The Inner House

Ten practices

Two minutes is enough. The first three are the daily deck. The last is a towel: Don’t Panic. We know in part. Print them. Or practice here.

Prints four to a page, front only. Cut along the edges. The first three are the daily deck.

Two-minute drill

A heart, not a speech.

Bring one person to mind. You need not name them. Sit two minutes. Write what comes. When the time ends, ask: does this build up, lift up, cheer up?

2:00

You write first. Sit. Then write what comes: a word, a picture, a warmth, a silence. Silence is also an answer.

I writeKept in this houseWhat is spokenKept in this house

Echo

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14

The two-way walk

The Inner House · 01

Two-minute drill

A heart, not a speech.

Bring one person to mind. You need not name them. Sit two minutes. Write what comes. When the time ends, ask: does this build up, lift up, cheer up?

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

The Inner House · 02

What do you see?

The first room is enough.

Look at the garden, the window, or the room you are in. Jeremiah was asked. Amos was asked. Zechariah was asked: What do you see? Write only the image first. You may not be given the sense.

“The Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19)

The Inner House · 03

Bless the city

A blessing, not a diagnosis.

Write a blessing for your city, or your house. Then speak it aloud once. A blessing, not a diagnosis. Not a verdict on a people.

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

The Inner House · 04

A name you will walk

Named first, then walked.

Sit for two minutes. Write one sentence that begins: I am… Keep only what you are willing to live. This is not a revealing of a secret self. It is a sentence you will practice.

“To the church of God which is at Corinth… called as saints.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)

The Inner House · 05

Walk the plot

Present, not impressive.

Name one place this week where you will practice being present, not impressive. Write the place, and the person you will not hide from.

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men.” (Revelation 21:3)

The Inner House · 06

If you are thirsty

Silence is also an answer.

If you are thirsty, say so. Sit. Write what you notice, in the body, in the mind, in the room. You are not required to be filled on cue. Silence is also an answer.

“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13)

The Inner House · 07

One kindness

Do not hunt a miracle.

Notice one person. Write the name, or the description, and one kind act you can do without announcing it. Not a feeling. A next hour.

“Love is patient, love is kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)

The Inner House · 08

Ask for one person

Small and kind.

Quietly bring one person to mind. Notice what comes without forcing it. If a word or image appears, write it first. Then ask whether it builds, whether it is yours to give, and whether you can offer it without claiming certainty.

“To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

The Inner House · 09

Speak life

Build up. Lift up. Cheer up.

Write a word you would want to receive. No antique English. No claim to totality. Then ask: is it for you, or for someone you will see this week? If it does not raise the house, it is not for saying.

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)

The Inner House · 10

Don’t Panic

Humility is accuracy.

Write where you have been required to be total. Take the pressure off. What do you know? What are you interpreting? What is silent? Fold the towel. You know in part.

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” (1 Corinthians 13:9)

Carry a card.

Two-minute drill

What do you see?

Bless the city

A name you will walk

Walk the plot

If you are thirsty

One kindness

Ask for one person

Speak life

Don’t Panic

Two-minute drill

Two-minute drill

What do you see?

Bless the city

A name you will walk

Walk the plot

If you are thirsty

One kindness

Ask for one person

Speak life

Don’t Panic