G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr once noted;
You may say," "If I only understood God"," I would trust Him"", to which I say," "If you only trust God"," then you'll understand Him.
Week:
6
Spiritual Practices and Rest
Rhythms: rest, prayer, habits that sustain life. This week focuses on sustainable spiritual rhythms that integrate rest, prayer, and habit into a whole-life formation plan. It highlights Sabbath, contemplative practices, and simple daily disciplines that replenish rather than deplete. The emphasis is on creating patterns that protect soul health and enable long-term faithfulness.
Objectives
Integrate short practices into daily life.
Learn Sabbath and rest as spiritual practices.
Establish simple, repeatable spiritual rhythms.
Reflections
What one practice will I keep after this week?
How does rest change my relationship with God?
What prevents me from resting?
NowTo the HowTo
Accountability/Tracking
Commit to one weekly rest block and log it; partners check in about obstacles.
Community Action
Arrange a group “mini retreat” (30 minutes) focused on rest and a guided breath prayer.
Creative Project
Design a weekly rhythm card (work, rest, worship, service) to post at home.
Leader Prompt
Offer three short, adaptable practices for rest and invite participants to pick one to try.
Personal Practice
Try a 10 minute Sabbath pause this week and journal one change in mood or clarity.
Devotionals
RestFreshment
I know, yet another non-word I am using in the title, but our devotional today has us reflecting (and hopefully yearning) for the rest and refreshing impact our Lord can have in our lives. Me? Too often, I find myself scurrying through life considering all the ways I can improve it (financially, emotionally, spiritually) and protect it (insurance, savings, home security) and just get so overwhelmed with the perpetual struggle of it all. I see others around me who appear to ' have it all...
...But Wait!
The deal keeps getting better and better... those infomercials selling gadgets, gizmos, and home-item trinkets all have that one recurring theme of " ...but wait " as they are working to impress you enough to make that sale. The longer you 'do' wait, the better and more unbelievable the deal does get... to the point you feel almost moronic NOT to place an order. Today, our devotional has somewhat the same premise, though you are not being convince to accept something you would otherwise do...
None of Your Busyness
One of the very easiest ways to answer Jesus' invitation to come to Him, is; stop letting things keep you from Him! Easier said than done, I know SO well, but if you take a moment to consider that our busyness really pulls us from His invitation to fellowship with Him, so setting aside the busyness instantly frees us for time with Him. Our devotional today does two things; reminds us that He IS constantly calling on us, and the value we glean from His presence is time-worthy of it. Firstly;...
Footfalls of Faith
As I walk around, most of the time I hold my head up and my eyes are on my path, my course, and the 'road ahead', as it were. Rarely do I look down and watch my feet as I walk... I don't need to make sure they are following the commands of my nervous-system... I trust they will obey my wishes and commands for them... even better, I have a vast life of experience walking, which only instills my trust and belief that my steps will rarely falter. Unless it is dark! Then, I am not at all so...
Cure the Common Chaos
I, for one, am a fan of predictably calm and peaceful days in my life. It may be a lofty quest, but when the timing is right, I thoroughly soak-up and savor the experience. All too often though, the day's path gets derailed, changes course, and once in a while can be found a crumpled mess on the side of the road... a horrifying crash, turmoil, sorrow, disappointment, and quite a bit of self-pity! OK, I'm being over-dramatic here, but wanted to spend today's devotional by giving time, thought,...