Welcome to Sacred Moments

And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

As Jesus went alone to the mountain to pray, we know that prayer is a very important spiritual practice that allows us to quiet ourselves and listen to God in these sacred moments. Deep prayer and spiritual contemplation change us and help us to know the heart of God better.

We invite you to come regularly and rest here finding a place of beauty, refreshment, solace, and quiet moments in the art, poetry, writings and music selections.

May you encounter God daily in Sacred Moments -- both ordinary and extraordinary.

Beside Still Waters

And it was very good
The Creation story in Genesis recounts that after God had created the heavens and the earth and all its inhabitants he rested.
Chapter 1
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Chapter 2
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

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Click the play button to listen and watch this creative video:

The Genesis Project, recorded by members of Windsor Presbyterian Church, reading from Genesis 1, with artwork credit to Steve Johnson and Aaron Burden on Unsplash.com

Sabbath Keeping -- by Pastor Shamaine Chambers King

Where in my packed schedule can I find the time to write about rest? OK, that isn’t really the problem. This is difficult to admit, because I am a pastor and supposed to know (and do) better, but I am terrible at sabbath keeping. I usually carve out times here and there for reflection and study, but I don’t really take a day off, much less set apart one day out of seven.

The Daily Grind
I know that disentangling from the daily grind is important. I know we need to cease from our usual activities to pay attention to our true selves and maybe even notice God’s presence. But we live in a culture that glorifies busy—everything around us says do more, think more, consume more, work more, make more….

In Genesis 1-2, God spoke the world into being in six days then rested on the seventh. We usually think God was exhausted from all that creating, but maybe it is about more than fatigue. Maybe rest is about pausing from all the work to enjoy the fruits of our labors. Maybe God set aside the seventh day to observe creation in all its glory, so beautifully formed and filled. Maybe that’s why it is called observing the sabbath. Interestingly, this day of rest is the only thing God calls holy in that whole stunning poem of creation.

The Gift of Sabbath
God set aside the seventh day. It was different. Perhaps the gift of sabbath is doing things differently, the opposite of our normal. Opposite day—sleep in, have breakfast for dinner, don’t open the computer all day, go for a walk with a friend, call a relative, cook a feast and invite the neighbors… Take a normal day and turn it inside out. The sabbath sounds so much more doable if I don’t have to make myself sit in a quiet room and think holy thoughts.

When the Israelites came out of Egypt, God gave them 10 Words (commands) for life. One of those commands is to set apart 1 day out 7. Not optional. God created us for a rhythm of rest, to take a break from being productive. Read these words from The Message translation of Matthew’s gospel (11:28-30 ):

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Developing a Rhythm of Rest

What would it look like to set aside one day, to be not-productive, to take a 24 hour break from the normal rhythms of work and learn the unforced rhythms of grace? I can scarcely imagine, but my weary soul thinks it might be a very good idea to move some things around and try things God’s way for a change. What do you think? Could you set aside 24 hours a week to live differently? Will you join me for a season of moving toward a better observation of the sabbath?

by Natalie Steenson

Recently I had the opportunity to walk an outdoor labyrinth. It was a quieting and peaceful experience. I entered the labyrinth not knowing what to expect, and each step of the winding path led me on a journey of centering my thoughts on God, and letting go of the worries and concerns that I had of the day. I paused in the center of the labyrinth, took deep breaths, and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving.

Labyrinth walking is a practice for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Walking a labyrinth can help calm our minds and spirits and remind us of God's presence in our lives. When you enter a walking labyrinth, take your time to quiet your mind and focus on a spiritual question, scripture passage or prayer. Ask God to walk with you and when you reach the center, rest for awhile and offer up a prayer of thanks to God, or wait for whatever gift God may be giving you for this time.

There are three basic stages to the walk: 1. is the path to the center, 2 . the center, a place for pause and reflection, and 3. the path back to the opening.

Some verses that can be used while praying the labyrinth are, "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy." (Psalm 16:11) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:4-6), and "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105), and Jesus' words, "I am the way, the truth and the life..." (John 14:16).

After I paused and prayed at the center of the labyrinth, I circled back out of the labyrinth and continued my contemplation and peaceful transition to my daily living. It was a holy and meaningful experience, and I plan to find more opportunities to contemplatively walk other labyrinths.

Here are a few local labyrinths in the Des Moines area that are open to the public:

Glendale Cemetery
4909 University Ave
Des Moines, Iowa 50311

Covenant Christian Church
2700 72nd Street
Urbandale, Iowa

Cathedral Church of St. Paul
9th & High Street
Des Moines, Iowa

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Still Waters