Blog Posts

NOT HOLDING BACK

4/9/2022

0 Comments

Musica Divina

Find a quiet place to sit comfortably and settle in.
Take several slow, deep, centering breaths to bring yourself into a more prayerful state.
Listen to the musical selection. Pay close attention to the lyrics.
Choose a phrase or phrases that resonate with you and take a moment to repeat them silently to yourself. Use your breath to pace the words.
Listen a second time, focusing on the feel of the music and the imagery that it brings, perhaps imagery associated with the phrase you chose.
Listen a third time if possible, taking in the whole piece but connecting especially with the phrases you chose.
Sit in silence. Let the thoughts and feelings that the music has inspired wash through you.
How is God speaking to you through the music chosen to pray with today? If you keep a journal, write your thoughts or feelings now, perhaps expressing gratitude for this quiet time with God. If not, close your session with a short prayer.

0 Comments

Moses and His Law

4/8/2022

0 Comments

Moses and His Law by Alan and Aaron Hicks

Visio Divina

Prepare Your Heart for Prayer: Before you begin, have Moses and His Law visible – print it out or have the image pulled up on your phone or computer. Pick a comfortable place where you will not be disturbed or distracted. You may want to begin your time in prayer with a scripture reading. Read 2 Timothy 2:20 out loud (caption under artwork). Close your eyes, breathe, clear your mind, and ask God to enter into this time of prayer with you. Ask God to speak to you through Moses and His Law.
Allow Moses and His Law to Speak to Your Heart: Open your eyes and look at the entire picture of the Moses and His Law. Notice the objects, the people, the colors, and the lighting. What's in the foreground? Background? What word or emotion does Moses and His Law bring to your heart or mind? What do you hear God whispering into your heart? What thoughts or questions is this image raising? What emotions do you feel? Continue to gaze and reflect as long as you need to, then briefly close your eyes. Once you have looked at the artwork, make a mental note of the part of the painting that caught your attention. Let your eyes focus on the part of the image they’re first drawn to. Gaze upon just that part of the image for a minute or two. Then close your eyes, still seeing that part of the image in your mind.
Listening for God: Open your eyes and meditate on the part of the picture that has drawn your attention. How is God speaking to you? Why do you think God drew your attention to this particular part? Is a message conveyed that is relevant to your life? Do you sense an invitation? Is a memory aroused? What do you hear God whispering into your heart? What thoughts or questions is this image raising? What emotions do you feel? Continue to gaze and reflect as long as you need to, then briefly close your eyes.
Talk to God: Open your eyes. God has been speaking to you as you meditated on this artwork. It’s now time for you to respond. While looking at Moses and His Law, respond to God. What is your prayer? Articulate any yearnings or desires that arise. Give voice to your emotions. Pray through the words, images, emotions, questions, and thoughts that are now on your heart. Continue to look at it as you pray. Then, close your eyes briefly.
Rest and Reflect in God: As you close out your time in prayer, open your eyes. Rest in God’s presence as you reflect upon this prayer experience. Spend some time in silence. Consider how you’ll take this into your life. You may choose to journal about your experience.

0 Comments

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Lectio Divina

Silencio: First, be still. Quiet yourself. Take some deep breaths as you inhale and exhale. It will help to sit back in your chair, put your hands on your lap, and gently close your eyes. Honor God’s presence in your sacred space.
Lectio: As you prayerfully read the passage, revere God’s holy Scriptures. Slow down and listen in silence as you anticipate experiencing the awesomeness of God's holy voice. Pray that God would speak to you in a way different from any reading encounter you’ve had in the past.
Meditatio: Through meditation, allow God’s Word to be fully digested into your very being. Turn God’s Word over and over in your mind. Pray that God’s Word will touch you at a depth you have not experienced before.
Oratio: Go even deeper in your discipline of sacred reading. During a loving, intimate conversation with your Creator, allow the Word of God to transform you from the inside out. Accept God's warm embrace.
Contemplatio: Let go of preconceptions. Let go and embrace God's Word. Enjoy just being with God. Rest in that space.
Action: Before you get up and go, ask God (and yourself): what must I do with what I've read? How can I live this out in my daily life?

0 Comments

NEVER LOST

4/6/2022

0 Comments

Musica Divina

Find a quiet place to sit comfortably and settle in.
Take several slow, deep, centering breaths to bring yourself into a more prayerful state.
Listen to the musical selection. Pay close attention to the lyrics.
Choose a phrase or phrases that resonate with you and take a moment to repeat them silently to yourself. Use your breath to pace the words.
Listen a second time, focusing on the feel of the music and the imagery that it brings, perhaps imagery associated with the phrase you chose.
Listen a third time if possible, taking in the whole piece but connecting especially with the phrases you chose.
Sit in silence. Let the thoughts and feelings that the music has inspired wash through you.
How is God speaking to you through the music chosen to pray with today? If you keep a journal, write your thoughts or feelings now, perhaps expressing gratitude for this quiet time with God. If not, close your session with a short prayer.

0 Comments

The Fiery Furnace

4/5/2022

0 Comments

Visio Divina

Prepare Your Heart for Prayer: Before you begin, have The Fiery Furnace visible – print it out or have the image pulled up on your phone or computer. Pick a comfortable place where you will not be disturbed or distracted. You may want to begin your time in prayer with a scripture reading. Read 2 Timothy 2:20 out loud (caption under artwork). Close your eyes, breathe, clear your mind, and ask God to enter into this time of prayer with you. Ask God to speak to you through The Fiery Furnace.
Allow The Fiery Furnace to Speak to Your Heart: Open your eyes and look at the entire picture of the The Fiery Furnace. Notice the objects, the people, the colors, and the lighting. What's in the foreground? Background? What word or emotion does The Fiery Furnace bring to your heart or mind? What do you hear God whispering into your heart? What thoughts or questions is this image raising? What emotions do you feel? Continue to gaze and reflect as long as you need to, then briefly close your eyes. Once you have looked at the artwork, make a mental note of the part of the painting that caught your attention. Let your eyes focus on the part of the image they’re first drawn to. Gaze upon just that part of the image for a minute or two. Then close your eyes, still seeing that part of the image in your mind.
Listening for God: Open your eyes and meditate on the part of the picture that has drawn your attention. How is God speaking to you? Why do you think God drew your attention to this particular part? Is a message conveyed that is relevant to your life? Do you sense an invitation? Is a memory aroused? What do you hear God whispering into your heart? What thoughts or questions is this image raising? What emotions do you feel? Continue to gaze and reflect as long as you need to, then briefly close your eyes.
Talk to God: Open your eyes. God has been speaking to you as you meditated on this artwork. It’s now time for you to respond. While looking at The Fiery Furnace, respond to God. What is your prayer? Articulate any yearnings or desires that arise. Give voice to your emotions. Pray through the words, images, emotions, questions, and thoughts that are now on your heart. Continue to look at it as you pray. Then, close your eyes briefly.
Rest and Reflect in God: As you close out your time in prayer, open your eyes. Rest in God’s presence as you reflect upon this prayer experience. Spend some time in silence. Consider how you’ll take this into your life. You may choose to journal about your experience.

0 Comments

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

4/4/2022

0 Comments

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Lectio Divina

Silencio: First, be still. Quiet yourself. Take some deep breaths as you inhale and exhale. It will help to sit back in your chair, put your hands on your lap, and gently close your eyes. Honor God’s presence in your sacred space.
Lectio: As you prayerfully read the passage, revere God’s holy Scriptures. Slow down and listen in silence as you anticipate experiencing the awesomeness of God's holy voice. Pray that God would speak to you in a way different from any reading encounter you’ve had in the past.
Meditatio: Through meditation, allow God’s Word to be fully digested into your very being. Turn God’s Word over and over in your mind. Pray that God’s Word will touch you at a depth you have not experienced before.
Oratio: Go even deeper in your discipline of sacred reading. During a loving, intimate conversation with your Creator, allow the Word of God to transform you from the inside out. Accept God's warm embrace.
Contemplatio: Let go of preconceptions. Let go and embrace God's Word. Enjoy just being with God. Rest in that space.
Action: Before you get up and go, ask God (and yourself): what must I do with what I've read? How can I live this out in my daily life?

0 Comments

<<Previous

Forward>>

NOT HOLDING BACK

Moses and His Law

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NIV)

NEVER LOST

The Fiery Furnace

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Rev. dwylene butler

Archives

Categories