Note: If you missed any of the ELM devotionals, you here to view the entire month!
What is ELM? ELM is an acronym for “Examined Lifestyle Month,” a month-long period of reflection on the Bible’s teachings about wealth, possessions, generosity, and the poor. ELM is sponsored by Frontline’s International Poverty and Justice Ministry, which is a part of our Global Impact ministry.
Click “Read More…” to view the ELM covenant and appendices.
ELM 2007 COVENANT
Because all I have is God’s, and He calls me to bless others with it, I commit to:
1. CANCEL ONE PURCHASE.
___________ is something I’ve been planning to buy or do. It would have cost me $ ___________.
2. DOWNGRADE ONE MAJOR EXPENDITURE (house, car, vacation, wedding expense, etc.).
A major purchase I’ve been planning is ___________________. I’d been thinking
about getting ________________________, which would cost $ _______________.
Instead, I’ll get a more modest __________________________ that costs
$________________. The difference I’ll save is $________________.
3. SELL ONE THING I DON’T NEED.
_______________ is something I own that I don’t truly need. I will sell it and give away the proceeds: $ _____________.
4. STOP ONE RECURRING EXPENSE.
______________ is something that costs me $_____________ every month.
Altogether, I will save a one-time total of $_______________ and another $___________ per month. I commit to give this money, above and beyond all my typical giving, to God-honoring people or organizations that are working
with the extreme poor.
Date: __________ Signature: ___________________________________________
Appendix B
THE PRAYER OF EXAMEN
As you wrap up this month of reflection, consider making self-examination a regularly practiced spiritual disciplines. In today’s fast-paced world, few of us engage in deliberate and structured reflection on a regular basis, yet such reflection is crucial to mature spiritual growth.
The Prayer of Examen was developed by Saint Ignatius Loyola as a daily exercise for introspection. The Examen is an ordered prayer designed to help the individual meet Jesus in their daily life, grow in spiritual sensitivity, and recognize and receive God’s care and assistance. It is a simple prayer—a prayer for busy people who continually seek to do the Lord’s will.
There are five simple steps to the Examen, which should take about 15 minutes to complete.
Before You Start
Try to be in a place where you are least likely to be disturbed, and where there is the least amount of external noise. Then sit comfortably and still yourself. Take a moment to focus your mind before you begin.
Step 1 – Recall that You Are in the Presence of God
“In [God] we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
We are always in the presence of God, but in prayer we place ourselves in God’s presence in an especially attentive way. God your Creator knows and loves you intimately, and through Jesus, you have learned of your own worth. Be still and know that you are with God.
Step 2 – Look at Your Day with Gratitude
“And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. … The Almighty One has done great things for me.” (Luke 1:46, 49)
After a few moments, begin to give thanks to God for the gifts of this day. Special pleasures will spring to mind: a good night’s sleep, the smell of the morning coffee, the laugh of a child. As you move in gratitude through the details of your day, give thanks to God for his presence in the big and the small things of your life.
Step 3 – Ask for Guidance from the Holy Spirit
“When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
In Step 4, you will look at the ways in which you have responded to God’s gracious gifts and love this day. Before you move to that step, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you review your actions and attitudes. Ask that you’d learn and be shaped as your reflect. Remember, this is not a time to dwell on your shortcomings; rather, it is a gentle look with the Lord at how you have responded to God’s gifts.
Step 4 – Review Your Day
“Test yourselves to see whether you are living in faith; examine yourselves. Perhaps you yourselves do not realize that Christ Jesus is in you.” (2 Cor. 13:5)
This is the longest of the steps where review your entire day. Be sure to notice the details, the context of what happened and how you acted, and your motives and feelings.
As you review you may wish to ask yourself some of the following questions:
– When did I fail today? (Why?)
– When did I love today?
– Where did I receive love today?
– What Habits and life patterns do I notice in my day?
– In what ways did I see God’s presence in my day?
– When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life?
– When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? Least sense of belonging?
– When was I most free? Least free?
– When was I most creative? Least creative?
– When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself?
– When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?
As you review your day, allow your thoughts to wander through the situations you’ve been in and allow God to speak, challenge, encourage, and teach you.
Step 5 – Reconcile and Resolve
“As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine.” (Jeremiah 18:6)
The final step is our heart-to-heart talk with Jesus about your day. Share your thoughts on your actions, attitudes, feelings, and interactions. As you feel led, seek forgiveness, ask for direction, share a concern, express gratitude, etc. If you’ve felt challenged on or some action or attitude, resolve with Jesus to move forward in action where appropriate.
Appendix C
Groups serving the poor at McLean Bible Church & in the DC area:
Organization: Christ House (www.christhouse.org)
Mission: To provide comprehensive health care for sick, homeless men and women, while assisting them in addressing critical issues to help break the cycle of homelessness.
Contact: Shannon Hepler (volunteers@christhouse.org or 202-328-1100)
Additional Information: Volunteers needed for weekly meal groups during lunch and dinner (for individuals and groups). Accepting men’s clothing donations. Check out website for more details.
Organization: Martha’s Table (www.marthastable.org)
Mission: To serve the needs of the less fortunate in the Washington, DC community through learning, healthy living, recreational and family support services.
Contact: volunteer@marthastable.org or 202-328-6608
Additional Information: Volunteer opportunities are available in the food program, children’s programs and in Martha’s Outfitters. Check out website for more details.
Organization: Central Union Mission (www.missiondc.org)
Mission: To glorify God through proclaiming and teaching the gospel, leading people to Christ, developing disciples, and serving the needs of hurting people throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Contact: Shelah Wilcox (swilcox@missiondc.org or 202-745-7118)
Additional Information: Volunteers needed for special events, holidays and weekly cleanings. Volunteers also needed for Food Depot from 9am-11am on Monday-Thursday. Always accepting donations of gently used clothes, toys and automobiles. Check out website for more details.
Organization: Meals-on-Wheels-Upper NW WA (www.mowaa.org)
Mission: To provide visionary leadership and professional training and to develop partnerships that will ensure the provision of quality nutrition services.
Contact: Clara Chichester (202-723-5617)
Additional Information: Volunteers desperately needed Monday-Friday from 10am-12:30pm.
Organization: Gospel Rescues Ministries (www.grm.org)
Mission: To expose men and women to God’s healing love in a caring environment that provides education, confrontation, guidance and support.
Contact: Marjorie Brown ( marjorieb@grm.org or 202-842-1731 ext. 238)
Additional Information: Visit website for more details.
Organization: DayBreak
Mission: To develop fully functioning inner city children and youth through Christian outreach, discipleship, and education.
Contact: Julia Harper (Julia.harper@mcleanbible.org)
Additional Information: Volunteers needed to work with kids in a vacation bible school-like atmosphere the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month. Other opportunities are available through the after-school tutoring program as well as a mentoring program.
Organization: The Clothing Shop
Contact: clothingministry@mcleanbible.org or 703-790-5590 ext. 1026
Additional Information: Volunteers needed to help sort clothing donations on Tuesdays and/or work in the Clothing Store on Thursdays from 7-9pm or on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 9am-12pm. Spanish speaking volunteers needed.
Organization: Daily Bread Food Pantry
Mission: To feed the needy in and around our community by helping to heal both physical and nutritional hunger.
Contact: foodpantry@mcleanbible.org or 703-790-5590 ext. 1053
Additional Information: Volunteers needed to seek donation, pack food, coordinate food drives, and if necessary, deliver groceries to the community. The Food Pantry is open Wednesday nights from 7-8:30pm and on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10am-12pm. Spanish seeking volunteers needed.
Organization: Living Water of Washington, DC (www.lwwdc.org)
Mission: To see lives changed by the power of the Holy Spirit through the love and proclamation of the Good News through various outreaches which serve the homeless population.
Contact: info@lwwdc.org
Additional Information: Volunteers meet in DC at McPherson Square Park (15th & “K” St, NW) on Sundays at 1:30pm to share the word of God, lunch and other necessities with the homeless.
Organization: The House (www.thehousedc.org)
Mission: To transform and empower the lives of inner city youth and their families.
Contact: volunteer4thehouse@yahoo.com
