Lectio Divina is the sacred reading of Scripture and is a way to meditate on God’s word. Create some space for God and spend a few quiet moments engaging with his Word. As you allow the Spirit to guide you into his living and active Word, you may be surprised by what he wants you to notice.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Trey Grant, pastor of the Well Church in Keller, Texas.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 11:25-30 in the NIV. It’s printed below for your convenience.   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download the free Lectio Divina Guided Journal here   Matthew 11:25-30, NIV: 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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Steve is the Founder and President of Leadership Transformations, Inc (LTI). which focuses on the spiritual formation needs of leaders and the spiritual discernment processes of leadership teams in local church and parachurch ministry settings nationwide. He is also the Director of the Pierce Center for Discipleship-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is also a thought-provoking author of over a dozen books and has a new book out called: The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything. Take a few minutes to meditate on Luke 24:25-34 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Steve.   Some highlights from our conversation: The downtrodden disciples and how they had their eyes closed. And how Jesus loving invited them to reconnect with him. What a burning heart is and isn’t Steve’s new book and how he desires to help us expand our definition of discernment. Steve’s take on Lectio Divina and what it’s a meaningful practice for him in her personal journey with the Lord. Steve’s mentor, Reuben Job, and the influence he had on Steve’s ministry.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Luke 24:25-34 in the NIV.   You can find Steve at https://www.stevemacchia.com/ You can find Reuben Job’s prayer guides here You can find Steve’s new book here

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Lectio Divina is the divine or sacred reading of Scripture. Create some sacred space for God and spend a few quiet moments engaging with his Word. As you allow the Spirit to lead, you may be surprised by where he leads you.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Rev. Dr. Stephen Macchia to hear where the Lord led him. Steve is the Founder and President of Leadership Transformations, Inc (LTI). He is also the Director of the Pierce Center for Discipleship-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. And has authored over a dozen books. His latest is The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything. The exact verses read in this podcast are Luke 24:25-34, NIV   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal here.

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Nika Spaulding has a Master of Theology and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry. She recently helped plant a church called St Jude Oak Cliff in Oak Cliff, Dallas where she serves as the Resident Theologian. Take a few minutes to meditate on John 20 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Nika.   In this conversation we talk about What it must have been like for Mary. And how our own grief journey can help us enter into this story in a more observant way. How Mary got that one moment we all long for when someone we love dies – to have one more conversation to say all the things we left unsaid. That there is a day coming when all will be made right, and we will be reunited with the people we love who have died in Christ. How to properly say “zoology” and how Nika’s Zoology degree has proved helpful (or not) to her current role in ministry. And as a bonus, I left our funny little outtake in for you. Nika thought we were done, but I was still going. It gave us both a good laugh - and it was very sweet of her too.  The exact verses read in this podcast are John 20:1, 11-18 in the NIV. You can find out more about Nika and her podcast, God on Tap, at https://www.nikaspaulding.com/ You can find her online theology classes here

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Imaginative prayer invites us to use our God-given sanctified imagination to slow down and enter a story of Scripture. This form of Scripture meditation helps us notice details we may have missed before. It also gives us an opportunity to talk to Jesus about what we noticed and why it matters to us – and most importantly, why it matters to him.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Nika Spaulding. Nika has a Master of Theology, is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry. She recently helped planted a church called St Jude Oak Cliff - where she currently serves as the resident theologian. The exact verses read in this podcast are John 20:1, 11-18 in the NIV.   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal here.

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Create some space to reflect on the last few moments of Jesus’s life. He endured death, so we coule have life. It’s tempting to skip straight to the resurrection – it’s the glorious and victorious part of the story. One we don’t want to miss. But it’s also important to remember and reflect on what made the resurrection possible. Special guest reader, Earl Davidson, leads us through the passage and Jodie will guide you through reflection and prayer. The exact verses read in the podacts are Matthew 27:27-56, MSG translation. You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal here.

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Dr. Sandra Glahn is a professor at Dallas theological seminary. She has authored and co-authored over 20 books, both fiction and non-fiction. She is also a journalist and speaker who loves to use her voice to advocate for thinking that transforms – especially on topics related to art, gender, sexual intimacy in marriage, and the first century backgrounds as they relate to gender. Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 26 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Dr. Glahn.   In this conversation we talk about The different kisses given to the Son – the kiss of betrayal and the kiss of worship. How our zeal to defend the Lord can sometime have the exact opposite effect of what we intend. Peter’s good intentions – to stay awake, to defend Jesus and even to die with him. Dr. Glahn’s coming book on the goddess Artemis of the Ephesians – and why it matters that we understand who she was when Paul was writing his letters.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 26:47-56 in the NIV. You can find Dr. Glahn and her thoughtful writing about at http://aspire2.com/

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Imaginative prayer invites us to use our God-given sanctified imagination to slow down and enter a story of Scripture. This form of Scripture meditation helps us notice details we may have missed before. It also gives us an opportunity to talk to Jesus about what we noticed and why it matters to us – and most importantly, why it matters to him.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Dr. Sandra Glahn. Dr. Glahn is a professor at Dallas theological seminary, author, journalist, and speaker. The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 26:47-56 in the NIV. You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal here.

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Sibyl Towner is a Spiritual Director and the co-author of Listen to My Life and co-founder of oneLifeMaps. She and her husband, Dick, also oversee and direct The Springs retreat center In Illinois which invites Christian leaders to retreat, rest, and find refreshment to continue serving him. Sibyl is known for her discerning, accepting, and wise presence, cultivated over a lifetime of experience in Spiritual Direction.    Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 19 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Sibyl.   In this conversation we talk about The real invitation to the rich young man - and the invitation for us. How Sibyl does and doesn’t identify with the rich young man. The call to detach from our “program for happiness” so we can allow God to work out his vision for our lives. Sibyl’s experience detaching from her plans and the deep inner work God did in her life. The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 19:16-26 in the NIV. You can find out more about Sibyl and oneLife Maps here

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Imaginative prayer invites us to use our God-given sanctified imagination to slow down and enter a story of Scripture. This form of Scripture meditation helps us notice details we may have missed before. It also gives us an opportunity to talk to Jesus about what we noticed and why it matters to us – and most importantly, why it matters to him.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Sibyl Towner. Sibyl is a Spiritual Director and the co-author of Listen to My Life and co-founder of oneLifeMaps. She and her husband, Dick, also oversee and direct The Springs retreat center In Illinois.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 19:16-26 in the NIV.   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal here.

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