God Hunting – Bible (1) Lectio Divina

I have just completed a week of meditating on the Bible using the Lectio Divina method, the slow reading of a passage until a word stands out, something to work with and pray about.

The text I used was from John’s Gospel Chapter 6:35-40.  Not a lot to work with you may think.  But split into sections it is quite amazing.  Each day I read the whole of this (part of Jesus teaching on the Bread of Life) and then used one verse to concentrate on.  I had enough verses for 6 days and on the 7th day I re-read the whole part through again to see if there was anything I had missed.

I actually found this form of looking at the Bible very helpful and surprising.  Reading over one verse a day means you really look at it and see things you might otherwise miss when you read normally.  It made me think about my relationship with Jesus and his and his Father’s to me.  This led into prayer about belief, trust and doubt.  I even made notes at the end of the week in my journal which include lines like – God has given me to Jesus – Jesus is the shepherd, I am the sheep – Jesus will keep all those (sheep) that God has given him and will not lose them – God’s will, not Jesus’ – God’s will, not mine.  There is more.  One particular verse that kept coming back to me was about those who have seen him (Jesus) and still not believe.

I used some visualisation techniques to picture myself with the crowd of people sitting listening to him him speak and to hear the sounds of what was going on around me.  I find these techniques useful to set the scene and bring me closer to Jesus.

I would use this meditating method again as I find if helpful and it brings me closer to an understanding of a Bible passage, or at least to re-think what I have read, ask questions and is a great aid to prayer.  It really did work for me.

God Hunting – Fasting (3)

I’m glad that week is over!  I was ill all last week and rather down.  My fast was not to use the internet unless for a purpose I could not avoid.  I slipped once accidently but straightaway realised and shut down the web page.  I missed chatting with friends because I didn’t go out anywhere last week – couldn’t get to my classes and cancelled everything.  So at home I missed Facebook!  Having gone on there briefly this morning I wondered what the fuss had all been about – I hadn’t really missed anything!

These last two fasts – music and internet – made me realise what happens when we take away those props in life, how much we rely on them and how weird life is without them!  If I’d been out and about as I usually am I probably wouldn’t have missed them so much but because I was ill I fell back on the TV and reading more.  None of this made me feel any closer to God only grateful that he gave us intelligence to cultivate these things.  I do think that we should have computer free days, after all I don’t miss it when I’m on holiday, but I am fully aware how being online can become an obsession and use up hours that could be more usefully used in other areas.  It becomes very anti-social (a bit like those stuck to their mobiles 24/7).  We do need to stand back from these ‘props’ once in a while and realise how these things affect us and others around us.  Everything in moderation is a true saying.

Having survived three weeks of different fasts I have decided to skip the last one as I can’t think of anything else right now.  Instead I am going on to the next Chapter of the book which is all about different ways of studying the Bible.  The first week is Meditating or Lectio Divina.  I have come across this before and tried it, so this will be my second go.  I will tell you how I got next week.

God Hunting – Fasting (2)

What a strange week.  Things started well with my music-fast but on the third day after resisting the radio while I was cleaning the kitchen I fell into something completely by accident.  I found out about a new series on TV that interested me but I’d missed the first two episodes so I went on to iPlayer to pick up the first one.  It wasn’t until I’d started watching that I realised that I shouldn’t be.  The name of this programme?  The Story of Music!  I laughed out loud at the irony of it.  I considered whether I should carry on or stop.  I’m afraid I adopted the the words of Magnus Magnusson  ‘I’ve started so I’ll finish.’  It was such a good programme and I can’t wait to watch the next one. It was so nice to hear snippets of music!  

Since then I have really good and this is my last day and I am counting the hours!  I’ve been ill since Friday, spending a couple of days in bed.  I could have done with some music to cheer me up and the prospect of an internet free week is now looking really daunting.  As for music, it really is my mood maker and changer.  Life without music is a dead space.  I’ve always been grateful to God for music and the part it plays (no pun intended) in my life.  He has given me a wonderful gift and a little talent.  Being without it has made me appreciate it even more.

God Hunting – Fasting (1)

My first week of fast I felt was a cop-out really.  Because I love reading so much, just sticking to non-fiction isn’t that much of hardship and even though I have finished the week I still haven’t got time to read fiction as I still have the book I’m currently reading to finish.  I have renewed it at the library and have around 200 pages left to go, but it’s a large hardback and can’t be read at the speed I read fiction!  I am missing fiction and am looking forward to the day I can get into a story again.

Last week I was pondering on what to have as my other three fasts.  The first one I have chosen is music – or rather not to listen to any music for a week.  I am not counting singing at church (which I feel IS allowed) and my choir practice tomorrow which I have to be at because we have a signing engagement in a hospital the following week.

Already I am missing music.  It is such a part of my life and this morning when I did a huge batch of ironing I really missed having the radio on.  I found myself singing in my head!  I have this old Beach Boys number from Pet Sounds going around inside (I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times).  I tried to stop but I do it without even noticing!  This will be a tough one!

My second fast will be internet related.  This will mean  no blogging, no Facebook, no YouTube and only opening and sending essential emails (to do with my church).  I may have to use some internet if I’m asked to look things up for homework for the courses I’m taking but I will avoid anything else.  It will be extremely tempting to open other emails!

I haven’t made a decision on my final fast yet.  Anyway, unless I can get to blog on Monday next week you will have to wait another week to hear from me.  I’m sure you are all gutted!

I have sorted out a book for Lent.  I ordered (and it came today) a book  entitled Transformed by the presence of Jesus by Liz Babbs published by CWR’s Cover to Cover series.  You can also order it from Liz’ own website.  There is an accompanying CD which I have also bought to enrich the experience.  Liz writes Celtic poetry and I have heard her speak so when I knew she was writing a Lent book my choice for this year was made up.