Category: Reflect Actively (Page 5 of 8)

Do you ever find you mind so cluttered it is hard to think, let alone pray? One of my monthly rhythms to counter this is to go to a solitary place to pursue connection with Jesus.

Sometimes it is just breathing and relaxing that helps. Other times I am stirred by something I see. The space and quiet gives my mind a chance to catch up.

This week I was struck by a point where the hiking path approached a highway. Being on foot it was quite startling to see the trucks speeding past. As I reflected on a recent experience, it gave me a chance to talk with God about the pace of my life.

Over the years I have been deeply impacted by The Long Wandering Prayer by David Hansen and have collected many resources for personal times of reflection. Please contact me and let me know if you would like some of these.

The only sermon I have heard on the “Saturday” of Easter week has stuck with me through the years. It was given by John Ortberg at InterVarsity’s National Staff Conference. I encourage you to watch it, particularly if you are in that in between place after your best dream has died and before resurrection has come.

John Ortberg 12/9 AM – Staff Conference 2014 from InterVarsity twentyonehundred on Vimeo.

When was the last time you put together a photo album? Selecting photos, adding descriptors, arranging, and assembling are all a part of the process of telling the story of that time.

In John 20:30-31, John describes the purpose of his careful selection and placement of the stories in his Gospel. I was privileged a few weeks ago to share at church the purpose John describes and its implication for our lives.

On a recent prayer hike I was reminded of how quickly I put my trust in things that take great effort though are inferior.

As I read Psalm 121 in reflection that day and lifted “my eyes up to the mountains” (vs 1) to remember where my help came from, I came upon this pile of stones. In this isolated spot, it was obvious that gathering this significant of a pile of large stones took some time. However when compared with the hill I stood on, the pile was tiny.

As I considered this image I was reminded of things that I tend to put my hope in: work, family, intelligence, etc. – things that build up with significant effort. The Psalm reminded me that our hope is in the “Lord the maker of Heaven and Earth” (vs 2) and that he is active in watching over us. That day, as I am called today, is to put my trust in Him.