So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

Christy is the owner and founder of Love Well Collective, an online company dedicated to equipping women via education and custom gift boxes to tangibly love their people well who are walking through grief and other difficult circumstances. Christy started her company in 2019 and is passionate about encouraging others to take action when it comes to loving others as well as, helping to dispel some of the myths surrounding grief.   Take a few minutes to meditate on John 13:34-35 – Jesus’s exhortation to us that we love others well – and then listen into this conversation for some practical tips and tools for how we can love others well.   Some highlights from our conversation: Christy shares her story of grief and loss and how her learnings from this journey helped her start her company, Love Well Collective. Christy gives us practical tips for what we should and shouldn’t do when those we love are walking through grief. Christy also helps us understand some things we can do longer term that are helpful – like remembering the anniversary and talking about the person who passed away. Christy also shares about her business and how she helps people send gift boxes as a tangible way to show love and care.   You can find Christy at: https://www.lovewellcollective.com/ On Instagram: @lovewellco.shop On Facebook: lovewellco.shop   And use code: SOMUCHMORE15 to receive 15% off a custom giftbox. Good until 12/31/22 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Take a few minutes to meditate on Psalm 111 and then listen in to hear Summer and I discuss the spiritual discipline of journaling.   Some highlights from our conversation: We start with Summer’s love for journaling and how her 4th grade teacher gave her space to practice writing her thoughts. We talk about some of the fears of journaling – and Summer gives us some tips for how to journal if we don’t think we’re much of a writer. We discuss the Psalms and how David models the kinds of prayers we can pray and journal about. Summer walks us through the practice of Immanuel Journaling and shares how it has brought substantial healing to her life.     You can find Summer at: https://www.athirstforgod.com/ You can follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/revsummerjoy/ And on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/summer.gross.3   The resources we discussed in the podcast are: Listening Prayer by Leanne Payne Life Model Works and their guide of Immanuel Journaling Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Nancy serves as a leadership coach with the Slingshot Group and on the teaching team at Soul City Church in downtown Chicago. Previously, Nancy served as the programming director at Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago. She is also the author of An Hour on Sunday and Gifted to Lead. Nancy and her husband Warren have two adult daughters, Samantha and Johanna.   Samantha is a writer and performer, and an associate pastor at a church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Samantha's creative work has appeared in theatres, churches, and non-profit spaces. She has taught at Northwestern's National High School Institute and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, where she is the co-education director with her husband, Will.   They are the authors of the new book Next Sunday: An Honest Dialogue About the Future of the Church   **** you can get 30% off their book by clicking the link above and using the code MUCHMORE Code valid until 10/26/22 ****   Take a few minutes to meditate on Acts 2:42-47. This passage gives us details about how the first church community lived and worshipped together. And then listen in to this conversation where we unpack the spiritual discipline of the Church and why it matters to our faith journey. Some highlights from our conversation: We talk about what why they wrote the book. And we hear from Samantha’s perspective what it was like writing a book with her mom. We discuss why the spiritual practice of engaging with a church community is different than other practices. And why is it critical in forming us as followers of Jesus. We talk about what threatens the church today – and what our role is in helping curb this threat. We talk about the brave and hard decision Nancy made to call our abusive behavior at her previous church, Willow Creek Community Church. And we also get to hear Samantha’s perspective on how that impacted her faith journey and her relationship with the Church. We talk about being a woman in ministry and how the abuses that are rising to the surface regularly could create a knee-jerk reaction to women serving in the church. Finally, we talk about being hurt by the church and what some next steps could be for those who have been wounded.   You can follow Nancy on Twitter: @NancyLBeach You can follow Samantha on Twitter: @BeachSamantha Or visit her website at https://www.samanthabeach.work/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pastor Bill White has served as the senior pastor of Christ Journey Church in Miami for over 25 years and he is passionate about giving people the tools they need to help them grow in their journey with Christ and fully understand God’s plan for their lives. He’s the author of the book Mature-ish – which outlines the spiritual growth journey for believers and gives practical tools for taking the next step or mentoring others to take their next step. Take a few minutes to meditate on Hebrews 11:24-27 and then listen in to this interview to hear where God led Pastor Bill. Some highlights from our conversation: We discuss how Moses’s faith teaches us that an authentic faith is a dynamic faith. It is never stagnant. Some of the challenges the enemy tempts us with to keep us from obedience. What true spiritual growth looks like. The surprising results of the assessment Bill and his team created to measure spiritual maturity and what we can do about it. The one thing Bill believes we must do if we are going to grow into mature followers of Jesus. You can find Bill at https://pastorbillwhite.com/ Where you will find links to his book and the assessment You can follow Bill on Instagram @pastorbillwhite On Facebook: pastorbillwhite On Twitter: @pastorbillwhite The exact verses read in this podcast are Hebrews 11:24-27, NIV 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sherry is an author, speaker, blogger and radio host. She’s the founder of Soul H2O, which is a hub of resources where you will find her award-winning blog, devotionals, online Bible studies, courses and her radio program and podcast which are hosted on Joy Radio. She’s written two books, Water in the Desert and Soul H20, both are 40-day devotionals designed to lead you closer to God.   Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 5:43-48 and then listen in to hear where God led Sherry.   Some highlights from our conversation: Who is your neighbor and how are you to love them? Sherry walked us through her experience and also points us to Scripture (like the Good Samaritan) to help us answer this question. We also talk about boundaries, why they are important and how Sherry has grown in her ability to establish boundaries. This is a difficult passage. We talk about how to walk these truths out – and to what extent. We talk about what it means to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven in perfect. What does the word “perfect” mean – and where do we ultimately find the ability to be “perfect”?   Resources mentioned in the podcast God Meant it For Good, RT Kendall Boundaries, Henry Cloud and John Townsend No More Christian Nice Girl, Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler, PhD When to Walk Away, Gary Thomas   You can find Sherry at https://www.sherrystahl.com/ Where you will also find links to her books, blog and radio show Follow on Instagram: @sherry_stahl Follow on Facebook: AuthorSherryStahl   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 5:43-48, NLT   43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Rev. Jonna Fantz is a pastor, poet, and perpetual student. She is committed to helping facilitate transformation by encouraging a life-orienting relationship with Jesus Christ.  Her most recent call was as the Worship and Community Life Pastor at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN.  Jonna has also served as a spiritual director and Adult Discipleship Pastor in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota for over 20 years.    Take a few minutes to meditate on Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and then listen in to hear where God led Jonna.   Some highlights from our conversation: Jonna highlights the transition the Israelites were undergoing when Moses spoke these words. They were moving from a season of orientation to disorientation. We also discussed the seasons of disorientation Jonna has experienced and how the Lord used this passage to remind her of truth she needs to cling to in this season. Jonna gives insight into what “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” would have meant for the Israelites. It’s a little different than what it would mean for us. We talk about the two words the Lord drew Jonna to: hear and love. And how he was inviting her to hear and love differently in this season of her life. Jonna also brought new insight into the exhortation that the nation of Israel write things down. Spoiler: It cost a lot more for them to write things down than us. Finally, we talk about spiritual direction. We discuss what it is, why a spiritual director is helpful and how to find one.   You can connect with Jonna directly via email at jonnafantz@hotmail.com   If you are looking for a spiritual director, you can visit the Evangelical Covenant Church website here. You can also find a directory on the Grafted Life website here. (I personally know a few of the directors listed on this site. Both places are good and trusted places to go.)   The exact verses read in this podcast are: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. y 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ellen and her daughters, Taylor and Ashley, run the ministry Coffee and Bible Time, which started on YouTube to inspire the delight of God’s word and to help people come to know Jesus personally - it now has over 340,000 subscribers. They’ve branched out to become a community of followers that seeks to share stories, spark imagination and be welcoming to new friends. And Ellen, as the mentor mama, hosts the coffee and Bible time podcast. They also write Bible studies and create other resources to help followers as the journey with Jesus. Take a few minutes to meditate on Deuteronomy 8:6-14 and then listen in to hear where God led Ellen.   Some highlights from our conversation: Ellen looks up two of the key words in the passage, obedience and revere, and helps us understand the fuller meaning of these tricky and often misrepresented words. How the Lord used this passage to remind Ellen of some truths she will need as she shares their new YouTube series Biblical Perspectives on Raw Topics The three things Ellen saw in this passage How the Coffee and Bible Time ministry started and what it’s like to work with her daughters.   You can find Ellen and her daughters at https://www.coffeeandbibletime.com/   Where you will find links to their podcast, videos and Bible study resources. Follow their YouTube channel here Follow on Instagram: @coffeeandbibletime On Facebook: CoffeeandBibleTime   The exact verses read in this podcast are Deuteronomy 8:6-14 6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Amanda, who is known as the Red-haired Archaeologist, studied biblical Archaeology at Harvard and is passionate about helping people understand the intersection of Archaeology and the Bible. She’s the author of a number of books including The Red-Haired Archaeologist Digs Israel. Take a few minutes to meditate on Exodus 14:10-15, 21-22 and then listen in to hear where God led Amanda. Some highlights from our conversation: How Amanda got interested in Biblical Archaeology How the Lectio Divina process helped her slow down to see something new in this passage – one she has studied quite a bit before. How God often does supernatural things in natural ways. What we should do when we find a contradiction or confusing part of Scripture. How Archaeology has evolved and why we can trust what is coming out of the ground around Biblical Archaeology   You can find Amanda at https://redhairedarchaeologist.com/ Listen to her podcast here Follow Amanda on Instagram: @redhairedarchaeologist On Facebook: AmandaHopeHaley   The exact verses read in this podcast are Exodus 14:10-15, 21-22 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Mark Matlock is a seasoned non-profit leader, the founder of WisdomWorks, and previous president of Youth Specialties. He is passionate about helping organizations adapt to changing times by turning research-based insights into impactful action. He’s has authored more than twenty books for parents and teens. His most recent is called Faith for Exiles: Five Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon. He is also currently working on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship for teens with Pete Scazzero and a new book for Barna. Take a few minutes to meditate on Exodus 7:8-13 and then listen in to hear where God led Mark. Some highlights from our conversation: Mark used to make a living as a magician, so he lends some interesting insight into what might have been happening when the work of God was mimicked by Pharaoh’s sorcerers. We also discuss how our efforts can produce “fruit” that appears real and good but may not endure if we aren’t relying on God. Mark shares about his book, Faith for Exiles, and helps us learn what we can do to help disciple the next generation. You can find Mark at https://markmatlock.com/ You can find Mark’s newest book here   Follow Mark on Instagram: @markmatlock On Facebook: MarkMatlock On Twitter @MarkMatlock   The exact verses read in this podcast are Exodus 7:8-13 8 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Tim is a Master Sherpa Executive Coach, author of 11 published books and hundreds of leadership articles. He also served for many years in pastoral ministry and is an insightful bible teacher. Take a few minutes to meditate on Exodus 5:22-6:2 and then listen in to hear where God led Tim. Some highlights from our conversation: Tim gives us the back story to this verse and helps us understand why Moses might have been caught off guard by the Israelites anger. The Scripture says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Tim gives us his perspective on what this means and answers the question, “Was Pharaoh a good guy before God hardened his heart – or was there something else at play?” It’s very possible to do the right thing and have things go terribly wrong. This can lead to feeling angry with God. What should we do with this anger – and what can we learn from how Moses deals with his anger. We talk about why circumstances and feelings aren’t the best metric for knowing and following God’s will. And we also discuss how we can know God’s voice better.   You can find Tim at https://www.stevensoncoaching.com/ You can find Tim’s leadership articles here And order his leadership book Better here The exact verses read in this podcast are Exodus 5:22-6:2 22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” 6 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” 2 God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.