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August24,2021DearFriendinFaith, Thisweekwewrapupour“GearedUpforLife”summerseriesANDcelebratewhatwehopetobetheLASTfullyvirtualandathomeworshipserviceofthepandemic!!!CanyoutellI’mexcited?!?!Startingnextweek,September5th,wewillbeginofferinganoptionforresuminginpersonworshipat10amonSundays.WhilewewillstillbeofferingaYouTubeversionoftheservice,itwillbeahybridofinperson/livefilmedandpre-recordedelements.Wewillcontinuetomailoutaprintedathomeversionoftheservices.However,startingnextweek,youwillbeginreceivingthisathomeguideaftertheworshipserviceoccursonSundaymornings.YoushouldexpecttoreceiveitbyThursdayorFridayoftheweekfollowingdependingonhowquicklywecanproduceitandgetitinthemail!Aswithanyshiftinoperations,itmighttakeusafewweekstoironoutthekinkssopleasebepatientwithusaswemakethistransition.Thankyou! Everythingyouneedtoparticipateisincludedinthisathomebulletin:hymnsheets,mysermonmanuscript,andtheliturgy.Throughoutthebulletin,whereveryouseeboldedfont,considereitherspeakingthosepartsaloudifyouareonyourown,orpickingsomeoneyou’reworshipingwithtobetheleaderandjointhemontheboldedparts.BesuretocheckoutStanKerr’sLectioDivinapracticeincludedattheveryendofthebulletin.ThereisavideoversionavailableonourYouTubechannelifyou’dliketohaveStanleadyou!Thisservice,withsomevariations,willbeavailableonYouTubeifyou’dliketoviewitthisweekend.Simplygotowww.youtube.com,searchfor“CheneyUMC”andselecttheAugust29thvideo. Ifyouhavequestions,comments,oraprayerrequest,pleasecontactme.MayyoubeprotectedbythearmorofGod,PastorAlissaBertsch2044thSt.Cheney,WA99004c:509-879-2278 alissabertsch@gmail.com

CheneyUnitedMethodistChurch

August29th,2021–GearedUpforLifeSummerWorshipSeriesCalltoWorship Thoughstormsragearoundme,IwillclothemyselfwiththewholearmorofGod. Iwillfastenthebeltoftruthaboutmywaist. Iwillplacestrengthanddeterminationasmyshoes toaidmeinmyministryandmissionforGod. IwilltakeuptheshieldoffaithwithwhichIshalldefendagainstevilways. Iwillpraydiligentlyatalltimes,offeringprayersandsupplicationtoGod. ThehelmetofsalvationandtheswordoftheSpirit willaccompanymyonmyjourney. BestrongintheLordwhoprovidesforyoureveryneed. IplacemyconfidenceandtrustinGodalways.AMEN.

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OpeningHymn “OGod,OurHelpinAgesPast”-UMH#117

OpeningPrayer HolyOneofmysteryandpower,thereisnoGodlikeyouinheavenaboveoronearthbelow,keepingcovenantandsteadfastlovewithallwhowalkbeforeyouwithpureanduprighthearts. Fillourliveswithyourglory,asyoufilledthetemplewithcloudwhenSolomonfirstbroughtthearkintoyourholydwellingplace. Giveusthestrengthandthepowertowithstandtheforcesofevilatworkinourlivesandinourworld.Amen.

EpistleReading–Ephesians6:10-20(NRSV) Finally,bestrongintheLordandinthestrengthofhispower.PutonthewholearmorofGod,sothatyoumaybeabletostandagainstthewilesofthedevil.Forourstruggleisnotagainstenemiesofbloodandflesh,butagainsttherulers,againsttheauthorities,againstthecosmicpowersofthispresentdarkness,againstthespiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyplaces.Therefore,takeupthewholearmorofGod,sothatyoumaybeabletowithstandonthatevilday,andhavingdoneeverything,tostandfirm.Standtherefore,andfastenthebeltoftrutharoundyourwaist,andputonthebreastplateofrighteousness.Asshoesforyourfeetputonwhateverwillmakeyoureadytoproclaimthegospelofpeace.Withallofthese,taketheshieldoffaith,withwhichyouwillbeabletoquenchalltheflamingarrowsoftheevilone.Takethehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.

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PrayintheSpiritatalltimesineveryprayerandsupplication.Tothatendkeepalertandalwayspersevereinsupplicationforallthesaints.Prayalsoforme,sothatwhenIspeak,amessagemaybegiventometomakeknownwithboldnessthemysteryofthegospel,forwhichIamanambassadorinchains.PraythatImaydeclareitboldly,asImustspeak. TheWordofLife. ThanksbetoGod.

TheWordInterpreted “Armored” PastorAlissa MostofyouknowthatI’manavidequestrianandthatIspendsometimejustabouteverydaywithmy,J’adorra.IcompeteinadisciplinecalleddressagewhichistheFrenchwordfor“training”,andit’ssocalledbecausethisformofridingisbasedoffancientmilitarytrainingforcavalryhorsesandthesoldierswhorodethem.AndImeanancient-inthe2ndcenturyB.C.E.,anAthenianmilitaryleader,philosopher,historian,andequestrianbythenameofXenophonwrotetwotreatisesabouttrainingupthemilitarywarhorsewithspecificsonhowtoselectahorse,trainitupthroughtheranks,andprovideforitscare. Inthefinalsectionofoneofhistreatises,Xenophondescribestherequiredequipmentforboththehorseandtheriderwhenridingintobattle.Fortherider,hementionsthatthecorselet,orbreastplate,shouldfitproperly,andthattheridershoulduseaBoeotian(pronouncedBeeOcean)helmetwhichkindoflookedlikeasunhatinthatyoucouldfolddownvariousmetalbrimstoprotecttheneck,ears,andforeheadasneeded.Asanopenhelmet,itallowedgoodperipheralvisionandunimpairedhearingwhichwasapparentlyacutelyhelpfulforcavalryriderswhoneededtoseewheretheyweregoingathighspeedandhearoverthesoundofthunderinghoofsteps!Agauntlet,madeofmetalorleatherwasrecommendedtoprotectthelefthandandarmallthewayuptotheshoulderandarmpitasthathandwouldbeholdingthereinsratherthanadefensiveweaponliketherighthandwhichwieldedthesword. Thehorse'sprotectionwasalsodetailedbyXenophonwithafrontletwhichprotectedthefaceofthehorse,abreastplate,andleatherpiecestoprotectthehindlegsbeingcompulsory.Itwasalsorecommendedthatthebackandbellyofthehorsehaveasaddleclothtoprotectthemfromrubs,andthatthelegsbewrappedwithclothtoshieldthemfromnicksandcuts. Thoughwearefarremovedfromtheancientarenasofwar,manyofthetrainingmovementsI’mlearningtodowithJ’adorraareexactlythesameastheonesXenophondescribesandmanyoftherequiredequipmentandsafetypracticeshewroteaboutover2300yearsago,remaininplace.Formetocompeteandeveninsomecases,train,Iamrequiredtowearawell-fittinghelmetthatprovidessomeneckprotectionaswellasgloves(onbothhandssincetheswordisnolongercompulsory)plussturdybootswithaheeltokeepmyfootfromslidingforwardinthestirrup.WheneverIride,IalwaysuseasaddlepadonJ’adorra’sbackandwhileshedoesn’twearafrontlet,breastplateorthighpieces,shedoessportawide,leathergirthtodispersepressureandbootsonherlegsandfeettoprotectherfromnicksandcuts. Mychosensportisn’ttheonlyonethatrequirescertaintypesofprotectiveequipmenttoplay,train,orcompete.Soccerplayerswearshinguards.Racquetballershavesafetyglasses.Softballplayerswearleathershoeswithcleats.Andmanyactivitiesrequire,orstronglysuggest,wearingahelmet.Protectingourselveswhileweengageinrecreationalactivitiesisnormalforus.Takeamomentandthinkaboutanactivityyouparticipateinregularly-whatsortsofrequiredequipmentand

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safetyprotocolsdoyouhavetoadheretoinordertoengageitin?Doyouhavetowearhelmet?Elboworkneepads?Gloves,safetyglasses,orabodyvest?Whatpurposedoeachoftheseitemsserve-whataretheyprotectingandwhataretheyprotectingyoufrom?Brokenbonesandbraininjuriesfromimpactwithotherpeopleorequipment?Cutsandscrapesfromfallingorcrashing?Blackeyesorbruisesfromamisdirectedkickorswing?Yougettheidea. Andwedon’tjustlimittheseprotectivemeasurestowhenwe’rehavingfunorworkingout.Wewearseatbeltswhenwedrive,holdthehandrailwhengoingupanddownstairs,andputchildprooflocksonourmedicinecabinets.Lifeisinherentlyriskyandsometimesdownrightdangerousbuttherearemitigatingpracticeswecanembracetohelpussafelyparticipateandnavigateboththemundanedaytodayandexcitingadventuresthatcomeourway! Ifhehadhisway,ourEphesianswriterwouldalsolikeustoextendthispracticeofaccessorizingforprotection,albeitinametaphoricalway,toourfaithlifeaswell!Manyfolkswhohavebeenaroundthechurchforawhileknowandlovethispassageaboutputtingonthesymbolic“armorofGod”tofacetheveryrealonslaughtofchallengesfacingpeopleoffaitheverytimetheywalkoutthedoor.There’splentyofcoffeemugs,canvasbags,andcutewallhangingstotestifytoourappreciationforhowthispassagehelpsustothinkabouttheaspectsofourfaiththathelpusnavigatetheworldasChristiansandrepresentativesofChrist.Andevenifyouareveryfamiliarwiththepassage,it’salwayswortharefresher,so,let’stakedetailedlookattheEphesianswriter’ssuggestedgearkit,ifyouwill,andthenconsiderwhatadditionalitemswemightaddtohelpusinourcurrentsituation! Thefirstitemrecommendedbythewriteristhe“beltoftruth”.Historically,beltsdidwhatbeltstodotoday…holdupyourpantsbecausetrippingoveryourleggingsisbothdangerousandembarrassing!Butbackinthefirstcentury,whensomeoneservedasaninfantrysoldierinanarmy,abeltalsofunctionedtocontainanyloosebitsofclothingtoprotectthesoldierfromtheenemygrabbingsaidstripsofclothandsubsequentlytakinghimdown.Inmoderndaysportsbuiltuponhistoricalmilitaryactivities,likeAmericanfootball,grabbingclothingisillegal,butbackthen,looseclothingwasfairgame!Hencethebelts! ButthebelttheEphesianswriteristalkingaboutisn’tarealbelt-it’sasymbolicbeltoftruththatonewrapsaroundoneselftokeeploosetalkfromslippingfromtheirmouths.Christiansarecalled,andexpected,tospeaktruth(PastorDaletalkedaboutthisafewweeksago)buttheworldisfulloftemptinginvitationstogossip,spreadmisinformation,ortelllies.Toprotectoneselffromthosetemptations,Christiansareencouragedtodontheproverbialbeltoftrutharoundtheircoretoremindthemselvesthattruth,andtruth-telling,areatthecenteroftheirfaith.So,ifyou’vefoundyourselfgettingalittletoocaughtupingossipandsuch,youmightconsidertighteningupyourbeltoftruthanotchortwo! Theseconditeminourspiritualprotectionkitisthebreastplateofrighteousness.Breastplatesweremadeoftwopiecesofmetalshapedtofitthecontoursofaperson’supperbodyfrontandbackanddesignedtoprotecttheirvitalorgansfromenemyattack.Appliedtoourfaith,thisfigurativepieceofbodyarmorisworntoprotectourheartsandstomach(orgut)fromthepainofunfaithfulness.RelationshipsareatthecoreofChristianity(youseewhatIdidthere?)andit’shumannaturetostrugglewithstayingfaithfultootherswhetheritbefriends,family,orevenGod.Thebreastplateofrighteousness,then,isworntohelpusavoidtheheartorgut-wrenchingexperienceofhavingletdown

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thoseweloveorbeingheartbrokenwhentheyfailus.Ifwewrapourselvesinthetwopanelsofloveandfidelity,we’llprotectourselvesandothersfromthepainofbrokenrelationships.Seemslikeagoodthingtohaveinourgearbox! NextuparetheshoesofreadinesstosharetheGospel!Mostofuswearshoeswhenwe’reoutandaboutintheworldtobothprotectourfeetfrominjuryandavoidviolatinglawsthatrequireshoesinmostestablishments.Whenyou’rekickingyourfeetupinthelazyboyattheendofthelongday…you’renotlikelytobewearingshoes(well,maybeslippers)becauseyou’redoneworkingandit’stimetorelax.ButforChristians,we’reneverofftheclockwhenitcomestosharingtheGoodNewsofJesusChrist!WemustalwaysbereadytohittheroadandtelltheworldaboutwhatGodhasdoneinChristwhichiswhytheEphesianswritersuggestshavingyourshoesonandreadyallthetime!Hedoesn’tspecifywhatkindofshoes,sofeelfreetowearwhatyoulike! Ourfourthpieceofrecommendedprotectiveequipmentisanimportantone:theshieldoffaith.Likeanancientbattleshieldthatservedtoprotectyoufromanyangle-fromabovetostoparrows,fromthesidetostopswordthrusts,frombehindtoguardyourback-theshieldoffaithistheretoprotectyouonallsidesfromtheinevitableandunexpectedattacksofdoubts,fears,andsecond-guessingthatassailuseveryday.It’salsotheretoprotectyouwhentheworldjustwon’tstopsendingtragedyandhardtimesyourwayuntilyou’reafraidit’smorethanyoucanhandle.ThisiswhentheshieldoffaithstepsintoremindusofGod’sinfinitegraceandmercyforusaswellasGod’seternalpromisetoprovideallofussalvationfromthewoesofthisworld. Whichisagoodseguetothehelmetofsalvation!Obviously,helmetshavealwaysbeendesignedtoprotectyournoggin!Andifyou’veeverwornahelmetorseensomeonewearahelmetthenyouknowit’sthehardestpieceofprotectiveequipmenttoconceal-it’srighttherewhereeveryonecantakenote.WhichisexactlywhatthewritertotheEphesianswantsChristianstodowiththeirsalvation-weartheirsenseofsecurityandsafetyinGod’sprovisionrightoutthereintheopensoanyoneseeingthemwilllearnaboutthepowerofGodthroughtheirwitness.ThatsamemetaphoricalhelmetwornrightontopofyourheadalsoservestoremindyouofyoursalvationwhichthewriterhopeswillcompelyoutoalignyourvisionwithGod’swillforyouandtheworldaroundus.AvisioninwhichALLpeoplearesafeandsecureinthekingdomofGod! WehaveonelastitemtoaddtoourimaginaryChristiantoolkitandthatistheswordoftheSpirit.ThisisprobablythemetaphorIhavethehardesttimewithinthispassage-weaponizingtheWordofGod,evenmetaphorically,tome,seemsrathercounter-intuitiveconsideringtheGospelmessageitcontainsisallaboutpeace!ButtheEphesianswriterisnotsuggestingweapplythelethaluseofaswordtoourunderstandingofhowtousetheBible.Instead,we’reencouragedto“take”theWord,justaswe“took”oursalvation,andgointotheworldreadytowieldit,ifyouwill,whenevertheopportunitystrikes.Justasasoldierwouldcarryaswordatthereadyontheirbelt,sotoo,areweencouragedtohavetheWordofGodclosebyeitherinhandorinmindtosharewithothersortohelpusknowhowbesttodealwithasituation. Thereyouhaveit!TheentirekitandcaboodleofspiritualprotectivegeartheEphesianswriterthinksanyChristianneeds:truth-telling,rightrelationships,speedinesstoserve,fullnessoffaith,senseofsalvation,andthewisdomoftheWord.Eachoftheseontheirownprovidessomesupport,

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protection,andprovisionforusonourfaithjourney,buttakenalltogether,theyprovideeverythingweneedtonavigatetheworldaspeopleoffaithintentonbeingdisciplesofJesusChrist. Aswe“gearup”withourspiritualarmorinpreparationtoresumein-personworshipnextweek,I’dliketoencourageustoalsoengagethespiritualpracticeofdonningsomeextraandrealprotectivegeartokeepourselvesandotherssafe.Justashelmets,breastplates,andsoforthprotectedsoldiersfromtheperilsofwar,so,toodoescertainpersonalprotectiveequipmentprotectusasachurchfamilyaswecontinuetobattleagainstthethreatofCOVID-19anditsvariants.Masks,vaccines,handsanitizer,socialdistancing,andstayinghomeifyouhavesymptomsconsistentwithCOVID,arecurrentlyjustasvitaltotheoverallphysicalhealthofindividualChristiansinthebodyofChristasancientarmor.Thevirusisjustasinvisibleandsinisterasthecosmicforcesthattemptustotelllies,commitinfidelity,ordenytheloveofGod.AndjustaswedressourselveswiththemetaphoricalarmorofGodtoprotectourselvesfromfallingpreytothesedangerousimpulsesandactions,so,too,arewecalledtoarmorourselveswithmodernPPEandsafetyactionstoprotectourselvesandothersfromthedangersofcoronavirus. AshasbeensharedinourAugustnewsletter,yourchurchleadersarecallingeachofustotakesometimetodiscernwhetherthisistherighttimeforyouand/oryourfamilytoresumeparticipationinin-personworship.RestassuredthatwewillcontinuetofaithfullyofferavirtualandathomeworshipoptiontoensurethateveryonehasameanstostayconnectedtoGodandthechurchthroughworshipatCheneyUMC.Andnooneshouldfeelguiltyorshamedformakingthedecisiontocontinueworshipingathome.PleaseknowthatPastorPatandIaffirmwhateverisbestforyouandyourfamilycurrentlyandwealwayssupportthepathofleastharmfirst.OnesignofourreadinesstoreturnwillbeourwillingnesstoabidebythesafetyactionsourSteppingForwardTeamhasimplementedforourreturntoin-personworship.Ifwe’repreparedtowearmasks,practicesocialdistancing,humtohymns,andshareinChristianfellowshipoutside,thenwe’reprobablyready.Ifwe’renotyetvaccinatedorhaveamedicalconditionthatprecludesanyofusfromgettingoneandarehighrisk,gatheringinagrouptoworshipinanenclosedspacemightnotbeadvisableatthistime. NextweekwewilltakeasignificantstepforwardinourjourneythroughthisseasonofpandemicandIbelievewe’llneedeverythingsuggestedbythewriterofthelettertotheEphesianstohelpusnavigatethisnewchapter.We’llneedtobeltourselveswithtruthlestwefindourselvesspreadingmisinformationandliesamongstourcommunity.We’llneedrighteousnessatthecoreofourbeingtoensureweplaceourrelationshipswithGodandothersinpriorityplace.We’llneedtolaceupourshoesandbereadytosharetheGoodNewsinnewandinnovative,albeithybridways.Allofusneedtorefreshourconnectiontoourfaithsowecanfacethechallengesbeforeandshieldourselvesfromnegativity,defeatism,anddoubt.AndallofusneedtorememberthepromisesofGod’ssalvationforusandforallcreationwhichareconvenientlyfoundintheWordofGodwhichwemustalwayskeepcloseatourside. AswecontinuetonavigatethroughthestormthatistheCOVID-19pandemic,IbelievethatthearmorofGodwillprotectusspirituallyfromallthatassailsus.ButIalsobelievewehavebeengiventhespiritualabilitytopracticereasonandexercisewisdomindetermininghowbesttoprotecteachotherandourselvesduringthesechallengingtimes.So,asweconcludethis“GearedUpforLife”series,let’sdonourspiritualarmoranddoastheletterwriterdidand‘praytotheSpiritatalltimesinevery

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prayerandsupplication….keepalertandalwayspersevereinsupplicationforallthesaints”andmayeachofushavetheboldnesstospeakofthemysteryofthegospeltodayandalways.Hallelujah!Amen.

HymnofResponse “Still”-W&S#3134

PastoralPrayer&Lord’sPrayer Wherehasthetimegone,Lord?Itseemsasthoughwejustgotstartedwithsummer,havingplansforrestandrecreation,leisureandcelebration.Thensuddenlyweareattheendofthesummer.Weknow,aswebegintofocusmorecloselyonourdailyplanners,thattimefillsupfastwithduties,meetings,organizations,andjustgenerallygettingbackintotheswingofthings.Itiseasyforustogetlostintheobligationsandtoneglectourcommitmenttoyou.Youhavegirdedusforthejourney,givingusarmamentsoffaith.YourbelovedSon,ourSaviorJesusChrist,haspouredoutblessingsuponblessingsinhisteachingsthatwemightbemadewholeandbeingoodandfaithfulservicetoyoubyservingyourworld.Openourheartsandspirits,Lord,tofaithfulministriesinwhichwemaytakepart.Letustaketheextrastepsintothewondrousmissiontowhichyouhavecalled.Heal,restore,andprepareusforservice.ForweaskthisinJesus’Namewhotaughtustopray,saying:

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OurFather,whoartinheaven,hallowedbethyname.Thykingdomcome,thywillbedone,onearthasitisinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread,andforgiveourtrespasses, asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil, forthineisthekingdom,thepowerandthegloryforever.Amen.

ClosingHymn “MayYouRunandNotBeWeary”-TFWS#2281

Benediction

Goout,andmakeknownthemysteryofthegospel.Keepalertandprayatalltimes.DrawstrengthfromGod’spower

andsostandfirmagainstallthatwouldcorruptyou.AndmayGodarmyouwithtruthandrighteousness;MayChristJesusgiveyouwordsofSpiritandlife;

andmaytheHolySpiritdrawyouneartoGod’spresence........andblessyouwithhonorandgrace.GoinpeacetoloveandservetheLord!

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LectioDivinaPracticefromStanKerr

Today’swelcomingwords: “Wespendalotoftimetalkingaboutleavingalegacyinthisworld,grandorsmall,financialorrepetitional,sothatwewon’tbeforgotten.Butghoststoriesshowusadifferentconcern,hiddenunderourbluster:wehopethatthedeadwon’tforgetus.Wehopethatwe,theliving,willnotlosethemeaningsthatseemtoevaporatewhenourlovedonesdie.”

―KatherineMay,Wintering:“HowILearnedtoFlourishWhenLifeBecameFrozen”

Greetings,CheneyUMCandfriends.MynameisStanKerrandIhavetheprivilegeofguidingustodayonaspiritualpracticeknownaslectiodivinaorsacredreadingofscripture.Today’sscriptureisfromthebookofHebrews11:11-16(CEB). Let’sseewhatGodhasinstoreforustodayasweopeninprayer:HolySpirit,ourComforter,andourFriend,aswestandonYourWord,weaskthatYouraindownonus.LetYourpowerfallonusandchangeourhearts.OpenheavenwideandpourouttherainofYourHolySpiritoverourchurchandourlives.Changeus,renewus,empowerus.WeneedYourtouchagain.Preciousgiftfromheaven,sendusYourcleansingrain.Amen.(Anonymous) Asyouprepareforthistimeofsacredreadingorlectiodivina,IencourageyoutoquietyourheartandmindforthistimewithGod.Lightacandleinyourcomfortableandquietplace.Takeamomenttoslowdownwithasimplebreathingexercise.Closeyoureyes,loweryourshouldersandrestyourhandscomfortablyinyourlaporonyourthighs.Breatheinoncethroughyournose,holdthebreath,andbreathinasecondtime(againthroughthenose)pushingthefirstbreathdeeperintoyourlungs.Releasethebreathslowlyoutyourmouth.Dothistwomoretime.Godspeakstousthroughthesacredscriptureslettingusknowthathehasunconditionalloveforus.Today’sscripturewillbereadforatotalofthreetimes.Listencloselyforawordorphraseorimageorfeelingthatspeaksorringsouttoyouasthescriptureisreadforthefirsttime.Slowlyrepeatthatwordorphrasetoyourselfacoupleoftimes.Thisisatimeofconversationandprayerbetweenyou&GodandGodhasgivenyouthiswordorphraseorfeelingorimagetoyouforthistimeofsacredreading.OpeningupyourfeelingsisencouragedforthisconversationwithGod…feelingsfromabundantlyjoyfultothosedesperatelydifficult.Aftereachreading,usethesilencethatfollowstoreflectonthatphraseorwordorimageorfeelingandconsideratasaspiritualgiftfromGodthathewantsyoutouse.AskingGodhowtousethisspiritualgift,ispartoftoday’sprayer. Ifnothingspeakstoyouoryou’reuncertainofwhatyou’redoing,prayboldlyandwithouthesitationtoGodwithunbelievablefaith.Godwillansweryou.TrustthatGodunderstandsyou.Ifyourmindwanders,slowlybringitbacktoyourlisteningtothescriptureasyoureceivethegiftofscripturefromGod.

Hebrews11:11-16(CEB)11ByfaithevenSarahreceivedtheabilitytohaveachild,thoughsheherselfwasbarrenandpasttheageforhavingchildren,becauseshebelievedthattheonewhopromisedwasfaithful.12Sodescendantswerebornfromoneman(andhewasasgoodasdead).Theywereasmanyasthenumberofthestarsintheskyandascountlessasthegrainsofsandontheseashore.13Allthesepeoplediedinfaithwithoutreceivingthepromises,buttheysawthepromises

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fromadistanceandwelcomedthem.Theyconfessedthattheywerestrangersandimmigrantsonearth.14Peoplewhosaythiskindofthingmakeitclearthattheyarelookingforahomeland.15Iftheyhadbeenthinkingaboutthecountrythattheyhadleft,theywouldhavehadtheopportunitytoreturntoit.16Butatthispointintime,theyarelongingforabettercountry,thatis,aheavenlyone.Therefore,Godisn’tashamedtobecalledtheirGod—hehaspreparedacityforthem.

(pauseforyourfirsttimeofreflection) Asyoureadthroughasecondtime,allowthewordorphraseorfeelingorimagethatcaughtyourattentiontostiryourthoughtsorfeelingstoadeeperlevelofreflection.Inyourmind’seye,considerwhatyouseewhenyouseethatwordorphrasesurroundedbyabright,whitelight.Goslowly,allowGodtimetosayallhewantstosaytoyoutoday.(whenyouareready,readthescriptureagain) NowtalkhonestlywithGodaboutwhateveryou’refeeling…listenforhisinvitationstoyou.HowareyoubeingcalledtorespondtoGod’sword?WhatdoyouneedfromGodrightnow?(whenyouareready,readthescriptureagain) RestnowinthepresenceofGodwhoknowsyoubetterthanyouknowyourself.Yourthoughtsandfeelingsrightnow,duringthistimeofsilenceandconversationwithGod,hasbeenhisgifttoyou.Forafewmoments,simplybe.AllowthesilenceandmessagefromGodtorestinyou.Whenyouareready,closewiththisprayer:livesinus,andthroughHispower,weareYourrepresentatives.Jesus,YousaidthatwewoulddothesameworksthatYoudid,andevengreater,throughthepowerofYourSpirit.Aswemakeourselveslivingsacrifices,pouroutthepowerofYourHolySpiritonusandenableustodoYourworksonearth.Amen.(Anonymous)