Listening to Our Cries for Help

When I listen to the horrific stories of oppressed people and people groups, I am astonished by the inner strength and hope that arises as people cry out to God for help. Somehow and someway, in the saying of exactly how it is for someone right now in their soul, their very being experiences being listened to.

Being seen, heard, witnessed, accepted and known in our suffering, sorrow, and grief releases unforced gratitude in us. Steadfast Love and unwavering Grace meets us there. Like Hagar in the desert, courage arises within and fresh power is given to dwell fully alive where we are.

Perhaps you sense an invitation through this text to allow some cries, some sorrow to be seen and heard just as it is. Go slowly and maybe acknowledge that not only is grief there but something else inside is feeling afraid of being swept away with the grief. Maybe even keep your eyes open and lean into the support under you as you sense inside what the sad feels like in your body this time. It might be murky, yet see if you can describe what is there. You might bring a gentle hand there and with Jesus, acknowledge that this is what it’s like today. Sense what kind of loving, caring presence this sad wants from you and Jesus now. Maybe a picture, or metaphor, gesture or sound comes. See if you can gently stay there together. When you arise from this time of prayer, simply notice what’s changed inside, even just a bit and offer whatever gratitude seems fitting this time.

Beloved, you are loved and your cries are welcomed.

Psalm 22:23-31 New Living Translation

Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!

For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.

I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.

The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the LORD will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.

The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.

For royal power belongs to the LORD.
He rules all the nations.

Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.

Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.

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.

Psalm 22:23-31 The Message

Here’s the story I’ll tell my friends when they come to worship, and punctuate it with Hallelujahs: Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers; give glory, you sons of Jacob; adore him, you daughters of Israel. He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening.

Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I’ll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. Down-and-outers sit at God’s table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. “Live it up, from head to toe. Don’t ever quit!”

From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God. Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him. God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word.

All the power-mongers are before him —worshiping!

All the poor and powerless, too —worshiping!

Along with those who never got it together—worshiping!

Our children and their children will get in on this As the word is passed along from parent to child. Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news— that God does what he says.

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God Provides the Way

We begin again, waiting together for God to come and make a way for all creation to live in peace, harmony, shalom. This may seem like a utter impossibility given the barren, seemingly forsaken places of our lives and the pain, suffering and complexity of living in this world. Observing the Advent season, we intentionally allow ourselves to be enlarged in this waiting. We invite you to listen in with us as Sarah Patton shares how God met her in this time of unhurried, meditative listening:

As I listened to the passage, the phrase “There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths” stayed with me. I listened again and the phrase, “people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come,” shimmered and stayed, too. I savored the words. A visual image of the paths in the Negev Desert in Israel came to mind. Although narrow and sometimes rocky, the paths are clearly visible on the hillside, even from a distance. The path may be challenging at times and we may stumble. But we do not need to carve out our own path; God provides the way. The Scripture and image touched me, encouraging me to keep walking in God’s path. Then, the vision of people from many nations from all over the world streaming to meet with God came, overwhelming me with the goodness of God. God desires for all people, all nations to come. His paths are for everyone.

This prayer arose from my meditation:

Lord Jesus, teach me your ways that I may walk in your paths.

Your ways are not always easy but you call me to extend love.

The only way I can walk this path is to listen to you with the ears of my heart,

To give up my way, trusting your way, your paths,

The paths prepared for me, for those who love you,

The paths open to all people from many nations all over the earth.

Oh glorious day, when the peoples and nations of the world

Come and say, teach me your ways, willing to walk in your paths.

Lord Jesus, keep teaching me your ways.

May I keep walking in your paths.

Amen

Isaiah 2:1-5 NLT

This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.

There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.

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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Singing a New Song

As you come to listen and be with God this week…

…might you notice the new song which wants to emerge from within you?
…the song which is not forced by religious expectation but rather the one that rises organically in your whole being?
…the song that comes from someplace other than ‘shoulds’, ‘oughts’ or ‘not good enough’?

It’s a new song, and so the words and melody and harmonies may not be fully formed.

…might you stay there just a little longer to sense freshly what wants to come from someplace true within you?

It might come in silence.
It may come through words, artistic expression or movement.
It might be a communal response.

Maybe leave some time at the end of your prayer to notice how God has received your honest offering of your self.

Psalm 98 NIV

Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

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.

Searching for Christ's Presence

This day we celebrate Epiphany, the festival which commemorates the arrival of the Magi who were mysteriously guided to the presence of the Christ Child, Jesus. There are many elements of this story that we simply do not know. Perhaps the lack of specific details actually prompts us to wonder more.

Which desires compel us to search for the presence of Christ today? What guides us or helps us find our way to his presence in our midst? And how do we know when we encounter him?

I sense God’s delight in our searching for his Son - the vulnerable child, the light, the bread, the living water. It is not in the grasping for predefined evidence of Christ’s presence but in the seeking itself.

May you sense God’s pleasure in your willingness to pause, listen and keep company with him this day through whatever is evoked in you by this story.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,

for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

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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Waiting Expectantly

Waiting. The whole ordeal of it can be a form of suffering. Waiting for God to show up to rescue us from our trials and sorrows might feel excruciatingly painful. How can the Spirit of God help us, advocate for us in our waiting? How might Jesus companion us in these times of delayed, deferred or disordered expectations?

The prayerful spiritual elders, Simeon and Anna, recognized the Messiah when he arrived as a mere helpless, vulnerable infant. They may speak into our own story of waiting for rescue. Linger with them and the holy family as you place yourself in this story. May you hear the Spirit’s intercession for you as you wait.

Come, Lord Jesus, bring your hope to us as we wait.

Luke 2:22-40 NLT

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

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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Light That Leads Us to Christ's Presence

1 Peter 1:19 expounds upon this passage where the Magi from the east see and follow a star which leads them to the Christ child.

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Our God is the initiator of this light. The light rises from within us as we pay attention to it. May the Holy Spirit guide us to see where that light is shining within. That light will lead us and illuminate Christ’s Holy Presence before us. May we personally and collectively bend our knee and bow our hearts in response.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.  He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.  Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

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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Stay Here

As we have gathered online each week for listening prayer during this season of COVID-19, we have marveled at how the words of the scripture meditation overlap with words that have become part of our pandemic vocabulary.

This week, the phrase ‘stay here’ shimmered for some. This may or may not be what shimmers for you in the listening to this text today. Yet, you are invited to consider, what helps you stay here, present to your real life in real time? How do you stay present in the face of grief and loss and absence? What blessing do you need from Jesus to empower you to live in the present moment? These are not questions which are easily answered.

My prayer for you this week, is that you will experience Jesus tenderly passing on the blessing he received from his Father to you. May you hear him call you Beloved.

Luke 24:44-53 (MSG)
Then he said, “Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.”
45-49 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, “You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You’re the first to hear and see it. You’re the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high.”
50-51 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven.
52-53 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.

For Reflection and Prayer:
Listening with the “ear of your heart”, was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? 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. You might choose to journal about what you heard.

Respond to what you heard and reflected on in your prayer with Jesus. Is there a prayer of which rises within you? Does he have more to say to you?

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

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Hidden in Plain Sight

This iconic passage of the Magi conjures up the songs and stories passed on to many of us since our childhood. Yet, what might happen if we bring our wonder to this story?
Who were these Magi?
Were they kings or wise men or women or magicians or astrologers or astronomers?
Why did no one accompany them to Bethlehem after the prophecies were read before Herod?
What about the star? What made it unmistakable to them?
Surely, the star brought them to their own epiphany where what was hidden in plain sight was suddenly and strikingly revealed to them, so much so that they were overcome with joy and worship.

As this new year unfolds, may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and illuminate your own search for the Christ Child.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

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 and repeat it. Savor it.

Reflect on what you heard. What effect has it had 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 God, simply resting in God.

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A Witness to Every Tear

A Witness to Every Tear

Tears of grief,
of suffering, of pain, of irritation, of cleansing, of release, of joy.
Each one witnessed, acknowledged, known,
allowed to be, to flow, to gush, to trickle.
Each one a story - leaving a trail back to God.
What will it be like to no longer fear our tears
or stop them up because of shame?
What if our tears are the bridge which beckons:
”God, come near.
God, come see my hurt, my pain, my suffering, my tribulations.
I allow your compassion to see me as I am
and I open myself to your kindness,
your consoling love.
I let you console me.”

Revelation 7:9-17 (NLT)
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throneand from the Lamb!”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

14 And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”

Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. 16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. 17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

For Reflection and Prayer:
What words or image shimmered as you listened? Stay near to this gift and listen deeply with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Consider God’s sheltering presence over you and within you. Rest where he leads you.

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Worship in the Everyday Ordinary

A cursory reading of the spontaneous and glorious worship described in John’s vision or Revelation is filled with hard to grasp imagery and metaphor. These descriptions might overwhelm our understanding and possibly shut down our curiosity. Yet in this season of Eastertide where we live in the joy and possibility of renewal in the now, this text and our questioning of it might be just the place where God meets us today. How might we make room for the spontaneous moments of worship in our everyday ordinary? What beauty or glimmers of gratitude in the small things are worthy of our stopping to notice and simply offer our voluntary praise and thanks?

Revelation 5:11-14 (NIV)
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

For Reflection and Prayer:
Did a word, or phrase or picture shimmer for you as you listened to the text? Journal or artistically express what you noticed.

Place yourself in this scene. Who are you? What are you witnessing? What are you thinking? What are you feeling? Is there anything you want to say to Jesus or do for him? What does he in turn say to you?

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

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On Pilgrimage to Worship

The text recounting the pilgrimage of the Magi is still relevant for us today. This group of wise ones paid attention to the light they did not fully understand and they courageously set out on pilgrimage to worship a King guided by a starlight. This starlight seems to appear and reappear, eventually hovering over the presence of Christ, where they were overcome with joy and responded by bending their knee in worship.

We too are on pilgrimage to recognize the presence of Christ before us. Right here. Right now. In this present moment. In what is in us and before us. It is a long journey often fraught with distractions, fear, shame, worry and harassment along the way. Yet the star still guides and the Christ is eager to be found by us.

God has chosen to make known...the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

For Reflection and Prayer:

What did you hear as you listened or read the text? Did something particular catch your attention? Bring it into conversation with Jesus.

Give yourself room for the word to affect you. What are you feeling or sensing? Gently bring this awareness into your prayer with Jesus.

Consider the starlight God has provided for you. Where has it led you in the past? What markers help you discern that this starlight is from God?

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

To Be Understood

St. Francis of Assisi taught us well in his prayer-poem-song, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. One stanza speaks of our desire to seek to understand another before being understood ourselves. It is a noble desire and one which becomes increasingly possible as the realization of God's infinite understanding of us personally. lodges deep within our own heart and soul. The gift of being experientially loved, known and understood by God becomes a gift and it changes us from the inside out. Our natural response becomes one of worship and a humility forms within us which seeks to truly listen and understand another.

May you pause and savor anew today, being loved and understood by the One who made your heart.

Psalm 33NLT
1 Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD;
    it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
4 For the word of the LORD holds true,
    and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
    the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.
6 The LORD merely spoke,
    and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
    and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
    and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the LORD,
    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
    It appeared at his command.
13 The LORD looks down from heaven
    and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
    all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
    so he understands everything they do.

20 We put our hope in the LORD.
    He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD,
    for our hope is in you alone.

For prayer and reflection:

What phrase or word spoke to you as you listened/read?

How does it feel to have God understand everything you do? Dwell with this thought in your prayer. You may want to journal your conversation with God.

What emotion does this Psalm raise within you?

Is there anything you want to ask or say to Jesus about this text?

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?

Living Large

Psalm 138, a resounding "thank you" to God, reminds us again just how good the Good News truly is. God is ever the initiator. And we always have the choice of our response. The moment we accept God's invitation by calling out, God steps in and "makes our life large with strength" (TMG).

May you be encouraged by these words of testimony spoken by those around the table:

"It's so no all up to me"
"The Lord will work out his plans for my life - I'm resting in that"
"Thank you God for cutting off this shackle in my life"
"Both hands hold me"
"I really like being alive in Christ"
"For me it used to be that if it was not all good, it's not good. Now I am thankful"
"I'm anticipating the Advent of God's grace afresh this year"
"I can fall and rest in God's presence"

May the Spirit meet you as you dwell with Psalm 138.

Psalm 138 (NLT)
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.
2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
    by all the honor of your name.
3 As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.
4 Every king in all the earth will thank you, LORD,
    for all of them will hear your words.
5 Yes, they will sing about the LORD’s ways,
    for the glory of the LORD is very great.
6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble,
    but he keeps his distance from the proud.
7 Though I am surrounded by troubles,
    you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
    and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

For Reflection and Prayer:

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

What gratitude arises out of your whole heart towards God? What are you most thankful for in this season? Consider the smallest of things you are grateful for and make your own gift list.

Where have you experienced God making your life “large with strength”? Is there a place now within you which cries out for this again to God? Bring it into your prayer.
 

Hope of Glory

To them (and us) God has chosen to make known
among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery,
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27

The Hebrew word for glory is kabod and it's root signifies "weighty", that is, something of real substance. God's glory is more to be contemplated and experienced than to be comprehended analytically.

Consider the weightiness of Christ in you, the hope of glory as you meditate on this Psalm.

To the praise of His glory...

Psalm 8 (NLT)   Dialogue of Love with God
O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
    to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
    and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
    and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

For Reflection and Prayer:
glory - kabod (Hebrew) –  root “weighty”
glory – doxa (Greek NT) – “reputation”

What word, a phrase, image, or feeling caught your attention as you listened? Bring it into your prayer. Journal what you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you.

Where have you recognized God’s glory? Around you? Before you? Inside you? Pause and allow yourself to be captivated by God’s glory. Be still and savor God’s glory.

Where are you currently seeing the “work of God’s fingers” or wish you would see evidence of them? Bring this into your prayer and listen for God’s words back to you.

Write your own love poem of admiration to God.