So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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. Adele Ahlberg Calhoun to hear where the Lord led her.   Adele is a spiritual director, pastor, and author. She currently serves as the Co-Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Highrock Church in Arlington, MA.   The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 15:21-28 in the NIV.   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal 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.

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 in this familiar and loved passage.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Gem Fadling to hear where the Lord led her.   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).   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik Download your free Lectio Divina Guided journal here.   The exact verses read in this podcast are John 15:4-9 in the NIV.   4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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.