Rule of Life

Do you realize that Jesus had a Rule of Life?

Rev. David Pike was introduced to the concept of Spiritual Direction at seminary.  He met each week with his Spiritual Director, and at the end of his time at seminary, together they developed a Rule of Life for Rev. Pike.

What are the essential elements that should be part of your Rule of Life?

• Read the Bible everyday.  You should spend some amount of time in God's word.  Everything that human beings experience will be found in the Bible.   Rev. Pike reads through the Bible about every 18-months.
• He recommends that we read from a translation that's easy to read, apposed to King James -- we don't have command of Elizabethan English.  It's beautiful language, but not the most understandable today.
• Book of Common Prayer:  You can think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of the Episcopal Church.  Rev. Pike has it on his Barnes & Noble Nook.  I have it in two ways:  
• as a Microsoft Word document.  You can download your own here.    
• as a Amazon Kindle document.  There are many editions available on the Amazon Website.
• The nice thing about the digital editions from any source is that you can use the same copy on multiple platforms:  Home computer, phone, tablet, or e-reader.  The Nook and Kindle versions will show your bookmarks, notes, and highlights on all your authorized devices.  It's really no different than carrying a book.
• Rev. Pike mentions that it's handy on his Nook because he's always ready for a spur-of-the-moment Baptism, Ministration of the Sick, etc.
• He also recommends using the Daily Office prayer as a great way to start or end a day - or anytime in between.
• Jesus organized his life for worship and prayer:
• Luke 14:16
• Mark 6:45
• Studying the Bible and spending time in prayer are the foundation for a Rule of Life.
• Eucharist:  Should be central to our life.  It is required that we have the Eucharist every day during a Cursillo Weekend, and also during this conference.  We are in the presence of God.  We are at God's table, and closest as we can get to all the Saints.  Once a week is really not enough.
• Prayer, Worship, and Study is Action.
• Review the Rule of Life Card, and fill it out.  
• Use your schedule calendar (on paper or electronic) to schedule Appointments With God (AWG)
• Spiritual Direction is important.  Guidance and accountability for our spiritual formation is important.  Find a Spiritual Director.  Your Reunion Group also helps.
• There is no one right way to form your Rule of Life.  It's what's right for you, directed by God.

The key to success:  

• Start small, start with what you can do.  
• Don't load yourself down.  Allow the habit to build gradually.