Spiritual Exercises

I've been thinking of 2013 and Spiritual Practices. I read a useful post on Jonny Baker's blog http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/2013/01/space-to-think-pray-relax-meditate.html where he wrote about how he and his wife Jen plan spiritual practices for the coming year. It's true that if we don't plan and are not intentional we will most probably not 'practice' what we dream of doing.

McLaren in his book 'finding our way again:The return of the ancient practice' also underlines the importance of intention. Like someone who would like to play an instrument, she has to rehearse and practice so as to become an accomplished musician.

McLaren seeing the reason for Spiritual Practices as: Character building, (an) Awakening, and Experiencing God.

In the Abrahamic tradition there are 7 practices:
Fixed-hour prayer, fasting, Sabbath, Sacred meal, pilgrimage, sacred seasons, and giving.

These practices are seen in 3 way:
The Contemplative Way (practices by which we become prepared for grace to surprise us)
The Communal Way (practices the lead us from into me to into we; practice of liturgy)
The Missional Way (Jesus called disciples so he could send them out).

In 2013 by the grace of God (and some work on my part), I want to continue to develop Spiritual practices...
Prayer, Meditation, Study of Scripture, seeing God in the ordinary, reflecting on art and culture, expressing thanksgiving to God, wonder and awe, pilgrimage, following the sacred seasons, helping the poor, crying out for justice, demonstrating the love of God through Jesus in both deed and word...