The Examen Questions July 29, 2009
Posted by joejames in Uncategorized.Tags: Community, Confession, Examen, Prayer
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Read Matthew 25:31-46
1> Where did I see Jesus today?
2> Where did I miss seeing Jesus today?
Read Psalm 32
1> For what moment am I most grateful for today?
2> For what moment am I least grateful for today?
This is the Examen. Our life group has been doing it all summer. 6 weeks now to be exact. Each Monday evening, we come together and share the “top four” from our previous weeks reflections. I cannot tell you how formative this is. And perhaps the simplest thing we have ever done. It would be well worth your time and energy to form your own Examen group.
For resources on the Examen read Foster’s book “Prayer” or find the great little booklet, “Sleeping with Bread”
I Feel Ya Sally!!! November 17, 2008
Posted by joejames in American Christianity, Christianity, Church, Sanctity of Life.Tags: Prayer
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The following is an excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 3 of “Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America” (edited by Darrell L. Guder)
Sally sat and reflected on the meeting she was attending. Because she had spoken out at her local church, the pastor had asked her to represent her local congregation at this regional gathering. Area church leaders in the city were planning for the upcoming National Day of Prayer. A broad coalition of persons from diverse denominations and religious groups attended the meeting.
Some of the evagelical churches were advocating that the group make a sincere application for the 2 Chronicles’ concept of national repentance. Others, especially from mainline denominations, wanted the day to focus attention on the problem of homelessness in the city. Several Roman Catholic sisters were asking that the issues of world peace and dismantling nuclear weapons be a main focus. Then there were those from the right-to-life crowd who insisted that the coalition accept their agenda up front. Of course, a significant number of representatives from various churches sharply protested this proposal.
By this time in the meeting, the gathering had split into two separate groups, each making plans for different ways to honor the day of prayer. One group seemed to made up mostly of evangelicals, representatives from parachurch organizations, and the right-to-life people. The other group appeared to be largely from mainline churches, while the Roman Catholics divided up and joined both groups in planning for the separate day’s events.
“What a collage!” Sally thought, “…and they all claim to represent God as they articulate their vision for the country.” She pondered whether God really identified with any of these agendas. “After all, what is a ‘National’ day of prayer, anyway?”
