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Meditation - 7/30/2008 10:46:02 PM
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Mosesman
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Joined: 7/28/2008
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This my be a silly question. But, how do you meditate to hear God or feel his presence? I just don't get it. I've tried and tried, but I just don't feel any closer.
Any help? Word of advice?
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"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
~Galatians 5:13~
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RE: Meditation - 7/30/2008 11:07:21 PM
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my quivers full
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I see meditate as to think on something, to dwell on it. I don't see meditation as a subjective spiritual experience.
When I read Gods word, I take time to think about what I'm reading. Something will often times stand out to me, and as it happens often enough I will recognize that God is wanting me to know something. An example was when I was first baptised. I didn't go to church, I just went for coffee with some christian friends of mine on a regular basis. As I read God's word, the word baptise kept sticking out to me. We had never discussed this word and I wasn't sure what it was or why I kept seeing it everywhere I read. So I asked them about it and they explained it to me and I was baptised that night.
Keep in rememberance that God is Omnipresent, which means He's everywhere at the same time. He's always with you. Sometimes you are more aware of it than other times, but His being with you never changes. As you seek Him with your heart and desire to know Him, He will make Himself known to you. You will sense Him leading you as a shepherd guides His sheep.
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No trees were hurt in the making of this post, but a few electrons were terribly inconvienenced :)
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RE: Meditation - 7/30/2008 11:53:02 PM
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OneJohn410
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mosesman
This my be a silly question. But, how do you meditate to hear God or feel his presence? I just don't get it. I've tried and tried, but I just don't feel any closer.
Any help? Word of advice?
I think My Quivers Full said it lengthier than I could have, but I'm in agreement with that post. I've never sat down and thought to myself, self, you are going to just sit here in this uncomfortable position- just so- and then you will hear God, or then I will feel God's presence. Okay, God, this is hurting... see how well I'm doing this, God? Go ahead and do what You are supposed to do now. Look how I'm gritting my teeth because it hurts so much sitting like this.
I don't have any help for you to experience something as I'm guessing you are trying. My advice is two thoughts. 1) The way you are meditating, are you putting God in a box, or saying I'll do this and then You do that, God? When I do that, I get the same thing you do, yet sometimes when I pray for a time and place in which to meditate and commune with God, in which I ask God to let me know when and where and I'll stop and be totally available- that's when some of my best quiet times have happened. 2) Do you have an agenda of what is going to be covered during the time you share? It's easy to pray up questions seeking answers, and to expect a lot for your invested time. Scrap all that, and just be ready to listen and to share from your heart should you feel like you are having a truly quiet time with God.
It's not about having no expectations whatsoever, it's about letting God be God and Mosesman be Mosesman. I would add I've never heard a brother or sister say, "Well, I've had 17 such experiences myself." Typically they are experiences that blow me away and leave me in awe how great God is, and there's no need to boast about having them.
OneJohn410
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The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7
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RE: Meditation - 7/31/2008 8:43:24 AM
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Mosesman
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I'm sorry to have bothered you guys, but God has showed me I am allready meditating. I know thi is kinda weird, but bare with me. well, I have found that I medetate (unknowingly) in the shower every day. It is easiest for me to relax and cast away any thought that is most troubleing me. Actualy, that is where I discovered this. That is where I feel closest to God. Like I said, it's kinda weird. But it is what works for me.
Thanky for your help,
mm
_____________________________
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
~Galatians 5:13~
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RE: Meditation - 7/31/2008 8:50:04 AM
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revbob4God
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Meditation, maybe not easy at first. Try this. Think of how deeply you go into thought when you pray.
Find a quiet place. I sometimes go into my garage unless the men from the church are in there working on repairing electrical appliances, cars or what have you. Sometimes I have to go to the woods. Have a small list or a single idea you have to meditate on. Before you begin to go into a deeper thought pattern, Pray. Ask God to help you clear your mind and give you the strength to look for the personal answers you need.
It works for me.
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For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I the Lord; and none else.
Isaiah 45:18
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RE: Meditation - 7/31/2008 1:58:51 PM
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Mosesman
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Thanks, i'll try that.
_____________________________
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
~Galatians 5:13~
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RE: Meditation - 8/1/2008 1:53:17 AM
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Leadership
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MOSESMAN: I hope that this will help you out, (what is the meaning of meditation and how it is done)
In Josh. 1:8 after the death of Moses, as the leader of God's people was transferred to Joshua, who responsibility it was to conquer and possess the land of Canaan promised to Israel by God. (we also have our own land to conquer and possess in life) the LORD spoke these words to His servent: " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy MOUTH, but thou shalt MEDITATE thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written: for then shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Josh 1:8)
Joshua was instructed to meditate day and night on God's Word, meditation has something to do with one's mouth, not just the mind. The words are not to depart from Joshua's mouth. This implies a reading aloud the Scriptures, a verbal and vocal interaction with God in His Word, a mixing the Word of God with a spirit of faith (compare Heb. 4:2 with 2 Cor. 4:13) a mixing of reading and prayer (Eph. 6:17-18) even a singing of the Scriptures (Eph. 5:19). Also the Word of God is like a seed (Luke 8:11) You must plant the seed (The Word of God) deep in your heart by meditating and praying the Word of God. Scripture tells you how to do this in (Mark 4:26-27).
Pray God's promises, meditate on God's Word (say over, and over and over until it drops down into your spiritman, your heart.) The more attention you give to God's Word (Seed) His promises, the greater the harvest will be in your life. Joshus 1:8 Promises " then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." And by doing this as stated in Ephesians 1:15-23 He WILL open the eyes of your understanding and your spiritman will behold the wonders of His Word.
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RE: Meditation - 8/1/2008 11:31:26 PM
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PaleHawkWoman
Posts: 476
Joined: 7/14/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mosesman
I'm sorry to have bothered you guys, but God has showed me I am allready meditating. I know thi is kinda weird, but bare with me. well, I have found that I medetate (unknowingly) in the shower every day. It is easiest for me to relax and cast away any thought that is most troubleing me. Actualy, that is where I discovered this. That is where I feel closest to God. Like I said, it's kinda weird. But it is what works for me.
Thanky for your help,
mm
One of the daily Cherokee rituals is "going to water". Before daybreak, my people would go to the river or deep part of the creek, wade out in the water, dipping down up to the neck 6 times and then totally immersing the 7th time. While cleansing the body, we were also cleansing our minds so as to greet the new life that came with each day clean inside and out. Those of us who follow traditions still do this, but many of us have to do so in the privacy of our showers nowadays.
Meditation can take place anywhere. I can watch the sunrise or sunset, not thinking a thing, and be in communion with God. I can close my eyes and feel the cool breeze while I'm out in the fields working, and be in communion with God. I can be pondering some part of His creation and come to understand some part of Scripture or other lesson He has been leading me to. Any time I give thought to or connect with the Almighty, that is meditation. Prayer can be meditation. Singing a hymn or prayer song can be meditation. Reading the Bible can be meditation. Watching your kids play can be meditation.
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RE: Meditation - 8/2/2008 3:59:49 AM
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jmjphe
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Have you ever worked so hard for so long (Physically) that you could barely do anything else? Than you fall flat on a couch or bed and sleep within seconds and sleep well? Take that and apply it to your mind. Meditation is being in a state when your mind is quiet, like when you are around an air conditioner and you get used to it running, you forget its on. Once it turns off its a huge relief.
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RE: Meditation - 8/2/2008 11:23:39 AM
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atruefaith
Posts: 289
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quote:
This my be a silly question. But, how do you meditate to hear God or feel his presence? I just don't get it. I've tried and tried, but I just don't feel any closer.
Like many here, I meditate on his Word, which ironically tells us to meditate on the Word:
"Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."
"My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word." - Ps. 119:97,148
I understand your shower experience, but you need to expand it. Get into the Word and humbly trust that God will reveal his truth to you more and more.
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A blog about authentic faith...
www.atruefaith.com
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RE: Meditation - 8/2/2008 11:45:08 AM
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makarizo
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I get up early and watch the sunrise (not exclusively my mode of meditation) listen to the sounds of nature, pray, and meditate on God's word.
it is a sacred moment for me.
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RE: Meditation - 8/2/2008 12:12:01 PM
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colliefan
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From: Raleigh, NC
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Meditation isn't so much about a position of the body or a physical location is in focusing in one God through one's heart and mind to be able to let the Word of God speak to one's soul.
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RE: Meditation - 8/2/2008 1:05:52 PM
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Liveloved
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Meditation on God's word is wonderful. Lectio divina is one of the practices of such meditation. It is definitely something that Lord desires we do and I have grown mightily in my relationship with Him through this practice.
But there is also a meditation on God Himself where the words are suspended/released and that too is needful. Those of us who are 'word' people can get so caught up in the words, the meanings, the subtle nuances, etc, etc, etc, and then our own understandings or misunderstandings can take over and replace or confuse what the Lord is trying to impart to us. I don't know if I am expressing this very well. . . but I am trying. We are so culturally biased. We have ways of thinking, and boxes that we are trained to fit everything neatly into. I see it in others here on the forum. And I see it in myself. And it is one of the barriers that can keep God out and keep us from hearing Him.
He tells us to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Much of our thoughtlife, even regarding spiritual things, is conformed to this world. We need to allow the wonderworking Master of the Universe to rewire our brains so that we think differently, think as He thinks. And this means we have to give up our thoughts, our ways of putting two and two together and instead allow Him to renew, recreate our thoughtlife so that it is conformed to His.
That is His desire for me, to conform me, and especially my mind/thoughts/heart to His. And that is what I desire as well.  LL
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RE: Meditation - 8/2/2008 2:33:36 PM
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colliefan
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From: Raleigh, NC
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there is a related thread in Church Doctrine so one of the mods may wish to merge the two.
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