The subtitle of the book Finding Life is From Eden to Gethsemane - the Garden Restored. Rubietta says:
Uncomfortably, we land somewhere between the two gardens, between Eden and Gethsemane. Though Christ completed His work in the garden of Gethsemane, we so rarely stand in that completion. We strive for the final garden but are often mired in the mud and matted with the dust left over from Eden's exile.
We encourage you to purchase the e-book and work through days 1-4 before Sunday. Otherwise read the following verses and the question under each day. we will be posting the relevant bibe verses on facebook and here for you to read aloud and savor to hear God's intimate whispers, as well as a "so what?" question. You are invited to upload any insights to the relevant post on our facebook page.
Try this way of meditative reading (based on lectio divina) (1) ask God for insight (2) slowly read-aloud the passage a couple of times: what do you notice? Try to picture yourself in the story. (3) read a third time. As you notice words or thoughts, pause and ask "what might God be saying to me?" (4) pray: stay with and draw from the emotions they evoke, respond to their challenge; thank God for what he is showing about himself. (5) just be silent before God, resting in his presence.
Day 1 Wed 10th - Rest
“Then in that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious” (Isa. 11:10).
So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His” (Heb. 4:9–10).
What keeps you from resting?
Day 2 Thurs 11th - Light
“Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:78–79).
“So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead…. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isa. 59:9–10; 60:1–3).
How have you cultivated time in the light of Christ?
Day 3 Fri 12th - Beauty
“I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily, and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His shoots will sprout, and his beauty will be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. Those who live in his shadow will again raise grain, and they will blossom like the vine” (Hos. 14:4–7).
Where have you encountered beauty when none was visible?
Day 4 Sat 13th - Unbroken
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength…. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30–31).
“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate” (Rom. 7:15).
What keeps you from closeness in relationships—with God, with yourself, with friends?