The final step of Divine Reading (Lectio Divina) is to memorize the key verse of the chapter we’re studying. We hide it in our heart, recognizing that memorized Scripture was the exclusive means people throughout history have had to carry the Word with them.

As you allow the verse to take...

Every church, organization, and ministry is temporary.

Our lives are, like James says, just a vapor. Then we’re gone.

One of the greatest legacies we can leave is a wake of people who replace us, who can carry the baton we were handed.

In this episode we discuss how George views his...

As we apply the Scriptures, we need to be able to see the Gospel in the text (Evangelii).

Where is the pattern of redemption shown, the glory of grace extended, the promise of forgiveness established, and the merit of Jesus laid upon us?

And, there’s this, too…

Most of us are...

The One who can create mountains and stars and fish and birds and everything else with a word- or even heal the sick by saying so- can certainly “snap His fingers” and adjust reality…

But He often doesn’t.

Exodus 13:17-18… tells us that when the Children of Israel...

Once you’ve reflected on the chapter AND spent time praying through it, it is now time to respond to it.

(The Respond page of the Keystones includes Contemplatio, Evangelii, and Memoria.)

We begin those three with Contemplatio, that is, apply.

The truths of the Scripture need to be...

Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us that grace not only saves us but that it also orchestrates as series of incredible opportunities for us to walk towards, sacred spaces where the Lord promises to use us for our good and His glory.

In this talk we talk through some of the strangest moments in...

After reading and discovering what the passage says, we move to prayer…

In fact, we take time to stop to pray through the whole passage (Oratio).

We might begin in several places…

What is there to be thankful for here?

How does this prompt us to worship?

Are there matters we need to...

As we began recording talk three about his story, George told us that sitting and recalling the events of his life was good.

“It’s helped me see all of these Ebenezers in my life,” he said, “those markers where you can look back and see that the Lord really HAS brought...

After reading the passage (Lectio), the second step in Divine Reading (Lectio Divina) is to think through what the chapter is teaching (Meditatio).

What does it mean?.

How should it be understood?.

How should the passage be interpreted?.

Is it primarily indicative (helping us to see something) or...

George was determined he was going to be a swimming coach, and that he was definitely NOT called to be a pastor. In this talk we go back to his early swimming days (the day we recorded this podcast, he woke up at 4am in order to swim 6,000 yards).

Then we discuss the early days at the University...