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Religious, not spiritual
So my pastor asked me to lead a short term Lenten study. Great, I'll do it, I said. Love to do that stuff. It's called Companions in Christ: The Way of Blessedness, she said. It's small group spiritual formation.
Oh no, I wanted to say. I'm religious, not spiritual. As I've said before, I'd rather talk about than to God. How can I lead others spiritually? The study is on the Beatitudes, and each day there's a biblical reading and spiritual exercises to reflect upon and write about in a journal. I HATE journal writing. Ironic, isn't it, considering you're reading this on my blog. Also, let's just say my daily Bible reading is not what it should be.
I didn't say that. I said I'd do it. I figured this is God saying, so you think you can avoid Me? Nice try, and giving me a swift kick in the can.
Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me.
"I didn't say that. I said I'd do it. I figured this is God saying, so
you think you can avoid Me? Nice try, and giving me a swift kick in the
can."
Now, that is spiritual. Welcome to Lent (Lint?), Jen, where we take on what God asks of us and let go of what keeps us from God.
Tripp
There are all kinds of great patristic commentaries on the Beatitudes you
could use. St. Symeon, St. John Chrysostom, St. Peter of Damascus and St.
Gregory of Nyssa all wrote great stuff on the topic.
Karl Thienes [karlthienes@hotmail.com]
I know what you mean about journal writing. My Education for Ministry
course materials keep referring to my journal, which I am supposedly
keeping as I go through the course. And I keep looking at that and saying,
darn, I'm supposed to be keeping a journal, and all I have is a blog.
Lynn Gazis-Sax [lynngnews@alsirat.com]