TAKE 5 | Finding Strength and Refuge in God
Where are you feeling pressed to your edges? Let's come to the feet of the father and drink deep from his word. Meditate on Psalm 27 and listen closely for what he has to say personally to you.
TAKE 5 | Solitude: A School for Purpose
Today we unpack the art of solitude and how it has the opportunity to teach us more about our sinfulness and God’s holiness. What does solitude mean to you? Have the times you’ve taken to be in solitude been fruitful or bounding?
TAKE 5 | Psalm 63: Thirsty For God
The poetry of the Psalms reminds us how we so desperately need God. They remind us how we rely on him, how we thirst to be satisfied by the only one who can fulfill us. Let's reflect together.
TAKE 5 | Breaking Free from Insecurity: How God’s Love Liberates Us from the Need for Approval
We know that we are saved by grace in Christ, but do we fully accept it? Knowing and relying on the love of God for us changes everything—inside and out. We can't find approval or satisfaction in anyone or anything except Him.
TAKE 5 | The Hidden Power of the Hero’s Journey
Gem reminds us today to be mindful of where you are in your journey. Every part of life is a journey, a process of becoming the person Christ wants us to be. Keep your finger on the pulse of the larger story in which God has placed you and continue to cooperate with his invitations along the way.
TAKE 5 | Taming Temptation: Slowing Down for Inner Peace
The temptation of anxiety wants to rush you to respond. It wants to hurry you to react. Like any temptation in the moment it seems reasonable, but what happens when we slow down and take to rest and reflect in the Peace of Christ?
TAKE 5 | Why Happiness ISN'T the Ultimate Goal
Happiness is temporary, something we can't rely on to be our ultimate goal since it is not reliant on God, but our circumstances. Joy and contentment are wise, solid, real, unbending, and unwavering graces that come from our God.
TAKE 5 | The Rush to Nowhere: How Anxiety Fuels Our Fast-Paced Lives
Forgetfulness is one of the great challenges of spiritual growth. So easily do we forget to submit to God and instead choose anxiety which fuels hurry and temptation. How might we be reminded to slow down and submit to God today?
TAKE 5 | Unpacking the Power of Compassion
In Isaiah 49:15 God illustrates how he will never forget us. This assurance speaks directly to our hearts. We long to be seen, heard, known, and loved. And God meets us in that very place. What will it look like for you to receive today?
TAKE 5 | Retreat Rhythms: Balancing Structure and Surrender in Solitude
Is your time with God structured or unstructured? Have you ever taken the time and space to allow God to work in unstructured time in your life? Today we investigate how we can retreat to lonely places and pray as Jesus often did.
TAKE 5 | Unlocking the Power of Trust
We look at Psalm 20 today to investigate and unlock the power of trust in Jesus Christ. We are reminded of the invitation to trust in our Everlasting Father rather than rely on something else such as our own strength. What might you be relying on instead of God?
TAKE 5 | Avoiding Undigested Scripture Reading
Have you read through the whole Bible or ever deeply studied God's word? 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 explains "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." What does our scripture reading time look like? Is it deeply reflective, focused on the wisdom of God?
TAKE 5 | Creating Space for Grace: The Power of Saying No and Yes on Retreat
When we plan retreats or rest, do we really, fully remove distractions? Do we take the courage to say No so that we can experience the grace of God? Do we leave room for the Yes to God's generosity of his grace?
TAKE 5 | What is the Season of Your Soul?
Whether it's the weather or change amidst our lives, we all experience the ebb and flow of seasons. Today let's look closer and reflect on what season we're in and how and where God is meeting us in it.
TAKE 5 | Practicing Silence in Church
In today's fast-paced world, moments of quiet reflection in church services can be overlooked. But, silence on deepens our connection with God. Rethinking silence can bring a renewed sense of peace and spiritual growth to our worship practices.
TAKE 5 | Beyond Resistance: Discovering Peace Through Dependence and Surrender
The close relationship between righteousness and peace is fostered through the little virtues. Learning to align ourselves with God’s very good way for us tends to increase peace in our lives and our work. This is what I think the psalmist means when he writes, “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10).
TAKE 5 | Focus vs. Distraction: Unpacking the Mary & Martha Story
What if we stopped labeling ourselves as a Mary or a Martha? What if we instead focused more on the characteristics these women portray in the Biblical narrative? How can we tune our focus to Jesus?
TAKE 5 | Little Virtues, Big Peace: Rediscovering Humility and Gentleness
To minimize anxiety we change our outside circumstances to be less stressful and more structured. But what if they keys is to focus on inward change? What would happen if we sought virtues Jesus embodied like humility and gentleness?
TAKE 5 | 6 Verses to Foster Spiritual Formation
God initiates. God transforms. Our part is to remain open, respond, and obey. Let's dive into the word and meditate on Him together. Let’s foster formation!
TAKE 5 | In the Eye of the Storm: Finding Peace Amidst Anxiety
Jesus cares about our concerns, but they don't worry him. He takes care of us just as he cares for and provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. Where is he providing and caring for you?