Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Examen Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Psalm 37:4-7 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. In his book My Life with the Saints, James Martin writes of St. Ignatius' examen: it is "a way of seeing God in the reality of everyday life, finding God in all things." In his News-Gazette column last week, my friend Don Follis also wrote of using Ignatius' method: It's simple. What happened today for which you are most grateful? What happened today for which you are least grateful. What was your high point? What was your low point? Now, what do you think God is trying to teach you from today's happiest and saddest moments? That is simple. It strikes me as something l'd like to do each day during Lent. I can share my thoughts with Margaret or a friend. I can write them out. Or I can just spend a few moments reflecting with myself. When I do this, I expect to become more calm and more conversational with God. And I will have a daily opportunity to be thankful, ask God for clarity and seek his forgiveness. I think this discipline will bless me and help me to bless others. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. "; Add      Edit    Delete