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Welcome to our weekly Friday Check-in for July 11th, 2025 ✅
If you are new to Soul Care, WELCOME!! We are so glad you are here. We have a weekly rhythm of checking in together on Fridays. We use Soul Care's Page, Person, Plan framework to create a weekly rhythm and prepare ourselves for Sabbath rest.
This isn't an additional thing to add to your "to do list" but an invitation to take time to reflect, connect, and be intentional in caring for your soul.
Let's begin with,
Page: An Invitation to Reflection
Read or listen to Mark 1:1-11 three times:
This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The prophet Isaiah wrote,
“I am sending my messenger ahead of you
to prepare the way for you.”
“A voice cries out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord!
Make his paths straight!’ ”
John the Baptizer was in the desert telling people about a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went to him. As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
John was dressed in clothes made from camel’s hair. He wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.
He announced, “The one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. As Jesus came out of the water, he saw heaven split open and the Spirit coming down to him as a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you.”
Mark 1:1-11 (GW)
Spend a few minutes journaling in response to this passage:
- What stands out to you most? Is there a particular word or phrase?
- As you read through it a second time… ask God, "to what area of my life does that particular word or phrase connect?"
- And as you read a third time, be asking God, "Is there an invitation for me?" Is there a response of some kind that God is inviting you into?
Next up is,
Person: An Invitation to Connection
In response to this month's Semi-Silent Retreat theme. Let's continue to meditate on Psalm 89:5-18 and intentionally explore and practice delight!
How does delight show up in today's reading?
"This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus..." (v.1) isn’t just a headline; it’s a declaration of joy. The “gospel” (euangelion) means good news, and the very fact that God is acting to bring His Son into the world is cause for delight. God doesn't remain distant; God draws near. Additionally, Jesus' Baptism (vv. 9-11) is perhaps the most explicit, obvious moment of delight in the entire passage:
“And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (v. 11)
This is divine delight... Father God publicly rejoicing in the Son. Before Jesus has performed any miracles or preached a sermon, the Father declares His love and pleasure. Pure relational delight. In Jesus, we are invited into that same belovedness. Take a moment to imagine God's voice not only over Jesus... but, through Christ, spoken over you:
"You are my beloved; in you I delight."
- What does it stir in you to hear that?
- What might it look like to live today as someone deeply delighted in by God?
- How might this influence the way you speak to others and show other people care and support today?
Finally we have,
Plan: An Invitation to Intention
One way we can be intentional in practicing delight is to practice stillness in God's presence. Delight is not only exuberant (i.e. loud booming voice from heaven, etc); it can also be quiet and content. Sometimes we are afraid of silence, but it's in the stillness that we often notice God’s nearness. Try:
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Sitting in silence after reading Scripture slowly.
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Simply enjoy being with God with no requests, no agenda.
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Use your imagination to visualize walking “in the light of His face” (Psalm 89:15).
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Or go outside and take a quiet, simple stroll. Some of us might need movement to bring stillness to our minds; and we might need to slow our walking down to be able to bring awareness to our surroundings! Notice the sky, trees, animals. Simply thank God for them.
What are some ways you hope to intentionally practice delight this month? In stillness, bring these hopes and intentions to the Lord.
Finally, join with other beloved hearts and minds who are reading this right now, and in unity close with this prayer:
God of steadfast love and unshakable faithfulness,
We pause today to delight in who You are.
Continue to still our hearts, lift our eyes,
And let our souls rejoice in the light of Your face.
Amen.
Thanks for checking in today - Blessings!