Welcome to First United Methodist Church's daily examine.
Every week we attempt to follow the Ignatian practice of examining our week.
St.
Ignatius imagined that we would actually do this examine daily.
Preferably right before bed to review the day and ask for forgiveness and grace.
At First United Methodist Church we decided also to add forgiving self.
So often self-compassion is left out of many meditative ways of being in the Christian tradition.
Our understanding is that if we already have God's forgiveness,
How much more would it take for us to actually forgive self?
So let us begin this week's examine.
Into comfortable space,
Lying down,
Sitting up or even standing.
Whatever is most comfortable and accessible to you.
And when you found that space,
Be still and begin to breathe.
I invite you on your in-breath to close your eyes or rest your gaze with eyes open on an object.
Just breathe.
Follow your breath.
Get into your breathing practice.
Gratitude.
Appreciation.
For the positive moments and the gifts that you have received this week.
If your mind wanders,
That's fine.
Your mind is doing what is created to do.
Think and wander.
Judge.
All of those things are natural.
Allow them all to fall by the wayside and focus your attention on appreciation.
Now,
Integrate into your appreciation,
Gratitude practice.
Into your breathing.
Centering yourself on God's grace and forgiveness as you prepare to review your week.
God's grace,
God's universal,
Unconditioned,
Unconditional love for you.
Center yourself on that love that is already within you and around you.
And recognize the deep and compassionate presence that is our God.
And now that you have appreciated the gifts that you have received,
The positive moments of your week,
And now centering on God's grace and forgiveness,
You have been filled so that you now know and recognize that there is an opportunity for you with great courage and faithfulness to review your week.
So begin wherever your week begins.
Today or seven days ago,
And begin to review the events of your week.
If your mind wanders,
If a feeling comes up within you,
Just let them come and go.
Don't attach yourself to the thought or feeling.
Stop any narrative or story that wells up within you.
Allow it all to fall away and start at a new day or in that same moment.
Review your week.
Interim senor Ewing Ewing.
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