Radiantly Healthy Faith

The practice of spiritual reading of scripture draws us into a richer and deeper life in Jesus Christ.  Discover a few of the methods of spiritual reading that invite us to prioritize being over doing, and open ourselves to God's presence and purposes in our life.

In today's episode we explore the imaginative technique:

As you read a portion of scripture, imagine yourself to be a part of the scene, a participant in the story.  Imagine the things you would be seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling.  You are using all of your senses and allowing your imagination to recreate the setting of the scripture passage.  This includes things like colors, the appearance of other people (including the expressions on their faces), their movements, the sounds of nature, birds, the smell of flowers, the sea, the earth, the feeling of the wind blowing around you, the heat of the desert etc.  Once you have recreated the scene in your imagination and placed yourself in the scene, begin to examine your thoughts and feelings about the situation.  You may experience harmony or dissonance, which can become a focus for your prayerful openness to God and your meditation on what the Word is saying to you in this experience.

What do you identify with most comfortably in the scene?

Meditate on why you make this identification.

What would you avoid in the scene?

Meditate on what the Word is saying to you through your avoidance.

What do your negative and / or positive feelings about the scene reveal to you about your inner being and your outer relationships and your patterns of reaction and response to life?

Optional readings for the week:

Psalm 15

Deuteronomy 24:17-25:4

John 13:31-35

Micah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The practice of spiritual reading of scripture draws us into a richer and deeper life in Jesus Christ.  Discover a few of the methods of spiritual reading that invite us to prioritize being over doing, and open ourselves to God's presence and purposes in our life.

In today's episode we explore the harmony and dissonance technique:

As you read a portion of scripture, keep alert to those things that either strike a note of harmony or dissonance in your thoughts, attitudes, feelings, or perceptions.

Questions for meditation at the points of harmony / dissonance:

-What does the experience of harmony reveal to you about your inner being?

-What does the experience of harmony reveal to you about your outer life of relationships, action, and response?

-Does the dissonance reveal something in your being or doing that is in rebellion against God?

-Is the Word addressing some habit, attitude, or deeply ingrained perspective that is inconsistent with God’s purposes for your wholeness?

-Is the Word addressing you at some unrealized point of your life where you are hungering and thirsting for wholeness and life?

-Is the Word addressing some area of brokenness in your being or doing which is crying out for healing?

-Is the Word penetrating to the heart of some pattern of reaction or response that is destructive to you and others?

Optional readings to explore this technique:

Psalm 27:1-6

1 Samuel 9:27-10:8

Luke 5:27-32

Isaiah 9:1-4

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

The practice of spiritual reading of scripture draws us into a richer and deeper life in Jesus Christ.  Discover a few of the methods of spiritual reading that invite us to prioritize being over doing, and open ourselves to God's presence and purposes in our life.

In today's episode we explore the meditative technique:

Select a small portion of scripture (a verse or brief saying) or larger portion (from a lectionary), then select one small portion for meditation.  Read slowly, carefully, giving full attention to the scripture.  Read several times, then focus your attention on God, become still, listening for God to speak to you.  You may even pray, God, what are you saying to me here?  Then seek to be still and listen.  Once you "hear" the Word addressing your heart and life, you being the process of wrestling with that Word, of meditating on what the Word means for who you are and what you do.

Optional readings to explore the meditative technique:

Psalm 40:1-11

Isaiah 51:1-16

Matthew 12:15-21

Galatians 1:6-12

Genesis 27:30-38

Luke 5:1-11

The spiritual practices of solitude and silence help create opening in us and our lives for God's transformative love. 

Book references: Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton and Soul Repair by Jeff VanVonderen, Dale & Juanita Ryan

Looking to the goodness of God in our waiting, prevents us from growing weary, and provides the endurance we need until His kingdom comes!

Scripture references:

Psalm 27:13

Psalm 27:4

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 15:9

Journal prompts: 

1. How is God's character (His mercy, grace, love, and faithfulness) manifest in my life?

2. What sort of response does His goodness generate within me?  How can I choose to focus on this in my waiting?

When we're going through something difficult, the darkness can feel all-consuming.  Today's episode will show you where you can draw strength from, and what you have access to, in order to keep going!

For those who are feeling weighed down by the wounds of the heart, and would like to exchange hurt for hope, Jenny is offering a FREE 3 day training, "Beauty for Ashes."  Learn how to grieve in a way that encourages healing, draw strength from God (to avoid the pit of despair), and express your heart in a style all your own, that will increase your faith.  Join Jenny for 3 days of live coaching, starting May 4th. 

To sign up, simply copy the link below & paste into your web browser: 

https://mailchi.mp/539f8af8ed1e/beautyforashes