Weekly Practice 10/6/25

Hey, all. The scripture and practice are a little long this week. There’s even a link for the overachievers who want to read all of 2 Samuel 7.  Try to do/discuss this week’s practice with others.

Scripture

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 17-21 NLT

When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”

Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the Lord said to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’

“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings!...

So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord? What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.”

Practice

“Not Doing”

This week, find or schedule times to cease from doing things. This could be practicing Sabbath (resting from work and productivity). It could be times of silent prayer, just being with God. It could also mean “pressing pause” between activities, for just a moment, to acknowledge God’s presence with you. Here is a quote from my patron saint:

“Modern Christians are characteristically much afraid of being caught out doing too little for God, let alone nothing. But there are moments, far more frequent than we suppose, when doing nothing is precisely the gospel thing to do… When David sat down before God, it was the farthest thing from passivity or resignation; it was prayer. It was entering into the presence of God, becoming aware of God’s word, trading in his plans for God’s plans, letting his enthusiasm for being a king with the authority and strength to do something for God be replaced with the willingness to become a king who would represent truly the sovereignty of God the high King.”

Eugene Peterson, Leap Over a Wall

And now for something completely different

Some of us have been listening to this series from the Bible Project. Check it out, if you want.

Weekly Practice 9/29/25

Here’s this week’s practice, y’all. Try to do/discuss it with others if at all possible.

Scripture

1 John 1:5-10 NRSV

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Practice

Admitting Faults — To love each other as Jesus does, to bear with one another, to forgive “77 times,” we need humility. Humility starts by prayerfully seeing and naming what is true about ourselves. This week, continue to practice confession with someone you trust. Specifically, confess your faults: the ways you’ve messed up this week, the ways you’ve felt yourself drift from who God has created you to be. Don’t do this with shame. Do it with honesty. Exposing this stuff to the light brings freedom. It also allows God to form us into people of humility who can love like he loves.

Tidbit

Here’s a video of Jared Boyd talking about his book, Finding Freedom in Constraint (I’m reading it right now). He explains “faults and affirmations” in a bit more detail (skip to 20:25-24:35 if you don’t want to watch the whole thing). Jared is the founding director of the Order of the Common Life, something I’ve been a part of for the last few years. He’s a good dude.

Weekly Practice 9/22/25

Two weeks in, folks. Yesterday was, again, a sweet time with God and each other. (At least for me!) During our breakout for discussion, I was struck by the level of depth everyone brings with them. I was challenged and encouraged, and I’m really excited to get to know everyone more as we pursue Jesus together.

Here’s this week’s practice. Try to do/discuss it with others if at all possible.

Scripture

John 3:19-21 NIV

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Practice

Yesterday, Jesse shared this with our group. I think it was from God, for all of us:

Confession — This week, when you notice a lie that seems to have a grip on you (repeated negative thoughts, habitual sin, etc.), try to expose it. Confess it to God, yes. But also find someone whom you trust to share it with. Let’s do our best to bring the lies that hold us, or that we hold onto, into the light where God can set us free.

Tidbit

I’m really digging this song. It ties in nicely with yesterday’s talk about lies. Maybe we’ll play it some Sunday.

Weekly Practice 9/15/25

Dang. Yesterday went beyond what any of our elder team (me & Christy, Jenny & Jesse Muñoz, Erin & Aaron Anderson) were expecting. God is really kind. Thank you for worshiping with us. Maybe it felt like home. Maybe you’re still curious. Either way, we’d be happy to see you again. 

Part of our vision for Trellis is to create space in our daily lives through common practices. These can be done alone, but sharing them is better. Maybe get a beverage with a friend or two to discuss. Or carve out an hour with your spouse, kids, or roommates. Whenever. Wherever. Whomever. Keep it simple. Our hope is that, over time, God will shape us into a community of individuals who are “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32 ESV).

I don’t think these will usually be so long-winded. (We’ll see.) Typically, there will be a passage of Scripture to meditate on, a practice to try out, and maybe another tidbit to ponder. All of this is invitational. None of it is our primary focus. Knowing and loving God is our primary focus.

Scripture

John 13:15-17 NIV

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Practice

Prayer — To do as Jesus does is not just hard, it’s impossible without the Holy Spirit’s help. This week, when you’re in the midst of doing (sitting through class, writing an email, listening to a family member yammer on and on…), try to pause and check in with God. Pay attention to whether you are doing in your own power and effort, or with God. This includes when you are doing “holy things.” Pay attention. Is your prayer filled with anxious effort or the loving peace of God? Let yourself rest into his helping hands.

Tidbit

Here’s a link to the poem/prayer I referenced yesterday, “Dying to Self.”

Second tidbi

Did I not say Christmas is nearly here? In excelsis Deo, indeed!