An Advent Retreat Excerpt Day One

Day One

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth.” Luke 1:26

Personal Reflection

       Sent

On one particular day

in a specific month

to a particular region

in a specific town

he was sent.

Assigned

personally.

Did he question,

wonder why before

the journey?

Did doubts cloud

his thoughts or pulse with

joy for such an adventure.

Gabriel sent

by God

on one particular day.

Writing Prompts

1.     Describe one ordinary day in your life that became extraordinary.

2.     What specific details do you recall? Why those details?

3.     What would your reaction be if you knew your daily assignments were God delivered?

Psalm of Worship

“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.” Psalm 104:1

Today’s Thought

And Looked: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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                                               And Looked

                                                When we stand

                                                over the abyss

                                                and look through

                                                our sight

                                                fear freezes us

                                                into statues

                                                unable to move.

                                                When we stand

                                                over the abyss

                                                and look through

                                                His word everything

                                                changes, shifts,

                                                hope dissolves emptiness.

                                                We stretch

                                                out into possibilities

                                                with peace.

Romans 8:26, “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Reflection: Stand: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. How is your sleep pleasant or restless?

2. What are you facing in the next few weeks or months?

3. Is your heart fearful or at peace even if there is uncertainty or resistance ahead?

4. What word of peace do you need to hear from the Lord to give you His peace this morning?

5. Ask Him.

Stand: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 26, “At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”

And looked.

When we choose to look through the Lord’s sight and His purpose we are at peace within—regardless of the mountain(s) ahead.

When we look through our own failures and fears we become paralyzed. Grief and guilt take over.

Again and again and again the Lord rescues us.

Whether we face night or day, darkness or light, we can stand firm as a sentry on duty watching with a clear focus, confident in His care, and able to share our worry before it freezes us into anxiety.

“I will stand on my guard post

And station myself on the rampart;

And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,

And how I may reply when I am reproved.” Habakkuk 2:1 NASB

Lord, please wake us up anytime we wander away from Your truth. Keep our sight, our hearts, our thoughts, and our purpose faith focused in trust.

Your thoughts,

And Refresh: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                               And Refresh

                                                Weariness

                                                collapses mind

                                                heart and soul into a

                                                wasteland of sorrow

                                                blind even to loving

                                                support, strength

                                                carrying us in

                                                faithful presence.

                                                Words sustain

                                                begin to hope again

                                                see glimpses of light

                                                breaking our weakness.

                                                Sips of faith

                                                trickle into memories

                                                and refresh again

                                                awakening sight.

Romans 8:25, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

Reflection: Weary: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

           

1. What worry has drained you of hope?

2. How do you see weariness of mind, body, or soul, as similar or different?

3. What word brought you, or will give you, strength to keep going?

4. Who near you needs to be refreshed?

5. What word can you bring to them and pray for them through their weariness?

Weary: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 25, “For I satisfy the weary ones, and refresh everyone who languishes.”

And refresh,

Have you ever become so weary that you wonder if you will ever find strength again?

Sometimes the barrage becomes so harsh that we are only able to lay down and wonder if we will ever have the ability to live in faith again. And, then we add guilt to seeking that escape.

We forget that we do not have the capacity to face any storm apart from the Lord’s grace. We try to do it in our own strength and wonder why the fatigue crushes our ability to keep going. But God has a different perspective.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Lord, please show us how to be faithful to Your words when weariness pulls us away from Your hope. Please protect us until we are refreshed in Your strength again.

Your thoughts,