Try-It Wednesday: Pray Out Loud

By Administrator, 10 March, 2010, No Comment

301650391_6af9d6e473_m In the past two months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a local priest on an interesting project. As the official religious leader within the group, he is often asked to pray before our meetings. Remarkably, we all listen in and learn from him as he prays out loud. You literally feel as if he’s speaking with God and you get to watch.

How about you? When was the last time you prayed out loud?

A year ago during Lent, this was my very goal: to pray more often out loud. Now I don’t mean to interrupt people or just start praying out loud in public. What I found was that there are many (yes a ton!) of moments when I’m by myself and have the chance to pray. These include:

Waiting in line
Commuting
Getting ready in the morning
Walking to a meeting
Working alone in my office

Not to generalize, but the Protestant tradition is often really good at praying out loud. For Catholics, not so much. But everyone can and you may be surprised at the benefits which to me include: greater intimacy with God, a better prayer life, and the social benefits.

By social benefits, I refer back to my priestly friend. We as a working group are learning from him as he is praying out loud. You might create the same effect with a group that you are asked to lead in prayer.

So on this Wednesday, try praying out loud.

*photo by nimble photography

Where is Your Focus?

By Administrator, 8 March, 2010, No Comment

627226315_325aa7b527_m For many people, Sunday night is the most depressing time of the week. Monday is right around the corner. Monday, with all of its stress and anxiety. Monday, which ushers in meetings, deadlines and interruptions. Ah, good old Monday.

As I see it, there are two ways to look at mornings, whether they be on Monday or any other day. One can say “Good God, it’s morning!” Or, one can say “Good morning God” and place attention on the One who made each and every day of the week.

It was Kierkegaard who said “Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.” If you can place in high regard a trust in God at the start of the day, all the better to end it in a spirit of peace. The stress will come but the faithworker will absorb, focus, recalibrate. The goal is not to flee from all that the week brings. Rather, the goal is to integrate your faith in God into the stress in its secular, raw form.

I enjoy this from St. Francis de Sales who said, “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”

So bring on Monday! And Tuesday, and Wednesday…

*photo by ihatho

The Challenge of Contemporary Leaders

By Administrator, 4 March, 2010, No Comment

540963131_08c7661f68_m “The challenge of contemporary leaders is to honor both the need for solitude and engagement.” Delores Leckey

The degree to which a leader maintains wellness is often what separates him/her from those who burn out. One of my spiritual heroes, Fr. Thomas Judge, a Vincentian priest from Boston who died in 1933 literally passed away from overwork. It’s something that has always bothered me about him. Sadly, he’s not alone when it comes to those who lack balance in their lives.

What can you do today to nurture both quiet and noise? How can you maintain a level of solitude- can you go for a walk, put on some headphones or close the door? Just as importantly, how can your engagement with others be just as satisfying?

At the end of the day, the age-old Benedictine mantra of pray and work is just as relevant as ever.

*photo by anoldent

Mini Book Review: Rediscovering God in America

By Administrator, 28 February, 2010, No Comment

1595553134 If you’ve read any of my previous mini reviews (here), they tend to focus on leadership and ministry. This review is slightly different as I focus on Newt Gingrich’s Rediscovering God in America, published by Thomas Nelson.

As the title infers, the book is about the God-centered perspective of America’s roots. From quotes that are inscribed on national monuments to processes that many people didn’t know exist, Gingrich provides a “walking tour” of the many ways in which America was (and I’d argue still is) deeply God-centered.

I especially liked the fact that Gingrich’s wife, Callista, took the photos that are featured throughout the book. They are inspiring and help to build the case that America’s founders intended a nation that not only tolerated God but went further to recognize His importance.

For more information on Rediscovering God in America, click here.

To sign up for Thomas Nelson’s Blogger Program, Booksneeze.com, click here.

Sometimes You Just Have to Work

By Administrator, 26 February, 2010, No Comment

320561109_bd29dfa3bf_m Sometimes it’s helpful to vent. Sometimes to talk it out. Sometimes to go for a walk and cool down. There are other times though when the best thing is simply to crank. Just work. Close the door and get things done.

Work is not only necessary. It’s therapeutic as well. Sometimes you’ll hear folks talk about how they’ve been working so hard and have that “good kind of tired” feeling.

When was the last time that you worked in such a way that you felt both tired and glad?

Want more?

Check out Northpoint Church’s series @Work here.

*photo by ZackKlein