You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast to help you discover sacred moments

in the middle of an ordinary day.

If you would enjoy greater access to even more free meditations, I encourage you to download

the encountering piece app where all the meditations are free as they should be.

If you're a student of early American history in the Civil War, you no doubt have heard

of the tragic battle of Chancellor'sville.

Chancellor'sville may sound like a little hamlet, but in the mid-1800s, it was simply the

private home of the widowed Francis Chancellor and an extended family group of her daughters

and younger children, just outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

But in late April of 1863, the quiet roadside inn in Tavern run by Francis and her daughters

became ground zero in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

The forces of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union General Joseph Hooker fought

for a week, leaving more than 30,000 soldiers dead and dying.

All while Francis Chandler, her daughters and young children, hid safe and protected

in the basement of their home.

The theme of this guided audio meditation from Psalm chapter 27 will take you safe behind

the door of the Chancellor's home, battles, bullets, bombs raining down all around you

like fire from the sky, yet inside safe and protected.

So to begin your meditation, settle into a place of quiet, away from the battles outside,

relax your body, your mind, and your eyes.

As you do, listen now and join in this responsive prayer from Psalm 118 and respond softly with

Lord God, you are my stronghold.

...