The Daily Still Podcast - Guided Christian Meditations and Devotions

Today we complete our Journey through Lent with a focus on Patience. We consider the question: What tests my patience? Prayer reference: "Patient Trust" By Teilhard de Chardin Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton with podcast production by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue our Journey through Lent with a focus on Forgiveness and making space for confession. Scripture Reference: John 8:36 Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton with podcast production by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue our Journey through Lent with a focus on Surrender. We consider the question: What stands between me and surrender? References: Matthew 16:24 and The Wesleyan Prayer of Surrender Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton with podcast production by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue our Journey through Lent with a focus on Service. We consider the questions: Who do I find difficult to love or serve? What is one way I can overcome indifference by serving someone today? Scripture references: 1 Peter 4:10 and Matthew 25:35-40 Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton with podcast production by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue our 6 episode Journey through Lent with a focus on Lament and Psalm 42. We consider the question: Where is my heart discouraged? Daily Still Meditations are written and hosted by Cindy L. Helton with podcast production by SoundGood Media.

An invitation of Returning - A Journey through Lent During this season of Lent, you’re invited to join The Daily Still Podcast each Monday for a Journey of Returning to God through meditation and personal reflection. We will offer six meditations that correspond with the six weeks of Lent. A great place to start this journey, is to ask yourself: Where do I feel distant from God? What practices will deepen the love of God in me? Scripture Reference: “‘And yet even now,’ says the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart.”’ - Joel 2:12-13 NLT Meditations written and hosted by Cindy Helton, Spiritual Director Podcast Production by SoundGood Media Thank you for listening to The Daily Still Podcast. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a moment to follow, subscribe and rate our show. Your reviews help others find us and are an encouragement to our team.

Today, as we complete Season 7 of The Daily Still Podcast, we offer you space to ponder and rediscover Christ’s presence in your life as we reflect upon our continuing journey of faith. In Luke 24 we read the story of two disciples walking along the road together discussing Jesus’ death and questioning what they believed. Then a divine encounter occurs. Jesus appears and begins walking with them, but they don’t know who he is. In this story, we are reminded that Jesus walks with us in our doubts too. If Jesus was to join you on the road, what questions would you have for Him? We invite you to find a quiet place, as you imagine walking down the street with Jesus, discussing your faith and questions. "Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he walked with us on the road?" Luke 24:32 NLT "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life." Isaiah 55:3 NLT May you walk through each day with your eyes and ears wide open to Divine encounters on your journey.

In the Church calendar, the time from the Monday after Pentecost until the first Sunday of Advent is called ordinary time. We can look at this season as a time of living out our faith in the ordinary or routine moments of life. Today we look at a familiar story in Mark 16 where three women are going to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. An angel greets them saying, “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth. He isn’t here. He is risen from the dead! Now go and tell his disciples… including Peter.” The special mention of “Peter” by name is so important. In the ordinary days that followed, perhaps the disciples doubted that Peter, or any of them, could still be called disciples after denying and doubting Jesus. In living out our faith in ordinary and routine days, we will face doubt. But there’s this beautiful invitation inviting us back into relationship with the One who pursues us on our pathway of faith.

This week we come together as a faith community to focus on “Pentecost and The Breath of God” with a favorite encore guest meditation by our friend, Olly Ryder, from Plymouth, England. Olly is an Anglican priest and church planter. Olly shares in his meditation that scripture tells us the breath or wind of God is a recurring picture of God’s Presence with us, through the Holy Spirit. In Genesis, God’s Spirit hovers over creation itself and God’s breath brings life into Adam. And the New Testament tells us God’s Spirit rests on Jesus throughout His life and ministry. The wind of God empowers the Church from the day of Pentecost. And it’s God’s breath that is available today to give life to you, and to me. We can be assured, when we invite God to fill us…He does. Where has the air in the room of your soul gone stale? Where do you need the fresh wind of God’s Spirit to refresh you? Breathe in Spiritual Air with each physical breath you take. Let the wind of God reach the hidden places of your heart. God’s Breath is available every moment of every day to put fresh wind in the sails of our souls. Prayer: Breath of God, Holy Spirit, come breathe on us we pray. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

This meditation focuses on practicing unrushed rhythms. Slowing down the pace of life, as well as the information we take in, promotes a quiet soul. Studies show, calm, quiet moments are a trigger to our brain — minimizing the body’s physical response to stress, lowering blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones. This produces better concentration and overall emotional health. Our souls need space to Breathe! Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us: "Life is a journey, not a destination." This is true of the spiritual life as well. So what will we discover on that journey? The answer may just be found in the pace of life that we keep. Scripture: Jeremiah 2:25 MSG Psalm 46:10 MSG

Creating intentional space to quiet our souls prepares an environment that is imperative for a healthy inner life, as well as our external lives. Stillness births transformation, a process that cannot be rushed. Change takes place slowly as we surrender to our Maker’s loving Grace. SCRIPTURES Psalm 131:2 ESV Psalm 46:10 CEV John 14:8 NIV Psalm 119:114,119 The MSG Acts 17:27-28 NIV Romans 8:26-28 MSG

This Daily Still meditation focuses on the nearness of God and the holy hush it ushers into our souls as we pay attention to the Divine all around us. We invite you to pause and breathe in deeply, as you quiet your soul in order to notice the Glory of God.

We are honored to offer a special encore guest meditation by writer and poet Cole Arthur Riley. Cole is the New York Times best selling author of “This Here Flesh - Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us.” In today’s podcast episode, Cole shares a meditative reading from the chapter of her book on Rest. We invite you to enter into a place of centering stillness, becoming aware of the Divine within. Feel the wind of the Spirit blowing, as you settle in and listen to this beautiful meditation by Cole Arthur Riley. And be sure to check out my in-depth conversation with Cole, as part of our Conversation on Stillness Series. (Episode dated May 12, 2022) Cole serves as the spiritual teacher in residence with Cornell University’s Office of Spirituality and Meaning Making. She is also the creator of Black Liturgies, a space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body; and a project of The Center for Dignity and Contemplation where she serves as Curator. For more on Cole and her work, visit www.colearthurriley.com @colearthurriley and @blackliturgies

Today’s meditation focuses on Psalm 145:5-6 and God as our Redeemer. The God of the Universe stepped down from glory and became human flesh in the person of Jesus - the “Redeemer and Savior” of the world. We are in the Easter season of the Church, known as “Eastertide.” As we participate in the seasons of the Church, we join with those who have gone before us in practicing sacred rhythms that are so important to our faith. These rhythms help to guide us in spiritual transformation. Each season of the Church brings to us a fresh perspective in seeking and knowing God. Psalm 145:5-6 "I remember the days of old. I meditate on all you have done. I ponder the work of your hands."

Today's meditation focuses on Psalm 96, Declaring the Glory of God, as we reflect upon the resurrection of Christ and make space for joy and celebration. We are in the Easter season of the Church called Eastertide, a period of 50 days of celebration that spans from Easter to Pentecost, proclaiming Christ’s victory over death. Christ is risen! Our Savior lives. And the Kingdom of Heaven is now! This is the Church’s great season of joy! Psalm 96 gives testimony that the whole world and everything in it responds to the power of God to turn death into life! The risen Christ is everywhere…in the renewal of spring and all of creation, and in us! As you meditate upon this Psalm, you are invited to be fully present, engaging all of your senses in worship of the Risen Savior. "With His last breath before death, Jesus says that the best place for His life is in the hands of God, Everything is only finished when everything is entrusted into God’s hands." -Ann Voskamp Scripture: Psalm 96 NLT, Psalm 134 NIV

“He is risen! He is risen indeed!” The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." - Matthew 28:5-6 On Easter Sunday, all sorrow of holy week is turned to joy and praise. Holy Week reveals contrasts: The crucifixion and the resurrection, death and life, sin and salvation, sorrow and hope. Pause for a few moments and breathe in this holy exchange…. Breath in salvation/Exhale sin Breathe in freedom/Exhale bondage Breathe in hope/Exhale sorrow Breathe in faith/Exhale doubt Breathe in LIFE --------------- Thank you for joining us on this Holy Week journey. We hope your spirit has been encouraged and filled with renewed hope. If you have enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe and rate us. And if you know someone who would benefit from listening, please share it with a friend.

"Wait on the mercy of your Lord Jesus Christ." - Jude 21 On this day, the Lord Jesus Christ lays in the tomb after his death on the cross. But God is always at work behind the scenes and beyond what we can see or imagine. And so we wait in hope of the glorious resurrection. What are you waiting for in your life and hoping to be true? "I wait quietly before God…for my victory comes from him." - Psalm 62:1 NLT If Jesus did not give up on us and abandon us before going to the cross, He will certainly not abandon us now. God will never leave you or forsake you, even in the silence. For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 - The Amplified Bible Faith looks up in hope to the God who keeps His promises. Be with us now Lord, in the waiting.

Today we look at the cross and remember the price Jesus paid, as He took our sin upon Himself. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV As Jesus continued his journey through passion week, His throne would be a cross, and his crown would be made of thorns. Jesus could have chosen to stop the journey before the cross, but He didn’t." God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." NLT Romans 5:8 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

The Last Supper, shared by Jesus and His disciples, is commemorated on this Holy Thursday. This meal was rich in symbolic meaning. We are all invited to come together as one family, to the table of our Lord. Matthew 26:26-30 (NIV) - "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" This night would end with Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he would ultimately be betrayed, arrested, and deserted by his disciples. You are invited to remain with Jesus in the garden of prayer where He prayed to the Father. “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” - Matthew 26:42

Matthew 26:6-13 NIV – (Jesus Anointed at Bethany) "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” This extravagant act symbolized Jesus was Christ, a title meaning “anointed one.” Anointing the head of Jesus was symbolic of anointing a King. God sees the desire and motives of our hearts. And every act of love, faith, sacrifice and obedience is recognized and remembered by our Creator. Also on this day, the Jewish leaders plot against Jesus, and Judas agrees to betray Him. "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." Matthew 26:14-16 Jesus was betrayed by a friend in his inner circle. We have all felt the sting of betrayal. And we have all stumbled, wandered and betrayed our Lord in one way or another. In this space, allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart…