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Give Me a Word 2014: Fifth Annual Abbey Giveaway

Share your Word for 2014

In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to God and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down to one’s holy essence. The desert was a threshold place where you emerged different than when you entered.

Many people followed these ammas and abbas, seeking their wisdom and guidance for a meaningful life. One tradition was to ask for a word –  this word or phrase would be something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months, sometimes a whole lifetime. This practice is connected to lectio divina, where we approach the sacred texts with the same request – “give me a word” we ask – something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into.  The word which chooses us has the potential to transform us.

  • What is your word for the year ahead? A word which contains within it a seed of invitation to cross a new threshold in your life?

Share your word in the comments section below by Monday, January 6, 2014 and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below). Last year we had 840 people share!

A free 12-day online mini-retreat to help your word choose you. . .

This year I am offering all Abbey newsletter subscribers a gift: a free 12-day online mini-retreat with a suggested practice for each day to help your word choose you and to deepen into your word once it has found you.

Sign up here and you can start your mini-retreat today. Once you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email with access to the mini-retreat content (and you are free to unsubscribe at any time).  If you are already a subscriber, the invitation will be in this week’s email newsletter.

Win a Prize – Random Drawing Giveaway on January 6th!

I am delighted to offer some wonderful gifts from the Abbey:

So please share your word (and it would be wonderful to include a sentence about what it means for you) with us below.  Subscribe to the Abbey newsletter for your free gift. Share the love with others and invite them to participate.  Then stay tuned – on January 6th I will announce the prize winners!

If this is your first time commenting at the Abbey, or you are including a link, your comment will need to be approved before appearing, which usually takes less than 24 hours.

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680 Responses

    1. I hear you sister, all the time. What now? How scary is this really going to be? I thought transformation would be easier somehow, but it looks like it’s as messy and painful as birth.

  4. The word that chose me for 2014 is “labyrinth.” So this coming year must be the year I undertake my “errand into the maze” to see what treasure I will be given to bring back to the world.

  5. I ponder the challenge 
     Give me a word.
    Blessings and peace are the 
    First to emerge

    I ponder the challenge
    As words echo about
    The greatest of these is 
    Love I hear
    Ringing in my silent ear
     
    I ponder the challenge 
    Of what lies ahead
    And then I know without 
    A doubt
    COURAGE is the word
    That it’s all about.

    I sit in the silence 
    And let COURAGE ring
    To help me walk the path 
    To dance and to sing.

  6. My phrase is “springs forth” from Isaiah 43:19. After 6 years of unemployment, the Lord has gifted my husband with a good job. This will mean relocating 4 hours north, we are so ready. There has been much drama in our church which has left us hurting, we are looking forward to the new thing the Lord is doing and our place in it. It means a lot to me, I will be meditating on this phrase for the coming year, also aware of springs that are water which represent life and flourishing. Just as there are no words adequate to describe the pain of the last 6 years, equally none can describe the joys. My husband and I were married almost 6 years ago, so leaning on one another helped us daily. But truly, God’s grace, provision and love is why we survived this. The generosity, support and love shown us by our church family has been utterly amazing. We will see what “springs forth” spiritually in our new church and in our lives. Blessings.?

  9. I have had trouble finding a word. But, this morning saying some Advent prayers these two lines in the closing prayer jumped out at me.
    * I feel a new freedom in my life
    and a courage I have not known before.*
    My word for 2014 is COURAGE.

  10. My word for 2014 is JOY! To recognize the joy in everyday life, to feel joy in my heart and share that joy with others, to embrace the joy of Spirit, to challenge the mind and calm the soul. Each day to sense Joy.