The River: All About Connection: Recent Episodes
Kristina Kaiser
Since 2010, The River has purposed itself to welcome all people, to create safe spaces, to foster healing and restoration, and to support each other in living out our dreams. And did we mention, we believe this life journey should be fun! Hope you'll join us!
Because our offerings and ways that we’re engaging in the world have shifted recently, this podcast will no longer be available come Thursday, September 22, 2022.
We do hope, however, that we can continue to be a part of one another's spiritual journeys.
Below are a few ways that you can be in touch with us so that we can stay connected:
Website: www.foundrysc.com
Newsletter: https://foundrysc.com/connect/newsletter
Foundry Spiritual Center You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAV2kwc_uIpv2_lSjDD9-tA
The Contemplative Life Podcast: https://foundrysc.com/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundrysc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundryspiritualcenter/
We hope you’ll continue to join us on your own spiritual journey.
Discussion One
- What was that like for you?
- What did you notice or hear?
Job 12:7-8 (NIV)
Discussion Two
- What was that like for you?
- What did you notice or hear?
Foundry Spiritual Center: A collective for spiritual growth and wellness.
What is spirituality?
- A belief that there is something greater than ourselves and that we are one part of the greater whole
John 4:15 (NIV), John 4:21-23 (NIV)
Discussion One:
- What do you hear that interests you?
- What questions or curiosities do you have?
- What fears or worries do you have?
Education
- Online Book Study Discussion Group
- The Contemplative Life Podcast
Reflection
- One-on-One Spiritual Direction
- Retreats
Practice
- Online Drop-In Contemplative Prayer
- Online Spiritual Formation Series
Also see:
- Calendar page: https://foundrysc.com/connect/calendar
Discussion Two
- Is there anything you’d like to hear more about?
- What other questions do you have?
- Anything you feel particularly excited about or interested in?
NON-DUALITY
“Both/And” expands our awareness of God, others and the world around us.
Why Non-Dualism is so helpful for us:
- We develop an ability to hold things in tension
Spiritual practice: Letting go
Philippians 2:6-7 (Berean Study Bible)
Discussion One:
- What does it cause you to think about?
- Do you have your own examples of how “clinging” has been unhelpful to you?
- What has helped you in developing an ability to hold things in tension?
Why Non-Dualism is so helpful for us:
- Non-duality helps us accept the difficulties in life
Spiritual Practice: Rest
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Quote: - Wild Mercy by Mirabai Starr, p. 31, 32
Discussion Two:
- Do you relate to needing help to accept the difficulties of life?
- How do you navigate trying to have a moment-by-moment relationship with God?
- Is there anything you’re wondering about?
NON-DUALITY
“Both/And” expands our awareness of God, others and the world around us.
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Nondualistic thinking
- Sees subtlety, exceptions, mystery, and a bigger picture
Discussion One:
- Have you heard of Non-dualism before?
- Can you see how this framework of Both/And might serve you?
- Do you have your own examples of how this both/and experience comes up in your life?
Nondual Awareness
- Another term for union with God.
Luke 17:21, Mark 1:15, John 18:36, Psalm 139:1 & 11
Discussion Two:
- Are there ways that you sometimes become aware of God’s presence? How do we experience this in our actual lives?
- How do we engage in a life where the Kingdom of Heaven lives within us?
- What do we wonder about?
INNER WISDOM
We engage in deep listening to discover the inner wisdom of the Spirit.
Discussion One:
- What are some initial thoughts that come to mind when you think about inner wisdom?
- What appeals to us?
- What challenges might we encounter?
Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)
Acts 15:28 (NIV)
Proverbs 11:14 (NLT)
Discussion Two:
- What are some ways you have accessed inner wisdom?
- Who are examples of people who have drawn out of you?
LIFELONG LEARNERS
We are lifelong learners committed to curiosity and growth.
Proverbs 2:6, 10-11 (NIV)
- Life gives us many choices.
- God can teach us these things about ourselves
- Living as lifelong learners can help us remember to engage with our Divine Guide
Discussion One:
- What sorts of choices do you make that help you engage with learning?
- Does joy as a byproduct of learning resonate with you?
Mark 4:14-20 (NIV)
Discussion Two:
- Can you relate to the struggle of learning by way of failure?
- How does Jesus’ explanation of the Parable help you?
- Is there anything you wonder about?
LIFELONG LEARNERS
We are lifelong learners committed to curiosity and growth.
Childlike Faith
Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
Beginner’s Mind: To see as though for the first time
Discussion One:
- What helps you to engage a Beginner’s Mind where you can “see as if for the first time?”
- Are there ways that you can identify with feeling blocked because of your own existing ideas and experiences?
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Discussion Two:
- Do you resonate with feeling like you need to have all the answers?
- Does Jesus’ invitation to ask and to rest feel encouraging to you in any way?
Is there anything you wonder about?
Spiritual Journey: We’re on a spiritual journey to uncover the emerging soul.
To see the entire Kaiser's Hero's Journey Video : https://youtu.be/2-N0k540Hcw
“The Special World is unpredictable and full of unknowns.”
Discussion One:
- Can you relate to the experience of feeling a struggle between something inside and the external world?
- Has it been helpful to try to proceed with strength and courage or did you find something else helpful?
Hero's Journey: Later Stages
Death: Jonah 1:17 (NIV)
Transformation: Jonah 2, Jonah 3:1 (NIV), Jonah 3:10 & 4:1 (NIV)
Special Knowledge: Jonah 4:11 (NIV)
Reward/Elixir:
- God’s desire is to relate to all people with Love and Compassion
Discussion Two:
- Is there anything that surprises you about Jonah’s story?
- What do you wonder about?
- Does it inspire you towards anything?
One way we discover who we are and what we’re doing:
- Following the still, small voice within
- 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
- John 16:13a (NIV)
A framework for what this can look like:
- The Hero’s Journey
Hero’s Journey Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhk4N9A0oCA
Discussion One:
- What do you like about the Hero’s Journey framework?
- Are there things you wonder about or struggle with in regards to the Hero’s Journey?
Companions
- Galatians 6:2 (Good News)
Discussion Two:
- Can you identify a time in your life when you felt like you entered the special world?
- What was the importance of companions in that time?
- How might we experience more companionship in our lives?
- Or, does anything stop us from wanting that?
Frameworks:
Bounded vs. Centered Set
Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey
Scripture: John 14:1, 2, 6
Discussion One:
- How do you relate to this idea of journey as movement?
- What emotions emerge as you consider this frame?
- Does anything trigger you as you hear about this notion of a “way?”
Discussion Two:
- Can you relate to the notion of a troubled heart versus a trusting heart?
- What does this framework for Journey bring up for you?
Today's Focus:
Spiritual Journey:
We are on a spiritual journey to uncover the emerging soul.
Scripture: Mark 8:34-36, Genesis 12:1, Exodus 3:10, Luke 10:3, Luke 14:21, Acts 8:26
Discussion One:
- What are ways that help you connect from a soul space?
- Are there inspirations you’re feeling as we talk?
Discussion Two:
- In what ways does the notion of a spiritual journey resonate with you?
- What is your own experience of spiritual journey?
Limiting mindsets can show themselves in so many ways: The Inner Critic, Imposter Syndrome, Feeling Stuck…and they tend to show up even more profoundly when we’re growing and changing. But that said, they can also occur in smaller ways, impacting our joy for entire seasons at a time. So today we talk how being aware of those mindsets, and then engaging more mindfully, can make a huge difference in how we experience our days.
Additional Resources
PDF: Limiting Mindsets: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eSaFnaLSMleeXbebUhPbIpFv22ecZcxg/view?usp=sharing
LimitingBeliefs
Faith
Companions
RecurringThoughts
For Transcript:
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Scriptures: John 12:3, Luke 10:25-37, John 4:20, 24
Perennial Wisdom Value: We value wisdoms that exist across faith traditions
Perennial Wisdom: Knowledge that continually recurs.
Compassion: A common perennial virtue
Why do we care about perennial wisdom?
- It gives us the opportunity to learn from one another without pressure to change the other.
Discussion One:
- Have you ever experienced a barrier to having a mutual experience due to cultural or religious differences?
- Any other thoughts, insights, or wonderings coming up for you?
Why do we care about perennial wisdom?
- It’s meaningful to become aware of the shared human experience.
Discussion Two:
Has there been a time when you had a shared experience with someone from another culture or religion?
Have you noticed where you have even shut down because of another person’s religion or culture?
Ecumenical Engagement + Perennial Wisdom
- We value the diversity of the Church and the wisdom that exists across faith traditions.
Scriptures (NIV):
Matthew 22:37-39, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 2:15a, 17
Why is Perennial Wisdom Compelling:
- Great to feel connection
- New wisdoms and insights
Example: “We want to engage externally while letting go internally.”
- Learn spiritual practices from other faith traditions
Discussion One:
- What experience, if any, do you have with Perennial Wisdom?
- What have you found helpful about Perennial Wisdom?
What are Challenges?
- Walking on a slippery slope.
- If I learn from other faith traditions, will I feel compelled to ignore my own tradition?
- Fear of losing connection with others
- Fear of the demonic
Discussion Two:
- Are there fears that you’re hearing named that you resonate with?
- What other questions or wonderings have you had about perennial wisdom?
ECUMENICAL ENGAGEMENT + PERENNIAL WISDOM
- We value the diversity of the Church and the wisdom that exists across faith traditions.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), Colossians 3:10 & 11b (ERV), Ephesians 6, Matthew 28:19-20
Styles of Prayer
- Declarative
- Scripted
- Petition
- Without Words
Discussion One:
- Are there ways of praying that you have felt a strong connection to?
- Have you noticed shifts in your prayer experiences and ways you connect to God?
- Are there ideas here that surprise you or that you wonder about?
Styles of Biblical Engagement:
- Proclaimed
- Lectionary
- Bible Study
- Images/Metaphors
Discussion Two:
- Can you identify quadrants that have been a part of your own story?
- How does a diagram like this one help your engagement with others?
- Are there things you feel curious or wonder about?
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Colossians 1:17, Ephesians 2:15b-16
Notes:
Ecumenical: The entirety of all Christian faith communities
Perennial Wisdom: Wisdom that spans across faith traditions
Our Guiding Value:
- We value the diversity of the Church and the wisdom that exists across faith traditions.
To Begin:
- Diversity is good.
- Diversity is hard.
Confirmation Bias: The human brain welcomes information that confirms what it already thinks and resists information that disturbs or contradicts what it already thinks.
Complexity Bias: The human brain prefers a simple lie to a complex truth.
Discussion One:
- What do you welcome about ecumenical diversity?
- How have you found ecumenical diversity challenging?
To Continue:
- Connection is good.
- Connection is hard.
Quote - Bishop Michael Curry:
- To love does not mean we have to agree. But maybe agreeing to love is the greatest agreement.
Discussion Two:
- What blesses your life about connection?
- In what ways do you need Christ’s help with connection?
Additional Resources:
The Contemplative Tree: https://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree
Scriptures: Psalm 1:3 (NIV), Psalm 84:1-2 (ERV), Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
DISCUSSION ONE:
What stands out to you? What do you notice?
Do you find anything that piques your interest or that makes you wonder?
What are some of your initial impressions?
DISCUSSION TWO:
How does this tree reflect the evolution of your own faith life?
What sparks do you sense within you?
Additional Resources:
Richard Rohr Daily Meditation, Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Scriptures:
John 3:17, Galatians 3:28, John 12:24, Revelation 21:5
Our definition of Evolving for this series:
- We, both collectively and individually, tend to move and develop from simplistic experiences and understandings of faith towards more nuanced ones.
Mystery
• Greater meaning - beyond understanding
Mystery of the Cross
• Power over death
• Power to make things new
To Ponder:
• What if all “deaths” lead to resurrection?
Spiritual Practice Reflection:
• How is this true in our lives?
• Where are we seeing signs of resurrection?
- Lord, would you bring to mind those signs of newness in our lives.
- Take a moment to pause and listen for anything else you have to say to us.
- Rest for a moment in the presence of God
Notes:
We (collectively) tend to move and develop from simplistic experiences and understandings of faith towards more nuanced ones.
- Ever-expanding Faith
- “Both/And” - Transformation
- Contemplate: Expand our gaze and awareness
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 4:15, Romans 16, Galatians 3:28, 2 Corinthians 3:18
Discussion Questions Part One:
- What has evolving church looked like for you?
Disucssion Questions Part Two:
- How have we seen this be true in our lives?
- What else is coming up for you that you’d like to share?
Our collective definition of evolving throughout this series:
- We are gradually developing, moving from a simplistic faith towards a nuanced faith.
REFLECTIVE MOMENT ONE:
- What resonates with you about Evolving Prayer?
- Did you relate to things you heard in the video or do you maybe have your own experiences?
Scriptures: Matthew 6, 7-8, Genesis 4:26, Phillippians 4:6, Romans 1:20
DISCUSSION MOMENT TWO:
Are there ways you’ve seen your prayer practices change or expand over time?
Notes & Reflections:
Our collective definition of evolving throughout this series:
We are gradually developing, moving from a simplistic faith towards a nuanced faith.
Scriptures: Psalm 40:3, Psalm 40:1-2, Psalm 40:11
Discussion 1:
- What do you like about communal singing?
Reflection Questions after Chris talks:
What song am I going to sing?
What song am I going to discover or find?
What does it mean for me to sing a new song?
Discussion 2:
What did you notice as the song played?
Things that came up from the talk
Additional Resources:
Song 1 - You Are My Joy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPacYSOjCbk
Song 2 - Bless the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Svh-9ohg4
Notes:
- I am gradually changing, moving towards greater trust and confidence in my relationship with God.
Discussion 1:
Has engaging with Bible Genres ever been a consideration for you?
What’s been your experience of engaging with the Bible so far in your life?
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:11, 12b Matthew 7:7
Discussion 2:
Do you see evidence of your own experience evolving with the Bible?
What does this discussion make you think about?
#Lent 2022
Evolving Faith
Questions about the Bible
Relational Spirituality
criptures: Luke 22:17-20, Acts 2:42 & 46, John 6:31-35
Additional Resources:
Greg Boyd via "The Work of the People" talks about "Covenant versus Contract:" https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/covenant-vs-contract
Notes:
- Do this in Remembrance of Me
- Sacrament
- Breaking Bread
- The Individual & Communal Natures of Communion
Reflection:
What resonates?
What questions emerge?
What comes to mind for you?
What do you relate with?
What do you wonder about?
Welcome to our first Sunday of Lent.
Some Definitions:
Evolve: To develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
Faith: Strong belief, trust, or confidence in someone or something.
Our working definition for our season of lent:
Evolving Faith: I am gradually changing, moving towards greater trust and confidence in my relationship with God.
AND: We are gradually developing, moving from a simplistic faith towards a nuanced faith.
Scriptures: Romans 12:2, Acts 15:1-2, 8, 19
Spiritual Reflections:
Reflection One:
What resonates with you about Evolving Faith? What challenges arise as we consider this?
Reflection Two:
Where have we been? Where are we now?
Are there things that the Acts 15 passage brings up for you, causes you to think about or makes you wonder about?
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
Today we use Imaginative Prayer in order to continue our conversation on Emotions.
After the video is finished, consider taking some time to process, either alone or with another what you noticed, how you might have felt, what comes up for you in the reading. Many blessings on you today!
Additional Resources: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Quote
Scriptures: John 15:11, John 11:3, Matthew 20:34
Reflection Questions:
Joy:
- Is there a time that I can remember feeling like Jesus was there for me?
- What did that feel like for me?
- And what does it look like for me to tap into that on a more regular basis?
Friendship Love (Philia):
- Who is a friend that has shown up for you in a time of need?
- How does viewing Jesus as a friend expand our ideas of love?
Compassion:
- How can stories help us “suffer together” in a way that leads to healing?
- How can we lean into moments of compassion while not falling into compassion fatigue?
Scripture: Mark 7:31-35 (NIV)
Notes:
Anastenazo: A deep sigh
Ways we try to "deal" with our emotions:- Try to resist them
- Try to push them away
- But we can also simply have them.
How do we do that:- Recognize & Accept the emotion we're having
- Recource: Feelings Wheel
- Begin to Investigate the Emotion
- Engage the practice of Non-Identification
- Example: Having the feeling that I'm lonely.
- Sacred Pause
Spiritual Exercise:- What am I feeling in my body right now?
- What thoughts have I been having lately?
- What emotion/s might be connected to what I’m noticing?
- Is there anything I feel the Spirit prompting me to do?
Additional Resources: Joan Chittister
Scriptures (NIV): Numbers 6:24-26, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 12:2b, Lamentations 3:22-24
Notes & Reflections:
A Moment to Reflect:
1. What struggle exists for me right now?
2. What models or wisdoms exist to help me?
3. Where is God in my situation?
Guided Meditation: Being Like a Tree
Additional Resources: “Eyes Wide Open” by Mariana Caplan.
Scriptures: Philippians 4:6-7, 8, 11b-12 & Ephesians 4:14-16
Notes & Reflections:
Equanimity: The capacity to remain emotionally steady regardless of circumstances
Viktor Frankl: Attitude is a choice.
Thich Nhat Hanh: Calls us to the Unity of Oneness of all things
Apostle Paul: Calls us to calm our emotions by connecting to God
Mariana Caplan: Calls us to train our minds through the practice of attention.
Spiritual Practice (5 min)
- “Content in Circumstance” or “Bring Your Peace”
Scriptures (NIV): Mark 8:18-19
Notes & Reflections:
Epiphany
- A parting of the veil.
- A sudden “aha” awareness of our spiritual connection.
The Question: Did we recognize that spiritual connection in the moment – or did it pass us by?
Seven Ways to Know/Hear God
- Mind – Learning, Knowledge
- Behavior – Sticking with things
- Heart – Emotions
- Body – Senses
- Art – Images
- Story – Aesthetic
- Spiritual Revelation – Epiphany
Spiritual Exercise: Visio Divina
- 4 pictures on screen
- Which image stands out to you?
- Why does this image stand out to you?
- What message does this picture have for you?
Additional Resources:
Book: Susceptible to Light by Chelan Harken. Poem - The Flower.
Scriptures (NIV): Proverbs 23:18, Luke 14:28, 34
Notes:
The Celebration of the New Year is:
- Spiritual
- Saying Goodbye
- Saying Hello
Ignatian Resolutions: I resolve to:
- Drop judgment
- Embrace positivity
- Open again
Spiritual Exercise:
- Face the Light
o What do you want to say goodbye to?
o What do you feel lead to say hello to?
Additional Resources: Revelations of Divine Love by Julian Norwich, Chapter 8
Scriptures (NIV): 1 John 4:16, 18, Ephesians 3:17b-18
Notes:
Ways that Godly Love interacts
- Love creates.
- Love protects.
- Love sustains.
Divine Love:
- Love without conditions.
- Love that crosses all societal boundaries – age, religion, economics…
- Born of our divine nature that longs for Ultimate Truth
As we Engage with Divine Love:
- Fear Lessens
- Hope Increases
- Love Connects
Unitive Consciousness:- Awareness that we are all one in love
- Awareness that Divine Love is present in us and in everything
- We act accordingly
Spiritual Exercise:
- Ways I show love to God
- Ways I show love to the Earth
- Ways I show love to myself
- Ways I show love to others
Scriptures: Isaiah 54:10, Luke 2:8-10, John 15:9-11
Notes:
Joy: A feeling of great happiness or pleasure
Small-self living robs us of joy.
Spiritual Exercise:
Name 20 things that bring you joy.
- What do you notice about yourself as you make your list?
- What do you sense from God?
- Commit to engaging daily with something from your list
Scriptures (NIV): Isaiah 54:10, John 14:27, Romans 5
Additional Resources: In Search of Belief by Joan Chittister
Reflection:
- What image(s) of God have I been living with?
- What struggle is coming to mind for me?
- In light of Jesus’ words that he is offering us peace, take a moment to receive Jesus as the Prince of Peace over your struggle.
Taking in the final words of what we heard from Joan Chittister. She says:
If my God is life and hope, I will live my life in fullness overflowing forever.
- Allow those words to speak to you. What do you notice as you sit with those words?
Scriptures (NIV): Romans 5:1-5, John 8:12, Matthew 1:21-23, Isaiah 7:14
Additional Resources:
Light of the World by Lauren Daigle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCRun...
The Larger Story:
- God makes a way to be with us.
Spiritual Exercise:
- What Miracle are you waiting for?
- What Hope does your heart long for?
- What glory do you bring today?
- What glory do you receive today?
Additional Resources:
- The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
- Short Story Teller: Ryunosuke Satoro
Scripture (NIV):
John 17:22b-23, Ephesians 4:1-6 What are we gonna do when we get stuck?- Notice it
- Get curious
- Embrace our Journey Spirtual Exercise:- From my “on the ground” perspective, what do I notice?
- Now – moving to maybe 5 stories in the air, what do I notice here?
- Now – going up to about 30,000 feet, what do I notice from this distance?
- And now Zoom out even farther. See what is coming to mind as if you were standing on the moon. What do you notice now?
- And now, having Zoomed to this very far point, return to your “on the ground” perspective. As you sit in this space once again, what do you notice now?
Additional Resoures:
Rohr Daily Meditations, Friday, September 18, 2020
“Everyday Zen” by Charlotte Joko Beck, p 57
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 21, 24b-26 (NIV)
Lectio Divina: Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)
- What word/s is resonating with me?
- Why is this standing out to me?
- What is my response?
- Simply be.
The Danger of a Single Story: https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_...
Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-17, Exodus 3:14, John 6:35, John 8:12, John 10:7, John 10:11, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 15:1, Colossians 3:11, Psalm 139:14
Spiritual Exercise:
Poem From “Earth Prayers: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations from Around the World," Written by Susan Griffin
- What is one story in my life?
- What’s another story?
- What do I notice as I open to more stories?
Awe:
A universal human emotion
Fascinating, mysterious, or supernatural.
Elicits a trembling response
Overwhelmed by greatness
Awe occurs:
- In nature
- Spiritual Experiences
- Aesthetics
Why is Awe a connecting power?
- It transcends our beliefs and traditions
What common effects do we see from awe?
- The self tends to diminish (Colossians 3:11b-14)
- Sense of well-being (Psalm 65:8)
- Our mood improves
-Tim e feels more spacious - Critical thinking increases
- Materialism decreases
- We feel more connected
How can we engage and express our awe?
- Spend time engaging with awe-inspiring things
- Imaginative Prayer
Spiritual Exercise: Imaginative Prayer - Matthew 17:1-8
Scriptures: Matthew 22:39, Romans 7:19, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:7-8
Additional Resources: “The Gift of Compulsions: A Revolutionary Approach to Self-Acceptance and Healing” by Mary O’Malley. Chapter 12: The Healing Power of Questions.
Questions:
- What am I experiencing right now? (What is asking to be seen?)
- Can I allow this to be here? (How can I give this space to be?)
- Can I be compassionate towards this? (How can I be compassionate?)
- What do I truly need in this moment? (What is the way through?)
Ego: A state of mind
Original Goodness: Genesis 1 & 2
Original Sin: Genesis 3
Ego State of Mind: Galatians 5:19-21
Spirit State of Mind: Galatians 5:22-23
Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
Non-Dualistic View
Romans 7:19
Compassionate Observer: Notice, Name, Observe, Watch it fall away
"To Bless the Space Between Us" by John O'Donohue. Blessing: For Freedom
Self-Compassion Exercise:
- Notice it
- Take a breath or two
- Actually say the words: “This is difficult.”
Matthew 22:39 & Galatians 5:14: Love your neighbor as yourself
Radical Self-Acceptance:
- This is reality. This is what actually is.
- “This is hard.”
- “I’m still learning.”
Loving Kindness to Self:
- May I be well
- May I be safe
- May I be happy
- May I be at ease
Scriptures: Luke 11:46, Luke 11:33-36, Luke 13:20-21
Notes & Reflections:
For Forms of Compassion:
Presence
Resilience
Awareness
Justice
What is needed:
- Willingness to listen
- Willingness to forgive ourselves when we don’t want to listen.
- Willingness to journey
- Willingness to do good.
- Willingness to drop the blame game.
Scriptures: 2 Kings 5:1-19a
Notes & Reflections:
- Naaman’s healing was an active experience.
- Naaman’s healing is more than just a physical experience.
- Naaman alone can decide how he will engage spiritually
- Could it be that Naaman already senses what he wants to do?
- Could it be that the same is true of all of us?
Additional Resoucres:
www.thecontemplativelife.net/podcast.
Earth Prayers: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations from Around the World, Edited by Elizabeth Roberts & Elisa Amidon
Centering Prayers by Peter Traben Haas
To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue
The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle
Loving Kindness Meditation
Psalm 46:10
https://www.thecontemplativelife.net/...
www.sdicompanions.org
SHOW LESS
Scriptures: James 1:19, Proverbs 18:2, 1 Kings 19
Additional Resources: Margaret Wheatley, Margaret Truxaw, Mirabai Starr, "The Wisdom of Listening" Edited by Mark Brady
Notes & Reflections:
“Crazy” idea:
- You don’t have to fix things for people. Oftentimes, being heard is enough.
Being heard:
- Nurtures
- Heals
- Transforms
The big step in getting there:
- Learning to manage our reactivity
Tangible how-to’s:
- Stop talking
- Focus your attention on the speaker
What if my feelings come up?!
- Notice your feelings.
- Set them aside to deal with later on
- Return your attention to the speaker.
What else can we do to help?
- Establish whether or not you’re invited to ask questions.
- Practice mirroring and paraphrasing.
- Know that most people are more open to support & clarification than feedback
- Avoid the question “why.”
- Practice using open-ended questions: What & How
Scriptures: Hebrews 4:1, 7, 12, 16 (ERV); Colossians 2:16; Psalm 95:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Additional Resources: "To Bless the Space Between Us" by John O'Donohue
Notes & Reflections:
- Who is in your "solar system?"
Intentional Resting
- Do something that signifies “sacred space” to you
- Open Our Awareness
- Extending & Receiving Love
Moment of Rest
- Prayer from W. E. B. Du Bois
Scriptures (NIV): Exodus 17:3-7, Exodus 18:14-24, John 8:6-8
Notes & Reflections:
When we need discernment:
- Take a pause
- See what comes of that pause
Moment of Reflection:
- Is there anything I’m discerning now?
- Take a pause
Scriptues (NIV): Romans 1:21-23, 29-32, Luke 14:33, Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 18:2-3
Additional Resources: Awareness by Anthony De Mello
Moment of Reflection
- What are some words to describe myself?
Scriptures: Psalm 71:14, 19-20 (NIV) , Romans 5:3-5 (ERV)
Moment of Reflection
- What is one thing I have overcome in my life?
- What is a hope I have right now?
- What is a small step I can take towards my hope?
Scriptures (NIV): John 6:56-58, 61-63, John 15, Exodus 16:2-4 , Exodus 17:3-4, Acts 6:1-4
Notes & Reflections:
Thought Distortions
- Overgeneralizing
- Black & White Thinking
- Mind Reading
- Mental Filtering
- Personalization
See also: All or Nothing, Catastrophizing, and Additional Resources for more
Ways to Cope with Thought Distortions based on Acts 6:
- Have a discussion
- Make a plan
- Divvy up the work
Additional Coping Strategies:
- Use that “baby step mentality”
- Forgive yourself...and others
- Engage purpose and meaning
Additional Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAVGy...
Scriptures: Acts 12:4-11, John 1:5
Notes & Reflections:
- Breaking our habit to judge is key.
I am where I am today.
- Facts elicit feelings.
Acknowledge it, name it, feel it
- We are not our emotions. We have emotions.
- Building this life takes intention & practice.
Ways to "go to church" on our bad days:
- Engaging our painful story/better story
- Google “Prayers for a bad day”
- Pull up our favorite uplifting song
- Write a quick gratitude list
Scriptures: Proverbs 16:3, Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
Additional Resources:
https://www.theologyofwork.org/making...
http://lizbohannon.co/plucking-up/
Martha Beck: The Joy Diet
The Merton Prayer from "Thoughts in Solitude." Thomas Merton (c)1956
Scriptures (NIV): Exodus:3:16-17 , John 8:12, Colossians 3:17
Notes & Reflections:
Goal:
- To begin to develop a culture of “going to church” at those moments where we realize we need it
- Praise Break: Getting happy!
Gratitude Reflection:
- Something I Enjoy Eating
- Something I Enjoy Seeing
- Something I Enjoy Hearing
- Something I Enjoy Feeling
- Something I Enjoy Smelling
- Something I Enjoy Doing
- A Way I Feel Loved
- A Way I Enjoy Giving Love
- Something Else I’m Grateful For
Our Goal:
- To do these things with intention
- And really savor them
- Multiple times a day
Scriptures (NIV): Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 31:8-9, Luke 4:18-19
Notes & Reflections:
The goal:
- Strengthen justice systems
- Build safe & protected communities
Scriptures (NIV): Acts 8:26-40, Deuteronomy 23:1, Isaiah 56:4-5, Matthew 7:7
Spiritual Exercise
- Invite God into your presence.
- Ask: What is the painful story I’m telling myself?
- Ask: Is there a better story?
- Ask: What am I going to do now?
Scriptures (NIV): Acts 2:1-4, 42-47, Psalm 16:6
Additional Resources: The Contemplative Life Podcast (www.thecontemplativelife.net/podcast), "Joy Unspeakable" by Barbara A. Holmes
Mary Reynolds: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDW...
Notes & Resources:
Contemplative: Opening to the awareness of God
Result: Wisdom, Healing, Love, Action
Meditation: The reflective and active part of prayer.
Contemplation: Is the result of prayer.
Scriptures (NIV): Genesis 21:8-20, John 1:9
Additional Resources: Joy Unspeakable by Barbara A. Holmes
Notes & Reflections:
Contemplation: A spiritual practice that opens us to the awareness of God.
Carnal Soul: Constantly responding to external stimuli
The Spirit: Stable, unchanging, and reflective of its divine origin
The effect of choosing may include:
- Wisdom (Words of Knowledge)
- Healing
- Love
- Action
Modes of Communal Contemplation
- Drums: Become attuned to the pulse of life
- Dancing
- Guided Meditations
- Listening/Storytelling
Scriptures: Luke 1:38, Luke 2:19, Luke 8:19-21, Luke 24:1
Notes & Reflections:
- Something in us desires to say yes to Companioning.
- We choose to companion without knowing the outcome.
- We accept that some moments are painful.
- We embrace companioning at every life stage.
To embrace the Companionship Spirit within:
- Believe in the power of seeing the one.
- Embrace the beauty of community.
- “Light a candle” every single day.
Scriptures: Daniel 6
Additional Resources: Wisdom Distilled by Joan Chittister, The Benedictine Rule of Life
Notes & Reflections:
Three things to note:
- Daniel engages a consistent prayer practice.
- Daniel’s prayer life enhances his communal experience.
- Daniel’s relationship with God demonstrates that God is God.
To Live by the Bells
- First, become aware of the bells you already live by.
- Insist on daily time with The Divine.
- Create a Rule of Life for yourself.
- Review your Rule of Life at least twice a year.
Scriptures: Philippians 2:17, Ecclesiastes 1:8; 4:1; 8:17; 5:2; 5:19; 9:10a; 11:8a; 12:13
Additional Resources: Tao te Ching, 78
Notes & Reflections:
Benefits of Water:
- Water takes the shape of its container.
- Water adapts well in times of change.
And so our work:
- Become like water.
Problems Solomon Identifies:
- Life can seem tiring and pointless.
- There seems no end to injustice.
- Even smart people don’t seem to have it all together.
Solomon’s Wisdom for a Contemplative Life:
- Be with God over and above talking at God.
- Praise God for whatever good is there.
- Flow with your day.
- Learn what you can from the trying times.
- Be with God.
Scriptures: Mark 9:14-29 (NIV)
Additional Resources: www.thecontemplativelife.net/podcast
Notes & Reflections:
Types of Fear:
- External Fear - Rational & Primal
- Internal Fear - Irraction & Subconscious
Responses to Fear: Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Contemplative: Thoughtful, prayerful pause
- Why do I think these things?
- What steps can I take towards responding well in my own life?
Helps for re-grounding ourselves & gaining perspective:
- Getting Behind the Waterfall
- “May I/you/they be well.”
- “And then what…”
- “Sing” the song of your heart
Scriptures: Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20, Ephesians 4:22-25 , John 8:32
Additional Resources: The Untethered Soul - Michael A. Singer, The Joy Diet - Martha Beck, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics - Dan Harris, Downward Spirl of Emotions Graphics
Notes & Reflections:
Steps to take towards truth-telling:
- Slow down
- Ask: What is actually true?
- Investigate feeling statements.
- Determine how to proceed in light of what’s true.
Scriptures: Zechariah 4:10, James 4:10, Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 19:29-40
Additional Resources: The Making of a Leader - Dr. Robert Clinton, Joy Unspeakable - Barbara A Brown, Stage Theory - M. Scott Peck, Universal Design Learning,
Notes & Reflections
- Small beginnings are great
- God can work with humility
- Influence starts small and grows over time
Five values that help us reimagine influence:
- Collaboration
- Flexibility
- Servant Mentality
- Empower
- Transparent Values
Scriptures (NIV): Deuteronomy 15:1, 4, 7-8, 12-14, Matthew 18:22, Luke 4:18-19, Luke 4:14, Matthew 14:22-23
Additional Resources: Jubilee USA Network, Scott Peck - Stage Theory, Brian Swimme, Joy Unspeakable by Barbara A. Holmes, The Joy Diet by Martha Beck,
www.thecontemplativelife.net/retreats
Notes & Reflections:
Towards a Life of Social Justice:
From Eric Le Compte, Executive Director of Jubille USA Netowrk:
- Prayer
- Community
- Celebration
Towards a Life of Social Justice cont:
- Engage in meditation & contemplative practices.
- Hold space for one another
- Resist the urge to compare yourself to others.
- Persist towards a future that cannot yet be seen.
Scriptures: Genesis 1:27, Luke 18:35-43, John 4:42, John 14:12-14
Notes & Refelctions:
- Take time to see the world with wide-eyed wonder.
- Over-estimate the gift of kindness.
- Reframe: See more miracles.
- Lean into praying for the miraculous.
Scriptures: John 4:23-24, Isaiah 29:13,
Additional Resources:
The Messenger by Mary Oliver
Senses by John O'Donohue
Joy Unspeakable by Barbara Holmes
Sacred Pathways by Thomas
The Contemplative Life Podcast: Ep 5: Starbucks, Spotify and the Contemplative
Notes & Reflections:
Worship:
- Valuing God
- Being aware of God
- To know and to enjoy knowing God
- Acts of praise & love
Many Paths to God
- Nature
- Senses
- Weekly Services
- Times of Quiet
- Social Causes
- Care for Others
- Praises
- Prayer
- Study
Spiritual Exercise for this week:
- Explore a few Spiritual Paths this week
Scriptures: John 10:10, Luke 4:18-19, Matthew 5, , Acts 10, John 15
Additional Resources: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
Notes & Reflections
- Accept ourselves and others more
- Leave room for change
- Be encouraged by other’s stories
Spiritual Exercise for the week:
- “I’ve heard it said…But Love says…”
First in the series: Reimagine
Scriptures: Luke:38-42 (NIV)
Additional Resources: Journey to the Heart, edited by Kim Nataranja, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris
Notes & Reflections
For this Lenten Season:
- Daily Gratitude: #JoieDeVivre
- Set an intention (of focus) for these next 40 days
o I want to pray for:
o I want to do:
o I want to read
- Utilize The Contemplative Life Resources (www.thecontemplativelife.net)
- Reimagine Me Class (Thursdays, March 4 – 25, 6:30 – 7:45 CST)
- Reimagine Justice Movie/Discussion Night: Friday, March 19th, 6pm CST
- Good Friday Walk supporting IJM
*To register for classes, email kristina@theriversouth.org
Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-18, 21, 24-25 (ESV), Matthew 6, Exodus 17
Additional Reflections:
Gather Restaurant, Pembroke MA
https://gatherandeat.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GatherPembroke
https://www.instagram.com/gatherpembr...
Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: p. 19: The goal in life…is to find and fully use our own gifts.
Notes & Resources:
- Parables are meant to provide us applications that can be applied broadly.
Spiritual Exercise:
- Take a moment to fully appreciate your money supply
No judgment, No criticism, Just appreciation
- Notice how that feels
- Some of our satisfaction is about our perspective
Calling is usually:
- Bigger than us.
- A little bit scary
How do we journey through scary?
- God!
- Companions
- Remain true to your values.
Spiritual Exercise for this Week (taken from "The Big Leap"):
- I’m at my best when I’m:
- The exact thing I’m doing is:
- When I’m doing that, the thing I love most is:
Scriptures (NIV): Luke 4:14-19, John 14:12, Psalm 3:1-2, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 5:1-2, Psalm 3:3-4, John 12:24
Additional Resources: Contemplative Tree - www.contemplativemind.org
To get more info about International Justice Mission, email Brenda: BBirmann@ijmvolunteers.org
Better World Shopper: https://betterworldshopper.org/
Notes & Reflections:
Ways to Engage:
- Embrace Lament
- Consider Consolations
- Connect with IJM - www.ijm.org
- Vote with your Dollar
- Get ready for a Good Friday Walk!
Scriptures: John 4:14 (NIV), Matthew 19:20-22 (CEB), John 15:4 (NIV)
Notes & Reflections:
Take time to check in:
- How’s my sense of abundance going?
- What do I feel like God is talking to me about?
- What is right in front of me?
How do I keep from getting worn out?
- Rest
- Regularly re-connect to the Vine
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:12-13, 18, Mark 9:28-29, Romans 8:34
Additional Resources: www.blueoceanfaith.org
Special Thanks to Grace Schmelzer for sharing with us about her prayer experiences.
Notes & Reflections:
Ephesians on Prayer:
- Prayer is, at least in part, a warrior initiative.
- Prayer equips and strengthens us.
- The Holy Spirit is the great conduit of our prayers.
A few things that may help us when we pray:
- The Holy Spirit is really big.
- God can and will work in the context of the realities of our lives.
- Not all prayers will or can be answered right away.
Techniques:
- Keep a prayer list
- Periodically note when your prayers have been answered
- Ask Jesus how you should be praying?
- Allow your thoughts to be promptings to pray
- Try praying in new places and at new times of day.
Scriptures: Proverbs 17:22 (NLT), Luke 11:33-36 (NLT)
Additional Resources: Book of Joy, Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee
Spiritual Exercises for this Week:
- Engaging with Color
- Embrace Abundance: Name it, Engage It, and Give It.
- Pursue smiles and laughter
Scriptures (NIV): Mark 3:1-6, Micah 6:8
Notes & Reflections:
What Righteous Anger is not:
- It’s not about an emotional reaction.
Baseline Human Condition: Reactivity
What is Righteous Anger?
- It’s about those who are being harmed or need help.
- Faith and Spirituality ground us in connection
How do we move forward?
- Acceptance
Acceptance is not:
- Resignation
Acceptance is:
- Engaging with life as it actually is.
Things to strive for:
- Peace
- Equanimity
- Calmness and evenness in difficult situations
Just – to show evenness and fairness in one’s actions
Humbly - to show care and thought for the future
- Letting go
- Spiritual Goal: To see things with wholeness and connection in mind
This week, reserve the right to:
- Feel for a group of people that is not “yours”
- Hope for the longer arch of the human story
Theodore Parker: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
- Pray for truth to rise above the noise
- Practice contemplative flexibility
Scriptures: 2 Kings 6:1-6 (NLT), Romans 8:16 (NLT)
Additional Resources: The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams, The Joy Diet by Martha Beck, Joy Unspeakable by Barbara Holmes, https://michaelhyatt.com/the-practice...
Notes & Reflections:
Wisdom from The Book of Joy
1. We can’t do anything about our emotions
2. We can do something about our perspective.
Engaging God From Where I Was:
1. God, I acknowledge that I am feeling _____________.
2. God, I also acknowledge that _________________.
3. Lord, you know our need:
Day 1 of Engaging God from Where I Was:
1. Asked our prayer network for prayer.
2. Texted a couple of friends for prayer
Contemplative Awareness:
- Acknowledge your feelings.
- Engage gratitude
- Pray and invite others to pray with you.
Spiritual Exercise for this week:
- Prayer: Here I am, in the presence of the Lord.
Scriptures:Genesis 2, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 5:14, Hebrews 12 and 13, Matthew 28:20, Colossians 1:15-17, John 15:4,
Notes & Reflections:
Three Big Values at The River:
- All About Connection
- Finding Jesus Everywhere
- God Where You Are
Connection During Covid:
- Marco Polo Mondays
- All About Connection FB Page
- Live Your Joie de Vivre, Cost: $30
o Monday Nights, January 11 – February 22, 7:30 – 8:45 EST
- YouTube Playlists
- Midweek Podcast coming soon
Scriptures: Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
Additional Resources: We are Light by Aelin-11
https://allpoetry.com/poem/15497319-W...
Notes & Resources:
Ways to Celebrate the Light Shining in the Darkness:
- Throw a Grace Party.
- Let your light shine tomorrow
o Prayer: On this Longest Night, may light shine and illuminate the darkness.
- Prayer this week:
o Upon waking: Thank you, Lord, that I am made of Light.
o At lunch: Lord, would you reinvigorate your Light in me.
o Evening: May I remember again the mightiness of the Light.
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:13, Luke 2:25-34, 38, Romans 8:34-35a, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8, Psalm 43:5
Ways to Celebrate Hope this week:
- Give God time in your day.
Daily Morning Prayer: Light of the world, we pray in hope for your light to shine bright in us and in the world today.
- Name your feelings.
- Cry out for restoration.
2nd Daily Prayer: Lord, I pray in hope that you would bring restoration to (fill in the blank).
- Find ourselves led to places of hope.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:4, John 1:9, Isaiah 9:1-3, 6-7, Psalm 80:1-4, 7, 14-15, 19
Prayer of Lament:
Grief of the Body
Grief of Financial Loss
Grief of Unfulfilled Ceremonies and Special Occasions
Grief of Loss of Life
Grief of Productivity
Grief of Loneliness
Grief of Unknowns
Grief of Injustice
Personalized, Ambiguous, & Triggered Grief
Spiritual Reflection for this Week:
- Light a Candle of Lament and Pray the Prayer of the Day.
Scriptures: Philippians 1:21, John 12:24, John 4:11-14, John 1:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16
Additional Resources: Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich; Loving Kindness Meditation
Notes & Reflections:
- The path to joy does not lead away from suffering and adversity but through it.
- Life offers death transformed – not death avoided.
Rohr Daily Meditation, April 9, 2020
Every time we let love orient us, we are letting go of ourselves as an autonomous unit…
Where are you going to get the strength to respond to this call?
- Jesus – Divine Light itself.
What can we do the next time we feel Resistance to Dying?
- Take a Spiritual Break.
- Remember and give thanks for all your past transformations.
- Keep in mind: Though the sun sets, it also rises.
- Lean into Relationship.
Spiritual Exercise for this week:
- Every day this week: Welcome both the sunrise and the sunset.
Scriptures: Genesis 1:3, Matthew 5:15, Revelation 22:5, John 9:3, John 3:17, Matthew 7:8, 1 Peter 5:8, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:2-4, Romans 5:2b-5, Psalm 118:6, Philippians 3:14
Additional Resources: The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams
Notes & Reflections:
The goal we might have in the midst of Crisis:
1. To lower our emotional reactivity
2. To reframe our experiences through a more hopeful lens
Things that haven’t historically proven to be helpful:
1. Assuming God is mad at you.
2. Assuming God is working against you for some reason
Learning to live our Joie de Vivre in the midst of crisis:
1. Practice accepting the reality of suffering.
2. Return to relationships.
3. See everyone like family.
4. Turn threat into a challenge.
Spiritual Exercise:
- Whenever you feel upset this week, take a moment to ask: What is one gift this moment is offering me?
Additional Resources: "The Keep Going Son" by The Bengsons: https://www.facebook.com/thebengsons/...
Scriptures (NIV): Genesis 2:18, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a, 1 Thessalonians 5: 5, 11, 1 John 1:3-5a, 7a, John 15:12-13
Notes & Reflections:
- The source of our joy is Divine Light
- Respond to the Call to Loving Relationship
- The first barrier: Resistance
The 2nd Call in the Joie de Vivre Journey:
- Call to Companionship
- Solitude was the first identified problem in the creation story.
- We need Companions to help us physically.
- We need Companions to emotionally (and spiritually!) help us.
- We especially need Companions in the tough times.
- Companionship completes us.
- Companionship is our highest calling.
Spiritual Exercise
- Loving God: A moment of silence in the presence of God.
- Loving Others: Lord, who can I be there for today?
- Loving Ourselves: Lord, who was there for me today?
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 5:6, 1 Kings 18, Psalm 37:23, John 8, Zechariah 4:10 , Romans 2:2, Luke 10, Exodus 32, Acts 10
Additional Resources: The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Douglas Abrams
Notes & Reflections:
What do we rely on to deliver that absolutely can’t deliver?
Goals when pursuing the Joie de Vivre Journey:
- Develop awareness to see when it’s happening
- Don’t get stuck there
- Proactively go back to the Call to Loving Relationship
Scriptures: Genesis 1, John 1, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Matthew 5:15-16, John 10:27, Mark 1 & 2, Romans 1:6, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Luke 3:11, Luke 4:18-19, Romans 12:5-6a
Notes & Reflections:
Call to Loving Relationship:
- Call to Loving Relationship with God
God's voice is distinct
God's voice is inclusive
*God's voice is all-inclusive
- Call to Loving Relationship with Others
- Call to Loving Relationship with Ourselves
Concentric Circles of Calling:
- Right now
- Today
- This Week
- This Month
- This Season
- This Year
- This Life
Spiritual Exercise for this week:
Questions:
- How am I connecting to the Divine Light right now?
- How am I connecting to my Inner Light right now
- How am I connecting to the Light of others right now?
Reflection:
What is God saying to me right now?
Scriptures (NIV): Nehemiah 8:10, Genesis 1:3-4, John 1:4-5, 9, John 8:12, Proverbs 20:27, John 5:35, Exodus 13:21-22, Exodus 14:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, 2 Samuel 23:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 5:8-10, Matthew 5:14-16, 1 John 1:4-7
Joie de Vivre: Exuberant enjoyment of Life. Delight in living.
Where does joy originate from: Divine Light
- an aspect of Divine Presence
- the ability for humans to connect, spirit to spirit, with others and God
Light tends to represent: Truth, Good, Knowledge
What does this mean for us?
- Light is what guides us.
How do we begin to interact with light?
- Be awake to it.
- Connect to it and be influenced by it.
- Learn more about it
- Let it inspire goodness in you
- Let Divine Light enhance your connection to others
Spiritual Exercise for this week
- Spend 5 minutes a day interacting with light
Scriptures (NIV): 2 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Galatians 2:20a, Romans 7:21-25, Psalm 46:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 1 Peter 5:7
Additional Resources: A Longing for Holiness: The Selected Writings of John Wesley.
Spiritual Exercise
1. Pick two things you do regularly. As you do them, say hello to God.
2. In the midst of storms this week, take a moment to:
a. “Do the back float.”
b. Invite God into it.
c. Find someone to “hug.”
3. Process these ideas with another person.
Scriptures: Luke 22:41-43 (NIV), Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)
Notes & Reflections:
A couple of ways forward:
- Don’t “be more,” “be” more.
- Trust that life and calling will still be there.
What Spiritual Practices can we employ this week to help us with this?
1. Journaling Moment: What in my life is begging me to pray, “Dear God, no!”
2. Quiet Moment: One to two minutes of silence.
3. Communal Prayer Moment: Your will be done.
Reflection:
- Invite God into your week.
Embracing Challenge and Finding Abundance
Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
Additional Resources: Matthew 5:15, Matthew 16:25
Notes & Reflections:
A quote from Toyohiko Kagawa
- To do nothing is unpardonable.
To do something is:
- To feel abundance, relationship, joy, blessing
How does Jesus suggest we live out our days?
- Use it or lose it.
Spiritual Exercises for this week:
- Make two lists:
o Things I love to do
o Thing(s) I miss doing
- Prayer: Why are these things coming to mind?
- Make a Spiritual Conversation date.
o Where am I now?
o Where do I want to go?
o How do I get there?
Communal Prayer:
- Guide me, Lord.
What am I hearing that feels compelling to me?
Scriptures (NIV): Romans 8:26-27, Luke 9:57-58, Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 12:41-44
Notes & Reflections:
Two things:
- The Spiritual You is connected to a passionate God.
- We can’t help but respond when our lives have been touched by Jesus.
How do we follow Jesus as the years go on?
- Employ grit.
- Engage trust.
- Go all-in.
Ways to develop the spiritual you this week:
- Donate a pair of shoes to the Soles4Soles drive.
- Allow yourself to be interrupted for the sake of relationship.
- Move one step ahead on your dreams this week.
Our Communal Prayer for this week:
- Help me, Lord.
What am I connecting with most this morning?
Scriptures (NIV): John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10b-13, Acts 2:14-16, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:17 & 3:11b
Additional Resources:
Living Out Christ’s Love: Selected Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa
Luke 22:54-62, John 10:10, The Matrix, 2004 Battlestar Galactica
Notes & Reflections:
One way we think of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Truth
The Spirit of Truth empowers us:
- To think from God’s standpoint
- To feel what God feels
- To see things in a new way.
- Strengthens us
- Gives us new confidence
Our goals:
- To feel that we are living in God
- To feel that God is living in us
- To feel that all of life is permeated with God’s presence
Spiritual Exercise Possibilities for this week:
- Pray the Hours
- Pray using a Sacred Word
Our Communal Prayer for the Week: Here I am, Lord
Scriptures: Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV), Colossians 3:11 (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Encountering God’s Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich
Luke 19:24, John 15, Loving Kindness Meditation
Notes & Reflections:
What word or phrase stands out to you right now?
What is it in my life right now that needs to hear this phrase?
What feelings does this word or phrase bring up?
What do you sense God speaking to you about?
Scriptures: Matthew 4:17-20 (NIV), Matthew 6:28-34 (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Encountering God’s Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich, Pray as You God app, Calm app, Nadine Champion, Thich Nhat Hahn, Matthew 7:7-10, Matthew 9:36
Notes & Reflections:
Nadine Champion quote:
- The only thing you can change in a hard situation is your thinking.
A couple of things that seem universally true:
- Fear, anxiety, and feelings of shame are hell-on-earth.
- Loss of hope is a particularly hellacious experience.
Julian of Norwich’s revelation in regards to these things:
- Including Jesus in all experiences is key to a "heavenly" experience of life.
Your daily practice for this week:
- Listen to Jesus with all your senses.
- Name what ails you.
- Feel what you feel.
- Put your focus on today.
- Engage your strengths.