Inner Voice
Today's Reflection
The soul speaks. Our God-breathed souls endow our human experiences with holy intention and purpose leading us on a path toward an intimate, dynamic relationship with God. If we are willing to listen to our inner voice, we are then better equipped to bear the image of divine love in the world.
I first recognized the possibility of my own soul speaking to me as I sank into the richness of the Psalms decades ago and listened to David and the other psalmists speak to their own souls. These same psalms became the dialogue Jesus used to express his own deepest human agonies, even as he hung from the cross. I continue to find rest and encouragement in these ancient songs. They offer me the freedom to explore questions, lament my troubles, and discern the presence and voice of God.
—Marsha Crockett, introduction to Speak, My Soul: Listening to the Divine with Holy Purpose (Upper Room Books, 2024)
Today's Question
In what ways do you listen to your inner voice? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!
—Psalm 108:1 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God, stay with me. Help me still my mind so that I can hear you speak within my soul. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
In Speak, My Soul, spiritual guide Marsha Crockett points us to seven inner pathways to help us slow down, listen, and draw closer to God. Explore the sacred paths of discernment, discipline, abiding, wilderness, identity, community, and contemplation in this practical and inspiring new resource. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
0 Comments | Join the Conversation.Spiritual Gifts vs. Fruit of the Spirit
Today's Reflection
Have you ever heard someone say, “My spiritual gift is patience”? Or perhaps, “My spiritual gift is joy”; or possibly, “My spiritual gift is kindness.” As fine as these attributes are, they are not typically considered spiritual gifts, at least not in the writings of Paul we will address in this book. They are, however, listed in Galatians 5:22-23—along with love, peace, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as being part of “the fruit of the Spirit.” These qualities are often confused with spiritual gifts. It is not uncommon for some persons, when asked what their gifts are, to respond with some aspect of the fruit of the Spirit.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How do you think spiritual gifts differ from the fruit of the Spirit? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
—Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Serving from Our Spiritual Gifts
Today's Reflection
As we serve from our spiritual gifts, we discover more about God, ourselves, and our relationship with God. We can gain a deeper understanding of the priesthood of all believers. . . . The purpose of our call has two directions. It is first directed toward God and for God’s glory. It is also directed toward our fellow human beings to enable humanity to live its fullest potential with the abundance Jesus spoke of in the Gospel of John (see 10:10).
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How can using your spiritual gifts help you to live a more abundant life? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
[Jesus said,] I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.
—John 10:10 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.For the Common Good
Today's Reflection
This book was written to serve as the primary text for a Lay Servant Ministries advanced course on spiritual gifts. This course is available to and recommended for everyone. If you are pursuing a designation within the Lay Servant Ministries program, it is helpful to take this course at the beginning of your call to Lay Servant Ministry. It can help confirm the direction of your call, or it can help you discern the direction in which your call may be taking you.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How do you think understanding spiritual gifts can help you grow in your discipleship?
Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
—Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Living Out Our Call
Today's Reflection
Church membership is not the same as discipleship. While this seems like a patently obvious statement that should not require debate, the lived-out practice in many local churches has turned it around. Why has this happened? We have spent decades placing an emphasis on tracking how many members a local church has, how many people attend worship, and a variety of other measures. While this data is important, it is far more important to look underneath it to see the true story of a community of disciples living out their call. . . . Do we spend more time in a new members’ class talking about the bygone history of our congregation, or do we talk about the vision to which God calls us? We need to focus more on the spiritual needs of individuals, from cradle to grave, and how the congregation can help people live into the fullness of their discipleship through mission and ministry.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
What are your spiritual gifts? If you don't know, consider taking the Spiritual Gifts Inventory provided in For the Common Good. Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.
—1 Peter 4:10 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
0 Comments | Join the Conversation.God Calls Us to Love Others
Today's Reflection
God’s agape love is what we are called to express toward others for the common good, and our grace gifts are given for the express purpose of doing just that. God has demonstrated love for us and calls us, in turn, to demonstrate that love toward others.
. . . Whether you journey with a small group or a class of some kind, I pray you will come to understand your spiritual grace gifts as expressions of God’s love and then choose to use them for the love of others—the common good.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
In what ways are you using your spiritual gifts for the common good? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
[Agape love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
—1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
1 Comments | Join the Conversation.