even a meal a week and giving the food to abate hunger in your community.

NEW!!!

• Adopt-A-Shut-In (PDF) or  Adopt-A-Shut-in (Word Doc).  These two handouts are copies of what we had for members in our church who were going to visit shut-ins weekly during Lent.  To read more about the project click here.  The files are identical except for their format.
• John in 40 Days. This is a check list of readings that will bring you through the Luke of gospel in 40 days, plus tips on how to succeed
• Faith P.E.G.S. In the spring of 2009 I was inspired to take time everyday to Prayer, Encourage, Give and Study; hence, the acronym P.E.G.S.. You can read the original post about that by clicking here.  I found that a little work in each of these areas daily strengthened my faith and relationship to God tremendously.
• The Examen. The examen is a nearly 500 year old practice of reflection at the end of the day that originated with the monk, St. Ignatius.  This model of reflection gives you serious pause to consider where God was in your day and how you were response to God.  I find that practiced regularly this will make you much more conscious to actively looking for God in the day and being more faithfully responsive.

Blessings from The Practical Disciple