Spiritual Direction nyc

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021

Meditations for Thanksgiving

Exciting news! My partners and I at Soul Space are releasing not one, but FIVE guided Thanksgiving meditations for the month of November. One, like always, will be free. If you’re an email subscriber already, you’ll have already received it in your inbox. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can become one at no cost simply by signing up on our website. The other four will be released a week at a time to those who sign up for our Patreon community.

This month, all of our releases are themed for Thanksgiving. Our free release, which you’ll receive as a link in your inbox as soon as you subscribe, is on Colossians 3:12-17. This recording will be yours to listen to whenever you choose on our website, or to download into your personal device.

If you get our emails already or head to our website, you’ll notice some changes. First, we’ve renamed and rebranded ourselves as The Stillness Collective. Our mission continues to be to help people create space for restoration, rest, and stillness in their busy lives. Our meditations are one part of that mission. Spiritual direction is another part. The last, new piece – coming soon! – will be retreats.

You can still find a free sample meditation – Romans 8:32-39 – on our website under the heading “Guided Meditations,” but our new monthly release will now be available only to those who are on our mailing list, rather than posted online. Again, our mailing list can be joined at no cost and you’ll receive a link to a new meditation every month, which you can listen to online or download.

The other four meditations are based on ancient Christian forms of contemplative prayer – that means they are tried and true and experienced by Christians all over the world and for many centuries. Every month, as a Patreon supporter of The Stillness Collective, you’ll receive one guided Ignatian prayer, one Lectio Divina, one Examen, and one breath prayer. These will also be available online and to download. (To read more about these four forms of prayer, visit this link. )

We would love for you to join our community of supporters by signing up for Patreon. We know there are lots of options for meditation and prayer out there, but we believe that our guided prayers have a few features that make them special. First, they are planned and written by three experienced Christian spiritual directors who are immersed in contemplative practices and also trained in helping people connect with God and get in touch with their deep longings and desires. Second, you have the option to pair the meditations with monthly spiritual direction (and soon, retreats!), which will support you as you seek to encounter God in your everyday experience. Third, our meditations are set to beautiful ambient music composed specifically to help people enter into contemplation. And finally, you will be able to download our meditations and keep them forever, even if you choose to end your subscription.

I hope you’ll take a look at our offerings! Listen to our free meditation on Romans, sign up for our one free monthly meditation, and visit our Patreon page. Through December, we’re offering a discount on our four-meditation monthly package, so now is a great time to join our community. Thanks so much for being a part of our journey!

Follow me on Instagram @ravishedbylight

The Stillness Collective Logo created by Tony Colon, Starlight Studio NYC

The Stillness Collective Website Design by Joy Lee, Fonder Studio

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

An Invitation to Rest (New Guided Reflection On Isaiah 43)

It’s been a while since I updated, but my partners and I at Soul Space have continued to release at least a recording a month. If you haven’t checked our site lately, this is good news for you! You’ll find a Daily Examen as well as a guided imaginative meditation on Matthew 11:28-29 that invites you to bring your burdens to Jesus and exchange them for his rest. This month, our new reflection takes you through Isaiah 43:1-4, a beautiful and mysterious passage in which God promises his people that neither fire nor flood will harm them nor separate them from his love and promises. (I could be wrong, but I think I remember one of the characters in one of my favorite childhood books, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeline L’Engle, quoting this verse to someone he loves.)

As always, I hope our meditations will help you experience the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit within you, calming your fears, building your faith and trust, and growing you in inner freedom and joy.

Find me on Instagram at @ravishedbylight and @soulspacecenter

May 25, 2018

“To Steal, Kill, and Destroy”: Anxiety and Spiritual Direction

Screenshot 2018-05-25 at 11.24.48 AM

I’m excited to share that I just had a short article published in Connections, the online publication of Spiritual Directors International, which is – quite self-explanatorily – an organized community for spiritual directors, also known as spiritual companions, or people who help other people become more aware of where and how God is present in their lives. (Hint: He’s everywhere – if we just learn to look!) SDI claims “more than 6,500 members in 42 countries around the world.”

In my article, “Facing Performance Anxiety in Spiritual Direction” (p. 7 of the newsletter), I describe a bit of what it’s like to be a new spiritual director and to feel my inner “demons” of insecurity and fear triggered by something that happens in a direction session as well as how my peer supervisors helped me get to the bottom of what was bothering me.

Here are two short snippets from the piece. Screenshot 2018-05-25 at 11.42.41 AM

Screenshot 2018-05-25 at 12.12.55 PM

And here’s the header image the editor chose: Screenshot 2018-05-25 at 11.47.33 AM

That’s me, facing down my fears! Obviously on a day where I’m wearing fake eyelashes.

(You can find the complete article and the full edition of Connections here.)

March 6, 2018

Lent Day 21: The Sheep of His Pasture

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 10:1-21

REFLECT AND PRAY

The Confidence and Assurance of Jesus Christ

Jesus claims to be a good shepherd that stands to protect and provide for his sheep. In this passage, the sheep represent his people (his Church). The relationship between Jesus and his church is represented by the dependence of the sheep on the good shepherd.

1) According to the passage, why is it so important for the sheep to be able to recognize the good shepherd in the field?

2) Why is so important for God’s people be able to recognize Jesus (the Word of God) every day in the world? How has this been important in your own life?

OBEY

In what ways might you strengthen your comprehension and reception of God’s voice every day? Ask God to reveal to you one or two ways you can position yourself to obey God’s voice daily.

Guest Writer: Marcus Samerson

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

March 5, 2018

Lent Day 20: Blind But Now I See

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Begin by asking God to show you the blessings he’s given you today, whether big or small. Ask him to open your eyes to his presence and work in your life.

READ

John 9

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) In verses 1-5, Jesus gives us an important lesson. He can use adverse situations to bring glory to God and increase our faith. I am not saying that everything happens for a reason; but rather that in any situation God can work something good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Are you facing a difficult situation? In your prayer time today, give that situation to God. Seek out someone in your faith community who can support you, even if it’s just to give you a hug.

2) Imagine witnessing this scene. Would you not believe that Jesus is the Messiah after seeing Him giving sight to a man that was born blind? The Pharisees knew that this man had always been blind and had been healed, yet they refused to believe. They questioned Jesus for healing the man on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were blinder than the blind man. They had made idols of the law and their own understanding. But just like idols, they could not see (Psalm 135:15-18). Ask Jesus to show you in what areas of your life you have been blind. Invite him to bring healing.

OBEY

Believe in Jesus. Believe that He is mighty to give sight to the blind and that He is stronger than any circumstance that you might be facing: physical or mental health problems, financial struggles, heartbrokenness, a loved one going through a painful situation, or maybe even battles with particular sins. Ask Him to allow you to see Him in that situation. Ask that he might increase your surrender to Him through this difficulty and thus be glorified.

Guest writer: Abraham Aldama

March 4, 2018

Lent Day 19: Jesus Heals

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

Each Sunday in Lent will focus on one of Jesus’ miraculous signs in the Gospel of John.

PREPARE

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time. Before you read, meditate on John’s words about his Gospel:

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name – John 20:31.

READ

John 5:1-29

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) The religious leaders’ response to Jesus healing on the Sabbath is an example of getting so caught up in doing things “right” or having things exactly as we envision them that we miss what is good. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you an example of this in your own life. If needed, ask for forgiveness and the ability to see God’s gifts for what they are. Give Jesus thanks for the goodness he has brought you.

2) Jesus asks the lame man, “Would you like to get well?” Imagine Jesus asking this of you. To what area of your life would you like Jesus to bring healing? Ask Jesus to break through any resistance you might feel to his healing touch.

OBEY

God gave the Sabbath as a gift, to allow us to rest and to remember our dependence on him to provide us with the things that we need. How can you honor the Sabbath today – or if not today, then sometime this week? Set aside time to be with God, to enjoy the beauty of his presence, and find rest for your body, mind, and spirit.

You are also invited to hear a sermon on this passage. It will be streamed on the Vineyard One NYC Facebook page beginning at 10:30 am Eastern Standard Time. (Previous sermon audio files are available at vineyardone.nyc.)

March 3, 2018

Lent Day 18: Review

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Today is a day to review your journey with Jesus over the past week. Ask Jesus to be with you as you do so. Let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts, emotions, and memories.

OPTION 1

Look over the week’s devotionals and/or your journal entries (Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17). What stands out to you? How has Jesus been present to you this week? Where do you sense Jesus inviting your attention so that you may go deeper with him?

OPTION 2

If looking over the entire week feels too overwhelming, reflect on one or more of these themes from the week’s devotionals:

1) Jesus gives abundantly to those he loves. What has been your greatest need or desire this week? How has your conversation with Jesus about this gone?

2) Jesus asks only for our belief. In what ways, big or small, have you given him your belief this week? Is there anything holding you back from offering Jesus the gift of yourself?

3) When Jesus brings his truth, we are set free. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to light some of the lies you have believed about yourself or about God. Ask Jesus to replace those lies with his truth and freedom.

OBEY
Take a moment to bask in the incredible love that Jesus has for you. Ask him to give you the ability to choose him freely and completely in response to his love.

March 2, 2018

Lent Day 17: “The Truth Will Set You Free”

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask Jesus to come to you in his love and truth.

READ
John 8:31-59

REFLECT AND PRAY
1) Jesus told his disciples (vs. 31-32 ), “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In what areas of your life are you holding to Jesus’ teaching and searching for truth and greater freedom?

2) Jesus was secure in his identity. He spoke boldly about who his Father was and what purpose He was sent for. How do you feel in knowing that God is your true Father? In what ways does this empower you to speak truthfully about Him and to pursue whatever purposes you may feel called to?

OBEY
In verse 54, Jesus says, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” Spend some time reflecting on what it means to you to glorify God. Ask God to reveal to you the ways in which He is glorifying himself through you.

Guest writer: Erin Brehm

March 1, 2018

Lent Day 16: “Go and Sin No More”

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time of prayer so you may hear Jesus’ call.

READ

John 8:1-30

REFLECT AND PRAY

You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one (v. 15).

1) If Jesus had passed judgment on the Pharisees, what would have been the consequence for them? What would it be for you now? In light of this statement, who is Jesus to you?

2) “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (v. 4-5).

Actually, Leviticus 20:10 says, “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Why do you think only the woman is condemned in this account? What might this reveal about Jesus’ justice versus justice administered by people?

OBEY

Jesus spares the woman from being stoned, then fellows with the words “sin no more.” Jesus tells us the same thing each time we are spared from punishment for our wrongdoing. Is there any area of your life in which you are experiencing Jesus’ mercy and hearing his call to “sin no more?” How can you respond in obedience?

Guest writer: Mimi Otani

February 28, 2018

Lent Day 15: There are No Limits on His Love

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand Jesus’ boundless love for you.

READ

John 7

REFLECT AND PRAY

In verse 51, Nicodemus asks, “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?

The Pharisees respond, “Are you from Galilee too? Search the scriptures and see for yourself no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”

The Pharisees have studied the law and are staunch about keeping it. They are no strangers to the supernatural events that fill Jewish history: the flood, the opening of the Red Sea, and the battle where the Sun stood still until the conflict was won. Each event was attributed to a mighty, all-powerful God. The same God raised Prophets to communicate with the Jewish nation, calling them to deliver Gods warning, judgments, and love. And yet here are the Pharisees, believing that raising a prophet from Galilee is something God cannot do.

Through Jesus, we have access to an almighty, all-powerful, compassionate and loving God, one who relentlessly loves and seeks us. How has God acted in your life recently? Do you hold any preconceived ideas about God’s limits that might be limiting his power in your life?

OBEY

Ask God to show you someone you can encourage today. Remind them that God has already given us his son to show us his heart for us. There are no limits on his love.

Guest writer: Mercy Perez