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

You can listen here, but if you would enjoy being able to search in favorite, forward in journal as you listen,

I encourage you to download the

Encountering Peace mobile app where all the meditations are free, as they should be.

How much talking do you do on an average day, and how much listening? I mean true listening. The sort when you focus

more on what another person is saying and less on what you're going to say next when they

finally stop talking. If you're like me, the answer is not enough.

It's like we treat conversation as a competitive sport.

We think the person who makes the most compelling point is the winner.

Truthfully, it even applies to our social media posts, doesn't it?

How many of your posts are carefully crafted negative attacks rather than customized personal encouragements? Well, the theme of this meditation from James

Chapter 1 is being slower to speak and faster to listen to others, including your time listening in prayer, learning

to listen to God.

So to begin your meditation, find a place of silence if you can, a spot to listen as you

settle into this moment of divine sanctuary as your eyes begin to close without

effort. Center on this place of surrender for a still moment, this time of yielding and listening

to the presence of God, Spirit, and Son.

Continue in this time of reflection by responding to this passage from Proverbs chapter 10, and as I lead us, respond simply, Lord, let me be quick to hear and slow to speak.

May God bless the reading of His word.

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable. So Lord,

let me be quick to hear and slow to speak. And when there are many words, even offending

someone is unavoidable.

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