Christian Meditation for "Normal" People

This blog contains a piece of my journey with Christ and I am humbled that you have taken the time to read it.  My posts on this topic have received more hits than any other.  I did not grow up Catholic or Orthodox and have been studying Christian Meditation for about 10 years.  This is an ongoing project fueled by my need and not my expertise.  Discovering how Meditating in Christ meets my ordinary living is important to me and I hope you will be encouraged by  these thoughts.

still around from Cafe Press

In the 70's there was a t-shirt that simply said, "YBNORMAL". I am not a religious weirdo but rather plain, even boring to many.   However, I find great adventure all around.  I see God at work at the fishing hole, at a funeral, in a distracted children's sermon and other places.  I don't want anything to do with the pretense, anxious and often destructive things that other call "normal".

God is at work where you normally are.  Christian Meditation is about Christ and not the place or the technique.   This works in the cab of your truck as well and the prayer garden.  Meditation is a means to know God and not an end of its own.  You may have to be creative but living a God centered life will change your life.

Meditation/Centering/Contemplation, whatever you wish to call it is that process of connecting with God in such a way that you see, truly see.  It is a tool, given by God and usually ignored.  Most are satisfied with the "whatever" life.  Why?

Dali pondering  St. John of the Cross

The short answer is rather judgmental, love me anyway.  Most settle the reality TV view of life out of pure spiritual laziness.  It takes time and a modest amount of discipline to live a spiritual life.  You can't hire the preacher to do it for you and television, no matter how religious the program, is not a substitute.

I have Three posts on this blog you can look at.  "Cheap Meditation" in May plus two articles in April; One on Centering Prayer and a review of Pennington's book "Centering Prayer".  A lot of my thoughts center around this book.  They talk of the "how-to"parts of meditating and reading them first will probably help this post make more sense.

Here are some things I do to apply what I have learned.  No one has to know you do these things!  You can be abnormal in your meditations and be a better witness in your "visible" life.

"OWN" a Psalm-study through God's own devotional book and find that psalm that resonates with you and memorize it.  Find that one word or phrase that helps "center" your prayer.  Mine is from Psalm 52, "I trust in the steadfast love of God."  Again, look to Basil Pennington for more instruction.

Love is spelled T-I-M-E - The fruit of loving God is watching your anxiety redeemed into peace.  Fretting, grieving, guilt, and anything else can be healed by God.  Spending time with God in a focused way will change your world.  Start with 20 minutes and grow.  Guess what happens when I don't take the time?

Go to Church and Worship-I have heard every excuse and I have made every excuse.  I ignored God for a long time and had to grow up again.  Regardless of how many of them are hypocrites, there is nothing like singing, listening, reading scripture, learning, putting money in a plate and sitting together with all of the other "beggars looking for bread".  No matter how trouble free the rest of them look, they need grace as badly as you.  Thus endeth the rant.

Give God one Minute at the Top of each hour- It is almost 8:00 am.  I will give God one minute at 8:00 as an humble offering.  It is guaranteed that my hour will have more purpose and peace for doing so.  Give all you can!  Start with one minute.

Give God the time you normally "waste".  In the time it takes to play "angry birds" in the line at bank or on hold with someone, you could have a time of centering.  This creates a time for settling and peace in a place that might create anxiety instead.

Change your radio station in the car or TV station at home- Better yet, turn them off.  Notice the ringing in your ears and the thoughts that rob you of clarity.  God is in the quiet.  I don't do this very well and am working on it.

Central Texas

Manufacture a time and place for solitude- Not just alone but alone with God.  I have an office, beautiful rural Texas and a prayer garden that train my body to listen for God.  You may not have that luxury.  A single mom I know prays on the commode very late at night.    This is how she copes and the only time and place she can be alone.  A pastor friend has a sacred recliner.  Others go to particular retreat centers.

Use Icons- An Icon is an image that draws you into a closer prayer connection with God.  The classic Russian and Greek ones are fine but are NOT the only Icons.  If everything reminds you of God then everything is an Icon.  I use a prayer list, pictures of my family, a nail in my pocket, crosses on my wall, a Bible, a palm cross, and places in nature to help me settle down and pray.  All are outward and visible signs of the Holy Spirits inward and invisible Grace.

Write-This blog, my journal, sermons and etc. are spiritual insides trying to get out and do something.  A cheap notebook can be a source of deep insights.  I pack mine with ticket stubs, leaves, and other reminders of where I have been.  Leave them behind to encourage someone else or destroy them.  The act of writing is powerful.  Draw in it-add colored pencils, add photos, write songs or poems.  It is between you and God.  Let it pour out of you.

Read-I travel with a small Bible, small journal and a paperback, generally a ratty used one, of one of my essential books.  I try to be discrete about it and spend this time while everyone is asleep.  They are always in my bag and make down time sacred time.  There are plent of book out there that aren't on my list.  I read a "Christian Fiction" detective novel last month (see the review for "Corruptible").  It was engaging and had a message. If "Left Behind, Osteen or Lucado tunes you in, read on!.  However, stretch into a really serious book now and then too, especially the Bible.

Smart Phone-Last year I got a Blackberry.  This is a luxury for me and many don't have access to this.  There is a lot of stuff out their in apps, books, music, email and etc. that can be at your fingertips.  We must be discerning because much of it is trash.  Still, it is out there.  Again,  the Google app alone gives you access to some books and many good sites.

No, I don't have an e-reader.  I will eventually grow up and buy one but real books make me feel smarter, or something. I am saving for one but will hold out as long as there is a Half-Price Bookstore and Multnomah will send print copies.   Load yours up with good stuff and don't forget to sign up for downloads with your public library.  Don't be a big shot, support your Library, send cookies to the staff now and then and join their Friends of the Library too.  It is a good investment.

What have you Discovered that I have missed?  I would especially like to hear from some of my international readers.  Your perspective will better inform mine.

Blessing to you this day.  Jesus Christ is alive and walking with us.  I pray for a "Normal" life, free from anxiety, filled with purpose, and excited by ministry.  This is God's gift in Christ Jesus for you.  Meditating on His story and in his name awakens the soul to this brighter more peace filled world.  In Christ you are connected to eternity.