Stories that shape our lives

Do you have some family stories that have been past down through the years?  photo-85
Have these stories made a impact on how you live?  Have they shaped your life?

Maybe like me you have heard stories of a grandfather who lived “the pioneer life in the unoccupied plains” as a child.  The struggles of homesteading in eastern Colorado–the hard work needed to survive, the severe weather conditions and the kindness of neighbors to help.

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Or maybe it was stories of your grandmother’s childhood on a farm in eastern Kansas, her “Eden“.  The fun of baby kittens, the joys of family life and the challenge of living in town to go to school and only going home on the weekends.

In my later years my Grandmother shared many stories, when we visited her and through her letters, both about her and my grandfather’s early years.

But she also shared verses that were meaningful to her, as well as, stories of her struggles and her faith.

“Want to know joy?  Give your affliction to God.  He has everything planned just right.”

As I read through her old letters and think back through the stories, my grandmother was doing just as God commanded, pasting on the legacy of faith to the next generation.

One generation shall priase Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mightly acts.

Psalms 145:4

 

 

Is Spiritual Meditation the same as Biblical Meditation??

meditation-2-800x354Are you confused about meditation?

As I read about spiritual meditation I notice the use of the terms God and Holy Spirit in a way that sounds good and maybe even godly.   One article works the reader through a series of steps from centering self to focusing on “God” and the spirit within, to repeating a phrase, to using your imagination to “picture an inner  vision” and finally to the suggestion to buy their CD to help you benefit more.

Is this what David meant when he spoke of meditating in his heart and being still (Psalm 4:4)?

Is the spiritual meditation that is being taught today the same as biblical meditation?

I have studied biblical meditation and even taught on it some. But this past weekend I was challenged to look at biblical meditation in a different way.  Well, maybe not different, as much as simpler.  The suggestion was made to meditate on less for longer.   For example, take the two word verse–Rejoice always (1 Thess 5:16) and meditate on it for several weeks.             

How would “rejoicing always” affect my relationship with God and others?

What would my life look like if I “rejoiced always”?              

In just a few days of doing this I have had to rethink my reactions to a difficult situation.  I encourage you to join me in this challenge to meditate on “rejoice always”.  I would love to heard how this impacts your life.

Sherry