Permission to Ponder: Contemplative Wisdom for the Spiritually Distracted

by Tracy Balzer

God gives us permission to meditatively ponder, even in the midst of our fragmented existence. He invites us to ''listen, that you may live.'' Many Christians are distracted and dissatisfied. The external demands of life grip us, while our inner walk with God becomes ever more superficial and thin. Is there hope for authentic connection with God in a world of distractions, or must we be resigned to a spiritually shallow existence? Reflection, contemplation, and meditation are ancient practices that are losing ground in a highly technological world. Permission to Ponder examines the ways others have accepted the invitation from God to dwell deeply, beginning with ''the Four Marys of the Gospels.'' In the midst of their stories, the classical discipline of lectio divina--praying the Scripture-will serve as a template for praying and pondering all of life.

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2015

About the author

Tracy Balzer writes and speaks with the hope of nudging others closer to intimacy with God. She is contemplative by nature, eager to listen to God and listen to others. Her discovery of the rich tradition of the early Celtic Christians feeds that enthusiasm for stillness and the appreciation of the beauty of creation, and she is nearly always in the middle of plans to lead a group of pilgrims to the British Isles. When she’s not writing or traveling, she serves as a campus minister.