*We encourage you to pause the audio after any reflection moments or questions. There is also a setting on the player above to slow down the audio if that helps.
Welcome to our weekly Friday Check-in for April 4th, 2025 ✅
If you are new to Soul Care, WELCOME!! We are so glad you are here. We have a weekly rhythm of checking in together on Fridays. We use Soul Care's Page, Person, Plan framework to create a weekly rhythm and prepare ourselves for Sabbath rest.
Happy April! Let’s carve out a few minutes now to PAUSE: take a deep breath, maybe stretch a little or grab a warm drink, and quiet yourself before the Lord.
Let's begin with,
Page: An Invitation to Reflection
How has meditating on Joshua 1:5-9 (NIV) encouraged you this month? Take a minute to give thanks for the ways God has been speaking to you in the past couple of weeks.
Today, read or listen to Jeremiah 23:1-8 (NIV) three times:
“Doom to the shepherd-leaders who butcher and scatter my sheep!” God’s Decree. “So here is what I, God, Israel’s God, say to the shepherd-leaders who misled my people: ‘You’ve scattered my sheep. You’ve driven them off. You haven’t kept your eye on them. Well, let me tell you, I’m keeping my eye on you, keeping track of your criminal behavior. I’ll take over and gather what’s left of my sheep, gather them in from all the lands where I’ve driven them. I’ll bring them back where they belong, and they’ll recover and flourish. I’ll set shepherd-leaders over them who will take good care of them. They won’t live in fear or panic anymore. All the lost sheep rounded up!’ God’s Decree.
“Time’s coming”—God’s Decree—
“when I’ll establish a truly righteous David-Branch,
A ruler who knows how to rule justly.
He’ll make sure of justice and keep people united.
In his time Judah will be secure again
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name they’ll give him:
‘God-Who-Puts-Everything-Right.’
“So watch for this. The time’s coming”—God’s Decree—“when no one will say, ‘As sure as God lives, the God who brought the Israelites out of Egypt,’ but, ’As sure as God lives, the God who brought the descendants of Israel back from the north country and from the other countries where he’d driven them, so that they can live on their own good earth.’”
Spend a few minutes journaling in response to this passage:
- What stands out to you most? Is there a particular word or phrase?
- As you read through it a second time… ask God, “to what area of my life does that particular word or phrase connect?”
- And as you read a third time, be asking God, “Is there an invitation for me?” Is there a response of some kind that God is inviting you into?
Next up is,
Person: An Invitation to Connection
Pause to take prayerful inventory of this past month.
Some reflection questions:
- Looking back over the past couple of weeks, when have you felt most connected... relationally, spiritually, emotionally, etc?
- What is something that happened in your relationships that you don’t want to forget?
- What needs were met? Did God show up for you in unexpected ways?
- What have you identified as something you need moving forward into this new month?
If you would like to go deeper in your reflections... if you are seeking rest, space to reflect, renewal, community + solitude, you’re invited to join us for our monthly Semi-Silent Retreat TOMORROW! Check your time zone and hope to see you there!
Finally we have,
Plan: An Invitation to Intention
In this moment, breathe deep and know: GOD IS GOD.
God can handle IT... all the unknowns, the pain or anger, the joy and celebration... There are no better hands in which to place all of yourself - your past, present, and future - your loved ones, and our world.
Take 1 minute of silence to notice what is present for you. Pay attention to your body. Notice where there is any pain, discomfort, or tension; and also note where there is relaxation and expansiveness.
Now take 1 minute to practice this breath prayer:
INHALE - You are great and do wonderful things;
EXHALE - You alone are God.
Pay attention to any changes in your body and spirit after practicing the breath prayer.
Finally, close your time of prayer in thanksgiving.
Thanks for checking in today.
Have a blessed Friday,
Team Soul Care