So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Rev Adele Ahlberg Calhoun is a spiritual director, pastor, and author. She is currently the Co-Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Highrock Church in Arlington, MA. She has written several books – including two of my favorites: The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us and Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation   As the title of the second book reveals, she is an expert in using the Enneagram for spiritual formation. She has also taught courses at Wheaton College and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Take a few minutes to meditate on Matthew 15:21-28 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Adele.   Some highlights from our conversation: We discuss what Jesus meant when he said, “it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” We discuss how this passage shows the humanity of Jesus. We reflect on this woman’s bravery in seeking healing for her daughter. We talk about spiritual pilgrimages - what they are and how you could join one.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 15:21-28 in the NIV.   You can find Adele at Calhounministries.org   Here books are linked above. They are both excellent. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Gem is a founding partner of Unhurried Living – which is a non-profit that trains people to overcome hurry and lead formationally. Gem is a trained Spiritual Director and a Certified Life Coach with a focus on spiritual leadership and soul care. She is the host of the I Can Do That! Podcast and is the author of What Does Your Soul Love? Eight Questions That Reveal God's Work in You (IVP 2019).   Take a few minutes to listen to the experience podcast to meditate on John 15 with Lectio Divina and then listen to this conversation to hear where God led Gem.   In our conversation you will hear: Why John 15 is such a meaningful passage to Gem. Why this passage contains such a beautifully logical invitation for us to abide with Jesus. What kinds of questions we can ask our soul to see where we really are with the Lord. What Gem’s favorite spiritual practice is and why she loves it so much.   Gem refers to a quote in the podcast about the Hebrew day starting in the evening. Here’s the full quote for your reference. “The Hebrew evening/morning sequence conditions us to the rhythms of grace. We go to sleep, and God begins his work. As we sleep he develops his covenant. We wake and are called out to participate in God's creative action. We respond in faith, in work. But always grace is previous. Grace is primary. We wake into a world we didn't make, into a salvation we didn't earn. Evening: God begins, without our help, his creative day. Morning: God calls us to enjoy and share and develop the work he initiated. Creation and covenant are sheer grace and there to greet us every morning.” - Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles.   You can find Gem at https://www.unhurriedliving.com/gem On Instagram: @gemfadling Listen to her podcast, I Can Do That! And grab her book: What Does Your Soul Love? Eight Questions That Reveal God's Work in You The exact verses read in this podcast are John 15:4-9 in the NIV. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Linda, and her husband, Tim, are the founders and lead pastors of The Experience Church in Bridgeport Ohio - which has grown from a handful of people meeting in a middle school to thousands of people choosing to follow Jesus and allowing God to work in their lives. Linda is also a conference speaker and writer - who uses her voice to provide encouragement and inspiration to help people understand the amazing purpose God has placed within them. Take a few minutes to listen to the experience podcast doing Lectio Divina on Matthew 9:9-13 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Linda. Here’s a few highlights of what we talk about: How Matthew was an unlikely and controversial choice for a disciple. Why he was brave in how he left comfort to follow Jesus. How we can walk forward in faith even when we are fearful. How we can build trust in a God we can’t see, especially when we struggle to trust the people we can. The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 9:9-13 in the NIV. You can find Linda on Instagram: @lindaseidler On Facebook: @linda.seidler And by searching #lindaseidlerdaily Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Kurtley is an Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary and a Senior Teaching fellow at the Renovare Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation in Denver. He is also an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of North America and serves as an Assisting Priest at Church of the Vine in Newberg, OR. Take a few minutes to listen to the experience podcast doing Lectio Divina on Mark 4 and then listen in as Kurtley and I talk about his experience in this passage. A few notes: Kurtley spent his time meditating on the Message translation of this passage. The verse he references says, “he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” (Mark 4:39-40, MSG) We talk about the truth that Jesus us always with us in the boat. And in hard times, Disney faith isn’t enough. We talk about what Spiritual Formation is and how it is taught at the seminary level. We talk about praying the Daily Office, exactly what the Daily Office is, and how it can connect us to other believers around the world. Kurtley’s book recommendations are The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner Reaching Out by Henri Nouwen Spiritual Formation by Henri Nouwen The exact verses read in this podcast are Mark 4:35-41 in the NIV. You can also find Kurtley here Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Nicole Unice is a Bible teacher, author, leadership coach and podcast host. Her training as a counselor informs her deep passion for bringing God’s Word to life in a personal and relevant way. Her latest book, The Miracle Moment: How Tough Conversations Can Actually Transform Your Most Important Relationships gives you practical tools that you can use to bring miracle moments into all your relationships. Take a few minutes to listen to the experience podcast doing Imaginative Prayer on John 5:1-9 and then listen in as Nicole and I talk about her experience in this passage. A few highlights: We talk about feeling stuck in our circumstances. How Jesus invites us to participate in our own healing miracles. Nicole’s new book, The Miracle Moment, and how we can set ourselves up for our own miracle moments in relationships. Advice for one thing you can do if you think your relationship is toxic or broken beyond repair. (I think this is worth the whole podcast!) The exact verses read in this podcast are John 5:1-9 in the NIV. How to connect with Nicole: https://nicoleunice.com/about/ Instagram: @nicoleunice Facebook: @nicole.unice/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sharon is the co-author of Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story. She also leads oneLife Maps, which offers visual life-mapping materials, virtual coaching groups, one-on-one coaching, and facilitator equipping for those who wish to share the life-mapping experience with others.   Take a few minutes to listen to the experience podcast doing Lectio Divina on John 1:43-50, the calling of Philip and Nathanael, and then tune into this interview to hear where God led Sharon. We talk about the phrases follow me and come and see. But this isn’t exactly where God led Sharon. He led her to the end of the passage, “you will see greater things than that.” We talk about what these words could mean for her, how she’s holding to this promise with an open hand and letting Jesus continue to guide her. We also talk about how Lectio Divina has become an important practice for her. And how life mapping is like Lectio Divina for our lives.   The exact verses read in this podcast are John 1:43, 45-50 in the NIV.   You can find out more about Sharon and the Listen to My Life maps at: https://www.onelifemaps.com/   These maps are an amazing resource. I’ve used them and been with others as they have used them. They are both clarifying and transformative. If you feel led to explore your story, as a way to look back so you can move forward, then please check these out. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

JoAnn is a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary and has served for 29 years on the pastoral team at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, Texas. Her current role is Pastor of Shared Leadership JoAnn is a gifted communicator and is passionate about helping people experience the abundant life found only in Jesus Christ. JoAnn is also working on her doctorate in transformational leadership and is wrapping up her dissertation project in anticipation of graduating in June 2023.   Take a few minutes to listen to the experience podcast doing Lectio Divina on Psalm 84 and then tune into this interview to hear where God led JoAnn. We discuss:   What the Valley of Baka really is. The choices we get to make in the midst of pain and suffering. JoAnn’s infamous sermon illustration regarding a scape goat. What transformational leadership is and why we need leaders who are being transformed.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Psalm 84:1, 4-8 in the NIV.   You can listen to JoAnn’s sermon on Psalm 84 here: https://benttree.org/sermon/a-heart-set-on-pilgrimage/   And you can find JoAnn on Facebook @joann.hummel And on Instagram @Hummel_Joann Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Margaret is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at churches and conferences. And she’s an amazing author who has written too many books to count but many of them are on my short list of favorites like: Fight Back with Joy, Taste and See, and More Power to You.   Take a few minutes to listen to the Scripture experience podcast where you’ll get to meditate on Psalm 51 by practicing the process of Lectio Divina. Then tune into this interview to hear where God led Margaret. We discuss: - What exactly is sin? Margaret gives a great and simple definition. - Why we need to deal with our own sin – even though we would rather deal with other people’s sin. - How to clearly see our sin. - What does David mean when he states, “against you, you only, have I sinned” – because clearly our sin impacts other people too? - Why God is the only remedy and our best hope. - How we can confront lies we believe – especially those that can lead toward self-destructive behavior.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Psalm 51:1-4, 10 in the NIV.   You can find Margaret at https://margaretfeinberg.com/ And on Instagram @mafeinberg Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jan is a writer, speaker and spiritual director. She has degrees in biblical studies and Christian spirituality. And has written twenty-three books, including one of my very favorite books, Meeting God in Scripture, a hands-on guide to lectio Divina. Jan has literally written a book on Lectio Divina, so you’ll definitely want to hear what she has to say about it.   Take a few minutes to listen to the Scripture experience podcast where you’ll get to meditate on Psalm 139. Then tune into this interview to hear where God led Jan. We discuss how she meditates on a passage she is familiar with, how she first discovered Lectio Divina and what other spiritual practices are important to her. We also talk about how comforting and praise worthy it is to have a God who really understands us, quirks and all.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Psalm 139:1-4 and 23-24 in the NIV.   You can find Jan and a wealth of free resources at https://janjohnson.org/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.