Week 6 Practices

1. The spiritual practice of Examen slows us down enough to be able to be attentive, aware, and to recognize God’s presence. The examen helps us to identify what was life-giving (and what was not) in our day. It matures our ability to discern the spirits. It allows us to remain with Jesus, the True Vine.

• Take a few moments to reflect on your day, the last 12-24 hours.
• Next, imagine yourself in the presence of Jesus - The True Vine— as you abide and talk to Him. Thank Him for the day and His presence with you in every detail, emotion, response (or reaction) and event.
• Ask for grace to see the day as God, the Gardner, sees you and your day. Watch your day as a flow of scenes, like a movie. Hand the remote to Jesus to allow Him to pause, to interrupt the flow and focus on whatever warrants reflection:
• When were you most aware of God’s presence in the scene? Express gratitude for that awareness.
• Where were you least aware of God’s presence? What hindered you? Express sorrow for failure to notice, and accept the grace of His forgiveness, mercy and love.
• Where might have God seemed absent, but had been present in a way you did not recognize? Express gratitude for His faithfulness to you and your desire to be more aware tomorrow.
• Rejoice in your on-going Journey with Jesus through life and invite others to join you as you deepen your intimacy with God to bear fruit and compassionately serve others

2. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” ~ John 15:7

Jesus connected abiding-the staying intimately connected to Him for power to live a godly, fruitful life - to two ideas that He previously mentioned in HIs upper room discourse.
• My words abide in you: Jesus connected abiding to the idea of faithfulness to His words in John 14:23-24.
• You will ask what you desire: Jesus connected abiding to the idea of answered prayer in John 14:13-14.
Let’s connect these two ideas in your abiding in Christ… contemplative prayer is a response to God’s invitation to “abide in Christ”.
• Light a candle
• Whisper slowly X3:“Silent, surrendered, calm, and still“ as you take deep breaths.
• Allow the candle to center your heart in The Light of the World. Offer yourself and your darkness to Jesus. Remain in His Light and remember all the world’s darkness can not extinguish the light of even one match flame!
• Meditatively read the scripture John 14:23-24 several times slowly.
• Notice what word or phrase stands out to you. Reflect on this and allow the reflection to move you to dialoguing with Jesus about how this connects in your present circumstances and how you are being faithful, or not, to do what God is asking of you.
• Now, what is it you will need to live into this faithfulness to be and do as the Lord desires?
• Pray and ask God for this in the name, the authority and power of Jesus, who lives in you and will do it!
• Watch for this answered prayer in your life then rejoice giving all glory to God, the source of your life and fruitfulness

3. Breath Prayer
Inhale: My life with You on the inside. or Inwardly Abide
Exhale: Bears Your fruit on the outside simply Outwardly Bear Fruit

4. Silence and Solitude

5. Centering Prayer

6. Entering Scripture to Meet with the One who Loves you through Devotional Reading,
Scripture Meditation and Memorizing, or Holy Spirit Guided Imaginative Prayer.

6. Any Spiritual Delight/Discipline/Practice the Lord Invites You to Enter with Him!
Since fruit comes from the the health and energy of the vine.
“Be still and know”….rest and abide in The True Vine.
May you choose to do that which will keep you connected to the True Vine to cultivate an ever deepening relationship with “I AM”.
Continue turning to and focusing on “I AM”

Thank you for joining Pastor Kirk and Pastor Debby on this journey with Jesus!

7. Book Resources:
The Spiriutal Discipline Handbook: Practices that Transform Us , revised and expanded edition, by Adele A. Calhoun.
The Art of Vinemaking: Spiritual Flourishing in a Productivity-Driven Culture by Bette Dickinson, 2025.
Under the Influence of Jesus: The Transforming Experience of Encountering Christ by Joe Paprocki, 2014.