Walking the Journey

Week 2 - Walking the Journey.This is the second week in Lent, we begin a series of encounters of Jesus with - Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the man born blind, and Lazarus. Or to put it another way, these are "encounters" with our need for rebirth, our thirst, our blindness and our deadness.

This week we ask the question How do we walk from here? As we focus on the movement of the Spirit - “which blows where it may” we ask “where is God’s spirit taking you?” And focusing on the story of Nicodemus we ask “What is God birthing in you?” Take time to notice where the wind of God is moving you.

Spiritual Practice - Take a walk alone or with a friend - meditate, pray or talk together about where God is in your life. “How do you see God active in your life?”

Make a Joyful Noise

Lent is often known as a solemn season.

Every lent I try to let go of something that bring me down, brings death rather than life.

I also try to replace that with a life-giving practice.

Today I invite you to "Make a joyful noise to the Lord."

Spend some time singing, or playing music to praise God. You may want to sing a song you have memorized or put on a CD to sing along with or simply enjoy.

An Irish Blessing

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
...For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Sole Journey

The sun is shining (at least for the moment)

Today take a prayer walk through your community.

Be aware of things you don't often see

Who goes unnoticed or ignored?

Who and what do you avoid?

What do you take for granted?

What do you appreciate?

Where do you see God in your world today?

Feel free to share below (it's easy to post a comment by anonymous)

Blessings on this St. Patricks Day

Soul Mending

As we continue through this journey of Lent I invite you to take some time to be aware of what distracts you. In the last few days we have been praying with 'consolations' and 'desolations.' Those desolations are the things that draw us away from God.

I invite you today to take another step in this. Is there something that you use to distract you? Is it go on the computer, turn on the T.V., listen to music, eat, clean? These things in themselves are not bad but at times we fail to stop and take notice. Take time today to change those distractions to times of prayer. Even if it is just for 5 minutes - turn off the T.V. or the computer, slow down - don't run out the door or whatever it is that 'keeps you busy.'

Spend some time mending your Soul.

Soul Journey

The Beginning of the Soul Journey

Week 1 - The first step.

Jesus begins his journey by temptation in the desert. In this first week of lent we are reminded that you can’t move forward unless you are willing to be a little off balance.

You must be willing to take a chance.

As you plan for this journey we invite you to ask

• what are you going to take with you?
• What are you going to leave behind- because it weighs you down. Even Jesus faced trials along the way but he never forgot who he was and what brought him fullness of life.

Spiritual Practice - This week practice the Ignatian practice of Examen. The idea is to look for the movements of God throughout your day and life.

Ignatious expected that God would speak through our deepest feelings and yearnings, what he called “consolation” and “desolation.” For us, consolations is whatever helps us connect with ourselves, others, God and creation. Desolation is whatever disconnects us.
Think through and then pray into:

Consolation - What draws me close to God? What am I grateful for? What gives me life?

Desolation - What pulls me away from God? For what am I least grateful? What drains life from me?

I invite you to do this practice on your own. If you are able to I also encourage you to do this practice with your partner and/or family or a friend.

Dying to Live

http://bc.united-church.ca/ko/content/dying-live-dan-chambers-sermon