Section #6

"Sometimes what is not seen is not appreciated. We tend to hold what is most valuable what we can actually hold..."

"The stream only stays alive when there is gratitude for unseen work..." ~ John Ortberg

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." ~ Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Do the following in this order:

• Read pages 141-176 (including chapters 12-15) in John Ortberg's Soul Keeping.
• Read the questions below so that you're listening/watching for answers.
• Watch the 22 minute #5 video lecture "The Practice of Gratitude" on the Soul Keeping DVD.
• Do the gratitude experiment that Dr Ortberg describes at the beginning of the video session. Write up a three paragraph description of what you did, how people responded, and what affect it had on your own sense of God's presence -- and your soul.
• Answer the following questions (Your answers should be long enough and complete enough to convince me that you understand the reading and the video -- AND are trying to apply it to yourself. If there is something you don't understand say so in your answer.).

1. What is the difference between "freedom from" and "freedom for"? Which kind of freedom most characterizes your own life? Give an example.

2. What is the relationship between freedom and gratitude? Gratitude and blessing?

3. Write your own definition of "blessing" using Dr Ortberg's definition as a starting point.

4. Think of someone whose life is characterized more by blessing than cursing? Who is that person? What is that person like?

• Create -- Dallas Willard used to give seminars on blessing others. Use all of the thinking you've done up to this point to develop an outline for "a seminar" that you would give to undergrad PIU students on the topic of "How to Be a Blessing." Include in the outline a bullet point summary of what you would TELL them, how you would have them ENGAGE with the information, and specifically what you would send them out to DO.
• Email your assignment to Brad -- bboydston@piu.edu. Embed your writing in the email (that is, do not attach a document).