YAY! This week's chapter is all about putting into practice everything we have been learning about having a quiet time!
Nancy gives us three general principles to help us establish a personal devotional life, each of which is taught in Scripture and illustrated in the life of Jesus.
The first principle is to have a consistent practice. This is not an obligation, but a huge priveledge! We get to spend time with the God of the entire Universe! He WANTS to spend time with us! Isn't that amazing!
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to collect Manna, their food, on a daily basis. They could only collect for that day, and for themselves. This physical bread is a picture of the Bread of Life, God's Word, and our need to spend time individually each day with God.
The second principle (which is particularly hard for me), is to spend time with God in the morning. She gives numerous examples of people in the Bible rising early in the morning to pray, including David, Moses, Mary and Jesus. The Israelites also had to rise early to collect the Manna. If we do not take the time to meet with God in the morning, we are telling him that we don't need His help in making it through our day. We have to be willing to pay the price of getting out of bed if we really want to know God.
And the third principle is to find a solitary place to meet with God. Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus often "withdrew to lonely places and prayed". She says that she has found it helpful to set apart a place in her home to meet with God. We need to get away from all the people and distractions in our lives to focus on Jesus.
She concludes by saying "I know of no way to experience unbroken union and communion with our beloved Lord Jesus apart from a conscious, deliberate choise to spend time alone with Him each morning." This is coming from a woman who knows and loves God.
So my questions for this chapter are:
1. Which of these three principles is the hardest for you to follow?
2. What are the greatest barriers you encounter in maintaining a consistent time alone with the Lord in the morning?
3. What practical steps can you take in overcoming these obstacles?
Showing posts with label Quiet Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quiet Time. Show all posts
Monday, November 1, 2010
Chapter Four - The Outer Walk
Two long weeks ago, in Bible study we discussed chapter four of A Place of Quiet Rest.
This chapter presented us with four more reasons why we need to spend time with God. She says "As the Holy Spirit fulfills each of these objectives in our hearts, the result will be seen in the way we live our lives toward God and others."
The first of these reasons is Submission. "As we spend time alone with God, our lives are brought into submission to God and His will." So often we find ourselves in positions we'd rather not be in. This could be anything from singleness, to the place we live, to our jobs/schools, to sickness...it could even be something small like being stuck in traffic or getting annoyed at the people around us. The problem is that God plays a huge role in bringing that situation into our lives. He wants to use that situation to change us. But so often we resist...
As we spend more time with God, He enables us to relinquish control and humbly submit to His plan for our lives.
The second reason for quiet time is Direction. In the Bible, God tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him". (James 1:5). Sometimes life just gets so overwhelming. We're presented with endless options for everything...and it can be so hard to make decisions. But God will give us direction if we ask him. The thing is, we have to get quiet enough, long enough to listen to God.
But how can we hear God? He doesn't exactly speak audibly into our ears...instead, He directs us through His Word, as we read and meditate on it. Nancy Leigh DeMoss says "I often claim the promise of Proverbs 16:3, "Commit they works unto the lord, and they thoughts shall be established". As I am praying regarding a specific decision or issue, I will sometimes symbolically place that concern in my hands, then lift my cupped hands to the Lord and say, "lord, I am committing this matter to You. I am your servant; I want to do what You want me to do. Please establish my thoughts and use Your Word to guide me to a wise decision that will please You".
That is something I am planning on putting into practice in my own life!
The third reason for having quiet time is for Intercession. We need to pray for our friends and families. That should be our first inclination, instead of trying to fix problems on our own and turning to God when we fail.
"O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All beacuse we do not carry
Everything to Go in prayer!
- Joseph M. Scriven
And the final reason she gives us is Transformation. "For as we linger in His presence, we are transformed into His likeness". The more time we spend with people, the more we become lik them. "How important it is, then, that we fix our eyes on the One whose image we wish to bear."
I don't know about you guys, but I want to be like Jesus. I long for his quiet and gentle spirit, and the love he has for others. I think I need to spend some serious time reflecting on him!
So my questions for this chapter...
1. Are there any areas of your life where you are struggling with submission, particularly submission to God?
2. Do you ever consult God before making plans or commitments? If you do, do you wait for an answer?
3. Have you seen any evidence of your transformation in becoming more like God as a result of your quiet time?
This chapter presented us with four more reasons why we need to spend time with God. She says "As the Holy Spirit fulfills each of these objectives in our hearts, the result will be seen in the way we live our lives toward God and others."
The first of these reasons is Submission. "As we spend time alone with God, our lives are brought into submission to God and His will." So often we find ourselves in positions we'd rather not be in. This could be anything from singleness, to the place we live, to our jobs/schools, to sickness...it could even be something small like being stuck in traffic or getting annoyed at the people around us. The problem is that God plays a huge role in bringing that situation into our lives. He wants to use that situation to change us. But so often we resist...
As we spend more time with God, He enables us to relinquish control and humbly submit to His plan for our lives.
The second reason for quiet time is Direction. In the Bible, God tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him". (James 1:5). Sometimes life just gets so overwhelming. We're presented with endless options for everything...and it can be so hard to make decisions. But God will give us direction if we ask him. The thing is, we have to get quiet enough, long enough to listen to God.
But how can we hear God? He doesn't exactly speak audibly into our ears...instead, He directs us through His Word, as we read and meditate on it. Nancy Leigh DeMoss says "I often claim the promise of Proverbs 16:3, "Commit they works unto the lord, and they thoughts shall be established". As I am praying regarding a specific decision or issue, I will sometimes symbolically place that concern in my hands, then lift my cupped hands to the Lord and say, "lord, I am committing this matter to You. I am your servant; I want to do what You want me to do. Please establish my thoughts and use Your Word to guide me to a wise decision that will please You".
That is something I am planning on putting into practice in my own life!
The third reason for having quiet time is for Intercession. We need to pray for our friends and families. That should be our first inclination, instead of trying to fix problems on our own and turning to God when we fail.
"O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All beacuse we do not carry
Everything to Go in prayer!
- Joseph M. Scriven
And the final reason she gives us is Transformation. "For as we linger in His presence, we are transformed into His likeness". The more time we spend with people, the more we become lik them. "How important it is, then, that we fix our eyes on the One whose image we wish to bear."
I don't know about you guys, but I want to be like Jesus. I long for his quiet and gentle spirit, and the love he has for others. I think I need to spend some serious time reflecting on him!
So my questions for this chapter...
1. Are there any areas of your life where you are struggling with submission, particularly submission to God?
2. Do you ever consult God before making plans or commitments? If you do, do you wait for an answer?
3. Have you seen any evidence of your transformation in becoming more like God as a result of your quiet time?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Chapter 3
Do you ever think any of these thoughts?
If I have my devotions, God will be pleased with me. If I have don't devotions, God will be disappointed with me.
Having daily devotions makes me more spiritual.
If I have devotions my day will go better. If I don't, I know it will be a disaster.
I have to have daily devotions - every good Christian does.
These thoughts tend to keep us in bondage to lies. The truth is "if we belong to [God], we already have his favor; He could not love us any more and He could not love us any less."
So if those are reasons to have devotions, why should we have them? In this week's chapter, Nancy gives us four reasons for quiet time that affect our inner life:
- Communion - to experience intimate union with God, who desires a deep, growing relationship with us.
- Purification - to cleanse our hearts and our lives. God uses the water of the Word to cleanse us. (John 17:17; 15:3; Ephesians 5:25-26).
- Restoration - to have our supply of grace, strength, and wisdom replenished and to gain fresh perspective and renewed desire and strength to serve him another day.
- Instruction - so that God would show us what He is like and how to live in a way that pleases Him.
She goes on to ask, "whom does the Lord teach? He instructs those whose hearts are humble - those who have a teachable spirit, whose who know how little they know and how much they need to learn. And He teaches those who fear Him and those who reverence and stand in awe of Him."
I don't know about you guys, but I would never use the word "teachable" to describe myself. But I am growing, and hopefully one day, that will change.
So my questions for the week are:
What are some inferior motives you have for spending time with God?
Think of someone you share a close relationship with. What are some elements of that relationship that help make it successful, and how can you apply it to your relationship with God?
If you haven't already read the chapter, I would encourage you to do it. It's such an amazing chapter, full of so much wisdom, and I think I covered about 3%. If I could I would quote the entire book!
If I have my devotions, God will be pleased with me. If I have don't devotions, God will be disappointed with me.
Having daily devotions makes me more spiritual.
If I have devotions my day will go better. If I don't, I know it will be a disaster.
I have to have daily devotions - every good Christian does.
These thoughts tend to keep us in bondage to lies. The truth is "if we belong to [God], we already have his favor; He could not love us any more and He could not love us any less."
So if those are reasons to have devotions, why should we have them? In this week's chapter, Nancy gives us four reasons for quiet time that affect our inner life:
- Communion - to experience intimate union with God, who desires a deep, growing relationship with us.
- Purification - to cleanse our hearts and our lives. God uses the water of the Word to cleanse us. (John 17:17; 15:3; Ephesians 5:25-26).
- Restoration - to have our supply of grace, strength, and wisdom replenished and to gain fresh perspective and renewed desire and strength to serve him another day.
- Instruction - so that God would show us what He is like and how to live in a way that pleases Him.
She goes on to ask, "whom does the Lord teach? He instructs those whose hearts are humble - those who have a teachable spirit, whose who know how little they know and how much they need to learn. And He teaches those who fear Him and those who reverence and stand in awe of Him."
I don't know about you guys, but I would never use the word "teachable" to describe myself. But I am growing, and hopefully one day, that will change.
So my questions for the week are:
What are some inferior motives you have for spending time with God?
Think of someone you share a close relationship with. What are some elements of that relationship that help make it successful, and how can you apply it to your relationship with God?
If you haven't already read the chapter, I would encourage you to do it. It's such an amazing chapter, full of so much wisdom, and I think I covered about 3%. If I could I would quote the entire book!
Friday, September 24, 2010
A Day of Turning
I just read something from the Desiring God blog I want to share with you guys.
Here’s the challenge John Piper issues as he closes his chapter on prayer (chapter 6) in Desiring God:
[O]ne of the main reasons so many of God’s children don’t have a significant life of prayer is not so much that we don’t want to, but that we don’t plan to. If you want to take a four-week vacation, you don’t just get up one summer morning and say, “Hey, let’s go today!” You won’t have anything ready. You won’t know where to go. Nothing has been planned.
But that is how many of us treat prayer. We get up day after day and realize that significant times of prayer should be a part of our life, but nothing’s ever ready. We don’t know where to go. Nothing has been planned. No time. No place. No procedure. And we all know that the opposite of planning is not a wonderful flow of deep, spontaneous experiences in prayer. The opposite of planning is the rut. If you don’t plan a vacation, you will probably stay home and watch TV. The natural, unplanned flow of spiritual life sinks to the lowest ebb of vitality. There is a race to be run and a fight to be fought. If you want renewal in your life of prayer, you must plan to see it.
Therefore, my simple exhortation is this: Let us take time this very day to rethink our priorities and how prayer fits in. Make some new resolve. Try some new venture with God. Set a time. Set a place. Choose a portion of Scripture to guide you. Don’t be tyrannized by the press of busy days. We all need midcourse corrections. Make this a day of turning to prayer—for the glory of God and for the fullness of your joy. (Desiring God, 2003 edition, pages 182–183)
Wow...you can't get where you want to go without a plan. I definitely want a significant prayer life! Like I said yesterday, my goal for the next year is to get fit, spiritually and physically. And so I need a plan...
I'm going to spend the weekend thinking about it and let you guys know my plan next week.
P.S. My birthday update is coming soon too!
Here’s the challenge John Piper issues as he closes his chapter on prayer (chapter 6) in Desiring God:
[O]ne of the main reasons so many of God’s children don’t have a significant life of prayer is not so much that we don’t want to, but that we don’t plan to. If you want to take a four-week vacation, you don’t just get up one summer morning and say, “Hey, let’s go today!” You won’t have anything ready. You won’t know where to go. Nothing has been planned.
But that is how many of us treat prayer. We get up day after day and realize that significant times of prayer should be a part of our life, but nothing’s ever ready. We don’t know where to go. Nothing has been planned. No time. No place. No procedure. And we all know that the opposite of planning is not a wonderful flow of deep, spontaneous experiences in prayer. The opposite of planning is the rut. If you don’t plan a vacation, you will probably stay home and watch TV. The natural, unplanned flow of spiritual life sinks to the lowest ebb of vitality. There is a race to be run and a fight to be fought. If you want renewal in your life of prayer, you must plan to see it.
Therefore, my simple exhortation is this: Let us take time this very day to rethink our priorities and how prayer fits in. Make some new resolve. Try some new venture with God. Set a time. Set a place. Choose a portion of Scripture to guide you. Don’t be tyrannized by the press of busy days. We all need midcourse corrections. Make this a day of turning to prayer—for the glory of God and for the fullness of your joy. (Desiring God, 2003 edition, pages 182–183)
Wow...you can't get where you want to go without a plan. I definitely want a significant prayer life! Like I said yesterday, my goal for the next year is to get fit, spiritually and physically. And so I need a plan...
I'm going to spend the weekend thinking about it and let you guys know my plan next week.
P.S. My birthday update is coming soon too!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Chapter 2
Last night, I wrote about Chapter 1 of our book. Today, I'll catch up to the Bible study by talking about Chapter 2.
Chapter 2 - Made for Intimacy
In this chapter, Nancy talks about the need in each of us to fellowship with God. She says "In the Scriptures, we encounter a God who moves toward us, who seeks to draw us to himself, who knows us intimately and passionately, and who invites us to know him in the same way". Doesn't this just sound so good to you? I can't tell you how much I long to love God intimately and passionately! And to feel his love for me! I long to be admired and cherished by my Creator!
I have to confess that lately I have not been feeling any of that. I haven't had good time with God for a few weeks, and I'm really suffering for it. I've been more sad, angry, depressed, anxious...basically I've been feeling every negative emotion there is! And I know its because I haven't spent time with my Father. God forgive me! I know I need it!
Our discussion on chapter 2 mainly focused on the section of the chapter regarding Martha and Mary. The book contrasts the love Mary had for Jesus, with Martha's desire to get things done. She chose to be busy instead of spending time with the Lover of her soul, and she suffered for it. She became anxious and angry, kind of like I'm feeling now.
But Jesus tells her "It's ok...your company means more to me than your cooking. You are more important to me than anything you can do for me".
Like Nancy says, "There is only one place where that angry, reactive, overwhelmed self can be transformed - the same place that Mary chose - the feet of Jesus".
Will you choose with me to sit at the feet of Jesus today?
Questions to Consider
1. Who do you know that has an intimate, growing relationship with God? How did they get that relationship?
2. If people were to look at your life, what would they say is important to you?
Chapter 2 - Made for Intimacy
In this chapter, Nancy talks about the need in each of us to fellowship with God. She says "In the Scriptures, we encounter a God who moves toward us, who seeks to draw us to himself, who knows us intimately and passionately, and who invites us to know him in the same way". Doesn't this just sound so good to you? I can't tell you how much I long to love God intimately and passionately! And to feel his love for me! I long to be admired and cherished by my Creator!
I have to confess that lately I have not been feeling any of that. I haven't had good time with God for a few weeks, and I'm really suffering for it. I've been more sad, angry, depressed, anxious...basically I've been feeling every negative emotion there is! And I know its because I haven't spent time with my Father. God forgive me! I know I need it!
Our discussion on chapter 2 mainly focused on the section of the chapter regarding Martha and Mary. The book contrasts the love Mary had for Jesus, with Martha's desire to get things done. She chose to be busy instead of spending time with the Lover of her soul, and she suffered for it. She became anxious and angry, kind of like I'm feeling now.
But Jesus tells her "It's ok...your company means more to me than your cooking. You are more important to me than anything you can do for me".
Like Nancy says, "There is only one place where that angry, reactive, overwhelmed self can be transformed - the same place that Mary chose - the feet of Jesus".
Will you choose with me to sit at the feet of Jesus today?
Questions to Consider
1. Who do you know that has an intimate, growing relationship with God? How did they get that relationship?
2. If people were to look at your life, what would they say is important to you?
Chapter 1
I realize I'm about two to three weeks behind in blogging about the book. I'm not really sure why. I've been meaning to write for a while, but I keep making excuses. I really want to tell you guys about my trip to Jamaica, but the pictures are on my computer at work and I can't blog from work! But I'll get them for tomorrow...promise!
Tonight we discussed chapter 2 of our book, A Place of Quiet Rest, and I remembered why I love this book so much! But before we go there, let's back track a little...
Chapter 1 - A Day in the Life of the Lord
This chapter discusses Jesus's life and how he handled the people and situations that followed him everywhere. One particular day, as described in Mark 21-38, Jesus did more than most of us get done in a week (or ever??). He taught in the synagogue, cast out an evil spirit, went to his best friend's house where he had to heal his sick mother-in-law, went to the door and found an entire town of sick and demon-possessed waiting on him, and healed many of them! I'm sure he went to bed exhausted that night. And yet in verse 25 we see that the next day "very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." I wonder how much sleep he actually got that night?
If that was me, I think I would have slept in the next day. I really love sleep! Why in the world would he get up early after being awake late at night healing people?!
Keep reading...his disciples come to him, everyone is looking for him. So what does he do? He tells them "Let's go somewhere else, so I can preach. After all, this is why I came". That's pretty deep! I mean, isn't that why we're all here? To worship God and lead other people to him? But how was Jesus able to consistently love other people? On page 28, Nancy tells us "Jesus knew that any power or ability He had to minister to others was due to the fact that He was "One with the Father". He knew it was essential for Him to stay connected to His Father, for that was His source of life, joy, power, peace, and fruitfulness. He knew He had to walk in union and communion with His Father if He was to know and do His Father's will. He had no other purpose for being on this earth than to do the wil of His Father. So He had no high priority than to abide in intimate, unbroken fellowship with His Father, so that He might fulfill His Father's will".
I know sometimes it's hard to remember and believe that we are only here to do God's will. We get so caught up with life, whether that be school, work, relationships, or the interenet. Those things are good, but they shouldn't get in the way of our relationship with God and fulfilling his will.
I would just encourage us all to realize that we can't know God's will for us, if we're not in fellowship with him. Let's follow Jesus' example and make time with God our priority!
Questions to consider
1. Think about your relationship with God. How is your relationship with God right now? Do you delight in his word and presence each day? Do you go robotically about your devotional life, not really getting anything out of it? Do you have no real relationship with God whatsoever?
2. What would you like for God to do in your life? How do you think you can build a stronger relationship with the Father?
Tonight we discussed chapter 2 of our book, A Place of Quiet Rest, and I remembered why I love this book so much! But before we go there, let's back track a little...
Chapter 1 - A Day in the Life of the Lord
This chapter discusses Jesus's life and how he handled the people and situations that followed him everywhere. One particular day, as described in Mark 21-38, Jesus did more than most of us get done in a week (or ever??). He taught in the synagogue, cast out an evil spirit, went to his best friend's house where he had to heal his sick mother-in-law, went to the door and found an entire town of sick and demon-possessed waiting on him, and healed many of them! I'm sure he went to bed exhausted that night. And yet in verse 25 we see that the next day "very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." I wonder how much sleep he actually got that night?
If that was me, I think I would have slept in the next day. I really love sleep! Why in the world would he get up early after being awake late at night healing people?!
Keep reading...his disciples come to him, everyone is looking for him. So what does he do? He tells them "Let's go somewhere else, so I can preach. After all, this is why I came". That's pretty deep! I mean, isn't that why we're all here? To worship God and lead other people to him? But how was Jesus able to consistently love other people? On page 28, Nancy tells us "Jesus knew that any power or ability He had to minister to others was due to the fact that He was "One with the Father". He knew it was essential for Him to stay connected to His Father, for that was His source of life, joy, power, peace, and fruitfulness. He knew He had to walk in union and communion with His Father if He was to know and do His Father's will. He had no other purpose for being on this earth than to do the wil of His Father. So He had no high priority than to abide in intimate, unbroken fellowship with His Father, so that He might fulfill His Father's will".
I know sometimes it's hard to remember and believe that we are only here to do God's will. We get so caught up with life, whether that be school, work, relationships, or the interenet. Those things are good, but they shouldn't get in the way of our relationship with God and fulfilling his will.
I would just encourage us all to realize that we can't know God's will for us, if we're not in fellowship with him. Let's follow Jesus' example and make time with God our priority!
Questions to consider
1. Think about your relationship with God. How is your relationship with God right now? Do you delight in his word and presence each day? Do you go robotically about your devotional life, not really getting anything out of it? Do you have no real relationship with God whatsoever?
2. What would you like for God to do in your life? How do you think you can build a stronger relationship with the Father?
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Place of Quiet Rest
I think most of you know that we're starting a new book in Bible study, A Place of Quiet Rest.
It's a wonderful book about having a daily devotional time with God. I've been so blessed by the book already. I started reading it through on my own, but I realized there's power in numbers and accountability. If I'm going to change my life and the way I spend time with God I'm going to need help. I can't do it alone. So I'm excited to be reading it together with the girls from Bible study.
If you're off the island, or can't make it out on Monday nights, I encourage you to grab a copy of the book and read along with us! Let your life be transformed so that you "bear the sweet, rich fruit of meeting with God on a consistent basis".
Tonight, we read the foreword and a small section titled "From my Heart". And as we read, I realized how important it is to make the effort to have quiet time each morning. When I think of women I look up to from the past, or even in the present, I'm amazed at their quiet hearts for God. Women like Sarah Edwards and Suzanna Wesley, who raised up children who would change the world for God. Women like Elizabeth Elliot, who had the power to foregive the people who murdered her husband and live among them to share the gospel. These are women I want to be like. I want people to look at me and think "Wow, she has a beautiful Spirit".
And I can't have that spirit without spending time with God. That's the only way he'll be able to change me and shape my heart so that it matches his. I need to have quiet time every single day of my life! Otherwise, I'm nothing like these women...I'm nasty and selfish. I have no joy, and being loving is the furthest thing from my mind.
But the struggle to have quiet time is not an easy one. Nancy Leigh DeMoss talks about this. She points out that "one of the reasons it is such a battle is that the enemy of my soul knows if he can defeat me here, he will ultimately be able to defeat me in every other area of my spiritual life." It's so true...
So I need to be prepared to fight! Right now I'm exhausted...but I need to fight! No sleep for me! I need Jesus more than I need sleep!
I also need Jesus more than I need to Blog...so on that note, time for some quiet time!
It's a wonderful book about having a daily devotional time with God. I've been so blessed by the book already. I started reading it through on my own, but I realized there's power in numbers and accountability. If I'm going to change my life and the way I spend time with God I'm going to need help. I can't do it alone. So I'm excited to be reading it together with the girls from Bible study.
If you're off the island, or can't make it out on Monday nights, I encourage you to grab a copy of the book and read along with us! Let your life be transformed so that you "bear the sweet, rich fruit of meeting with God on a consistent basis".
Tonight, we read the foreword and a small section titled "From my Heart". And as we read, I realized how important it is to make the effort to have quiet time each morning. When I think of women I look up to from the past, or even in the present, I'm amazed at their quiet hearts for God. Women like Sarah Edwards and Suzanna Wesley, who raised up children who would change the world for God. Women like Elizabeth Elliot, who had the power to foregive the people who murdered her husband and live among them to share the gospel. These are women I want to be like. I want people to look at me and think "Wow, she has a beautiful Spirit".
And I can't have that spirit without spending time with God. That's the only way he'll be able to change me and shape my heart so that it matches his. I need to have quiet time every single day of my life! Otherwise, I'm nothing like these women...I'm nasty and selfish. I have no joy, and being loving is the furthest thing from my mind.
But the struggle to have quiet time is not an easy one. Nancy Leigh DeMoss talks about this. She points out that "one of the reasons it is such a battle is that the enemy of my soul knows if he can defeat me here, he will ultimately be able to defeat me in every other area of my spiritual life." It's so true...
So I need to be prepared to fight! Right now I'm exhausted...but I need to fight! No sleep for me! I need Jesus more than I need sleep!
I also need Jesus more than I need to Blog...so on that note, time for some quiet time!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Running on Empty
Daniel and I have been taking church membership classes for the last couple months. Our church is very serious about membership. They want to make sure you're committed and know what you're getting yourself into before you become a member.
One thing that keeps coming up during classes is the topic of serving. You're expected to serve the church in some way...period. No excuses.
And naturally, with that being said, we've randomly been asked to serve in like three new areas. It's funny how that happens.
We (and by we, I mean Daniel) were asked to consider teaching the teens in Sunday School. And to help run a program with an orphanage on the island. And to join a small group. That's on top of Monday night Bible study, church membership classes (which should be ending soon), church and random mentoring/evangelism/fellowship.
The thing is, I don't connect well with teens. I never have. I've tried, and failed miserably! Even though I know I was just like them as a teen, their unwillingness to learn from other people's mistakes and take life seriously just annoys me. Daniel, on the other hand, is wonderful with them. And since I want to be passionate about the things he is passionate about, I kind of feel like I should put my personal feelings aside so that we can work together. Especially in our first year of marriage.
I've recently been praying about the direction my life should take. Should I commit myself to working with Daniel with teens? Should I give up the Bible study, or really push to make it stronger? How can I manage any of these things and still keep up the running of my home?
So far, the only answer I'm hearing is that I need to "be still and know that He is God". The truth is, my relationship with God isn't the greatest right now. I hardly have any devotional life, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to overcome this period in my life. So now doesn't seem to be the time to dedicate myself to a million things. Instead, it seems to be a time to fill myself up with God's word and prayer. I need refreshment before I can pour myself out to others. Even if that means I can't serve others along side my husband.
What do you think? Is it ok for me to take a break from ministry in order to work things out with the Lord?
One thing that keeps coming up during classes is the topic of serving. You're expected to serve the church in some way...period. No excuses.
And naturally, with that being said, we've randomly been asked to serve in like three new areas. It's funny how that happens.
We (and by we, I mean Daniel) were asked to consider teaching the teens in Sunday School. And to help run a program with an orphanage on the island. And to join a small group. That's on top of Monday night Bible study, church membership classes (which should be ending soon), church and random mentoring/evangelism/fellowship.
The thing is, I don't connect well with teens. I never have. I've tried, and failed miserably! Even though I know I was just like them as a teen, their unwillingness to learn from other people's mistakes and take life seriously just annoys me. Daniel, on the other hand, is wonderful with them. And since I want to be passionate about the things he is passionate about, I kind of feel like I should put my personal feelings aside so that we can work together. Especially in our first year of marriage.
I've recently been praying about the direction my life should take. Should I commit myself to working with Daniel with teens? Should I give up the Bible study, or really push to make it stronger? How can I manage any of these things and still keep up the running of my home?
So far, the only answer I'm hearing is that I need to "be still and know that He is God". The truth is, my relationship with God isn't the greatest right now. I hardly have any devotional life, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to overcome this period in my life. So now doesn't seem to be the time to dedicate myself to a million things. Instead, it seems to be a time to fill myself up with God's word and prayer. I need refreshment before I can pour myself out to others. Even if that means I can't serve others along side my husband.
What do you think? Is it ok for me to take a break from ministry in order to work things out with the Lord?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I failed...
This morning I woke up bright and early at......8:00. Not 7:45 like planned. Now I know if I want to do this thing I can't accept excuses.
But if I was giving excuses I would say that I got pretty much no sleep last night. I couldn't get comfortable or make my mind shut off. So naturally, I was exhausted this morning. Also, I said I would get up 15 minutes earlier, and considering I actually got out of bed at 8:15 the day before, that technically was 15 minutes earlier!
But still....NO excuses. I failed. But I am determined to have grace with myself (something new I'm learning) and try again tomorrow.
But if I was giving excuses I would say that I got pretty much no sleep last night. I couldn't get comfortable or make my mind shut off. So naturally, I was exhausted this morning. Also, I said I would get up 15 minutes earlier, and considering I actually got out of bed at 8:15 the day before, that technically was 15 minutes earlier!
But still....NO excuses. I failed. But I am determined to have grace with myself (something new I'm learning) and try again tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The start of a new blog
So I'm finally doing it. After months of reading other people's blogs and secretly longing for my own, I got up the courage to start.
I got married seven months ago and I have no idea how to be a wife or homemaker. I am currently extremely messy, a terrible cook, and pretty bad at managing my time. However, little by little I am growing and learning. And so I will use this blog to document my journey into womanhood. This includes my cooking and crafting experiments, my attempts to keep our apartment (relatively) clean and organized, and anything else that might help me (and maybe even you) to grow.
How will this blog be different from all the other blogs out there? What will make it special? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.
Speaking of waiting to find out. For the past few months I have been trying to wake up early. One of my favorite things in the whole world is sleeping. Very few things in this world can compare to the feeling of lying in my bed, snuggled in a blanket, snoozing for "just five more mintues". And so I sleep, and I sleep, and I sleep...This usually means waking up at 8:15 and rushing to get ready and get out the door. No breakfast, no bible study, no prayer. And the results are not pretty. Poor Daniel!
Every night I tell myself, "Tomorrow will be the day!", and then wait to find out if it really is. It never is. But this afternoon I came across an article called Establishing a Morning Routine and I realized I can't just wait around until I feel like getting out of bed. That's never going to happen. I have to plan for it, and tackle it little by little.
So tomorrow the goal is to wake up 15 minutes earlier than I already do for some much needed quiet time.
So 7:45, here I come!
I got married seven months ago and I have no idea how to be a wife or homemaker. I am currently extremely messy, a terrible cook, and pretty bad at managing my time. However, little by little I am growing and learning. And so I will use this blog to document my journey into womanhood. This includes my cooking and crafting experiments, my attempts to keep our apartment (relatively) clean and organized, and anything else that might help me (and maybe even you) to grow.
How will this blog be different from all the other blogs out there? What will make it special? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.
Speaking of waiting to find out. For the past few months I have been trying to wake up early. One of my favorite things in the whole world is sleeping. Very few things in this world can compare to the feeling of lying in my bed, snuggled in a blanket, snoozing for "just five more mintues". And so I sleep, and I sleep, and I sleep...This usually means waking up at 8:15 and rushing to get ready and get out the door. No breakfast, no bible study, no prayer. And the results are not pretty. Poor Daniel!
Every night I tell myself, "Tomorrow will be the day!", and then wait to find out if it really is. It never is. But this afternoon I came across an article called Establishing a Morning Routine and I realized I can't just wait around until I feel like getting out of bed. That's never going to happen. I have to plan for it, and tackle it little by little.
So tomorrow the goal is to wake up 15 minutes earlier than I already do for some much needed quiet time.
So 7:45, here I come!
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