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Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Sleep Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. If you go to lifeaudio dot com you will find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head over to lifeaudio dot com. Now. Remember you can have full access to all our sleep stories commercial free. Just text Abide to two two four three three for twenty five percent off the app. Now relax your mind and body as we hear tonight's sleep story. Hello and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm Tyler. Thanks for joining me for our story calm devotion. As your day draws to a close and you look forward to sleep, it's time to find peace and rest in the presence of the Lord. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and allow the cares of the day to melt away. In this story, we will embark on a gentle journey through Psalm one, verse two, letting its words and the Holy Spirit guide us into a serene and RESTful sleep. The Psalmist wrote in this verse, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. This beautiful verse invites us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, finding joy and peace in his teachings. Let this journey through the Psalm be a soothing balm for your soul, drawing you closer to the Lord. As you prepare to rest in this sleep reflection, we will consider the life of calm devotion of priest and poet Gerard Manly Hopkins. We will hear how Hopkinson's life was one of continual dedication to the Lord, saturated in the Word of God, and ongoing communion with the Holy Spirit. We will explore the peace and simplicity Hopkins lived and hear some of the spirit inspired poetry he penned during his time of solitude and devotion to God. Hopkins' story has some wonderful insights to share with us about what blessings can be enjoyed by us all in a life of call devotion to God. Come to God now just as you are, and put it all on pause and find rest for your body, your mind, and your spirit in the quiet. Imagine a man whose art is steadfast in the Lord. This blessed man is none other than Gerard Manly Hopkins, whose life was a testament to his unwavering devotion to God. Hopkins found delight in the Law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night as he walked through life. It was like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season and whose leaf did not wither. Hopkins was born in eighteen forty four in Stratford, Essex, England. From a young age, he exhibited a profound sensitivity to the natural world and a deep spiritual inclination. His early education at Highgate School laid the foundation for his literary talents, but it was at Balliol College, Oxford where his faith truly blossomed. Under the influence of John Henry Newman, Hopkins converted to Roman Catholicism, a decision that profoundly shaped his future. Gerard Manly Hopkins's poetry and life were deeply rooted in the Word of God, just as Psalm one says. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. As you picture this to voted man, feel the warmth of God's love surround you like a soft, comforting blanket. The Law of the Lord was not a burden for Hopkins, but a source of joy and strength. It nourished his soul, just as the streams of water nourish the tree. As you meditate on God's word, feel your worries and fears dissipate, replaced by a deep sense of peace and contentment. Picture the tree in your mind. Its roots are deep and secure, drawing life giving water from the stream. The leaves are vibrant and healthy, and the branches are heavy with fruit. This tree is strong and unshakable, just as Hopkins was when he was grounded in God's word. Let this image fill you with a sense of stability and assurance as you prepare to rest here Psalm one, verse two again. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Let your thoughts turn to the law of the Lord. Thinking of the commandments and teachings that guided hopkins life. These were not restrictions, but hathways to a fulfilling and abundant life. They were the words of a loving father who desires the best for his children. Remember the feelings of closeness you've had with God in the past. These moments are treasures reminders of His faithfulness and love. Hold on to these memories as you drift into sleep, allowing them to comfort and reassure you. The Lord is always with you, guiding and protecting you. As Hopkins meditated on the Law of the Lord day and night, so too, can you find peace and rest in God's Word. Let the Scriptures be the last thing on your mind as you fall asleep, knowing they will continue to work in your heart and mind throughout the night. And may they also be the first thing you think of as you wake in the morning. Trust that the Holy Spirit is with you, filling you with his presence and peace. May your delight be in the Law of the Lord and on his Law. May you meditate day and night. Delighting in the Law of the Lord brings immense joy and fulfillment. Gerard Manly Hopkins found profound joy in the Scriptures, which inspired much of his poetry and guided his life. Imagine the joy that comes from discovering a hidden treasure, The excitement and wonder that fills your heart. This is the same joy that filled Hopkins's heart as he meditated on God's Word. It's a joy that is deep and abiding, not dependent on external sircumstances. Relax even more as I read one of Hopkins's most well loved poems, called God's Grandeur. Join in the delight and wonder he experienced in gazing at the Lord's work. The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out like shaaning from shook foil. It gathers to a greatness, like the ewes of oil crushed. Why do men then now not wreck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod, And all is seared with trade, bleared, smeared with toil, and wears man's smudge and shares man's smell. The soil is bare now, Nor can feet feel being shad And for all that this nature is never spent their lives the dearest freshness deep down things. And though the last lights off the black west went oh morning at the brown brink eastward springs, because the holy ghost over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah bright wings. Let the devotion from Hobkin's heart infuse you with a child like awe and wonder. The light at God's handiwork overtook his very being. He saw the God of the Bible in every part of creation, even in the ooze of olive oil, when the olives were crushed. I believe he observed those beautiful, glossy olives as they were crushed, and he remembered the prophecy from Isaiah fifty three, verse five, that he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. And with his wounds we are healed. Hopkins saw the God of new life and creation, and the ancient God who gave his people a beautiful law to abide by every day, in every part of his daily life. Consider the beauty of God's law. It is perfect and pure, a reflection of his holy character. Each commandment in teaching is like a precious gem shining with the light of truth and wisdom. As you meditate on these truths, let them fill your heart with joy and wonder. God's laws not a set of rules to be followed out of obligation, but a pathway to a life of abundance and peace. Hopkins's life was one of deep commitment and routine prayer, study and service marked his days. He rose early in the morning to begin his day with prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength. This time of communion with God was the foundation of his daily life, grounding him in the truth of God's Word. He was indeed a man of calm devotion. Throughout the day, Hopkins engaged in various activities, from teaching and preaching to writing and reflecting. His poetry, though often not widely appreciated during his lifetime, was an expression of his deep faith and his love for God's creation. As we just heard in God's Grandeur, Hopkins delighted in the beauty of God's handiwork in the world around him and sought to capture it. In his verses, his life sounds like a life of discipline, but delighting himself and the Lord actually formed its foundation, just like it did for the Psalmist. And indeed Hopkins was himself a Psalmist. We can read in his poetry that he did not merely live out a series of bland and dry religious practices. Oh No, we can read the joy and excitement that leaps off each stanza in verse. Whether he was spending time in the Word or meditating in God's creation, he was experiencing the joy of the Lord. Let the times you have experienced the joy of living according to God's word to fill your mind. Perhaps it was a moment of forgiveness when you let go of a grudge and felt the freedom that comes from releasing bitterness. Or maybe it was a time of generosity when you gave selflessly to someone in need and experienced the joy of being a blessing to others. These moments give us glimpses of the abundant life God desires for us. As you delight in the law of the Lord, let your heart be filled with gratitude. Thank God for his word, for the guidance and wisdom it provides. Thank Him for the moments of joy and peace that come from living according to his teachings. Let this gratitude fill your heart and mind as you rest. Let me pray for you one last time, Beautiful Jesus, our hero and champion, Thank you for bringing this child delight. As they let your words soak in their hearts. May they meditate effortlessly on your word as they sleep, and may it nourish them. And may they arise, revived and refreshed for the day tomorrow, ready to see your hand in everything your solutions coming for every problem. May they live a life of calm devotion to you, moment by moment, delighting in you all the time days of their life. In your precious name, Amen. I will close out our story on one final poem from Gerard Manly Hopkins called Hide Beauty, in which he marvels delightedly at God's unique creation. Glory be to God for dappled things, for skies of couple color as a brinded cow or rose moles, all in stipple upon trout that swim, fresh fire, coal, chestnut falls, finch his wings, landscape plotted in peaced fold, follow and plow, and all trades their gear and tackle and trim, all things counter original, spare, strange, whatever is fickle, freckled, Who knows how? With swift, slow, sweet sour, a dazzle dim He fathers forth, whose beauty is past change, Praise him,
Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Sleep Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. If you go to lifeaudio dot com you will find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head over to lifeaudio dot com. Now. Remember you can have full access to all our sleep stories commercial free. Just text Abide to two two four three three for twenty five percent off the app. Now relax your mind and body as we hear tonight's sleep story. Hello and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm Tyler. Thanks for joining me for our story calm devotion. As your day draws to a close and you look forward to sleep, it's time to find peace and rest in the presence of the Lord. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and allow the cares of the day to melt away. In this story, we will embark on a gentle journey through Psalm one, verse two, letting its words and the Holy Spirit guide us into a serene and RESTful sleep. The Psalmist wrote in this verse, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. This beautiful verse invites us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, finding joy and peace in his teachings. Let this journey through the Psalm be a soothing balm for your soul, drawing you closer to the Lord. As you prepare to rest in this sleep reflection, we will consider the life of calm devotion of priest and poet Gerard Manly Hopkins. We will hear how Hopkinson's life was one of continual dedication to the Lord, saturated in the Word of God, and ongoing communion with the Holy Spirit. We will explore the peace and simplicity Hopkins lived and hear some of the spirit inspired poetry he penned during his time of solitude and devotion to God. Hopkins' story has some wonderful insights to share with us about what blessings can be enjoyed by us all in a life of call devotion to God. Come to God now just as you are, and put it all on pause and find rest for your body, your mind, and your spirit in the quiet. Imagine a man whose art is steadfast in the Lord. This blessed man is none other than Gerard Manly Hopkins, whose life was a testament to his unwavering devotion to God. Hopkins found delight in the Law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night as he walked through life. It was like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season and whose leaf did not wither. Hopkins was born in eighteen forty four in Stratford, Essex, England. From a young age, he exhibited a profound sensitivity to the natural world and a deep spiritual inclination. His early education at Highgate School laid the foundation for his literary talents, but it was at Balliol College, Oxford where his faith truly blossomed. Under the influence of John Henry Newman, Hopkins converted to Roman Catholicism, a decision that profoundly shaped his future. Gerard Manly Hopkins's poetry and life were deeply rooted in the Word of God, just as Psalm one says. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. As you picture this to voted man, feel the warmth of God's love surround you like a soft, comforting blanket. The Law of the Lord was not a burden for Hopkins, but a source of joy and strength. It nourished his soul, just as the streams of water nourish the tree. As you meditate on God's word, feel your worries and fears dissipate, replaced by a deep sense of peace and contentment. Picture the tree in your mind. Its roots are deep and secure, drawing life giving water from the stream. The leaves are vibrant and healthy, and the branches are heavy with fruit. This tree is strong and unshakable, just as Hopkins was when he was grounded in God's word. Let this image fill you with a sense of stability and assurance as you prepare to rest here Psalm one, verse two again. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Let your thoughts turn to the law of the Lord. Thinking of the commandments and teachings that guided hopkins life. These were not restrictions, but hathways to a fulfilling and abundant life. They were the words of a loving father who desires the best for his children. Remember the feelings of closeness you've had with God in the past. These moments are treasures reminders of His faithfulness and love. Hold on to these memories as you drift into sleep, allowing them to comfort and reassure you. The Lord is always with you, guiding and protecting you. As Hopkins meditated on the Law of the Lord day and night, so too, can you find peace and rest in God's Word. Let the Scriptures be the last thing on your mind as you fall asleep, knowing they will continue to work in your heart and mind throughout the night. And may they also be the first thing you think of as you wake in the morning. Trust that the Holy Spirit is with you, filling you with his presence and peace. May your delight be in the Law of the Lord and on his Law. May you meditate day and night. Delighting in the Law of the Lord brings immense joy and fulfillment. Gerard Manly Hopkins found profound joy in the Scriptures, which inspired much of his poetry and guided his life. Imagine the joy that comes from discovering a hidden treasure, The excitement and wonder that fills your heart. This is the same joy that filled Hopkins's heart as he meditated on God's Word. It's a joy that is deep and abiding, not dependent on external sircumstances. Relax even more as I read one of Hopkins's most well loved poems, called God's Grandeur. Join in the delight and wonder he experienced in gazing at the Lord's work. The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out like shaaning from shook foil. It gathers to a greatness, like the ewes of oil crushed. Why do men then now not wreck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod, And all is seared with trade, bleared, smeared with toil, and wears man's smudge and shares man's smell. The soil is bare now, Nor can feet feel being shad And for all that this nature is never spent their lives the dearest freshness deep down things. And though the last lights off the black west went oh morning at the brown brink eastward springs, because the holy ghost over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah bright wings. Let the devotion from Hobkin's heart infuse you with a child like awe and wonder. The light at God's handiwork overtook his very being. He saw the God of the Bible in every part of creation, even in the ooze of olive oil, when the olives were crushed. I believe he observed those beautiful, glossy olives as they were crushed, and he remembered the prophecy from Isaiah fifty three, verse five, that he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. And with his wounds we are healed. Hopkins saw the God of new life and creation, and the ancient God who gave his people a beautiful law to abide by every day, in every part of his daily life. Consider the beauty of God's law. It is perfect and pure, a reflection of his holy character. Each commandment in teaching is like a precious gem shining with the light of truth and wisdom. As you meditate on these truths, let them fill your heart with joy and wonder. God's laws not a set of rules to be followed out of obligation, but a pathway to a life of abundance and peace. Hopkins's life was one of deep commitment and routine prayer, study and service marked his days. He rose early in the morning to begin his day with prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength. This time of communion with God was the foundation of his daily life, grounding him in the truth of God's Word. He was indeed a man of calm devotion. Throughout the day, Hopkins engaged in various activities, from teaching and preaching to writing and reflecting. His poetry, though often not widely appreciated during his lifetime, was an expression of his deep faith and his love for God's creation. As we just heard in God's Grandeur, Hopkins delighted in the beauty of God's handiwork in the world around him and sought to capture it. In his verses, his life sounds like a life of discipline, but delighting himself and the Lord actually formed its foundation, just like it did for the Psalmist. And indeed Hopkins was himself a Psalmist. We can read in his poetry that he did not merely live out a series of bland and dry religious practices. Oh No, we can read the joy and excitement that leaps off each stanza in verse. Whether he was spending time in the Word or meditating in God's creation, he was experiencing the joy of the Lord. Let the times you have experienced the joy of living according to God's word to fill your mind. Perhaps it was a moment of forgiveness when you let go of a grudge and felt the freedom that comes from releasing bitterness. Or maybe it was a time of generosity when you gave selflessly to someone in need and experienced the joy of being a blessing to others. These moments give us glimpses of the abundant life God desires for us. As you delight in the law of the Lord, let your heart be filled with gratitude. Thank God for his word, for the guidance and wisdom it provides. Thank Him for the moments of joy and peace that come from living according to his teachings. Let this gratitude fill your heart and mind as you rest. Let me pray for you one last time, Beautiful Jesus, our hero and champion, Thank you for bringing this child delight. As they let your words soak in their hearts. May they meditate effortlessly on your word as they sleep, and may it nourish them. And may they arise, revived and refreshed for the day tomorrow, ready to see your hand in everything your solutions coming for every problem. May they live a life of calm devotion to you, moment by moment, delighting in you all the time days of their life. In your precious name, Amen. I will close out our story on one final poem from Gerard Manly Hopkins called Hide Beauty, in which he marvels delightedly at God's unique creation. Glory be to God for dappled things, for skies of couple color as a brinded cow or rose moles, all in stipple upon trout that swim, fresh fire, coal, chestnut falls, finch his wings, landscape plotted in peaced fold, follow and plow, and all trades their gear and tackle and trim, all things counter original, spare, strange, whatever is fickle, freckled, Who knows how? With swift, slow, sweet sour, a dazzle dim He fathers forth, whose beauty is past change, Praise him,
