Faith at Home

“Gales of stress threaten to bend us to the ground” (from Psalm 119:137-44 in “We Love Your Invitations”). We sure do need support to come back to balance! The Psalms, Listening Practices, and conversations are a consistent way to regulate our minds.  Engage with this Listening Practice today by letting us know what stands out to you.  The stress of life, the gale force winds of uncertainty, threaten. And we need safe spaces to become. To become at peace with who we are. To become still. To start the process of moving again. To be loved – by God, and by ourselves. More spiritual formation practices Click these links to access audio recordings of Psalm 119 Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, Part E, Part F. If you were captivated by the language of this paraphrase, you can get your own copy of “We Love Your Invitations: A Psalm 119 Paraphrase” from your local Amazon extension (see the list on our Link page). When you love it, you can order copies for all your friends and have them delivered straight to their homes. Easiest presents ever! If you enjoyed this recording, you might also enjoy the Listening Practices that we recorded for Psalm 69 (Part 1 or Part 2), Psalm 11, or Psalm 92. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you YouTube is your preferred format. Grace and peace to you, Jennifer & Reade “Gales of stress threaten to bend us to the ground. In the pressure, you lift us up with joy...” Psalm 119:143 (from "We Love Your Invitations" by Jennifer Holtslander). Photo credit: Jennifer Holtslander.

“We are treasure hunters who find a cave of gold in your instructions,” is one of the lines from Psalm 119:161-168. What treasure are you seeking? And have you opened up your treasure map? You are invited to the pathway of relationship with God who is kind and generous. Around every curve on this pathway find caves of gold in the invitations of the Divine. Reading from “We Love Your Invitations,” we, Jennifer and Reade Holtslander, explore what we notice. Carrying those ideas into conversation with God and one another, we pray together, and model a form of prayer called a Listening Practice (or Lectio Divina).  Listen along with us to join the practice. A prayer form to use in Spiritual Direction Listening Practices, and other prayer forms, can be part of your session with a Spiritual Director.  If you have been looking for an online Spiritual Director, connect with Jennifer today for your complementary 15 minute exploration session. Spiritual Direction needs to be a good fit for the Directee (you!) and the Director (Jennifer)! An exploration conversation helps us to sort that out. Were you captivated by the language of this paraphrase? If so, you can get your own copy of “We Love Your Invitations: A Psalm 119 Paraphrase” from your local Amazon extension (see the links here). When you love it, order copies for all your friends and have their books delivered straight to their homes. But wait! There's more! Click these links to access audio recordings of Psalm 119 Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, and Part E. If you enjoyed this recording, you might also enjoy the Listening Practices that we recorded for Psalm 19, Psalm 114, or Psalm 84. We love ongoing conversations about what you are noticing (or wish you were noticing) in your relationship with God. Head on over to the Contacts page and send us an email! Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you YouTube is your preferred format. Grace and peace to you, Jennifer & Reade "We are treasure hunters who find a cave of gold in your instructions." Psalm 119:162b (from "We Love Your Invitations" by Jennifer Holtslander). Photo credit: Jennifer Holtslander.

Are you exhausted? Frustrated? Do you want something different? Psalm 119:81-88 invites us into a conversation about our frustration. As people of faith in a topsy-turvy world, these are the honest feelings that can bubble up within us. When we acknowledge the way things are for us in this moment, we can find the comfort we need. When we reach out for the support of the Divine and companions on the spiritual journey, we can survive hard times. Modelling a Lectio Divina Prayer Practice This short episode of “Living Faith at Home” models a prayer practice of listening to scripture and talking with a companion about what the Life-giving Spirit says to us. Grab your note file and listen along with us to nurture your spiritual life. Reading from Psalm 119:81-88 in Jennifer's paraphrase – “We Love Your Invitations: A Psalm 119 Paraphrase” – we can find our own selves in the story of God's invitations to us. You can get your copy of “We Love Your Invitations: A Psalm 119 Paraphrase” from your local Amazon extension (see the links here). Buy a copy for yourself and one for a friend! And as you prepare for holiday seasons upcoming, this combination of photographs and encouraging words might just be what you are looking for! Other Listening Practices you might enjoy The audio recordings of Psalm 119 Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D are just a click away. If you are feeling empty and exhausted, a Psalm of Lament is a good companion. Listen along to our podcasts of Psalm 126, Psalm 90, or Psalm 91. Let us know the questions that are emerging for you through our Contact page. We love to be in conversation with you. Grace and peace to you, Jennifer & Reade P.S. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. "Embed your truth-seeds in my core, and from those seeds, let beauty and growth stretch my being until new life is birthed." Watercolor painting and selection from Psalm 119:81-88 (from "We Love Your Invitations" by Jennifer Holtslander).

“Dragged down and dusted,” starts Part D of Psalm 119:25-32. Have you ever felt discouraged? This section of the longest Psalm paints a picture of emotions of discouragement and dismay. We can acknowledge our emotions. And we can accept the invitations that God offers us today through this Psalm. Maybe you are invited to stop walking the pathway toward destruction. Perhaps, the Spirit invites you to keep on telling your stories because God hears you and invites you into a new life. What catches your attention as you listen along with us? How does the Spirit invite you to be, to do, or to become even in the midst of your emotions? Share your response with us in the comments or by private message. Support in challenging times This particular version of Psalm 119:25-32 is a paraphrase created by Jennifer Holtslander and paired with photographs by Reade, Jennifer, and Angeline. Just this week we heard back from a reader who said, “I just wanted to say, ‘Thank you.' I love your book. I've been sick. Feeling sorry for myself. Couldn't get out. I have your book on my table. I reached for your book and I was in letter D and E. it was like you wrote these sections just for me. Much needed encouragement at just the right time.” You can get your copy of “We Love Your Invitations: A Psalm 119 Paraphrase” from your local Amazon extension (see the link in the comments). With beautiful photographs and thought-provoking prayer-poems, it also makes a great gift. The audio recordings of Psalm 119 Part A, Part B, and Part C are easy to access! There are many Psalms that explore creating patterns of acknowledging our emotions, being in direct conversation with God, joining in spiritual conversation with a companion, and listening for God's love for us. Listen to our podcasts of Psalm 6, Psalm 42, and Psalm 43.Let us know the questions that are emerging for you through our Contact page. We love to be in conversation with you. Grace and peace to you, Jennifer & Reade More ways to practice your listening If you liked Part D, you might also like Part C from Psalm 119:17-24. Some other Psalms that explore building a trusting relationship with God are Psalm 23, Psalm 37, and Psalm 90. Let us know what is moving and shifting in your relationship with God by sending us a note through our Contact page. We love to hear from you. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. "Reroute me towards a new option, away from depression." Psalm 119:19 (from "We Love Your Invitations" by Jennifer Holtslander)

Part C of “We Love Your Invitations” is based on Psalm 119:17-24. The highway of our lives is busy. The cry of our hearts is for time and a blanket of comfort for our griefs. This section of Psalm 119 offers us a relationship with God and with a community as the medicine for our deep heart hunger. First, listen to Psalm 119:17-24 with lines starting with the letter C. What stories from your life arise? Then, listen again! What does God want to say to you? What invitation to do, be, or become emerges? Carry all of this into your journaling and into your conversation with your Spiritual Director. What starts as crumbs – a listening practice, a short conversation, a tiny prayer – turns into a sumptuous feast. Over time these practices will become a blessing for you. Do you have your copy of “We Love Your Invitations” yet? It's a book full of prayer poems paraphrased from Psalm 119 written by Jennifer Holtslander and illuminated with photographs by Reade Holtslander. Wherever you are in the world, you can order it through your local Amazon website. “We Love Your Invitations” also makes a great gift! The audio recordings of Part A and Part B from Psalm 119 read from “We Love Your Invitations” are easy to access! There are many Psalms that explore creating patterns of healthy spirituality and wisdom. Listen to our podcasts from Psalm 104, Psalm 49, and Psalm 51. Let us know what is moving and shifting in your relationship with God by sending us a note through our Contact page. We love to hear from you. More ways to practice your listening If you liked Part C, you might also like Part B from Psalm 119:9-16. Some other Psalms that explore building a trusting relationship with God are Psalm 23, Psalm 37, and Psalm 90. Let us know what is moving and shifting in your relationship with God by sending us a note through our Contact page. We love to hear from you. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. "Best to waste time with you, wander in your ways, and hide out with a like-minded community." Psalm 119:10 (We Love Your Invitations)

Listen along with us to Part B of Psalm 119:9-16, as paraphrased by Jennifer in her book “We Love Your Invitations.” Psalm 119 is an acrostic Psalm and reminds us of the joy of Alphabet Books for early learners. Acrostics jog our memories. Acrostics help us to hold God's word in our hearts as we move through our daily experiences. As we listen, we pay attention to what stands out to us! Then we speak out loud what we notice in a safe space. This practice of listening develops our ability to hear God speak to us. It also develops our ability to speak in conversation with one another. In hearing and speaking, relationships deepens. As our relationships deepen, our faith in God's love can grow. Do you have your copy of “We Love Your Invitations” yet? It's a book full of prayer poems paraphrased from Psalm 119 written by Jennifer Holtslander and illuminated with photographs by Reade Holtslander. The Psalm 119:9-16 section in the book is paired with a photo of winter trees covered in hoar frost. Wherever you are in the world, you can order it through your local Amazon website. “We Love Your Invitations” also makes a great gift! More ways to practice your listening If you liked Part B, you might also like Part A from Psalm 119:1-8. Some other Psalms that explore building a trusting relationship with God are Psalm 23, Psalm 37, and Psalm 90. Let us know what is moving and shifting in your relationship with God by sending us a note through our Contact page. We love to hear from you. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. "Best to waste time with you, wander in your ways, and hide out with a like-minded community." Psalm 119:10 (We Love Your Invitations)

Psalm 119:1-8 is the beginning of an alphabet Psalm that celebrates God's love for us and God's invitations to be in a life of relationship. Using the paraphrase from our book, “We Love Your Invitations,” we model a process of listening to God and join in a simple Listening Practice. Through conversation, relationship, and reflection, we note the threads of what is most meaningful to us today. What stands out to you in Psalm 119:1-8? How does the Divine invite you to do, be, or become through this process today? “We Love Your Invitations” with prayer poems paraphrased from Psalm 119 by Jennifer Holtslander and photographs by Reade Holtslander is available through your local Amazon extension. Be in the process of Lectio Divina and Visio Divina with us and let us know what you notice! More ways to practice your listening Does the acrostic format of this prayer poem catch your imagination? The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters, so each of the acrostic writings have 22 verses/sections. Check out the other Psalms that were written in Hebrew in the acrostic format: Psalm 25; Psalm 34; Psalm 37; Psalm 111; Psalm 112. Maybe you'd like to take up the challenge of writing your own prayer poem with an acrostic format? If you do, share it with us! We'd love to hear, see, or read what the Spirit stirs in you. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. "Always, gracious God, you begin with a double blessing." Psalm 119:1 (from We Love Your Invitations)

As we listen to Psalm 118:15-29, we strengthen our ability to hear God's voice. The final half of Psalm 118 repeats the phrase, "God's love continues forever." We need that reassurance. As we keep on exploring the words that stand out to us, we enter a conversation with one another and with God. Psalm 118:15-29 is the final section of the Psalms of Hallel. It is the Psalm that we learn the words, "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today." We grow our gratefulness and gladness because God's love continues despite our circumstances. Gratitude and rejoicing are our choice! We say thank you and sing praise because we are invited into relationship because of God's love, not because of our goodness. Like the psalmist, we have experienced suffering. And, if you are reading or listening to this today, you too have suffered and lived. I wonder what YOU hear as an invitation today? What does God speak to you through these words and through the conversation? What is it that you're noticing? What's the call? What could you do today that would be just one little thing that would grow your connection, your relationship, your listening to God? Thank you for listening to Psalms with us! More ways to practice your listening Psalm 113 to Psalm 118 are part of the Psalms of Hallel. For more information about the Psalms of Hallel, check out our blog post on these Six Powerful Psalms of Praise. Explore other Psalms with similar themes by listening to other Listening Practices. Are you touched by the section of Psalm 118:15-29 that asks God to give us success? Listen to the Psalm 90 Listening Practice. Are you drawn toward the hope of God accompanying you in your suffering? Listen to Psalm 37:1-9. If you liked this Listening Practice you might like our podcast of the first half of this Psalm, Psalm 118:1-14. Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. "God's love continues forever." Psalm 118:29

How will listening to Psalm 118:1-14 impact your relationship with God? We could make up a six point list about what listening to this Psalm will draw to your attention. Or we could try to assure you of something that we can't actually promise in the short term. Instead we invite you to listen to Psalm 118:1-14 for yourself. It matters most that you are in the conversation rather than that we tell you what to hear and to notice. So what do you notice? What stories from your life are stirred up in the conversation? What would you like to do as a result of being in conversation with God and a trusted companion? Because in the long run, being in conversation with the Psalms and with a skilled Spiritual Companion will impact your ability to hear God speak to you. Being in the dialogue will develop your trust in your ability to listen to what matters most. Keeping on listening, seeking, and debriefing will develop your trust in God. And a relationship of trust with a good God will lead towards the good news of God's love impacting your everyday life. If you liked this Listening Practice you might like our podcast of Psalm 117. If you prefer video, you can find the video recording of this Listening Practice here. We'd love for you to like and subscribe to our channel here. God's love continues forever.

Listen with us to Psalm 117! It is the shortest Psalm and it is still chock-a-block full of the opportunity to hear God's words to us. As you listen to Psalm 117, what words or phrases do you notice yourself drawn to? Is there an invitation to some action that stands out to you? By listening to words from scripture and to one another in dialogue, we can become steady in our ability to hear God speak to us. You might hear assurance of God's love for you despite the circumstances of life. Or you might be called toward speaking gratefulness for something that you are experiencing. Perhaps what stands out to you is that this Psalm is addressed to everyone, not just a select few! Whatever you notice, as you carry it into conversation with God and with a companion, you are doing the work of prayer. Prayer is listening to God and speaking with God. If you liked this Listening Practice you might like our podcast of Psalm 116. Psalm 113 to Psalm 118 are part of the Psalms of Hallel. or more information about the Psalms of Hallel, check out our blog post on these Six Powerful Psalms of Praise. If you prefer video, you can find the video recording of this Listening Practice here. We'd love for you to like and subscribe to our channel here. "All nations, praise the Lord" Psalm 117:1

When we listen to Psalm 116, we are assured that God listens to our cry for help.This Psalm begins with, “I love the Lord because God listens to my cry for help.” As we work our way through this prayer-poem, we hear the inner thoughts of the writer. From a place of deep honesty, the Psalmist admits their honest thoughts and feelings. Having admitted the state of their mind, they can then allow the Divine to offer statements of truth. Those statements of truth are medicine for a mind and nervous system that are going wild.Our bodies, minds, and hearts really do try their best in the situations that we are in. And sometimes those situations are not safe. Perhaps we have done the best we could in really challenging situations. Perhaps we did less than our best. In any case, we can be assured that God listens to our cries for help and loves us, so that we can love God in return.What stands out to you in this reading today? How are you invited to move your relationship with God into your action today? We'd love to hear from you in the comments. Or if that feels too public, send us a private message! More ways to extend your Listening Practice If you liked this Listening Practice you might like our podcast of Psalm 115. Psalm 113 to Psalm 118 are part of the Psalms of Hallel. or more information about the Psalms of Hallel, check out our blog post on these Six Powerful Psalms of Praise. Finally, if you prefer video, watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. We'd love for you to like and subscribe to our channel. "So I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 116:9

Psalm 115 begins with “The glory belongs to you, God, because of your love and loyalty.” All the rest of the way through, Psalm 115 calls us to attend to God's love and loyalty at work in our lives. God's blessing, God's help, and God's protection are the bedrock of our relationship of trust and faith. As we listen together to this Psalm and to one another in dialogue, we can discern what distractions to let go of and what affirmations to hold tightly. Finish this phrase in the comments, “Because of God's great love and loyalty, I will…” What do you notice as you listen along today? How does the Spirit invite you to be active in your faith and in your relationship? If you liked this Listening Practice you might like our podcast of Psalm 114. Psalm 113, 114, and 115 are part of a collection of Psalms called the Psalms of Hallel. For more information about the Psalms of Hallel, check out our blog post on these Six Powerful Psalms of Praise. If you prefer video, you can find the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. We'd love for you to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel here. "To your name give glory" Psalm 115:1

The poetic imagery of Psalm 114 makes mountains, rivers, and hills skip and dance. While the playful imagery of baby goats and lambs makes for delightful watching, it also sets up a lively picture of action and movement. A situation that seemed as immovable as a mountain, shifted and changed in a single night for the Hebrew people as they left slavery and began the process of becoming freed people with a land of their own. Psalm 114 is part of a small collection of Psalms called the Psalms of Hallel. For more information about the Psalms of Hallel, check out our blog post on these Six Powerful Psalms of Praise.Are there situations in your life that feel like being between a rock and a hard place? With our ears to the lips of the Divine, we wait for their instructions about what to do next. God is active in the real world and walks with us each step of the way!What do you notice as you listen to this Psalm? What are you noticing that God is turning from rock to water on your behalf? If you liked this Listening Practice you might like our podcast of the previous podcast, Psalm 113. If you prefer video, you can find the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. We'd love for you to like and subscribe to our channel. "God turned a rock into a pool of water" Psalm 114:8

Psalm 113 is the first Psalm of Hallel. This series of psalms is teaches us to interact with God with etiquette and intimacy. It is an invitation to praise God and to praise God's name. The psalms of Hallel (Psalm 113 to 118) are often recited as part of important Hebrew celebrations. They retell classic stories of divine intervention. And it seems likely that Jesus joined his followers in singing these Psalms on the night that we name “Maundy Thursday.” Even as the storms of violence swirled around Jesus, he sang with his community. “No one is like the Lord our God, who rules from heaven, who bends down to look at the skies and the earth. The Lord lifts the poor from the dirt and takes the helpless from the ashes.”Psalm 118:5-7 For more information about the Psalms of Hallel, check out our blog post on these Six Powerful Psalms of Praise. As you listen and respond to God (the Lord, Yahweh, the Divine) today, what captures your attention? What would you like to say in return? If you prefer video, you can find the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. We'd love for you to like and subscribe to our Youtube channel. "Praise the Lord!" Psalm 113:1

Psalm 112 sings the praises of a kind and generous God. A God who provides, blesses, and gives steadiness in the midst of relationship. God loves us and reaches out with mercy and generosity to bless us. God speaks to us with kindness and helps us as we choose the actions of confident and beloved people. If we practice listening for God and being in conversation with one another, then we discover that the habits of a good person are woven into our lives. What does God speak to you as you engage in conversation with God and with trusted companions through this psalm? What actions are you invited to weave into your experience? Actions that can cultivate the habits of relationship with a community of faith and with God? Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please /like and subscribe to our YouTube channel./

Psalm 111 tells us that each day we can listen for the voice of God to speak to us, to comfort us, to lead us, and to invite us into a “next step”. The process of practicing listening today gives each person the opportunity to hear God speak love, and to offer a next step forward. Contact us today if you are looking for a Spiritual Director to journey with you as you listen for what God might be saying to you! Do you prefer video? Watch the video recording of this Listening Practice on our Living Faith at Home YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

None of us are monarchs or likely to be monarchs, yet we can listen and note where God speaks to us in these words from Psalm 110. Psalm 110 is about God appointing a King. Perhaps the imagery of the freshness of a new baby catches your attention. Or maybe it is the idea of God speaking to you and naming you with those who speak words of encouragement to strengthen the work of God in the people of God? As you listen today, take note of what stands out to you and share it with us either in the comments or by private message. We would love to hear from you.

Psalm 109 is a prayer poem of Lament about our enemy's Lament. As we finish reading the last half of Psalm 109 and talk together with one another and God about what we are noticing, we invite you to enter the conversation with us. On the journey of life, challenging relationships can eat up so much of our attention and energy. We assume we know what our nemesis is thinking. We ache with the pain of uncertainty. And sometimes we even ache with the insults hurled in the heat of arguments. What does God speak to you in the midst of the pain? How are you invited to be? What are you invited to do? As we listen and talk together about scripture, we can have clear next steps of invitation that help us to strengthen our relationship with God. Over time this calms our overactive nervous systems, and calls our fearful, shy parts to be in the conversation too. We would love to hear from you as you explore your relationship of reciprocity with the Divine. God bless you!

Listening to Psalm 109:1-15 gives us an example of how to pray when we are afraid others hate us. There are many situations where we feel pain and experience suffering. Sometimes we lament because of the way that our relationships are with other people. Sometimes we even feel like others are praying against us.  In our lament, we can carry our feelings into dialogue with God. We can keep asking God to speak to us. We can know for certain that God knows the true story of what is going on even though our perspective is limited. Even when we don't know what to pray, we can know how to pray when we are afraid others hate us. Thanks for listening along to Scripture with us and for entering into the conversation. Comment below with the word, phrase, or ideas that stand out to you. And share this video with a companion who you would like to join you in the conversation.

Join us in listening to Psalm 108 as we practice listening to God and to one another. Addressed directly to the Divine, Psalm 108 is a great example of expressing this moment's experiences in prayer, while listening for the longer arc of our story at the same time.  Do you have spaces in your life that need rescue?Do you have songs of praise to sing?  Would you join us in conversation to bring energy and clarity to your experience of praying Psalm 108 today?

Psalm 107:23-43 encourages us to pay attention to the particular details of our lives and to give thanks for the love and the miracles. What are you noticing in your everyday life that you are glad about?  As we tell and retell our stories of God at work in our lives, we can strengthen our remembering muscles, grow our ability to notice the threads of the mundane miraculous, and leave a legacy for those who follow us.  All these centuries later, a prayer-poet's words inspire us to tell our stories. Who might your story inspire? How would you like to record your story of God at work in your life?  If telling your story is important to you and we can support you in that process, send us a private message today.

Building upon our previous listening experiences, we continue to practice listening for the voice of God. This involves paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and experiences and then talking together. In this conversation, we explore what we notice in the first half of one of Reade's favourite Psalms. It has several great story lines that point to times of trouble and the ways that God saved people in the midst of their trouble. Through direct and indirect invitations, how do you notice God calling you forward as you listen to this Psalm?

Let's listen to Psalm 106:24-48 together. This can help us settle down our activated nervous systems. Listening to God, to ourselves, and to one another as we read the last half of Psalm 106 is a practice for regulating our minds. Listen along with us to find deep connection to the Divine, to seek out hope, and to feel supported in the midst of challenging times. What do you notice as you listen along? What calls you forward?

Meditation and dialogue using the first half of Psalm 106 brings a space of attention and remembering into our days. What do you notice as you listen to this Psalm being read? What does the Life-Giving Spirit invite you towards as you listen and reflect? Leave us a quick comment to let us know that you listened along! For more information about Spiritual Direction sessions with Jennifer, book a exploration call through livingfaithathome.ca

Listening to the final section of Psalm 105 stirs our sacred imaginations to experience joy at the thought of freedom after slavery. It also invites gratitude for the many ways that the Divine Family initiate in our lives and provide for us. Do you want to hear God speak to you? There are many practices that help us to listen to our thoughts and feelings, and to the voice of the Divine, in the midst of our everyday lives. Being in conversation with Scripture, with a skilled guide, and with the "stuff" of our everyday lives help us to settle into hearing God's voice for our everyday lives. What do you notice as you listen along?

Are you looking for a way to pause and listen to your life and hear the voice of God? We pause to listen using the centre section of Psalm 105 which retells the story of the Hebrew people and their years in Egypt. There are so many things that can come to our attention in the midst of listening to Scripture and joining in dialogue with one another. What do you notice as you listen along? Take a moment to note it for yourself and share in conversation with someone else. We'd love to hear from you, so bring us into the conversation as well!

Remember! Remember to remember! Psalm 105:1-15 retells the story of the Hebrew people and their experience of relationship with God. This first section of Psalm 105 recounts early Hebrew history prior to slavery in Egypt. As we listen together to what God might be saying to us through this practice, what do you notice? We notice our own circumstances, and our human tendency to let the negative in our brains stick like they are velcro and the blessings slide out of our minds like they are teflon. Practice with us to get better noticing at the dialogue between God and you!

Listening Practice with the last half of Psalm 104 brings together the natural world, our experiences of life, and God's involvement with the created world and in our experiences. Life has so many changes and in the midst of them all, God is with us! As we listen to this Psalm we attend to the cycles of life, death, and new life. Monarch caterpillars have been living out their lives in our home, and as we were praying together while listening to this Psalm, a caterpillar became a chrysalis! Spiritual conversation and companionship can help us navigate the changes and challenges of life. Through this podcast "Faith at Home" and our website livingfaithathome.ca, as well as online and in-person Spiritual Direction and Group Spiritual Direction events, we support everyday people to grow their relationships with God during times of change and challenge. Are you looking for a Spiritual Director, or to join a Group Spiritual Direction experience? Send us a message today to talk more about the possibilities...!

There are so many details to delight in as we explore our everyday lives and as we practice listening to Psalm 104:1-18.   The practice of listening to the Psalms helps us to attend to those details. Practicing listening to God through the Psalms helps us to calm our spirits down as we pay attention to all the little (and big) ways that God is involved in our lives.  The first half of Psalm 104 is full of thanks and praise for God's goodness and helps us to turn toward our experiences of noticing God at work in our lives.  What do you notice as you listen along with us?

In Psalm 103, the writer of this prayer-poem repeats the invitation to say "thank you" to God again and again. When you look back over the last 24 hours, the last 7 days, the last month, can you see any experiences of God's kindness to you?If we practice saying, "thank you, God," we can find those everyday kindnesses. The poppies that burst out in beauty, and last but a moment.The grass of the land.The clouds as they travel by. There is a fleetingness to our lives, but God's kindness to us is both everyday and eternal. What do you notice as you listen along?

How do you share the story of your life, or the experiences of your faith relationship, with the people around you? Psalm 102:18-28 tells the story of God at work in the story of people's lives over the long haul, and expresses the vision of a future where the next generations to come will also see God at work in their lives. Will you tell or write the story of God at work in your life? What do you notice as you listen along today?

We listen together to the first half of Psalm 102 (verses 1-17), and as we listen, we become aware of the world around us, and the experiences of grief in our lives.  We are invited to keep on calling out to God, to keep on leaning in to relationship with God.  What are you aware of in your own experience as you listen?  How would you like to respond to God's invitation?

What we notice through Listening Practices of the Psalms helps us to understand ourselves better, and helps us to become aware of how we live out what we believe to be true about God. As we braid together the threads of the stories our lives and our lived faith with the words of Psalm 101, we hear the invitation to keep on creating space for truth telling and to be a blessing in the world. What do you notice as you listen along?

We are listening to the voice of God and to what matters most to us as we join in a Listening Practice with Psalm 100. Read. Listen. Dialogue. Repeat.Would you believe what a difference this kind of practice can make to our everyday lives? Today, as we explore Psalm 100, we notice the ways that God speaks to us today, and in the process, we acknowledge our emotions. Whatever we feel, the invitation is to notice where God is *WITH US* in the midst of all the things.What do you hear as you listen today? How do you want to respond? Let us know in the comments.Would you also consider liking and sharing this practice? You'll help us as we expand the reach of these practices that encourage listening to God and to our own experiences. Many thanks!

Pause with us for an opportunity to feed your soul! As we listen to Psalm 99 and share in conversation about what we notice, our relationship with God grows. This Psalm is full of references to the natural world. Do you hear an invitation to join in saying "thank you" to God for something today? Perhaps even in a new way?

What new thing are you being invited to in your relationship with God? As we listen our way through the Psalms, we grow our relationship with God and with one another. Psalm 98 is a prayer-poem full of metaphor, music, and invitations. What do you notice as you listen along?

Psalm 97 talks of God's goodness and power while asking us to turn to God and do right so we can be blessed. Is that what you hear? Is that what you experience? Sometimes the Psalms push us in directions we're uncomfortable with.

Psalm 96 tells us to tell others of God's goodness and love and to let the natural world speak out about God's grace. What do you hear as you listen to this happy Psalm? Is God saying to you what the Psalm is saying? Or is God speaking other words in the midst of your contemplation?

What does it mean for God to be engaged in the suffering of our everyday lives? As we encounter the pain and suffering of our personal experiences, and of the world at large, we continue to grapple with trying to hear what God is saying to us. Psalm 94 is a conversation partner in the midst of these encounters and experiences. What do you notice as you listen along? How are you invited to interact with the Divine and be engaged in the world?

Here is a new Faith at Home Listening Practice using Psalm 93. The waves of our life circumstances sometimes seem to rise up higher and higher. Psalm 93 helps us to enter a space of remembering that the Creator can create a strong, sturdy foundation for us even when the waves buffet against us. Let us know in the comments below what you notice? What stands out to you as an invitation from the Divine straight to you? Would you like to receive "4 Bite-Sized Practices for Living Faith at Home"? Visit livingfaithathome.ca to have us send you 4 Practices that help to build faith in our everyday lives.

This Listening Practice using Psalm 92 paints a picture of trees, strongly rooted, and bearing fruit even in their old age. As we listen to the words of this Psalm, we are listening for the voice of the Divine, and for what matters most to us, today. May we be rooted in a relationship with a God that grows power for the powerless, and a healthy, fresh future.

Do you feel safe and protected? Psalm 91 talks about safety and protection. What does that mean in the world you live in now? Psalm 91 says that God will save us. What do you notice? What is God calling you to?

When we read the Psalms and listen meditatively we can begin to hear God speaking to us. Join us as we listen to Psalm 90.

Psalm 89:38-52 wraps up our final Listening Practice from this Psalm of 52 verses. Do you ever feel like crying because you are afraid that God has forgotten you? Over the long haul, the practice of listening to the Psalms, and through Psalms to God, and to ourselves, helps us to become better at hearing what matters most to us. This lament helps us to bring our sadness, anger and frustration into the conversation.There have been times when it felt like God was not listening when we were trying to be in conversation. And there have been times when it felt like we couldn't hear anything from God even though we felt like we were trying with all our might. All long term, intimate relationships go through times where things are challenging.We can carry our lament straight back into the relationship with God. There's no extra fee for expressing our feelings, just a loving welcome, and a “thank you for telling me your truth.”

What do you do with the words of they Psalms when they speak to our deepest fear that God is going to be angry with us for ever? When they stir up the trauma of cut off relationships? As we practice listening using the words of Psalm 89:19-37, we notice the fear of broken relationship. We notice the call to be in relationship.Relationship, not transactions, not cut-off brokenness, is what we hear the Life-Giving Spirit calling us toward today. When we pray using this practice of listening for God's voice through the words of the Psalms and our response to those words, we bump up against the pieces of our history (especially as we practice listening here in Psalm 89:19-34). Our history may have retold the stories of God in ways that don't reflect who God really is. Our experiences may have reinforced the stories of ourselves in ways that aren't true to who we are. We, our true selves, are invited to be in relationship with a God who is loving, initiating, and compassionate.What calls to you from these words? How does God speak to you, today? Share with us in the comments below, or reach out through a message. We hang out on Patreon. If you are in a space of abundance and would like to be part of supporting the work that we do through Living Faith at Home and the Faith at Home podcast, we'd love to connect with you as a Patron.

Are the waves in your life so big they are shaking you to your core? Do you feel like the big picture is taking your breath away? As we listen together to the first 18 verses of Psalm 89, we notice the bigness of the world and the specific-ness of God's love. Sometimes the rocking of the waves can calm our fears. Sometimes the breadth of a glorious vista causes us to take a deep breath and relax the trauma from our bodies. In the big picture and the small details, we are invited to be in conversation in safe spaces and to listen to Scripture with skill and belovedness.Tell us, what stands out to you as you listen today? Could you listen to a Psalm with someone in your life and engage in conversation today?

This Psalm 88 Listening Practice takes us into the heart of lament. If we read the Psalms just based on what we like, or what we want to feel, we'd avoid this Psalm nine times out of ten. And yet, there are days when we feel the deep pain of sorrow. There are days were we wonder if God is listening. As much as listening practices are about getting better at listening, they are about underlining the truth that God is listening, too! When we practice listening to the Psalms, we can experience hearing the Divine AND being heard. We can feel the full range of our emotions, AND we can affirm the truth that we are in a relationship with give and take. What do you notice as you practice listening with Psalm 88? Especially when we are in seasons of lament and grief, having a Spiritual Guide is an important part of healing. If you are looking for a Spiritual Guide, book an Exploration Call with Jennifer. Deep lament calls for dialogue and community. We continue to connect through Patreon, Facebook (Living Faith at Home) and Instagram (@jenniferholtslander). We'd love to see you in those spaces as well!

This Psalm 88 Listening Practice takes us into the heart of lament. If we read the Psalms just based on what we like, or what we want to feel, we’d avoid this Psalm nine times out of ten. And yet, there are days when we feel the deep pain of sorrow. There are days were […] The post Faith at Home Podcast: Listening Practice Psalm 88 appeared first on Living Faith at Home.

As we practice listening using Psalm 87, we hear a lot of names of far-off locations. The Psalmist celebrates being “one of the beautiful people.” Yet, we hear the Divine's love for us, even though we aren't part of the named group. As you listen, what do you hear today? Share with us in the comments! Listening in the “in-between” for the voice of the Life-Giving Spirit is a skill to develop. For dialogue that fits your situation, book a one on one Spiritual Guidance session, or join one of our Group Spiritual Formation Experiences.

As we practice listening using Psalm 87, we hear a lot of names of far-off locations. The Psalmist celebrates being “one of the beautiful people.” Yet, we hear the Divine’s love for us, even though we aren’t part of the named group. As you listen, what do you hear today? Share with us in the […] The post Faith at Home Podcast: Listening Practice Psalm 87 (NET) appeared first on Living Faith at Home.