Keepin' it simple

In keeping with the Spiritual practice of simplicity, Honey Girl shares an old Shaker hymn with you:

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

Refrain:

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Refrain:


I especially love the opening phrases from this old hymn -
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free -
Now, if I can only receive the gift....

a simple primer

In my last blog, Honey Girl invited you, dear reader, to consider implementing some spiritual practices that will help keep your heart beating in a regular rhythm of love to the ONE who is faithful and ever present in your life. I'm curious if you’ve taken any action on this or if you’re contemplating where to begin.

Some of you might even be wondering just what these spiritual disciplines are. Are you as put off by the use of the word,” discipline,” as I once was? Well, think of them as practices, then.

For those of you, who are not familiar with these practices, allow me to present you Richard Foster’s list from his classic book, CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE, which became my primer from which too learn about the disciplines – or practices.

Here, then, is Spiritual Discipline 101:

There are four Inward Disciplines:
Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study.

The Outward Disciplines are comprised of these:
Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, and Service.

Then, there are the Corporate Disciplines consisting of:
Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration.

Something struck me as I exercised the Discipline of Study the other day - Foster allows for Celebration at the end of his list. Yet Jesus begins his ministry at a Celebration – the wedding in Cana.
Now I don’t think that it really matters which order any of these practices are to be implemented, but right now it makes good sense to take a look at Celebration. if you haven’t yet started a practice, what would keep you from beginning with this?

If you were to begin the practice of Celebration as a way to raise your awareness of God’s goodness and abundant provision in your life, what would that look like? I’d love for you to share it with me and those who visit Honey Girl’s Blog Spot – in keeping with Foster’s nod at Celebration being a “corporate” discipline.

Foster quotes Augustine in his chapter on Celebration – “The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot!”
I love that! And it brings to mind the words of another good ol’ hymn
(you know I love old hymns)

Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He'll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven's blissful shore,
His goodness we'll adore,
Singing forevermore,
"Alleluia! Amen!"

At the very least, sing with me.
(In this way you will be celebrating and practicing a discipline all at the same time. ;o)

And remember to stay tuned for a book giveaway in the coming months that will celebrate a specific spiritual practice.

Until next time,
Grace and peace