Who else reads scripture like this?

That's one of the methods taught to be by monks. They can go back to the same scripture day after day, or read for several chapters, even verses, before going into contemplation.

Perfectly reasonable. The Bible is lacking in descriptive adjectives and real vivid language. It leaves out the finer details and reports the narrative. It's easy for most of us to speculate and imagine as we read....

Mike to Michael said:

When I'm reading the Bible, I slowly read 1 verse at a time. I stop after said verse. I close my eyes or get lost in thought really thinking about the verse, imagining what's being said or taking place down to the finest detail.

Like, for example, Genesis 1: I might take a few minutes and see, in my head, God creating everything. Creating a story out of the verse.

Maybe I'm a weirdo.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it's just a more meditative way to read Scripture.

Hello All,

I feel, if you want to take the Voice of God to the next level, you have to compare two verses, from different Books of the Bible, which resemble each other. Use the study helps in the bible or bible search software to find such verses. Learning the language of God is like deciphering hieroglyphics. God repeats Himself in the bible; Use this to develop a deeper understanding of God's language, and take Bible reading to the next level.

Here is an example. Jesus is seated at the Father's 'right hand'. Do a Bible search on 'right hand' and all of a sudden Jesus is popping up all over Old Testament. Then read those Old Testament verses talking about Jesus, and contemplate them, and all of a sudden they take on a whole new enlightened meaning. You have just taken the next step into hearing our Lords voice in a deeper way.

Wow! King David proclaims his eternal salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Right Hand of God! That is interesting. Many thought only Christians proclaim their salvation through Jesus.

NAB MAT 26:64

Jesus answered: "It is you who say it. But I tell you this: Soon you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

NAB PSA 80:18

May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.


NAB PSA 118:15

The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just: "The right hand of the LORD has struck with power: The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD has struck with power." I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Though the LORD has indeed chastised me, yet he has not delivered me to death.

Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This gate is the LORD's; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity!

NAB PSA 98:1

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

NAB WIS 5:15

But the just live forever, and in the LORD is their recompense, and the thought of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive the splendid crown, the beauteous diadem, from the hand of the LORD - For he shall shelter them with his right hand, and protect them with his arm.

NAB PSA 77:16

With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

NAB2 PSA 45:4

Gird your sword upon your hip, mighty warrior! In splendor and majesty ride on triumphant! In the cause of truth and justice may your right hand show you wondrous deeds.

NAB2 PSA 138:7

Though I walk in the midst of dangers, you guard my life when my enemies rage. You stretch out your hand; your right hand saves me. The LORD is with me to the end. LORD, your love endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands!

NAB ISA 41:8

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, offspring of Abraham my friend - You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and summoned from its far-off places, You whom I have called my servant, whom I have chosen and will not cast off - Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.

NAB2 PSA 108:6

Appear on high over the heavens, God; may your glory appear above all the earth. Help with your right hand and answer us that your loved ones may escape.

NAB PSA 21:9

(Jesus destroys Satan at Armageddon.)
May your hand reach all your enemies, may your right hand reach your foes! Make them burn as though in a fiery furnace, when you appear. May the LORD consume them in his anger; let fire devour them.

NAB PSA 48:11

As your name, O God, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Of justice your right hand is full; let Mount Zion be glad, Let the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments. (PSA 78:54)

Steven

The technique that is being discussed there is not the same as the one you have described.

What Mike has described is simply reading a short passage and then stopping and allowing that passage to 'speak ' to him and resting with it to allow this to take place .

What you have described is a theological analysis - not the same things at all

I tend to ignore cut-n-pastes, but what you're describing in the OP sounds like Lectio Divina.

Yes that does sound like Lectio Divina. A beautiful way to read and contemplate scripture.

Mike to Michael said:

When I'm reading the Bible, I slowly read 1 verse at a time. I stop after said verse. I close my eyes or get lost in thought really thinking about the verse, imagining what's being said or taking place down to the finest detail.

Like, for example, Genesis 1: I might take a few minutes and see, in my head, God creating everything. Creating a story out of the verse.

Maybe I'm a weirdo.

Click to expand...

You are no weirdo .

What you are doing is similar to what St Ignatius of Loyola advocated in his Spiritual Exercises .

It helps to contemplate the 'scene' - to really 'be there.'

I'm delighted to tell you about "Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer."

It's being used as a textbook for my son's prayer class, his first semester of pre-theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis.

It talks about four stages of prayer:
Stage 1: "Talking at God" (using "ready made" prayer)
Stage 2: "Talking to God" (using your own words and thoughts and feelings)
Stage 3: "Listening to God" (many techniques including the OP description)
Stage 4: "Being with God" (seeking solitude, contemplative)

I downloaded both the Kindle version and the Audible version (was $2.99 additional) and am now in chapter 8. I think it's an excellent book on all the forms of prayer, discursive and silent.

Alan

Edit:

Colin said:

You are no weirdo .

What you are doing is similar to what St Ignatius of Loyola advocated in his Spiritual Exercises .

Click to expand...

Yes, in fact I remember in the book mentioned above, the author commented that some of the things he was recommending was from St. Ignatius.

Alan

AlanFromWichita said:

I'm delighted to tell you about "Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer."

It's being used as a textbook for my son's prayer class, his first semester of pre-theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis.

It talks about four stages of prayer:
Stage 1: "Talking at God" (using "ready made" prayer)
Stage 2: "Talking to God" (using your own words and thoughts and feelings)
Stage 3: "Listening to God" (many techniques including the OP description)
Stage 4: "Being with God" (seeking solitude, contemplative)

I downloaded both the Kindle version and the Audible version (was $2.99 additional) and am now in chapter 8. I think it's an excellent book on all the forms of prayer, discursive and silent.

Alan

Edit:


Yes, in fact I remember in the book mentioned above, the author commented that some of the things he was recommending was from St. Ignatius.

Alan

Click to expand...

On your recommendation I have just ordered the Armchair Mystic:Easing into contemplative prayer .

It is written by a Jesuit , which is another good recommendation .

I think it's just the sort of book I need at the moment .

Colin said:

On your recommendation I have just ordered the Armchair Mystic:Easing into contemplative prayer .

It is written by a Jesuit , which is another good recommendation .

I think it's just the sort of book I need at the moment .

Click to expand...

If you think you need it, my guess is you'll really like it. I'm in chapter 12 now.

Also, the class was supposed to use The Fire Within, but the teacher changed it. Matt said the teacher is a Jesuit and that "I've never seen him -- not smiling."

Alan

Mike to Michael said:

When I'm reading the Bible, I slowly read 1 verse at a time. I stop after said verse. I close my eyes or get lost in thought really thinking about the verse, imagining what's being said or taking place down to the finest detail.

Like, for example, Genesis 1: I might take a few minutes and see, in my head, God creating everything. Creating a story out of the verse.

Maybe I'm a weirdo.

Click to expand...

Actully that is a great idea. I sometimes look up maps and words on the internet. One time I looked up what a grap vine looks like to help visual the scripture that describes Jesus as the vine and we as the branches.

Good idea !