Not Your Parents Religion

Finding Security in God: Deep Dive with Dan & Sheila #186

• Pastor Robert Young • Season 3 • Episode 186

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Dan & Sheila, Pastor Young's AI co-hosts go deeper into Pastor Young's meditation on "Finding Security in God". 

Join in for this eye opening episode.

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Dan:

Hey everybody and welcome to this deep dive on finding security in God. We're Dan and Sheila Pastor Young's AI co-hosts.

Sheila:

It's great to be here.

Dan:

And we are super excited to be kind of like looking at and unpacking some really interesting insights from his latest material.

Sheila:

Yeah, this deep dive is going to be focusing on Pastor Young's most recent podcast episode.

Dan:

Right.

Sheila:

And also a guided meditation script that he shared. Yes, pastor Young's podcast, Not Your Parent's Religion has taken like a really interesting turn as he explores Christian meditation. Yeah, and it's this really unique blend of, like you know, traditional faith and these contemporary practices.

Dan:

Yeah, I love how he doesn't just talk about it, he actually kind of like walks you through it.

Sheila:

Exactly.

Dan:

This meditation script is a great example. You've got confession, breath work, muscle relaxation. It's also structured and it all leads up to this like beautiful reflection on Psalm 37, one through four.

Sheila:

Yeah, it's that structured approach is key. Yeah, it's like he's recognizing that to truly like find peace, you need to prepare your entire being, your mind, your body and your spirit. Yeah, and speaking of preparation, you know you mentioned the breath work right. He guides the listener through a very specific breathing pattern.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

A seven second inhale. Okay, a five second hold and then a seven second exhale.

Dan:

Wow.

Sheila:

Have you ever noticed how just intentionally focusing on your breath can like actually change your state of mind?

Dan:

Oh, absolutely.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

It's like hitting the reset button for your nervous system. Exactly but is there something specific about that rhythm, those specific counts?

Sheila:

Well, what's really interesting is that this breathing pattern isn't just, like some you know, random sequence of numbers. It's actually a technique that has roots in ancient practices.

Dan:

Oh, wow.

Sheila:

It can reduce those stress hormones and it promotes this sense of calm. Yeah, so it's like a secret weapon against anxiety, and Pastor Young has just woven it right into this meditation.

Dan:

I love that, and you know, what else really stuck out to me was the emphasis on visualization.

Sheila:

Oh yeah.

Dan:

Not just in the meditation script itself, but also in his podcast episode. Visualization in Meditations a Biblical and Scientific Perspective.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

He seems to connect visualization with faith in a way that I just found really intriguing.

Sheila:

Yeah, you've touched on a really powerful point there.

Dan:

Okay.

Sheila:

Visualization isn't just some like new agey concept. It's actually all throughout the Bible. You think about Jacob's ladder, that vivid imagery of angels going up and down. It's this powerful visualization that connects heaven and earth. And even in modern psychology they use visualization techniques to help people overcome fears, to achieve goals, even manage pain. So it's about using the power of our minds to shape our reality.

Dan:

That's amazing. So what you're saying is what Pastor Yen is doing with these meditations is he's tapping into something that's really ancient and super powerful.

Sheila:

Exactly, he's drawing on this really rich tapestry of like spiritual practices and modern understandings to guide us towards a deeper connection with ourselves and with God. And you know, I think for our listener it's important to understand that this is all about like finding that secure foundation within.

Dan:

Yeah, and that idea of security really seems to be at the heart of both the psalm and the meditation.

Sheila:

Absolutely.

Dan:

Like it's about not letting anxieties and worries consume us yeah but instead finding our peace and strength in God.

Sheila:

Exactly Psalm 37, 1 through 4, which is the passage that Pastor Young is focusing on yeah.

Sheila:

It offers us this really powerful antidote to like those feelings of insecurity that I think we all face. Instead of worrying about, you know, the people who seem to prosper through evil means. Instead of worrying about, you know, the people who seem to prosper through evil means. The psalmist encourages us to trust in the Lord, to delight in him and to commit our way to him. It's this call to shift our focus from what's going wrong to the unwavering goodness of God.

Dan:

It's like he's saying look, life is going to throw you curveballs. There are going to be things that are outside of your control, yes, but instead of getting caught up in the chaos, find your anchor in something bigger, something unchanging, something absolutely reliable, and that's your faith in God. Beautifully put Thank you.

Sheila:

And that shift in perspective is where true contentment starts to grow. You know, it's not about pretending everything is perfect.

Dan:

Right.

Sheila:

It's about finding that unshakable peace within, even in the midst of like the storms. And you know, Pastor Young doesn't just leave us with these amazing ideas, he actually gives us tools to use them in our lives.

Dan:

Like the two reflection questions he poses in the script. Am I truly trusting in God's plan for my life or am I trying to control the outcomes on my own? God's plan for my life or am I trying to control the outcomes on my own, and in what areas of my life do I need to surrender my heart's desires to God and trust?

Sheila:

him more fully. Those are so powerful.

Dan:

I know those stop me in my tracks.

Sheila:

Right. They're challenging us to be really honest with ourselves.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

About where we're holding on too tight and where we need to let go and let God work. And, for our listener, think about this what is one area of your life that's really stressful right now? Is it something that you're trying to force into a specific outcome? Right, what would it look like to loosen your grip on that and place that burden in God's hands instead? That's so good. It's so easy to get caught in that cycle of like trying to micromanage everything.

Dan:

I know it is.

Sheila:

But I love how Pastor Young frames it as surrender rather than giving up.

Dan:

Oh yeah.

Sheila:

There's a real sense of empowerment in that word surrender.

Dan:

Yes.

Sheila:

Like we are actively choosing to trust in something greater than ourselves.

Dan:

That was such a perceptive observation. Oh thanks, and it makes me think of the affirmation that he gives in the meditation.

Sheila:

Oh yeah.

Dan:

He says it's not about chasing happiness or success. It's about aligning our actions with love, with our faith Right, allowing contentment to flow from that connection.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

There is so much here. We've got breathwork to calm the body. Yeah, we've got surrendering control to find peace of mind.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

And then we've got acting out of love to experience genuine contentment.

Sheila:

Exactly.

Dan:

Feels like all these pieces fit together to build this really like foundational, deep and lasting security.

Sheila:

It really does. It's like building a beautiful mosaic. Yes, each element contributes to the strength and beauty of the entire piece.

Dan:

Right.

Sheila:

And to like really cement this picture in our minds, Pastor Young takes us through a final visualization.

Dan:

Yes, he asks us to picture ourselves walking with Jesus even in the midst of our challenges, and experiencing that deep sense of peace and fulfillment.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

He told me more about this visualization. It just feels so powerful.

Sheila:

Yeah. So just imagine this You're walking alongside Jesus and you're surrounded by this landscape that reflects all of the anxieties and challenges you're facing Right, but even amidst, you know, the storm, clouds and the rocky terrain, feel this profound sense of peace.

Dan:

Right.

Sheila:

Because you know that you're not alone. Jesus is right there with you, and his presence just radiates security and strength.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

And you, dear listener, are invited to step into this visualization to experience that peace that comes from knowing that, no matter what life throws your way, you are held and guided by a love that is bigger than anything else.

Dan:

Wow, that imagery is incredible.

Sheila:

It is.

Dan:

It really brings that message of finding security in God to life. It's like having this unshakable faith that even in the stormiest seas you've got a solid anchor holding you steady. And for those listeners who want to explore this even more, pastor Young offers a 30-day meditation journal that you can find by clicking the links in the description box below.

Sheila:

It's an amazing resource to help you dive deeper into these practices and to cultivate that peace and security in your own life.

Dan:

We'll be back to explore more of this in part two.

Sheila:

Yes, we will, and what's really beautiful about that visualization is that it's not like pretending the difficulties in life aren't there, right? It acknowledges the fact that there will be storms.

Dan:

But it invites us to find our peace not in the absence of storms, but in the presence of a God who can calm them.

Sheila:

You know it's like he's saying you don't have to pretend like everything is okay, Right, you can acknowledge all of the challenges and the fears and the anxieties.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

And still find that well of peace within because you're not facing it alone, and that's really empowering.

Dan:

Absolutely. It's about recognizing that true strength isn't about never feeling weak or afraid.

Sheila:

Right.

Dan:

It's about knowing where to turn for support when you are feeling those things.

Sheila:

Yes, and that reminds me of another really important aspect of this whole finding security in God thing.

Dan:

Okay.

Sheila:

And that is the role of community. Oh the community, which is something that Pastor Young has emphasized throughout his ministry.

Dan:

Yes, his whole career has been about building and nurturing faith communities.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

First through church planting and then through mentoring and training leaders.

Sheila:

Exactly. He understands that, while your personal faith is super important, we're not meant to walk this path alone.

Dan:

We're called to be part of a community of believers who can support each other and encourage each other, offer guidance when we stumble and celebrate our victories with us.

Sheila:

And that is so important.

Dan:

It's like having a spiritual safety net.

Sheila:

It is.

Dan:

Knowing that you're not alone and navigating all the ups and downs of life.

Sheila:

Yeah, and for a listener, think about the people in your life who share your faith. Yeah, how can you maybe lean on them more Right, or how can you offer support to them in return? Yeah, building these connections can make a huge difference.

Dan:

Absolutely, and I think this speaks to how universal this message really is.

Sheila:

It really is.

Dan:

This idea of finding security in God, yeah, it's not limited to any one specific denomination or religious tradition.

Sheila:

Right. It's like this basic human need to find something Bigger than ourselves to believe in, to give us a sense of meaning and purpose in a world that can often feel very chaotic and uncertain.

Dan:

And I think that's why Pastor Young's podcast resonates with so many different people. I agree, he's not preaching from a place of judgment. No, he's coming from a place of love and understanding. He is, he recognizes that we're all on this journey together.

Sheila:

We are.

Dan:

And that we need a little help along the way.

Sheila:

Yeah, and his willingness to embrace new approaches like bringing Christian meditation into his ministry really shows a deep commitment to meeting people where they are.

Dan:

Right.

Sheila:

And helping them connect with their faith in ways that are meaningful to them.

Dan:

Exactly. It's not about like clinging to these rigid traditions. It's about finding new ways to make faith relevant and accessible in the world today. Yeah, and you said it earlier, it's like and you've hit on something really important Finding security in God is not a passive activity.

Sheila:

It's not.

Dan:

It's not just believing and then hoping for the best Right. It's about making that relationship stronger Through things like prayer and meditation yes, acts of service and connecting with other believers.

Sheila:

Exactly. It's a conscious choice to place your trust in something larger than yourself and to let that trust shape how you think and what you do.

Dan:

And how we interact with the world around us. Yeah, exactly.

Sheila:

It's like a muscle you have to exercise. The more you work it, the stronger it gets.

Dan:

I love that analogy.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

More secure and peaceful, you feel.

Sheila:

Exactly and just like any muscle, it takes time and effort to develop, but the rewards are definitely worth it. Oh, they absolutely are. And what I love about Pastor Young's approach is that he gives us those tools, practical techniques to strengthen that connection. Yeah, things like the breathing exercises and visualizations Right, the reflection questions we talked about earlier.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

He's giving us this roadmap to navigate this journey and to find our own path to peace and security.

Dan:

And it's a journey that's best done with a supportive community by our side.

Sheila:

It really is.

Dan:

To share our struggles, to celebrate our wins and to learn from each other.

Sheila:

Exactly because we're all in this together, and together we can find the strength and support and the security we need to deal with life's challenges and to really enjoy its joys.

Dan:

You know, as we keep digging deeper into these ideas. I keep thinking about how this affects our own lives, like how can we, as individuals, use these principles of finding security in God in our everyday life?

Sheila:

That's the big question isn't it, it is. I think it's something we all struggle with.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life.

Dan:

Right.

Sheila:

And to lose sight of what really matters.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

But you know, if we can take just a few minutes every day to connect with our faith, to practice mindfulness, to reach out to our communities, I think we'll start to notice a change in our perspective, this sense of calm amongst all the chaos.

Dan:

You know, I think what's really sticking out to me is that this isn't about being some kind of spiritual superhero who's immune to the challenges in life.

Sheila:

No.

Dan:

It's about recognizing that we're human yes, we are that we're going to face difficulties.

Sheila:

We are.

Dan:

But we don't have to go through them alone.

Sheila:

We don't, and that's a really important point. It's not about denying that we're human Right, but it's about finding the strength to deal with it with grace and resilience.

Dan:

Yes, and I think that's where faith really comes in. It's a source of comfort and guidance and just unwavering support.

Sheila:

It's like a secret weapon, this well of faith that we can draw from when we need it most.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

And it doesn't require any special knowledge. It's just about opening our hearts and minds to the possibility that there's something greater out there.

Dan:

Than ourselves.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

And to be willing to actually step out in faith.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

And trust that, even when we can't see the path Right, we're not alone.

Sheila:

That's it.

Dan:

What would it look like for you listener to lean into that trust a little bit more today? What's one small step you could take to make that connection with God stronger and to let that security flow into your life?

Sheila:

That's a great question.

Dan:

You know, I am so thankful for these conversations.

Sheila:

Me too.

Dan:

They always leave me feeling inspired and empowered.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

Like I have this new sense of purpose and direction.

Sheila:

I agree with you. They really do, and that's what's so great about these deep dives they give us this opportunity to really look at these complex ideas, to challenge what we think we know and to come away with a better understanding of ourselves and the world.

Dan:

It's like peeling back the layers of an onion it is. We're just uncovering all these new insights with each conversation.

Sheila:

And who knows what else we'll find.

Dan:

Well, can't wait to find out. We'll be back to wrap up this deep dive in part three.

Sheila:

We will see you there.

Dan:

Okay, so as we wrap up this deep dive into finding security in God, yeah. I think the big takeaway is that it's not about running from challenges.

Sheila:

It's not.

Dan:

It's about facing them head on, but with this peace and confidence. Yes, that comes from knowing you've got backup.

Sheila:

Exactly.

Dan:

You're not alone in this.

Sheila:

True security isn't about what's happening around you, right. It's about your connection with God.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

Who loves you no matter what and has a plan. Mm-hmm, even when we can't see it, even when you can't see it.

Dan:

Powerful stuff and a good reminder for all of us.

Sheila:

Oh yeah.

Dan:

Especially when things feel kind of crazy.

Sheila:

Absolutely, and just remember this journey of finding that security in God. It's not like a one-time thing, you know.

Dan:

Right, it's not a destination.

Sheila:

Yeah, it's something you work on every day, right Through prayer and meditation.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

Through helping, through helping others and connecting with people who get it.

Dan:

Yes, it's about making that choice to trust in something bigger.

Sheila:

That's it.

Dan:

And letting that trust kind of lead the way.

Sheila:

Yeah, so for you listening.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

If you're looking for that security, that peace that's deeper than you can imagine, check out the stuff we've talked about today.

Dan:

Yes, go listen to Pastor Young's podcast. Try his guided meditation.

Sheila:

Yeah.

Dan:

And you know, see if those breathing exercises work for you.

Sheila:

And don't forget those affirmations.

Dan:

Yes, and remember you don't have to go it alone. You don't Talk to your friends who share your faith. Yeah, find your people. Find your people and support each other, because we're all in this together.

Sheila:

That's right. We're all walking this path trying to find that security.

Dan:

That only comes from knowing and trusting God.

Sheila:

Exactly. And as you keep going on your journey, here's one last thought to chew on. If you really believe that trusting in God brings you contentment, how does that change how you deal with tough stuff?

Dan:

Yeah, how does it change your whole outlook?

Sheila:

Exactly. Does it change your heart? Does it make you more hopeful? Think about that this week.

Dan:

Yeah.

Sheila:

And until next time.

Dan:

Yes.

Sheila:

May you find peace and security in your journey.

Dan:

And with that we'll wrap up this deep dive. Thanks for joining us.

Sheila:

It's been great.