So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

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 Linda Seidler to hear where the Lord led her. Linda is a pastor, speaker and all-around encourager. The exact verses read in this podcast are Matthew 9:9-13 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.

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.

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 Reverend Dr. Kurtley Knight. 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. The exact verses read in this podcast are Mark 4:35-41 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.

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.

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 Nicole Unice. Nicole is a Bible teacher, author, leadership coach and podcast host. The exact verses read in this podcast are John 5:1-9 in the NIV You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik 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.

Lectio Divina is the sacred reading of Scripture and is a way to meditate on God’s word. Create some sacred space for God and spend a few quiet moments engaging with his Word. As you allow the Spirit to guide you, you may be surprised by what he has for you.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with Sharon Swing to hear where the Lord led her. 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.   The exact verses read in this podcast are John 1:43, 45-50 in the NIV   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik 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.

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 living and active Word guided by the Spirit.   Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, then head over to the next episode and catch the interview with JoAnn Hummel to hear where the Lord led her in this Psalm. 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.     The exact verses read in this podcast are Psalm 84:1, 4-8 in the NIV.   You can find Jodie at Jodieniznik.com Instagram @creatingspaceforgod Facebook @jodieniznik 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.