I Want You To Grow Spiritually 10: Observe The Daily Office & Church Year

Observe the Daily Office and The Church Year. Every day we mark time. Most of us use a clock and calendar to mark the hours in the day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year. Imagine for a moment that you measured time differently. Imagine you measured time on a calendar that marked time by remembering and celebrating the saving acts of God as seasons and you marked the time of the day with Scripture readings and prayers. One way to start is to get a hold of a prayer book such as the Anglican Book of Common Prayer and begin by reading the daily readings. These web sites can also be helpful: The Daily Office from The Mission of St. Clare.com Morning and Evening Prayer From The Episcopal Church Another way to get started would be by reading Scott McKnight's outstanding book: For me personally, I enjoy worship in a church that observes the church year and at the moment I miss it deeply. It helps me to integrate the life of Jesus and the works of God into my day to day thinking. When I observe the church year I feel more contemplative about my faith and closer to God. Try it. ———————————— This is part 10 in a 20 part series on spiritual growth. If you feel like you are not growing deeper in your faith or relationship to God, if you are not loving and serving others more, if you have a sense of 'stuckness' in your spiritual journey, and you really want to grow ——— the answer might not be to try harder. All too often I have heard the same solutions offered over and over — 'All you have to do is have daily devotions, pray more, read more of the Bible, be in worship every week and get more involved in the church.' In other words try harder. Sometimes that doesn't work and I'm going to offer some suggestions that might help you move forward. Previous Installments: I Want You To Grow Spiritually 1: Give Up Daily Devotions I Want You To Grow Spiritually 2: See A Counselor I Want You To Grow Spiritually 3: Spiritual Direction I Want You To Grow Spiritually 4: Get A New Church I Want You To Grow Spiritually 5: Go On Retreat I Want You To Grow Spiritually 6: Fight A Spiritual Battle & Win I Want You To Grow Spiritually 7: Take A Seminary or College Class I Want You To Grow Spiritually 8: Take Communion Weekly Note: Part 9 isn't published yet. I'll get to it eventually.