Develop a Meaningful Devotional Life Painlessly

I've taken the liberty to re-publish a previous post (this first appeared inSeptember). I feel it coincides nicely with what I posted a few days ago about meditation.


I've come to two conclusions:

1. I am a Mary forced to live as a Martha. I would relish the opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from him but most of my life I've been called to cook and serve and then clean up.
2. Monks have it easy because their lives are centered on contemplation, studying the Word of God, and praying. I know they perform important tasks in many areas of service but their main focus is worship.

 All Christians struggle to develop the habit of meeting with God regularly. That is where real worship and growth take place and yet we find it difficult to schedule. It was especially true for me during the busy years of managing family life, running a home, and teaching school. 


Here are some things I learned:

• Baby Steps. Try scheduling a time for reading the Bible and prayer once a week. Then make it twice, working up to every day or almost every day.
• No Guilt. Think of this as a special time with Someone who loves you deeply--an appointment.
• Make it Pleasant. The setting can be a familiar, comfortable place or a different place each time. If a cup of coffee or tea or a cookie makes it nice, then indulge.
• Adapt to your Schedule. When raising four young children, I could barely greet the morning chaos with any semblance of alertness. Often I had my devotional time at 11 or 12:00 at night, long after the family was tucked into their beds. When all the kids reached school age, mid-morning worked for me until I started teaching. Then it was that dreaded 5:15 a.m. time, that actually grew to be quite effective.
• Be creative:
• Let your car become a Chapel on Wheels as you listen to audio versions of the Bible. A good one is Word of Promise Audio Bible with Jim Caviezel reading the words of Jesus. This is an excellent dramatic presentation with sound effects and a musical score accompanying 600 professional readers. It can be downloaded or purchased at www.FaithPlanet.com
• Take 15 minutes of your lunch break to read and pray. One of  my fellow teachers at a large public high school sat at a picnic table eating lunch and reading his Bible every day.
• Walk and meditate during your lunch break. Scripture verses on index cards enable you to walk, read, and pray all at the same time.
• Combine a devotional time with whatever exercise program you endure.
• Think of one 30-minute activity you can give up for your appointment with God:  television, computer time, sleep, etc.

 

A family of quail that visited my backyard during my morning devotional time on the patio.

Helpful Resources

Devotional Books:

• Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
• Our Daily Bread - www.odb.org
• Words of Hope - www.woh.org
• Meeting God in Quiet Places by F. LaGard Smith
• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
• Online devotionals by your favorite Christian author or speaker

Something happens along the way and your time of devotions becomes a Holy Habit, something you look forward to as pleasant rather than a chore.

You really miss it when you miss it!

 

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3: 17)


Remember:  No guilt, just steady effort. You will benefit and God will smile. 



(Let me know through your comments what works for you and I will share it in a future post.)

God's Holy Name

The ancient Hebrew scholars so revered God that they wouldn't even allow themselves to speak his name. In reading the scriptures, they would pause rather than let the name of the Almighty pass through sinful, human lips.

The scribes who recorded the scriptures used a brand new pen and then discarded it whenever they came to the name Jahweh. That's how sacred God's name was to them.

Compare that to our society. We hear the precious names of God and Jesus blasphemed in our homes, offices, schools, media, sporting events--all around us. How sad that must make God.


Challenge: if you've developed the loose habit of using God's name disrespectfully or flippantly, discipline yourself to eliminate this from your speech. Make a pact with all your family members to make yours a household that honors the name of God. Be aware of opportunities to speak up gently and ask others not to dirty the name of your God.

Today: think Hebrew concerning the holiness of God and reverence his name.

Hebrew Names

If you were an ancient Hebrew and your name described your personality, what would you be called?

• He who argues?
• She who scatters debris?
• He who makes peace?
• She who loves?

Names were important to the Hebrews. A study of the Old Testament is enhanced by knowing what the many characters' names mean. For example, Abraham means "father of a multitude." He was married to Sarah, "princess," and their son was Isaac, "he laughs." Read the story in chapter 18 of Genesis and these names will make sense.

In instructing the Israelites, God identified himself by many names. He was:

Elohim - Strong One
Adonae - Lord, Master
Sabaoth - Lord of Hosts
El Shaddae - Powerful Nourisher
Jahweh - I am

The most important name of all for God is Jesus, which means Savior. God's power is in that name that rescues us from the disaster of sin.

What does this mean for us? The almighty God reveals himslef to us at every milestone of our walk with him. He meets us at our point of need and offers life with him, on earth and for eternity.

Select a Hebrew name for God and pray to him, picturing what this name reveals.

The Power of Language

Aa-chooooo! It was quite a sneeze, one of those Arizona pollen-triggered jobbies:  loud, long, and startling. From the back of the crowd came an equally loud, "God bless you and God bless those around you!"

Everyone laughed because that response aptly summed up what we all were thinking in this day of "germaphobia" and hand sanitizers. It was a new take on an old cliche--like gesundheit with a twist.

There are other cliches we use that can be quite helpful to convey complex thoughts and opinions in just a few words. They also can be a lazy way of communicating without thinking. It's like verbal shorthand. 

Pat phrases come from all sorts of sources:  great literature, the Bible, Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, advertisers, television comedians, etc. For example:

• He/she marches to the beat of a different drummer (Thoreau)
• God helps those who help themselves (Ben Franklin)
• Grab all the gusto you can (beer commercial)
• No pain, no gain (probably a sadistic coach or trainer)
• You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours (business person or politician)
• Double-dipping of a potato chip (Seinfeld)
• Fish and visitors smell after three days (Mark Twain)
• Paradigm shift (business)
• Think outside the box (?)
• Not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed
• Not the sharpest tool in the shed
• Stupid is as stupid does (Forrest Gump's mom, Sally Fields)
• Build your castles in the air (Thoreau & Les Miserables)
• Dumb as a box of rocks

Cliches are not bad, in fact they're part of every culture. When taking a foreign language class some of the first phrases taught have to do with "Hi, how are you? I'm fine, thank you." (For travelers the first phrase is, "Where's the bathroom?")

Cover up?

Sometimes, though, they can be a cop-out, a cover up for our real feelings when we don't know what to say. For example, when someone experiences a tragedy we often rely on pat phrases to fill in awkward silences. Or if there's something too painful to talk about we explain things using familiar words to soften the impact.

The Bible talks about the importance of using clear, thoughtful language.

 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5: 12, RSV)

In his interaction with people, Jesus was clear and direct, zeroing in on their need:

"Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5)
"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." (Mark 2: 12)
"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4: 40)
"Little girl, I say to you, get up!" (Mark 5: 41)
"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" (Mark 8:29)

Our goal should be communication, connection through language. Sometimes a cutesy cliche works, and sometimes  a heartfelt use of fresh phrases or words is best. It takes sensitivity to others' needs to figure it out.

Language can be fun...

Listen to your language and to the conversations of those around you. Are you picking up on any fun, clever, or antiquated phrases? Do  you use advertising slogans in your dialog? They want you to do that, you know. Advertisers--that's "another kettle of fish" (this one's from England, I think).

It might be interesting to use the Comments section below to share some of the funny or meaningful phrases that are part of our communication. Click on Comments, use the pull-down menu to register as Anonymous, write a response and hit Publish.

Meanwhile, I know you probably didn't sneeze, but "God bless you" anyway. And I really mean it--I pray God will fill your week with his goodness and joy.

                                                                                    Blessings,
                                                                                                   Sue

I could play you like a fiddle/that hurt like there's no tomorrow/she's got a bee in her bonnet or a burr under her saddle/if you can't beat 'em, join 'em/don't poke the bear/run like a gazelle/he's a piece of work/drives like a banshee/there's no crying in Disneyland/it won't be noticed on a galloping horse/if you can't stand the heat, get outta the kitchen/for cryin' out loud in a bucket!/I'm so mad I can't see straight/......:)








Our goal

Power of H2O

  Recently, Arizona experienced the power of unleashed water in the form of a five-hour rainstorm--nothing of consequence in the Midwest but destructive in our thirsty desert. Interstate 10, the main artery from California to Florida which cuts through the heart of Phoenix, had to be closed for most of a day due to flooding, stranded vehicles, and the slippery muck left behind as the water receded. Schools were closed and neighborhoods were flooded.

Neighborhood park after Phoenix' 100-Year Flood                (photo courtesy Peggy Gregory)

 I was reminded anew of the immense power of water on a recent visit to the Grand Canyon. We hadn't seen this amazing wonder for about thirty years and wanted to check to see if it had changed. It didn't. It is still the inspiring view that elicits gasps. The steady erosion of the relentless Colorado River flowing for eons carves out this exquisite Natural Wonder of the World, both creating and revealing the striped beauty of the Canyon.

 











Arizona is the Grand Canyon State and residents and visitors enjoy it close up and personal, as hikers or mule riders, close but safe from viewpoints along the ridge or the new clear viewing platform that juts over the abyss, or from afar in an airplane or helicopter.

 


We visited another spectacular phenomenon on our recent trip to Canada where we hiked up to the base of Takakkaw Falls, formed by a melting glacier. The roar was deafening, the mist drenching, and the power thunderous.



The Bible talks about the power of water in its metaphor about believers being channels of God's love to others--living water leading from Jesus, the Source of abundant life and salvation. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7: 37-38) Jesus was teaching about the power of the Holy Spirit which soon would come to his followers. He was encouraging them to believe and then spread the Good News.

Imagine yourself as a living stream, a channel filled with fresh, clear, life-giving water. You can be the one who carries the message of salvation and blessings to your family, friends, and acquaintances. People all around are hurting and craving hope in a world gone crazy. What strengths, love, faith, etc. do you have to offer? 

Go and refresh the world around you.

"If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished in you mighty torrents of blessing for others." 

                                                                    Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest

(To leave a comment, click on "Comments" then use the pull down menu to register as "Anonymous". After writing your response, click "Publish.")

                                

Perfect Parenting

Those who have children:  how's your stress level? Off the charts? You've got lots of company.

This time of  year creates anxiety for most parents. Getting the children back on a structured school schedule takes a lot of planning and effort. Snapping them from summer's "sleep-in-'til-noon" mode to the "wake-up-and-get-moving" regimen takes the diligence of a boot camp sergeant.

In addition to school there are sports practices and games, music lessons, church activities, etc. Everything seems to start this time of year, making for a very busy family schedule. Oh yes, then there's your work and managing a household. And don't even get me started on the laundry. I remember.

Jesus, a parent?

 

I've always believed Jesus, because of his 33 years on earth, understands everything we humans experience--our joys, sorrows, fears, etc. However, when I was raising four very active and opinionated youngsters many years ago, I just knew my Savior could not know what it was like. After all, he wasn't married and wasn't a parent.

Then it dawned on me Jesus did have children--his twelve disciples. They were babes in the faith and when he called them from their various lifestyles he had twelve amateurs on his hands. He led them through the precarious stages of infancy into childhood and on through to maturity in their Christian faith. How comforting. He loved, taught, nurtured and reprimanded. He fed them and even washed their feet in loving service. Sounds a lot like parenthood.

He also dealt with sibling rivalry when the disciples asked who would be greatest in his kingdom. He handled temperamental attitudes in James and John, nicknamed "men of thunder." Do you have any thunderous children in your household?

He coped with the impetuousness of Peter (got one of those?), the skepticism of Thomas, and the rebellion of Judas, the greatest heartbreak of all. Though adults in age, these men were childlike in their walk with Christ and he worked patiently to bring them to competent Christian adulthood.

A Divine Role Model

How do we follow him as a role model for parenting?

• Note how frequently he went off by himself to communicate with his father. Pray, pray, pray every day, all day for your children.

• Trust him because he knows your fears and anxieties whether your children are babies, toddlers, teenagers, or adults--whether they're making good decisions or bad, he knows your heart.

• Read about his interaction with his disciples and other people he encountered and glean parenting skills from that.

Take heart, parents. You will get through the hectic times of child-rearing though it will take every ounce of your energies and then some. Dip into God's power to get through these busy, busy times.

Remember, Jesus does know what you're going through

for he is the PERFECT PARENT.

Formula for Busy People II

BALANCE

I once heard a speaker suggest we plan our daily schedules to include tasks we:

• MUST do
• SHOULD do
• WANT to do

For example, we must feed and provide for our families, we really should make that phone call to a friend, and we want to start a new book or new project. The speaker urged men and women to put balance into their days.

This piggybacks nicely with the previous post that emphasized the importance of establishing rich devotional lives and setting goals and priorities when dealing with today’s fast-paced world. Now the challenge is to bring some order to our tasks so we can enjoy the simplicity and peace, and even fun that God offers.

Life to the Full

 

The must/should/want principle might help you accomplish tasks efficiently so there’s time to enjoy the abundant life Jesus speaks of in the book of John. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)

Try this:

List about 20 things you enjoy. They can be small, like:

• ordering a decadent, calorie-laden latte
• browsing through a new magazine
• planting a garden
• walking through a hardware store to see all the new gadgets
• renting a movie
• playing on the swings with a child
• hiking a wildlife trail
• camping with friends
• learning a new skill
• taking a day trip to…wherever

Sprinkle one or two of the items on your list into your week as little rewards for yourself.  In doing this you will be living out God’s desire for you to experience life, “…to the full.”

We get so engrossed in caring for others or in carrying out responsibilities that we often neglect to care for ourselves and just have fun. Pretend you are your mom or dad who wants to do something special for their child. That child would be you!

Think about the activities of a typical day and see if you can categorize them into must, should, want groupings. Are you out of balance in one of the areas? What can you do to remedy that? Can you use this suggestion in planning your future days? It not only will help balance out your life, it may make you more efficient and perhaps more fun to be around!

God's Joy & Peace

 

Bottom line is God wants us to experience joy and peace. In this passage from John 10, Jesus calls himself the Gate through which the sheep (believers) will enter, be saved, and find pasture. He concludes by emphasizing the reason for all this is so we can experience abundant life. He wants us to be hard-working, responsible and focused but he also desires we have the fun of being sons and daughters of a King. Go and enjoy life to the full!