Vox Veniae Podcast

Marlon Hall facilitates an ecological conversation about diversity and reflects on the invitation towards cross-pollination and authenticity [Genesis 1:1-3].

 

Reflection

What if the gritty spaces we are socially and racially in are an invitation to grow a new culture?

Is diversity an end or a means to the end of a new cultural authenticity?

 

Resources

Folklore Films

 

 

 

Spiritual Practice

Meet with someone different from you this week to hear their story and find your story in theirs.

Journal on the privileges that you have and experience.

Pursue friendship with someone who is different from you.

Jason Minnix reflects on the way Jesus lived out compassion and what that means for how we show compassion in our lives [Mark 6:30-34, 53-56].

Reflection

What are some of my needs that I am being invited to care for this week?

Who am I being invited to shift from empathy to compassion for?

Resources

Film: Eighth Grade

 

Spiritual Practice

Practicing solitude and ease.  Move into a solitary space and find some ease this week.  What or where is my solitary space now? What is my process of entering into ease?

Practicing compassion.  Where do I need guidance today? Where do I need to trust my Self (image of God) more?  Where am I being invited to move from pity or empathy to compassion? With whom do I need to practice trusting they everything they need for healing?

Judy Peterson reflects on how God creates everything with intent and purpose and how each of us is a unique reflection of the image of God [Genesis 1:26-27].

Reflection

What are the"thats" that are not a part of the "THIS" God had created you to be?

Who are the "thems" to which you tend to conform and how might God be calling you to stand in your unique "THISNESS" so that your community might come to see God more clearly?

John Chandler reflects on how the practice of fasting can actually integrate the soul and body instead of simply denying the body [Galatians 5:16-25].

 

Reflection

What has been your understanding of the relationship between your spirit and your body?

What might it look like for you to incorporate a regular practice of fasting?

 

Resources

Book: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (Adele Ahlberg Calhoun)

 

 

Spiritual Practice

Fasting: Pre-select a specific amount of time.  Replace prep and eating time with prayer and reflection.  Use your hunger to focus on your heart and soul rather than your belly.

Matt Inman reflects on the ways and approaches that we use in dealing with pain in our lives  [Lamentation 3:22-33].

 

Reflection

Are you currently working through pain in your life? What does that process look like for you?

When you believe your pain or patterns are too much for God, what does that do to your sense of belonging?

 

Resources

Podcast: You Made it Weird (Mark Paul Gossilaar)

 

 

 

Spiritual Practice

Try curious listening this week. Listen with the intent to learn something new from others, scripture and your surroundings.

As we struggle, look for an activity that will either help you start the work or help you take a break in order to sustain your work.  Activities include solitude, silence, prayer, writing exercises, laughter, etc.

Spend some time with a friend or community that has shown you faithfulness, as you are. Then spend time afterward taking an inventory on your thoughts and feelings. Acknowledging that moment as an example or version of God’s loyal love.

Pamela Begeman reflects on the goodness of our being and what it means to consent to our basic goodness [Psalm 139].

 

Reflection

Do you know and feel that you are essentially and deeply good, before you do or say anything?

How are you being healed, transformed and awakened to the experience of your goodness and God's unconditional love for you?

 

Resources

Book: Open Mind, Open Heart (Thomas Keating)

 

Video: Homeboy Industries - Thought for the Day (Father Greg Boyle)

 

 

Spiritual Practice

Make a “quantum leap” and practice the First Consent - consenting to your basic goodness.  Try to see this core of goodness in others, beyond and beneath what they are saying or doing.

Jason Minnix reflects on how parables provide a way to change the way we see God and ourselves [Mark 4:26-34].

Reflection

How am I being invited to play with and in metaphor this week?

Where can I plant scrappy seeds and let go of the outcomes to God?

Spiritual Practice

Play with a metaphor this week.  Find a parable in scripture that invites you in.  Write a metaphor or parable about God from an experience you’ve had.

Gideon Tsang reflects on what it would look like to find a way to live that’s renewing [2 Corinthians 4:16-18].

 

Reflection

What can you subtract this week to free up space for the renewing of your inner being?

What interruptions can we embrace this season?

 

Resources

Film: I, Tonya

 

 

Spiritual Practice

Try subtracting something from your life.  What do you sense is being freed up?

Sarah Berson reflects on how being present helps us hear God [1 Samuel 3:1-10].

 

Reflection

How do you build space for presence with yourself? With God?

Who in your life can you depend on to help you hear God?

 

Spiritual Practice

Consider how you can create space for presence this week. Try to spend time in it every day.

Consider scheduling time with someone you depend on this week. Try to be fully present with that person.

As we celebrate Trinity Sunday, Gideon Tsang explores how we participate in the Trinity and not just how we understand the Trinity [John 3:1-8].

Reflection

What do you wonder about Trinity this morning?

How can you welcome God's movement for all things in your life this week?

Resources

MWG: Discussion Guide