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1 " Our prayer life and rule of prayer will be shaped by the different stages of our spiritual journey as well. Many people who have just come to know Christ find that their words flow easily. Prayer is a joy for them. But, as with romantic relationships, there is a natural movement beyond this honeymoon phase. When feelings of intense connection with God ebb, we have a new opportunity to engage God - not based on cool spiritual vibes but as an expression of our genuine love for God. Times of spiritual dryness are normal for almost everyone, even if we haven't sinned and to the best of our knowledge haven't done anything to wall off our relationship with God. God may allow this dryness so that we can mature in our relationship with him and learn to seek him not for an ecstatic spiritual experience but out of a deeper love and commitment. "
― , God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God
2 " Hospitality is a prized virtue of monastic communities. Benedict's rule says: 'All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."' Brother Alphonsus served as a doorkeeper in the seventeenth century at a Jesuit college in Majorca, Spain. Each time someone knocked at the door he would reply, 'I am coming, Lord!' This practice reminded him to treat each person with as much respect as if it were Jesus himself at the door. "
3 " There are no guarantees that if we keep the Sabbath we will be successful. But honouring the Sabbath (and not overworking the other six days) will give us an opportunity to grow in our trust of God and experience his faithfulness. If we take time to honour the Sabbath we may actually find that we are less productive than we were before...God's provision for us as we honour his rhythms may be the grace to accept being passed over for a promotion, while gaining a greater sense of fulfillment as we do our work more aware of God, ourselves, and the people around us. "
4 " We need to ask ourselves why are so busy. Sabbath helps us to question our assumptions. The truth is that we may be busy because we feel a need to validate our worth. Sabbath gives us a chance to step off the hampster wheel and listen to the voice that tells us we are beloved by God. The sabbath heals us from our compulsion to measure ourselves by what we accomplish, who we know, and the influence we have. Sabbath enables us to define ourselves less by our achievements and more as beloved daughters and sons of God. As we become more aware of how much we are cherished as children of God, we grow in our trust of God. "
5 " Social media can easily become the equivalent of junk food for our soul "
6 " Our play is not something separate from our spirituality; it is itself a sign of the presence of God in the world. "
7 " The golden rule for the Sabbath is cease from what is necessary and to embrace what gives life. "
8 " A life awakened to God so that the world becomes our monastery. "
9 " When we regularly pause from our ambitions and activities, we create space to experience Christ. "
10 " Eugene Peterson points out that the Hebrew concept of a day actually begins with evening, not with morning as we are accustomed to thinking. This means that each day begins with the rhythm of evening sleep and rest before the daylight hours of work and activity.7 After we sleep, we awaken to find that God has been working while we have rested: making dew-covered spiderwebs, cherry blossoms, and puppies. "
11 " having a healthy spirituality involves feeding our souls in three ways: through prayer, practicing justice, and by having good things that we enjoy (friendships, good food and wine, and healthy leisure that keep our souls mellow and grateful). "
12 " depending on our particular growth needs and season of life, we will use different spiritual practices. "
13 " Remember that God is an artist; he will not lead you to copy anyone else. Seek God for his unique vision for this place. "
14 " The path to greatness, whether pursued consciously or unconsciously, is one that requires a rhythm of disciplined practice. "