Summer Devotional Booklet: June 3

We are thankful for the work of Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio in producing this devotional booklet for their Lenten 2024 season. With the blessing of the author, this is a devotional based on Everything Good about God Is True by Rev. Dr. Bruce Reyes-Chow.

In a spirit of collaboration, Fairmount has given us permission to adapt the original devotional for our purposes this summer.  Thank you to Rev. Ryan Wallace and Rev. Lindsay Harren-Lewis and our siblings in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

All Scripture is Common English Bible Translation unless otherwise noted.

Introduction 

This summer, our sermon series is inspired by Rev. Dr. Bruce Reyes-Chow’s new book, Everything Good About God is True:  Choosing Faith. Bruce is a Presbyterian pastor in California. He’s pastored several congregations, written 6 books, and served as the youngest moderator of our national denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA). Bruce wrote this latest book as a guide for progressive Christians to claim and proclaim “a more complex, nuanced, loving, and just version of the gospel.” 

Increasingly, American Christianity is synonymous with white nationalism, hate, and other expressions of xenophobia. We who call ourselves Christian may be quick to distance ourselves from these versions of Christianity–to criticize and reject expressions of Christian faith that do not square with our understanding of God and the world. But we must do more than reject what we don’t believe. We must claim and proclaim what we do believe. 

So, how do we do it? Bruce writes: “Most churches are competent at presenting the general gist of what things are, how things happen, and even whispers of what they believe. But when it comes to the nitty-gritty, church people like me tend to make far too many assumptions, most notably that faith is passed down through osmosis, obligation, and potlucks. We assume that what we believe is clear, that people understand our beliefs, and what we do makes sense. We think that communicating belief is unnecessary…We end up giving the impression that we don’t really have any foundational beliefs at all, or at least any that we’re willing to share. Sure, we may be generally welcoming, but ultimately folks are left on the outside looking in—not for lack of desire on their part but simply because we, the churchy ones, have forgotten how to articulate our faith. We’ve forgotten that there’s a vocabulary of faith that can guide, accompany, usher all of us into a deeper, more nuanced Christian faith.” 

So, what do you believe? Can you articulate your faith in a way that draws people to an inclusive interpretation of the gospel? During our summer series, we’ll be asking important questions to help you explore, express, and practice what you do believe to be true about God. This isn’t a test of your Christian orthodoxy, but rather an invitation to reflect on your chosen beliefs. In Bruce’s words: “I promise no answers, I offer no destination, and I am not trying to convince anyone of anything…What I do offer is a view of the full landscape of the faith that I am determined to practice every day. I hope that, in doing so, it will help as you practice yours.”

How to use this devotional

In this book, you’ll find a prompt for each day. There are three types of prompts:

Breath Prayers

These prayers–from Everything Good about God Is True–couldn’t be simpler. As you breathe in, silently and slowly repeat the “inhale” words. And then as you breathe out, silently and slowly repeat the “exhale” words. Then repeat again and again. You can do these prayers with your eyes closed, or with your gaze softened and focused on a single spot. You can offer the prayers while sitting down or while walking. You can set aside a particular time each day for the prayer, or you can pull it out during a moment in your day when you feel like you could use a breath from God. However and whenever you pray, try to notice what God is stirring within you.

Scripture Passages

Read each passage at least two or three times. Read them slowly. You can read them silently or aloud. Pause between each reading. Notice what stands out to you. Listen for how God might be speaking to you. Pay attention to how the passage might connect with something happening in your ordinary daily living. You might return to the scripture again later in the day or even later in the week. 

Faith Montage Excerpts

The questions mainly come from Everything Good about God Is True. Set aside a specific time on these days to really reflect on the question. Turn it over in your mind and your heart. Don’t be satisfied with your first reaction to it. Probe deeper. Are there experiences from your life that shape the way you approach the question? How does the question make you feel? You can keep a journal throughout the summer with your responses to these questions or find another way to artistically express your responses. 

June 3  - Inhale: “God, you welcome me,” Exhale: “Whenever I return to you.”