The Kitchen Sink {Day 29}

I am declaring today, the 29^th day of the series, the kitchen sink day. I am throwing everything in that I am not going to have time to elaborate on! I would like tomorrow to be focused on community and the ways it helps us fight against fears. And for Saturday to be a wrap up and review day. So that leaves today to speak to some of the many practices that help us say no to following fear’s whispers!

Hold on, here we go- practices that help us live a life of no fear:

Confession

To surrender our weaknesses and faults and sins to the forgiving love of Christ. To intentionally desire and embrace practices that lead to transformation.

“Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Worship

Putting God first in our life. Filling ourselves with the wonder and mystery of God.  Music has the ability to speak to our souls. Worship is our response to the heart of God, to his love.

“The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You’ll feel more patient and less pressured.” Rick Warren

Gratitude

A loving and thankful response toward God for his presence with us and within this world. Consider keeping a gratitude journal. This also is a great tool with kids. To ask at the end of the day, what are three things you are thankful for, grateful for today. Helps diminish an entitlement attitude.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward

Celebration

To take joyful pleasure in God and the glorious nature of God’s people, Word, world and purposes. A way of engaging in actions that orient the spirit toward worship praise and thanksgiving Celebration brings joy and strength to our lives. How do you mark important events in your life?

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17

Simplicity

To uncomplicate and untangle my life so I can focus on what really matters. Cultivates the great art of letting go. Simplicity brings freedom and with it generosity.

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.” – Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

“The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style.” Richard Foster

Service

A way of offering resources for the care, protection, justice and nurture of others.

“For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Sabbath

God’s gift for rest. Given for our delight and communion with God. Create a rhythm of intentional space for intimacy with God and those you love. Go for a walk, play games, make a meal together. Set aside electronics and to do lists.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8

Hospitality

Creates a safe, open space where a friend or stranger can enter and experience the welcoming sprit of Christ in another.

“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines.”   Henri Nouwen

Humility

To follow Jesus in his willingness to choose the hidden way of love rather than the way of power. Letting go of image management and self-promotion.

“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Controlling the tongue

An awareness of our words and the way that we speak them. Choose life giving words rather than ones that provoke fear.

“Gracious speech is like clover honey, good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (Message)

As I mentioned earlier in the series, take a look at Adele Ahlberg Calhoun’s book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook- Practices that Transform Us. It is a treasure of ideas and soul exercises. And Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline is a classic in diving into the inward, outward and corporate disciplines.

The bottom line with all of these practices is that the open our hearts to be ushered into the presence of God.  “In themselves Spiritual Disciplines can do nothing; they can only get us to a place where something can be done.” Douglas Rumford

They get us to a place where we know God and experience him more deeply. They get us to a place where his voice is sweeter and more alluring than the subtle voice of fear.

Which one are you feeling drawn to practicing?

I am participating in Write 31 Days. Click right here to see all the amazing topics!  I am writing on 31 Beauty Full Days.  You can read the intro post here.  And you can also always click on the button on the sidebar to see all posts in the series.