Apr 29, 2018
050 Count the Cost - A Guided Christian Meditation of Luke 14:28-30.
I work as a Hospice Chaplain and having worked as an ICU chaplain
in a busy hospital, my purpose in making this podcast is to help
you find more peace in your life and to be more open to be changed
by the Spirit of God. by using a centuries old form of Christian
Meditation called Lectio Divina. It consists of:
Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation,
Visualization
If you enjoy this meditation I ask you to subscribe on Apple
Podcasts or whatever podcast app you prefer. You can find links at
my website ChristianMeditationPodcast.com.
Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted
for 20 minutes. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to
close your eyes.
Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:Focus on being encircled by
the love of God.
Bible verse for meditation:
ESV28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
NABRE28 Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first
sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its
completion? 29 Otherwise, after laying the foundation and
finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should
laugh at him 30 and say, ‘This one began to build but did not
have the resources to finish.’
Notice the similarities and differences in the translations
presented.
What does this scripture mean to you?Has it had a different effect
this reading as compared to times past?How does this scripture make
you feel?
Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.
Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:In this scripture
Jesus outlines an important theological thought. If you have
listened to this podcast for a while, you have heard many
scriptures outlining our dependence on God’s spirit. So much of
scripture talks about this. This scripture lays out the need for us
to plan. St Augustine said: “Pray like everything depends on God,
then work like everything depends on your.” This quote perhaps is
an oversimplification but it demonstrates a complex dichotomy. We
should plan and work while at the same time trusting in the
province of God. This seemingly contradictory command brings
humility to us and also enhances our drive to follow. To
accomplish great things, we do the best we can. This involves
planning on our own and consulting God in prayer. Having faith in
God does not excuse our lack of focus in working toward positive
goals. We cannot do difficult things without truly pushing
ourselves. I hope this comes across the right way, namely in a
spirit of humility and gratitude. As you probably know, I graduated
from my Masters Program in Religious Studies. I have also completed
the requirements for another MA program in MFT. This required a lot
of sacrifice and work by me and my family. God can certainly
Anything important does.
You will have time to reflect on this in a moment, for now, please
join me in prayer.
Meditation of Prayer:Pray as directed by the Spirit.Dedicate these
moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for
understanding you desire from Him.
Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:I invite you to sit in
silence feeling being patient for your own faults and
trials.
Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:Implement the
kind of change you want to see in your life. Length,
Intensity, Modality, Freshness, Conclusion: Weekly Episodes
Christianmeditationpodcast.com/contact
Merch/PatreonMultiple episodes in a week. Questions: What
thing in your life requires more planning?
Website ChristianMeditationPodcast.com contact.
Final thought - Witness about prayer. I hope you will feel
this relaxation all through the rest of the day. Have a good rest
of the day.
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D ME ON:
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