Today I make the inward turn to silence to feel Your strength as the energy for all my doings and also my deepest rest.

In Christ, Soul of my soul. Amen.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

In your grace, our wrong turns become unexpected paths.

Inside this grace enabled surrender, I find your love.

Inside your love, I find silence.

Inside the silence, You Are and I Am.

Amen.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Even as my life may be coming undone, I am held in the silence of God’ wings.

I take courage knowing that this unloading of past hurts will pass into the lightness of future healing.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Reflection

Each human being is precious and unique. We are all created in the image of God.

Perhaps this Psalm may help me remember this profound truth as I ponder each word slowly.

Prayer

Beloved Tear Catcher:

Your personal love awaits discovery in the problems and pains of life. I release into you and take a break from myself, trusting your love.

I am known, loved and guided by your incomprehensible understanding of every dimension of human existence.

Beyond my limits, you will greet me with help.

In Christ. Through Christ. With Christ. In the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Reflection

Recently I sat with a friend on a bench outside a hospital room listening to him process the unexpected diagnosis of cancer… And there was darkness.

This morning I sat in silence watching the sunrise crest over the hills…And there was light.

Just before that happened, before there was much light on the horizon at all, I stood outside and closed my eyes.  I thought: right now all around this planet, millions are living, millions are being born and millions are dying. It is a cycle of breath coming in and releasing out.

Perhaps there will come a day when  my wife is meeting with a pastor outside my hospital room sharing news of an unexpected diagnosis.  Perhaps you know what I mean.

At first, we think we are separate bodies, living separate lives. Secretly, we say things like: He has the diagnosis. They are suffering over there. I hope that doesn’t happen to me. And then we suffer too.

It seems to me impossible to understand. But I can feel love arising through the experience of being human together and somehow God is having the experience with us…whatever happens to the least of these is happening to me.

Prayer

God of Light inside the Night of All Human Suffering:

Connecting us to your eternal Life beyond this physical form, we remember who we are in you and who you are in us.

In Christ, nothing can separate us from your love. Including every human experience. Help us through this cycle of life until your Breath is complete.

Amen.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Strengthen us in love.

Nourish us in faith.

Draw us into your life.

We consent to you this day, and request your shield of favor so to proceed with a certain strength of love. Amen.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Every day offers a fresh start. What do I need to release from my life in order to receive the new Life God is calling me into?

Living God of Love:

Lead me into the Presence of your Word that I might know what to do; and do it in faith, remembering You as it is being done.

In and through Christ.

Amen.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

When confronted with two good options, I wish to remember the healing of the paralytic who experienced the extravagant blessing of receiving both options at the same time.

With God all things are possible and I aim to not limit God’s power in my life with language of despair, restriction or defeat.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Broken by life and aware of my suffering, I gently place my pain with God trusting today with the Leper in the merciful heart of Jesus and his Mother to also be touched in just the right way that heals old wounds, sustains present and future growth.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.