1. Have you (or someone you know) been unable to picture God as looking down on us with love; someone who is pleased with us and wants to be with us? Perhaps God is something else: Ambivalent, angry, waiting to punish us, distant, unconcerned… the last goes on. How do we change our minds and hearts about God? (See John 14)

2. What drains your joy? Reflect on the last week and recall times when joy was completely drained from you, maybe all at once or slowly over time. What practice(s) do you think would help you most to cultivate more joy in your life?