Here are some practices to follow the message from Manhattan yesterday. You may want to use them in your devotional time or with your small group.

You can also download a transcript of the sermon by clicking here. Forgive the typos and grammar-sins. Our notes hardly ever make it through a proofreader.

Enjoy.

THE PASSAGE

PSALM 94

17 

If the Lord had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.

18  

If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.

19 

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.

THE PRACTICE

1. Today during your devotional time, begin by reading the passage above.

2. Next, write the top ten ten things in your life that are causing you anxiety right now. Write the first ten things that come to your mind without any forethought or spin. 

3. After this, separate the ten things into categories. Some helpful categories may be words like, family, money, vacation, clothing, job, etc.

4. After you've separated them into the categories, read your concerns aloud to God.

For example, if you are worried about an upcoming vacation you might say,

"God, I am worried about my upcoming vacation today. I'm worried about not having enough money to stay as long as I want to and to experience the things that I want to experience." 

If you are worried about your parents, you might say,

"God, I am worried about my parents today. They are aging, and I'm worried that they need my help that I am unable to give right now."

5. Evaluate

a) Did you feel, after sharing these things with God out loud that anything seemed materialistic or superficial that you were unable to see before?

If so, thank God for helping you to see those things.

b) Did you feel, after sharing these things with God out loud that anything seemed to be more deep and meaningful to you that you were unable to see before? 

If so, thank God for helping you to see those things.