You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast of sacred and mindful meditations

to help you encounter the divine presence of God all throughout your day.

If you want to have free access to the entire library of 500 meditations, I encourage

you to download the Encountering Peace app where all the meditations are free as they should be.

Galileo, the father of observational astronomy, spent the winter of 1610 in Venice exploring the

heavens with his newly invented telescope. He wrote in his journal that I give infinite thanks to God,

who's been pleased to make me the first observer of marvelous things.

Can you imagine being the first to see Venus, Mercury, the Milky Way, and even the craters of the moon?

Are you ever in such a rush that you miss the marvelous around you?

Well, this meditation from 1 Thessalonians 5 is a reflection on rejoicing always,

praying constantly and giving thanks for all observations and circumstances in and around you

always. So let's begin this time of meditation by settling deeper into wherever you are,

a place and a time to observe.

No objectives to achieve. Nothing to accomplish. Just simply begin to be present and aware of all that

God is revealing.

Allow your eyes to move now from open through a soft gaze to closed. Become aware of your breathing

and begin to move deeper now into the reality of the marvelous things being offered to you by the

Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Resting now in this moment of divine presence, listen and respond to Philippians chapter 4,

and as I lead us, answer Lord God, help me to always rejoice.

And may the Lord bless the hearing and reading of his word.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything. Lord God, help me to always rejoice.

...