Monthly Message from our Rector
Roads, Mountains and paths….
When we think about spiritual transformation we often think about big ‘road to Damascus’ or ‘mountain top experiences”. These are life changing encounters that are turning points in our lives and a key part of our Christian stories. They are the crossroads or about turns in our journeys, but they are not the everyday journey down the paths of our lives.
That is the business of everyday spiritual practices or habits, that formed the way of life of Jesus and his disciples and the way that he invites us to walk. These are the day-by-day micro transformations that slowly but surely draw us closer to Jesus and help us be more like him and do the things he did.
Now, if you asked me where I most encountered God (and was transformed) day-by-day, the answer would undoubtably be in scripture. But this is not just about making sure I open the bible regularly or even daily. I have found that as I have engaged with scripture in different ways, God has spoken to me powerfully and transformed me.
So, following on from our Lent Course “Practicing the Way”, we will be starting to explore the practice of reading scriptures using the 4 different ways of engaging with scripture that John Mark Comer picks out.
Read: Learn why following Jesus and immersing our minds in scripture go hand in hand, and how to read with a heart open to his presence.
Meditate: In the digital age, we read quickly and move on, but scripture was meant for slow, prayerful reflection so that God's thoughts fill our minds completely.
Study: The Bible isn't easy to understand. Learning what the text says to the original audience and to us today helps us to better listen to God and obey him.
Memorize: In the age of easy access to information, we've lost the practice of storing truth deep inside us, so we can anchor ourselves to an "inner library" of passages throughout the day
We will be addressing these ways of engaging with scripture, starting on the 29th June and there will also be weekly exercises that you will be able to engage with to help you put them into practice and learn more about the different ways of engaging with scripture.
I pray that as we journey together deeper into the practice of engaging with God’s word, you will know the transforming power of the holy spirit, the spirit of truth, in your lives.
Revd Peter Francis
Rector Rodborough, Woodchester & Brimscombe