spaciousness, day 7

Come to Stillness:
Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
Teach me, God to make room for you in all the events and affairs of my days. Then I shall find rest. Then I will be at peace with myself and with you. (Norman Shawchuck in A Guide To Prayer for All Who Seek God)

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 18

Scripture for the Day: Psalm 37:1-11

Reading for Reflection:

“Think glorious thoughts of God—and serve Him with a quiet mind!”  And it is surely a fact that the more glorious and more spacious our thoughts of Him are, the greater the quietude and confidence with which we do our detailed work will be.  Not controversial thoughts, or narrow conventional thoughts, or dry academic thoughts, or anxious worried thoughts.  All these bring contraction instead of expansion to our souls; and we all know that this inner sense of contraction or expansion is the unfailing test of our spiritual state.  (The House of the Soul and Concerning the Inner Life by Evelyn Underhill)

     Our journey toward abundant living is like walking a spiritual labyrinth repeatedly, from and ever deepening inner space.  We walk toward the center to be transformed by God’s love; then we walk outward to transform our small space in the world by reflecting God’s love.  There is no intention to trick us or get us lost along the journey.  But there is mystery.  Always mystery.  And awe.  And amazing grace. (Abundance by Marilyn Brown Oden)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

            How deep the Father's love for us

            How vast beyond all measure

            That He would give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross

My guilt upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Closing Prayer:

O Lord, the house of my soul is too small for you to enter: make it more spacious by your coming.

                                                                                       ~St. Augustine