January 6 is the traditional day to celebrate the coming of the wise men from the East to see the baby Jesus. It is the first day of the season known as Epiphany, the illuminating Light of Christ shining in our world. The Light reveals God’s love for the world and shines in the dark places of evil and hatred and selfishness.

There is much darkness in our world. Places where hatred destroys relationships. Places where evil triumphs. Places where people get caught in wicked schemes. But the light has come. In Christ their shines a light that can lead people to kindness and love for one another. Jesus shows us a way of servant leadership which is not based in selfish grabbing for power. The light shows us the way transfomation in Christ, life controlled by the Holy Spirit.

We need this light shining brightly in our world. We pray the light of Christ may transform each of us and our world.

A prayer room will again be sponsored by the Reformed Spirituality Network for the Worship Symposium of the Calvin Institute for Worship January 26-28, 2012. Last year over 1500 people came to the Symposium from 40 different countries. Beautiful worship services and inspiring workshops will be offered including one of contemplative prayer by David Muyskens. The prayer room will be in the Covenant Fine Arts Center. It will be a place for prayer, artistic expression such as writing and drawing, watching scenes and quotes on a screen and walking a labyrinth. Volunteers will be appreciated for prayer and hospitality. Please sign-up on the sheet that can be reached using this link.

This season is sometimes called “ordinary time.” It is the rest of the year that is not concentrated on the life of Jesus or the giving of the Holy Spirit. With Advent the new church year begins, preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, the incarnation. Then we spend some time recalling the events of Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection. We celebrate his ascension and the gift of his presence in the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. Then comes a large part of the year called “ordinary time.” In some churches this time is observed as an extension of Pentecost. Either way we seek to follow the Spirit in mission to the world ending “ordinary time” with a celebration of Christ the King.

There is nothing wrong with being “ordinary.” It does not mean boring or second rate. It is the usual way we live our lives. Occasionally we have something dramatic happen. Sometimes we are experiencing the extraordinary. But most of the time we take what comes to us in “ordinary” time. We live ordinary lives. Pretty much the same as many other people.

Some of us are looking for something dramatic or spectacular and not finding it. We discount God’s presence in ordinary life. So we feel incomplete. I remember hearing the stories of gangsters converted to Christianity. My story seemed very dull in comparison with theirs. I almost wished I had been a gangster because then my conversion would be dramatic and interesting. But then I would be diminishing the ways God’s presence and guidance had been given to me. What I needed was gratitude for the ways God was and is at work in my ordinary life.

During ordinary time you can structure your devotional time with either books by David Muyskens: Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: the Practice of Centering Prayer is intended to be an introduction to Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. Sacred Breath: Forty Days of Centering Prayer is intended to follow for those who have some knowledge of Centering Prayer and Lectio. You are encouraged to use either of these or another devotional book to help you with a daily practice of prayer and scripture meditation.

The Reformed Spirituality Network established a prayer room at the Calvin College Campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the meetings of the Uniting General Council forming the World Communion of Reformed Churches. We were there in a room of the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex with space for prayer, modeling clay, writing in a journal, reading scripture, watching pictures and quotes on the screen, walking a labyrinth and placing prayers on a world map.

The meetings formed a new association of Reformed Churches in the world comprising some 80 million Christians in 108 countries, all in the Reformed tradition. Two previous organizations of Reformed Christians were disbanded, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council, to form the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

Thanks to all who helped set up the prayer room and be attendants there to pray for the proceedings and offer hospitality to those who came to the room.

David

Welcome to the Web site of the Reformed Spirituality Network. We try to connect people who are interested in the Reformed tradition of Christianity and the practices that encourage spiritual growth.

The Reformed Spirituality Network is especially dedicated to encouraging the private and home practices that enrich our relationship with God through the week. We advocate traditional Reformed practices as well as disciplines that can bring growth to our spiritual lives in our time. The World Communion of Reformed Churches meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2010 approved a statement on "Worshiping the Triune God."  This important document is available for discussion in our churches.  Included in the document is a statement about "Daily Worship." It says, "Wise is the community that nourishes faith by encouraging daily worship for all believers, with emphasis on reading and meditation on God's Word, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, offering prayers of praise and petition, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, listening for God in 'sheer silence,' (I Kings 19:12) and living every  moment before the face of God."

We want to encourage dialogue: Please let us know your reactions and questions regarding anything in the resources section of this web site. We would like to establish a conversation with you. You can address your comments to the author of an article or any of the officers of organization.

At the present moment we are considering becoming a membership organization. We may ask for annual dues such at $50 for a regular annual membership and lesser amounts for categories such as student membership. Your suggestions about this way of raising money for the network and ideas for categories will be welcomed.