"Practically Divine" - Week 2

Monday, June 13th

“Practically Divine”

Summer Book Club – Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of our summer study. I hope you’ve had a wonderful, restful weekend. I also hope you had the chance to listen to Ian Cron’s podcast with our author. It really is refreshing, and I believe it’s helpful to hear Becca’s heart for her ministry and writing. She loves people, and she believe love can change the world. The Bible is filled with scriptures that supports this belief.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

We are called to love. Sometimes, loving is difficult.

I want to remind you that today’s reading could be triggering for some of you. Becca’s story includes childhood sexual abuse, and she describes some of that abuse in chapter 1 of this book. That is what we are reading today, so if this is your story too, please be aware that it could be tough to read!

Read “Practically Divine,” chapter 1. As you’re reading, I encourage you to practice our SACRED process that we learned last week. If portions of the story are too difficult to read, pause and tend to yourself. Ask yourself some questions….

Why am I upset?

What do I need to do with these memories that are flooding my head and heart?

Who do I need God to be for me during these moments?

Remember, the SACRED practice looks like this.

S – Still. Sit in stillness, prayer, and reflection. Ask God to speak.

A – Attend. Who is God to you today? Where are you? What do you want?

C – Cruciform. How/what do you need to surrender in order to live the crucified life?

R – Revelation. What message has God’s Word been speaking to you?

E – Examine. What are you afraid of today?

D – Doxology. What can you thank God for today?

I’m so glad you’ve stuck with the reading, ladies. I’ll see you back here tomorrow for another look at the Gospel of Mark.

God, I thank you that You are the great HEALER. We need You! The reality is that many of my friends could have experienced circumstances like Becca shared in this chapter. We don’t need to run from that brokenness and dysfunction. We need to let You have access to it. Goodness, I pray that You will shield all of my sisters from further hurt. And, for every place where we must feel pain, I ask You to allow it to bring us closer to Your Presence. This world is so broken. But, You’ve told us to “take heart,” because You’ve overcome all of it. Give us strength in that surrender.