sacred rythms

my mentor suggested i read "sacred rhythms" by ruth haley barton and here are some things that struck my heart:

"when we engage the Scriptures for spiritual transformation, we make it our top priority to listen to God relationally rather than seeking only to learn more about God cognitively. Our approach is driven by the longing of a lover." (page 50)

when reading scritpure, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• how do i feel about what is being said? where do i find myself resonating deeply? where do i find myself resisting, pulling back, wrestling with what Scripture might be saying?
• why do i feel this way? what aspect of my life or my inner being is being touched or spoken to through this scripture?
• what do my reactions tell me about myself- my attitudes, my relating patterns, my perspectives, my behaviors? am i willing to look at that in God's presence?

she also talks about the ancient art of lectio divina- a way to read and refelct on the Scriptures, but i will not go into great detail about it. you should research more about it because i think it sounds awesome. here are the major steps:

• preparation (silencio): relax and be still. "speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"
• read (lectio): using a passage of about 6-8 verses, listen for the word or the phrase that is addressed to you
• reflect (meditatio): how is my life touched by the word? what in my life need to hear this word?
• respond (oratio): what is my response to God based on what I have read and encountered?
• rest (contemplatio): rest in the Word of God
• resolve (incarnatio): incarnate the Word of God

you can read about it in chapter 3 using google book link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=_vpAVwRlWUsC&lpg=PA45&ots=ETf76-Z3T7&dq=lectio%20divina%20ruth%20haley%20barton&pg=PA59#v=twopage&q=lectio%20divina%20ruth%20haley%20barton&f=true