Too often this is how we can treat silence. We assume the silence contains no voice or activity. We believe that silence speaks to the failure of our spiritual activity, and that God is not present. But what might happen if we rested in the silence, rather than avoided it?
Listening
Moving from Loneliness to Solitude
Loneliness distorts our inwards selves. It matters not whether we are in on the company of others or not, loneliness creates an emptiness within us. We are restless within ourselves, never at peace, never at home. Yet instead of drawing us closer to another, loneliness distorts our experience of community. It inevitably drives us away from others.
Listen More, Do Less: An Advent Rhythm
The season of Advent, with its slowness and simplicity, calls us to a radical action of stepping away from the noise so that we can be attentive to a deeper voice. We turn away from the jingles so that we can hear the words of the of one who created us and comes to us in love and grace.
Listening to Jethro
God doesn’t want you to live your spiritual life in private exhaustion. Like Moses, you may tell yourself that “it all rests on me”, or that “I’m the only one who can do this”, but that is simply not true. The truth is, a reluctance to allow anyone to come along side you will, eventually, work against your spiritual vitality. It will leave you spiritually depleted and exhausted.
Forsaking my Inner Curmudgeon
Somewhere, amid our frustrations and discouragement there is a voice that speaks words of life and healing. Even in crankiness God is present, and because God is present, God’s grace-filled utterances are both reliable and trustworthy.
The Way of Discernment
This post first appeared in "Ministry Matters" under the title: "Discernment: it's not just pointing at random verses" on Medium.com Whenever we aspire to live the Christian life with any intentionality, an inevitable question arises. How do I know what God wants me to do? How do I know I am making the right decisions? … Continue reading The Way of Discernment
3 hints when practising Lectio Divina
Recently, Facebook reminded me that we have been doing the practice of Lectio Divina at the church for over one year. Since that time, many have asked me to come and help them explore Lectio Divina further. As one clergy-friend remarked; “Lectio Divina is your thing!” I’m not complaining, I love this discipline, and I … Continue reading 3 hints when practising Lectio Divina
150 at 2:51
I recently returned from our annual clergy retreat. There was a speaker and a schedule, but these things were punctuated by extended times of silence. We woke in silence. We ate in silence. Even our moments of free time—where the schedule is lax and there is nothing to do, silence was held. I did a variety … Continue reading 150 at 2:51
Reverend Kyle Norman 