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I’m grateful for this past week of taking a break from classes, homework, and To-do Lists to spend time alone with God and quiet my soul. Actually, when I first heard about a week off, I made a list of all the things I wanted to get done — past class readings and household chores. Then we got an email from Prof Graves reminding us to slow down and be intentional about being with God and NOT making this a time for To-do lists! It took a lot of prayer and surrendering to the Holy Spirit, but I made time to be with the Father for long, leisurely “dates,” at home and on nature walks and also incorporated Morning and Evening Prayer/Meditation times, using the Psalms as a starting point. This practice is helping me to reset my mindset in regards to seminary - that I don’t lose my intimate time with God so that I can get all the homework done. Seminary is a marathon, not a sprint, and I have to embrace the “slowing down” and actually “Be still and know that (He) is God” (Ps 46:10 RSV).
Thank you, NES faculty and staff for caring about the soul’s of your students!
Blessings,
Kyle

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During my quiet and devotional time for this week, I couldn't stay away from Mother Teresa's words, reminding me that my responsibility as a follower of Christ is not to fixate on the masses in a distant and impersonal way, but to recognize the value and worth of each individual person. Jesus consistently demonstrated this approach throughout his ministry. He engaged with people on a personal level, touching their lives one by one. He healed the sick, comforted the brokenhearted, and showed compassion to the marginalized and outcasts. His teachings emphasized the significance of loving our neighbors as ourselves, treating others as we would want to be treated.

Mother Teresa's call to love and serve one person at a time resonates deeply with the teachings of Jesus. She understood that true Christian action is not about grand gestures or accomplishments that garner recognition, but about the small acts of love and kindness we extend to others in our daily lives. By doing so, we draw nearer to Christ Himself.

Mother Teresa quotes Jesus, who said, "Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me." These words reinforced my responsibility to serve others, which is ultimately an act of service to God. When I care for the vulnerable, the needy, and the forgotten, I'm fulfilling my calling to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

Reflecting on Mother Teresa's concept of loving one person at a time during this week spiritual formation, has encourage me to reevaluate my priorities.

So, "let it be written, so let it be done," one by one, reaching out to those in need, providing comfort to the hurting, and extending love to the marginalized. Because in doing so, I draw closer to Christ, fulfill my Christian commission, and participate in the transformative power of God's love in the world. To God be the glory! Aleluyaaaa! Amén!

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I attempted something that I normally do not do nor that I am very good at...spending some time in quiet with God. Long story, short, my life is not in a place where quiet times come often. At least I use that as my excuse not to try to spend quiet time with God. But during this week I used the Pray As You Go app suggested by NE, and it worked beautifully. I carved out what time I could each day to spend 8-10 mins in quiet meditation and prayer. I now want to make this a weekly habit.
I also spent time with family in nature and enjoying the beautiful fall colors of southeast Tennessee.
Brian Stewart

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Pentecost: Encounter with the Holy Spirit. 

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Pentecost: Encounter with the Holy Spirit. 

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This film inspired me this week of Spiritual Formation. Blessings!

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I am grateful for this week and the suggestions in the resource center. We spent time with family on Sunday night celebrating our son's 21st birthday. Monday was a day off of school for my 10-year old and work for me. I downloaded the Pray As You Go app and took time to make a special dinner. On Tuesday, I managed a bit of decluttering, which has been a long term goal for some time now. I also picked up new glasses on Tuesday and have been surprised at how difficult it is to adjust to progressive lenses, which led to a nap on Wednesday. Today, I enjoyed a good bit of sunshine and finished a book that has been patiently waiting. Thank you for all the great ideas! I really like the app!

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This week has been a real blessing, with time (and perfect weather) to be out in creation. There's also been time to engage in a little art, something I'm trying out to help process what Spirit is doing in my life right now. The rest of the week will be devoted to spending time with my husband, who unselfishly encourages me to stay focused on what I'm doing as he picks up the slack here at home. Praying that all of you are receiving what your bodies, minds and spirits need this week!

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I am practicing stillness for this semesters spiritual formation week. My spiritual formation group met this week and our leader led us in a full body awareness meditation for the first 20 minutes. I quickly realized how challenging it is to do nothing! My church is also going through Peter Scazzero’s Day by Day book (pictured above) this month so I’m practicing that as well. Overall, what I’m learning is that our society likes to pretend stillness, meditation, prayer, and contemplation is easy. It can be done in solitude and is often the overlooked and forgotten part of faith. But I’m happy to admit it is really hard! I’m grateful for this week and I LOVE that it coincided with an effort at my church to emphasize stillness in God because I’m learning that these practices are best done in community with each other. Blessings to you all!

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God has answered my prayer!

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Hello, my friends!! I’m new to Professor Taylor’s group. Thank You for opening the door for me. How’s my week going? 🤔 Hmm? Wow I took my full sabbath day on Monday after completing a paper for class running late on Sunday night. I’ve been fighting a cold/sore throat now laryngitis “thing” since before the weekend and I still made it to my client for whom I’m helping the family (including a 1 & 3 yo children) as dad was a liver donor!! To his wife’s brother! I was able to fold laundry, straighten the house, load the dishwasher, entertain the children, make dinner and the next days lunches, bathe & bed the kiddos, give mom & dad some private time and I came away after reading children’s books and prayed. I see y’all finding this droll, like what’s spiritual about that? Moms do it daily. And maybe that’s the thing. There is little amazing you say? There is the love of a Christian family. A man’s selfless love gave his friend a big part of his liver, a mother and wife trying to keep things “normal” for the children and a little boy who’s teething and not feeling great and an almost four year old bigger sister feeling the loss of that special attention.  And in I come. A blessed assignment as a self-employed RN who specializes in doula and Monitrice (helping moms in labor and delivery) and also newborn postpartum care. This was a referral from a referral and dare I say, another divine assignment. God has given me these precious moments to add to the lives of others whom I would never have met or known if not by God’s hand. I get to pray alone in my morning time. I pray with women after a verse is shared M-F and we’ve done this since before Covid! I get to listen to my Bible APPs and I journal. I’m blessed with time devoted to The Lord and yet I always crave more!! Even my “work” assignments they do provide financial provision and more so, I get to share The Lord with children, with infants, with non-Christians and I pray all the time. I reflect on the war zones around this world and I surrender. I learn to be vulnerable and still discerning. I am humbled by it all. Even Isaiah 54:1-3 Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.  This is the gift God has given me and to be in seminary in my 60s. Hallelujah!!

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I plan to write in my personal prayer journal this week and also to go on my last camping trip to a NY State Park.   May the Lord meet me in the stillness of his nature.  My I enjoy the hand of God as he sprays the green leaves with an array of fall colors.

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I plan to write in my personal prayer journal this week and also to go on my last camping trip to a NY State Park.   May the Lord meet me in the stillness of his nature.  My I enjoy the hand of God as he sprays the green leaves with an array of fall colors.

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Blessings
Rev. Grace

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I see him in the fire... I feel Him in the fire... He guides me in the fire... Through the wilderness, he leads and protects me in the fire. He refines me in the fire... I am made pure in the fire... He purges me in the fire.
I come through the fire because there I can meet Him.
Praying for a week of revelation...
Through the fire...
Rev. KAHD