I attended a women’s luncheon this morning.  It was lovely.  They spoke on their recent mission trip to Haiti.  They told of how God moved them during their mission trip.  They spoke about the “God Stops”  that occurred.  You know, those things that make you say…”that was a God thing”  They shared about the environment and the poverty.  They were down their ministering to women and children.  They taught, prayed, encouraged and loved those Haitian women and children.  They gave them gift bags with different items in it.  They went to the special needs area and ministered to those kids.  Then…after they spoke about it they showed a slide show. 

Now, when you hear someone speak it moves you, but when you add an image to it…whoa!!  The photo’s spoke volumes to what God did while they were down there.  The women that were overjoyed with the gift bags.  The circles of prayer that we saw in the pictures.  The delight on our ladies faces knowing that the presence of our everliving God was there.  Than they showed the special needs center and I lost it.  It really hit home with me.  Having a child with special needs, in a wheelchair, needing full time care, I know what goes into this kind of lifestyle.  I know the weariness and exhaustion that parents get.  These kids though were in a center.  And not just any center, one filled with poverty.  Oh, the humbleness that poured through me.  Tears bounced from my face as I thanked our heavenly Father for the blessings he has given my family and than prayed for the children in the slide show. 

We don’t know how well we have it.  I know that the economy is bad and people are loosing their jobs but man…when you look at areas like Haiti it is mind boggling. 

I know that those women left for that mission trip with anxious hearts.  Hearts filled with anticipation, fear, and excitement.   I also believe they came back women on fire for Jesus.  They witnessed CHRIST!!   One of the ladies said she could tell that the Haitian women were hungry to learn about Jesus.  How about you, are you hungry for Christ?

footnote:  a friend of mine graciously gave me this newsletter.  You can click to download :  haitti-mission

I would like to introduce a great girlfriend of mine, Denise Coop.  Denise and I met through our kid’s preschool.  So, we have known each other for a short 8 months.  She has blessed my life tremendously and I am thankful for her friendship.  I was amazed when she started telling me about her daily quiet time with Christ and I wanted her to share it with you.

1. Why is quiet time so important to you?
Quiet time removes me as the central figure of my life and puts God on the throne of my life. It is my time with my Lord and Savior. I place my messed up, worldly, selfish self before the Lord so that He can impart  His TRUTH, GUIDE me, and  CHANGE me. I desperately want to be who He wants me to be. This only comes through TIME with Him and reading His WORD. Also, quiet time is not bible study time. I’ve had to make these two separate things in my life.

2. Where do you do your quiet time?
 In my office with a desk and chair.

3. What tools do you use…bible, highlighters, music,
 For a bible I use The One Year Daily bible – it is broken up with
passages from the OT, NT, Psalm and proverb for each day. I have a journal that is based on Becky Tirabassi’s journal. Over the years, I have changed mine a little bit from hers. Mine has a section for Praise/Thanksgiving, a section for Admitting /Change, a section for books I am studying, a section for requests. It is a big 3 ring binder because I journal 95% of my prayers, it helps me stay focused. Oh, I almost forgot COFFEE!!

4. What time of day is your quiet time?
 around 6am – My goal is to get it in before kids and husband are awake.

5. If you could assist someone with coming up with their own quiet time, what would you tell them?
Ask God to create a burning desire for a quiet time in your heart. If it doesn’t come from Him it won’t last. I recognize that quiet times are extremely personal and always changing based on our busy lives. From a technical position, I’d probably read Becky Tirabassi’s book the 21 Days to a Burning Heart Contract with them first. Then start them out small with just praising God through His Psalms. If they are totally on fire, I’d do the whole journal.  Ultimately, in the beginning having a quiet time for me was about obedience and discipline and a desire to turn my life completely over to God. I had never EVER done anything like this, to be a stay at home mom and still get up at 6 am just doesn’t make sense… so you know the desire was and is given by God and not of me. Making the decision to do a quiet time is the BEST decision God has ever blessed me with. The time I give Him is always doubled throughout the day.

6. What happens in your life if you miss a quiet time?
 You don’t want to know! Depression hits. Discontentedness. Grumpy.  Complaining. Yelling. No patience. No peace. JUDGEMENTAL. I act like I am in charge. Opposite of the fruit of the spirit. Basically, it is a very very ugly day.!!

7. How long is your quiet time?
 Depends, I try to wake up early enough so that I know I have 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. After that is based on who interrupts me first.

8. What drove you to desiring a quiet time with God?
A person (I think Beth Moore) once said that in Isaiah 43, it doesn’t say IF you pass through the waters or IF you walk through the rivers or IF you walk through the fire… it says WHEN. At that moment, I decided I was going to need as much of God as I could get because this life is hard, He is eternally good, and I want to hear Him say, “Well done!” at the end of mine.

 WOW, Denise that is awesome.  Thank you so much for inspiring us and bringing a whole new way to go about quiet time.  I admire you and your diligence.  You are a women devoted to living her life in the will of Christ.   

Denise wanted to leave you with a scripture that has moved her heart and soul recently.

Psalm 90:14   Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, so that we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

That is what we are called to do.  We NEED God to satisfy us.  We are called to be joyful in whatever comes our way.  There is a difference in joy and happiness.  Joy fills your heart no matter what you are doing or going through.  Happiness comes from your circumstances.  There is a difference!! 

I hope these two interviews have shed some light on quiet time for you.  It is crucial in our Christian walk.  It takes things to a whole new level.   Are you willing to go there with Christ?  I hope so…

I want to introduce you to a wonderful friend of mine.  Jennifer and I met through one of our local MOPS groups.  She is a mom to 4, home schools, and is involved in our church.  She has a passion for encouraging moms in their journey.  I asked her to tell us about her quiet time and here is what she had to say.  

First,  Jennifer thanks for taking time to talk with me about quiet time.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?  

I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children ages 12, 9, 6 and 4. I have been married to my airline pilot husband for 17 years. I love to read, write, and listen to Christian music. As for my faith walk, after having my first child God began taking my faith to new levels and has continued to do this ever since. I stand amazed and humbled at how much my Father loves and cares for me and the mysterious ways He uses me to encourage others.

1.  Why is quiet time so important to you?

It grounds me and causes me to find focus in my day. 

2.  Where do you do your quiet time?

There’s more than one way to answer this question. (1) For the quiet time that we tend to think of (solitude, peaceful, silent) I do my quiet time where ever I am able to sit still with little or no interruptions. This often tends to be either in my bed or at my desk. But I do not limit myself to these places. (2) The other kind of quiet time that I have discovered since having children is the on-the-move quiet time. I know this doesn’t sound very productive, but it is! I can be washing dishes, cleaning house, spending time with the family, cooking, writing an article, encouraging a friend, etc. God speaks to us not only in the still and quiet moments, but also in the moments that we are living life. We would be foolish to think that the only time that we can connect with God is when we are being still and quiet. I have learned to write scripture on post it’s and stick them on light switch covers in my kitchen, the edge of my computer screen, and on the fridge. I’ve even been known to put them in my car. Just recently God gave me the word “choices” to focus on. My van’s dashboard was extremely dusty. Rather than dusting it, I wrote “choices” in the dust. I am reminded every time I get into the van to make wise choices. Anywhere that I look often and will see God’s reminders and promises to me is where I put my post-its or write my reminders. Do not forget the wonder of the shower! Shower time is great quiet time to be spent with God. 

3.  What tools do you use…bible, highlighters, music,

The tools I use are my Bibles (sometimes one version is clearer than another), pen and pencil (love to mark in my Bible), music (a must for me), nature (sit and watch the birds, storms or ducks and you too may find that you can’t help but to praise God for His wonders), Bible studies, books. 

4.  What time of day is your quiet time?

I have to giggle at this one. I am not one to have a standard daily quiet time…I am not that organized nor am I a morning person. I do like to get my “big” quiet time in the morning before everyone wakes up. There are also days that I do my “big” quiet time after lunch. I do have days that I do not have a “big” quiet time, but many, many “mini” quiet times. Remember the post-its, music, and nature…yep, I’m living life too and have learned not to beat myself up when I am not able to do a “big” quiet time. While I’m cleaning up dinner I’ll find myself talking to God. When I’m driving, and the kids aren’t bombarding me with questions and comments, I’ll find myself singing praises to God. When I am walking through the grocery store I’ll find myself talking to God as well. Knowing all of this, I do think “big” quiet times are very important and necessary in my faith. Also keep in mind that you can do quiet time with your kids. Read the Bible, talk about a scripture, pray together. That is huge to share your quiet time with your kids at times…what an example and legacy you are setting!

 5.  If you could assist someone with coming up with their own quiet time, what would you tell them?

Do not try to make your quiet time look like anyone else’s. Find your own style, time, study tools, locations…And do not beat yourself up if you get caught up in life and don’t get a major quiet time in for a couple of days. I challenge you to write down every time you read that post-it scripture, praised God, talk to Him, or cry out to Him in a day’s time. You just might be surprised at how much of the day you do spend with God…or maybe you’ll be disappointed with how little time you spend with Him. If you do end up being disappointed, please do not be hard on yourself. Rather pick yourself up by the bootstraps and begin again the next day with a whole new focus…on God. 

6.  What happens in your life if you miss a quiet time?

Like I said earlier, life goes on if I miss a “big” quiet time. However, I will say that I do notice that if I go too many days without some good quiet time with my Father (whether big or little quiet times) that my attitude goes down the drain. And when mom’s attitude goes down the drain the rest of the household follows. Ugh! When you realize this just remember that God gives us a new “do-over” every day with the rising of the sun. 

7.  How long is your quiet time?

My quiet times can last anywhere from an hour to one minute. Oddly enough, the hour long quiet times never seem to be long enough and I feel like I am cutting my time short when I realize the time…or I need to put my referee shirt on and deal with the kiddos. 

8.  What drove you to desiring a quiet time with God?

When you love someone you want to be with them, talk with them, experience life with them, play with them, have fun with them…I love God and I want to experience life with Him. Another reason not to limit your quiet time to only still and silent times and places. 

 

 Thank you Jennifer for answering some questions about quiet time.  It has given me some new ideas and perspective.  Just to let others know, Jennifer has her own blog that is full of encouragement and fun.  Here is a link to her blog.  

I hope that you have come away with some ideas and things to ponder about.  Pray about your quiet time and like Jennifer said, make it your own.  God desires time with us.   He wants us to desire time with him.  I know for me, the more I am in his word the more I crave time with him.  I pray that you do the same.   Stay tuned to hear from another dear  friend of mine that has turned her quiet time into a praise, worship, and an intimate relationship with Christ.   

There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.

Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.

In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.

Okay, so this has been on my mind for months.  How do we as busy moms and women get our quiet time?  I struggle with my quiet time.  Do I do it early in the morning?  Do I plan it during the day and have my little ones do their own quiet time?  Do I try to do it at night when my brain is exhausted from the day?  I want my quiet time to be sacred and genuine, where I meet God daily.  How about you?   What do we do in quiet time, where is the best place for quiet time, what do you need (as far as tools) for quiet time? 

What questions do you have in this topic of discussion?  I have some great friends that do really well with quiet time, so stay tuned because I am gonna pick their brains and see if I can interview them so we can have some good discussion, direction and guidance.    Stay tuned…I am sure you won’t want to miss this.

Today was a great day.  I went to aerobics, which was grueling after being on spring break last week and Easter on Sunday.  I payed for every piece of candy and sweet I ate!  

I than went to lunch with a dear friend.  It was so nice to reconnect and chat.  It was like we hadn’t been apart.  She is such an incredible women and loves the Lord with all her being.  She is a wonderful mentor, full of  joy and life.  It is contagious when you are around her.  I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. 

Than I got to spend some time shopping…ALONE!!  Yep, you read right.  It was so nice to go to the stores I enjoy and take my time looking around.  I went to our local christian bookstore.  I browsed and browsed.   They had the movie, ” A Night with the King”  on sale.  If you have not heard of this movie it is about Esther.  I was doing the Beth Moore study on Esther and a friend told me that this movie was a  good portrayal of the book.  So I bought it.  I will let you know how it is.  I also bought the CD from newcomer Kari Jobe.  She has a remarkable voice.  It is really good.  

I love praise and worship music.  Music is my connection with God.  I get so emotional with music.  I can be driving down the road and a song come on…before you know it I am sobbing and singing as loud as I can.  I can be in my kitchen cooking and hear a song on the radio that stirs me and before you know it I am turning it up loud, singing along.  My kids have developed a love for music and Phoebe, my 4 1/2 year old loves it loud!  When we are at church and the praise/worship team sings or the congregation sings, Natalie laughs.  We say that is how she sings to the Lord.   Music brings joy to my heart.  Now, I am not musically talented at all, but I believe that  Christ looks at your heart.  Who cares if you can’t carry a tune.  He wants to hear those praises from you and he looks at the motives! 

So, who do you enjoy listening too?  I have many groups and artists that get me going but here are a few:  Third Day, Sara Groves, Erin O’donell, Mandisa, Amy Grant, Hill Song, my new fav..Kari Jobe,  Gwen Smith.  Let me know some of your favorites.  I am always looking for new music to sing praises to our King!!  

Psalm 146:2 (New International Version) 

 ² I will praise the LORD all my life;
       I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

RISEN!!

It is Holy Week and we are preparing for Easter.  What does that mean to you?  Easter means everything to my heart and soul.  To have someone love me so much that they endured the beating and death on the cross for me…whoa!  I rejoice at the cross, knowing that my savior Jesus Christ died and rose again.   The tomb is empty and he is alive!!  He lives in me and walks daily with me.  He loves me and desires a relationship with me.  He wants to talk with me daily.  He cries when I cry and jumps for joy when I do.   I am redeemed in Christ. 

 Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Luke 1:68
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.

 

As we take notice of Spring, the trees, flowers and earth coming alive out of it’s dormant stage, I hope that you search your heart and ask where have I been dormant?  Do you need some renewal?  Do you need a fresh start?  Do you need to follow through with a commitment?  Do you need a change?  What is your need?  Take it to the cross.  Lay it at the base and humbly give yourself and it to God.  He will meet you there. 

I pray that you rejoice in our risen Savior.  The rock is rolled away and Christ is alive!