Bible Study
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Lenten Reading for the Third Sunday in Lent:
Light five candles before reading. Usually God holds back his anger over sin. But one time he let it loose, so we would know how serious it is to turn our backs away from God and toward the darkness, and so we would know how great his wrath is against sin. BUT he did not…
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Lenten Reading for the Second Sunday in Lent:
Light six candles before reading. God created people for relationship, for His glory. He gave them everything they could need or want. But they listened to the enemy’s lies instead. They no longer believed God’s gifts were enough. They turned their backs on God and lost their place in perfect friendship with Him. Now they…
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Lenten Reading for the First Sunday of Lent:
The 6 weeks before Easter is called the “Lenten season”. The word Lent is from an old English word related to “lenthen”, and meant springtime, when the days are lengthening. We use it to refer to the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Lent is a process of prayer and spiritual renewal. Join me…
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Sabbatical Learnings: Lesson Two Was My Response to God, To Others
The second half of my sabbatical I asked God the question, “How can I possibly love you in return, Lord?” My thoughts went to the love languages and I asked God what His love language was, and how best I could love Him in return. I was reminded of how He says that to love…
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Sabbatical Learnings: Lesson One Wrecked Me
This first lesson of sabbatical completely wrecked me… I’ve heard that the greatest theologians of our time, who ponder all the wonderful questions of theology, are often impacted most deeply of the love of God. I use to smile at this knowing a preschooler could get it. Yet, the first half of my sabbatical I…
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I Will Equip You Fully
I will equip you fully. You must use what I provide: My Presence, My Word, My Spirit. Come to Me when you are heavy burdened and you will find rest for your souls. Come to me…you will find rest… Matthew 11:28-29 Do not fear, I am your God. I will strengthen and help you… Isaiah…
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Five Prayer Focuses of Examen (End of the Day Reflection)
Years ago during my pastoral ministry sabbatical, I enjoyed this reflective prayer exercise. It helped me to re-embrace journalling as a spiritual discipline and gave me an outlet of expressing to the Lord my emotions and thoughts surrounding my day… Scriptures are listed for each section to use as prompting… Five Prayer Focuses of Examen…
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Plans…? Hold them loosely… Instead, bask in His love!
Today, I had to release many things in my quiet time with the Lord. I did this in the morning and again in the evening when I followed the prayer of Examen. I realize that I’ve been grieving on my sabbatical with plans thwarted. (I’ve also realized I’ve been grieving the past year over hopes…
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Empty and Full
“Emptiness and fullness at first seem complete opposites. But in the spiritual life they are not. In the spiritual life we find the fulfillment of our deepest desires by becoming empty for God.” – Henri Nouwen “Empty me of me, fill me with you, Holy Spirit.” – My daily Prayer Some verses to reflect…
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Personal Daily Practices by Dallas Willard – (YouTube) Interview
Dallas Willard is another modern day theologian who practiced Spiritual Disciplines regularly. He wrote, “The Spirit of the Disciplines” which I have purchased to read while on Sabbatical. Here’s a personal interview with him on his personal practices… “Dallas’ Personal Daily Practices?” by Dallas Willard – YouTube. Some points… Start the day with meditation on…
Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 