Christian Meditation Podcast

Bible verses for Meditation: John 5:20-24 NRSV 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. 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

268 The Father Judges No One But Gives All Judgement to The Son, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 5:20-24 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 5:20-24 NRSV 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. ESV 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Meditation on Scripture: When you ponder the throne of God is it a moment of terror or a moment of joy? There is a Holy Day in the Jewish Calendar this time of year called Rosh haShanah. It is a time when Jews ponder on forgiveness. It is a time to solemnly remember how we need forgiveness from God and celebrate Yom Kippur as the day of atonement. Even for many Christians the prospect of forgiveness seems unresolved despite clear teachings countering this fear. We know what God has asked and we know what we have done and continue to do. We read in the Book of Revelations about the Great White Throne of God. It is the throne from which God will stand in judgement. This is an idea that has cast terror and fear into people's hearts for generations. It becomes obvious to see why, but not when we understand Jesus' intentions with us. This scripture says that the father will not stand in judgement at all. He has given all judgement to the Son. What is more it goes on to say that if we believe in Jesus will not stand in judgement at all. Ponder this, instead of standing trial before a God in fear and trembling, we will be received in love by a God of Mercy. The thing that you have been fearing will not go the way you fear it would. With that said I think there is profound healing that comes from taking personal accountability for our sin. What do we do with our lives once we know that we our out of trouble so to speak. Do we get lazy and complacent? If so there is no way we can receive all the spiritual blessings God has in mind for us. As you ponder that your God was willing to allow the horrors of the cross to get out out of the horrors of being on the wrong side of the judgement seat I hope that you feel inspiration to draw nearer to God and embrace the Love he offers by following Christ's law of love and discipleship. I want you to ponder This is a huge relief because if we were to go to trial we most certainly would be found guilty. 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 live righteous to avoid judgement or to live in harmony with the God of Glory? Final Thought: I encourage you to take full accountability for your actions, embrace the love of God, make amends, and then move forward with a purer heart than before. Through humility and grace we overcome our sinful natures and

NABRE 1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others. 5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, 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

266 In Your Relationships Have the Mindset of Christ, A Guided Christian Meditation on Philipians 2:1-5 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: Philippians 2:1-5 NIV 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 'NABRE 1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others. 5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Meditation on Scripture: When you hear this invitation from Christ what comes to your mind? I suspect that each of us think something different. Perhaps we think of challenging relationships, or beautiful relationships that have been attacked by conflict. Perhaps you feel shame or guilt, perhaps you feel vindication, or judgement on someone else. Continue to ponder this. How do you feel as you hear of Christ's love for you? How is that different than the way you feel when you ponder your attitude in human relationships? I believe that the example of Christ can help us reconcile the love we feel from God into the way in which we interact with others. Do we truly regard others as more important than ourselves? Are we willing to embrace the strength of God within us to become as Christ. Christ's attitude was not one of self hatred, or lack of awareness of his value. He knew, as the Son of God he was of infinite worth. Similarly you as a child of God have infinite worth, not because you are so great but because God said so. He makes us join heirs with Christ. May we rise up to live more like an heir of glory. What can others take from us that is greater than what God does and will give us? 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: Some people are threatened by the idea to consider others as more important. This is especially dicey when people have been abused or mistreated. I believe that this message from Christ is not one of self hatred or degradation. As we embrace the value God has placed on us we are more able to let go the approval of others and the approval of the world. Because our value comes by Godly decree we also shouldn't take pride in it. What are we that we should be considered greater than others? This is certainly a dichotomy but it is one that keeps us humble while also being empowered through God to rise up to overcome anything that would prevent us from living 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

Romans 2:12-16 ESV 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. 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

264 Their Own Conscience Bears Witness, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 2:12-16 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 2:12-16 ESV 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. NRSV 12 All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God's sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all. Meditation on Scripture: What is your conscience? This scripture contrasts the conscience with the heart, in other words it is something beyond the human heart. When you feel that you have done something wrong or are being tempted to do something wrong, how is it that we can know that? This above scripture is difficult to parse the exact meaning, there are others more skilled than I, but I think it is important to wrestle with this idea of conscience and how we can respond to it. Similarly, what are the effects of responding, or failing to respond to it? The challenge is that, because of the fall, our will as humans is at odds with the desires of God. How is it then that people who are not Christians can have moral laws that share major components to the Ten Commandments and even the love of neighbor that Jesus taught? The challenge of reconciling this with the above scripture has a lot to do with where a conscience comes from. When Jesus said that we should let our light shine for others, what light is it that we are sharing? Is it the same light that Jesus said he was in John 1? In this way our conscience which guides us may be a representation of invitations from God's light to take a certain action, or avoid a certain action. As we deny these invitations we become increasingly unable to perceive it. We become hardened even beyond our nature. Even those who Our goal then is to adjudicate our conscience in the context of the light of God's teachings and determine what action the Love of God is inspiring us toward. This requires an immense amount of humility and determination. 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 people who reject God or Church? Final Thought: In life we are not always the villains or the heroes. We are however, always in need of the help of God regardless of what we are doing. Over the coming days take time and think about specifically how you treat others who struggle with faith, doing things 'right, or who dont treat others well. Perhaps remember this scripture and realize the true goal is to bring joy to the lives of all we can and help them find lasting peace. God can help us find ways that we can do that in our lives. You can do that in ways I can'

Luke 15:27-31 NIV 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" 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: Luke 15:27-31 NIV 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" KJV 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Meditation on Scripture: Many times when we look through the eyes of history, we see ourselves through a certain lens. We constantly look at things through the side we assume that we would have taken. We romanticize certain perspectives and sides and oversimplify others. You can see this in the different perspectives captured in classical literature and how differently we view things today. For example, in the story of the prodigal son covered last week and this week. Which of the two sons do you identify more with? Which one are you like? The examples of Jesus would have had a different meaning to His audience at the time than they do to us, just in the way we think and reason. I think Jesus uses such perfect examples with many facets. For example this story has different purpose depending on which one we see ourselves as. How do you see people who you feel have rejected God? How do you treat them? What do you think about them? What exceptions to you make for yourself that you don't make for others? 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 people who reject God or Church? Final Thought: In life we are not always the villains or the heroes. We are however, always in need of the help of God regardless of what we are doing. Over the coming days take time and think about specifically how you treat others who struggle with faith, doing things 'right, or who dont treat others well. Perhaps remember this scripture and realize the true goal is to bring joy to the lives of all we can and help them find lasting peace. God can help us find ways that we can do that in our lives. You can do that in ways I can't and vice versa. Invite God to help you. 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: Luke 15:11-14 NRSV 11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 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

260 He Began To Be In Need, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 15:11-14 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: Luke 15:11-14 NRSV 11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. NLT 11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 "A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. Meditation on Scripture: There are times in our lives when we can grow distant from God. We can allow the allure of our world to draw us to pride or indifference to the value God offers. The is a simple grandeur of the life God calls us to and yet at times we lose sight of it. We lose sight of the promises he offers. We set our hearts on the wrong things. Each one of us also knows other people who are not prioritizing God in their lives like they have in the past. Sometimes that person is us. Out of concern we wonder where their hearts are at. Then in a moment of clarity you realize an emptiness. A feeling of purposelessness and loneliness. We begin to realize our want, our need before God. The worry of our mind can lead us through anxious paths. That is not the way back to the Father. He offers more. Later in this scripture, the young man remembers what his father has to offer and decides to return. The real question is how do we respond to the same feelings. What is your need before God? What is the most important thing you need in your life right now? 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 way are you most in need before God right now? Final Thought: What does it mean for God to hear you and know your need? What is the difference between what you think you need and what you actually need? Many times we determine what our true needs are only to realize that we missed the mark. We may squander possibilities before us. Yet that is not how God will treat us. When we bring our hearts back to Him, He will always embrace us as we return but the road back may be dusty and long until we feel His embrace. I invite you to reach out to your loving father regarding your needs, your true needs, then do what he asks you. 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 6 Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 7 For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the sheep in his hands. Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert 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

258 If Only You Would Hear His Voice, A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 95:6-8 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: NABRE 6 Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 7 For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the sheep in his hands. Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert. ESV 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, Meditation on Scripture: What does God's voice do in you? I've had conversations with people who are searching for a way to connect with God. It is my experience that the influence of the spirit reaches each of us in different ways. Just as each person has unique spiritual gifts, so too does each person receive God's word differently. A huge part of the purpose of our lives is to learn how that works for us. Once we learn to listen, what do we hear? What else in our lives can we hear? St Benedict said in the 500s AD, "Listen carefully, my child, to the teaching of the master and bend close the ear of your heart." I find this a powerful concept. Listen with the ear of our heart. When we learn to listen with this ear we can more clearly hear others and then love them. The teachings of our Master Jesus Christ constantly invite us to listen and follow. What does that listening and following look like in your 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 does listening to God teach you to listen to others? Final Thought: I periodically get emails from people who have used this very podcast to help them deal with relationships. For example, I have heard from people who connect with God to help them overcome current or past abusive relationships God's influence helped them get emotionally and spiritually safe. I also had someone reach out to me and show me how the very last communication she ever had with her own mother was to recommend this podcast and her mom liked the text. Then her mother died. Having faith in Christ can speak into every single relationship we have, including those we consider our enemies. 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: James 2:14-18 NIV 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 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

256 I Will Show You My Faith by my Deeds, A Guided Christian Meditation on James 2:14-18 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: James 2:14-18 NIV 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. NABRE 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 Indeed someone may say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. Meditation on Scripture: What does your faith motivate you to do? What do you wish your faith would motivate you to do? Faith is a principle of action. Our faith connects us to God and God can motivate us to greatness both in this life and the next. I want you to ponder how your faith motivates you in terms of other people. Having a Christ centered view of others is the foundation for positive human relationships. The way we connect with those closest to us is a direct reflection of our Christian faith. What is the relationship between your faith and the way you live with others? Do we say to others Go in peace while not actually doing anything to help? Ponder for a moment the unique spiritual gifts that you have that may benefit others. Perhaps you have influence on others and can recommend this podcast or something helpful. Perhaps you have strong skills in one area or another. Perhaps you have a strong prayer life and can pray for others. I know I would appreciate all the prayers I can get. Consider how your actions can bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Consider this. There is no greater adventure than to ally with God. Our goal should be to receive the invitation that God gave us to live by his spirit. There is no greater adventure and this is what leads to His reward. Is there some good thing 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 plan to take up the courage of God? Final Thought: I periodically get emails from people who have used this very podcast to help them deal with relationships. For example, I have heard from people who connect with God to help them overcome current or past abusive relationships God's influence helped them get emotionally and spiritually safe. I also had someone reach out to me and show me how the very last communication she ever had with her own mother was to recommend this podcast and her mom liked the text. Then her mother died. Having faith in Christ can speak into every single relationship we have, including those we consider our enemies. 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: Joshua 1:6-8 NRSV 6 Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. Meditation on Scripture: I think much of human weakness is rooted in fear. Fear we aren't enough. Some fear there isn't enough attention or glory for themselves. We fear for the safety of others and for unjust things in this world we both experience and cause. We fear what we dont understand both what we dont understand around us and what we dont understand within. There are facets of our hearts that are dark as well a facet that longs for God. Each human heart carries within it a ferocity. Some have defined this as the warrior spirit. In the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe series CS Lewis there is a character who is a symbol of Jesus. He is the Lion Aslan. Throughout scripture God is represented as the Lion of Judah. He is both ferocious and kind. The spirit of God within you has those elements as well. Why should we take courage? To what end should we hope? To do what God wants us to do in all things. His covenant of old was around the law passed down to Moses. Now it is the way fo Jesus and is the root of the conscience He writes upon the fleshy tables of our heart. Be courageous to do what you know is right no matter what stands in your way, just be cautious it is really what God calls. 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

254 Be Strong and of Good Courage, A Guided Christian Meditation on Joshua 1:6-8 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: Joshua 1:6-8 NRSV 6 Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. KJV 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Meditation on Scripture: I think much of human weakness is rooted in fear. Fear we aren't enough. Some fear there isn't enough attention or glory for themselves. We fear for the safety of others and for unjust things in this world we both experience and cause. We fear what we dont understand both what we dont understand around us and what we dont understand within. There are facets of our hearts that are dark as well a facet that longs for God. Each human heart carries within it a ferocity. Some have defined this as the warrior spirit. In the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe series CS Lewis there is a character who is a symbol of Jesus. He is the Lion Aslan. Throughout scripture God is represented as the Lion of Judah. He is both ferocious and kind. The spirit of God within you has those elements as well. Why should we take courage? To what end should we hope? To do what God wants us to do in all things. His covenant of old was around the law passed down to Moses. Now it is the way fo Jesus and is the root of the conscience He writes upon the fleshy tables of our heart. Be courageous to do what you know is right no matter what stands in your way, just be cautious it is really what God calls. 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 plan to take up the courage of God? Final Thought: Although most of the time we focus on the peace of God there is also a tenacity and ferocity of God. As God is within you, you also have access to this wild strength. When you stand before challenges you can either cower in fear or stand in courage being supported by the dreadful yet loving arm of God. Take courage. God is on your side. 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: Romans 3:9-13 NIV 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." Meditation on Scripture: 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

252 Alike Under the Power of Sin, A Guided Christian Meditation on Romans 3:9-13 and 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 3:9-13 NIV 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." NABRE 9 Well, then, are we better off? Not entirely, for we have already brought the charge against Jews and Greeks alike that they are all under the domination of sin, 10 as it is written: "There is no one just, not one, 11 there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have gone astray; all alike are worthless; there is not one who does good, [there is not] even one. 13 Their throats are open graves; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is on their lips; Meditation on Scripture: Most of the time I focus on a message of God's love and this may seem out of sync with that. I recognize the power of this scripture. Many people receive it differently. I know many people who receive this message with shame. It can seem like this is a message of the wrath of God and his anger at us sinners. I don't think that needs to be our response to this message. This may seem counterintuitive but I think that a recognition of the darkness that resides in us can actually help us release shame. Many times as Christians and those who attempt to follow the master of peace, we feel some dissonance between our Godly aspirations and our heart at times. Each of us have within us the capacity for evil. When we can confess our hearts to God and are open about this there can be a sense of relief that He loves us despite our worst parts. I recently Read the book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is a compelling story of a man who attempts to create a potion that allows him to split his good will and sinful nature into two different manifestations. Little by little as he gives license to his sinful nature the portion of him that remains good deteriorates. This is what we stand in danger of in life. We have a choice to yield to darkness or light. The evil that surrounds us, or the still small voice of God. Modern psychological experiments like the Stanford Prison and Milgram experiments reiterate what we see echoed in history and scripture. Even regular people have a terrible capacity. Intimacy before God is an acknowledgement of reality. We don't need God and redemption for some hypothetical sins but very real ones. Yet here is where the light of God illuminates the darkness. We are are not grateful to God for overlooking some slight annoyances but for loving and redeeming us for profound darkness and an eternity subjected to evil. He provides the way out. We need not remain slaves to sin as we follow Him in faith. 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 relate to the idea of our sinful nature? Final Thought: I want to mention something in the context of self honesty. For some people who suffer greatly from anxious negative self image the concept of being so blunt about our failings may seem like a black hole from which we can't escape. If you find yourself overwhelmed by these sorts of thoughts I recommend finding someone to help you work through this. Obviously praying directly to God about it and continuing to meditate on His love for you is helpful but you may also find it helpful to have someone walk alongside of you as you reconcile

Bible verses for Meditation: Isaiah 53 KJV 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. NRSV 4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 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

250 With His Stripes We Are Healed, A Guided Christian Meditation on Isaiah 53:4-6 (continued from episode 158) Recenter With Christ 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 53 KJV 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. NRSV 4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Meditation on Scripture: This scripture came to me in an flash. I had nearly finished preparing another one when it became clear that I should change to this one. We need to be reminded that Jesus bore our grief. He carried our sorrow. Yet even in that, we don't see it. Some people find themselves asking God where are you? When we are in this mindset we are willing to ignore the horrors of the Cross because we are having a hard time of life. Yet even in the midst of this, Christ was wounded for our transgressions. The reason and the method of our redemption was a literal weight upon his back, that his mortal frame struggled to carry. Yet it is though those stripes that we are healed. This is far from a theological turn of a phrase. When we struggle to wonder were God is, this question is known to Him. He asked it too on the Cross when he cried "My God my God, why have you forsaken me?" Even in this declaration Jesus was quoting Psalm 22. Remember this, in the middle of our struggle, God declares that His stripes heal us. Ponder in this moment how the challenge of life would be much greater with the knowledge that our lack of purity would cause us to be cast out from God's presence forever the moment we die. As it is we struggle from time to time on earth. Sometimes we struggle more than we think we can overcome, yet even in the middle of that, we can trust in the Mercy of a God who forgives despite our failings. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. 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 did you experience today as you pondered on the offering of God's redemption? Final Thought: Many people have reached out to me due changing situations that have brought unfold emotional and even spiritual hardship. Even in the middle of this, there is hope. There is promise of a better day ahead as we have faith. This is not a time when we need be somber and sad. It is a time when we can regather our strength, rise up and put off the things of this world as we place our focus on the Lord and what He has done for us. May gratitude replace the struggle in our hearts and may we experience His peace. 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: 1 John 4:7-12 NIV 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in 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

248 If We Love One Another, God Lives In Us, A Guided Christian Meditation on 1 John 4:7-12 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 4:7-12 NIV 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. NRSV 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. Meditation on Scripture: We know in our hearts that Love is the highest ideal for us to reach toward as we grown in our understanding of God. Unfortunately we all struggle with pieces of hate and rage in our hearts as well that can be provoked to come pouring out. In this moment let us take intention of embracing the love. It would be immature or incomplete for us to claim that we are free from hate. Yet John's epistle equates love with faith. As our faith matures it must move toward love, for God is love. What does it mean that God is love? I believe it means that God's presence is primarily defined as love. In other words wherever and whenever we are near Him, we are encompassed by love. It is comparing fire to light. When we are in communion with God, we are living in His love. I remember a time when I was a young man and I was praying. I had a notion of faith and was actively praying to God. In one moment I became incredibly aware and confident that God could hear my prayer. My heart was overcome with a feeling that I was loved. My goal became to live in such a way that I invited that experience into my life as often as possible. I have accomplished this with many failures but a dedicated focus for decades. It is a feeling that has become much more common to me to me know but at one point in my life it was a new surprise. I see the love of God as directly connected to the kind of faith that Jesus demands from us. Our goal should be then to live in that Love and to constantly pray and act to build that faith and love. 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 in your life to more clearly reflect the love of God? Final Thought: My hope is that my repeated message focusing on love will not come across as unimaginative or unsophisticated. I firmly hold that there is nothing more important in our lives than God and His central message through Jesus Christ was a command to love and then to follow Him. It is my hope and expectation that the more focus we place on making our hearts open to the love of God, the more we invite God's influence into our hearts. When it arrives it is the most rewarding thing we can seek. This Love forms the center of an eternal relationship with 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 Podcas

Bible verses for Meditation: 2 Kings 6:14-17 ESV 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.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: 2 Kings 6:14-17 ESV 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.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

246 Do Not Be Afraid, There are More With Ws Than With Them, A Guided Christian Meditation on 2 Kings 6:14-17 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 6:14-17 ESV 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. NABRE 14 he sent there a strong force with horses and chariots. They arrived by night and encircled the city. 15 Early the next morning, when the servant of the man of God arose and went out, he saw the force with its horses and chariots surrounding the city. "Alas!" he said to Elisha. "What shall we do, my lord?" 16 Elisha answered, "Do not be afraid. Our side outnumbers theirs." 17 Then he prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes, that he may see." And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw that the mountainside was filled with fiery chariots and horses around Elisha. Meditation on Scripture: The story of Elisha in the Hebew Bible is fascinating, inspiring, yet also intimidating. It is amazing to see such direct involvement between God and humans. We see here his absolute confidence and awareness of the protection of heaven. As people who attempt to follow God, we are constantly assailed by forces trying to drag us down. Those take many forms. I have had many people write me emails explaining their struggles with grief and other emotions as well there struggles with mental health. I have had many people write me with depression. I have had more than one write me about psychosis where they tell me how the struggle understanding what is reality. Each of us has our own struggle that will help us grow in ways we need. When Jesus encountered a blind man his disciples asked who sinned to make the man blind. There was a built in assumption that the blindness must have been a curse from God. Jesus dismissed this idea and said it was to show the power of God. Similarly I think we should be cautious to think that people who struggle with mood disorders or mental illness have somehow invited it by sin. Perhaps it is to invite you to learn and grow. Mental health can challenge our expectations of fairness and it should. One in five people has or while have a diagnosable mental health disorder at some point in their life. There is no shame in struggle. If you are struggling with mental health, know this. Many good people are also. Many people of faith are weighed down by similar weights. The important thing to know is that you are not facing it alone. Those that are with you are far greater than those who oppose you. Adding to that, the God of the universe is on your side. I truly believe that each of us is surrounded by the forces of God to lift us up and help us. I suggest you seek whatever help you need to move through the though times in your life. Be humble and persistent to get the help you need. God loves you. This life with be a blessing for you in the long run if our struggle draws us to 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: Final Question: What biases do you have about mental health? Final Thought: Having served as a hospital Chaplain, I have encountered many people with severe mental health disorders. I have meet more than one person who told me they were God himself. As humans it is hard to respond to things that are outside of our experience.

NRSV 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 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: Hebrews 10:23-25 NABRE 23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. 25 We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near. NRSV 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Meditation on Scripture: Hebrews is a powerful text. It teaches us that Christ is a High Priest that came to perform a redeeming sacrifice for us. This is a prevalent theme as is how we can serve each other. This scripture has a few powerful messages for us in that. First is to maintain an unwavering confession of our hope in Him even in the middle of such uncertainty. God's promise is trustworthy. Another powerful aspect is the idea that we provoke each other to love and good deeds. Generally provoking someone tends to be used as a negative. Sometimes we provoke others to anger or even sadness. As Christians our goal should be to help each other live the highest law that Christ gave, which is to learn how to love deeply. This scripture also talks of gathering together. As we ponder collectively what it looks like to gather together in our context let us be mindful of others that we don't provoke them to shame or rejection due to physical concerns. Gathering is a sacred tradition instituted by God even before the coming of Christ. We have more tools available to gather than ever before. How are we using them? Are we using our technology to reach out to those who are hesitant to meet due to physical health? As you and your congregation consider what is appropriate for meeting I hope we can find ways to make worship available to as many people as possible using all available technology and tools. I don't think technology can ever truly replace the value of physically worshiping together but I hope we can be mindful of reaching out to others who are isolated and vulnerable. Let us encourage one another and provoke each other to good deeds and love. 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 provoke others to love and good deeds? Final Thought: This has been and continues to be a very stressful time for many people. I think in this context it is valuable that we are patient with others and ourselves. The love of God extends to us even when we make extremely poor choices. To act as Jesus would I believe includes aspiring to this kind of love. Perhaps over the next week at least you can ask yourself if the words you speak or write provoke love or shame. Do we use our words to try and show how others are ridiculous or to build bridges of understanding and love? We, as a world and community of believers, need compassion now more than ever before. Let us choose the example of Jesus Christ and pour out our love onto as many people as possible. 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: Romans 8:18-25 KJV 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Meditation on Scripture: I do not believe that the collaborative scourges afflicting the world right now are meant to destroy us or even divide us. That may be the case with some people. For us who have placed our trust in God and work to draw near to him, we can actually grow amidst this struggle. This scripture indicates how the sufferings of life will not matter when we see it compared to the Glory of God. I dare say we can even grow and learn things in this life in the midst of the difficulties of life which cause us to embrace the hope of God even more and which we could not have done without the struggle. These glories will be revealed in us through God's spirit. The aspect of us that is the creature, or the natural fallen nature, gives way to the glorifying spirit of peace which helps us rise up. Although we feel the labor pains of the birth of the new creature, the end result of the redemption of our God is glorious. Take a moment and feel the goodness of God well up in your heart now We can be free. Free. Free in every way that one can be free. Hope grows within us even when we can't see this end result. I encourage you to consider ways that you have already grown during this time of struggle. Look for the blessings and strength of God in your life today. If you feel that this time has caused you to slide backwards, rededicate yourself with the knowledge that this earthly suffering does not need to overcome your spiritual progress. If you have noticed spiritual progress, look how you can expand it with God's help. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

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 8:18-25 ESV 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. KJV 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Meditation on Scripture: I do not believe that the collaborative scourges afflicting the world right now are meant to destroy us or even divide us. That may be the case with some people. For us who have placed our trust in God and work to draw near to him, we can actually grow amidst this struggle. This scripture indicates how the sufferings of life will not matter when we see it compared to the Glory of God. I dare say we can even grow and learn things in this life in the midst of the difficulties of life which cause us to embrace the hope of God even more and which we could not have done without the struggle. These glories will be revealed in us through God's spirit. The aspect of us that is the creature, or the natural fallen nature, gives way to the glorifying spirit of peace which helps us rise up. Although we feel the labor pains of the birth of the new creature, the end result of the redemption of our God is glorious. Take a moment and feel the goodness of God well up in your heart now We can be free. Free. Free in every way that one can be free. Hope grows within us even when we can't see this end result. I encourage you to consider ways that you have already grown during this time of struggle. Look for the blessings and strength of God in your life today. If you feel that this time has caused you to slide backwards, rededicate yourself with the knowledge that this earthly suffering does not need to overcome your spiritual progress. If you have noticed spiritual progress, look how you can expand it with God's help. 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 have you responded to the difficulties you have experienced ove the last few months? Final Thought: Even now, inside us there are pieces of unresolved undeveloped creaturehood. The spirit of God is what roots that out of us and helps us continually reject the less than holy influences that attack us as we await a unified and complete adoption of the father. The simple fact is that these sufferings in our life are not a representation of the lack of God's love or understanding. They are obstacles that, with God's help we can learn to climb over and become stronger and close to Him. I know that God loves you and wants the best for you. May you feel that blessing in your life. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Medita

Bible verses for Meditation: Acts 2:17-19 NIV 17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. KJV 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: Meditation on Scripture: Recently many people celebrated Pentacost. The Bible remembers this as a miraculous time of miracles and speaking in tongues as recorded in Acts 2. There were many mighty things done. This was a clearly demonstrated outpouring of God's Spirit. For us it is written as miraculous history. It is the story many have heard retold for centuries. Yet when it occurred it is likely almost nobody expected it to be as it was. This event represents an amazing transition representing the outpouring of the spirit that Jesus foretold. Yet even still it was a surprise. This time was when we see a great change in Peter. Before this he was a fisherman who struggled to understand. The two most recent appearances of Peter in the narrative Luke records is Peter denying Jesus and then Peter running to the tomb in surprise. Then in the chapters after Acts 2 Peter proclaims with conviction, heals, and leads. The spirit has a glorious and transformational affect. This is good news and has become an often talked about experience. What I want to focus on is that nobody knew this was going to happen, before it happened. As we may be down and not very hopeful of change may we remember what God is able to do with people who are willing to strive in His Spirit. Due to things going on in your own life or across the world you may come to believe that things can't improve. This passage shows that is not the case. Although there were many struggles that followed Pentecost it was handled differently. It was handled with God's Spirit. Don't set boundaries for the Lord. 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 better future through the Spirit of God? Final Thought: Jesus proclaims hope. He will take care of us with an eternal focus. I was speaking with a person today who was experiencing tough times. For them it seemed like the future had been already doomed by the past. That is not how things are meant to be. When we feel that way I invite you to open your heart to trust in the promise of God. For those who trust in Him, the future is eternally bright. Let your heart be lifted up in the knowledge that your current troubles are not eternal. Nothing that you are now experiencing has the ability to darken your future if you trust in God to help you escape its effects. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

NABRE 8 Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

238 Love Each Other Deeply, A Guided Christian Meditation on Peter 4:8-10 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: Peter 4:8-10 NIV 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. NABRE 8 Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Meditation on Scripture: Many times we hope to think there is some kind of balance we can do to tip the scales of justice in our favor. For example as we think of our negative qualities we search for a counter balance of positive things as if this will undo the negative. Many times we seek to escape the evil in our own hearts. Perhaps if we love a certain subset of people it will justify us doing other sinful things. I think this scripture says something more interesting and enlightening. Peter equates sin and love as opposite. This reflects the greatest commandment Jesus gave to love. I don't think that this reflects any kind of moral calculation that we do where we can love a certain amount to undo any given amount of sin but there is an example of love that does overcome sin. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the greatest example of love and that covers all sin. There is no need to weigh your sin on the scales of justice rather it is far more important to love God and love your neighbor and to receive His love through faith which will wipe away all sin. Our world is full of darkness and hate but it is also full of love. I invite you to search for expressions of Love. When we search for it, we are more likely to find it. We as believers in Jesus Christ should seek to fill the world with God's love. As the love of God speaks through us perhaps we can help the world find more light. 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 will your life be improved if you were more slow to anger? Final Thought: In some ways I am sorry to bring up such a strongly polarizing message in this meditation. I have seen so many of my friends have such wildly different and passionate perspectives about these things that I feel it is on many people's minds. These meditations are meant to help us make sense of the world of God which has clear messages for our times. The goal is not to help us compartmentalize the rest of our lives into the chaotic outside while the world of God is only discussed in idealized circumstances. Sometimes parts of us get mixed up in heated things which can be at odds with the peace we seek. I don't think the only way is to be silent and passive. May God give us guidance in how to help improve the world we live in. Slowing your body's natural anger response and finding healthy vents for it can be a powerfully helpful skill to learn. I invite you to trust in God's love to help us overcome the baser parts of our humanity and to rise up to make the change we want to see in the world. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

James 1:19-21 ESV 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

236 Quick To Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger, A Guided Christian Meditation on James 1:19-21 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: James 1:19-21 ESV 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. KJV 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Meditation on Scripture: The concept of anger is challenging to address. In this moment, be slow to form a judgement and listen to this short message which I believe God has put on my heart to share. Passion and intensity are often associated with making positive change in the world especially against established forms of evil. This scripture says that our anger is not needed to bring to pass the righteousness of God because that is not what produces it. As you remember times when you were angry I want you to think about how well you listened. How well did you consider a wide range of information needed to make complex decisions. Many problems our world faces right now need exactly those solutions to work, which anger will derail. I find myself personally very angry when I hear of people from the African American community die in direct opposition to justice. I also feel angry when the city I live in has a curfew placed because people are rioting and causing chaotic senseless violence in the streets. I feel frustrated to see people run to one of those two extremes while not listening to the other. So I stop. And I listen. and I think. I have so much to learn. Are angry snap judgements helpful and healing to this crazy chaotic world? Are our shortsighted impulses the messages that will bring the change we want to see in the world? I invite you to join with me and be prayerful and thoughtful about how to overcome any snap judgements we mahy form and replace them with clarity as we plead with God for guidance. Perhaps with this guidance, we can do our small piece to heal our world. Perhaps God has a way for you to change people's minds with love. Perhaps there is something that only you can do, it will take your best brain power. 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 will your life be improved if you were more slow to anger? Final Thought: In some ways I am sorry to bring up such a strongly polarizing message in this meditation. I have seen so many of my friends have such wildly different and passionate perspectives about these things that I feel it is on many people's minds. These meditations are meant to help us make sense of the world of God which has clear messages for our times. The goal is not to help us compartmentalize the rest of our lives into the chaotic outside while the world of God is only discussed in idealized circumstances. Sometimes parts of us get mixed up in heated things which can be at odds with the peace we seek. I don't think the only way is to be silent and passive. May God give us guidance in how to help improve the world we live in. Slowing your body's natural anger response and finding healthy vents for it can be a powerfully helpful skill to learn. I invite you to trust in God's love to help us overcome the baser parts of our humanity and to rise up to make the change we want to see in the world. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christ

Bible verses for Meditation: John 15:9-13 NIV 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. NABRE 9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

234 Greater Love Has No One Than This, That He Lay Down His Life for His Friends A Guided Christian Meditation on John 15:9-13 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 15:9-13 NIV 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. NABRE 9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. Meditation on Scripture: What is a friend? May 25th is Memorial Day for us. It is a time when we can remember our fallen warriors who gave the last full measure of devotion and died in military service. There is a certain mystery and awe that people speak about those who have died in combat. When done to protect the innocent and prevent further oppression, it is honorable and a high ideal. The cause of peace should be an even higher priority. The message that was even more important here for Jesus did not actually have to do with soldiers in combat. It was a prophecy about his own pending death. He knew he was intentionally laying down His life for His friends. Jesus is the tip of the spear in taking the fight to the enemy. This is not an enemy that seeks to just kill us, but far worse. Jesus appeals to this concept directly even before his death was known to his disciples. In the Old Testament God was often portrayed as a Lion of Judah and there is a common metaphor there of God as a warrior. As you battle the darkness that creeps into your life to destroy you, know that you have a warrior who is strong enough to rescue you when you most need it. Your God continually protects you against the forces of evil and can continue to do so. 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 a friend? Final Thought: As you ponder that this week I want you to be mindful of how earthly friends can help you overcome hardship. Equally important, consider how the role of God's friendship is similar and also different from other humans who are your friends. Our friends have influence over us and help shape us into the people we will become. What things would you hope for in a person who would walk with you and help you stay out of danger. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Bible verses for Meditation: NRSV 24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God's grace. 25 "And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. ESV 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

232 Your Life's Value and God's Whole Purpose A Guided Christian Meditation on Acts 20:24-27 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: NRSV 24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God's grace. 25 "And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. ESV 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Meditation on Scripture: Purpose is something that can bridge the disconnect between human frailty and the love of God. This is perhaps one of the more important truths we need to learn as we navigate life. The way in which we hold the value of our life is profoundly important. If we hold our lives of too high an importance we may miss the purposes God has for us and act selfishly. If we hold our lives of too little importance, without proper focus, we can loose purpose and be vulnerable to abuses in this life. This scripture provides a strong statement that may be misinterpreted to be careless about the sanctity of life. That doesn't seem to be Paul's intent. I have talked with people in the hospital who experienced death and then came back. Although I have many unanswered questions about these experiences, the very often filled people with Godly purpose for years afterward. If we could see into our future reunion with God I am confident we would feel this same purpose. For now we are left to look forward to that reunion in faith. God loves you profoundly and wants you to trust him and then apply the gifts he has given you, to better your life and those around you as much as possible. The Gospel of the Love of God does not require us to feel horrible about ourselves, in fact rightly interpreting our fallen condition can fill us with joy and gratitude that God chooses to love us. You can be fallen and flawed while being lifted up and loved by God at the same time. 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 the value of your life? Final Thought: This week has been an extremely intense emotionally taxing week in my ministry. I have come head to head with the struggles of others regarding the purpose of life in the midst of suffering. I can promise you that God has his perfect purposes which will be fulfilled. He blesses us with the ability to follow the path he has laid out and regardless of our fallen nature and our nearly constant sin, he has decided there is something greater for us. His hope for us that is higher than what we are currently living. The way to do that is by trusting him, and then developing our spiritual strength and maturity. Unfortunately, oftentimes, that comes through suffering and hardship. Despite the temporary nature of life, it has profound eternal purpose. I feel that meditating on the word of God can help reveal that purpose to our hearts. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitte

230 Mary the First Witness of Jesus Luke 1:1-4 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: Luke 1 NIV 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. NABRE 1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Meditation on Scripture:FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

230 Mary the First Witness of Jesus Luke 1:1-4 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: Luke 1 NIV 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. NABRE 1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Meditation on Scripture: The book of Luke and Acts was written as letter. Luke spoke to eyewitnesses as stated in the scripture. Consider the parts were the account of Mary was given. For example, later when she experiences the angelic visitation. What other eye witness account could have been given other than hers? In this sense, Mary's experience with the angel and then feeling Jesus in her womb was the first testimony of the living Christ. Although prophecy abounds, her words represent the first physical testimony of the life of Jesus. For most people on earth this trend continues. Your life was likely first discovered by your mother while you were in her womb. Since we live with ourselves all our lives we don't see what a consistent discovery that is. The discovery of our life was made by the women who bore us. Today many people celebrate Mother's day. I want you to understand that I am aware of the complexities of many people's family relationships. In fact there are so many different possible combinations of how you could have been raised. My hope for you today is that you can experience the miracle that is your life from the perspective of a discovery. At one point there was a person who suddenly discovered that your life was new. In some ways that same being that we were in that moment is what we still are. The full ramifications of our lives are still being discovered. When Jesus revealed himself to the Apostles and to congregations and gatherings he was the same being that was born a baby and laid in a manger. Despite where we have been and what we are now. Our whole life is an opportunity to mature spiritually and fully realize God's plans for us. God continues to work in us to do amazing things. 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: Who is an eyewitness to your life? Final Thought: Many people are separated from family today. Perhaps your mother is not with us, perhaps you didn't know her or she has died. There are so many complex ways our days play out. I want to invite the peace of God into your heart as you work through the gratitude and longing of your feelings about your mother. If you are a struggling mother, know this that God loves you and your efforts are amazing and godly. Your testimony of the life you attempt to rear will last on throughout the eternities, however despite the best efforts, each person is given the freedom to Choose God and follow him or stumble. As we trust in the wisdom and love of God we can trust in the just and merciful plan that He has for the betterment of all, including distant children. May God pour into your heart the balm of joy in the understanding of His great plan for you. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jar

229 Free Form Christian Meditation on Genesis 2:4-7 Bible verses for Meditation: Genesis 2 NIV 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. ESV 4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

228 God Put the Breath of Life in Us A Guided Christian Meditation on Genesis 2:4-7 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 2 NIV 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. ESV 4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Meditation on Scripture: One thing I love to learn about is God's creation as illustrated through scientific discovery. I have seen planets, nebulae, and galaxies through my telescope. I have seen a full eclipse with my bare eyes, and recently I have been getting into learning about microscopic life. It is amazing to see the complexity and diversity of life that can exist in a single drop of water. I often wonder how God created life. I often wonder what that looked like. Was it done in a flash of light? Did he use similar methods for ways he is continuing to be involved with creation, by using the laws he set up in the beginning? Based on my understanding, it seems that God created the earth through an immense and elaborate system of causation continually guided by His will. The advance of science can never answer the questions of why the Earth exists, or even why would our earth be able to support life that could be conscious. Only God can fully answer that question. The ability for us to exist on earth as we are is dependent now, and has always been on an innumerable number of microscopic life forms that God created for this purpose. There is evidence that a certain kind of bacteria called Cyanobacteria was responsible for converting the water on earth to energy and Oxygen many many years ago resulting in a global production of oxygen. God converted the iron based toxic wasteland that was the pre-oxygen earth, into a Garden teeming with life and in that moment, breathed life into us. You are alive because God created this extremely complex earth for you to live on. You live because he created you to live. God provided processes and laws that would govern the earth, making it possible to support your life throughout time. He has been forming this moment for you. The very air you breathe has been prepared for you for a very long time. His life fills you. Breathe in and feel the breath of God in your lungs. He created this world for us because he loves us. 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: Why did God create the Earth? Final Thought: God molded the confines of our world to give us an opportunity to glorify the name of the Lord even when the world seems to be set up against you. It isn't. It has been created for your ETERNAL good, even if it is hard right now. The scriptures say very little about many fundamental laws of science because that doesn't impact our ability to follow him. For example the fundamental forces of physics that God created in the first moments of our Universe are not explained in Scrip

226 In God I Trust and am not Afraid A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 56:10-13 NABRE 10 My foes turn back when I call on you. This I know: God is on my side. 11 I praise the word of God, I praise the word of the Lord. 12 In God I trust, I do not fear. What can man do to me? 13 I have made vows to you, God; with offerings I will fulfill them, 14 For you have snatched me from death, kept my feet from stumbling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living. Meditation on Scripture: FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

226 In God I Trust and am not Afraid A Guided Christian Meditation on Psalms 56:10-13 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 56 NIV 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise— 11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. NABRE 10 My foes turn back when I call on you. This I know: God is on my side. 11 I praise the word of God, I praise the word of the Lord. 12 In God I trust, I do not fear. What can man do to me? 13 I have made vows to you, God; with offerings I will fulfill them, 14 For you have snatched me from death, kept my feet from stumbling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living. Meditation on Scripture: This week I have been struggling with stress with a particular thing I was working on. Perhaps you can identify with that at some point in your life. I am not new to stress and I am not new to trusting in God, yet in this case I really struggled working through the worry that things would not turn out. I knew that I should trust in the Lord and I knew that God would watch out for me and love me. I knew that in his eyes things were fine and would turn out alright. Yet despite what I knew in my head and I have experienced the peace of God so often in my life I knew of it as a reality. Yet for some reason I was struggling in this case. Sometimes I have seen people get down on themselves when they struggle with an emotional experience. Especially when I have a long streak of success with stress I forget that it is not the default position. It takes intentionality to let go of human neurotic worries. We can practice this and be gentle with ourselves as we work on coming back to peace. There despite whatever action I took I continued to feel stress. I did have the distinct impression that God could help me draw near to him through this struggle and I came to believe that. I had prayed and pleaded with the Lord to provide me feelings of peace and guide my actions. At that point I remember not feeling it. Similar to this the Psalmist called out to God in support from real stress. I remember not getting the answer of peace I was seeking, yet I continued to pour my heart out to God. Days past and I continued to struggle. I listened to my own podcast episodes to help me get to sleep at night which helped but when I awoke it continued. Then, at one specific moment that I can still visualize it came. God sent his peace into my heart in one specific moment. The sudden onset of the peace let me know with certainty it came from God. I was grateful. Since then when this worry has tried to creep back into my heart I can remember the peace that God sent and it returns. This peace is a gift from God that we do not get to control. Glory to God for the gift of His 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: When was a time when God sent you his peace? Final Thought: I hope that as you make gentle yet profound and positive steps toward drawing nearer to God spirit of peace that you don't feel failure or judgement if you at times struggle to feel that. I have talked to people who struggle to feel that consistently. It would be pure pride to argue that your or my experience with peace are somehow related to superior performance, yet there are things we can do consistently to attempt to invite that spirit of peace into our lives. My hope and prayer is that together we can work on those things as we invite God's word and spirit into our lives and then pour out gratitude on Him when we experience them. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ

224 Lord is it Time? A Guided Christian Meditation on Acts 1:6-8 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: Acts 1:6-8 KJV 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time arestore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. NIV 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Meditation on Scripture: From the very first moments after Jesus was resurrected the people wondered when the global salvation of the Messiah would be seen. I have heard this as long as I have been alive, that Jesus' second coming is right around the corner. One thing I can tell you for certain is that we will see the face of Jesus within one generation but perhaps not in the way we think. When everyone living now dies they will go before the judgement bar of God and see his face. Many times we can be tempted to answer this question that lingers in the hearts of many Christians. Many people spend a lot of emotional and intellectual energy on trying to discover this thing that Jesus said would not be known to us. God intentional has left this question answer and yet has answered a far more important question. As the world wonders how to escape the darkness of soul caused by moral corruption there is a clear answer. Jesus. As we wonder how to overcome overburdened anxiety and conscience there is a clear answer, Jesus. We can learn how to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives then rejoice in gratitude when the gracious presence is felt and we experience God. This is what gives us a profound witness which we can share. This is our mission and goal, to share the most real form of Love in existence, the eternal and all revealing acceptance of the God of Grace. As we wrestle with the question of purpose, we can be encouraged by the support offered by a God more focused on transforming us into the Holy image of the God. God's timing will prevail. Instead of heeding the normal curiosity and perhaps even anxious desperation of God's pending coming, we can focus on the absolute and resolute answer He gives. We have a Savior who lives and will redeem us from whatever is in our way. As we feel the influence of the Holy Spirit our hearts can be aided in sharing the hope of 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: Final Question: How do we best invite the presence of the Holy Spirit? Final Thought: I feel a lot of compassion for the anxious energy surrounding the signs of the times. I know many people who have struggled for decades with fear of the evil prophesied about the end times. Regardless of the way you understand the theology of the end times I invite you to perceive all this prophecy in the context of the illuminating Love of God. Fear is not from God. We have nothing to fear as we place our trust in the only one who is mighty to save. If you are still working on feeling God's answer to this question I invite you to follow him. Leave the things of this world. Leave your favorite worry and anxiety. Leave your pet fear and follow the Master who claimed that he can place our burdens on Him. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail

Luke 24:28-31 NIV 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/ChristianMeditationPodcast Youtube.com/ChristianMeditaitonPodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

222 Jesus Stay With Us A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 24:28-31 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: Luke 24:28-31 NIV 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. NRSV 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. Meditation on Scripture: This scripture occurs right after the resurrection. As these two people were walking along Jesus sneaks up on them and intentionally talks with them without them knowing it is Jesus. Perhaps this may not seem like the most direct Easter message. I trust that in your thoughts and prayers you have been considering the Passion narrative and the meaning of the resurrection. This reflection is meant to ask the question of why God chose to do it this way. The most glorious and important of events in all the history of the earth occurred in such a way that we only have ancient writings of people who summarized it years after the fact. Why? Why are you living the life you are living right now? Why do you have the set of trials that you do? Why does God sneak into our lives and impart just enough hope to continue? I think this is tied to the very purpose of life in general. Why we were born on earth was not an accident. There is a deep purpose to your life. God knows it. As you spend time walking with him on your own road to Emmaus then you gain glimpses of His love and teachings. Keep walking the path. No matter how many dark days or confusing moments keep walking and searching for the purpose God has put into you. Cocider this purpose now. 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 continue to search out God's purpose for you? Final Thought: When we realize the bizarre nature of life and how much suffering it can contain, we can be tempted by being satiated by the true and easy answer that our purpose is what God tells us our purpose is. As we read scripture many people will declare to know what God's purpose is for you. They may be totally right, but I think part of what this scripture teaches us is that God will walk with us and guide us in extremely unobvious ways. When we find the answer that our lives are meant to glorify Him, we can continue to grow spiritually by searching for how to do that. As we continue to live with integrity in our faith and understanding of God's commands this can be a deeper purpose. Learning what it means to be challenged and still choosing him is of value. There are thousands of other lessons we learn that are more complex than the answers you would give a child about God's purposes for you. In this time of chaos realize that God has a purpose for you now. I don't think the specific nuance of it is meant to be clear from birth to death. It is meant to be a personal road to Emmaus. Keep searching, keep living the faith, keep receiving God's grace as you work toward the highest ideals that He has for you. FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts

ESV 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord,[e] have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Meditation on Scripture: FIND ME ON: Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com App Store App: Recenter with Christ Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: [email protected] Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/ChristianMeditationPodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod