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Beginning with Spiritual Practices That will Transform Your Life From:  Calhoun, 2005, Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. 1. Set aside 20 minutes for the practice of your chosen discipline. Some require longer, so its good to start with 20 minutes. 2. Pray a prayer of dedication, such as, “ Here I am, Lord. I want to be with you. Open me up.” SIMPLE PRAYERS work!  3. EXPRESS your DESIRE to be with God BE INTENTIONAL! 4. Read the Scripture SLOWLY, let it settle into your HEART. 5. Posture is important to sit comfortable, a quiet place apart from distractions. 6. Respond to God in Prayer. 7. Tell God what it was like to practice the spiritual discipline. Express your thoughts and feelings freely: Gratitude Anger Frustration Impatience 8. Bring it all to God! BE REAL and Transparent!  9. Take away ONE word or THOUGHT with you into the rest of your day. Returning to the word or thought over time develops soul reflexes of attention to God. The practice of noticing God throughout your day shapes the way you live and interact with others. 10. Offer yourself to God and place yourself in His hands for the remainder of your day Willpower and discipline alone can never fix your soul. Striving, pushing, and trying harder will not recover your life. Being intentional wanting to keep company with Jesus has a staying lasting power that “SHOULD” and “OUGHTS” seldom have. YOU are blessed when you have worked up a good APPETITE for God! (Calhoun,2005) The very first thing Jesus asked his soon to be disciples was, “what do you want?” (John 1:37) Over and over again he asked about desires:  Matthew 20:21 “What is it you want?” Matthew 20:32 / Mark 10:36 “What do you want me to do for you?” John 5:6 “Do you want to get well?”    Pray! References Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Foster, N. (2014). The making of an ordinary saint: My journey from frustration to joy with the spiritual disciplines. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.   Email: realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com