Natalie had such a great 10th birthday.  There was a snow day on her birthday but my terrific friend called and said  she was bringing her kids over to celebrate the joyous occasion having a “spa” day with Natalie.  They had so much fun.  Natalie got her nails painted, and her hair fixed.  The crew sang Happy Birthday and ate some cookies.  It was such a sweet and thoughtful way to celebrate her day.  Great friends!!   Over the weekend we had family over to celebrate.  We served pizza, salad and cupcakes!  Just love cupcakes.  Here are some photo’s.

Birthday Girl

Natalie and her friend Samantha

delicious cupcakes..yummy!!

Over the past week I  had some really interesting conversations with Phoebe about the bible.  They have been such a blessing!  I love to see  God’s word residing in her heart.  Truly a treasure moment as a mom.  I wanted to share with you one of Phoebe’s favorite music groups.

This group is fun and very entertaining!!  Here is the link to their website.

Jump over to Lysa Terkeurst’s blog, she is chatting about Studying the Bible and Loving it, how to go about it and some tips and tools.  I know that my day’s can get ahead of  me and before I know it it is dinner time, bath time, bed time and I collapse onto the couch.  I need to  make sure I am aware of how I spend my  time.  I NEED to be in God’s word daily.  This is such a pull at your heart strings topic, especially for moms.  Our days are full and life is busy, but girls it is so important that we drench our days with God.   That is what she is going over for the next few days so I wanted to copy cat her.  ( I think that is legal in bloggy world??)  So how do you drench yourself with God’s truth?  When is your daily quiet time?  Do you blast Christian music, we do.  Do you hang post it notes with scriptures all over your house, I have a friend who does, what a great idea.   Please do share, let’s support and encourage one another. 

Have a wonderful Monday!

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.   

You train for marathons and races.  It is not easy.  You know what you have to do.  Be in shape.  Run with all you got.  Focus on the finish line.

(more…)

It has been gorgeous here in Northern Ky.  Sunny, warm and lovely.  It is   fun seeing God’s creation come back alive.  My daughter, Phoebe, has been hard at play outside.  Riding her bike, sidewalk chalk, digging in dirt.  Oh, to be a kid again.  I have enjoyed watching her and cheering her on as she flies down our street on her bike, that does have training wheels. 

So, I wanted to look at some things I learned at Hearts at Home.  Stop over to a friend’s  blog,  Jennifer @ focus findings.  She has a great article on “reclaiming your family.”   That was the jest of the weekend.  Reclaim your marriage, reclaim your children, reclaim authority, etc.

I felt another theme was “foundation.”  The definition of foundation is:

• We need to build a foundation in our homes before we can move forward to a plan of action.  You would not build a home without a blueprint so we need to have a blueprint of what we want our family to be.  Think about it, there is a foundation to every building, tower, amusement park ride.  There is even a product called foundation for the makeup we wear.  It is the base for everything.

Where is your foundation and what is it made of.  I want my families foundation to be Jesus Christ.  Here are some biblical truths: 

Ephesians 2:20 

²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone

Psalm 62:2  

² He alone is my rock and my salvation;  he is my fortress, I will never be shaken

Psalm 31:3  

³ Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me 

I want Jesus Christ to be the foundation for my family.  I want my girls to know that he is the rock of salvation.  When tough times come and they will, I want them to lean on Christ.  Know him and his word.  I want them to build character, morals, respect, obedience, and all of the fruits of the spirit.  I want to build my families foundations on biblical truths. 

We will have a tough job in these worldly times.  More pressure to be of this world and conform to it.  It is hard because we live in a culture where we try to keep up with others and we base our worth and value in what we do, where we live, what we drive and the list goes on and on. This is dangerous.  This can make for an unhappy home.  Competition is grueling on the soul.  Instead of competing and trying to keep up why don’t we support and encourage one another.  Families are gonna be different.  But one thing remains the same.  GOD!!    Stand strong, dive deep into God’s word!   Know  your worth in God.   He loves you so much that he sent his son to the cross so we could live in eternity with him.   

We are called to be like Christ and bring others to know him.  This takes being a disciple.  Be grounded in the foundation of His word, having daily quiet time, prayer, surrounding ourselves and family with christian friends.  Being accountable to one another.  Encouraging one another and loving one another. 

 The stakes are high.  They are worth it!