Nehemiah 1 - Intro and Chapter 1 & Spiritual Disciplines

Below are some of the resources we used for Growth Group in Blarney tonight ... as we set about looking at the book of Nehemiah.





 Where Nehemiah sits in scripture

Intro to Ezra - Nehemiah ...

The Passage :

Nehemiah’s Prayer

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, ² Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

³ They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

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In our group we got off the questions for a while and picked up the idea of Spiritual Disciplines ... I refererred to The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook which lists a whole pile of Spiritual Disciplines Here's the contents  ... If you want to borrow the book let me know ... there's loads of the disciplines ... I wonder what God might be pointing your way for this season. If you want to chat about any of them that might be interested in finding out more about let me know and I can give the the pages. 

Robert.

Introduction: Discovering Your Desire
Part 1:

• Worship 
• Celebration 
• Gratitude 
• Holy Communion 
• Rule for Life 
• Sabbath 
• Worship 

Part 2:

• Open Myself to God 
• Contemplation 
• Examen 
• Journaling 
• Practicing the Presence 
• Rest 
• Retreat 
• Self-Care 
• Simplicity 
• Slowing 
• Teachability 
• Unplugging 

Part 3:

• Relinquish the False Self 
• Confession and Self-Examination 
• Detachment 
• Discernment 
• Secrecy 
• Silence 
• Solitude 
• Spiritual Direction 
• Submission 

Part 4: Share My Life with Others

• Accountability Partner 
• Chastity 
• Community 
• Covenant Group 
• Discipling 
• Hospitality 
• Mentoring 
• Service 
• Small Group 
• Spiritual Friendship 
• Unity 
• Witness 

Part 5: Hear God's Word

• Bible Study 
• Devotional Reading 
• Meditation 
• Memorization 

Part 6: Incarnate the Love of Christ

• Care of the Earth 
• Compassion 
• Control of the Tongue 
• Humility 
• Justice 
• Stewardship 
• Truth Telling 

Part 7: Pray

• Breath Prayer 
• Centering Prayer 
• Contemplative Prayer
•  Conversational Prayer 
• Fasting 
• Fixed-Hour Prayer 
• Inner-Healing Prayer 
• Intercessory Prayer 
• Labyrinth Prayer 
•  Liturgical Prayer 
• Prayer Partners 
• Praying Scripture 
• Prayer of Recollection 
• Prayer Walking 

Appendix 1: Spiritual Growth Planner
Appendix 2: A Series on Spiritual Disciplines for the Congregation
Appendix 3: Suggestions for Spiritual Mentors
Appendix 4: Using the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook with Small Groups
Appendix 5: Names for Worshiping God
Appendix 6: One Anothers
Appendix 7: Postures for Prayer
Appendix 8: Spending Time with God
Appendix 9: Suggestions for Fasting Prayer for the Church
Appendix 10: Seasons, Stages and Ages of Transformation

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage - Brochure Launched tonight

If you, like many others, have often thought about visiting the Holy Land to see the places frequented by our Lord during His earthly ministry, you now have the perfect opportunity. The Revd Robert Ferris, Associate Minister of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, has led 2 Pilgrimages in the past is planning a similar pilgrimage in 2018 - and all are welcome.

Less than 2% of the current population are Christians and many of them live under very difficult circumstances. Reflecting on this the itinerary will include not just the places where Jesus taught and healed, but also other places where a new generation of his followers teach and heal today. This comprehensive 11-day pilgrimage to the Land of the Bible will depart on 12th November, returning on 22nd November 2018.

The cost of the trip is €2650 per person, which is based on sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities.

Here is an intro video from the tour company ...




A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is maybe not for everyone, but it is surprising how many people make return journeys. Here are some of the memories held by previous pilgrims:

"Just to have been in the Holy Land is a moving experience that brings the Bible to life in a way no simple words or pictures ever could."

"I was deeply touched at the Garden Tomb, the Shepherds' Field and on the Sea of Galilee in a storm."

"My first impression of Jerusalem was of a noisy, bustling, dirty city, but through the Damascus Gate and into the walled city is the real Jerusalem. Hiving with people, small narrow streets and alleyways; little shops selling everything under the sun, and the smell of spices, herbs and coffee."

"Little churches celebrating events in the life of Jesus, visiting church of all kinds - some simple and quiet, some ornate but all built to the glory of God."

"Walking up the Kidron Valley after a sandstorm, discovering Absalom's Pillar, being on the Sea of Galilee and having Holy Communion beside the sea."


Brochures & Booking forms and information is available from Robert Ferris - robert@cupcork.ie

Deposits of 250 Euro need to be in by the beginning of September to secure place.