Goal of Ponderings Cards
But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19
Ponder: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
Meditate: to focus one’s thoughts on; reflect or ponder over
Mindfulness: the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something (or someone)
Peace be with you! I am so glad you have Ponderings Scripture Cards in your hands! They will help you learn to pray with Scripture! It seems we all search for truth, meaning and direction in our lives and in our suffering. I encourage you to give Jesus a chance to answer the questions you have in your heart, a chance to give you lasting peace and joy! Prayer is the key to giving Jesus that chance and meditating on the Holy Scripture (the Bible) is the key to prayer. Give Him some real, intentional time from your day. Be patient with yourself as you learn to quiet your mind, be present and listen to him. This form of prayer takes practice, but the personal rewards are eternal!
These cards are designed to be short and to inspire you to go deeper into Scripture. In Scripture you will hear his words, see his actions, and learn of his priorities. You will get to know his character, meet his friends, and hear his prayers. Daily prayer and meditation are not primarily intellectual exercises of learning Bible stories or ancient Jewish history. They are not a to do list of spiritual activities. This “quiet, alone” time is meant to be “a regular, personal, one on one, get to know the person of Jesus” kind of time. Just like you might have a cup of tea or a beer with a close friend, sharing, listening, crying, and dreaming. Through his Holy Spirit, grace pours out so you can hear his inspirations all around you and see the power of his love and mercy in your daily life. The spiritual realities of your life in grace will become visible and abundant. Enjoy his friendship! He is steady, true, and everlasting!
Take your Ponderings card with you in the plastic sleeve or use the easel to display the card on your desk. Read and ponder your message throughout the day (wording may vary depending on your Bible translation). Share them with family and friends. With humility, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand its meaning, answer your questions, and increase your faith. Resolve to change your attitudes or actions so others can see Jesus active in your life. By praying with Scripture, you can learn to trust in his promises and bask in his infinite mercy. You will not be disappointed! Let him inspire you to live your life to the full through His words in Scripture!