This is a great time of year to talk about AWAKENING! We’re celebrating the greatest wake-up call in the history of everything. Here's how it's described in Matthew 4 as quoted from Isaiah's prophesy: “The people who were sitting (living) in [spiritual] darkness have seen a great Light,And for those who were sitting (living) in the land and shadow of [spiritual and …
Awake My Soul
If you’ve known me very long, you might know I like to prepare for things well in advance. But I have confession to make: I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants most every week this semester. It makes me very uncomfortable, especially since I’ve been planning to build on our theme each week …
Soul Awakening
Depending in the version you read, the word SOUL is used over 280 times in scripture. The most common word for soul, nephesh, in Old Testament Greek means "the inner being of a person, the seat of appetites, emotions and passions." Notice how it's used in these passages: Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require …
Freely and Lightly
I don't know about you, but much in life seems weighty these days-- the overwhelm of media, an undercurrent of deceit, growing discontent--like a pack rat has taken up residence in our souls. But this is not new. Jesus spoke clearly and kindly about this in Matthew 11:28-30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out …
Breathing Prayer
Last week, when Maranda and I chatted about how becoming more in tune with ourselves physically led us to become more aware spiritually, I was reminded of breath prayer. Simple. Refocusing. A pause between activities. In her book, Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton says “Breath prayer is to the spiritual life what oxygen and the …
Awaken your SELF
In keeping with our theme --AWAKEN--I’ve asked Maranda Hoefs to join me today to chat about what it means to live wide awake to the things of God, both spiritually and physically. (Shereen) Perhaps we should identify what we mean by the things of God--what can you identify as Godly? (Maranda) – The first thing …
Prayer
Dallas Willard says, “Prayer is talking with God about matters of mutual concern.” Simple. Basic. But how do we go about doing prayer? Prayer begins with ATTITUDE. No matter how many times or ways you pray, if your attitude is not to acknowledge that God is God, prayer is useless. Prayer's one goal is CONVERSATION …
Awaken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XI2cTwJ6ok Our theme for this year is AWAKEN and we plan to help you wake up, beginning in practical ways . . . The coffee will be ready by 8:45. The room will be set. Moms, you can drop your kids off in their rooms.Catch up with a friend, read over your lesson, focus on …
For a Season of Lament
We've been experiencing a long, harsh winter season here in Nebraska. We were already setting all kinds of records for coldness, snowiness and grumpiness, when a catastrophic blizzard and flooding event took place last week. It seems fitting in light of the heaviness of this winter season, to look at how we grow in times …
Image of God
A few weeks ago, Claudine shared how she learned to worship God in person. We might call that a practice of being in God’s presence. It’s much different from corporate worship where we come together to praise and celebrate, even confess. A personal practice seeks to listen and respond to God in solitude. Today, we’re …
