The Collaboratory : A Listening Prayer Experience

Lectio | Held | 40 Aug 30, 2024

Have you experienced the holding power of God? Who or what holds your attention? Your desires? Your dreams? Your fears?

You are held by the safest and most gracious one.

Let's listen together.

Music by Matthew Wright

Visit jamiesoncoaching.com for Spiritual Formation Cohorts, Coaching and resources.

Lectio | Rock and Refuge | 39 Aug 23, 2024

Do you feel secure or untethered in the false comfort of worldly anchors? God is in fact our rock and our refuge... But how do we experience him as such?

Let us get still, rest in God’s love, and pour out your heart to Him. You are invited to find security, joy, and peace in the divine refuge of God's unwavering presence.

Visit jamiesoncoaching.com for spiritual formation cohorts, coaching and resources.

Music by Matthew Wright

Lectio | Remember | 38 Aug 09, 2024

When we fail to remember, we lose our story. We become disconnected from ourselves and from God, and our faith falters. Could it be why this word shows up hundreds of times throughout the Scripture?

Today, let us remember... Where have you witnessed God's grace this week?

Music by Matthew Wright

Spiritual Direction Cohorts are now open for registration! Visit Jamiesoncoaching.com for coaching opportunites and other resources.

Lectio | Shema | 37 Aug 02, 2024

Let's pray together the Shema... a word in Hebrew that means "to hear and respond"... this beautiful prayer woven together from the Hebrew Scriptures and reiterated by Jesus is central to our faith. Arguably the most essential prayer of one who loves God.

May it shape you, sift you, form you and encourage you today.

Music by Matthew Wright.

Cohorts and materials found at thecollaboratorypodcast.com and

Lectio | Don't Pass Me By | 36 Jul 26, 2024

As we dive into Mark 10:46-52, let me invite you to listen, and to have your eyes opened to the kindness of God, the possibility of a miracle, and the reality that God will never pass you by.

Music by Matthew Wright

For resources, Spiritual Direction Cohorts and coaching, visit Jamiesoncoaching.com

Lectio | Don't Worry | 35 Jul 19, 2024

Your palms are sweaty, your breath quickens... you sense your body preparing for the unknown. You go straight to fear, worst case scenarios, perpetuating the emotions. But what if the same sensory experience led to hope? What if you recognized that the unknown before you is an invitation to trust the God who is with you? What if you were to get curious about what lies ahead because you do not go alone? And even the hard things can be made to have purpose...

What if this beautiful invitation in Matthew 6 to not worry and rather rest in the love and provision of God was the work of your life? Everything might change for you... and for the next generation.

Music by Matthew Wright

Visit jamiesoncoaching.com for more details, coaching and Spiritual Formation Cohorts.

Lectio | The Secret of Contentment | 34 Jul 12, 2024

Buried in Philippians 4 is a secret... a template for prayer that leads to contentment.

What if you and I were to practice what Paul invites? What if we were to let our worries and anxieties shape our prayers rather than let them shape our attitudes? What if we were to get deeply honest with our desires? To practice gratitude as an act of violence against the foe of discontentment? To remember that the Lord is closer than our very breath... and that peace is available to us in every circumstance?

Let's listen together.

Music by Matthew Wright

Spiritual Direction Cohorts found at Jamiesoncoaching.com

Lectio | The Lord's Prayer | 33 Jul 05, 2024

Join me as we steep in the Lord's Prayer. May we receive this gift of Jesus as an instrument to orient us toward heaven, recalibrate our heart's desires, and reframe our story as God's story.

Music by Matthew Wright

Interested in more? Join me for First Forty - A Spiritual Formation Cohort - launching this fall.

Lectio | John 2 | 32 Jun 28, 2024

We visit the scene of Jesus' first miracle. And we discover that miracles come by the hands of those who are tucked in the margins and near to God's voice.

What do you need? Where are you pressed, desperate, longing? Simply ask Jesus, "What is my next right step?" and whatever comes into your mind to do, however unrelated to your goal it might be (and as long as it is in alignment with Scripture) obey. Do the thing. It might just be by way of your obedience that a miracle comes.

Music by Matthew Wright.

thecollaboratorypodcast.com

Lectio | John 4 | 31 Jun 21, 2024

Today we dive into the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4. She has some preconceived notions of who this man is, of who the messiah will be, of what worship is meant to look like.

And yet one encounter with the One who IS living water changes everything. A brush with the true identity of God reorients her very identity.

Could the same be true for you and I?

Let's listen together.

Music by Matthew Wright

Lectio | Mark 1 | 30 Jun 14, 2024

We dive in today to Mark 1 to discover the power in Jesus' words "Follow Me", to acknowledge the power of drawing away, especially when we are tired and potentially overworked, and to accept the invitation to talk to Jesus to get our next right step.

Take time to pause and ask:

God, would you direct my steps?

Prevent me from being tempted to go in any direction that would keep me from what you have in store.

Music by Matt Wright

Lectio | John 1 | 29 Jun 07, 2024

What might this ancient text speak to you today? How might you be encouraged by the fact that there is a light that cannot be quenched by darkness? And that that light has come to YOU?

May you be filled with hope, refreshed with grace, grounded in truth.

Let's listen together.

Music by Matthew Wright

thecollaboratorypodcast.com

@thecollaboratorypodcast

Lectio | Psalm 139 | 28 May 31, 2024

Our first episode in Lectio, we will dive into Psalm 139. May you create space to marinate in the truth of this song of David, being reminded that you are never alone, and you are lovingly and wonderfully made.

Let's listen together...

Music by Matthew Wright

Lectio | The PreLab | 27 May 24, 2024

We will unpack together Lectio Divina, or "divine reading", the practice that will mark the coming season. We will read, meditate, pray, contemplate... and find ourselves in the story of Scripture. What if the words of the Bible were a meeting place for us to encounter the presence of the living God?

Let's listen together....

Music by Matthew Wright

Visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com for resources and coaching opportunities.

Intermission | "How I Got Here" | 26 May 17, 2024

This intermission between seasons 2 and 3 offers a whimsical overview of "how I got here"... beginning with the story of a young girl who always believed there was a God, but discovered there is a grand difference between believing him and knowing him.

May you be entertained and encouraged as we listen together...

Music by Matthew Wright

www.thecollaboratorypodcast.com

Toolkit | The Daily Practice | 25 May 10, 2024

In tuning your heart to the voice of the Lord and strengthening your spiritual ears, it is helpful to practice daily. I present three simple questions and a simple exchange for you to begin each day with as you become a person who is animated by the impulses of the Spirit of God...

Let's Listen Together

Music by Matt Wright

Toolkit | You Are Not Alone | 24 May 03, 2024

Have you ever felt alone? I trust the greatest lie of the enemy is the threat of alienation... that you are indeed alone. Left behind. Misunderstood. Not pursued, wanted, known.

And yet what if I told you there is more to the story? What if I told you that your perception is not always your reality...

Let's listen together.

"God, remind me of a time you were with me and I did not know..."

Music by Matt Wright

*For more details and resources, visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com

Toolkit | Lie - Truth Exchange | 23 Apr 19, 2024

Our identity is not what we do, what we have, or what others say about us. It is WHO God says we are. The essence of what makes us unique image bearers and a gift to the world around us. It is as essential to know who we are as who we are not... thus exchanging lies we have believed about our identity for the truth of God is the very task of this episode.

Find a place you can settle in...

Let's listen together.

Music by Matt Wright

Toolkit | Uncomfortable Emotions | 22 Apr 12, 2024

What do we do with emotions that keep us bound? What is our recourse when fear, shame, loneliness, anger seems lodged in our bodies and isolates us from truth and love?

There is a way through. From anger to peace, from shame to freedom, from isolation to love.

Let's listen together.

Visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com for resources and coaching.

Music by Matt Wright

Toolkit | Emotions as Invitations | 21 Apr 05, 2024

How do you process your emotions? Chip Dodd, in “Voice of the Heart” proposes 8 primary emotions and affirms that while they may be comfortable or uncomfortable, they are ALL good. Do you know that emotions are invitations? They have something to offer us… they reveal what we believe to be true. May we get curious as to what they have to tell us, and how they might lead us to converse with God in a way that is honest and true.

Let's listen together.

Music by Matt Wright

Toolkit | Place of Peace | 20 Mar 29, 2024

Do you know that you have a portable sanctuary of the heart? A place to retreat to and "behold the Lord" as the ancient writers invite us. Indeed, where head and heart meet is the deep and sacred place of the imagination.

Join me in a thought experiment as we behold the person of peace in a place of peace. May you be encouraged. May your faith be deepened. May we meet with God.

Let's listen together.

Visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com

Visit https://www.jamiesoncoaching.com/podcast for a free listening tool to aid you in your journey.

Music by Matt Wright.

Toolkit | Forgive and Walk Free | 19 Mar 22, 2024

We talk about forgiveness, but do we do it?

For years, I did not know how. I did not know that true forgiveness demanded a third party. It had escaped me that only when I released people to God could I actually have any prayer of making things right with them... if I even had the opportunity or the safety to do so in person.

Today I lend you my practice of releasing others in forgiveness. It is a simple thought exercise that demands courage and faith, but has brought me freedom more times than I can count.

It has literally changed my heart toward others, allowed me to lay down heavy burdens of hurt, anger, guilt, and angst... and proven Jesus' kindness and faithfulness again and again. I don't know why, but I am surprised every time.

I pray this episode blesses you, frees you, and draws you closer to the heart of God.

Let's listen together....

Music by Matt Wright

Toolkit | Yellow Chair | 18 Mar 16, 2024

This exercise in forgiveness was offered to me years ago and has served to help me release people from minor and major offenses alike. May it serve as a guided prayer meditation that would lead you to freedom and deeper intimacy with Jesus.

Toolkit | Forgiveness | 17 Mar 08, 2024

What is forgiveness? What is it not?

In short, forgiveness is “the great exchange”… where God trades death for life, guilt for innocence, and bondage for freedom. It is the most glorious gift.

We will play in the Collaboratory today with what we have understood confession, sin and forgiveness to mean... and wonder if there is a more hopeful path toward freedom.

Let's listen together....

⁠Visit HERE⁠ to download “Can You Hear Me?” I hope this free listening guide serves you as you practice. For more insight on hearing God’s voice, start at the ⁠beginning⁠! ⁠Episode 4⁠ is particularly helpful as well.

Music by Matthew Wright

Toolkit | The Question that Changes Everything | 16 Mar 01, 2024

The Question that Changes Everything

We so often think that we know what we need to know. What if we don’t? What if the things on God’s heart wouldn’t even occur to us to ask about? What if open-ended, curious questions really are the best way to know a person, and the best way to know a personal God?

God, what do you want me to know?

Let's listen together...

Visit HERE to download “Can You Hear Me?” I hope this free listening guide serves you as you practice. For more insight on hearing God’s voice, start at the beginning! Episode 4 is particularly helpful as well.

Music by Matthew Wright

Toolkit | The Table of the Heart | 15 Feb 09, 2024

The first episode of Season 2 offers a tool for coming to the present moment in order to connect with God.

We start with a breath exercise coupled with sensory awareness, then practice a body scan culminate with and visualizing God at the center of the heart.

May you sense God's presence within you as you listen to the voice of Love.

Toolkit | The Pre-Lab Feb 02, 2024

Season Two, the "Toolkit" is about to begin... the pre-lab gives you a taste of the next leg of our journey.

I cannot wait to continue... let's listen together.

Visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com for details and resources.

Music by Matt Wright

Foundations | The Stories We Tell... | 14 Jan 26, 2024

In this final episode of season one, we discuss the fact that we are storied people. We are formed by the stories where are told, and by the stories we tell.

The question is, whose voice is shaping you?

Let’s listen together.

Visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com for more details and resources.

Music by Matt Wright.

Foundations | Release Control | 13 Jan 19, 2024

Have you ever felt like your faith was only as strong as you were disciplined? As in, the consistency of your Bible reading or your prayer life or church attendance (or lack there of) was your source of confidence? This is a faith that is dependent upon us and not upon God.

What if the way that we engage God - through prayer (silence, listening, and talking), engaging with Scripture, and in community were simply the pathway by which we were formed by God. In fact, it is HIS faithfulness, not ours that keeps us.

The invitation is to participate with God. For sure, there is action on our part. But to release control to the One who knows you the best and loves you the most is the goal. He is faithful. And you are worth His love.

Question: What is your invitation to me to get in the flow of your love this week?

Music by Matt Wright

Foundations | Blessed | 12 Jan 12, 2024

What does it mean to be blessed? Perhaps not what you think... Dive in with me as we explore trial and temptation, joy and blessing, and the relational God who measures things by an other worldly metric of love.

What is a blessing in your life?

Let's listen together...

Music by Matthew Wright.

Foundations | Words Become Flesh | 11 Jan 05, 2024

Do you know that what you think about, meditate upon actually becomes part of your very body?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:2

The question is not whether or not we can renew our mind, but how?

Let's listen together...

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | Imagine with Me | 10 Jan 03, 2024

What if God gave us our imaginations as a way to behold him, to sense his presence, to engage with the Voice that is in us but not from us?

And what if God had a glorious sense of humor and wasn't as serious as we always made him out to be?

This one is going to be fun. Let's listen together...

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | When God is Quiet | 9 Dec 29, 2023

Episode 9:

There is nothing so unnerving as silence in a conversation when you are craving connection. Let’s begin to explore together some of the possibilities for when we experience quiet when we talk to God.

Let's listen together.

Our question: “God, what do you want me to know about the quiet?”

Visit HERE to download “Can You Hear Me?” I hope this free listening guide serves you as you practice.

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | Jesus: The Logo of Heaven | 8 Dec 26, 2023

Episode 8.

There are three Greek phrases translated to "Word" in our English Bible: Logos, Graphe, and Rhema. What does this have to do with listening to God? More than you could imagine.

Let read the Word, hear the Word and and experience the Word as we listen together to the One who is the logo of heaven.

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | The Bible - What's in There? | 7 Dec 22, 2023

The Bible is not a novel, but a library. Its narrative arc serves as the litmus test for hearing God's voice, as it reveals God's very heart for us.

Let's explore together all that it holds and what that might mean for hearing God's voice.

Resources:

https://bibleproject.com/

https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | The Bible: Living Water or Dry Sand? | 6 Dec 19, 2023

What is your experience with the Bible? Perhaps you are overwhelmed or elated by it... cynical or swept off your feet when you read it.

May I invite you, regardless of your experience, to look afresh at the Scripture, and to let it inform your listening.

Visit ⁠thecollaboratorypodcast.com⁠ for more resources.

Let's listen together.

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | A Litmus Test for the Voices We Hear | 5 Dec 15, 2023

Is that me? God? The enemy? The chili?

What if we were to have a filter through which to run the voices we hear so that we might discern the source of them?

Visit thecollaboratorypodcast.com to download "Can You Hear Me?", a free listening guide that outlines this episode. I pray it serves you as you practice.

Let's listen together.

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | God Has Always Been With You | 4 Dec 13, 2023

Does God speak to only those that know Him? Is he only near to those who are faithful?

Let me tell you of a story of a woman on a plane, and an unlikely conversation that led me to believe what has always been true…

That the story of God is that he first draws near to us. And that there is nowhere we can go from his presence.

May you come to believe this beautiful reality, that peace has always been with you.

Our question: “God, would you remind me of a time you were with me, and I did not know?”

Music by Matthew Wright

Foundations | The Heart of the Voice | 3 Dec 08, 2023

To rightly interpret the voice (or silence) we sense when we pray, we must know the character of the One whose voice we seek.

Who does God say that he is?

Exodus 34:6 and Matthew 11:28-30 give us the heartbeat of God.

Let's listen together...

Foundations | Who is this God? | 2 Dec 05, 2023

Our hypothesis is that we can hear from God. And yet there seem to be more voices than just one. How do we begin to discern all the "voices" that we hear? It is by knowing the character of the one who is speaking. Let's experiment together...

Foundations | What is Listening Prayer? | 1 Dec 01, 2023

In this episode, we discuss listening prayer, its purpose and begin to engage this practice together with one simple question, "God, what do you want me to know?"