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01.  Exercise: The White Stone

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches…I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)

God has a unique name for each one of us. Reflecting on the name that God

has written on the white stone which we receive within our life with God, Russian Orthodox priest Anthony Bloom points out that it is neither a nickname or a family name. It is not even what we call our Christian name. This is the special name by which God knows the real ‘you’ and the real ‘me.’ This name – which God spoke when we were first loved into existence – ‘defines our absolute and unrepeatable uniqueness as far as God is concerned.’ As the prophet Isaiah put it, ‘Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.’ (49:1)

Take a white stone with you into the stillness and silence. Reflect on the retreat and give it a one-word name for yourself. Write this word onto the white stone. Instead of a word, you may want to draw a symbol.

As a closing moment of worship, we will share our white stones with each other with thanksgiving to God.

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02.  Ten Biblical verses to ponder before going to sleep

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’ (Isiah43:1)

For it was you who created my inmost name; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14)

Behold I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:16)

The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.’ (Isaiah 49:1)

The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.’ (John 10:3)

I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. (Isaiah 45:3)

…And I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called. (Ephesians 4:1)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Choose a word or phrase or sentence that connects with you most.
Share with the Lord your thoughts and feelings about this word/phrase/sentence and listen to what the Lord may be saying to you through it.