The Gift of a Clean Heart

O, how we all suffer under the weight of “missing the mark”; the weight of hurting others or ourselves by what we’ve done or not done.

Yet, our Maker knows of the healing, cleansing power of confession, of acknowledging the error of our ways. Rather than a rote recitation of our sins, confession invites us into the light. We are welcomed into greater honesty about ourselves and our experiences. When we can acknowledge what is true about our lives, we discover the depths of God’s acceptance, compassion and grace meeting us right where we are. Even in our messes, especially in our mess ups, we can come to know our essential belovedness. We are welcomed, forgiven, and loved just as we are, including the parts of us shrouded in shame.

With practice and repetition of allowing ourselves to be seen as we really are, we come to increasingly trust that nothing and no thing can separate us from the love of Christ. Along the way, we discover ourselves being taught wisdom in our secret heart.

As you come to listen and pray this day, see if it is possible to just allow yourself to be seen by God. Simply notice what rises to the surface. Maybe a regret bubbles up or an inner criticizing thought about a regret. See if you can just welcome it into the space with you and the Spirit right there with you. Maybe it shows up as some bodily discomfort, like you want to wiggle out of your chair or reach for your phone. See if it is possible to just acknowledge that, like you are saying, “I’m sensing something in me doesn’t want to stay here or be seen” and see if you can just linger there with that in God’s presence. Notice what comes as you stay at the edge of comfort or uncertainty. Maybe place a gentle hand wherever you are feeling discomfort. And just linger there just a bit… being seen just as you are. Notice what comes. Grace and Perfect Love are companioning you in this moment whether it’s felt or not felt. Notice what comes.

You are worthy of love and grace. You belong to God.

Psalm 51: 1-23 (RSV)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love;
    according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
    and done that which is evil in thy sight,
so that thou art justified in thy sentence
    and blameless in thy judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being;
    therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Fill me with joy and gladness;
    let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence,
    and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly savor this with Jesus.

Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.

Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.

As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.

Psalm 51: 1-23 (Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill)

Have mercy upon me, O Gracious One,
     According to your steadfast love;
According to your abundant kindness
     Forgive me where my thoughts and deeds have hurt others.
Lead me in the paths of justice,
     Guide my steps on paths of peace!

 Teach me, that I may know my weaknesses,
    The shortcomings that bind me,
The unloving ways that separate me,
     That keep me from recognizing your Life in me;
For, I keep company with fear, and
     Dwell in the house of ignorance.
Yet, I was brought forth in love,
     And love is my birthright.

You have placed your truth in the inner being;
     Therefore, teach me the wisdom of the heart.
Forgive all that binds me in fear,
     That I might radiate love;
     Cleanse me that your light might shine in me.
Fill me with gladness: help me to transform weakness into strength.
Look not on my past mistakes but on the aspirations of my heart.

Create in me a clean heart, O Gracious One,
     And put a new and right spirit within me.
Enfold me in the arms of Love, and
     Fill me with your Holy Spirit.
Restore in me the joy of your saving grace,
     And encourage me with a new spirit.

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

This magnificent proclamation by Isaiah lifts high the hope we have for life restored in God.
These words beckon us to listen, to ponder, to linger, to touch the yearnings deep within. All that our souls truly long for are in this short text. We groan in our waiting for this this wholeness, this restoration to come. And we ask for the grace to see how it has already come and continues to come.

O Lord, we are wrapped in you.
Help us know and trust
this ever present, tender, compassionate, healing love.
Give us faith to believe that you are healing
our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, our nations.

Let us return to you, Yahweh, that you may re-womb us.
Amen

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (The Passion Translation)

The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me
because Yahweh has anointed me, as a messenger to preach good news to the poor.
He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted,
to tell captives, “You are free,” and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.”
I am sent to announce a new season of Yahweh’s grace
and a time of God’s recompense on his enemies, to comfort all who are in sorrow,
to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes,
the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Because of this, they will be known as Mighty Oaks of Righteousness,
planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.
They will restore ruins from long ago and rebuild what was long devastated.
They will renew ruined cities and desolations of past generations.
“For I, Yahweh, love fairness and justice, and I hate stealing and sin.
I will rightly repay them because of my faithfulness
and enter into an everlasting covenant with them.
Their seed will be famous among the nations,
and their descendants the center of attention of the people.
All who see them will recognize that they are the seed that Yahweh has blessed with favor!”
I will sing and greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My whole being vibrates with shouts of joy in my God!
For he has dressed me with salvation and wrapped me in the robe of his righteousness
I appear like a bridegroom on his wedding day,
decked out with a beautiful sash, or like a radiant bride adorned with sparkling jewels.
In the same way the earth produces its crops and seeds spring up in a garden,
so will the Lord Yahweh cause righteousness and praise to blossom before all the nations!

For Reflection and Prayer:

What did you hear as you listened to the text? Did a word or phrase stand out in particular?

Notice the way your senses are evoked, whether it’s a body feeling, picture, metaphor, sound, or gesture and see if it is possible to describe what you are noticing inside you. Stay with that, making room for more to be made known to you.

Have a conversation with God about what you are noticing. You might journal, draw or color your thoughts and feelings and how you sense God responding to you.

Savor any consolations the Lord brings. Simply rest in God’s presence.

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Restore Us

As we collectively enter this season of Advent,
waiting for Christ’s coming,
we make room to acknowledge the ache of our longings:

…maybe the anguish of deferred or denied desires,
…or the salty, bitter, and often solitary tears of unrelenting sorrow,
…or the vague knowing that there must be something more.

How we long we long to be seen and companioned by God in our suffering tinged waiting for Christ’s coming and his restoration of all things.

Hold fast, dear one
to the One who holds fast to you
bringing salvation, wholeness, and new life.
In prayer, we do not wait alone.
We wait together.

This is my simple prayer…

Restore us, O God.
Not just me.
Not just them.
Restore Us.

We, your people, need your face to shine upon us.
Restore us to wholeness.
You alone can make us whole again.
That we might be free to love, care and act as you.

Amen.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NLT)

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
    shine forth  before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might; come and save us.

Restore us, O God;
    make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

How long, Lord God Almighty,
    will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
     you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.

Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
    
Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
    the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.

Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.

As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.

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A Guest in Your Home

Each week we pause to make space to listen and allow the Holy Spirit to shape us through the hearing of the Scripture. The gospel stories invite us in, beckoning us to place ourselves right inside the narrative. In that place of prayer something fresh forms as our hearts and minds begin to wonder. We catch a glimpse of Jesus inviting us into the mystery of his life and presence. We find fresh ways of being in relationship together.

As I, Kim, prayed with the text this week, I found myself curious about Jesus announcing that he comes as guest to my home. Here’s what I captured in my journal:

A guest in my home
the kind that does not need -
a pre-clean
a fancy meal
the latest decor trends or comforts

What this guest most wants is to be invited in
for me to be at ease, comfortable in my space
as it is and as I am

How is it that this guest extends the hospitality to me
that sets my whole body at ease so that…
I can open my heart and my home in freedom
be seen, feel safe, known, accepted and loved
be generous with my resources
be inwardly compelled to make amends as is fitting

And live welcomed
so that I can love and welcome others
the ones disguised as Jesus

May the Word land freshly in your own heart and body this week as you pause and make space to listen, to pray, to be inwardly changed.

Luke 19: 1-10 The Message

Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.

When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”

Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”

Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”

Luke 19: 1-10 NLT

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

For Reflection and Prayer:

As you listened to the text, was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention? Gently allow it to linger, giving it room to form and settle deeply in your body and heart.

Reflect on what you heard. Relish the words. Notice how the word or words affected you. Which emotions are stirring within you? Notice what is happening in your body as you linger with how the text is affecting you. You might begin to describe that and choose to journal about what you are experiencing.

Respond to what you noticed and reflected on in your prayer with God. Might there a prayer that rises within you?

Rest in God as you simply be and entrust yourself to God in the quiet.

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Still Learning to Listen

Today’s passage is longer. It tells us the story of another encounter between Jesus and his closest friends after his resurrection. From time to time we like to share how someone in our community encountered God through the stories of encounter in the Scriptures. This week in listening to the text about the miraculous catch of fish, Sarah Patton shares of her reflection and conversation with Jesus:

But the disciples did not realize it was Jesus. Not even after he called to them from the shore. It was only after the miracle of their nets overflowing with fish that they knew it was the Lord.

Help me, Jesus, to not wait for signs and wonders to know you. Help me to know your voice.

Listen to my voice.

Listen for my voice.

You may hear me in ordinary circumstances.

You may find me in unexpected places

In a form you will not recognize

Unless you know my voice.

When my voice calls to you, come to me.

When you fail me,

Do not hide,

Do not stay away.

Make haste to come to me to be healed and restored.

Then, listen for my voice

To call you to go forth

And do the same.

Lord, help me know your voice.

John 20:1-19 NIV
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

For Reflection and Prayer:
As you listened to the text, was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention? Gently repeat the word or phrase, giving it room to settle deeply in your heart.

Reflect on what you heard. Relish the words. Notice how the word or words affected you. Which emotions stirred within you? You might choose to journal about what you heard.

Respond to what you heard and reflected on in your prayer with God. Is there a prayer that rises within you?

Rest in God as you simply be and entrust yourself to God in the quiet.

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Love Pursues Me

As you come to this familiar, enduring Psalm, listen in the voice of your Good Shepherd. That is to hear God’s tone, intention and bent towards you as you absorb the words. Notice which seasons of your life come to mind as you reflect on this love that pursues you. Which ones have fostered deepening trust in the Shepherd? Which ones have sorely tested that trust?

Whatever our answers, we are continually invited into a more intimate, transparent and honest relationship with God through prayer. Our God invites us to test his trustworthiness and live with our eyes and ears open to the love that pursues us always and forever.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Allow those words to land softly in your heart.

Quietly reflect on what you heard it in your prayer with God. Journal your conversation.

What longing rose up in your heart as you listened? How are you feel this holy longing in your body? Gently bring this awareness into your prayer.

Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.

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Our Constant Companion

Pursuing us with unfailing love, our God is a faithful companion in all things, all times, and all situations. Nothing is separated from this love. Everything is welcomed, every story is heard, all feelings are allowed. This companion invites us to be fully known and accompanied by His presence through joy and sorrow, exhaustion and crippling fear, darkest despair and injustice, celebration and restoration. Everything and everyone is invited into the light of this Presence. May we discover for ourselves a gentle ease in God’s presence however we are.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

For Reflection and Prayer:
As you listened to the text, was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention? Gently repeat the word or phrase, giving it room to settle deeply in your heart.

Reflect on what you heard. Relish the words. Notice how the word or words affected you. Which emotions stirred within you? You might choose to journal about what you heard.

Respond to what you heard and reflected on in your prayer with God. Is there a prayer of which rises within you?

Rest in God as you simply be and entrust yourself to God in the quiet.

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Wrapped in God

This magnificent proclamation by Isaiah lifts high the hope we have for life restored in God.
These words beckon us to listen, to ponder, to linger, to touch the yearnings deep within. All that our souls truly long for are in this short text. We groan in our waiting for this this wholeness, this restoration to come. And we ask for the grace to see how it has already come and continues to come.

O Lord, we are wrapped in you.
Help us know and trust
this ever present, tender, compassionate, healing love.
Give us faith to believe that you are healing
our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, our nations.

Let us return to you, Yahweh, that you may re-womb us.
Amen

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (The Passion Translation)

The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me
because Yahweh has anointed me, as a messenger to preach good news to the poor.
He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted,
to tell captives, “You are free,” and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.”
I am sent to announce a new season of Yahweh’s grace
and a time of God’s recompense on his enemies, to comfort all who are in sorrow,
to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes,
the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Because of this, they will be known as Mighty Oaks of Righteousness,
planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.
They will restore ruins from long ago and rebuild what was long devastated.
They will renew ruined cities and desolations of past generations.
“For I, Yahweh, love fairness and justice, and I hate stealing and sin.
I will rightly repay them because of my faithfulness
and enter into an everlasting covenant with them.
Their seed will be famous among the nations,
and their descendants the center of attention of the people.
All who see them will recognize that they are the seed that Yahweh has blessed with favor!”
I will sing and greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My whole being vibrates with shouts of joy in my God!
For he has dressed me with salvation and wrapped me in the robe of his righteousness
I appear like a bridegroom on his wedding day,
decked out with a beautiful sash, or like a radiant bride adorned with sparkling jewels.
In the same way the earth produces its crops and seeds spring up in a garden,
so will the Lord Yahweh cause righteousness and praise to blossom before all the nations!

For Reflection and Prayer:
What did you hear as you listened to the text? Did a word or phrase stand out in particular? Repeat it to yourself, savoring the word(s).

Meditate on this word, phrase or picture. Notice what speaks to your heart. Tend to that.

Have a conversation with God about what you are noticing. You might journal your thoughts and feelings and how you sense God responding to you.

Savor any consoling words or pictures God gives you. Simply rest in God’s presence.

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Restore Us, O God

Restore us, O God.
Not just me.
Not just them.
Restore Us.

We, your people, need your face to shine upon us.
Restore us to wholeness.
You alone can make us whole again.

Amen.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NLT)

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
    shine forth  before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might; come and save us.

Restore us, O God;
    make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

How long, Lord God Almighty,
    will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
     you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.

Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
    
Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
    the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.

Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.

As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.

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Living Hope

These words from Isaiah evoke our longings for restoration - to be back again in the garden with God as all was created and intended to be. This is the place where our soul longs to dwell and make its home with God. God has placed this hope in our hearts for what is to come and enables us to live in this hope right now, regardless of our circumstance. When life around and within us seems dark and bleak, we wait together for shards of light to come.

As a new year is upon us, what are you hoping for? Who and what are you placing your hope in? What hope for restoration has the Holy Spirit placed within you? May the Lord strengthen your hands, bring comfort to your heart and encourage you to stand so that you may live this hope placed within you.

Isaiah 35 (NLT)
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
    The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
    as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
    and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
    and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool,
 and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
    It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
    It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
    They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on it in your prayer with Jesus, the Christ. Journal your conversation.

What longing rose up in your heart as you listened? How do you feel this holy longing in your body? Gently bring this awareness into your prayer.

Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.

I Will Take Care of You

“I will take care of you” - oh, how we long to hear the essence of these words in one form or another. How often do we silently base our hope on someone doing just that for us? A parent, a spouse, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a sibling, a friend, a child? These are weighty expectations.

This is a weighty story of Joseph, his family and the God who is bigger than family relations, the weather, economic conditions, and earthly kingdoms. As you pray with this passage, invite God to deepen your knowing - knowing the God who truly takes care of you.

Genesis 45:1-15 (NLT)
Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace.

3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.

9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’”

12 Then Joseph added, “Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 13 Go tell my father of my honored position here in Egypt. Describe for him everything you have seen, and then bring my father here quickly.” 14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. 15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

For Reflection and Prayer:
Using all of your senses, place yourself in the story. Who are you and what are you witnessing or experiencing? Write out the story in your own words, allowing the story and conversation to be your prayer.

Does a word, phrase or image catch your attention you as you listen to or slowly read the text? Gently reflect on it in your prayer. Journal your conversation with God.

Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.

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Healing Trauma

Living through grief, loss or traumatic events will have an effect on the whole of our being: our body, our mind and our soul. Safe, loving community and familiar routines can help us begin our lives again. Yet more is needed. We long for healing of the pain and fear. We yearn for the restoration towards wholeness. Jesus too longs to be present to us in these places of need and yearning. He offers his comforting presence, his understanding, his hope, his provision and very real practical, care for our bodies. As your pray with this text, consider how Jesus might be inviting you to participate in his compassionate care towards yourself. What rest and nourishment does your body, mind and soul need today?

John 21:1-11 (NLT)

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on it in your prayer with Jesus. Journal your conversation.

Was there any particular emotion which emerged as you listened to the scripture?

Journal about it. Where do you sense that emotion in your body? What does that emotion tell you about your need or hope?

Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.

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When Our Soul is Deeply Troubled

It can be excruciatingly difficult to trust or see God's love and continual action of renewal in our lives when our soul is deeply troubled. Life. Death. Renewal. This is God's glory story. Day after day after day. We long to meet Jesus on our terms. Yet it takes love, hope and vulnerable courage to trust that God will make something new and beautiful out of the most troubling and anguishing aspects of our lives. What and who helps you let go and deepen in trust of God's loving, restorative care for you and your life?
                                              He restores my soul...Psalm 23

John 12:20-28 (NLT)
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”

For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on it in your prayer with Jesus. Journal your conversation.

Was there any particular emotion which emerged as you listened to the scripture? Talk it over with Jesus in your prayer.

Where are you currently being asked to let go? To allow something to die so that new life might emerge? What do you need from God to help you let go?

Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.

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Hope for Restoration

These words from Isaiah evoke a longing in us for restoration - to be back again in the garden with God as all was created and intended to be. This is the place where our soul longs to dwell and make its home with God. God has placed this hope in our hearts for what is to come and enables us to live in this hope right now, regardless of our circumstance.

As a new year is upon us, what are you hoping for? Who and what are you placing your hope in? And what hope for restoration has the Holy Spirit placed within you? May the Lord strengthen your hands and encourage you to stand so that you may walk upright in this hope placed within you.

Isaiah 35 (NLT)
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
    The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
2 Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
    as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.
3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
    and encourage those who have weak knees.
4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
    and unplug the ears of the deaf.
6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
7 The parched ground will become a pool,
 and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.
8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
    It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
    It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.
9 Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.
10 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
    They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on it in your prayer with Jesus. Journal your conversation.

What longing rose up in your heart as you listened? How do you feel this holy longing in your body? Gently bring this awareness into your prayer.

Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.

Sounds of Freedom

Again this Christmas, we celebrated the coming of Jesus and we remember again the purpose of his coming: to restore us back to God. In this Psalm, we are given a front row seat to hear the voices of a people who are freed from captivity and brought back home to God. Let us find our own voice within this crowd and join the cry for freedom.

Psalm 126 (AMP)
When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem),
We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].

Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
 
The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad!
Restore our [b]captivity, O Lord,
As the stream-beds in the South (the Negev) [are restored by torrents of rain].
 
They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.
 
He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting],
Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Footnotes:
Psalm 126:4 I.e. the remaining exiles.

For Reflection and Prayer:

What word, a phrase, image, or feeling caught your attention as you listened? Bring it into your prayer with Jesus. Journal what Jesus says in response to you.

How have you experienced being restored from captivity?  Reflect on your experience; either your lifetime or this past year. Bring your reflections before God in prayer.

Perhaps your longings reveal a desire for new freedom. Ask God to give you courage to listen and discern what they may be revealing. Ask God to meet you in your longings.

Does a spontaneous response arise within you to God? To sing or dance or make music or write or any kind of art form? What ways of expression of worship flow from your marvelous design?