Christian Meditation Podcast

Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 6 "Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

318 Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You, A Guided Christian Meditation on Jeremiah 1:4-8 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 6 "Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. NRSV 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." 6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." Meditation on Scripture: The account of the calling of Jeremiah teaches valuable lessons. God is aware of his children. Whether it is Jeremiah or each one of us. There are many times in our lives when we may feel that the world is chaos. We may see no purpose in how things progress in our lives, Yet God knows us. He is familiar with our Character, our potential, our strengths, our profound weaknesses. Not only does he know us and he is aware of what we can do, he understands how we can learn and grow with him. When Jeremiah was feeling the natural experience of being overwhelmed before God due to his weakness and ignorance, God encouraged him by saying he will be directed. God has claimed that he will deliver us if we believe and follow Him. I had an experience of this. I am traveling in another state from my home. I came to visit family and be present for a baptism. While I was here I was made aware that one of the people I work with was involved in a horrible accident and was flown into a hospital not 30 minutes from where I was during the call. It was hundreds of miles way from my home and yet God had me where i needed to be and I was able to provide support. I cant claim to understand God's timing in the unfortunate situations in our lives, but I do know that God watches over us. He gives us what we need. He loves us, and expects us to approach Him to be washed from sin, forgiven, and redeemed. He is our redeemer. You may not understand God's purpose in your life. You may not be able to see the pattern amidst the chaos but I can assure you it is there, but we probably wont understand it until later. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What ways has God shown you that he knows you? Final Thought: Foster fondness and build feelings of mutual service. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

316 Two Are Better Than One, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 4 NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NRSV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Meditation on Scripture: The subheading of this scripture in the NRSV version of the bible calls this section the value of a true friend. I have been spending time thinking about this recently. There is such deep and profound value in real and deep friendship. We benefit so much from positive relationships as much as we stand to be hurt by these same relationships. The greatest example of this is in marriage. In the recent weeks I have been working with various couples and so this thought of deep and profound friendship has been on my mind. True friends lift each other up. When they give of themselves they receive benefit for that because the friendship gains strength. The fire of the testimony remains strong together, the warmth of their affection stays warm. When their forces are united they can do amazing things together. We should seek to foster and grow these kind of relationships around us in wisdom. Loneliness are far too common. This can occur even for people living in close proximity to others. So what is it that makes us feel connected? We feel seen and understood. We feel that we know the dreams of the other and they know ours. In intimate relationships this takes on a unifying purpose. The success in our relationships can be seen as the degree to which we can work toward our deeply held dreams while also working toward the dreams of those we care about. I want you to take a moment and ponder on what the deeply held goals are of those closest to you. Ponder on how you can support that. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How can you learn more about the dreams of others? Final Thought: Foster fondness and build feelings of mutual service. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

314 Abraham's Promise Came Through Faith, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 4:13-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Romans 4:13-17 NRSV 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. KJV 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Meditation on Scripture: Sometimes we speak about how the law is in direct contrast to the way of Christ. This scripture points out an interesting comparison. The father of Israel is Abraham and when you look through the old testament there is not a great deal of rules set up with the covenant of Abraham. In fact it seems to be more of a promise from God that he will be their God with the understanding that he wanted them to follow. This seems to be what the Abrahamic covenant was about. This is how Paul paints it as well. Abraham was made the father of nations through faith. Abraham surely did receive the promise of God and it has been clearly fulfilled. With that said, it is a clear demonstration how trust in God leads to the fulfillment of blessings. God's word is always fulfilled, including when he proclaims blessings. Paul then points to how it is of faith, through grace to the end of the promise might be offered to the seed, including those who believe as Abraham did. As followers of Christ we also believe in the same God, Jehovah, that Abraham did. As a result we can be blessed by the same faith and reliance that Abraham did, if we are willing to follow the spirit to where God leads us. God will be our father as we trust in this covenant. Glory be to God for his mercy and grace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you see faith leading to blessings in your life? Final Thought: Perhaps we can then see the big conflict between the Law of Moses and the teachings of the savior through a different light. Perhaps it was the rigidity with which the people applied the law that caused it to be such a distraction from Jesus. The people had set up their own expectations on God, as a result they didnt recognize the divinity of Jesus when he did come. Fulfillment of the Law has never been possible by our own merits. Even in the Old Testament sacrificial offerings were made for failure to uphold the law. This was given to turn the hearts of the people to the mercy of God and to prepare them for the coming of the Lamb of God

314 Abraham's Promise Came Through Faith, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 4:13-17 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Romans 4:13-17 NRSV 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. KJV 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Meditation on Scripture: Sometimes we speak about how the law is in direct contrast to the way of Christ. This scripture points out an interesting comparison. The father of Israel is Abraham and when you look through the old testament there is not a great deal of rules set up with the covenant of Abraham. In fact it seems to be more of a promise from God that he will be their God with the understanding that he wanted them to follow. This seems to be what the Abrahamic covenant was about. This is how Paul paints it as well. Abraham was made the father of nations through faith. Abraham surely did receive the promise of God and it has been clearly fulfilled. With that said, it is a clear demonstration how trust in God leads to the fulfillment of blessings. God's word is always fulfilled, including when he proclaims blessings. Paul then points to how it is of faith, through grace to the end of the promise might be offered to the seed, including those who believe as Abraham did. As followers of Christ we also believe in the same God, Jehovah, that Abraham did. As a result we can be blessed by the same faith and reliance that Abraham did, if we are willing to follow the spirit to where God leads us. God will be our father as we trust in this covenant. Glory be to God for his mercy and grace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you see faith leading to blessings in your life? Final Thought: Perhaps we can then see the big conflict between the Law of Moses and the teachings of the savior through a different light. Perhaps it was the rigidity with which the people applied the law that caused it to be such a distraction from Jesus. The people had set up their own expectations on God, as a result they didnt recognize the divinity of Jesus when he did come. Fulfillment of the Law has never been possible by our own merits. Even in the Old Testament sacrificial offerings were made for failure to uphold the law. This was given to turn the hearts of the people to the mercy of God and to prepare them for the coming of the Lamb of God

Bible verses for Meditation: 1 John 3:1-3 NIV 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

312 When Christ Appears We Shall Be Like Him, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 John 3:1-3 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 John 3:1-3 NIV 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. KJV 3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Meditation on Scripture: We have been apart from God in this life. In this life we rely on faith. In fact it is this faith that purifies us as it says in this scripture. Yet despite the purifying faith we miss His presence. I believe that when we are reunited with Jesus it will be both an awe inspiring and humbling experience yet at the same time it will feel familiar. We will recognize the feelings of love and I expect that we will even recognize his face as He gazes back at us. We will be like him, he will be familiar to us. Because we live along side of His spirit in this life. Over the last handful of months I have been away. I was far north in the frozen Arctic. I lived something that was very different than my normal life. I lived differently. I was around different people. Yet when I returned home to my family, it was as if no time had passed at all. In fact this is something that I found quite astonishing. It was the strangest experience to compare what I thought returning home would feel like, versus what it felt like. When I walked in the door and surprised my family with an early return we all were filled with emotion, yet how soon I felt as though I was right back into the swing of life going grocery shopping. I anticipate that so will heaven be. The various decades that we have spent on earth will evaporate and dissolve as we are embraced in the overwhelming love of God. If you need some encouragement I will tell you. Place your faith in this joyous reunion that God has promised. We are purified into this familiarity with God, not due to who we are but due to who God is and what He has chosen to offer us through his infinite atonement. Prepare for a joyous reunion with a loving God. Believe in Him and then follow in the path He has laid out. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you hope for a joyous reunion with your loving God? Final Thought: God has laid out what He wants from us and it doesn't involve earthly achievements. It involves following the way. Trusting in Him as our only hope and embracing a life as God's disciple. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Mark 1:9-13 NIV 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

310 Temptation Follows the Covenant, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 1:9-13 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Mark 1:9-13 NIV 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. ESV 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Meditation on Scripture: The account of the baptism and temptation of Jesus are much longer in the Gospel of Matthew. They also are separated by a chapter marker. This has had the unintended consequence of separating these stories yet they are intrinsically connected. It is not a coincidence that the Temptation of Christ immediately followed His baptism. It may seem strange or inequitable that Christ would have been tempted immediately following something that has been recognized and presented in Christianity as an induction into the community of God. Of course Jesus did not need any purification associated with Baptism yet regardless the only documented temptation of Jesus occurred right afterward. It may seem in our life that once we commit to live as God would want that doors will open making that easy for us. Perhaps we expect that God will clear all the weeds away from the path or that he will make things turn out easier in our efforts to overcome Sin. What this demonstrates is the persistence of the Enemy to destroy forward progress. Sometimes it is at our greatest points of potential that we experience the greatest temptation. What is also modeled is that if we can remain faithful and resist temptation while also making efforts to grow closer to God, therein is an amazing combo. With our determination and willingness to continue to strive to overcome temptation God will give us the boost we need to make the progress we most need. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: When do you experience your greatest temptation? Final Thought: Something that seems to be indicated is that we need not judge our spiritual progress based on how hard we are tempted but rather how we can overcome those temptations through God's help. Jesus quoted scripture and referred to the value of reliance on God. It is certainly true that our human condition is hopeless without God and without the victory obtained through the Cross. This introduced grace and offered it to us. May the grace of God help us overcome temptation when it comes our way, even increasing temptation. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

308 Elijah Rides to Heaven on a Chariot of Fire, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 2 Kings 2:9-12 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 2 Kings 2:9-12 KJV 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. NIV 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Meditation on Scripture: As with various examples in the Old Testament the accounts there are some miraculous things occuring in this scripture. Elijah was a great prophet. He was close to God's power and accessed it various times to great effect. Elisha came to be the protégé of Elijah. In fact it was a revelation that caused Elijah to seek out Elisha as his successor. As a result, he sought out and found Elisha and Elisha followed him immediately. Elijah adoptped him as though he were his own son. Elisha spent some time at Elijah's side learning from the experienced prophet. He saw many things and valued highly the abilities that God had blessed him with. Elijah put upon his student the mantle of prophet, yet when he was given this opportunity to ask for something in return from the prophet, he asked for twice his spirit, perhaps in reference to the natural rights of inheritance of the oldest son, or perhaps as a literal doubling of the powers Elijah displayed. The thing that I want to place a little focus on is this idea that there are two distinct things occuring here. One is a very clear depiction of God choosing someone and making that revelation clear. The other is the choice and desire of Elisha to receive from God and how that was honored. Many times we can get too locked into how we think God works and we lose sight of the dynamic that God encourages. For example why was the blessing of Spirit that Elisha requested not automatically bestowed? Why did he have to ask for it then wait? Perhaps one explanation is that God wants to work with us. He wants us to submit to him and train our will and desire to the things that are good for us in the long run. It seems that God directs us in our life but then wants us to come along for the ride and follow. Pray to God as though all decisions are in His hands, then use your own insight to pursue the best gifts as you can. What greater gift can there be than closeness with God's spirit which leads to eternal life with God. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: What Sims, Worries, Doubts or Fears would you be willing to give up for an increase in God's Spirit. To be clear we don't purchase the gifts of God with obedience. We don't perform some act then earn some specific benefit. We demonstrate to God that we value what the Almighty God values. We all

Mark 1:29-33 NIV 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

306 Jesus Heals Simon's Mother, A Guided Christian Meditation on Mark 1:29-33 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Mark 1:29-33 NIV 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, ESV 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Meditation on Scripture: Many times when we think of Jesus healing large groups of people. Yet he also healed people close to Him. This scripture makes me so curious about how people received this healing. Were they surprised? Did Simon Peter already believe in Jesus when he did this or was this something that convinced Him of Jesus' power and divinity? This was a time without antibiotics. It was a time were medicine in general had little to offer that would help to combat sickness. This makes Jesus' healing even more appreciated. The only thing that they had to rely on was Jesus. Perhaps because of this many believed as a result of His miracles. Those close to Him and those know never met Jesus before the miracles. I want to highlight these two ideas that make it more challenging for us to understand Jesus. We don't get to see Him work his miracles. We don't get to see him cry over Lazarus' death. We dont feel the electricity in the air when the people shared the stories of his miracles. Similarly we dont understand the type of dependance that these people would have felt. If we get sick we have other reliable resources to help in many cases, even critical ones. As a result many people envy those who got to walk with Jesus. On the flip side, we have access to the whole story. We can read the story from beginning to end, told by direct witnesses who are able to tell their story in a way that fills in a lot of details that many people in the Time of Jesus would not have known about. What a blessing it is to have these stories of how Jesus cared for those people he knew and also those he didnt. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

304 What Would You Exchange for Your Soul?, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 Matthew 16:24-26 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Matthew 16:24-26 KJV 24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? NIV 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Meditation on Scripture: What would you exchange for the forfeit of your soul? Obviously when confronted with this question, we may respond differently than the way it actually shows up in our life. Most of the time it is not given as a choice that clearly. It is simply human desire. I really enjoy this question due to the way it can cause us to think about ourselves. When we ask ourselves clear questions like this it can help give our mind clarity. Similarly if we were to ask ourselves if we trust God's plan we would agree but what about when tragedy hits? When we are overly focused on this world, it makes the things of this world much harder to manage. For example, when there is a death of someone close to us, or an unforseen situation that arises. If we view the purpose of our existence to stay like we are now forever and be content with perpetual mortality, then we can get rocked to our core. When however, we realize that there is nothing we can do to hold the mortal world together, we can allow normal human emotions to move through us while not becoming trapped by them. It can give a perspective that helps us rise above. The good news about this is not only that Jesus came to overcome sin and death, but that we can grow and develop spiritually by truly understanding that and believing it. Jesus came to earth because this world is made of clay and will invariably come to an end. It is through our faith in the one who fixxes all eternal problems, that we gain the ability to rise above temporary things and place our focus on eternity. The most beautiful truth of all is that Jesus makes this question irrelevant if we follow Him. We don't have to hate good things, we dont have to reject all happiness and comfort, we dont need to live in constant fear of sin. We can enjoy the good of life while trusting in God's ability to help us rise above it. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you really value the things of God above the things of this world? Final Thought: When we are forced to choose between happiness and God that is a false dilemma. When we follow God that is how we find lasting happiness. It is a discipline that takes time to wrestle with. Focusing on God allows us to feel more connected to others, not less. It also allows us more flexibility to understand we dont need to fear as much what happens on earth. We can place our eternal trust in God and wait for his majesty. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Jonah 3:6-10 ESV 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

302 God Saw That They Had Returned, A Guided Christian Meditation on Jonah 3:6-10 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Jonah 3:6-10 ESV 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. NRSV 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. Meditation on Scripture: Something that always try and maintain is a balance between the graduate of God and a closeness that helps motivate my human heart. Similarly there is a balance between trying desperately to follow the path of Jesus and also accepting Gods grace when we inevitably fail. God honors repentance. God seems to value our feeble efforts as long as we are not deceptive in half hearted confessions or desires for us to feel we earn grace. Gods grace comes as an unparalleled gift. Yet how do we receive this gift? Do we casually accept that of course God should forgive those who profess faith or do we accept how monumental it is that God has chosen to do this and lay out a clear plan whereby we are saved from certain destruction. This scripture is inspiring to me because it demonstrates humility, clarity, and intensity in devotion. The king accepted a great need. He didn't congratulate himself for getting an escape card. He poured out genuine grief at his sin. He also encouraged his people to do it as well. As a result God stated the hand of destruction for the city (which ironically frustrated Jonah). My hope is that we can embrace Gods grace while also recognizing how desperate we are for it and how grateful we should be to be saved from our fate. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you perceive grace? Final Thought: I invite you to spend time pondering the above question do we see grace as the natural and logical consequence of the fall or do we see it with profound emotions of gratitude. I think it is normal for all people to struggle with this balance from time to time, which is what makes it such a valuable subject to focus on. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

300 You Know Me Lord, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 139:1-6 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalm 139:1-6 NIV 1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. KJV 1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Meditation on Scripture: Through much of our lives we struggle to be comfortable with who we are or who we want to be. Many people wrestle with identity. Either don't have a well defined sense of who they are or an overly rigid perception of who we are. But under all of that, God knows us. Wether we are see it or not God knows us. He knows about our aspirations. He knows about our desires. Our goals. He knows our struggles with them. When we feel disappointed with our progress or we feel discouraged about how things turn out, we can rest assured that God understands us. He knows us.I find that language lacking. In Spanish there is two very distinct words for knowing. You know facts, you may even know that certain people exist, but to know a person means to understand them. To be familiar with them. The way in which God knows us is deeper than that. He knows our inner workings. He was there when we were made. God knows you. All the things you are ashamed of and embarrassed of. All the things you want to hide, he already knows. He already decided to overcome them. Through the cross Jesus overcame it all. Because He knows why you need Him. Because he loves you. So with Gods help you can get back up and try again. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What is something that God could help you improve inside of you? Final Thought: Many times we set Mew Years resolutions and struggle to fulfil them. Let me just say that there is nothing magical about the arbitrary day that was selected as the New Year. You can continue each day to move forward. God cheers on our goals of following in the path Jesus gave us. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

298 And God Said, Let There Be Light, A Guided Christian Meditation on Genesis 1:1-5 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Genesis 1:1-51 KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. NABRE 1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth— 2 and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters— 3 Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Evening came, and morning followed—the first day. Meditation on Scripture: The verbage used for the kingdom of God is one that evokes familiarity. As we ponder what Heaven will be like I think it will feel extremely familiar when we get there. Not because it exactly like our earth, but that God has created our souls with the intention of bringing us to Him. The Home of God is coming among mortals. What a powerful thought. Jesus often declared that the Kingdom of Heaven could be brought to earth as we believe in Jesus and follow him. When this happens it will not be something to fear but something to cause Joy. God will be our ruler in every sense of the word. When Heaven comes to us we will rejoice and it will be a time of reflection on our life and how grateful we are to God for the mercy He extends to us. When we are with Him there ill be no more pain, no more crying. He will heal all our wounds. As it says in Isaiah, with His stripes we are healed. This could be compared to the separation from light and darkness, yet he has more he wants to do with us before we come back Home. I have stood many times at the threshold of death and watched people silently pass over and can affirm that God's spirit is present when His children pass to the next life. Many people fear death, we fear the unknown but this scripture clearly points out that it will be glorious to be with Him. This doesn't mean we should rush to get there. God has goals and intentions for us here. As we are apart from God we learn and grow through the hardship we dislike so much. This all forges us to become like him. As it says in 1 John 3:2, when he appears we will know him because we shall be like Him. When our turn comes it will be a glorious reunion. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Where do you see the light of creation in your life? Final Thought: The demonstration of God's creation shows his power. The rest of scripture shows his concern for our growth. Creation of God's universe took multiple acts from the most powerful being in the universe. Instead of snapping his fingers and materializing a fully formed world, God demonstrates both in Genesis 1 and 2 different focuses on creation. His work on you is also complex. Overcoming the effects of sin could be compared to separating the light from the darkness, yet there is much more that God does in our lives. He continues to move in our lives even after offering us redemption from sin, eternal grace moves us to the image of God. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.c

NIV 1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

296 I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth, A Guided Christian Meditation on Revelations 21:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Revelations 21:1-4 NIV 1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." NRSV 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Meditation on Scripture: The verbage used for the kingdom of God is one that evokes familiarity. As we ponder what Heaven will be like I think it will feel extremely familiar when we get there. Not because it exactly like our earth, but that God has created our souls with the intention of bringing us to Him. The Home of God is coming among mortals. What a powerful thought. Jesus often declared that the Kingdom of Heaven could be brought to earth as we believe in Jesus and follow him. When this happens it will not be something to fear but something to cause Joy. God will be our ruler in every sense of the word. When Heaven comes to us we will rejoice and it will be a time of reflection on our life and how grateful we are to God for the mercy He extends to us. When we are with Him there ill be no more pain, no more crying. He will heal all our wounds. As it says in Isaiah, with His stripes we are healed. I have stood many times at the threshold of death and watched people silently pass over and can affirm that God's spirit is present when His children pass to the next life. Many people fear death, we fear the unknown but this scripture clearly points out that it will be glorious to be with Him. This doesn't mean we should rush to get there. God has goals and intentions for us here. As we are apart from God we learn and grow through the hardship we dislike so much. This all forges us to become like him. As it says in 1 John 3:2, when he appears we will know him because we shall be like Him. When our turn comes it will be a glorious reunion. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What can you do to prepare for the Kingdom of God coming to earth? Final Thought: The scriptures provide different scenarios of how people experience God's presence. In some respects it is an overwhelming experience. Even as Angels appear unto people one of the things that they seem to consistently say is for the people to not be afraid. In some ways it will likely be an awe inspiring and intense experience, but I also trust that the Goodness, Grace, and Love of God will overwhelm any fear we may feel. As we look into Jesus' eyes and see an unending well of Love and we in turn worship God. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts -

Psalm 89:1-6 NIV 1 I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" 5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

294 The Heavens Praise Your Wonders, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 89:1-7 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalm 89:1-6 NIV 1 I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" 5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. NRSV 1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. 3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: 4 'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'"Selah 5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, 7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and awesome above all that are around him? Meditation on Scripture: In this Psalm a profound truth is shared. The love of God is eternal. Ponder for a moment how firm are the heavens. How eternal is the dwelling of God. The real in which God dwells is unmovable. Yet the love of God is as eternal as the heavens. In fact the heavens are subservient to God and they declare his glory. As you go out in the night and look up into the sky we are reminded how amazing the universe is. The wide expanse of Gods heavens is astounding. In fact the heavens have shown signs through the years. The birth of Christ was signaled by a star in the heavens. Imagine that billions of miles away an enormous flaming ball of nuclear fusion was created at just the right time to point the magi to the baby Jesus. Even the closest stars are so far that it takes light years to travel to our eyes. God in his preparation set things up with enough advanced time to allow the light reach earth at the perfect moment. As it says in Psalms 19, the heavens declare the glory of God. As we ponder the new beginnings represented by the new year may each of us recognize the travel of the heavenly bodies is numbered and designed by God. The rotation of our earth around the Sun is pronounced by Our God. The Goals that you form for the coming rotation will be within the same power of the Almighty God. As we set good intentions and goals may we remember the source of true power, the power to improve and change, as it comes from our Loving Father. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Final Thought: FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

KJV 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

292 For Unto Us a Child is Born, A Guided Christian Meditation on Isaiah 9:4-7 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Isaiah 9:4-7 ESV 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called W onderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. kjv 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Meditation on Scripture: The connections of this scripture are interesting and form a web of understanding about Jesus's life. This is a familiar pronouncement and shows up in many places, including Handel's Hallelujah Chorus in the Messiah. It is hard for me to hear these words and not be overcome with the spirit of God at that beautiful song pronouncing these words. And his name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. All of these are names for Jesus. A study of the numerous names referring to Jesus can be enlightening in and of itself as each one reflects different truths about God. There are multiple levels in which this scripture is fulfilled. Matthew states that this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus began preaching in Matthew 4 which represented the beginning of his ministry. Earlier in this chapter it says. "the people who dwell in darkness have seen a great light." This was a metaphor for both the star that signaled the birth of the Baby Jesus but also the light that His teachings brought when he formally began His ministry. As we commemorate the Christmas Season may we remember the power of this message. All of us who would have lived in darkness forever, we have seen a great light. That light is the Glory of the Lord. May we truly receive him as the Prince of Peace. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: In what ways does the Christmas season represent light in your life? Final Thought: It is fun to get caught up in the festivities and family traditions associated with the Christmas season. May we not forget, however, that the true purpose of this season is the Birth of Jesus Christ and the coming of his life saving, eternity saving, ministry. My hope is that we enjoy good time together with loved ones while remembering the power of Christ over the grave and over sin. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditait

Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

290 Proclaim The Year of the Lord, A Guided Christian Meditation on Isaiah 61:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. NABRE 1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Meditation on Scripture: This scripture is important. It is the one selected by Jesus to be read in the synagogue. When he finished reading it he told the people that the scripture had been fulfilled in their ears that day. It is comforting to see Jesus declare so clearly his mission and the fulfillment of prophecy. The coming of Christ certainly represents the year of the Lord's favor. He brings comfort and cheer. Garland instead of ashes. For this we feel joy. For this we shall rejoice. Despite whatever hard things occurred in Zion, whatever mourning and sadness, Jesus proclaimed that God would help clear that. There will be building instead of destruction. Repair instead of ruin. If we feel our lives are not what they should. If we feel there has been devastation, this is nothing beyond the power of Jesus. Not because he always fixes the situation right away, but because he gives us what we need to get through it. Those who followed Jesus may have thought that this was not fulfillment of prophecy because the Temple was destroyed roughly 40 years later. They would not have seen the deliverance from Rome as they wanted, they may not have recognized the far more important victory. The victory over sin and death. May we not judge the success of God incorrectly. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What can you do to help keep the waters clean for others? Final Thought: The analogy is not complete. In other words there is nothing that you or I can do to truly muddy Jesus. He has already risen above our sin and carelessness through his Atonement. The metaphor I am applying is that there are things that make it hard for others to follow God and partake of the life giving water. We should be willing to take a look in the mirror and stop those things. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpo

NABRE Isaiah 40:1-5 1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service has ended, that her guilt is expiated, That she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins. 3 A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: NABRE Isaiah 40:1-5 1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service has ended, that her guilt is expiated, That she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins. 3 A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. ESV 40 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Meditation on Scripture: These are the words proclaimed by John the Baptist. When the Pharisees asked John if he was the messiah he said this as recorded in the Gospel of John. John brought baptism to prepare the way of the Lord. Later when Jesus declared he was the way, it was in fulfillment of John's, and Isaiah's prophecy. The Glory of the Lord will be revealed to all flesh. John declares that there is hope. There is comfort Isaiah spoke of. Although we are surrounded by sin, although our human condition created such a dependency, we have hope that the Glory of God will bring comfort. The valleys will be raised up. Eventually there will be no more valley of the shadow of death. In the coming months as millions place their focus on the Birth of our Savior may we remember the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus' glory will fill the earth and the hearts of all those who believe that His birth marks the central point in time as the enunciation of our Salvation. May Gods glory fill your hearts as we ponder the birth of Jesus who serves as the Savior of the World. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What can you do to help keep the waters clean for others? Final Thought: The analogy is not complete. In other words there is nothing that you or I can do to truly muddy Jesus. He has already risen above our sin and carelessness through his Atonement. The metaphor I am applying is that there are things that make it hard for others to follow God and partake of the life giving water. We should be willing to take a look in the mirror and stop those things. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 NIV 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: 1 Cor 1:4-9 NIV 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Meditation on Scripture: Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians with this frank thanks from His heart. Paul gives gratitude that the people he was writing had come to embrace the grace of Jesus. It is a profound demonstration of his serving heart. Gods grace for others can be a profound blessing. In fact as we come to embrace the love of God the positive feelings we feel at the blessings of others can be enhanced and can lead to some of the deepest joys possible. The challenge is also that it can be very difficult to have such positive experiences with those whom we don't share easy relationships with. I am extremely aware that even loving people can have complex feelings for some people. This includes their own families. Holiday times can be exceptionally challenging for many people who either are not able to be close to loved ones due to distance or death. Similarly it can be difficult when it is possible to gather and stress and emotion fill the air. In this moment, may we strive to hold compassion for others in our hearts, specifically for those who we struggle with. It is not necessary to embrace the stress and negative emotions of others. The goal should be to pour out positive intention by the way of God's grace. Spend a moment with this intention. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What can you do to help keep the waters clean for others? Final Thought: The analogy is not complete. In other words there is nothing that you or I can do to truly muddy Jesus. He has already risen above our sin and carelessness through his Atonement. The metaphor I am applying is that there are things that make it hard for others to follow God and partake of the life giving water. We should be willing to take a look in the mirror and stop those things. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: Ezekiel 34:17-19 NIV 17 "'As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? KJV 17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. 18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

284 is It Not Enough For You To Drink Clear Water, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ezekiel 34:17-19 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation , Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ezekiel 34:17-19 NIV 17 "'As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. 18 Is it not enoug for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? KJV 17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. 18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. Meditation on Scripture: This scripture provides an amazingly clear analogy of people who four the clear and pure water by thoughtless action. Much of this chapter is devoted to calling out leaders. Some people may feel a little relieved to think that this scripture is not aimed at them. Perhaps it is only for those unspecific bad church leaders who are malicious in doing wrong. That is not the only kind of people who cause the pure living water to be muddied. Jesus Called himself the living water. Our actions can make it harder for others to come into Christ. Each one of us in our way does things that are careless and muddy the clear waters and foul the pasture for others. The Pastor's goal is that each sheep has clean water and good pasture that hasn't been messed up by other sheep. Sometimes we are the trampling sheep. Sometimes our grass it trampled it. That may through thoughtless action that has harmed you or someone else. That may be through gossip, it may be through a variety of sins or inaction. If you have spent any amount of time listening to this podcast you know I don't delight in shame. So I invite you to embrace the love contained here. God wants us all to have access to pure water. The solution is by listening to the good shepherd be being directed by God. Then valuing the things of God enough to try and make sure we don't make it more difficult for others to feast on the Love of God. Some people are in direct and obvious leadership roles. Others are leaders simply by believing in Jesus. If you believe in Jesus as your savior others may look to you as an example of how Christians behave. Let us not foul the water that others are drinking from. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What can you do to help keep the waters clean for others? Final Thought: The analogy is not complete. In other words there is nothing that you or I can do to truly muddy Jesus. He has already risen above our sin and carelessness through his Atonement. The metaphor I am applying is that there are things that make it hard for others to follow God and partake of the life giving water. We should be willing to take a look in the mirror and stop those things. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Psalm 123 NABRE 1 A song of ascents. To you I raise my eyes, to you enthroned in heaven. 2 Yes, like the eyes of servants on the hand of their masters, Like the eyes of a maid on the hand of her mistress, So our eyes are on the Lord our God, till we are shown favor. 3 Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we have our fill of contempt. 4 Our souls are more than sated with mockery from the insolent, with contempt from the arrogant. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

282 To You Enthroned in Heaven, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalm 123 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation , Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalm 123 NABRE 1 A song of ascents. To you I raise my eyes, to you enthroned in heaven. 2 Yes, like the eyes of servants on the hand of their masters, Like the eyes of a maid on the hand of her mistress, So our eyes are on the Lord our God, till we are shown favor. 3 Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we have our fill of contempt. 4 Our souls are more than sated with mockery from the insolent, with contempt from the arrogant. KJV 1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. Meditation on Scripture: What does the sovereignty of God really mean? What does it mean for God to sit on a throne? If we think that it simply means that God is in charge of things, or that he controls things that is still limited. This scripture reflects a dependance, an acknowledgment of our need before God. God is sovereign in the universe. That means that whatever we do will not harm or destroy him, other than causing ourselves and others to regress spiritually. In the greatest demonstration of grace possible, God loves us. For God so loved the world that he Gave his Son as it says in John. As we ponder the effects of human choices, they are not trivial. It would be incomplete to say that what we do doesn't matter because only God's actions matter. However knowing the limits of our current human ability can alleviate much of our anxiety about our feelings of lack of control in life. When we realize that what we choose in the world matters at the same time it is not supreme we recognize that what God asks us for is intention and action not outcomes. When we have done all we can, we implore to the Lord to bestow his grace on us. Grace is more than a simple forgiveness. The grace of God speaks into our weakness and takes over everything beyond our action. We can then rest assured that regardless of the choices of others, regardless of who leads in the world, the grace of God can ensure that whatever events occur they can be to our benefit and blessing. As a result of this, there is no need to worry about what we cannot control. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What do you ask the Lord for? Final Thought: In this scripture it references an overwhelming plea to God. It begs for peace and consolation in the face of near constant contempt. As it is now, there are many willing to pour out contempt on others. There is a surplus of that kind of treatment going around. There are many methods of overcoming feelings of contempt. Many of which we have covered in this podcast. The focus here is for the grace and mercy of God to overcome this contempt. As we embrace the acceptance of the single most important being in the universe we are more able to accept the contempt of those who are less important. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NIV 25 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

280 The Wise Take Extra Oil, A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 5:1-4 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: NIV 25 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. NABRE 1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Meditation on Scripture: During times of unrest and uncertainty people start gathering things that they need. We see this during hurricanes, earthquakes, and pandemics. People hoard things that they think would help them sustain their way of life that they may not have access to. Fear can drive people to do things that they wouldn't do otherwise. Yet preparation is not always based in fear, but often can be in wisdom. For example, when we lived on the East Coast my family always had extra stores of food and water in preparation for hurricanes, that way when the hurricane warnings came, we didnt ever have to stress or worry about grabbing those items at the last second. The thing is that we constantly rotated out the water and food so that they would be fresh and useful if they were ever needed. Now applying these lessons to our lives we can begin to ask ourselves what the extra oil would be in our own lives. What is your oil, extra oil? Jesus indicates that this oil has to do with preparation and entrance in with Him. This is in reference to our spiritual preparation. We should not wait until times of catastrophe to cry out to God. We miss out on many spiritual blessings if we become complacent and stop developing our spiritual relationship and understanding of God. Some days our lives are in catastrophe, and some days they are calm. The question before us is what do we do to prepare spiritually. What do you do to replace your oil? Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: What do you plan on doing to fill extra stores of spiritual oil. Final Thought: God has greater desires for us than to profess saving faith at one point in our life and muddle through until we die. With the aid of His spirit we can continue to store up extra spiritual oil, not only that we can help people realize the need for them to build their own reserves. There are undoubtedly ways that you can positively influence those around you to more fully live in the love of God. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: John 5:41-44 NIV 41 "I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

278 I Do Not Accept Glory from Human Beings, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 5:41-44 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: John 5:41-44 NIV 41 "I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? KJV 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Meditation on Scripture: This scripture occurs when Jesus is rebuking those who claim to follow the scriptures but have no love of God in their hearts. I chose to cover this scripture so that we can critically examine the role of human approval and the value of prioritizing God. Due to a lot of reasons people are becoming overly invested in the opinions of other people to the point of inducing hatred in their hearts. People mistakenly think that these human perspectives become the most important thing in determining the way we interact with each other as human beings. As followers of Jesus Christ we should be suspicious of anyone who promises salvation in their own name. There is nothing short of the Grace of God which is enough to deliver us from the weakness inherent in the human heart. Knowing this, the enemy attempts to create an artificial salvation through human communal hatred. I invite you to become suspicious of dedication to things that inspire hatred. Our faith should certainly not require that nor should anything else. If we attempt to adhere to the laws of God while fostering hatred or feelings of superiority in our hearts then we are no better than pharisees. Jesus gives a higher calling. One that requires us to humble ourselves. Jesus came to save us, and in so doing shared a message denouncing human pride. Our loyalty should be to God above all else. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: In what ways are you similar to the pharisees Jesus denounced? Final Thought: Our loyalties should focus on learning how to fulfill the commands of Jesus, which is to love God, love our neighbor, then follow Him in faith. Human pride and loyalties to political ideals can foul our ability to live the command of God. I don't mean to say that any secular activity is a distraction from God, but as we pursue any human or secular activities we need to keep them in the proper priority. Love of God should be the highest value we work toward. Loving others comes second to that. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 NIV 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

276 To Everything There's A Season, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 NIV 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, NRSV 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; Meditation on Scripture: This scripture is an often quoted scripture about the timeliness of God. Many times when I have read this scripture, I see it as a reference to the impermanence of life. It seems to point to the unimportance of changes that occur. When we see it in the context of the previous chapter it adds additional meaning. In the greater context of the book of Ecclesiastes we see an existential wrestle with purposelessness. The antidote to this purposelessness is God. In other words Although there are changes in life due to the extremes and the thing that happen to us in life, the answer remains unchanged. Its not just a meaningless change from some set of arbitrary markers. It is the fact that the love and purpose of God transcend all of these. In your life, God loves in as you weep and as you laugh. God's grace applies as we break down and build up. There are times when we embrace and refrain from embracing, yet our eternal worth before God remains unchanged. This awareness transforms these changes from meaningless noise, to a series of opportunities to reveal spiritual development. When we recognize a shortfall in what we want vs what we experience, our focus can go beyond the desire itself and look to the greater question of how we are developing in our love for God and our neighbor. God's goal for us includes undeserved unconditional love, as well as a saving grace and purifying force to lead us toward a recreation in the perfection of God. We don't need to fear the bad times as some sort of indication that we are not measuring up. Those things come and go. What doesn't have to be is our developing trust and in Him. Our faith can grow regardless of the circumstance of our life. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you treat the needs of others? Final Thought: During last week's episode I recommended a practice of enhancing the naturally occurring moments of life. This can lead to improved mood as we learn to give gratitude to God for these moments. I want to take a moment and perhaps slit a hair between salvation and bringing the kingdom of God into our lives here and now. If we trust Jesus as our savior, he takes our sins away. Yet this is not the only thing Jesus offered. He constantly was trying to teach the people how to bring the kingdom of Heaven to earth. That comes through consistently following Jesus. Practices of gratitude, expressions of worship and faith, as well the most important is developments in our capacity to love as Jesus did, reflect Jesus' invitations and result in His promised blessings. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email:

274 Without God, Who Can Find Enjoyment, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:22-28 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 2:22-28 NIV 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. 24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. NLT 22 So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? 23 Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless. 24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Meditation on Scripture: Reading through Ecclesiastes is depressing in a way if we don't realize what the underlying point is. King solomon the wise was lamenting a life devoid of meaning. He stopped giving gratitude to God, and living in God and it left him feeling empty. We have an opportunity to give glory to God, and that is what gives meaning to our action. God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. I want to invite you to a practice It is a practice of learning how to feel more happiness and gratitude. When you experience something genuinely good, no matter how small. Apply this tactic. It may be viewing a pleasant sunset, finding a good parking spot when you are running late, or even something more prodounced like experiencing the love of family or joy in worship possibly even this meditation. When you feel that experience, allow it to simmer in your awareness. Allow yourself to just have that positive feeling stay in your heart. Enhance it in your mind without forcing it to stay longer than is genuine. Then take a moment to absorb it into your heart. This is kind of an abstract idea but allow it to sink in and realize it as a part of your life. This strategy is a scientifically proven method for changing happy feelings into a personality trait. It comes from the book "hardwiring happiness" by doctor Rick hansen. It is also the basis for how I do the visualize step of the meditation. So without even realizing it, we have been applying this method. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you treat the needs of others? Final Thought: HEAL FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

274 Without God, Who Can Find Enjoyment, A Guided Christian Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:22-28 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Ecclesiastes 2:22-28 NIV 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. 24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. NLT 22 So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? 23 Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless. 24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Meditation on Scripture: Reading through Ecclesiastes is depressing in a way if we don't realize what the underlying point is. King solomon the wise was lamenting a life devoid of meaning. He stopped giving gratitude to God, and living in God and it left him feeling empty. We have an opportunity to give glory to God, and that is what gives meaning to our action. God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. I want to invite you to a practice It is a practice of learning how to feel more happiness and gratitude. When you experience something genuinely good, no matter how small. Apply this tactic. It may be viewing a pleasant sunset, finding a good parking spot when you are running late, or even something more prodounced like experiencing the love of family or joy in worship possibly even this meditation. When you feel that experience, allow it to simmer in your awareness. Allow yourself to just have that positive feeling stay in your heart. Enhance it in your mind without forcing it to stay longer than is genuine. Then take a moment to absorb it into your heart. This is kind of an abstract idea but allow it to sink in and realize it as a part of your life. This strategy is a scientifically proven method for changing happy feelings into a personality trait. It comes from the book "hardwiring happiness" by doctor Rick hansen. It is also the basis for how I do the visualize step of the meditation. So without even realizing it, we have been applying this method. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: How do you treat the needs of others? Final Thought: HEAL FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: KJV 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! NRSV 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" Meditation on Scripture: I have been somewhat vague in past episodes and social media but I spoke at the funeral for my brother's wife this week. One of her favorite hymns was "Jesus, Savior, Pilot me" 1 Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life's tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treach'rous shoal; Chart and compass come from Thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me! 2 As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boist'rous waves obey Thy will When Thou say'st to them, "Be still!" Wondrous Sov'reign of the sea, Jesus, Saviour, pilot me! 3 When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar 'Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on Thy breast, May I hear Thee say to me, "Fear not, I will pilot thee!" FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

272 Even the Winds and the Waves Obey Him - A Guided Christian Meditation on Matthew 8:23-27 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: KJV 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! NRSV 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" Meditation on Scripture: I have been somewhat vague in past episodes and social media but I spoke at the funeral for my brother's wife this week. One of her favorite hymns was "Jesus, Savior, Pilot me" 1 Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life's tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treach'rous shoal; Chart and compass come from Thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me! 2 As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boist'rous waves obey Thy will When Thou say'st to them, "Be still!" Wondrous Sov'reign of the sea, Jesus, Saviour, pilot me! 3 When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar 'Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on Thy breast, May I hear Thee say to me, "Fear not, I will pilot thee!" There are multiple purposes of this message. One is that the pilot is someone intimately familiar with the shore line, and were the dangerous rocks are. Modern day pilots work exclusively around one shoreline and guide each large ship into safety. Another aspect is that Jesus changes the whole equation. He is not only helping us deal with things he can't change. He has power to change the forces of nature. This is equally applicable to us. He is equally capable to calm our hearts. I remember a distinct moment when I was feeling strong emotion, then upon reflection on these principles, peace and strength replaced the sadness. The Lord bound up my broken heart. Trust that God can do the same for you. He can, and will, either now or in the future. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you allow Jesus to be your pilot. Final Thought: I have been doing this podcast for coming up on 3.5 years and have never missed releasing an episode until this week. Regardless of how busy I have been or how late I have stayed up I have always got it done. This week I redirected my flight from Washington DC to the home of a family member to be there to support. I didn't have podcasting gear and I couldn't do the live mobile because I don't have enough subscribers yet. I appreciate the thoughts of concern and support for those who have reached out on facebook and in emails. It means a lot knowing that my experience, even in death and grief, can be a testimony of God's Glory and bring people peace. I want you to know that God is aware of your suffering and your full situation. Your suffering will be for but a brief moment and when it is over, your growth in God's eyes and the love that you have learned to feel will be all that matters to you. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditatio

Bible verses for Meditation: Psalms 23:3-6 KJV 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. NABRE The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; 3 he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. 5 You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days. FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

270 Though I Walk Through The Valley of the Shadow of Death, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 23:1-6 with the Recenter With Christ app I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina: Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization. Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate. Bible verses for Meditation: Psalms 23:3-6 KJV 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. NABRE The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; 3 he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. 5 You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days. Meditation on Scripture: Much of my professional life is working with people encountering tragedy and suffering. Many times I spend time with others who are grieving losses. Most of the time I am not directly connected to those people. This week was different. I experienced a family tragedy. A dearly loved family member of mine was engaged in a lethal car accident. I have shed many tears as you can imagine. What has been so comforting is the way in which God has bound up my broken heart not to the exclusion of sadness but just to prevent me from being driven into the dark recesses of the soul. In the middle of our mourning I have felt the concern and prayers of people across the world. There were church congregations fasting for our emotional wellbeing. We felt this support. God has an ability to bind up our broken hearts. As David says Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me. I have spent a long time thinking about suffering and how to comfort it. One thing I have come to believe, and I feel is represented in this scripture, is that fear around grief increases suffering and creates feelings of darkness. I don't claim to understand the full depths of human suffering, but this is something that I am intuiting about grief. Not all sadness produces darkness. I think it is a gift of God that I am working to understand. If you are currently struggling with the depths of suffering, know that trusting in God can help us gain strength to carry on and grow toward the image of God. For now I echo David's words. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Updates: Final Question: Do you fear sadness? Final Thought: I have been doing this podcast for coming up on 3.5 years and have never missed releasing an episode until this week. Regardless of how busy I have been or how late I have stayed up I have always got it done. This week I redirected my flight from Washington DC to the home of a family member to be there to support. I didn't have podcasting gear and I couldn't do the live mobile because I don't have enough subscribers yet. I appreciate the thoughts of concern and support for those who have reached out on facebook and in emails. It means a lot knowing that my experience, even in death and grief, can be a testimony of God's Glory