In my last blog, I wrote about the necessity of moving from intentions to actual practices that keep us listening to God's voice. Let me share today about one of my practices. It is not the only way, but perhaps it will illustrate a practice of listening to God that will help you.
Dr. John Piippo came and taught us at our church a simple form of training ourselves to listen to God. It is a form of prayer that focuses on listening. He had us begin by getting alone with God for an hour to meditate on Psalm 23. Then he instructed us to write down what ever we thought we were hearing from God. He cautioned us not to write down "exegesis" (analysis of the scripture). Instead we were to let God's word analyze us and speak to us. Then we got together in small groups and shared what God was saying to us. It was amazing!
Per his instructions, I spend 30 to 60 minutes each morning reading scripture and listening for what God is saying to me. I spend time also worshipping and praying. I keep a journal and write down what God is saying to me either through the Scriptures or guidance he gives me as I ask. John encourages us to build the habit of doing this at least 5 days a week.
This is one way I am learning to keep focused on what the Spirit is saying. So that it is not just an exercise in individualism, I meet with a couple other men once a week to share what we are hearing from God. This practice has been a blessing and keeps me tuned into the Spirit and the Word.
Perhaps you would like to put into practice something like this. I would love to hear how it is transforming you to be a listener to the voice of God.

We all have grand intentions. Unfortunately, our intentions don't always translate into reality. We intend to spend more time in the presence of God. We intend to listen to the voice of God. Then the rush of life overtakes our intentions washing away the hoped for results.

Ruth Haley Barton in her book, Pursuing God's Will Together, describes the process of developing within your leadership group a community of transformation. Those values include the importance of discerning together God's leading for the group. However, she observes that without specific individual and group practices our values remain as good intentions. But when we choose to engage in practices that open us up to listening to the Spirit of God and listening to one another we can begin to develop of culture of transforming discernment.

Our leadership group at the church is on its way to develop practices so we will regularly listen to God and one another.

Over the next several blogs I will describe some of my personal practices designed to help me stay in God's presence with an open ear. I will share these with you to hopefully encourage you to think about how you can move your intentions to listen to God into reality.