You Are the Peace: A Celtic Blessing Retreat Compiled by Karen Block 2011
You are the Peace: A Celtic blessing You are the peace of all things calm You are the place to hide from harm You are the light that shines in dark You are the heart s eternal spark You are the door that s open wide You are the guest who waits inside You are the light, the truth, the way You are the hope that meets the day You are the peace You are the place You are the light You are the spark You are the door You are the guest You are the way You re my Saviour. Music and arrangement by Lianna Klassen. 2007. Stone Table Publishing 1
This is an invitation to a time set apart... for silence... for solitude with God... for conversation with God with lots of emphasis on listening to what He has to say to you... for rest... for the right-side of your brain to engage with that image. I ve listed a lot of options below - but the primary goal is to spend time with God. So any way you need to do that is ok. In this room I have set up as places for doing a contemplative collage and other art materials. You are welcome to work in that room at any time - but please remember it is a place of silence. As you listened to this song and read the words was there an image that captures your heart? Is there a different image that you ve been pondering and want to explore? If there are more than one images - ask God to lead you to the one that He wants you to meditate on first. The following pages have scripture references for the images in the song as well as a few others. Read them, find the context in your BIble and read the context. Following the lists of Scripture on p. x are some questions for you to ponder... with space to write in some responses if you d like to. 2
1. Questions to consider: What is the image you find is drawing your attention? What is is about this image(s) that attracts you? What do you like about it? 3
Is there any aspect of this image that repels you? or that you don t like? Is there an invitation in this in any way? to live differently? to be different? to continue on in the way you ve been going? to turn around? what is Jesus inviting you to do, say, or be through the rest of today and into tomorrow? write it down... 4
2. Things you can do: Just let the image settle into your mind and heart - rest with it Just be present to and with God Converse with God about this image - write down the conversation or your thoughts about the image Take a contemplative walk (see p. x) Draw the image Make a collage (see p. x) Pick up one of the photos provided and contemplate it - let it spark your thoughts and ideas - journal these thoughts Write a poem - a cinquain is a specific form of a poem with rigid but fairly simple rules (see p. x) Write a story or a song Choreography a worship dance to the song Use Lectio divina to really let the scripture you have focused on speak into your life. (see p. x) 3. Things to do after you have been creative and/or done your word study: Rest: Take a contemplative or ordinary walk sit in a quiet spot lay down - take a nap if you need it... often we come to these days of conference so tired out that we can t think straight - just lay down in the presence of Jesus and rest Talk to Jesus about what you have created. Ask HIm what they think of this image or the thoughts that have arisen as you doodled, written, drew or collaged. Write down what Jesus is saying to you through His Spirit that is within you. Is there an invitation in this in any way? to live differently? to be different? to continue on in the way you ve been going? to turn around? what is Jesus inviting you to do, say, or be through the rest of today and into tomorrow? write it down... Just sit in stillness and silence enjoying the presence of God 5
4. Prepare for sharing time... Decide what you want to share about: What this process has been like for you... What Jesus has said to you... Your creativity Your impressions, dreams, hopes... The invitation you think Jesus is issuing to you... 5. Pray for one another in your small group: praise! thanksgiving! intercede for courage, strength or vision to follow through with the invitation sensed! whatever God puts on your heart! 6
Scriptures for each image: Peace (giver of peace): Luke 8:48 Daughter, he said to her, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Luke 24:36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. Peace be with you, he said. John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Rom. 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Phil. 4:7 Then you will experience God s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 7
Place to hide from harm: Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance Psalm 61:3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Isaiah 25:4 You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. 8
Light: John 1:9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 8:12 [ Jesus, the Light of the World ] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. John 9:5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world. John 12:46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. Acts 26:23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God s light to Jews and Gentiles alike. I John 1:5 [ Living in the Light ] This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. Rev. 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 9
Heart s eternal spark: Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else,for it determines the course of your life. Deuteronomy 30:6 The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! 1 Chronicles 28:9 And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 2 Chronicles 19:9 These were his instructions to them: You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart. Psalm 19:8 The commandments of the Lord are right,bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear,giving insight for living. Psalm 27:8 My heart has heard you say, Come and talk with me. And my heart responds, Lord, I am coming. 10
Psalm 73:26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,but God remains the strength of my heart;he is mine forever. 11
The door/gate: John 10:7...so he explained it to them: I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. John 10:9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. Luke 11: 9 & 10 And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 13:24 Work hard to enter the narrow door to God s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 12
Guest: Luke 19:5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. Zacchaeus! he said. Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today. Isaiah 30:18 [ Blessings for the Lord s People ] So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. Hebrews 10:13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 13
Hope: Matthew 12:21 And his name will be the hope of all the world. Acts 2:26 No wonder my heart is glad,and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. Romans 15:12 & 13 And in another place Isaiah said, The heir to David s throne will come,and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 Timothy 4:10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 14
The way, the truth, and the life: John 14:6 Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 11:25 Jesus told her, I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 15
Other images: John 6:35 Jesus replied, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 16
Revelation 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end, says the Lord God. I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come the Almighty One. Revelation 21:6 And he also said, It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star. 17
Woman in labour Isaiah 42: 14 Potter Jeremiah 18 Midwife Psalm 22: 9-10 Water Isaiah 44: 3; 55: 1 Rock Psalm 18: 31 Mother eagle Deuteronomy 32: 10-12 Lamb John 1: 29 Judge Genesis 18: 25 Woman giving birth Deuteronomy 32: 18 King Revelation 19: 16 Healer or doctor Psalm 147: 3 Rest giver Matthew 11: 28-30 Lover Song of Solomon Hen Matthew 23: 37 Vine John 15 Shield Psalm 18: 2 Fortress Psalm 31: 2 IMAGES OF GOD Prepared by Sheila Pritchard Door or gate John 10: 7 Shepherd Luke 15: 4-7 Homemaker Luke 15 8-10 Father Luke 15: 11-32 Mother bear Hosea 13: 8 Fire Malachi 3: 2; Hebrews 12: 29 Husband Isaiah 54: 5 Nursing mother Isaiah 49: 15; Numbers 11: 12-13 Light John 8: 12 Wisdom Proverbs Chapters 8 and 9 Tree Hosea 14: 8 The Way John 14: 6 Bridegroom Matthew 25: 1-13 Mother Psalm 131: 2; Isaiah 66: 13 Dove Matthew 3: 16 Wind John 3: 8 Bread John 6: 35 18
Closing Prayer: That the coming of Christ may disperse all darkness, That the birth of Christ may hallow all life, That the love of Christ may be in every heart, That the peace of Christ may fill the world, Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. That the descent of Christ may uplift all peoples, Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. That the humility of Christ may teach us gentleness, Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. That the presence of Christ may be within us, That the power of Christ may be upon us, That the Spirit of Christ may fill us, David Adam The rhythm of life 19
Resources: Adam, David. 1997. The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing. Music and arrangement by Lianna Klassen. 2007. Stone Table Publishing Scripture - New Living Translation (online - Bible Gateway) Photographs by Karen Block Possible Schedule: 8:30-8:50 Worship 8:50-9:10 Introduction 9:10-11:00 * Time alone with God/collage/walk etc. * Coffee break will be set out - help yourself - but remember this time is for silence - please don t talk - even while collecting your coffee break * At the end of this time prepare for sharing 11:00-11:45 Sharing in small groups of 2 or 3 11:45-11:55 Closing comments and prayer 20