Meditation

[Redheadedstepchild]

I've been reading a book about the spiritual disciplines. The first chapter is about meditation. Do any of you meditate? Do you have certain scriptures that you meditate on for certain circumstances? I'd love to hear how other people incorporate meditation into their lives - it's all very new to me.:)

[robbymac]

I've just been reading a book on meditating on the Word; a fellow YWAM staff who's been with the mission for years put the book on my desk the other day with the words "Is this guy related to you?"

The author is Campbell McAlpine, and although our last names are spelled the same, I'd never heard of him. He's an older dude, wrote Alone With God: A Manual of Biblical Meditation (http://www.amazon.ca/Alone-God-Manual-Biblical-Meditation/dp/0871230003/ref=sr_1_1/702-9597095-2970400?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188663909&sr=1-1) around 1980, but it's good stuff.

I'm not an expert on this, but what seems to work for me is, reading a passage of Scripture over several times, until something really "sticks out" -- the Benedictine Monks used to say that the verse was "calling out to them" -- and then I just think and ponder on the verse every time it comes to mind for the rest of the day. Driving in the car, enjoying a quiet moment in the evening, etc.

It's amazing how Scripture really seems to get planted deep in your spirit. And how it comes to mind so easily when you need it later.

Keep us posted on how God is working in your life in this area! I'm sure a lot of people would be interested and encouraged to hear about it.

[Redheadedstepchild]

I will keep you posted for sure.

Sometimes I don't know where to start when it comes to scripture...I simply don't know it as well as I should.

This is the book I am reading: Celebration of Discipline (http://www.amazon.ca/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0060628391/ref=sr_1_1/701-1289430-9356359?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188699834&sr=1-1). I was looking for a good Bible study and someone on another part of CF said they felt led to suggest it to me...so I figured I better at least read it. :)

[synger]

CoB is one of the classics of modern "Christian life" books, IMO. Richard Foster compiles information about many streams of Christian devotion, from corporate disciplines like worship, to the solo disciplines of prayer and fasting, to the community disciplines of service... or something like that. I know it is an EXTREMELY influential book, and it just had its 15th or 20th anniversary, and is still going strong as a sunday school/small group discussion topic.

What I like best about it is that it crosses tradition-streams. For those of us who didn't grow up in homes where you were taught to study and read the Bible regularly, he touches on that in a non-intimidating way. For those of use who didn't grow up in a family that prayed together, or encouraged private prayer (other than the obligatory "say your prayers" at bedtime), he introduces prayer as a joyous discipline that can illuminate your life. Likewise with the other disciplines he touches on -- simplicity, service, silence, fasting, worship, etc.

As for meditation, I would say that Foster may have introduced me to the concept many years ago, but I soon learned other ways of doing it. As my dollie shows, I sometimes use a rosary when I pray, but I do not use the Marian text (since I do not pray to Mary). Instead, I use the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner) which has been used for centuries. And during that time, I meditate upon Bible stories. For instance, last week my 6 yo and I were "praying the beads" and she wanted to meditate on Jesus on the cross. So the first decade of prayers, we meditated on the last supper, then on the garden of gethesemene, then on His trial, then on His crucifixion, and finally, on His resurrection.

Other times, I will memorize a Psalm or another passage of scripture, and pray it on the beads. After I do that a few times, it reallly becomes part of my daily life, and I don't need the help of the beads to keep track of it as much.

Another ancient and very powerful way to meditate is Lectio Divina (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=lectio+divina&btnG=Search), where you contemplate and meditate on passages of Scripture.

[he4rty]

Sounds an Interesting book

[ElderChris]

I think just reading Scripture and considering how it applies to your life at that point in time is meditation. I'm old enough now that I've been through the bible a number of times and even now passages that I once read right over jump right out at me. The Word is very powerful and will speak to your situation as the Holy Spirit teaches you.

As I consider what the Word is saying to me, I often record it in a journal. Journaling is a good way to capture these thoughts and the process of writing it down seems to be part of the meditating process for me also.

Finally, I have an accountability partner that I often share what God is saying to me in my quiet times with Him. Usually a discussion ensues and God shows me even more and may even correct or guide some of my thoughts in a different direction. In a sense, we are meditating together.

[robbymac]

I will keep you posted for sure.

Sometimes I don't know where to start when it comes to scripture...I simply don't know it as well as I should.

This is the book I am reading: Celebration of Discipline (http://www.amazon.ca/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0060628391/ref=sr_1_1/701-1289430-9356359?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188699834&sr=1-1). I was looking for a good Bible study and someone on another part of CF said they felt led to suggest it to me...so I figured I better at least read it. :)
I've got a 20th anniversary copy of Celebration of Discipline (http://www.amazon.ca/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0060628391/ref=sr_1_1/702-9597095-2970400?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189054893&sr=1-1). It's definitely a classic. The best part, as Synger points out, is that it can be read by Christians of many denominational backgrounds, and we'll all find some helpful and inspiring stuff.

[faithopelove]

Great Book (Celebration of Discipline (http://www.amazon.ca/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0060628391/ref=sr_1_1/701-1289430-9356359?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188699834&sr=1-1) ). I read it many years ago. I think it's time to revisit it. When I meditate I try to spend time considering scripture that I feel drawn to at that time. I also try to spend time listening as much as I can for impressions from God.

[Redheadedstepchild]

Just want you guys to know that I'm keeping up with the posts on this thread and mulling over how meditation plays a part in my spiritual life.

I think just reading Scripture and considering how it applies to your life at that point in time is meditation. I'm old enough now that I've been through the bible a number of times and even now passages that I once read right over jump right out at me. The Word is very powerful and will speak to your situation as the Holy Spirit teaches you.

As I consider what the Word is saying to me, I often record it in a journal. Journaling is a good way to capture these thoughts and the process of writing it down seems to be part of the meditating process for me also.

Finally, I have an accountability partner that I often share what God is saying to me in my quiet times with Him. Usually a discussion ensues and God shows me even more and may even correct or guide some of my thoughts in a different direction. In a sense, we are meditating together.

I think these are excellent suggestions. This summer I decided that I needed to really read and study the Bible...I think meditating on the passages I read each day is probably a good place for me to start. I have a blog here, though I don't use it as often as I should - but that would be a really good way for me to record what I'm thinking. I also like the idea of an accountability partner, for a variety of reasons. Thank you!