Genesis Roots: Rebekah and Isaac, an arranged marriage that goes right

This week we continue my summer lectionary series called "Genesis Roots."  The word genesis means origin, beginning, or birth.  Root, in the context in which I'm writing, means essential core or source of life. In a way, the roots of the story of monotheistic faith rest in the stories we find in Genesis.

God works in mysterious ways.  Indeed.  Sometimes, mysterious is almost unbelievable.  I find the story of the way Isaac and Rebekah came to meet each other, get married, and fall in love ... to be pretty mysterious in a way that only God could orchestrate.   Ishmael's mother, Hagar, had gotten him a wife from Egypt, which may have dismayed his father, Abraham.  Now that Sarah has passed away, Abraham insists that that Isaac's wife be a relative from his father's house.  He plans, with help from his servant, to make that happen.  Personally, I think Abraham has learned as much from Sarah as he is directed by God!   

Read these excerpts, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-61 (NET - Link to The VOICE Bible) to hear the amazing story of how Abraham's servant, a pretty prayerful guy himself, finds Rebekah to become Isaac's wife.

“I am the servant of Abraham,” he began. “The Lord has richly blessed my master and he has become very wealthy. The Lord has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah bore a son to him when she was old, and my master has given him everything he owns. My master made me swear an oath. He said, ‘You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but you must go to the family of my father and to my relatives to find a wife for my son.’

 When I came to the spring today, I prayed, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you have decided to make my journey successful, may events unfold as follows: Here I am, standing by the spring. When the young woman goes out to draw water, I’ll say, “Give me a little water to drink from your jug.” Then she will reply to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too.” May that woman be the one whom the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’

“Before I finished praying in my heart, along came Rebekah with her water jug on her shoulder! She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels water. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.’ I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. Then I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right path to find the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way.”

So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Do you want to go with this man?” She replied, “I want to go.”  So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, accompanied by her female attendant, with Abraham’s servant and his men. They blessed Rebekah with these words:  “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands!  May your descendants possess the strongholds of their enemies.”  Then Rebekah and her female servants mounted the camels and rode away with the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and left.

As we can see from these passages, Abraham's servant is a praying man and God is listening ... or perhaps we might say that when we are praying "in the Spirit" and watching for God's movement in our circumstances, everything falls into place.  

• Have you ever prayed in the way of Abraham's servant?
• How did God "answer" your prayer?
• How has our mysterious God worked in the circumstances of your life?
• Can you remember a time when you said yes and surrendered to God in faith, not knowing what that really meant for you?
• How do you feel when you follow God into the unknown?

When you have pondered God and prayer and mystery and surrender, I invite you to spend a few moments preparing your heart to worship God as you engage with the text via Lectio Divina.   Breathe deeply and envision God’s Spirit filling you with the ability to follow our mysterious God into the unknown without fear!  Settle into a place of confidence within yourself with a simple  breath prayer.  Use this one or create your own.

Breathing in (who do you worship?)   ... Mysterious God
Breathing out (what do you need?)     ... Give me peace with the unknown

and when you are ready to move deeper into the text, pray ... Mysterious God, I often wonder at the way you work in the world and in my life.  Help me to recognize when you are calling me into the unknown, but then it is really only unknown to me.  You are there, in my future, with all that I need.  Help me trust in you.    In Christ, Amen. 

Step 1: Lectio … Reading
Read  Genesis 24:62-67 (NET) slowly, taking in the story that is unfolding.
Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase or perhaps an image that is forming.
Sit with your word or phrase or image for as long as seems good to you.
Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Let the story come alive in your soul through that word, phrase, image.

Click here to read in original Lectio Version: The VOICE Bible

Now Isaac came from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to relax in the field in the early evening. Then he looked up and saw that there were camels approaching. Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked Abraham’s servant, “Who is that man walking in the field toward us?” “That is my master,” the servant replied. So she took her veil and covered herself.

The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. Then Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took her as his wife and loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Step 2: Meditatio … Receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase or image.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you and reveal your path.
Listen and watch for God’s mysterious presence as you move through your day

Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires

Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow your word, phrase or image to fall away ...
Allow yourself to rest in the silence ...   

If images are a pathway to God for you, you may want to pray while "gazing" upon this painting of Abraham, Isaac, and the Messenger of God.  How does this image resonate with what has arisen within you?

Rebecca Meets Isaac by the Way, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, in public domain, wikimedia commons

To end your time of praying with scripture, pray this prayer of surrender written by 

Thomas A Kempis, 1380-1471, author of Imitation of Christ: 

 Lord, You know what is best; let this be done or that be done as You please. 

Give what You will, as much as You will, when You will. 

Do with me as You know best, as will most please You, 

and will be for Your greater honor. 

Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things. 

I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will. 

Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things. 

Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You - 

would that I could do this worthily and perfectly!  Amen.

Lanterns in the Desert/Lenten Lectio: Do not put the Lord your God to the test!

Your word is a lantern to my feet
 and a light to my path.

 Psalm 119:105

Our Lenten journey takes place in our desert, that place in our life where we wander and wonder and struggle with who we are and what we are called to be and to do.  It is a place of "testing."   After his baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the desert where he spent 40 days wandering, wondering, and struggling.  He used the Word of God as his Light and his "Lantern in the Desert."  As we walk with Jesus in the desert carrying our own lanterns to light the path, we deepen our trust in God as we let go of trying to control our lives and make things happen.  We surrender to God.  We are invited to learn how to let God provide for us in our wilderness, just as Jesus did.  

For the next couple of weeks we look at the 2nd temptation of Christ as we expand our Lectio and Labyrinth experience.  This week we engage in Lectio and next week we'll walk the Labyrinth.  

Before we engage in Lectio Divina, or sacred reading, let us focus on God's loving presence by creating and breathing with a Breath Prayer.  Try this one or create one of your own:

Breathing in ... Holy Spirit of Jesus

Breathing out ... Strengthen me in my wilderness

When you are ready to enter into prayer with the text via Lectio Divina, take one last deep breath and pray for illumination of the text:

Holy Spirit, light the candle in my lantern as I read and pray with the Holy Word.  Increase my trust and help me to let go as I listen to the movements of God in my reading and reflection.  Amen.

Step 1:  Read Matthew 4:5-7 (Contemporary English Version) with the "eyes of your heart."   What word or phrase calls for your attention in your reading?  What word or phrase is this week's "lantern in the desert" for you? 

Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. The Scriptures say:

‘God will give his angels orders about you.
They will catch you in their arms,
and you won’t hurt your feet on the stones.’”

Jesus answered, 

“The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’”

Step 2:  Read the passage again and Reflect ...
How does your lantern in the desert illuminate your life and the temptations you encounter in your desire to control your own identity and the vision you have of your life?  How are you being invited to more deeply trust in God's will and provision?

Step 3:  Read the passage again and Respond ...
What do you say to God about the insights you have discerned in your reading and reflection?   How do you pray when you consider how you are being invited to leave your life and your future in God's hands?

Step 4:  Rest ...
Come to a place of silence within yourself and just "be" with God.  Try for 10 minutes or beyond. When you are ready to move on,  pray:  

Holy Spirit, lead me deeper into a wandering wilderness this Lenten season but boldly light a Lantern in the Desert so that I may find my way with you.  Help me to know who I am as a creation of God and how I can surrender my plans in order to embrace the plans God has for me.   Amen.

If art is a pathway to God for you, you may want to gaze upon this image ...and engage in visio divina ...

The Life of Jesus Christ by James Tissot:Temptation of Jesus Christ, Brooklyn Museum, in public domain

Read the Image ... Allow your eyes to seek softly what you are attracted to in the image.  Simply receive the gift of seeing.  What image within the image is drawing you in ... Allow yourself a few moments simply to sit with this gift.

Receive the Image ... Take a deep breath and gaze with soft eyes and a receptive spirit.  After receiving, close your eyes and reflect by allowing your imagination to form that image in your consciousness ... what are you receiving from God through the image?  How does this illuminate your life right now?

Respond to God ... Now take a deep breath and gaze with soft eyes and a grateful spirit.  How do you sense yourself desiring to respond to God through the image you have received?  What would you say to God about what you are hearing, seeing, feeling?  Allow yourself to pray with gratitude ... 

Rest in God ... Now take a deep breath and rest ... notice how your body feels.  Is there something more here?  Then go back and repeat your "gazing" prayer.   If you feel that you have received all you need in this moment, simply rest in the silence and come to a place of shalom, peace, wholeness ... 

To end your time of Visio Divina ... Join Jesus in lifting up his Lantern in the Desert:

“The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’”

Lectio & Labyrinth: A Parable about Patience and Persistence in Prayers for Justice

This week we weave together the ancient spiritual practices of Lectio Divina with walking the Labyrinth as we pray with Luke 8:1-8.  Do you have easy access to a Labyrinth that you could walk?   If not, you can take this Link to a finger Labyrinth that you can download and print: PDF File/Labyrinth.  If you prefer, I'll give you a link below to an online labyrinth within your experience of Lectio.  

Thus says the LORD:
Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.  Jeremiah 6:16ab

Both Lectio Divina and Walking the Labyrinth are ancient spiritual pathways to God.  Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase that means "sacred reading." It is a way of praying and listening for the still, small voice of God speaking through gentle reading of scripture.  Lectio Divina has also been known as "listening with the ear of the heart."    Beginning in the middle ages, Christianity adopted the Labyrinth as a symbol, changing the design to permeate it with specifically Christian meaning. For almost a thousand years there has been an identifiable Christian labyrinth tradition.

Celtic Triple Spiral Labyrinth at Grunewald Guild in Plain, Washington Photo by Cindy Serio

Today’s passage is often called the “Parable of the Unjust Judge.”  And yet, in the first verse we are told that the parable is about the disciple’s fading faith, their “need to pray always and not to lose heart.”  We might read into this that his followers were not praying and perhaps were in danger of “losing heart” because their prayers were not being “answered.” I can relate to that, can you?  The disciples were not a lot different from people today who wonder why their $5 worth of prayers are not bringing them their $5 worth of rewards. 

Perhaps we ask, just as they were, “why is God not answering my prayer?”  To this question Jesus tells an almost puzzling parable.  

In her book, The Parables for Today, Alyse M. McKenzie tells us, “Parables are short narrative fictions that seek to make us evaluate our lives.  While we think we are interpreting them, they are actually interpreting us!”  

So … dear reader, how is your prayer life?   

And now, here is a 1-line interpretation of this parable by an elderly black minister that Fred B. Craddock relates in his book Interpretation: Luke.   “Until you have stood for years knocking at a locked door, your knuckles bleeding, you do not really know what prayer is.”  

So … dear readers, what is the state of your knuckles?

So often we think there is something wrong with our prayers or with us when we pray fervently and do not get the answer we want or … we pray and nothing changes. Our life stays the same.  But ... Do we stay the same?  Do we allow God to change our heart so that we are in tune with the heartbeat of God in our situation?   What is God telling us about our own spiritual life and prayers through this parable that Jesus shares with the disciples whose faith seems to be fading away?   What does this parable tell us about God?   

Please note that in this parable God is NOT the unjust judge. Although, God does work through the unjust judge to grant justice to the widow, a marginalized woman in a dangerous time to be alone. 

God is the One who grants justice!  Let us meet God in our Prayers!

Settle into a place of loving openness within yourself with a simple Breath Prayer.  Use this one or allow one to emerge as you breathe in and breathe out.  (I have found that six to eight syllables is best for breathing but a longer prayer often speaks what we need to hear for ourselves … simply be authentic with your breath prayer)

Breathe in ... God of Justice (Your Name for God)
Breath out ... Hear My Heart’s Cry (Name Your Desire)

Pray: God of Justice, I cry out to you day and night and never stop pleading with you.  Give me patience, fill me with persistence as you change my heart to accept your desire for my prayers of justice for the world and for the way I am called to embody those prayers in my daily life.  In the name of Jesus Christ, the One who brings Justice to the World.  Amen.

Read Luke 18:1-8.  Engage in Lectio Divina, Praying with Scripture.  Allow yourself to be drawn deeply into God’s Presence as you read and pray and listen for the whispers of God.   Allow yourself to notice how you would feel if you were the widow crying out for justice.  Is there anyone that you know who may be in this situation and whose seems to be “losing heart?”  As you read and pray and walk with this passage move in prayer and solidarity with that person.   Perhaps that person is you …

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.  He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.  In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.'  For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'"  And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?  I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Read this passage again slowly.  Consider where God is calling your attention.   Reflect on just a word or phrase.  Spend time with your word or phrase and listen to the whispers of God through the words that have drawn you into the text ... Listen!    Take a walk on the Labyrinth or spend some time outside in nature.   Find a place to sit quietly.  Let the Spirit of God guide you.  

Turn your word or phrase or image over in your mind. Let God speak into your heart as you listen.  Take time to "Release" anything that emerges that you need to let go of in order to move on in your prayers.

As you pause at the center of the Labyrinth, take time to "Receive" and welcome God's word for you. Consider these questions or others that may arise in your time of pause:  Where is God speaking into my life through my word or phrase?  How is my prayer life touched by my word or phrase?

Before you begin your journey anew from the center, slowly Read the passage again.   Turn your attention to your word or phrase.  Know that it is ok if you are being drawn in a different direction on this reading!   

Consider how you will "Respond" to what you have heard from God …

As you walk or move out of the center along the same labyrinth path you took in, know that you are gaining strength for your continuing journey of life.  Who is God calling me to pray for or to reach out to through this passage?  How is God calling me to change?

As you reach the end of the Labyrinth pathway, it is time to Rest in the silence of God's Presence.  Allow God to draw you deeper into the shining light of the Holy Presence and into the prayerful sense of God’s Spirit, ever holding you and loving you.  Let all the words fade away and stay in this lovely place as long as you can.

Simply BE with the God who always hears your prayers.

Be aware that you may find a desire to express what you have received.  This is a wonderful time to journal, to write about your experience, thoughts, feelings, and insights.   Some persons find that God’s voice is clarified through the writing process.

Prayer:  O God of my Heart, I know you hear my prayers but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way.  Help me to be patient and to simply continue praying even when life doesn’t make sense.   Help me hear your gentle whispers in my heart as I pray and change me.  Help me to notice and pay attention to those places in life where I can not only pray for justice but can work for justice too!   In the name of Jesus Christ the Justice-Bringer, Amen.

Praying for Everyone!

There are as many ways to pray as there are people who pray.  What is prayer?  For me, prayer is communication with God ... sometimes I talk but mostly I listen.  Silence is very important to me.  It isn't to a lot of people.  Our way of entering into the scripture through Lectio Divina, which means "divine reading" is a way of "praying" the biblical text seeking a word from God which will illuminate our lives.  In prayer, I give (my time, attention, thoughts, words, feelings, etc) to God but I also receive (peace, understanding, presence, guidance, direction, etc) from God.  

This week our text comes from a letter written to a young pastor from an older pastor.  This old pastor gives a lot of instruction and advice.  In the passage we look at this week, he talks about prayer.  He asks the young pastor to pray.  The older pastor says, "pray for everyone!"  He gives such a good reason, it makes me smile.  This kind of prayer pleases God because (wait for it) God wants everyone to be saved.  Well, I think those words are beautiful in their simplicity.  Don't try playing games about who is in and who is out, who is worthy and who is not worthy.  Let's just pray for everyone and let God take care of the world through our prayers ... ok that was me!   What about you?

Lighting Candles in a Ritual of Intercessory Prayer (Praying for Others)

When you are ready to lean into our passage for lectio divina and pray with me, take a few moments to center yourself by engaging in a simple breath prayer (6-8 syllables) like this one (or one that emerges from within yourself) until you are focused on God.

Breathe in ... God of Blessings (pause)
Breathe out ... Bless the World! (pause)

Then pray for illumination of the text:  Spirit of the Saving God, open my heart to the power of your Love for everyone in the world.  Speak to my heart as I listen to your voice in the text.  Amen.

Step 1: Lectio/Reading … Reading
Read 1 Timothy 2:17 slowly and reverently, letting the words steep in your mind. Perhaps you might imagine yourself listening to a seasoned and wise pastor who knows God through his or her own deep prayer life.  Know that you can trust the person who speaks these words to you.  Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.  Gently focus on that word or phrase.  Repeat it several times and allow it to be sifted through your heart and mind all the way to your soul.

First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Savior. God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth, which is, There is only one God, and Christ Jesus is the only one who can bring us to God. Jesus was truly human, and he gave himself to rescue all of us.  God showed us this at the right time.  This is why God chose me to be a preacher and an apostle of the good news. I am telling the truth. I am not lying. God sent me to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth.

Step 2: Meditatio/Meditation … Receiving
Read the passage a 2nd time ...
Continue to focus on just a word or a phrase (it may be different on this reading)
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings the passage evokes within you.
What images emerge in your imagination?  What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you through the word or phrase you've been drawn to.
Listen for God’s reply as you move through your day

Step 3: Oratio/Prayer … Responding
Consider any thoughts or feelings or desires that have been awakened.
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention.
Do not rush ... how are you drawn to respond to God?

Step 4: Contempatio/Contemplative Silence … Resting
Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
Allow your heart and breathe with the silence
When you feel the time to move on ...

Pray:  Spirit of the Saving God, I pray for everyone in the world to know you.  Please help them and bless them richly.  I am thankful for humanity, for each and every person you create. I pray for the leaders of the world, that they may bring peace and confidence in the people they lead as we worship and honor you. Please save the people from leaders who would abuse and harm them.  I pray for those who feel lost, for those think they are the least, and for those who have no love in their lives.  Lift them up and show me how to reach out to everyone who needs you.  Amen. 

Transfiguration: Witness the Praying Jesus!

Luke’s Jesus was a praying man.  Read this passage which immediately precedes the Transfiguration.  Jesus is praying with the disciples as witness.  As he emerges from his time of prayer, he has challenging questions and strong words for his friends.

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”  He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”  Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Can you imagine hearing your small group leader and best friend say … Some of you “will not taste death before [you] see the kingdom of God.”   OK, what does that mean?   Is that a good thing??  It sounds like a good thing ... I think, but you know Jesus.  If you don't, you should!  I think if the disciples were not slightly off balance before they started following Jesus, he worked at keeping them that way, questioning themselves … I think this makes me feel like I should always be a little off balance ... questioning myself about what I think I know about God!  This way of being invites me to be open to experiences that I might not understand on a human level but can grasp dimly on a deeper spiritual level ... ok, maybe I don’t really understand them at all, I just accept the reality that many people would think I am crazy if they knew my deepest thoughts about God and the things I think I’ve experienced.  I am fine with this.  How about you?

The Transfiguration was just such an experience for the disciples as they witnessed Jesus deep in prayer ... changed, transformed, clothed with glory before their very eyes.  I encourage you not to try to “understand” it … simply open yourself up to “experience” it.  Along with the disciples breath in the beauty of Jesus and imagine the beginning of the dawning reality of his incarnational identity!  Who is this Jesus?  Could he be ... the Messiah of God?

As you prepare your heart to read and pray the scriptures, remember the disciples, remember seekers and struggling believers, remember your own struggles.  Just sit with your "remembering" right now and breathe a gentle breath prayer.  Use this one or create your own (6-8 syllables the best)  

Breathe in … Praying Jesus  (pause) 
Breath out … Open my Eyes (pause)

When you are ready to move into the text, use these words from a popular song as a prayer:

Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up, Shining in the light of Your glory.  Amen!

Now, read Luke 9:28-36  with the eyes “of your heart" using Lectio Divina, during which you will breathe and listen deeply to this beautiful mysterious experience of Jesus through the eyes of the disciple’s hearts.  Read the text slowly, savoring the experience in all of its beauty.

Reading 1.    Read the text slowly. Try to engage all of your senses and visualize the scene as it unfolds.   

Movement 1 (Lectio-Read) and simply sit with an image, word or phrase that captures your attention for a few minutes.  Let your soul be stirred in a way it has not been stirred before.   What image, word or phrase is most full of meaning for you where you are in your life right now?

About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray.  And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.  Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus.  They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.  Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.  As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.  Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”  When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

2.    Read the text slowly again ... As you read, listen for the still small voice of the text whispering to you, “Here I am, where are you?”  Where is God calling your attention?  Sit inside the text with the gift God has for you … it can be words from the text OR it can be an image that has arisen from the text.  Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...

Movement 2 (Meditatio-Reflect) How does your image, word or phrase speak to your life right now?  Is there a message or a questions hidden within this gift from God?

3.    Read the text slowly again.  How do you offer your prayers and your life to God today?  Respond to God with prayers of light and love ... sing praises, whisper confessions, laugh gratitude, breathe in discernment, breathe out commitment ... or simply allow yourself to bask in the silence of your image.  Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready …

Movement 3 (Oratio-Respond) How do you offer your images, prayers and your life to God today?

4.    Rest in the gentle silence of God's presence.  Breathe in the light of God.  As you move on, breathe out the love of God upon the world!

Movement 4 (Contemplatio-Rest) Breathe … Breathe … Breathe … Amen

I invite you to close this time of praying with scripture by viewing this youtube video:Michael W. Smith sings Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord.   The contributor set the music to beautiful nature photographs … Is it any wonder that Jesus took the disciples up on the top of a mountain to experience such glory.  Isn’t it true that as we gaze upon nature, we gaze upon the glory of the God who creates all things in our beautiful world?

Hood Canal Near Seattle, Washington in January 2013

Thank you 

Creator God

for the Beauty

in Nature!

Psalm 4: O LORD Hear My Prayer!

In Psalm 4 we hear David’s heart cry:  Listen to my prayer!   David is the “man after God’s own heart.”  (see 1 Sam 13:14 and Acts 13:22)  What does this mean?  I believe it means that David’s heart was always turned toward God.  No matter how many times he falls away from God and into sin, we turns back and falls upon God’s mercy.   David trusted God, he was honest with God about how he felt, and he was very responsive to God’s movement.  Read Psalm 4 seeking to know God today as David knew God so very long ago.  

When you are ready, I invite you to take a deep cleansing breath and spend a few moments centering yourself on the God that David knows and loves.    Take this Link to listen to a beautiful song that from the Taize community called O LORD Hear My Prayer to center yourself on God.  Let your heart sing with the music.     Take this Link to learn more about the Taize Community in France.

When you are ready to move deeper into the text ... Pray:  Here I am, God!   Answer me when I cry out to you, my righteous God!  Set me free from all trouble and distractions.  Have mercy on me!  Listen to my prayer!    Amen.  

The Psalms were meant to be read aloud and felt all the way to our bones through the reading.    Read this psalm out loud, slowly and prayerfully, bringing your own emotions, even the darker ones, into your reading.  Allow yourself to feel what David felt and draw closer to God as did grew.  Amen.

Psalm 4 (CEB)
For the music leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God!
    Set me free from my troubles!
        Have mercy on me!  Listen to my prayer!


How long, you people, will my reputation be insulted?
How long will you continue
    to love what is worthless and go after lies?      Selah
Know this: the LORD takes personal care of the faithful.
The LORD will hear me when I cry out to him.
So be afraid, and don’t sin!
    Think hard about it in your bed and weep over it!      Selah
Bring righteous offerings, and trust the LORD!


Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere.
    The light of your face has left us, LORD!”
But you have filled my heart with more joy
    than when their wheat and wine are everywhere!
I will lie down and fall asleep in peace
    because you alone, LORD, let me live in safety.

Read this passage and linger on the words that catch your attention.  Reflect with a sense of curiosity on just a word or phrase that is full of meaning for you …   Sit with your selection and listen to the whispers of God ... Listen with the ears of your heart!  Turn the word or phrase over in your mind.  Let the Lord your God speak ... Listen!   Where are you being invited to dwell for these few moments?

Read the passage again slowly and linger on those words that seem most important to you now.  Respond to God.   Once again turn your attention to your word or phrase or commandment, and know that you may be drawn to a different word on this reading.    As you contemplate your word or phrase or commandment, how are you being called to respond, in word … prayer … action … in some other way?

Read the passage again and Rest.  Allow the God of David to draw you deeper into Presence … Rest in who you are right now and in the hope for the future you.  Let all the words fade away ... until you are ready to take up your journal and write about your meditation.  When you are ready to move out of your meditation … Pray:  Here I am, God!   Answer me when I cry out to you, my righteous God!  Set me free from all trouble and distractions.  Have mercy on me!  Listen to my prayer!    Amen.  

Cindy’s Reflection … fall asleep in peace … O how I wish I could fall asleep at all, peace would be a lovely perk, there just always seems to be another person in need and more work to do and I can’t always be where I really want to be.  I can’t always find God but how silly I am … remember … God never gets lost!  It is always me and I am sensing an inner dissatisfaction.  Julian of Norwich says, “Nothing less than God will satisfy you.”  And so true!  Here I am God!  Hear my Prayer!


To end your time of study and prayer, find your breath prayer and settle into a place of openness within yourself.  Use this breath prayer or create your own (six to eight syllables)

          Breathe in ... Righteous God (pause)

                Breath out ... Have mercy on me (pause)

            Breathe in ... Righteous God (pause)

               Breath out ... Listen to my prayer (pause)


Amen.  Amen.  Amen.

Jonah ... Get up and Go!

Dear friend ... Breathe deeply.   Take a few moments to center yourself on God who calls us to come, calls us to get up and calls us to go.    As you breathe and settle into a place of deep quiet within yourself, listen for God ... if other voices distract you from your time of quiet, stop and acknowledge those errant voices, plan to attend to them after you finish your time with God and turn your attention back to your breathing!  If you aren't sure where the voices are coming from ... the silent one is God :)

As you breathe deeply, say a "breath prayer"

     Inhale:   God of Jonah ...

     Pause ...

     Exhale:  I will go  ...

     Pause ...

Repeat this breath prayer or create your own until you feel it is time to move from prayer into the sacred reading of the biblical text, and then ... Pray:

    

     Let me hear your voice in the text as I read

Read this Jonah passage slowly, immersing yourself in this story of the prophet who finally surrenders to the call of God to carry a prophetic message.   Remember (or read Jonah 1-2 if you don't know the story) that Jonah has previously run from God the first time God spoke, let's just say he didn't care for his assignment, and wound up languishing inside a great fish for 3 days.  He had time for some serious self-evaluation and prayer before finally being spit out upon the beach to live another day ...  

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (NLT)    Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”   This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.   On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”  The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.   When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

Read the passage again slowly and Reflect on the journey of Jonah from hearing to doing.   Or perhaps you find yourself thinking about those Ninevites as they come to believe Jonah's words.  Listen for a word or a phrase that draws your attention.   Repeat that word or phrase.  Ponder this Word or phrase through which God is speaking to YOU as you let the story unfold in your mind and heart.   Where does your word or phrase intersect your life where you are right now … as you feel yourself listening, not listening, obeying, not obeying, doing, not doing, speaking, not speaking, praying, not praying, fasting, not fasting ... How are you responding, not responding … make an honest assessment, where are you?

Read the passage again slowly and Respond.   Share with God how you feel about what you are hearing through your word or phrase.  Share with God how you feel about your sense of response.  Speak your word or phrase out loud and ask God to help you surrender to the word you have heard and the wisdom it holds as you explore its meaning for you where you are right now.   Take a moment or more to journal what you are hearing and how you will respond, don't think about the words, just write and let your deepest thoughts rise into your consciousness.

Read the passage again and Rest.  Allow the presence of God to surround you and deepen your faith so you are able to surrender to God's call.  Rest until the peace of God settles into your soul ...

When you sense the time to move on, Pray: God of Jonah, you know where to challenge me and you know what my response will be before I even make it.  Let me always go where you lead me and speak the word you give to me.  And if I am on the other side have mercy, O God, and help me weep and turn and follow you.    Amen.

Cindy's Journal Reflection ... God changed God’s mind!  In religious terms, God repented?  God turned and went in a different direction.  God was going to destroy evil, but God instead invited change … and brought transformation to a people … transformation that came through hearing a word from God AND from fasting and prayer, that's some serious self-evaluation.  God changed God’s mind.  I remember the many number of times I deserved to be destroyed but God chose life for me.  And I am grateful!  I remember how many times I have struggled to respond to God and God waited with me through my own serious self-evaluation.  And I am grateful!  I remember that sometimes I feel that I am inside the great fish, and sometimes I feel that I have been spit out upon the beach, and sometimes I get up and go!   Perhaps that is what serious self-evaluation takes.  If I am honest, today I am feeling that I am inside the great fish :( doing some serious self-evaluation myself ... and even though I don't feel it, I know that God is with me ... and I am so grateful!   Thank you God ... Amen.