Online Bible Study for Women
--> on a Pilgrimage Road
Step by step, firmly practicing the presence of God whilst sharing online bible study for women pilgrimage tips - is it possible as a pilgrim on holy ground on the road ?
While walking the Welsh camino or depart from Winchester to Canterbury on the ancient pilgrimage road ?
I am hoping to find out , lets take off our biblical sandals, appreciate GODS intention of inviting us to enter HolyGround and begin ...
- Biblical Sandals
- an Online Bible Study for Women by a woman on a lifelong pilgrimage road
- Exodus 3: 5 " Put off thy shoes from off thy feet , for the place on which thou standest is holy ground "
Pererin - St Cadfan Way
The second North Wales Camino to Holy Bardsey Island , the first one starts at Holywell.
This one traces the footsteps of Saint Cadfan thought to have founded a church in Tywyn and then moved to create a monastery for contemplative monks on the holy isle of Bardsey on the LLyn peninsular
This section of the pilgrimage road has a steep climb from Saint Mary's and St Egryns church in Llanegryn starting with a very narrow path alongside the river bank behind the church across to the farmers field and through his farm buildings which kindly have been given as access with a permissive footpath. Eventually is leads right on top of a mountain which overlooks the se with a fabulous range of views where the mountains meet the sea.
Through the cow fields and in search of a tiny ancient church that nestles right down below on the furthest edge of the sea cliff. Arriving early enough is recommended as there is no illumination other than daylight at Old Llangelynnin Church, Llwyngwril. There is an interesting medieval style wall painting of a skeleton. I will share some pictures in the " Pilgrim on HolyGround " travel bible journal.
Here I would like to focus on bible studies and how they arise for me as I walk along
Exodus 3: 4-5
Online Bible Study for Women
Biblical SYMBOLS & how they appear when I take a contemplatively prayer pause
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How to Bible Study on a pilgrimage road, in a non-traditional way
- setting my intention and internally pausing and removing my ideas of purpose and destination
- removing my backpack, stretching and standing on the mountain ridge, breathing deeply and slowly doing a 360 degree turn taking in all the vistas . It is raining, there is a storm coming yet right now all that captures my attention is this fire red tree , a hawthorn bush I believe
- There are many sheep on this section of the Pererin St Cadfan way pilgrimage trail, but the spot of red, bright red, firing red on the bush makes me pause, then recognise the symbols that have drawn my attention. There is a bush, a fire red burning of sorts, there is a mountain and I am smiling and letting the impressions sink in as I look down at my heavy walking boot " sandals".
- Internally I suspend all other action, use my inner seeing to "remove my sandals" and sink into deep appreciation for GOD's holy ground on which I find myself invited into conversation
Pererin - St Cadfan way Pilgrimage to Holy Bardsey Island in North West Wales
What is a pilgrimage Road ?
Contemplating Exodus 3 - 4 -5
The Space between the natural and the divine
Spiritual distance , GOD fully and completely HOLY and DIVINE , People fully natural and imperfect
Willingness to take off my sandals, my natural shoes , remove the proverbial eternal layers, external things , standing unmasked when approaching holy ground.
Lectio Divina
Sandals : Online Bible Study for Women
Exodus 3: 3-5
Comparing Bible Translations
- "Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
English Standard Version Bible (ESV) - “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
New International Version Bible (NIV) - " And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
King James Version Bible (KJV) - "He
said, “Don’t come any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, because
the place where you are standing is holy ground." CJB
- He continued, “Do not approach. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
New Catholic Bible ( NKB)
Visio Divina
Holy Art - Online Bible Study for Women
- Noticing:
- Moses is barefoot and I can see no sandals or shoes anywhere in the painting
- the burning bush is the focus with Moses stance being emphasised by the bright fiery red colour
- during Visio divina , both on the mountain top and when looking at this Holy art painting the sandals or in this case missing shoes altogether retain my attention
- Ignatian Discernment Prompt
- Gaze at Domenichino’s painting
- Let yourself enter the landscape
- Notice Moses’s posture , the fiery flame ,the bush , the red fabric wrap , the landscape framing the scene
- Where are you present in this scene ? Are you observing from a distance , Are you Moses facing the burning bush ?
- What does it feel like to stand on holy ground ? Where are Moses’s sandals ?
- Contemplative Prayer Prompt
- What does it mean to me that holiness here is not mediated by the untied sandals but by Moses already standing barefoot before God ?
- Is the artist inviting me to shift my focus from the act of removing to the immediacy of the encounter ?
- Consider where in your life is God calling you to step directly onto Holy ground ?
- Contemplative Prayer Reflection
- Where in my life is GOD asking me to let go of certain metaphorical “sandals” ?
- Where is GOD asking me to step directly onto HolyGround , places where I might want to hold back but he extends His invitation to enter without hesitation?
I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my online bible study for women, I hope to develop this idea of sharing as I move along in building this space, GOD willing. For now I am grateful for the time you spent exploring here.
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" A Pilgrims Margin"
NEWSLETTER
