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“The Bible is a collection of 66 love letters that call out to the childlike hearts of the children of God—the children of the Most High. Therefore, around these soul care streets, we not only pray, we play in Scripture—rhythmically as women who align with the wisdom + beauty of our sacred, feminine embodiment.” - Pastor Angie
SOULjourner,
We enter the kingdom by becoming as a child and receiving as a child: "But Jesus called them to him, saying, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 18:16)
This childlike posture also shapes how we interact with Scripture. The invitation to integrate rhythmic play into scriptural meditation goes beyond acquiring information—it is about abiding in Love as a beloved and nurtured child.
We long to experience the depths of divine encounter—to be nourished and cherished by the parental goodness of God. This longing surpasses sermons, books, Bible studies, podcasts, or retreats. It calls us into a multifaceted, sensual experience with God through our bodies, nature, work, rest, relationships, and Scripture itself.
When it comes to Bible meditation + study, resources are helpful companions. However, the first and foremost resource for drawing near to God’s heart is our own heart. All other tools should serve to enhance our childlike receptivity—not obstruct it.
Pause + Breathe that in.
I created the Color + Journal Experience™ Bible Study Notebook as a companion to nurture this childlike receptivity while honoring our feminine focus + flow.
Unlike any other Bible study notebook, the Color + Journal Experience™ integrates a cyclical, feminine journaling approach as you color and scribble your devotional discoveries.
For many years, I’ve taught through a 4-part play + prayer framework called the L.I.V.E. Method.
This method is rooted in coloring, journaling, and breath work—specifically, Breath Prayer.
A Breath Prayer is a short prayer of praise or a request to God that you pray silently while breathing deeply. It’s a simple yet profound practice that connects the spiritual (prayer) with the physical (breathing), fostering a deeper relationship with Yeshua/Jesus and yourself.
Here are two examples:
Exhale — “The Lord is…”Inhale — “…my strength and song.” (Psalm 118:14)
Exhale — “Thank…”Inhale — “…you.”
Most Breath Prayers contain just 2–6 brief words, making them easy to incorporate into everyday life. This meditative act invites us to pause, breathe, and align our hearts with God’s presence in the rhythm of our daily moments.
A Look at the L.I.V.E. Method
Listen
Insight
Voice
Empowered
#1 Listen – Shema: Hearing the Love Letter
In Hebrew, shema means to listen with the intent to obey. It’s not just about hearing words but responding to them with action and devotion.
Start by journaling the passage or verse(s). I recommend reading the sacred text aloud or listening to an audio version on your phone or computer. Engage as many senses as possible to soak in the beauty of God’s Word. This practice invites you to hear with your heart, aligning with God’s voice in a deeply personal way.
#2 Insight – Hagah: Chewing the Love Letter
Meditation in English feels too gentle a word for what hagah conveys. In Hebrew, hagah means to persistently chew and wrestle with the Word. It also implies verbalizing—muttering, speaking in undertones, or even roaring, as seen in Isaiah 31:4 when describing a lion over its prey.
Meditation is an active engagement with Scripture, where you pour over its truths aloud, letting it shape your thoughts toward God.
Journal your discoveries as you ponder these questions:
What is emphasized?
What is repeated?
What is related?
What is alike?
What is unlike?
This phase is like a child joyfully jumping into puddles, playing in the mud, or twirling in the rain—an exploration of wonder alongside a patient Parent who delights in answering every question.
#3 Voice – Shuv: Praying Through the Love Letter
In Hebrew, shuv means to restore or return. This is where you examine your path in light of your meditation and offer up prayers that align your heart with God’s will.
This act of prayer becomes a liturgy of intimacy—a fragrant offering that aligns your heart, soul, mind, and strength with God’s presence. It’s a moment of realignment where all parts of you return to the Source.
#4 Empowered – Menuchah: Resting in the Love Letter
In Hebrew, menuchah represents a multi-layered empowerment to rest—a rest rooted in truth, sincerity, peace, and safety. It’s an invitation to pause and savor what has been revealed through Scripture.
Rest allows you to:
Digest Scripture’s truths slowly and unhurriedly.
Let revelation unfold over time without rushing or forcing understanding.
Create space for a Divine embrace—a sacred encounter that meets you wherever you are in life. Like the moon, even when you see only a sliver or its dark silhouette, it remains whole.
Rest reminds us that we don’t need all the answers; we simply need to be. Whether we feel unsure or assured, God welcomes us in our complexities.
By resting, we synthesize and metabolize the energy spent listening, chewing, and responding to God’s love letter.
Exploring Psalm 128:1
"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways." (Psalm 128:1)
Join me as I play + pour over the words happy + fear from this verse.
The Hebrew word for "blessed" (esher) is synonymous with happiness—a deep, abiding joy rooted in alignment with God.
Take a moment to reflect on this: What does it mean to be blessed? To fear the Lord? To walk in His ways?
Below, you’ll find images of my journal responses. You’ll notice I only filled out the first page—I didn’t complete the entire framework in one sitting. This is about moving at a grace pace, not grinding through study.
The invitation here is to linger with the text, allowing it to speak to your heart over time. Let the words settle into your soul as you meditate on God’s promises and presence.
The Hebrew word for fear in this verse is, "yirah."
In biblical Hebrew, there are several words for fear. For this reflection, I’ve chosen to focus on two:
Pachad (projected or imagined fear): Pachad represents the kind of fear that stems from imagined threats or worst-case scenarios. In contemporary terms, it triggers a survival-trauma response fueled by overwhelming, asphyxiating thoughts. Often, these thoughts arise from wounded places within us—places that are not meant to exile us but to invite us into healing encounters.
Yirah (reverential awe): Yirah describes the fear we feel when we suddenly find ourselves in a larger space or with more energy than we are accustomed to. It’s the sensation of standing on sacred ground—a feeling of reverence, awe, and wonder. This type of fear invites us into hospitality and the sanctum of holy reverence.
Navigating Fear: Pachad vs. Yirah
The next time you encounter fear, take a moment to discern its nature:
Ask yourself: What part of this fear is pachad?
Write down the imagined outcomes you’re afraid of.
Remind yourself that these fears are projections—they are not rooted in reality but often arise from places within us that are seeking protection.
Gently acknowledge these fears without judgment, offering yourself grace and compassion. Remember, pachad is not your enemy—it is a signal that something within you needs care and reassurance. Invite God into these moments to bring healing and peace to the wounded places where pachad resides.
Savor yirah.
Ask yourself: What part of this fear is yirah?
You’ll recognize yirah by its tinge of exhilaration and awe, as opposed to the threat and panic associated with pachad.
Lean into the callings and leaps that evoke yirah, for they often point toward sacred opportunities and deeper reverence.
By distinguishing between these two types of fear, we can move away from paralyzing dread (pachad) and lean into the expansive awe (yirah) that draws us closer to God’s presence.
Through the L.I.V.E. Method, we are called to engage with Scripture not just intellectually but holistically—with our hearts, bodies, and spirits. We are invited to embrace a grace pace, where we linger in God’s Word and allow it to nourish us like rain on fertile soil.
May this rhythm of listening, reflecting, praying, and resting become a sacred dance that draws you closer to the heart of God.
Shop with soul and add the Color + Journal Experience™ Bible Study Notebook to your Build Your Own Gift Set.
Until next time,
Gift from your soul.
✧
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Bible study tools I use: Blue Letter Bible and Bible Hub
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only as I share my pastoral care, my journey, and bring to you valuable research, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing any medical concerns or symptoms, please seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
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This post was originally written on 5/8/2023 and updated on 2/16/25.
