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 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.   

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

Today we hold space for grief. Grief, suffering, and loss touch all parts of our world in communal and personal ways. This week here in the United States, right in our hometown of Nashville, TN, we have experienced the tragedy and trauma of gun violence. We can become desensitized and unable to process so much tragic news. Often words alone seem inadequate. We need silence in the presence of a loving and compassionate God who sees our tears. There is importance in sharing space for grief, to sit with our feelings, and help one another process our emotions. In this meditation, we offer space to grieve and mourn - for ourselves and/or for those who are mourning. We make space to honor and remember each precious life. We make space to get in touch with our own feelings. And we make space to consider how God is calling us to action and to show compassion to those hurting. We’ll be meditating on a prayer from Psalm 57, TPT. We invite you to prepare a quiet place for this time of meditation. Perhaps light a candle. Don’t rush or hurry this time. Linger as long as you need to process your feelings. Allow the Spirit of God to minister to the places in your heart that need to be comforted and healed. Have mercy on me, O God…for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 57:1 NLT In Memory of: Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9; William Kinney, 9 Hallie Scruggs, 9. Katherine Koonce, 60 Mike Hill, 61 Cynthia Peak, 61       

Today we are pleased to present an encore guest meditation by Aaron Niequist. Aaron is a liturgist, writer, and pastor who recently graduated from General Theological Seminary in NYC. After leading worship at Mars Hill Church (Grand Rapids, MI) and Willow Creek Church (Barrington, IL), he created A New Liturgy - a collection of modern liturgical worship recordings. He then curated a discipleship-focused, formational, ecumenical, practice-based community at Willow Creek called “The Practice”. Aaron released a book called The Eternal Current: How a Practice-based Faith can Save us from Drowning, and continues to create resources to help others flesh it out. But that’s just job stuff. The best part of his life is his wife Shauna, and their sons Henry and Mac. 

Today is a special episode celebrating 1,000,000 downloads! We are so grateful to you our Daily Still community from all over the world who have tuned in and made this possible. We began the podcast, 180 episodes and almost 4 years ago, with the desire to help others recognize the voice of God in their own life. In this episode, host Cindy Helton will be answering some of your questions and sharing the story that began her stillness journey.  

The Daily Still Podcast is celebrating 1,000,000 listener downloads! We’re so incredibly thankful to you, our listening community!   Next week we’re planning a special episode to celebrate this milestone and we’d love to have you be a part of it! If you have any questions you’d like to ask our host, Cindy Helton, or if you’d like to share how these meditations have helped you on your stillness journey, we’d like to include you in our celebration episode!    Please send a voice memo or email to thedailystill@gmail.com by next Friday, March 17th and be sure to include your name and where you’re from.       Today’s meditation focuses on 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is all you need! My power works best in weakness.” NIV   In reading the gospels, Jesus demonstrates a self-emptying, and surrendered posture. It’s encouraging to know that in following the way of Jesus, we are invited to show up in our weakness.   What would self emptying look like for you in this season of your life?   May you rest in the full expression of God’s power and grace made perfect in your weakness. 

In this week’s meditation, Jesus addresses the topic of worry. We can’t escape fear and worry in this world. Fear causes us to try and attempt to control our circumstances. This subconsciously leads to not trusting that God is in control. Jesus teaches us to release our fears and trust HIm, and turn from anxious thoughts towards faith.    Scripture References: Matthew 6 NLT, Matthew 6:34 CSB, John 14:27 NLT, Philippians 4:6-7 ----------------------- Thank you for listening to the The Daily Still Podcast. If you have benefitted from these meditations, please take a moment to subscribe and rate us. This helps us to be more visible to others and is an encouragement to our small team. If you’d like to help support the work and production of this podcast, we now have Venmo and Paypal options. Support The Daily Still Podcast via Paypal or Support The Daily Still via Venmo   Paypal: @thedailystill (Cindy L. Helton) Venmo: @thedailystill (Cindy L. Helton) Blessings to you on your stillness journey!

This week’s meditation looks at revival, both personal and in the Church as a whole. We are in the Lenten Season of the Church, a season set apart for the purpose of returning to God and paying attention to Divine Presence in our lives.   Lent is a journey of grace, allowing us to follow the way of Jesus. We are invited to personally bear witness to Christ’s miraculous life of love and transforming presence in our lives. Revival and spiritual renewal is necessary in every generation. And so we return, once again, to the cross. Revive us, Oh Lord.    Scripture References: Matthew 7:7-8 CSB, Joel 2:12 NRSV ----------------------- Thank you for listening to the The Daily Still Podcast. If you have benefitted from these meditations, please take a moment to subscribe and rate us. This helps us to be more visible to others and is an encouragement to our small team. If you’d like to help support the work and production of this podcast, we now have Venmo and Paypal options. Support The Daily Still Podcast via Paypal or Support The Daily Still via Venmo   Paypal: @thedailystill (Cindy L. Helton) Venmo: @thedailystill (Cindy L. Helton) Blessings to you on your stillness journey!

In the Sermon on the Mount, after Jesus told his followers not to worry, he then instructed them to seek first the Kingdom of God above all else. There seems to be a connection between not worrying and Kingdom living. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is now.  It’s a particular level of human consciousness in our every day living and thinking that seeks the way of Christ.  When is it hardest for you to seek first God’s ways? What would it look like for you to seek first God’s way of doing things? Join us for a few minutes of stillness as we meditate upon the words of Jesus and cultivate a Kingdom state of mind. Matthew 6.33 NLT, Matthew 6:33~34 The Message, Matthew 6:33 The Amplified Bible ----------------------- Thank you for listening to the The Daily Still Podcast. If you have benefitted from these meditations, please take a moment to subscribe and rate us. This helps us to be more visible to others and is an encouragement to our small team. If you’d like to help support the work and production of this podcast, we now have Venmo and Paypal options. Support The Daily Still Podcast via Paypal or Support The Daily Still via Venmo   Paypal: @thedailystill (Cindy L. Helton) Venmo: @thedailystill (Cindy L. Helton) Blessings to you on your stillness journey!