:: In.a.Mirror.Dimly ::

A family room is a place to hang out, to kick back and relax. We don’t expect to regularly eat our meals in there. We read books, watch TV, and hang out with friends.

That is, until we add some new rules.

For example, a child could take the cushions off the couch and build a fort. Certain parts of the room would become off-limits, and imaginary enemies could be lurking all over the place. We know in reality that a fort in our living rooms is unnecessary—unless you live in someplace like Texas.

When praying to God, we can make a similar mistake of creating rules, barriers, and harboring fears that are unfounded. We can set up false methods of protocol that make us “acceptable” before God. Like a fort made of couch cushions in a living room, our rules do nothing to change the reality of things.

God accepts us on the basis of his grace and mercy, redeeming us through Christ. We may ask him to play by our rules, but in the end we’ll only be frustrated.

It’s hard to figure out “how” to approach God. Do we begin with praise or confession? Do we need to take a step of obedience? Should we just sit still and meditate on him and his goodness?

What I’ve found is that I often play games with God, while God never plays games with me. I’m the one hiding in a pillow fort, not God. While God may ask me to take leaps of faith, I sometimes need to let go of my expectations or rules. I sometimes set up protocols for approaching God that never existed in the first place.

While God may ask us to take a step of obedience that feels difficult or to wait quietly without hearing anything in particular, he doesn’t play games. There is always a point and direction. Sometimes we need to wait for it. Sometimes it will remain a mystery.

When I am frustrated or discouraged, I sometimes find that I’m guilty of placing my own expectations and rules onto God. In other cases God simply will not move according to my timing. The trick is to move myself onto God’s schedule and follow his lead.

And that is tricky indeed…

The Next Post: On Friday we’ll talk about ways to move toward God and his plans for us.

Prayer is one of those things where my views change from day to day. Some days it’s a wonderful joy. It’s simple and encouraging. Other days it feels like I may as well be talking to my rabbits.

Since God is not physically present among us, we need to keep in touch with him in order to stay on the same page. However, sometimes it feels like God is quite distant and hard to find.

When trying to pray, I have wondered more than once, “Is God playing games with me?”

God’s Great Joy

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus encourages his followers by saying, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, NIV).

In the preceding verse Jesus told his disciples to seek first the Kingdom of God, and therefore, it is a comfort to read that it’s God’s great pleasure to give it to us. While this doesn’t guarantee an easy prayer life, it does change the nature of things.

God is not sitting up in heaven with his arms folded, sighing deeply because we can’t figure out his Kingdom. He isn’t dangling it in front of us, demanding that we jump just right for it.

That makes it easier to pray and encourages me to persevere when I’m tempted to try sharing my requests with my rabbits instead. God delights in showing us his will and giving us the blessings of his Kingdom.

We aren’t trying to convince him that it’s a good idea.

I’ve been trying to stop begging and pleading for things in my prayer time. Rather, I’m trying to let go of things, thank God for what I have, and open myself to whatever he wants to share with me. That doesn’t keep me from frustration at times, but it at least changes my attitude toward prayer enough that I’ll keep at it when things don’t make sense.

Tomorrow’s Post: What We Want

Today is the fifth of this week’s Five Minute Retreat series, a practice in cultivating space to listen to God daily. You can make it as long or as short as you like. The “five minute” part is just an approximation.

Be blessed.

Stop.

Close every other program on your computer except for your internet browser.

Close every open tab in your internet browser except for this one.

Turn off your phone, TV, and radio.

If you’re alone or in a quiet place, turn off your music.

If you’re in a crowded public place, put on some mellow and unobtrusive music.

Breathe in, hold it, and exhale.

Are you weary?

Discouraged?

Has it been a tough week?

Share it with the Lord.

Be specific.

Don’t leave anything out.

Breathe in, hold it, and exhale.

Wait.

Listen.

We have an adversary.

Hard times will come.

But God is greater.

Read the following passage three times:

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:32

What phrase or word stands out?

Meditate on it.

What is God saying to you?

Wait.

Listen.

Do you fear disappointing God?

Do you wonder if you can persevere?

Bring those concerns to Jesus.

Wait.

Listen.

Read this passage again:

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

This passage suggests that Jesus wants us to persevere.

He’s praying for his people.

We won’t just get by.

We’ll help others make it.

Read this passage again:

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Wait.

Listen.

Thank God for his intercession.

Rest in the promise of his support.

Ask him to manifest his strength in you today.

With God’s strength…

You can persevere.

With God’s strength…

You can help others persevere.

Wait on his strength.

Listen for his lead.

What’s Next?

If I can slip out of retreat-leader mode for a minute…

It has been good to challenge myself to stop and meditate for five minutes each day.

However, I’ll be honest, once I nibble on substantial time with God, I realize that I’m actually starving for more and that five minutes doesn’t cut it most days. I hope that these five minute retreats can serve as an accessible starting point for prayer and meditation, but that you’ll add an extra fifteen minutes some days when you sense God’s leading.

I know I need that time desperately.

So, what’s next? We’re bringing in someone who has been immersed in the study of prayer and Christian spirituality to take over the retreats next week:

I have asked Lisa Delay to continue this series of 5 minute retreats on her blog. Make sure you subscribe to her site so you can follow along.

Next Week

As for me, I’m toying with a series of posts about the changes I’ve observed in Christian theology, worship, and ministry over the past 15 years. When I signed on to follow Jesus, I thought it was all about reading the Bible and praying… My, how things have changed.

Have a restful weekend!

Today is the fourth of this week’s Five Minute Retreat series, a practice in cultivating space to listen to God daily. You can make it as long or as short as you like. The “five minute” part is just an approximation.

Be blessed.

Stop.

Close every other program on your computer except for your internet browser.

Close every open tab in your internet browser except for this one.

Turn off your phone, TV, and radio.

If you’re alone or in a quiet place, turn off your music.

If you’re in a crowded public place, put on some mellow and unobtrusive music.

Breathe in, hold it, and exhale.

Meditate on the following verse:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

What does peace look like?

Consider.

Where are you lacking peace?

Wait.

Listen.

Offer these areas of your life to God.

Trust him.

Wait.

Listen.

Breath in, hold it, and exhale.

Read the following verse three times:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Is your heart troubled today?

Are there times when you are afraid?

Tell Jesus about it.

Wait.

Listen.

Breath in, hold it, and exhale.

Do you crave the peace that God offers us?

Ask him for it.

He gives it freely.

Look at the color of the leaves, the blue sky, or the joy of children.

Rest and peace are built into creation.

They are present.

Delight in creation.

Rest.

God is ready to give peace freely.

Seek his peace.

Wait.

Listen.

Read this verse again:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Your cell phone and computer don’t have what you’re looking for.

Seek the Lord today.

Carve out time for him.

You can find him away from the bustle of your day.

You can close your eyes where you are.

He knows where to find you.

Thank him for the peace he gives.

What Next?

This retreat series is an exercise in hearing from God. Consider some other ways you can cultivate an “ear” for God in your daily life.

Thankfully, Bonnie Gray and her readers are sharing their reflections on how they hear from God this week. Bonnie’s post today shares how my book Coffeehouse Theology connects with hearing from God, while others have shared links to their post at the end of Bonnie’s.

Next Week

I’ll be blogging on something else, but I have asked Lisa Delay, an expert on prayer and Christian spirituality, to continue this series of 5 minute retreats on her blog. Make sure you subscribe to her site so you can follow along.

Today is the third of this week’s Five Minute Retreat series. You can make it as long or as short as you like. The “five minute” part is just an approximation. The first paragraph is an important starting point that we’ll repeat from yesterday before moving on to today’s retreat.

Be blessed.

Stop.

Close every other program on your computer except for your internet browser.

Close every open tab in your internet browser except for this one.

Turn off your phone, TV, and radio.

If you’re alone or in a quiet place, turn off your music.

If you’re in a crowded public place, put on some mellow and unobtrusive music.

Breathe in, hold it, and exhale.

Accept quiet and stillness today as a gift from God.

There is freedom in doing nothing.

Offer this moment to God.

Thank him for it.

Thank him for being present in it.

Ask him to guard you as you free yourself to meet with him.

Wait.

Listen.

What troubles you?

Name it.

Offer it to God.

Wait.

Listen.

What keeps you from quiet moments such as this?

Name it.

Offer it to God.

Wait.

Listen.

Read this passage of scripture three times:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” James 1:5.

Are there specific areas of life where you need wisdom?

List them.

Ask God for specific wisdom in those areas.

Wait.

Listen.

Read this verse again:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Do you believe that God is generous?

Do you trust that he is able to give good things to you?

Wait.

Listen.

Let go of your expectations for God’s provision in your life today.

Prepare to receive from God.

It may be the gift of silence and rest.

It may be a specific word or blessing.

Wait on God.

Listen.

Accept what he gives.

Rejoice in the peace.

Delight in the stillness.

Do you believe in a God who gives generously?

If so, what are you asking him for today?

Do you need wisdom to discern the best request?

Wait.

Listen.

Do you need more humility or boldness in your requests?

Wait.

Listen.

Thank God for his generosity.

Thank God for his availability to his people even today.

What’s Next?

Do you feel like you need more time? Give yourself a time out for an additional 15 minutes. Do as little as possible, and stay as quiet as possible. Ask God for wisdom so that you can pray with bold anticipation of what God desires to accomplish in and through you today.

Drop by tomorrow for another 5-minute retreat.

Today is the second of this week’s Five Minute Retreat series. You can make it as long or as short as you like. The “five minute” part is just an approximation. The first paragraph is an important starting point that we’ll repeat from yesterday before moving on to today’s retreat.

Be blessed.

Stop.

Close every other program on your computer except for your internet browser.

Close every open tab in your internet browser except for this one.

Turn off your phone, TV, and radio.

If you’re alone or in a quiet place, turn off your music.

If you’re in a crowded public place, put on some mellow and unobtrusive music.

Breathe in, hold it, and exhale.

What is keeping you from stopping to be with God?

Identify it.

Surrender it to God.

What makes it hard to pray?

Identify it.

Ask for freedom and wisdom to pray.

Wait.

Listen.

Ask for God’s protection and guidance as you take steps closer to him.

Prepare to receive what God wants to give you.

Read this passage three times:

“Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.” Psalm 85:7

Sit for a moment in silence.

Breathe in. Hold it. Exhale.

Can you make God’s unfailing love fail?

Nothing can separate you from God’s love.

Ponder God’s love.

Believe that this verse was written for you.

It was.

Whatever happens today, God’s love is unfailing for you.

Do you fear anything could separate you from God’s love?

Wait.

Listen.

Have you forgotten about God’s passionate love for his people?

Read the passage again:

“Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.”

Wait.

Listen.

Take a moment (30 seconds perhaps) to delight in God’s love.

Believe it.

Accept it.

Rejoice in it.

Thank him for it.

Read the passage again:

“Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.”

Is there anything obscuring God’s love?

Wait.

Listen.

Ask God to remove it.

Wait.

Listen.

Ask God what you can do for him today.

Wait.

Listen.

Ask God what you can do for someone else today.

Wait.

Listen.

What’s Next?

Do you feel like you need more time? Ask God to sanctify the time you spend doing everyday tasks, such as driving to work, doing dishes, or vacuuming. Ask God to meet you in that time and offer that task to him.

Drop by tomorrow for another 5-minute retreat.

Today begins the first of this week’s Five Minute Retreat series. You can make it as long or as short as you like. The “five minute” part is just an approximation.

Be blessed.

Stop.

Close every other program on your computer except for your internet browser.

Close every open tab in your internet browser except for this one.

Turn off your phone, TV, and radio.

If you’re alone or in a quiet place, turn off your music.

If you’re in a crowded public place, put on some mellow and unobtrusive music.

Sit with your back straight.

Take a deep breath, hold it, and then exhale.

If anything comes to mind, offer it to God. Let go of it.

Offer it to God.

What are you worried about right now?

Give it to God.

Breath in, hold it, and exhale.

What are your plans for today?

Offer them to God.

Wait.

Listen.

Read this scripture slowly three times:

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7a

Wait.

Listen.

Does a word or phrase stand out from that scripture?

Think about that word for a few seconds, or just be still.

Reread the scripture.

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.”

Wait.

Listen.

Ask God what stillness looks like for you today.

Wait.

Listen.

Be still before God and delight in his power made perfect in our weakness.

Breath in, hold it, and exhale.

Ask God what he would like you to do today.

Wait.

Listen.

Remember that he loves you and desires to make himself known to you.

Wait.

Listen.

Thank God for his love.

Accept it.

Breath in, as if his life and love is filling you. Hold it. Exhale.

What’s Next?

Do you feel like you need more time? Plan a 15-minute walk or 15 minutes sitting quietly in your favorite chair. Allow God to lead your thoughts wherever he would like.

Drop by tomorrow for another 5-minute retreat.

We are bombarded with text, images, and noise.

Our work follows us everywhere.

We’re always connected.

Through our cell phones and computers we maintain a constant stream of information and work.

We scream, “Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!”

We go. We’re busy. We’re productive.

The possibilities are endless.

And then we crash.

What’s the solution?

Stop.

That’s what we’ll do next week.

Minimal text.

Minimal distractions.

Minimal things to do for five minutes.

All next week I’ll be focusing on creating space to stop and to meet with God.

Something may happen. It could be amazing.

Nothing may happen. It could be a flop.

Either way, I pray that it’s the start of a new season of rest, peace, and awareness.

Join me next Monday for the first 5-Minute retreat.

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Standing on top of a mountain looking down on the Northumberland Straight at Cape Breton Nova Scotia did something to me. When you’re a tiny bug of a person on a wild mountain with moose roaming about, clouds shrouding the sun, and waves rippling the vast sea below, you notice something about yourself.

I could do nothing to change the mountain, sea, or sky on my own from the little speck of dirt beneath my feet. I was helpless and at the mercy of my surroundings. Everything was large and powerful except for me.

Walking down the wooden steps to the various lookout points I felt dizzy at times, while other moments I felt the crushing power of my surroundings.

It was the perfect experience for the first few days of our vacation. In a sense, this holy moment on the mountain drove home the insignificance of my own worries, ambitions, and desires. They have their place, but they had been consuming me to the point of idolatry of some sort.

Perhaps this sense of awe and power is why God often met with his prophets up on mountains. The perspective is enlightening in and of itself. Hidden away in a cave or a snug valley, the effect on pondering one’s limitations is quite blunted.

On my way down the mountain I began praying the most important prayer I know that is also the easiest to forget: “Lord, what do you desire?” Throughout my vacation, as I’m sure I shall be for the rest of my life, I moved between this prayer of submission and my petitions.

I need to bring my petitions to God, but nothing quite puts them into perspective like a trip to a mountain top. From that mountain top I can see my plans and worries as mere specs in God’s creation, and once I receive the blow to my own ego, there is a comfort in knowing he can handle these larger matters, and as such, my own concerns are well within his abilities.

Last week I had a very difficult time discerning God’s will. We had a big decision to make, and it’s hard to say what exactly happened. However, by the time the smoke cleared, my understanding of prayer changed in a significant way.

Prayer usually works for me like this: I need X, and so I pray about X. I surrender X to God, and ask God to take care of X for me.

I think I’m right about trying to hold loosely to whatever my prayer requests are. While I bring my needs to God and try to remain open to however he may lead, I’m learning that prayer isn’t all about arriving at an answer or solution.

I thought I had a sense of God’s direction for my own X last week, but then circumstances threw me for a loop. I realized that the solution for X, the solution that I thought I held loosely, was not going to work. Confused, I didn’t quite know what to do next.

At some point in the next 24 hours, my X was solved in an unexpected way, and I had peace about it. But what exactly happened?

I’m not quite sure, but I think God is still teaching me to seek him and not just solutions to my problems. This has been a common thread for me in the past year. I was so focused on a solution and the peace that I didn’t give too much thought to the state of my relationship with God throughout the week.

In fact, I measured my connection with God based on his reply to X. In the grand scheme of things, my problems should not determine how I relate to God. They are important, but my primary goal in prayer is to meet with the Lord, not to make my life neat and tidy.

That’s a tough lesson to learn when you have the ear of the Creator of the Universe.