Lectio Divina

[Qoheleth]

Seeking your thoughts on this type of contemplative prayer:

http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html


Q

[AveMaria]

Hope you don't mind an Anglican chiming in - I've found it to be very useful as one aspect of my personal prayer/devotions. I tend to be a bit of a 'Type A' person and tend to speed read. For example, if one of my favorite authors has a new book out, I typically stay up all night and devour it, rather than savoring the printed word.

[pastel]

I read slowly, and usually do not have a problem absorbing God's word. It is true that one day reading of a certain verse will give me insight into one thing, a maybe a few weeks/months later, reading the same verse again will give me a whole new insight to the verse. It certainly depends, I believe, on God's timing.

If this method works for some, more power to them. For me, I seem to be doing perfectly fine with my slowly reading, contemplative method of reading God's word.

Usually, I study the Word by topic. I look the word up I am interested in, and see the verses that relate to that throughout the Bible. This is my latest method for study. Sometimes I simply study chapter by chapter, in order. It depends on what works for me at the time.

[Jim47]

I'm sure its all well intentioned, but its too spiritualistic for me, such as Yoga. I think there are things we can and should do to focus more intently on reading God's Word. Reminding ourselves of our humble estate is a good start.

[ByzantineDixie]

Funny, I have heard of using different pieces of this (praying scripture, reading scripture and listening for what God is wanting to tell you, pondering) and have used them independently but had not seen them all put together in one practice. I have no doubt this makes for an excellent time to spend in prayer and meditation...certainly worth learning. Also seems like an excellent antidote for today's crazy demands on life.

Peace

Rose

[Qoheleth]

This may seem odd to y'all (Hi Rose :P ), but has anyone ever sung the scriptures just as we may sing a hymn???


Q

[ByzantineDixie]

Man...you sure want to know a lot of personal stuff! :P

Actually this is not odd at all. I have sung scriptures many different ways.

There are the standard professionally composed pieces...the Magnifcat comes to mind. Some of the Psalms. The Lord's Prayer. We have all sung these.

Then there are the songs where part of the song is Scripture, part speaks to scriptural things but not in exact words. This is the music I tend to listen to most. I find that when I listen to music that include lines from Scripture, those verses revisit me throughout the day. :cool:

Where we lived in Iowa there was a gal who set certain scripture passages to music to teach children to memorize the passages. It is so easy to memorize Scripture once the verses are set to music! "But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...." That's how I learned Galatians 5:22 ;)

And yes, I have sung them privately to my own melodies...thank goodness God is merciful!!! I am hoping along with that glorified heavenly body I'll be getting that He throws in some tone quality! :D

Peace

Rose

[Qoheleth]

I personally admire John Michael Talbot's style when he sings the scriptures

[ByzantineDixie]

I personally admire John Michael Talbot's style when he sings the scriptures

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking of regarding music where the verses come back to me during the day. I always have a JMT song buzzing around in my head. Of course JMT is who I listen to the most. The "Come Worship the Lord" CD's are my favorites--but they might be a bit too charismatic for some. One of the reasons like him so much is that he does so many great Communion Songs. Then there is the CD he did with his brother years ago, The Painter...like that one to. Oh heck, I think I like them all! :D -----R

[Qoheleth]

How does JMT compare to PJG??

[ByzantineDixie]

Well, I really like Peter Jon Gilquist, too. But I'll be honest there. His latest CD, Lands Unknown, is better than his earlier works--the song I have in my profile is from that CD. He is still a young man and it appears his work matured as he did.

Perhaps John Michael Talbot and Peter Jon Gilquist compare somewhat in musical style (and they both have three names! :D )...not quite so much lyrically. JMT is more obvious in his music. The scriptures are recognizable. The message clear, not so subtle. PJG--not always obvious--but what do you expect from an Eastern Orthodox! ;) :D For example, on Lands Unknown, there is another song I like very much called Always Standing By. Initially it sounds like a love song with a little Christianity sprinkled in for no particular reason...however, the love, the ship, is actually the Church. It takes a while to figure that out (well, it took a while for me--I can be a little dense).

Incidentally...PJG is actually a poster on TAW periodically. He was on last week or so and recommended a couple of other artists. I got a few. One I liked particularly well, Franklin Tate. Available at SaintRomanosRecords.com (http://www.saintromanosrecords.com/product_info.php/cPath/32/products_id/149). They advertise him as being similar to JMT...that is a correct assessment in my estimation.

If you know of more music in this vein...let me know. I am always on the look out the particular genre.

Peace

Rose

[Qoheleth]

The scriptures are recognizable. The message clear, not so subtle. PJG--not always obvious--but what do you expect from an Eastern Orthodox! ;)

LOL, thats great.

[KagomeShuko]

This may seem odd to y'all (Hi Rose :P ), but has anyone ever sung the scriptures just as we may sing a hymn???


Q
Most of my Bible verses, I know through song - really! I'll be reading the Bible and I'll go, "so that's where that song comes from!" Anything from songs considered Bible songs for kids to elaborate hymns I may know. . .

Also, in church, we sing the psalms to a preset tune where it is the same note and goes down in a patter at about the last three syllables or so.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[pastel]

Actually, the Psalms were songs. They were meant to be sung. :)

[pastel]

I'm sure its all well intentioned, but its too spiritualistic for me, such as Yoga. I think there are things we can and should do to focus more intently on reading God's Word. Reminding ourselves of our humble estate is a good start.

I agree with that, Jim! :thumbsup:

[Qoheleth]

Actually, the Psalms were songs. They were meant to be sung

Oh yeah, thats right. I forgot about that.