I like nothing better than starting out my day with a cup of French Roast coffee. I savor the sound and smell of brewing coffee and that first cup seems to launch me into my day with a sense of hope and possibility.
Many congregational meetings and events I’ve attended recently seem to lack energy, hope and vision. Leaders appear frazzled, worn out, and disconnected to their role of ushering people into God’s presence. They need a jolt of spiritual caffeine.
How do your words and actions point people to Jesus and help others wonder what God is up to in their lives? My day starts with prayer and ends with prayer. It’s filled with inspiring passages and a few jokes to lighten my spirit. It’s filled with caring conversations and time to count my blessings. These daily rituals and faith practices bring back my mojo, helping me be energized by the Spirit and a blessing to others. Please share how to you maintain a fresh-brewed faith that’s open to the Spirit.
In order to keep my faith life “amped up” I read a daily devotion book published by The Upper Room. The reason why I like this devotional is that it is interdenominational and also uses multiple translations of the Bible. I also keep my faith growing by reading books by Christian authors such Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, and Craig Groeschel. I’m currently reading Craig Groeschel book “Weird” and also Mark Driscoll’s book “Doctrine.” With my wife and three children I try and send them daily thoughts or Bible verses every day. I also pray consist.
I also sing in the worship band. I look forward to our weekly practices. The music and singing have become very important faith practices for me.
I have the UCC daily devotionals delivered to my smart phone. My goal is to take time everyday to read and reflect. However, there are times when a week goes by and I have all those unopened devotions from the week and I know it is time for me to slow down. Faith practices and rituals need to be intentional!
How do your words and actions point people to Jesus and help others wonder what God is up to in their lives?
I think personally prayer is powerful in helping others see that Jesus is at work. I am one to comment “praying for you” instead of the negative “that’s too bad” type of comments on facebook postings. I share with youth how I pray and what works for me. I share with my own kid’s prayer often and hope that through them others see God at work.
Please share how to you maintain a fresh-brewed faith that’s open to the Spirit.
I love contemporary Christian music. I will turn up the radio on a bad day and sing along. I also have “my fave verses” posted:
Philippians 4:13 and Jeremiah 29:11
These things keep me going and give me renewed joy whenever I need them. I also turn to my kids. My five year old is our “prayer warrior”. He is so into learning and knowing God that it amazes me. He has a light in him that really shines and without even asking questions or saying anything he’ll just talk to God when he wants to. Seeing his faith at a young age gives me a renewed sense that it really is “that easy”!
Another thing I do is receive and read the UCC Daily Devotions, although sometimes I find myself just saving them without reading and when I’ve done that too many days in a row, I know I need to slow down and take time.
For me, I always feel revitalized after playing and singing a few worship songs on the guitar. That always helps me keep going throughout the day, if I’m feeling out of it, I’ll just pick up the guitar and practice a couple songs. Often times it helps me refocus on what is really important in youth ministry.
In the chaos that seems to be my life and work, it is good to read these blogs. Initially I was ready to beat myself up for not taking time to center myself and be with God – then as I read through everything, I realized that I do take time – in the drive to work, in the caring conversations with others, in the time with my family, in the nursing homes and special needs communities I visit, and with my animals… it is all part and parcel of my daily renewal with God. Thanks for the reminders!
In response to Nick, as a church leader, I, too, run into the “get it off the agenda” mode. I find that even in those times, taking a moment to say the Lord’s Prayer together centers us more than any other prayer could ever do. I also find that sometimes, those church leaders who are all business, are not the paid staff. It is the staff’s responsibility to remind them to step back, take a breath, and focus on God, not on doing something just to do it (or to fill up the schedule.)
I have to agree with a lot of the other people’s response as how I maintain my faith.
- Morning devotions with my Pastor
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- Morning devotions with just God and me (this one is huge!)
- listening to uplifting music throughout my day
- listening to a great message (yes I listen to sermons in my free time
- reading a great motivational book (always try to have one going)
- prayer and usually just thanking God for who he is and what he has done for me fills me with JOY!!
- playing paino has been a way to worship Him and keep me way open to the Spirit because usually my thoughts and emotions come out in song when words just can’t do!
and always talking with people about Jesus is pretty much fantastic!
On a good day, I start with a prayer and lift up the cares of the day and ask for listening ears. On a bad day, I pray Anne Lamott’s favorite prayer: “Help me help me help me!” We’ve had a string of bad church days these last few weeks, and more help me’s than you can shake a stick at…
But I will say this – I do always and everyday, these last 10 years or so, feel God’s presence no matter what the prayer ends up being. My jolt of spiritual caffeine comes from reading new things, listening to podcasts, and now all these new blogs to read!
I have my caring conversations with God while driving to work in the morning! I live in a neighboring town so I have about a 15 minute drive of time to center myself for the day, have some conversation with God and to admire the beauty of the land I am driving through. The drive home helps me to reflect on what the day brought and let go of what may be bothering me so when I get home I can relax and hang out with my dog
I have never been good at setting aside time everyday for devotion or reading my Bible but find daily strength and comfort through music, conversations with my pastor and parents. But I always know where to go when I need that extra boost of Spiritual energy!
I think, many times, Church leaders tend to want to treat the Church as a business. They come to meetings to tend to “what needs to be done” and rush off to continue with a day full of responsibilities. It is in this that they and, in turn, their Churches become disconnected.
Instead of looking at “what needs to be done” just to get it off the agenda, why not look at WHY it is being done. It amazes me how many Church boards, committees, and groups forget that they are in Church when these meetings occur and, oftentimes, forget to even pray. How then can the Church and its broader mission accomplish what needs to be done when those who are making the decisions are disconnected from that wider mission and the Spirit?
I, personally, like to take a moment to pause upon entering into the Church and remember the commitment I made to my faith. I remind myself that I am a part of God, one who is made in God’s image, and ask that my actions and words reflect all that God is and, in doing such, that I may grow as a being of God.
Perhaps when these groups become sluggish or out of focus, we can ask for the group to simply pause, reflect upon what is taking place and where we want to be heading, say a prayer, and let the Spirit fill us as we continue our work.
I start my day with some exercise, and prayer time while I get ready, before my family wakes up. Once the boys are awake, we move through the morning, off to school, and our Caring Car Conversations. I am blessed enough to be able to cross over the Mississippi River every day for work, and always talk to them about what kind of “mood” the river is in. While we talk about it, we reflect on God’s creation, and the beauty it beholds. Once at work, I spend the first 30-45 minutes in conversation with those around me, sometimes I work with them, and sometimes it is someone coming in the door. When I am in my car alone, I pray or listen to KLOVE radio, which the boys love. We have said prayers as a family before bed since the boys were born. Each night I finish with “I Love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I’m living, my Jarrod Donovan (or Karsten David) you will be. Even when I’m not home, I try to call so we can do this over the phone.
Leah, totally agreed as far as renewal for me. Continuing Ed, however that may look, is my Spirit refreshing.
I start my day with the regular rush of workout, kids to 2 different schools and then me to work. Then starts the daily talk over coffee. After our chat with the staff, I do my morning devotional and read a bit of scripture (and I’m a crazy person and read it in at least 2 different versions)
Caring Conversations at the coffee pot, Rituals start once the kids are out the door with their morning blessing, and my devotion of the morning.
I didn’t realize it but I have already accomplished 3 of the 4 keys by the time I check my e-mail.
Once the day starts hitting hard, you know the feeling, I sit back and recenter myself. Really think about what I am doing and how it points to God.
Something I need to work on is pointing to God outside of ‘work mode.’
Seeing how these things play out so easily in my life, I would like to see how I can help to make it so seamless for others to have that in their life.
Before stepping into my office I am blessed to be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in the distance. I take a moment to thank God for my life and my station in it. I then join our school children in the pledge of alliegence and morning prayers. I try to look for the small blessings (hot water in the shower, the car started, lights when the light switch is flipped,…) and maintain a sense of gratitude for all God does for me and marvel openly whenever possible. I make myself available to any parent or child that I encounter and we simply have a little chat, I can’t say enough about those little chats! And always end the day with bedtime prayers with my son, they are really special when we invite Mommy in to join us, so as I have said to my boy every night of his life “I love you, good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite, see you in the morning, and oh…by the way…la la la” (he added the la la la part as soon as he could speak)
Bob, I think it is great that you can appreciate the little things daily. So many, myself included, take for granted hot wanter and lights on a daily basis. I love your bedtime routine; as it is very similar to ours! We do our open prayer where kids pray for whatever they think of then the Lord’s prayer and then they are kissed good night with “Good night, sleep tight, sweet dreams” and they say “See you in the morning” and then love you’s. My ten year old still asks me to tuck him in with his blankets some nights-he says its just because hes really cold
. These little moments wont last forever, and I cherish them!
I just got into town after 3 wonderful days at ConNext Summit, an ecumenical Christian educators event. We spent time in plenary with a variety of leaders and workshops with professionals as well as in worship and relaxation. I love continuing ed events and connecting with known and new colleagues. These are special times of renewal that help call me back from the busy day to day stuff. Those are the big events.
To keep that day to day stuff from consuming me in the interim I like to connect with friends, find humor in the frustrations, and hold our ministries and the reasons for those ministries in daily prayer.
My kids are what keeps me open to the spirit. I can get cynical and worn out and all Jeremiah like (woe is poor me!) My boys help me step back. I know what I do, what I say and how I say it is not missed by their little ears. I don’t want them to grow up thinking worship communities are a burden and only full of politics and fights. Because the reality is, they are not… but they will think as such I only see through that frame (and pass that frame to them!)
I know I can be honest about some of the crap while also honoring 8th commandment, via Martin’s spin of “interpret your neighbors actions in the best possible light.” Finally, worshipping at home with them is a hoot (yep, I said HOOT all you Cert school 60 people…and it had a long “o” sound.) Teaching them the commandments and Lord’s prayer has again grounded me. And gues what? I get to emphasize what I want and spend more time lifting up what interests and puzzles them. Hmmm, maybe it is true that “a child shall lead them.”