Posts by Lori Leopold (Page 3)
Spiritual Practices for the Wilderness: Lectio Divina
Our supplementary Lenten series for 2021 presents a broad range of spiritual practices. We often think of spiritual practices as general “prayer and meditation,” but the Christian tradition gives us many other tools to connect with God. You are invited to watch the video, try the spiritual practice out for yourself, and join in a discussion group around each one.
Lifted Up
Our lectionary readings this week bring us two fairly complex and curious passages with which to wrestle. The first testament reading from Numbers may be totally unfamiliar. Our Gospel reading, on the other hand, is likely to be familiar to all. It contains perhaps the best known and often repeated line of Christian scripture that’s out there…“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” But just because it’s familiar, doesn’t mean it’s straightforward. Not only are these two passages interrelated but they both hold, in tension, the dual reality of sin/judgment and God’s amazing grace.
Spiritual Practices for the Wilderness: Centering Prayer
Our supplementary Lenten series for 2021 presents a broad range of spiritual practices. We often think of spiritual practices as general “prayer and meditation,” but the Christian tradition gives us many other tools to connect with God. You are invited to watch the video, try the spiritual practice out for yourself, and join in a discussion group around each one.
Spiritual Practices for the Wilderness: Labyrinth
Our supplementary Lenten series for 2021 presents a broad range of spiritual practices. We often think of spiritual practices as general “prayer and meditation,” but the Christian tradition gives us many other tools to connect with God. You are invited to watch the video, try the spiritual practice out for yourself, and join in a discussion group around each one.
Holy Zeal
The account of Jesus “cleansing the temple” is told in all four Gospels but with several significant differences. Matthew, Mark and Luke place this account toward the end of Jesus’ life, while John places it much closer to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus enters the temple during Passover – a very active, busy time – and turns everything, literally and figuratively, upside down. The temple was THE established place to meet and encounter God. And, through this encounter, Jesus suggests that the old order is passing and something new is being established.
The Power of a Name
Ready or not, we are upon the threshold of Lent. This is a season that is typically marked by themes of light and shadow, confession and repentance, frailty and humility. It is a season that reminds us of our finiteness as human beings.
Spiritual Practices for the Wilderness: Spiritual Geographying
Our supplementary Lenten series for 2021 presents a broad range of spiritual practices. We often think of spiritual practices as general “prayer and meditation,” but the Christian tradition gives us many other tools to connect with God. You are invited to watch the video, try the spiritual practice out for yourself, and join in a discussion group around each one.
Spiritual Practices for the Wilderness: Examen
Our supplementary Lenten series for 2021 presents a broad range of spiritual practices. We often think of spiritual practices as general “prayer and meditation,” but the Christian tradition gives us many other tools to connect with God. You are invited to watch the video, try the spiritual practice out for yourself, and join in a discussion group around each one.
Footprints through the Wilderness
Ready or not, we are upon the threshold of Lent. This is a season that is typically marked by themes of light and shadow, confession and repentance, frailty and humility. It is a season that reminds us of our finiteness as human beings.
Trusting the Mountaintop
This Sunday we’ll spend some time exploring what’s come to be known as the Messianic Secret. We’ll see that Jesus consistently tells not only unclean spirits, but also people, including his disciples, not to tell anyone what they’ve seen or heard in their encounters with Jesus. Why on earth would Jesus do this?