A Blessing of the Ordinary by Jan Richardson:
Let these words
lay themselves
like a blessing
upon your head,
your shoulders
as if,
like hands,
they could pass on
to you
what you most need
for this day
as if they could
anoint you
not merely for
the path ahead
but for this
ordinary moment
that opens itself
to you—
opens itself
like another hand
that unfurls itself,
that reaches out
to gather up
these words
in the bowl
of its palm.
You may think
this blessing
lives within
these words
but I tell you
it lives
in the opening
and in the reaching;
it lives
in the ache
where this blessing
begins;
it lives
in the hollow
made by the place
where the hands
of this blessing
meet.
Luke 8:22-25 | The Storm
September 27, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon
John 4:1-42 | At The Well
September 20, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon
Hebrews 12:1-13 | The Race Set Before Us
September 6, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon
2 Timothy 6:11-20 | Active Love
August 23, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon
Prayer: Father God, you are so good. You are love. You are a good Father. Thank you for making us with love and in love. Thank you for making the way for us to be called your children. Holy Spirit, help me to have the courage to believe that I am deeply loved. And from that love, to respond and serve out of the abundance. Jesus, thank you for displaying the perfect example of what it looks like to trust that you are loved. May we remember that all that we do comes from an overflow of affection that we already have in you. In your name we pray, amen.
Psalm 63 | Unfailing Love
August 16, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon • Psalm 63
Galatians 2:19-21 | Christ In Me
August 9, 2021 • Heidi Dixon Kwon
Prayer:
"Thank You, God, for the cross. Thank you for loving me and giving yourself up for me. Thank you that I can live in you. Thank you that I am a new creation. That I am not haunted by who I have been, what I have done. But that every day is an invitation to the Christ-life. Help me to trust in the finishing work of the Cross.
Jesus, my Savior, my King,
the Lamb of God
the image of the Father
I confess that I often trade your yoke
for the burden of the law.
As if I can earn your grace.
Lord, I remember the work of the cross.
I trust in You,
impart your spirit in and through me
may every breath I take
be yours.
May every movement,
be yours.
Live in and through me.
May it be so.
In Your name, I pray,
Amen.
Philippians 4:4-7 | Anxious, Nothing
August 2, 2021 • Philippians 4:4–7
Let’s pray:
Anxious, Nothing.
Prayerful, Everything.
Thankful, Anything.
Peace.
Lord, Here I am. All of my burdens, all of my cares.
Here I am, my being laid out before you.
You care for me.
You care for me.
My God, You care for me.
I am cared for.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 139:23-24 | Search Me O God
July 26, 2021 • Heidi Kwon
Prayer: "Holy Spirit - I invite you. Help me to grow in my awareness of you. Illuminate and bring to the surface times that I’ve hurt you, hurt others and hurt myself. Lord, I need grace to see myself clearly. I need grace to love the unlovely parts of me. May I not trip or stumble over shame or guilt, but be empowered in honest examination and humble exposure. May I remember that you love me and you desire to form me. I ask for a double portion of your grace. Help me to see that you are leading me firmly and loving me unconditionally. You desire not to punish me but to restore me. Amen."
We'll be listening to the NIV and MSG versions of Psalm 139:23-24 and going through the Saving F.A.C.E. Prayer (adapted from Mark Thibodeaux with ideas from David Richo).
The Saving F.A.C.E. Prayer is an examen and contemplative prayer that helps us uncover a fear, attachment, control, or entitlement we may be living with. And by becoming aware of it, we release it to God and ask for forgiveness and guidance. This prayer is particularly helpful during seasons of "exile" or "wilderness."
