Allen C. Liles - Sitting with God: Meditating for GodS Divine Guidance

Sitting
with God

MEDITATING FOR GODS
DIVINE GUIDANCE

ALLEN C. LILES

Copyright 2013 Allen C. Liles.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-0091-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0093-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0092-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013912244

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/25/2013

CONTENTS

For My Dear Wife

The purpose of Sitting with God is simple. I want to help demonstrate that a direct human connection with both a transcendent God and the Christ Spirit that I believe dwells within each of us is not only possible but essential to living a happy and fulfilled life. If you are interested in developing such a connection, I hope that my documented experience over a full year will encourage you to explore the possibility.

The key to establishing this sacred connection lies in the practice of meditation. I claim no special relationship with the higher power that I call God. I believe that any committed individual can form a deep and personal bond with God, the Father, and with the Spirit of the Christ that resides at the center of every human being. It only requires a willingness to ask, seek, and knock at the sacred door of meditation and then wait patiently for the response.

A secondary purpose of Sitting with God involves the practice of meditation in general. Many doctors, hospitals, and clinics are now recommending meditation as part of restorative and preventive treatment. Research shows that meditation helps lower blood pressure and assists patients with chronic illnesses and depression. The medical benefits of meditation now seem undeniable. Establishing a daily pattern of meditation can pay important health benefits apart from the spiritual aspects.

Although I have been meditating regularly for more than twenty-five years, events of the past year have brought me a renewed commitment to spending time in the silence. My dear wife has been experiencing a serious health challenge, we both have been coping with my retirement as a pulpit minister, and the aging process has continued along for both of us with all its inherent challenges. Family issues have also presented themselves, especially with my two adult children. In addition, world and national events over the past several months have created relevant questions about Gods viewpoint regarding these happenings.

This past year presented a unique opportunity to listen for Gods wisdom and guidance. I also wanted to transcribe what I was hearing. I have dutifully kept a daily journal since 1985, so writing down Spirits response seemed natural. However, this particular effort was not a two-way back and forth conversation. I mostly listened. God has so much to tell us, if we only pay attention. In an age of instant information, I believe that sitting with God in quiet meditation provides the defining word regarding the world and our place in it.

The daily meditations presented in this book took place between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013. The transcriptions of these meditations cover a spiritual and personal journey of exactly one year. Again, I make no claim to any special insight. Whenever you become ready to activate the relationship with God and your own inner Christ Spirit, I believe Spirit stands ready to respond. Just give your meditation practice time to develop. It requires perseverance, daily commitment, and a nonjudgmental attitude about your progress. Here are three things I discovered as my time in meditation began to flourish: (1) I truly believe God wants this intimate time and deeper relationship with all of us; (2) I am a spiritual as well as a human being, blessed with the gift of perceiving Gods wisdom during meditation, and (3) God loves me enough to share time together in the silence. Finally, I found there is nothing to fear from establishing a direct link with Spirit. My life became more peaceful and centered at a time of personal challenge.

I believe God wants an active participation in your spiritual life. If you are reading these words, you are already more aware of your sacred place in the universe. I urge you to gratefully answer Gods call in the silent realm of meditation. Pray for the knowledge of Gods will for you and the power to carry it out. Pray, listen, and trust that God has a specific divine plan for your life. That plan could be revealed in the silence. If you are not already practicing meditation, it is never too late to begin. There is no perfect formula or set guideline for your meditations. Do not set a high bar for yourself, create unrealistic expectations, or strive for absolute perfection. Your meditations, like your fingerprints, are unique to you alone. A meditation of sixty seconds, in dedicated contact with God, can be more powerful than an hour of unfocused silence. If your mind wanders, take a time out and read scripture or an uplifting passage in a book. I have found that Sarah Youngs Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson), A. J. Russells God Calling (Spire Books), or Joel Goldsmiths The Art of Meditation (HarperSanFrancisco) represented excellent companions to my morning meditations. The televised worship services presented by Dr. Charles Stanley of the First Baptist Church each Sunday from Atlanta also were weekly inspirational boosts. Utilize whatever helps your meditation practice: a mantra, an affirmation, a Bible verse, and so on. The main requirement is that you commit to meeting with God on a regular basis. Spirit will gladly take it from there.

You are on a sacred path that leads to the kingdom of heaven. Enjoy the journey. Enjoy your time with Sitting with God .

Allen C. Liles

Minneapolis, Minnesota

June 2013

Christ in you, the hope of glory

Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

The New Year

Open your arms, mind, and heart to the infinite possibilities of the new year. Let your expectations of My generous blessings flow.

Allow your dreams to come true. Dream only big dreams, but look closely for small signs of progress. Watch for My presence, for even the tiniest glimmer of hope amid the chaos and confusion. I AM always there in the darkest of sad and tragic moments. If you stumble, I will lift you up. When you backslide, I will pull you forward.

Reach out for Me when the depths of life threaten to crush you. Rise again to the glorious heights that I have planned for you. One step at a time, walk steadfastly toward the sun of opportunity and fulfillment. Your path leads to My kingdom, the ultimate destination. I stand ready to welcome you. I open My loving arms to receive you. Then the journey will seem easy in retrospect when you come home to Me, your loving Father. Until that day, bless the earth with your light.