Posted 421 days ago
July 2009: Writing as Spiritual Discipline
“God may this day be an empty page waiting for the words you write. Make of my heart a landing place for the messages you send.” (Twitturgy, 6-30-2009)
In her article on sermon writing, Mary Naegeli defines spiritual disciplines as “[practice to] establish a living dynamic in which a person cultivates a relationship with God and receives the power to do the work God has assigned for the sake of others.” Though not one of the traditional spiritual disciplines, writing, if done regularly and with purpose, can do just that.
This issue of the Seed Sampler gives many examples of this. In the lead article, Ann Voskamp describes her family’s practice of journaling after dinner. Tim Mathis talks about the community he has found online thanks to his blog. The author of Twitturgies, Gerard Kelly, tells us how writing prayers in 140 characters or less enriches his prayer life. Sermon preparation, seen as “work” by so many pastors and preachers, is given spiritual value by Presbyterian pastor Mary Naegeli. And Christine Sine reflects on practice of writing liturgies.
Whether or not you are inspired to “pick up pen,” I hope you will find new ways to connect to God and serve others.
Blessings,
Judy Naegeli
Seed Sampler coordinator
Seed Smile | A Week Without a Financial Transaction
Seed Story | Journaling and Family Worship, by Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience
Liturgy | Breathing Prayer: Speak to Us by Christine Sine, Godspace
Reflection | Breathing in the Presence of God, by Christine Sine, Godspace
Seed Share | Twittering as Spiritual Discipline, by Gerard Kelly, Bless Network UK
Seed Share | The Spiritual Discipline of Writing Sermons, by Rev. Mary Holder Naegeli, Fuller Seminary
Seed Share | Surprised by Community: The Spirituality of Blogging, by Tim Mathis, Relatively Faithful
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