Bird houses from recycled billboards* (Photo: Irene Bom)
Hear Jesus’ gracious invitation in John 15:4a: “Abide in me, and I in you.” (King James Version) Or, to put it another way, “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you.” (The Message)
Somehow the word “abide” has the word “refuge” built in. An invitation to make refuge in God a constant, not just in crisis moments.
Here is a prayer by way of response.
Father,
In the awareness of your presence,
Beneath the shadow of your wings,
In the closeness of your love,
May we abide.Jesus,
In the fellowship of your saints,
In the communion of the faithful,
In the church called to mission,
May we abide.Spirit,
In the power of your love,
In the fullness of your gifts,
In the guidance of your wisdom,
May we abide.
from The Open Gate: Celtic Prayers for Growing Spiritually
by David Adam, p. 98
see also To Emmaus and back
* bird houses made by my brother, Michael