in the light of the cross sept 2012
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7/31/2019 In the Light of the Cross Sept 2012
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Joshua 1:8
This book of the law
shall not depart from
your mouth, but you
shall meditate on it day
and night, so that you
may be careful to do
according to all that is
written in it; for then
you will make your way
prosperous, and thenyou will have success.
Wow! The summer is over and we are stepping into the beautiful fall season; the
season of harvest, as some people like to call it. In June, I wrote about cultivating
genuine intimacy with the Ho-
ly Spirit by putting aside quiet time for this spiritual
discipline. Have you tried it? Isnt it awesome? In
this newsletter, I would like to direct our attention to
another important spiritual disciplineSpiritual
Christian Meditation. Meditation should be an
important holy habit for Christs disciples. God told
Joshua that if he desires success he must meditateday and night on His precepts. Can we expect any-
thing different? I dont think so. Lets take a look at this discipline and set our minds
to start practicing it in our walk as disciples of Jesus.
(i) Christian (Biblical) Meditation:
One definition states that, Christian meditation is meditation in a Christian
context. I like Adele Ahlberg Calhouns definition, Meditation is a long, ardent
gaze at God, His work and His Word (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, p.172).
We dont have the space here to go in depth about meditation. For those of you
who are interested in learning more about this discipline, please refer to Richard
Foster classic bookCelebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth,
and Spiritual Disciplines Handbook:Practices That TransformbyAdele Ahl-
berg Calhoun. In terms of definition, I would like to provide you with a simple one tomake sure that no one confuses Christian mediation with Transcendental Medita-
tion or other New Age practices.
We, as disciples of Christ, are familiar with reading and studying the Bible,
which are terrific spiritual disciplines. Bible reading is a matter of gleaning wisdom
from the Word of God, in contrast, Bible meditation opens up communication and
oneness between us and God. Through Christian meditation we are actively contem-
plating, examining and striving
to understand the concepts of
the Bible, and our minds are
being transformed by divine
understanding. Paul puts it this way:And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, so that you may prove what
the will of God is, that which is good and
acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun nails it when she
wrote, Slowing down and giving ones
undivided attention to God lies at the
core of Christian meditation. If we de-
Psalm 4:4
Tremble, and do not
sin; Meditate in your
heart upon your bed,
and be still. Selah.
46993 Manhattan Cir., NOVI, MI 48374, USA, WWW.URFM.ORG, valy@urfm.org, (734) 972-5717
Volume 13, Episode IX September 2012
Lets PRAY:
For all the stu-
dents/disciples cur-
rently enrolled in
theADT offered by
URFM.
For the NEWseed of Spiritual
Formation to find
good soil and to
grow exponential-
ly.
For NEWprovi-
sions to continue
the Great Com-
mission God
called us to do. For the NEW
students ready to
enroll in ADT.Amen!
I will meditate on Your precepts And regard
Your ways Psalm 119:15
Meditation is a long, ardent ga
at God, His work and His Word.
- Adele Ahlberg Calho
Spiritual ChristianMeditation
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7/31/2019 In the Light of the Cross Sept 2012
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