Jun 25, 2017

In the last episode, I spent a lot of time on biological factors of change.  This episode I want to focus more on emotional validation, and how Jesus did this.  I have been blessed and humbled by the overwhelmingly positive feedback I have been receiving.  It is really motivating for me to continue to put these episodes out.

Outline: After a brief intro I will begin a relaxation exercise (Statio).  This will be followed by a quiet reading of Scripture (Lectio) followed by Prayer (Oratio).  We will then take some moments to bask in God’s spirit (Contemplatio), then imagine how the message of this scripture can change you. Prepare yourself to relax for 20 minutes or so by getting in a comfortable chair.

Introduction: This scripture was not chosen by me.  I asked an 8-year-old girl what were her favorite scriptures and what I should do an episode on.  She said I should do one on Jesus appearing to Mary at the Tomb.  She also listed some other scriptures that I will cover in the future, but I was struck with this one.  This woman in embryo saw something special in this scripture.  Perhaps it’s because she is drawn to a woman being the center of Jesus’s attention through her unshaken faith.  Maybe it's because she hopes to have that faith.  Perhaps it’s because she lives in a culture that constantly degrades both men and women but particularly women.  When I thought of this my heart ached.  To me, this attack is not accidental.  How can we stand against this attack? It is not through our own strength

Statio: Allow your body to relax and don’t be distracted by the impulses of the day.  Prepare your mind to be open to scripture.

Lectio: John 20:13-16 New American Bible

13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”

14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher

Oratio: Prayer guided by the Holy Spirit

Contemplatio:  Sit contemplatively while reflecting on the grandeur of God.

Operatio:  Imagine how God can help you change your life.

Conclusion: God in His grace has decided to bestow on us a gift greater than anything we could imagine.  He does this because He loves us.  Scripture says that we love Him because He first loved us (John 4:19).  I hope you go through the rest of your day, week and beyond feeling the value you have to God.  He loves you and He loves me in a way we don’t fully understand.  Thanks for joining me.  

To get an outline of this episode or to see other episodes like this go to christianmeditationpodcast.com.  You can subscribe to this podcast through podcast apps by adding the URL christianmeditationpodcast.com/rss which will be included in the show notes.  I'm in the process of developing cover art for the podcast and once I get that complete, I'll submit to iTunes and other directories.

As always I appreciate hearing from you.  You can also reach out to me through my website contact form at christianmeditationpodcast.com

I encourage you to use this podcast as a springboard, to a crutch, to improve your relationship with God. Until next week, may the Spirit of God rest with you and continually change you.