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Kathy Young's avatar

I love how you described the distinction between worldly meditation and Biblical, Christ-centered meditation—one is an emptying and the other is a filling up! Psalm 1 is one of my favorites and I’ve officially been inspired to get a Brick and download the Brick app so I, too, don’t get distracted by Substack, as much as I love it and the people here 🙈

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Kiran Blackwell's avatar

The definition of "meditation" that's stuck with me is "concentration upon God or one of His attributes" (i.e. Peace, Love, Joy, Wisdom, Light, Power, Calmness, and Sound [the Word]). Yes, in order to concentrate one needs to quiet the mind's noise, but to simply quiet and/or empty the mind is only the first step before filling it with something greater than oneself.

I've also heard meditation defined as "holding oneself completely open to reality," which again is not a blank, empty state of any kind but essentially holding one open to the only true reality there is, which is God.

This is the kind of meditation--devotional meditation--that I've practiced for nearly 30 years now.

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Devon Comp's avatar

I love your inclusion of both your personal theological reflections and inclusion of pictures. Absolutely powerful stuff, Susan.

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

Thanks, Devon.

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Chuck Phillips's avatar

I , too really have been moved by Psalm 1…it was the first Bible passage I ever memorized! We find our delight in the Word, by meditating on it, getting it inside of our hearts!

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

Yes. That’s a great one to memorize. I know a song with most of the words from that Psalm so that’s helped me remember the words.

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Penny's avatar

I think of pondering. I love to ponder on scripture especially in the morning and evening before bed. I wholly desire to be transformed by His Word by the renewing of my mind. I love that we are sanctified by His Word. His word delights my heart and makes me excited to read and learn more. When I read your posts, and comments on your posts, it delights me that so many others are also delighted by Him and His Word. He is delightful and amazing. The world has nothing to offer but His word is everything. He is everything. I hate when I wander away from Him to double check but I wander away less and less.

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

I agree, Penny. It’s powerful how His Word can sanctify and transform us. Nothing else carries this kind of power to change us for the better. I loved this comment, thank you.

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Yes and amen, Susan. Let's keep on choosing to fill our minds and souls with all who He is, the rich beauties Scripture, all that's good and lovely, excellent and praiseworthy. Thanks for that nudge to do so this morning.

Weekend blessings to you.

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

Yes, I agree. May you have a blessed weekend enjoying His Presence and His Word, Linda.

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