1. Where to go, what to see, what to love...
Discernment
Where to go, what to see, what to love...

2. Beginning of series Practical prayer practices
Contemplative community callings

3. Discerning – not “judging”
Subjective not objective
Seeking my own path
Seeing the good and beautiful in everything (not the opposite)
Motivation – quest or scavenger hunt

4. 1. A Second Set of Eyes Tuning into spiritual help
Intentional invitation/time/effort
Attitude of submitting/wrestling/lamenting

5. 2. In the direction of love
Golden Rule
Empathy – effortful care for self/others
Bias toward inclusion – love for enemies and strangers

6. 3. In the direction of life
What is literally and/or emotionally life-giving?

7. 4. “Smells like Jesus”
Getting to know Jesus well enough that it helps your discernment intuitively
Read the gospels and good books about the NT
Other reliable guides
Icons not idols

8. 5. Know by the fruit
What has been learned through experience (yours and those you know/trust well)
Experiment as part of discernment (“gamble” on life and love)
Avoid positions on situations you haven’t known and people you haven’t cared about

9. 6. Trust wisely
Trust people but remember human motivations and deceitfulness
Consider of demonstrated character and history of reliability (Note – agreeing with your worldview is not a reliable test of character)
Check and assess evidence

10. 7. Soft bosom and a firm backbone
Welcome with acceptance, interest, and care
Give courage and help to stand tall

11. 8. Solidarity with poor/weak
Recognize our poverty/weakness
“Standing with” doesn’t mean poor are always right

12. 9. Ends don’t justify means
Doesn’t mean being overly scrupulous or legalistic
But the chosen means should feel like they can be integrated within and not opposed to the desired ends

13. 10. Be aware of your “elephant”
Know your triggers/reactions/baggage
Put them in perspective – i.e. Know you need a counter-balance to them

14. “Doctor-assisted death: A dad's choice sheds light on national issue”