He may not answer your questions in the exact way you imagine - Jesus was sort of famous for answering questions with His own questions!  But He does promise to be found by those who seek Him with all their hearts. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Spread out your supplies and allow yourself the space you may not normally take in everyday life to create as you meditate on God’s Presence.  Don’t worry about how perfect your end result may look - it’s your engagement and your authenticity that will bless the Lord’s heart. 

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them

Whose salvation are you interceding with Jesus for today?

 every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The

 Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will HOPE in him.”

LORD our hope is in You! Our hope for our communities, our hope for our local body, our hope for the global body, ALL OF OUR HOPE IS IN YOU! When we forget or become shaken by the activity of outside forces or even the assault of our own flesh rebelling against us, help us to remember that YOU are our portion! Your mercy for us is new every morning, your grace follows us and you will NEVER stop being faithful to us, Your people! Let HOPE shine with brightness in the middle of hopelessness  and may it bring light to the eyes of all who gaze upon You, our very present hope, Jesus. Amen!

-Christa

Trace your hand on a piece of paper.  Cut it out.  Read Isaiah 56:1-2.  Are there any ways that you have neglected justice and righteousness or disrespected God’s set apart day?  Write these things on your paper hand.  Now ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can use your hands to do good, be fair and just, and honor His desires on the Sabbath.  Flip the paper hand over and write your commitment to righteousness on the other side.  Hang the hand, commitment side up, in a place you will often see.   

Fill the backpack with heavy items you can find in the kitchen pantry.  Put the bag on your shoulders as you begin to pray.  How long is it before the weight of the bag becomes an uncomfortable distraction?  Slowly remove an item from the bag. As you pull it out, name something in your life that feels heavy or burdensome.  As you set the item on the ground, imagine setting it at the foot ofthe cross and give that worry or care to Jesus.  Repeat until the bag is empty.  If you get stuck, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what unnecessary burdens you are carrying that are really His to carry. 

We don't get to see the whole thing

We just get a glimpse of the moment, the promise, the future

And not the in-betweens 🎶

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcY9DJMFM20

Turn on rippling water sounds on Spotify or Youtube.  Find a soft blanket or cushy rug to sit on.  Slowly read Psalm 23.  Imagine what it would be like to be a sheep living outside.  What kind of shepherd is American culture?  How has your soul and your life been led and guided by the culture?  Has it left you nourished, rested, healthy, defended, comforted, or lavished you with abundance and mercy?  How does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, care for us differently than the culture?  

With a gentle land

So unpresuming on its arrival

Humble even as I gaze

Through my iron wrought window

It doesn’t come with loud trumpet

Or in any sort of flood

But little by little

It slows the whole world down

Hostage to its understated authority

That beckons us to rest

To enjoy

To reflect (as it does)

To stay

To watch

As it turns our world with its

Uneven paths

Dirt, dilapidation

All to white

Pristine white

Equally subject to its authority

Equally blanketed by its grace

We are all covered by

This graceful transformation

Broken, weary hearts meet

New mercies every morning

As weak surrender - 

Genuine repentance