Walking through Morning Meditations at Marina's Kitchen Table: Day 1

We are beginning this journey together for the month of August, walking as a community—maybe more like a Sunday School group or small group, through the book Morning Meditations at Marina's Kitchen Table; A devotional memoir. If you don't have the book, you can get it here, as I won't be covering the daily devotions in our time together. I will type out the prayers, questions, and scriptures, to encourage and inspire us as we share what God's showing each of us. The conversation will take place over in Facebook, at Marina's Kitchen Table Group, and you can join in here.

I thought it would be helpful to have the material a day ahead of time since we are coming from all areas of the world, and maybe not all in the same time zone (or frame of mind). I will try to keep things organized so that you can look at the reading for the next day, and post your answers, so we can discuss it the day of. 

I know that everyone is busy, juggling things and finding a new normal (thank you COVID) to our days. There's a lot of grace given here. No one will grade you on participation, or down score you if you don't turn in answers each day. This is to encourage the body of Christ, and for us to walk together as much as we can through this season of change...again.

So here is the content for Day 1! May you be blessed! Remember, you can read it here, but please post your responses over in the Facebook GROUP page! I'll be popping in there live unscheduled and maybe we can even open a room for a community call sometimes!

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Day 1

Morning Prayer
God, I need You in my life today. Thank You for meeting me here in the quiet of the day, allowing me to discover Your peace and presence. Settle my mind and spirit and help me to focus on Your presence right now. I feel You, and I need to know Your touch, hear Your voice, and sense Your Holy Spirit with me. Please allow me to abide in You and be so close I can hear Your heartbeat. I love You. Amen.

...

Focus Verse:

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
Psalm 139:5-6 NLT

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Table Talk
Genesis 3:8

Jeremiah 29:13

Psalm 139:7

James 4:8

Psalm 56:8

Write out an "action plan" of scriptures to read if you are alone and become frightened or sad. Include a prayer from your heart you can say in anticipation of any fear or disappointment you have experienced in the past. Ask others to pray with you and for you when you know you will be alone, focusing on God's promises that He will not leave you. 

A Prayer
Father, there are so many times I feel anxious and frantic, and I cannot be still before You. You meet me here and quiet my spirit and mind. Other times I feel totally alone and abandoned, yet I know in my heart of hearts You are here with me. Lord, let me not forget Your position near me, that You will not leave me alone, and You will never abandon me. Teach me to call upon Your name, to welcome You into the quiet places, and to trust You will speak to me. Help me recognize Your voice today. Allow me to be alone, confident in Your presence and promises. Amen.

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Be sure to go to the Facebook Group page and share your answers with us there!

Grace and peace,

Marina