Missional Suggestion #7

Practice Lenten Disciplines

The three primary Lenten disciplines are fasting, prayer and alms giving. We are all called to examine ourselves during this season of preparation and reflection. These three diciplines are tools to help us in this exercise of self examination. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions about the Lenten Disciplines.

Fasting

When we think of fasting we think of food and we are quite correct to do so. A fast from food reminds us of our dependence an God and each other.Fasting is not a diet; it is a discipline that enables us to focus our attention toward prayer. Fasting can give us a great sensitivity to hear God. When you are hungry …pray…or you may say, “feast on God.” This turns our thoughts from ourselves to focus toward the heart of God. Fasts I would like to suggest :

• The John Wesley fast--Each Thursday evening, after the evening meal, until mid-afternoon on each Friday, John Wesley would not take solid food but fasted and focused much of his time in prayer.
• The sunup to sundown fast on Friday

Non Food Fasts

• fasting from anger
• fasting from any arguments with a certain person
• fasting from criticism of a certain set of people, but letting God take care of their change

Alms giving

Jesus presented alms giving as a necessary part of Christian life: “when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Mt 6:2-3). He does not say IF you give alms, but WHEN.

Some Suggestions:

• Give to a new Charity
• Volunteer your services to a shelter or some other non-profit
• Give an anonymous gift to someone

Prayer

Prayer is the most essential element of the Christian life.Withpout prayer we are cut off from God and powerless. The question is not whether to pray but how to pray ? Jesus gave his disciples a prayer that we would all do well to use at the start of each day. Use it and the other suggestions below.

• Pray the Lord's Prayer
• Begin a prayer journal
• Use a daily office

Missional Suggestion #6

Practice Hospitality

Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:9-10 Monastic hospitality is the model for us today. The monastic way of hospitality holds the key to the future of the church, at least here in the United States. Monastic hospitality requires that the Monastery doors be open to all Christians who present themselves to the porter at the gate. Churches and Christians need to realize this kind of hospitality may require changes of attitude, and even lifestyles, so that the church can be a more vital place ministering to others in the twenty first century.

Our challenge is to finds ways that we can practice hospitalty in our everyday lives. When the "open door" becomes a way of life for us God will bring blessings to our lives. We can all practice hospitality in simple ways. Here are a few.

• Throw a party and invite someone new.
• Greet strangers as Jesus did.
• Invite someone to your home for a meal.
• Host mission volunteers.
• Prepare someone's favorite food for them.
• Turn the TV off and log off the computor when a guest arrives.
• Simply welcome unexpected guests.
• Make your guest feel like you are interested in them.

Dictionary.com defines hospitality as "the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers." I think the keyword here is "friendly" because we can receive people and show no feelings at all.

We can receive them coldly, or make it obvious that we're put out.I think in our American culture many of us have forgotten what it means to be hospitable. Sure we all put on a good face when we have people over on our terms (like for a dinner party), but what about being hospitable when it is an inconvenience for us? I think about when people stop by our home and we're watching TV. I can think of at least one incident where the guests though they were "interrupting." Shame on me.

Missional Suggestion #5

Learn Someone's Name

Everyone is in love with one word. We love our own name. Being noticed or acknowledged is important. Learn a person's name and use it-more than once. Try to learn their name well enough remember it the next time you meet. People feel astonishingly important when someone remembers their name. Listen to others. Let them tell you about themselves. Remember the details so you can ask about them next time you meet. I read of a successful businessman that remembered details about the lives of many people. He kept a file on 3x5 cards with names of children, spouses, family situations, etc. He knew how important they would feel when he asked specific questions. Is it any wonder he was so successful? That's just business stuff you say. The Bible says: 13I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face. 15Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by NAME. (3 John 1:13-15) Learn someone's name this week.

• The cashier
• The waitress
• The person you pass when walking
• The school crossing guard
• The garbage collector
• The person at church who sits “over there”

It could be a revolutionary thing to be missionally mined enough to learn to call people by name. This week’s missional suggestion is learn someone’s name.

Missional Suggestion #4

Become a Person of Prayer

One of the most important habits a missional person can possess is being a person of prayer. As we live the missional life it is vital that we stay in touch with God. Prayer is communication with God. It is through prayer that we gather strength, insight and openness to be a missional people. For thousands of years people have prayed. Prayer has taken on different forms. Some people pray in silence. Others pray in groups. Still others pray using ancient rituals. How do you pray ? Do you pray ?

To pursue the missio dei (mission of God),prayer is a must. It is the very heart of the missional life.

What are the prayers of the missional person?

• strength for the journey
• for enemies
• opportunities for service
• personal sins
• blessings of the day
• people with needs

What are some ways to pray?

• spontaneous prayer-- just talking to God
• the Psalms
• silence
• lectio divina (Click her for instructions)
• written prayers or write your own

Just remember missional life begins with prayer. Let me suggest to you that you set aside 10 minutes a day for prayer. Try it this week. Start Sunday and keep this habit through the week and it could really change your life.

That's this week's suggestion ! Take 10 minutes a day for prayer.

Missional Suggestion #3

Do Something !

The prophet tells us : "And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” (Luke 3:10-11) The crowd was speaking to John the Baptist about how they would live the Missional life. They were confused and waiting for the Rabbis to tell them what to do. Perhaps Synagogue's Missions Committee would set up a program so that they could "plug In". Instead John said: JUST DO IT !

What should we do ? Do as the prophet said two thousand years ago. Share as you go, give your personal property away to those who are in need, live a life of simply caring about others. Caring becomes a way of life and the first thing you know it will be better to give than to receive.

OK, some action suggestions:

• Give something of your own to a person in need.
• Give food or help to a homeless person (it doesn't matter WHY they are homeless).
• Give a smile or a kind word to a stranger.
• Pick up some trash in your neighborhood--just because.
• Volunteer at a park,zoo or hospital.
• Become a mentor for a child.

These are just a few ways that you can just do something Missional this week. The message -DON'T WAIT- just do it !

Missional Suggestion #2

Encourage Someone

Luke tells us of the apostle Paul, "When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement." Acts 20:2. It seems that the real calling of a Christian is to be an encourager. The question arises-How can you encourage someone?

Let me offer a few suggestions:

• Write someone a handwritten note of just plain appreciation for just being your friend.
• Call someone early in the morning and tell them something positive but true to start their day. (what a great pick up for the day)
• Write someone a prayer note.
• Smile at the waitress, cashier, stranger....
• Take someone out to lunch ( that means you pay).
• Allow merging traffic to merge!!
• Buy flowers or candy for your wife, husband,partner,girlfriend or child.

Let's all make this week the week we are intentional and missional about being encouragers. You can and will make a difference.

Missional Suggestion #1

Create a Treasure for Someone

Most of us who grew up in New Orleans can remember Pontchartrain Beach. It was a place of fun and wonder for kids and adults alike. The Zephyr, Wild Mouse and, of course, the Beach are gone. The "Beach" bit the dust more than two decades ago. There is, however, a small remnant of the fun that still exists, and that's where the treasure is found.

It is located across Lakeshore Drive from UNO. The small strip of sand and crumbling relic of what's left of the "Ragin Cajun" still remain. A few days ago my grandaughter, Emma, wanted to go to the beach and collect some treasures- just little pieces of sea shells and even rocks that she considers pretty. It seems that long ago I stopped collecting treasures, but it is amazing what a three year old will motivate you to do. Our adventure called for the finest of supplies, a shovel, bucket, beach towel and some water so we wouldn't die of thirst. We searched for an hour and excavated many unknown areas and found a jar full of treasures.

Now what does this have to do with being missional ? It's real simple.There are people everywhere who need a treasure in their lives . Treasure is time you spend with them,kind words you say to them and small things you do for them. The real key is not what we do, but why we do it ? Jesus said, ''I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." The missional suggestion this week is to create a treasure for someone.