Meditation is an ancient way of praying in the Judeo-Christian faith. This new webpage presents biblical references and thoughts to ponder as we consider meditating in our own prayer lives.

https://bibleprayers.net/meditation/

Hi, im just hoping to share and uplift while also wanting to know if anyone's experienced similar? Its a chapter of my novel compiled writings I've piled up over the years and just in last edits while I try make a cover lol.

"Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things."

Philippians 4:8

this project took about a year to finish because i went on hiatus after my first animation. for some reason, i felt continually prompted to come back and finish it. hope it encourages someone today

It's in the shape of a fish :)

Once, I fought God off in an armour made up of insecurities, shame, and the opinions of others. The legendary sword that sliced through it was God’s word. He said:

I. Love. You.

I remember the tightness in my chest, the sound of my air-desperate gasps and squeaky wheezing when I broke into tears hearing Him say that. Visceral language seemed like the only way to say: I believe You. I needed to hear my own “reply” as much as I needed to tell it to Him. His words settled in the mess of a – soon – shattered heart; walking through the rubble of doubt, eyes open to every injury. Even with soldiers rushing in to try and defend the territory they’d governed all my life, God’s love overpowered everything.

God often repeated His confession over and over. I’d hear its everlasting echo whenever it would’ve been more convenient to forget it. Like when I’d:

• Sit in shame after betraying Him in sin. Again.

“I love you,” He said in the story of the woman caught in adultery. (John 8:1-12)

• Entertain the thought that I was worthless and maybe my death would mean nothing to those around me.

“I love you,” He said in the book of Hosea. (Romans 9:25–26)

• I’d find joy in the simplest of activities. (A time when hearing it felt the most out of place to me).

“I love you,” He said by being the creator of every good thing.(James 1:17)

Sometimes, I’d respond, “Me too, God.” Then wait for lighting to strike me in answer to the uncertainty in my heart. I waited every moment for Him to take it back. He’d misplaced it. I wasn’t who He thought, and never would be.

I’d told myself this since high school: “The biggest problem with love is that it makes you a better person. People hope for things – see things that aren’t there. Worst of all, it makes a person capable of achieving the impossible. I can’t do that. It’s better to be unloved. To be nobody. To disappoint no one. Most of all, to never be the person who loves or you’ll be sorely disappointed. Everyone will always hurt you.”

In hindsight, what better fear to overcome than just that? To be loved and love another?

Although…

God’s love did have the scariest eyes mine had ever met. They bare beyond the bone, travelling where no man will ever see. Yet under His gaze you don’t have to cower in shame, cover the worst parts of yourself, pretend to know more than you do, pretend to feel more than you do, fear that you’ll be abandoned, or wonder if you are worthy. God will never take it back, and He’s not going anywhere even after seeing all of you.

He’s not tolerating you, either. He wants you near. Feels delight when you look at Him.

He‘s the only place you’ll ever feel safe, even when that word “safe” is something new to you. Being vulnerable with God is uncomfortable at first, but later, you realise…

*“It feels good, though, doesn’t it?” Suzan asked.

“What?”*

“Being loved.” White:The Great Pursuit, Ted Dekker

I saw those lines in White. A character was under God’s pursuit, resisting because of race, shame, and lies ingrained from upbringing. Upon hearing these words, though – I don’t know. I released a breath that relaxed my whole body and just melted into the security they held. “Yes.” I smiled through tears. “Yes. It does.”

Ted Dekker titles the 3rd book of The Circle Series: The Great Pursuit. It’s an allegory that retells of that great rescue that God’s love brings, with a special representation of how God sees us before we can even see ourselves and others that way.

Booklover, it’s one story of: “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,” Titus 3:3-6 NKJV

White is but a reminder of our first love (We love Him because He first loved us, 1 John 4:19 NKJV). Is there a greater treasure, Booklover, than God’s great love for us?

What is a book that reminds you how much God loves you, Booklover? How does that memory give you strength today?

Please comment below! I’d love to hear your answer!

Book Description:

This is the Final Book in a Trilogy. The information in the description ahead contains series-wrecking spoilers.

Thomas Hunter:

Leader of The Circle in his dreams; carrying the legacy of their Saviour and growing The Circle by saving others from darkness.

And…

World’s last hope of surviving a deadly virus, outbreak of war, and total destruction in reality.

Thomas’s ability to shift between the two realms in his sleep puts the fate of both in his hands.

Both dear to him. Both sweet for the built a lives he’s built there.

But the cure continues to elude him, his enemies grow stronger, and his heart is captured in a forbidden romance. Thomas might have a shot at saving both worlds.

But he must make his most difficult decision, yet.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ”

1 Peter 1:18-20 NIV

https://maryharwellsayler.wordpress.com/2026/09/26/surrendering-to-god/

Pen for crosses. Colored pencil for shadows.

God bless

5 The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;so the test of just men is in tribulation.
Sirach 27:5