The Backstory Behind “The Receptive Life” OR … How a 30 day notice from my parents helped me learn how to flip spiritual ladders

By Paul Arndt missionary at large, The Receptive Life

Behind every story there’s a backstory – the story behind the story. In this video I trace the events and experiences that “flipped” my spiritual ladders from performance to reception.

In the video I talk about …

  • washing out of the pre-med program
  • the spiritual ladder of “performance”
  • my parents 30 day notice
  • my first class at the seminary and Doberstein’s Prayer Book
  • flipping the spiritual ladder to “reception”
  • over 30 years of practice with “The Receptive Life”

Here are some of the books and articles that I reference in the video:

Digital Series Starts …

Monday, January 24th

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There are 6 Stations inThe Receptive Life “Daily Practice”. You can start today. Just follow the steps below.

Again, think Mr. Miyagi and “wax on, wax off”.

Here are the daily practices in PDF format:

Daily Formation Practice

Station 1: Make the Sign of the Cross and Say the Trinitarian Invocation

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Station 2: Pray the Morning and/or Evening Prayer

Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Luther’s Evening Prayer

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

(Luther’s Evening and Morning Prayers are taken from The Book of Concord, Triglotta, Small Catechism)

Station 3: Confession

As you prepare to examine your life, say …

Ps. 119:1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s law. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments. (WEB-BE)

Examine your life according to the 10 Commandments.

You shall have no other gods.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

And then say one or all of the following …

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”

AND/OR

1 John 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (WEB-BE)

AND/OR

“O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee and justly deserved Thy temporal and eternal punishment.

But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee of Thy boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.” (The General Confession from The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941)

After making confession, comfort yourselves with the forgiveness of sins that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

  • remember your Baptism,
  • make use of the Office of the Keys
  • attend the Lord’s Supper in the Divine Service on the Lord’s Day

Station 4: The Reading and Study of Scripture

As you prepare to read the Scriptures say …

Ps. 119:8: Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! (WEB-BE)

And then read or study the Scriptures …

(a method or plan of your choosing)

Station 5: Proclaiming the Lord’s Love in the Morning and His Faithfulness at Night (the Practice of “Commending”)

Psalm 92:1-2: It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, Most High, to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night (WEB-BE)

Station 6: Say (Sing) the Doxology and the Aaronic Blessing

the “Doxology”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

(Thomas Ken, 1674)

the Aaronic Blessing

“The Lord bless you, and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his face towards you, and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (WEB-BE)

Other Resources

Here are some links to recent posts …

Here’s a list of links to help you navigate through past videos or other digital resources: