We often find our identity in our roles, successes, and even sins or failures.  God sees us as His beloved child because of Jesus.  Our identity is in His love and grace not because of anything we do.  Just look at the story of the Prodigal Son, two brothers who find their worth and identity in their own actions but we find their identity is in their father’s love.  The Prayer of Recollection is a prayer that helps us strip ourselves our own identities and find ourselves in our true identity.  This prayer is originally from Teresa of Ávila and has been re-wrote by Jon Coe and we have written another version that I’ve provided here.  You can also download Jon Coe’s version HERE.

Take time to affirm God’s love for His children. Remember that our identity in Christ is rooted in God’s love, not separate. Read over all the passages for the first round. Let each passage soak into your heart so you have a fuller understanding of God’s love. Be present with His love.

Genesis 1:26, 31

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Deuteronomy 33:12 (New International Version)
About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Romans 8:14-17
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

John 1:12-13

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Galatians 4:5-7
to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

1 – I realize there are limitations to what I can do as one human being. Identify any barriers to God’s love in the area of our physical bodies.

It’s easy to push ourselves at the expense of our bodies. We feel weighed down by the demands on our time but we push on to accomplish as much as possible. We feel tired from the lack of sleep so we snack or gulp down caffeine in order to feel energized. Or we over schedule our time since we feel bad saying no. We think, “if only I could finish things faster or had more time”, “if only people would stop bugging me”, or “if only people would take responsibility for their own stuff.” Although we believe we cannot fulfill all the demands on our time, we don’t always live that way. Our bodies are created with limits. Only God can meet all of our needs and the needs around us. Thankfully, we are not God.

Identifying the barriers to God’s love in the area of our physical bodies may be difficult. The barriers may be subtle. Take time this week to sit in God’s love reflecting over our physical limitations.

1. Take a moment to gauge what is going on with your body at the moment. Is your body feeling tired, exhausted, hungry, anxious, sore, irritated, relaxed, or whatever? Are there any ways you are not taking care of your body? Acknowledge that your body needs rest and care. 

1. Look over the demands on your time and energy. Are you pushing yourself at work or school, in relationships, or with your looks in order to meet someone’s expectations? On the other hand, are you slacking in any of these areas in response to someone’s expectations? Are there any areas where you are people pleasing? Acknowledge that you cannot meet everyone’s wishes.
2. Reflect over your own ambitions and desires. We have limits and can only do so many tasks at once. Are there any ways you are holding on to control? Acknowledge that only God can meet all the needs that surround you.

Revisit the passages from last week to rest in God’s love.

2 – I realize that I am not just my name, my roles, and abilities. Identify any barriers to God’s love in the area of our false identities.

“As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to putting people and things in their “right” place.” ~Henry Nouwen
We often find our value and identity in wrong ways.  We try to find our worth in our roles and our abilities.  We may even define our worth by our sin, lack of self-control, or our failures. One can also seek affirmation from others to define how they feel about themselves.  Do others consider us kind, strong, attractive, giving, sacrificial, angry, etc.?  Our emotions and feeling can dictate our identity as well.   Our roles: father, mother, brother, sister, friend, teacher, employee, employer, student, etc. can give us a temporary and false sense of meaning and value.  However, none of these things are who we are; they are idols and false identities.

At our core we are God’s beloved created to be with Him for eternity.  We are loved not because of who we are but because of who God is, Love.  God calls us His dearly loved children, His beloved, His friend, His bride, and heirs to His kingdom.

1. Take time to confess your idols.  Start by naming whatever you may have used to define yourself through.  Start with your abilities and success then move on to your failures and sins.  Continue on by naming the qualities you place your value in like your kindness, beauty, strength, or whatever it may be that you want others to notice about you.  Then confess how you have let your own emotions dictate your identity.  Finally go through all your roles in life and confess that they are not who you are.
2. Take time to affirm your true identity in Christ.  Continue to spend time in Scripture, meditate on those verses and allow yourself to be embraced and loved by God.  This may be the most difficult part of this section because you may still be holding on to those false identities and not allowing God to love you as He sees you, His beloved.

3 – Identify any barriers to being loved by God dealing with our view of God and how we’ve approached him.

It’s easy to be pulled in many different directions. We are busy people. Our time and energy may revolve around our kids’ activities, our work or school deadlines, social demands, or family obligations. We try creative ways to fit in time with God. Or when we feel desperate, in need, or frustrated we’ll turn to God. Our view of God and how we’ve approached Him may be the biggest barrier to being loved by God. Take time this week to assess your relationship with God.

1. Are you engaged with God’s heart and His work or are you asking Him to bless your work and life? What is your relationship with God like? Are you approaching God in a way that is less than He deserves?  Confess any ways you’ve approached God less than He deserves. Confess any view of God that is false.
2. Practice this prayer of confession: I have not been praying to you as if you were really here holding me in love all day. I have not prayed to you as if you really love me as I am, your beloved. I have not sought your will or relied on you; I have relied on myself again all day. Please forgive me for my idolatry. Help me to hide in your loving embrace and seek your will and direction throughout the day. Help me become secure, abiding in that loved place with you, that I may go out from here to love and serve others without confusion about who I am or what you would have me do.
3. Revisit the passages at the start of this article and just sit in God’s love.

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The Invitation

Spiritual Transformation is what we call the process that disciples/apprentices of Jesus enter into when they partner with Christ. God, in Jesus Christ has invited us into abundant life and right relationship. This invitation is given in the life, death, resurrection and indwelling presence of Jesus. Jesus invites us to follow Him (John 1), and promises to give us the power to do all that we’ve seen Him do (John 14). Our response to this loving invitation is in our choosing to follow Jesus and growing in the likeness of God’s character. The goal is that as our heart begins to change (Matthew 23:25), that our outward attitude, actions, and responses begin to more naturally, supernaturally, and transparently begin to reveal God. This is an active, ongoing choice of a person that we call an apprentice of Jesus. An apprentice has a vision of what it means to be a follower that is learning to live and love like Jesus by putting off the “old” self and putting on a “new” one (Philippians 4; Colossians 3). None of us have fully attained this life, but it is our promised reality toward which we live. It is possible because of God’s grace and His indwelling presence in our life (The Holy Spirit). Without a destination, how will we know where to go?

Now the whole offer, which Christianity makes, is this: that we can, if we let God have His way, come to share in the life of Christ. If we do, we shall then be sharing a life, which has always existed and always will exist…if we share in this kind of life we also shall be sons of God. We shall love the father as He does and the Holy Ghost will arise in us. He (Jesus) came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other men the kind of life He has. Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.

- C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity p. 153)

We are invited to make a pilgrimage—into the heart of God. Dallas Willard (The Divine Conspiracy p. 11)

The Reflection of a Transforming Life

Apprentices (followers of Christ) reflect a certain image a peculiar life as they are being formed into the image of Christ. The following are reflections of people who are in the process of transformation.

Identity

We are God’s beloveds, His children (Deuteronomy 33:12; 1 John 3:1). The truth of God’s love for us is our center. Outside influences of culture and the need for approval no longer control us. Our Identity is firmly grounded not in our own efforts but God’s love (John 17:20-26). You are created by God and you are called good. We are made in the likeness of God and we reflect God’s image. Although this image has been distorted through sin done by us and to us, God has not forgotten who we are and whom God made us to be. God knew us before we were born, named us before we were even formed in our mother’s womb. In love, God has chosen us, and the Holy Spirit works ceaselessly to restore the unique God-image we alone can reflect. We see not only this unique belovedness in ourselves but also recognize it in others. (Colossians 2:6-12)

Fruit of Spirit

We become more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled (Galatians 5:22-26). Slowly, how we live and respond to others in our lives begins to change. This outward manifestation is a result of the indwelling presence of God as the Holy Spirit.

Purpose/Mission Participation in the Kingdom of God

God’s Kingdom, His rule, reign, and effective will, is advancing into the lives of people on earth. We, as citizens and co-heirs in the Kingdom, join with God as co-laborers in His redemptive process in the world (1 Peter 2:9-10; Galatians 4:4-7). We are actively pursuing his will and participating in His work by stewarding our finances, spiritual gifts, natural talents, and acquired skills He has given to us. Our whole life participates in this mission of redemption (Romans 12). We proclaim the Good News of the availability of God’s Reign and we help others to be followers/disciples (Matthew 28:16-20; Matthew 11:11-15).

Cares for the “Least of These”

We start to see others as dearly loved children of God. We see others who are neglected and marginalized by the world. We understand that true religion is worship revealed in action and we bring voice to the voiceless (Isaiah 1:11-31; Matthew 25:34-40).

Compassion

We are no longer numb to the needs of those around us (Luke 19:19-31). We feel compassion (Our inside embrace the feelings and situation of another) and we are moved to act on that compassion. Just as Jesus is aware and embodies the hurt of others we too feel and act in compassion. (Mark 6:34, 8:2; Luke 7:12-13; Matthew 9:35-36)

Hospitality

We are growing in hospitality, inviting others to be at home in our presence, because God invites us into His presence. The gift of hospitality is an expression of how we are to love our neighbors (Luke 10:30-37). We extend this free space and a listening ear with no expectation on the guest; therefore, the unwelcomed become the welcomed just at they are in the Kingdom of God (Luke 14:12-14). We share not only with the stranger but also with our fellow citizens living in God’s Kingdom, that no one would be in need (Acts 2:44-47).

Trust

We are learning to trust Christ. We are beginning to have confidence in Him in every aspect of our lives. We not only trust Him for our eternal destination but we trust Him for the things that relate to us being continually transformed into the likeness of Christ. In fact, Christ is always with us (Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 41:10) we are not overcome by the daily trials of life because we trust that our suffering is an opportunity for God’s transformative work (Romans 8:28-29). These trials and suffering are also opportunities to experience the tenderness and comfort of God that we could not otherwise experience. We trust that God is actively pursuing us in a relationship and that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39)

Obedience

Obedience to Christ is not burdensome but rather freeing (John 5:3-5; Deuteronomy 6:1-3). Obedience is a by-product of our growing knowledge of God’s love for us (1 John 4:19). As we abide in God and His love and He abides in us, we begin to experience the ‘abundant life” Jesus came to give us. We are less attracted to sin and obedience becomes our preferred way to live. Our obedience manifests itself in love for others, forgiveness, and humility.

Practical Tips and Opportunities for the Journey in Christlikeness

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

We (Sojourners Church) realize that being an apprentice of Christ and growing into Christlikeness does not occur overnight but is a process and a journey. Sometimes we equate this spiritual growth with growing in knowledge or information about God. Knowing about God is good but it is not the same as knowing God. In fact, the Biblical definition for “knowledge” is almost always “interactive relationship.” Authentic spiritual formation/transformation is a process, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, where we are conformed into the image of Christ.

We at Sojourners believe God longs for a healthy balance and rhythm in our transformational process. The three areas we focus on in this transformational process are Restore, Love, and Serve. This rhythm is described in John 15:1-8 and we have a daily devotional you can journey through to experience and practice this rhythm: Life on the Vine. Before we can even begin to reveal God’s love, we need to spend time being Restored by God as we abide in Him. As we are filled and nourished for growth and transformation, we begin to reveal and practice God’s love in the midst of our church community by Loving others. Through loving others we begin to practice the Kingdom life Jesus describes. We also become a foretaste for those in and outside of the community of what it means to live in the midst of God’s kingdom. However, God’s plan never ends with His church, His people, He has sent us into the world to be an instrument for His in-breaking kingdom and we do this by Serving the mission of God. We Serve God and His mission with our character and actions by revealing His kingdom and participating in the ministry of reconciliation.

As we begin to talk about the curriculum and practices for Spiritual Transformation, it is very easy to settle into a sort of “legalism”. We need to realize that as Dallas Willard says, “Grace is not opposed to effort.” One needs to make an intentional decision to obey and trust that a new abundant life is possible. In combination with the Holy Spirit (John 3:5; Romans 8:10-13; Galatians 5:22-26); Ordinary events of Life (James 1:23-4; Romans 5:1-5) and Personal effort or Discipline (Colossians 3:12-17; 2 Peter 1:5-10) our lives can begin to be transformed. It’s not out of legalism that we need to put forth effort but out of a desire to know Christ more and Knowing in a biblical sense always means obedience and knowledge through experience (Philippians 2:12-13; 3:10-14). Spiritual disciplines and practices are not a prescription but they allow us to be available for more of God’s grace in our lives. God is always present we just are not always available.

We have some suggestions and opportunities for practical ways in which we at Sojourner’s Church can journey together, so that we can cultivate intimacy with God and live in a healthy rhythm of Restore, Love, Serve. These are not steps or answers, but opportunities for transformation to take place. These opportunities will constantly be added to and updated since the list of practical ways for formation to take place is inexhaustible.

Thanks

When:  Saturday, January 28 @ 1 p.m.

Where: Wilshire Avenue Community Church
212 E Wilshire Avenue  Fullerton, CA 92832

In lieu of flowers, please  donate to City of Hope Research

The City of Fullerton’s Task Force on Homelessness and Mental Illness wants to hear your ideas on what can be done to better serve our mentally ill homeless community in the future.  We have a unique opportunity as a faith community to listen to what God is doing and then speak into our community.  We want to be good stewards of this opportunity.

Join us for a ‘listening conference’:
A time to reflect, share and craft a new vision for our city and community.  Choose the one that best works for you!

We are also hoping to have a time to actually sit with some of the people that this directly effects.  There will be some training times available for those who would like to sit, eat, and have conversations with the homeless in Fullerton.  There will be some more info to follow.

When:  Thursday, October 27, 7pm
First Christian Church, 109 E. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton
OR
Sunday, November 13, 2pm
Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N Acacia, Fullerton

• Vision:  We want to paint a clear picture of what it would look like if we actually lived the life we are created to live in Christ.  The vision of a faithful apprentice of Jesus.

• Intention: After casting VISION of the life God intended for us, there must be a cultivation of passion, desire, and pursuit toward that VISION.  This is the INTENTION.  During this time we develop an truer realization that God really does have our best interest at heart.

• Means:  Once we know the direction we are going (VISION) and found a desire to pursuit that direction (INTENTION), we want to leave everyone with a way to do that (The MEANS).  The MEANS can be prayers, spiritual disciplines, tools, or practices that help us move closer to our vision and eventually draw us to our eventual goal of depth with Jesus.

When: Wed. May 2, 2012
Time: 6:30p-8:00p
Where: Phil and Sarah Towne’s
Address: 1415 N. Concord Ave. Fullerton, CA
Who: Everyone can come.  There will be formation for the family as a whole and then also for the children of any age.

Contact me if you are planning on coming email

There are a lot of great reasons to have a party.  One great reason is to mark a milestone or achievement like a wedding, graduation, or promotion. Celebration in God’s church helps us recollect God’s goodness to us.  It allows us to make a big deal out of what God has given our church family.  Every two months we have a  “Celebration Sunday” to celebrate the transformation we have experienced as a result of putting into practice what we hear on Sunday mornings.  We stop and recognize God’s present kingdom that’s active in our community.  We don’t do this alone but with each other as well as the Solidarity Community.  Since we serve together throughout the week, we want to celebrate and encourage each other with our stories of transformation.  Specifically; overcoming hardships; achieving a goal; realizing we are valued and called to work with God even though we are flawed; and stories of God’s active and incoming Kingdom.  We do not want to become a people who forget God’s work in our lives.  So we want to create a place where we can reflect, remember, and celebrate the presence of God in our midst.

This is from Dr. John H. Coe Director of The Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology

© Copyright 2010 John H. Coe. All rights reserved.

Take some time to walk with Jesus through these prayers.  Take as long as you want and need.  Don’t try to get through all of them at once.  There may be some place the Spirit wants you to take more time journeying through.

1. Prayer of Presenting Oneself as a Sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2): the spiritual discipline of presenting oneself to God as a living sacrifice, open to Him and His will in all things.

Prayer of Intention: “Lord, I am here, I present myself to you. Here I am.”

This protects the will from becoming asleep to the will and Person of God.

2. Prayer of Recollection (Phil. 3:7-9): the spiritual discipline of reminding the self of its true identity in Christ (full pardon, full acceptance) and “Christ in me” (that I am not alone).

Prayer of Intention: “God, whatever I do today, I want to do this in you. I don’t want to do this alone, in my own power or as a way to hide and cover. I don’t want to find my identity in anything but Christ. I am in Christ and that is my true identity.” (Confess any idolatry)

This protects the life from idolatry, false identities and moralism or making decisions from false guilt, shame in life in the power of the self.

3. Prayer of Honesty (Ps. 15:1-2, Ps. 139:23-24): the spiritual discipline whereby we open to God and ourselves in what is truly going on in our heart in order for truth-telling to take place in our relationships and life in general.

Prayer of Intention: “Lord, what is going on in my heart right now with You, with others, with my life, my situations? Search me, O God, and know my heart. Open my heart to you today in truth, lest I deceive myself.” (Confess any idolatry)

This protects us from superficial obedience, from presenting ourselves in arrogance, closed heartedness, dullness of heart, etc. Let the heart be a mirror to the truth and open to God.

4. Prayer of Discernment (Eccles. 7:13-14): the spiritual discipline whereby we learn to watch what the Spirit is doing in us and not merely our work, to “consider the work of God,” what His will is in all things versus ours or the devil’s so that we can better cooperate with the Spirit. Here we seek wisdom on how to respond to His work that is ongoing within us.

Prayer of Intention: “Lord, what are you doing and what is it that you want me to become and do if I am to do your will?”

This protects us from responding to false calls of guilt of what to do in our life, to fantasy, to the demonic, to our grandiosity, to working alone. Here we learn to wait on God and watch His work more than our own.

5. In receptivity to the Spirit, hear the Word of God (Lectio Divina [Heb. 4:12])

(Jn. 15:5) “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

© Copyright 2010 John H. Coe. All rights reserved.