So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

A significant life is more simple than you think. In a culture where bigger is seen as better, it’s easy to wonder if your quick prayer between meetings or the short note you text a friend means anything in God’s Kingdom. Rachael Adams, author and host of the Love Offering Podcast, found herself questioning her significance, when the Lord led her to take a deeper look at his Word to discover where...

Do you wonder what God has called you to do? These verses are for you. Years ago, when I wondered what God was calling me to, these verses helped me take a deep breath and stop fretting. God had already created good work for me before I was even born. I didn’t need to hunt around to find it or create it. I only needed to follow God. He would let me know the next step at the right time. He has been...

A spacious life sounds lovely, doesn’t it? But it can also feel unattainable. I mean, how are we supposed to live spacious lives and still get everything done? The truth is you will never get everything done. And another truth is - there is a different way to live. A way of life that honors the boundaries God has graciously set for us. Ashley Hales, author of Spacious Living: Trading Hustle and Hu...

Does your life feel hurried? Are you hustling from one thing to the next? Or worse, does it feel like you’re drowning in deep water. Struggling to take the next breath? If so, you aren’t alone. That’s exactly how David felt when he penned Psalm 18. The good news is, when David cried out to the Lord, the Lord rescued him. God pulled him out of the deep water and brought him to a spacious place. God...

Are you tired of holding it all together? Does it feel like a storm is raging, ready to crash in on you? And what will happen when that storm becomes real? Will it level you? Or are you prepared to withstand it? Jesus has wise words for us on how to stay standing no matter the circumstances. He offers us three simple practices. Simple, but not easy. Join Alli Patterson and I as we discuss the thre...

What happens when the storms sweep through your life? God promises us that storms will come, but they don’t have to take us out. When we build our life on God, as the solid foundation, he promises that we will not be shaken. As you meditate on these words, allow the Spirit to help you notice what he wants you to notice. God has something specific for you in these words. We will enter this passage...

You are not an accident. You did not happen by chance. Sadly, many of us believe these heartbreaking lies. The truth is: God was involved in every aspect of your creation. He knew you - and loved you - before you were even born. We need to reframe our thinking about ourselves. When we understand whom God created us to be – and when we start to grasp his love and grace – then we can live the life G...

God designed every detail about you – from the color of your hair to the texture of your toenails. He knows if cilantro tastes like soap or not. And if you recharge best when you’re alone or at a party. Sometimes we wonder if God made a mistake when he wove together our DNA. Psalm 139 assures us he didn’t. God not only created you and knows you, but he also deeply loves you. Perhaps you need to be...

Are you living a full AND yet still restful life? Most of us aren’t. We view rest as something out there. Something we get to enjoy once everything else is done. Of course, everything never gets done and so we never really rest. This leads to burnout. Which is exactly what Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a busy physician and mother, experienced. She counseled her patients to rest and take good care of t...

Do you wake up feeling rested? Many of us don’t. Perhaps rest is more than just a good night of sleep? In this passage, God issued an invitation to the Old Testament nation of Israel to return and rest in Him. The nation was wayward. They were choosing their own way and ignoring God. But God had more for them and so he extended this invitation to them. While this passage was written for the ancien...

Hurry is not a virtue – but we treat it like one. Is it even possible to live differently? In this conversation with Alan Fadling, we talk about practical ways you can live unhurried. Jesus had busy days, but he was never hurried. Unhurrying doesn’t mean abandoning your to do list, it just means you’re allowing God to speak into it and help you choose the best yeses. Alan is the president and co-f...

Do you long for rest? Deep and true rest? This Psalm of David says we can find this soul level rest in our God. If you are feeling anxious, start with a deep breath and remember God is in control – he sees you and he loves you. Then as you meditate on these rest promising words from long ago, allow the Spirit to bring them life in your soul. We should expect this to happen – we are engaging the li...

It’s that time of year. The time we naturally think through and process the year we just lived and start to wonder about the new one. Grab your journal, your favorite cozy drink and a quiet spot – then pop in your earbuds and let’s get to prayerful work processing with the Lord. It will be time well spent. If you haven’t listened to the conversation with Cheri Hudspith, Spiritual Director, and Jul...

It’s the end of year! What are you celebrating? What’s left you worn out? Where do you feel stuck? What do you anticipate for next year? All good questions. Some of us are energized by these types of questions. And some of us know they are important, but they feel daunting. No matter which camp you fall into – this conversation is for you. Cheri Hudspith is a trained Spiritual Director who has bee...

You’ve heard the story of Jesus’ birth many times. Perhaps it’s time for some fresh insight into this beautiful and hope-filled story. This is exactly what Russ Ramsey gives us in this conversation. Russ is the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Where’s he’s also a writer and a speaker aiming to communicate the truths of Scripture in accessible ways to people in process....

You know the story. Today I’m inviting you to hear it again with fresh ears. As you meditate on the Christmas Story, words from long ago that tell of Jesus’ birth, allow the Spirit to bring the story to life in your soul. We will enter this passage prayerfully and expectantly using the Lectio Divina Scripture meditation method. As you allow the Spirit to lead, you may be surprised by what he has f...

Elizabeth and Zechariah received an unexpected answer to a prayer they most likely lost hope on. And in God’s timing and God’s way, Elizabeth conceives a long dreamed for son. God’s timing is almost never our own. In this conversation with Pastor Jenni Wong Clayville, we explore God’s timing and what it teaches us. We also talk about how we can stand in God’s way or surrender to his plans. And wha...

Zachariah had been silenced for over nine months. When he finally spoke, these words flowed forth. A song of praise and prophecy. As you meditate on these words from long ago, allow the Spirit to bring them life in your soul. We should expect this to happen with the living and active Word. We will enter this passage prayerfully and expectantly using the Lectio Divina Scripture meditation method. A...

Parker Smith is a Dallas-based entrepreneur, author, and work-from-home Dad of two under two. He's the founder of Beginner's Apprenticeship, a project aiming to make daily prayer rhythms of the Christian faith accessible for families with young children through story and song, beginning with "The King is Coming" a board book / music pairing for the Advent season. Some highlights from our conversat...

Lectio Divina is a method to prayerfully hear God’s Word. Create some sacred space for God and spend a few quiet moments engaging with Scripture. As you allow the Spirit to lead, you may be surprised by where he leads you. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Parker Smith, founder of the Beginner’s Apprenticeship...

Bette Dickinson is a prophetic artist, writer, and speaker who invites audiences to connect with God through visual parables of the spiritual journey in her ministry Awakening the Soul. Bette earned her MDiv through Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and has worked with ministries like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, World Vision, Infinitum, and Kensington Church to awaken the soul through beaut...

Lectio Divina is a method to prayerfully enter into God’s Word. Create some sacred space for God and spend a few quiet moments engaging with Scripture. As you allow the Spirit to lead, you may be surprised by where he leads you – even in familiar passages like this one. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to my conversation with Bette...

Take a few minutes to meditate on Psalm 1 and then listen in to hear Aaron and I discuss the spiritual discipline of Scripture Memory. Some highlights from our conversation: -How Aaron found healing from a childhood diagnosis of multiple neurological disorders through memorizing God’s Word. -While healing was the initial driving factor that spurred Aaron to start memorizing God’s Word, he quickly...

Note: Meditation starts at 1:43   Lectio Divina is the divine or sacred reading of Scripture. Create some sacred space for God and spend a few quiet moments engaging with his Word. As you allow the Spirit to lead, you may be surprised by where he leads you. Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then listen to the interview with Aaron House, the Founder and Executive Director o...

Laura Murray is a spiritual director, coach, speaker and author. She served for years on the pastoral staff at a large church until the Lord called her to a new ministry of helping ministry leaders find healthy and restorative rhythms for their relationship with the Lord. One of the ways she does this is through her online silent retreats. Take a few minutes to meditate on 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 an...