by Christine Sine
Welcome to 2023 and the chance to start with fresh intentions and visions for the future. This year I am not making resolutions. Instead I am setting intentions. “Setting intentions is powerful when done properly” says AnnaMarie Houlis in How to Set Intentions “It is more than setting goals – it is about being purposeful in pursuing your desire… an invitation to step into your preferred story especially when your intentions solidly align with your values.” She then goes on to say “When setting intentions, it is like laying foundations for what you would like to have, feel and experience, providing you with the opportunity to actively participate in your life the way you want to live it”
As I reflected on AnneMarie’s words, I realized that for me intentions are far more powerful and necessary than goal setting . Goal setting is about what I want to do, intention setting is about who I want to be and who I think God wants me to be. A I look ahead the most important thing in my life is growing into the person that God wants me to be and I need to remind myself continually of who I perceive that person to be. Intentions help me to focus on the inner work God is doing within me.
Here is the process I developed during my retreat time last week. I will talk about this more in our retreat Following the Star on Saturday so I hope you can join us.
- Ask yourself “What kind of life do you want in 2023. We often set goals that increase our busyness and often set us up for disappointment and failure. When we think about the kind of life we want we focus more on values and relationships which are really far more imprint than tasks.
- What values do you want to undergird your intentions? Writing down the values that are the centre of our lives is often a good reality check for the dreams and goals we set. Love for God and family, concern for others and care for God’s creation are the values that came to my mind as I thought about this.
- What limitations might stop you fulfilling your dreams and intentions? In a couple of weeks I will turn 72 and I realize that the intentions I set for 2023 need to take this reality into account. I move slower than I did when I was 20 and have less energy which definitely affects what I will be capable of in 2023.
- Keep it simple. We are much more likely to remember and stick to guidelines that are simple.
- Revisit frequently for refocusing and encouragement. One of the reasons I love going on quarterly retreats is that I read through notes from the last couple of retreats and remind myself of my intentions for the future. It helps me get back on track and refocus on God’s intentions for me. I have also made these into a card that will sit on my desk at least for the first few months of the year.
Someone suggested that 2023 is a year of sevens. (2+2+3=7) Now I am not into numerology, but setting seven intentions for 2023 certainly seemed like a good idea. So here are mine. As you will see they are inspired by Joyce Rupp’s beautiful New Year’s prayer. I would love to hear what you come up with.
- Strengthen my spiritual practices.
- Live in awe and wonder.
- Seek regular intellectual stimulation.
- Dream and be creative.
- Take time to retreat.
- Build relationships and connections.
- Relax in the presence of unanswerable questions and unknowable mysteries.
Following The Star Into the New Year
In January we celebrate Epiphany and the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus. Like them, many of us feel we are on a long journey following a star that is sometimes bright and shining, sometimes completely hidden yet still guiding us towards Christ. 2022 taught us important lessons that will shape the coming year. We sense God wants to do something new in our lives and we want to follow in the right direction.
Join Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine online Saturday, January 7th 2023 from 9:30 am PT to 12:30pm PT as they help us reflect on the past year and take time to hope, dream and pray for the year ahead. We will engage in some fun practices like chalking the door and interact with each other in ways that strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God.
Click here to register! We are once again offering several price points to aid those who are students or in economic hardship.
A happy New Year’s Eve everyone. In the midst of your celebrations take time to read this prayer and contemplate the year ahead.
This morning I read out this beautiful prayer to my husband. He commented that there was a lot in it that he needed to process. I agree. Take some time as you begin the new year to reflect on this prayer and all it asks of us
Faithful Companion,
In this new year we pray:
to live deeply, with purpose,
to live freely, with detachment,
to live wisely, with humility,
to live justly, with compassion,
to live longingly, with fidelity,
to live mindfully, with awareness,
to live gracefully, with generosity,
to live fully, with enthusiasm.
Help us to hold this vision
and to daily renew it in our hearts,
becoming ever more one with you,
our truest Selves.
Amen.
(Sr. Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria Press, 2010, p. 144.)
New Year’s resolutions. I have long wondered over the idea. One decides they will start the New Year healthily, then comes the New Year’s Day football game with chicken wings, ribs, fries, and all the munchies possible. To say nothing of the left-over Christmas cookies.
And the stress which sets in over public declarations, that seemed like a perfectly good idea to make sure one has accountability partners to keep one on track. Now we are sneaking that “one” cookie as we try to avoid their gaze. Add on the guilt of failure. Can’t say any of it was ever very appealing to me. I know myself far too well to set myself up for failure.
Why not start considering the Holy Spirit as our accountability partner and base any resolutions on progress, not perfection, with scripture as our guide? This year I want to start here: “Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan (resolution?) you make will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3 TPT).
Sounds better already, don’t you think? I know I will never meet the level of perfection my all too human pride demands of me here on earth; however, I can wake each day and commit my efforts to the Lord and do the very best I can. For specific goals, I can then turn to the source again.
Instead of focusing on all my past failed attempts, I can follow the example of Paul: “I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ had called me to fulfill and wants me to discover” (Philippians 3:12).
Wow! The energy that is infused in that declaration! I can get very excited about joining in the adventure Paul is outlining here. In context, I know that Paul has just spoken of his past perfect “righteousness” and forsaken it as nothing when compared to “…the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord” (Philippians 3:7). This is an all-encompassing invitation. One I can apply to any area of my life as I commit my days to the Lord.
And how much more doable then, my pursuits will be in the here and now regardless of life’s rollercoaster ride? I consider James 4 one of the most practical chapters in the New Testament when it comes to examining my life and directing it. James speaks of the origin of most of our personal conflicts and quarrels as being our fight to have our own way of getting what we want. Good to remember, just in case we decide that forgiveness and peacemaking should be one of our resolutions.
Rather than making set-in-stone goals for white-knuckle resolutions, as far as work goes for instance, James 4 reminds us in verse 14 that “…you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring. For your fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment then vanishes! Instead, you should say, ‘our tomorrows are in the Lord’s hands and if he is willing we will live life to its fullest and do this or that.’ “
Knowing all our tomorrows are in God’s hands and that again, if we commit ALL our ways to him, he will make clear our paths, removes the stress of accomplishment to the greatest degree our humanity permits. All is ours for the asking. We just need to have our motives committed to the Lord. Of course, we note it was James 4:2 that also gave us the too often condensed: “you have not because you ask not,” leaving out that right motive caveat.
Our resolutions will only be as good as the foundation we base them on. Say you notice that you have been a bit inclined to run off at the mouth. Consider the reminder in Job 23:12 that says what goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them. Then the resolution will have a bit more meat to it. Perhaps just a prayer that you take a breath before speaking to consider if it is true, necessary, and kind.
When it comes to the mouth, other great scriptures guide us: “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue” (Matthew 6:7). “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Psalm 120:2). From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus himself tells us: “…but just let your words ring true. A simple yes or no will suffice…” (Matthew 5:36-37).
And so, I am brought back to my original popular resolution to lose weight. Maybe I could be more convinced by meditating on: “Don’t you know that your bodies belong to Christ as his body parts.” “Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit lives inside your sanctuary. You were God’s expensive purchase, paid for with tears of blood, so by all means, then, use your body to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 6:15, 19-20).
Ah yes … I’ll have the salad!
Kathie Hempel
Following The Star Into the New Year
In January we celebrate Epiphany and the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus. Like them, many of us feel we are on a long journey following a star that is sometimes bright and shining, sometimes completely hidden yet still guiding us towards Christ. 2022 taught us important lessons that will shape the coming year. We sense God wants to do something new in our lives and we want to follow in the right direction.
Join Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine online Saturday, January 7th 2023 from 9:30 am PT to 12:30pm PT as they help us reflect on the past year and take time to hope, dream and pray for the year ahead. We will engage in some fun practices like chalking the door and interact with each other in ways that strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God.
Click here to register! We are once again offering several price points to aid those who are students or in economic hardship.
- We all have dreams and aspirations for the future but need the support and encouragement of others to move us forward. This retreat will help you solidify your dreams and plan creatively for the future.
- We need creative prompts like Lilly and Christine provide to stir our imaginations and help us discern the path ahead. God often speaks through this type of exercise.
- Especially at the beginning of the year, we need to take time to pause, draw breath and refocus on God. We have just come through the busiest season of the year and we all need time and this retreat will provided a much needed pause for all of us to reset our spiritual disciplines.
The Birth of Jesus
2 1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
An Event for Everyone
8-12 There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.
19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told! LUKE 2 THE MESSAGE
READ THE STORY AGAIN
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. LUKE 2: 1-20 NIV
NOW USE ART to help you connect and reflect on The Story…choose one or two links or take time over the next week to look at all of them.
Slide Show to go with the Lectionary Readings
The Nativity in Art from the National Gallery in London (slides)
The Christmas Story in the Art of the National Gallery in DC (long video)
The Christmas Story in Student Art from Australia (slides)
Story of Christmas told in Sand by Artist Joe Castillio (short video)
Nativity art from around the World
What do you notice? What image strikes you? What are you wondering about as you look at the art and recall the story of Jesus’s birth?
What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about today? Through the scripture, through the art?
Talk to Jesus about where you are and about the GIFT you need this Christmas. RECEIVE THE GIFT OF GOD WITH US!
Adoration of the child
Poem submitted by Elaine Breckenridge
Advent
I live my Advent in the womb of Mary.
And on one night when a great star swings free
from its high mooring and walks down the sky
to be the dot above the Christus i,
I shall be born of her by blessed grace.
I wait in Mary-darkness, faith’s walled place,
with hope’s expectance of nativity.
I know for long she carried me and fed me,
guarded and loved me, though I could not see.
But only now, with inward jubilee,
I come upon earth’s most amazing knowledge:
someone is hidden in this dark with me.
–Jessica Powers
1905-1988
Following The Star Into the New Year
In January we celebrate Epiphany and the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus. Like them, many of us feel we are on a long journey following a star that is sometimes bright and shining, sometimes completely hidden yet still guiding us towards Christ. 2022 taught us important lessons that will shape the coming year. We sense God wants to do something new in our lives and we want to follow in the right direction.
Join Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine online Saturday, January 7th 2023 from 9:30 am PT to 12:30pm PT as they help us reflect on the past year and take time to hope, dream and pray for the year ahead. We will engage in some fun practices like chalking the door and interact with each other in ways that strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God.
Click here to register! We are once again offering several price points to aid those who are students or in economic hardship.
This is the time of year when we are encouraged by almost everything that passes through our inboxes and magazine reading to “reflect on the past year”. Even in churches we’ll be encouraged to think about that. But when the disciples ask Jesus what is the most effective prayer, he gives what has now become known as The Lord’s Prayer. One of the lines in it tells us to ask for our Daily Bread; not yearly, monthly, whatever, but daily. In other places Jesus is recorded as telling us not to worry about tomorrow, but to cast each day’s cares onto God. He also tells a story about a man who builds a barn to store his grain in which sounds like a really good idea, but then the man is dead the following day; it was a waste of time for him to reflect on his great harvest and plan too far in advance.
There is a practise I have been into which I think is Benedictine, and it is to reflect on my day as I get into bed. As I ponder and reflect on my day I can ask for forgiveness, can forgive others, can see what I need to sort for tomorrow [though I always recheck the tomorrow things the next day to check I’ve got that correct]. It also means if I have done something that I feel I need to put right I can do it the following morning.
There is a multi-million dollar/pound/euro industry of self-help books that talk about living in the moment, living in mindfulness. But you can’t be “mindful” if you’re reflecting on something that happened a few months ago. Surely that is contradicting their own teaching. And as Christians if Jesus is saying ask for what we need daily, then do these practices not contradicting our theology?
Also, when it comes to remembering, even during that same day we put our own filters across our experiences: negative, self-blaming, accusing, condemning, positive, etc. But the further we are removed from an event the more we blur it, the more we put our own emotional memories into it. So if we do the reflecting the same day and get the rubbish cleared out, then each morning really does start as a new day – really does start with us being able to truly live out our daily bread.
The other thing we are encouraged to do this time of year is set goals. Hands up – who then feels disappointed in themselves by February, or sooner, that they haven’t stuck with their very well intentioned goals? Goals are again like the man who builds the barn; full of great intentions but we don’t know what’s round the corner. We don’t know what the world will throw at us. Loads of things I am doing as this year ends I couldn’t have envisioned, and other things I thought might happen didn’t. So no goal setting for me because like I say for one it isn’t leaning on God, isn’t living in the moment, and also leads to disappointment.
Instead, I do have some things I would like to come to fruition in the coming months so I am doing some QEC work around them. And there are other things that I need to ponder, check my heart about, talk with God about, and see what becomes of them.
Though I realise as I come to the end of this post that I do tell a little lie to myself and to you, my reader. I do have a goal. Quite a big goal. It is to continue clearing the junk out of my heart so that I can hear it properly which will mean more QEC, more working with God. This will lead to trusting myself in a deeper way, trusting the Universe in a deep way, and trusting the Creator of the Universe in a deeper way.
All of which can only come about through daily forgiveness of myself and others and daily asking for those things I need to nourish me throughout each and every day.
Find more of Diane’s writings at her websites Aspirational Adventure and Barefoot at the Kitchen Table.
Following The Star Into the New Year
In January we celebrate Epiphany and the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus. Like them, many of us feel we are on a long journey following a star that is sometimes bright and shining, sometimes completely hidden yet still guiding us towards Christ. 2022 taught us important lessons that will shape the coming year. We sense God wants to do something new in our lives and we want to follow in the right direction.
Join Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine online Saturday, January 7th 2023 from 9:30 am PT to 12:30pm PT as they help us reflect on the past year and take time to hope, dream and pray for the year ahead. We will engage in some fun practices like chalking the door and interact with each other in ways that strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God.
Click here to register! We are once again offering several price points to aid those who are students or in economic hardship.
As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small amount for purchases made through appropriate links.
Thank you for supporting Godspace in this way.
When referencing or quoting Godspace Light, please be sure to include the Author (Christine Sine unless otherwise noted), the Title of the article or resource, the Source link where appropriate, and ©Godspacelight.com. Thank you!