Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation
Welcome to the new season of the podcast, now titled "Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation"!
Join your host, Pastor Robert Young, as we embark on a journey of spiritual exploration and renewal. This podcast is designed to help you deepen your faith and find inner peace through calming, reflective, and transformative meditative practices inspired by scripture.
Our Evolution
While the podcast, formerly known as Not Your Parent's Religion, focused in Seasons 1 and 2 on correcting misinformation and myths about religious beliefs and the teaching of Jesus Christ, the program has evolved. In Season 3, we began drawing closer to God with guided meditations, exploring all the details of why and how to meditate, and discussing the Biblical origins of Christian meditations.
With over 30 years of experience in Church planting and mentoring other Pastors, and 30+ years of training leaders in evangelism/discipleship, Pastor Young is here to guide you through these moments of stillness and connection with God.
What to Expect in Season 4
We are excited to return with Season 4 starting Sunday, October 5. We will continue to offer a structured weekly schedule:
- Sundays: Our weekly guided meditation episode.
- Monday through Friday: Daily devotions and reflections that expand on the topic of the Sunday meditations.
- Wednesdays: Audio episodes of our House Church series. This series reflects the Bible's teaching that believers should gather together for corporate worship, fellowship, encouragement, and even admonishment.
For those seeking an enhanced experience, we are adding video versions of the meditations and devotions to our Patreon page. These videos are designed to give you a more immersive experience as you meditate on the Father, His teachings, and His presence.
Tune in each week as we lead you on this path to connecting more deeply with God.
Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation
The Jesus No One Talks About Series Pt. 3: The Weight Jesus Carried | Monday Devotion
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Jesus approaches the cross carrying crushing emotional and spiritual weight and He doesn’t cover it up. We sit with that moment in Gethsemane, imagining the dim garden, the heaviness on His face, and the startling clarity of a Savior who names His anguish instead of hiding it. That picture reframes prayer for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or ashamed of what they’re feeling.
We guide you through a short, spacious reflection that asks one honest question: what heavy emotion are you carrying that you have not named before God? Rather than rushing to solutions, we practise emotional honesty with God, the kind of vulnerable prayer Jesus models as fully human. If you’ve ever edited your prayers, avoided your grief, or felt like faith requires a brave face, this is a gentle invitation back to truth.
You’ll also hear a simple affirmation repeated slowly: “It is safe for me to be honest with God.” Let that line sink in as a new foundation for your spiritual life, especially if anxiety, sadness, anger, or exhaustion has been living just beneath the surface. We close with a prayer asking for courage to bring real emotions without fear or shame, trusting that God meets us in the places that feel heavy.
If this helped you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs permission to be honest, and leave a review so more people can find this kind of guided prayer and Christian reflection.
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(585) 331-3424
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Setting The Scene Before The Cross
Pastor Robert YoungBefore
Jesus Names His Deep Anguish
Pastor Robert Youngthe cross. Jesus enters a moment of crushing emotional and spiritual weight. He does not hide his own anguish. He names it. He shares it with his closest friends, his disciples. He brings it honestly before the Father. This is Jesus fully human. Feeling what we feel, carrying what we carry, entering the depths of human sorrow, so he can meet us in ours. Imagine Jesus kneeling in the dim moonlight of the garden. See the heaviness on his face, the trembling in his hands, the weight on his shoulders. Now imagine him turning toward you, not ashamed, not hiding, simply honest. Let his honesty give you permission to be honest as well.
A Quiet Question For Your Heart
Pastor Robert YoungLet's take three minutes to reflect on the following question. What heavy emotion are you carrying that you have not named before God?
Repeating The Truth About Safety
Pastor Robert YoungIt is safe for me to be honest with God. Again, it is safe for me to be honest with God.
Closing Prayer For Honest Emotion
Pastor Robert YoungOur closing prayer. Teach me to bring my real emotions to you without fear or shame. Thank you for meeting me in the places that feel heavy. Amen.