whole, friday

Friday, November 14

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

          

Opening Prayer: Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours.  You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life.  You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas.  Hear the deeper cry of my heart for wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence.  Lord, have mercy. (Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Philippians 4:4-7

Reading for Reflection:

 

The biblical word that most fully expresses this theological understanding of community is shalom, sometimes translated from the Hebrew as “peace.”  Shalom is an all-encompassing word covering all the many relationships of life and expressing a vision of what the Israelites conceived of as the ideal of what life was intended by God to be.  In describing shalom, commentators use such words as “wholeness,” “totality,” “well-being,” “the absence of violence or misfortune,” “the untrammeled, free growth of the soul in conjunction with others,” or “harmonious community.”  Or as a report of the World Council of Churches puts it: “Shalom is a social happening, an event in interpersonal relations.”  The report continues, “The goal towards which God is working, i.e., the ultimate end of his mission, is the establishment of the shalom, and this involves the realization of the full potentialities of all creation, and the ultimate reconciliation and unity in Christ. (Mutual Ministry by James C. Fenhagen)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                      

Closing Prayer: O God, who hast been the Refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my Refuge today in every time and circumstance of need.  Be my Guide through all that is dark and doubtful.  Be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit’s welfare.  Be my Strength in time of testing.  Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen. (A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie)

whole, thursday

Thursday, November 13

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

          

Opening Prayer: Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours.  You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life.  You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas.  Hear the deeper cry of my heart for wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence.  Lord, have mercy. (Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)

Scripture Reading for the Day: John 20:19-31

Reading for Reflection:

 

Think of Jesus’ words to the disciples, “Peace (shalom) be with you” (John 20:19).  Focus on the word peace.  It means wholeness and well-being.  The presence of the living Christ is speaking and breathing well-being and wholeness in the very center of your fear, your vulnerable place.  Stay in this living presence of the shalom as long as it seems right to you.  Let your vulnerable, defended place breathe it in. (Feed My Shepherds by Flora Slosson Wuellner)  

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                      

Closing Prayer: In Thy will, O Lord, is my peace.  In Thy love is my rest.  In Thy service is my joy.  Thou art my heart’s desire.  Amen. (A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie)

whole, wednesday

Wednesday, November 12

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

         

Opening Prayer: Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours.  You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life.  You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas.  Hear the deeper cry of my heart for wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence.  Lord, have mercy. (Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Psalm 23:1-6

Reading for Reflection:

 

The Christian journey is a journey in wholeness.  It is what we might call an adventure in spiritual growth.  To talk about spiritual growth, however, is to talk about all of life.  Spiritual growth involves not only the way we “pray” but the way we “play.”  It is concerned with harmony, the balanced use of life energy in a way that the whole person is nourished by the Spirit of God.  Harmony emerges when our work, maintenance, play, and freesense are held together in realistic balance. (Mutual Ministry by James C. Fenhagen)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                      

Closing Prayer: O Shepherd of my soul, when I dwell in your house, lie down in your pastures, and sit beside your quiet waters something happens deep within me—my soul is restored.  When I eat at your table and have my head anointed with your oil, my cup overflows—and I am made whole.  Thank you.  Amen.

whole, tuesday

Tuesday, November 11

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

          

Opening Prayer: Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours.  You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life.  You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas.  Hear the deeper cry of my heart for wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence.  Lord, have mercy. (Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Mark 5:12-20

Reading for Reflection:

 

     What is your name?  What a great question.  A question that, on the surface, seems fairly harmless and safe, but is actually one of incredible depth and insight.  Because a person’s name can tell us a lot, especially in Jesus’ day.  A name was significant because it was meant to convey, not just what a person was called, but who they really were.  It was meant to tell us something about their identity; to give us a hint as to who they really believed themselves to be. 

     So, when Jesus asks the name of this tortured soul, he is really asking, “Who are you?  Who do you believe yourself to be?”  And that is a great question.  An important question.  A question we all, at some point in our lives, must struggle to find an answer for.  Who am I, really?  How do I define myself?  What is it that gives me a true sense of identity?  What am I counting on to give me the worth and the value I most deeply long for? 

     Most of us work our entire lives to find an answer to that question—to try and make a name for ourselves.  The problem is that the name we make for ourselves can never be our true name.  Because our true identity can never be achieved, it can only be bestowed.  And it can only be bestowed by the One who made us.

      “My name is Legion,” says this tortured soul, “for we are many.”  In other words, “I have no idea who I am.  There are so many different voices in here that it’s impossible to tell.”  A legion was around 5,000 soldiers, so obviously bearing that name meant that this man was a mass of chaos and confusion within.  He was everybody.  And because he was everybody, he was really nobody at all.  That is undoubtedly the way he must have felt: insignificant, worthless, unlovable, a nobody.  He was destined for a life of confusion, despair, and loneliness because the truth of the matter is that we all tend to live out of the name we most believe to be true about us.

     This is the man that comes down out of the tombs to meet Jesus on this particular day: a man who spent his life among the dead, cutting himself with stones, breaking chains, and crying out for some sort of relief from his torment.  And while everyone else is running away from him, Jesus meets him right where he is, right in the middle of his pain and brokenness.  And somehow, in the process, Legion is Legion no more—he receives a brand new name and, therefore, a brand new identity and a brand life.  He is completely and totally transformed.  He is made whole. (Being with Jesus by Jim Branch)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                      
Closing Prayer: May you experience grace—God acting in your life, in your thoughts, in your feelings, in your rest.  May his face shine upon you.  May his shining face lift up over you as you lie down, as you sleep, and give you the thoughts you need to have.  The blessing of the Trinity rest upon you and everything you are and do.  Let it be so.  Amen. (Living in Christ’s Presence by Dallas Willard)

whole, monday

Monday, November 10

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

          

Opening Prayer: Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours.  You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life.  You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas.  Hear the deeper cry of my heart for wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence.  Lord, have mercy. (Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Isaiah 26:1-15

Reading for Reflection:

 

Shalom, peace, is one of the richest words in the Bible.  You can no more define it by looking up its meaning in the dictionary than you can define a person by his social security number.  It gathers all aspects of wholeness that result from God’s will being completed in us.  It is the work of God that, when complete, releases streams of living water in us and pulsates with eternal life.  Every time Jesus healed, forgave or called someone, we have a demonstration of shalom. (A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                      

Closing Prayer: Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.  O Lord our God, others have ruled us, but you alone are the one we worship. (Isaiah 26:12-13 NLT)

whole, sunday

Sunday, November 9

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

          

Opening Prayer: Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours.  You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life.  You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas.  Hear the deeper cry of my heart for wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence.  Lord, have mercy. (Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Mark 5:24-34

Reading for Reflection:

Few words in all of the Old Testament are as rich as the Hebrew word shalom.  As a matter of fact, the translations of this one little word are varied and numerous—trying in vain to capture the fullness of the idea it is meant to communicate.  The most common translation we have for the word is peace, but that does not seem to go far enough.  Therefore, it is also translated prosperity, tranquility, well-being, safety, and security.  Maybe the best word we have in the English language, however, that even comes close to capturing the true essence of shalom is the word wholeness.  Because at its core shalom is about experiencing the creation intent of God.  Shalom is life as God intended it to be—life before sin and brokenness.  Shalom is finding our way back into the garden where we were created to enjoy and experience God in His fullness as we “walk with Him in the cool of the day.”  It is what our souls are really and truly longing for—deep communion and connection and intimacy with our God.

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

                                  

Closing Prayer: My God, I wish to give myself to thee.  Give me the courage to do so.                                                        

                                                                            ~Francois Fenelon

faith, saturday

Saturday, November 8

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

        

Opening Prayer: O Lord, help me to really believe.  Help me to really believe that your heart for me is good.  Help me to really believe that nothing can separate me from your love.  Help me to really believe that you will do what you say you will do.  Help me to take you at your word.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen.

           

Scripture Reading for the Day: Luke 7:36-50

Reading for Reflection:

 

“Your faith has saved you,” Jesus said (Luke 7:50).  Faith in what?  Faith in the divine goodness that is ready to forgive everything and everyone who comes.  Faith in the infinite mercy of God which is not concerned with numbers, since it is infinite, but with gratitude and self-surrender.  By entrusting herself to divine love she received complete forgiveness and was empowered to prove her gratitude by the extent of her courtesy. (Awakenings by Thomas Keating)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

                                  

Closing Prayer: O God, who hast been the Refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my Refuge today in every time and circumstance of need.  Be my Guide through all that is dark and doubtful.  Be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit’s welfare.  Be my Strength in time of testing.  Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen. (A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie)