Resources to help you grow in wholeness, connection, and embodied love
Christian Meditation Resources
Moving the knowledge of God from logical information into felt experience is difficult, especially given our Western context that relies on information as evidence and which sees intellect as the highest form of understanding. However, the word used for knowledge in Scripture indicates much more. For centuries, Christians in both Eastern and Western traditions have used Christian Meditation to deepen their understanding of the love and grace of God.
Grounding Meditations
Grounding is an essential way to calm the mind and body when stress and emotion begin to take over. This practice brings attention to the present moment, awareness to your body, and ushers in a sense of peace. By adding explicit awareness of the Spirit and His truth, we also become aware of what God may be saying or doing here and now.
Breath Prayer
This ancient practice was historically used as a practical way to pray without ceasing, thereby inviting greater union with the Father. Just as breath is a pathway linking mind and body, prayer is a pathway linking God to man. Breath Prayer is the combination of these two, pairing Scripture in the form of prayer to the repetition of the breath. The simple practice aids believers in remembering the goodness and grace of God in the midst of any circumstance.
Guided Imagery
Guided Imagery is a powerful practice which uses the mind’s innate capacity for imagination to bring greater connection and awareness with oneself by utilizing visual, rather than verbal parts of the brain. By centering Scripture in this practice, our minds find a new way to engage with the Word that “surpasses knowledge” and run wild with the possibilities of “him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.” (Eph 3:19-20)
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is a practice that facilitates deeper engagement with the Spirit and Word of God through reading, meditating, and praying over a passage of Scripture. The Five Steps of Lectio Divina include:
1. Relax- Prepare by getting comfortable, quieting your mind, and inviting the Sprit.
2. Read- Read the designated passage, looking for words, phrases, characters, or moments that stand out to you.
3. Reflect- Re-read the passage, lingering on what stood out in the initial reading. Ask the Spirit to reveal how He may be speaking to you.
4. Respond in prayer by talking to God about what was revealed and asking how He may want you to respond.
5. Rest and remain in this moment with God, staying open to His presence and voice that goes beyond words.
Print Resources
12 Signs of a Healthy Christian
I believe that the character of God allows us, as His creation, to live optimally in our soul, spirit, and body. Use this list to determine if your journey of faith has led you to be healthy in the ways that Christ modeled. To learn more about holistic health and in the life of believers, contact me to speak at your next event here.
The Trauma-Informed Church Quiz
All of us have experienced traumas (literally, ‘wounds’ in the original Greek) in this life, whether acute, complex, or developmental. It is imperative in this time that churches engage with their members in a way that facilitates restoration and healing. Take this quiz to determine if your church can grow in this posture and mindset.
How to Use Guided Imagery to Deepen Your Time with God
This is a step-by-step guidebook for using Guided Imagery to more deeply engage the Word of God and facilitate a greater connection with your Abba Father.
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This is a book for all who have wondered, wandered, or been wounded.
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It’s for those of us who know there is so much more in store for us in this life, but whatever that is, it always feels just out of reach.
In From Barrier to Breakthrough, Jamie Adele Wood and I examine the barriers of key biblical figures common to you and I, and offer a psychological lens paired with therapeutic practices and spiritual disciplines to equip you to transform your barriers into paths to the Father’s heart.
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In the thick of your disillusionment and fatigue of your exhaustion, there is good news: you are not the only one fighting. Your God is pursuing you with His goodness and mercy all the days of your life. No matter what is putting distance between you and God, your Father's arm is never too short to save. Through Christ, He moved heaven and earth to close the gap between you and Him, and He will not allow anything to come between you now.
God desires to use your everyday questions and struggles to break through the barriers unique to the space between you and Him. He knows about your wondering and your wandering, your tendencies and your trauma, your suffering and your sin. And just as He knows your past, He knows your present and future, and He plans to use it all to transform your relationship with Him for His glory.
The burning question remains: "In all reality, how do I walk with God?" From Barrier to Breakthrough offers a process to engage your honest questions through a biblical framework and gives you practical, hands-on tools to systematically dismantle the barriers in your relationship with God.
From Barrier To Breakthrough is the podcast that digs deep into life‘s most challenging barriers – fear, doubt, disobedience, and suffering – and how faith can transform them into profound breakthroughs. Hosted by Jamie Adele Wood and myself, Tara Riggs, each episode explores the journeys of incredible guest who faced real obstacles and their faith, relationships, and personal growth. Listen in as they reveal stories of transformation, resilience, and hope, offering insights that inspire a closer relationship with God and personal healing. From feeling spiritually disconnected to navigating life‘s uncertainty, From Barrier To Breakthrough is a powerful resource for those seeking encouragement, faith-based guidance, and practical tools to overcome life barriers. If you’re ready to unlock a deeper understanding of God‘s work through life‘s most challenging moments, this podcast is for you. Available on Apple, Spotify, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts.