Renewing Your Spiritual Passion “Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven.” Ezra 7:23a (NRSV)

Session #1 Why so downcast o my soul?

Group Norms Listen actively and let others finish talking Value differences Look for your own learning Participate in exercises and reflect Silence is acceptable Respect the confidentiality of what is shared Feel free to have fun!

Inhalation Inner Disciplines – Meditation – Prayer – Fasting – Study Outer Disciplines –Solitude & Silence Corporate Disciplines –Worship –Celebration

Exhalation Outer Disciplines – Simplicity – Submission – Service Corporate Disciplines – Confession – Guidance

Things that distance us from God Volitional sin – Dishonesty – Stealing – Gossip – Gluttony – Greed – Anger –Violence against others (emotional and physical) –Violence against self (eating disorders, cutting, negative self-talk, etc.)

Things that distance us from God Sins we may not be aware of

“The Christian who is not entirely sanctified does not deliberately plan to do that which he knows to be wrong, but is rather betrayed by the deceitful heart within. He is overcome, if he is overcome (which, thank God, he need not be), secretly or suddenly, in a way which makes him abhor himself, but which, it seems, is the only way by which God can convince him of his depravity and need of a clean heart.” Samuel Logan Brengle, Helps to Holiness, 139.

Things that distance us from God Sins we may not be aware of Not spending time in the Word or in prayer Not spending time alone with God

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Where are you with God right now? Where is the blessedness I knew when first I sought the Lord? Where is the soul-refreshing dew of Jesus and His word? What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void the world can never fill. Return, O Holy Dove, return sweet messenger of rest! I hate the sins that made Thee mourn and drove Thee from my breast. -William Cowper

Listening Prayer What do You think of me? What have I done lately to disappoint you? What things have I neglected to do? What about me do you appreciate? What about me makes you happy?

Relationship Intensity Intensity Time ?