by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Many of you may already know my dear friend and author, Dee Dee Parker. She and I have been friends for several years. In fact, we’ve come to realize that we’re two peas in one strange little pod.
Dee Dee is one of the most talented writers I know and we always have a blast when we’re together (especially at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference!), but when all is said and done, it’s her heart, her walk with Christ, and her vibrant prayer life that I most respect.
Thank you, Dee Dee, for allowing us to take a glimpse into your time with the Lord.
If we were to join you during your one-on-one times with God, what might we observe?
I love meeting with God in the morning, most times in the
wee hours. I tiptoe to the kitchen, not wanting to wake my hubby, and pour a cup
of coffee or tea into a lovely, antique china cup. The dainty cup was a gift
from my daughter, Brooke, who now resides in glory. As the morning unfolds I already
feel close to God knowing precious Brooke sits at His feet. I return to my bed
and open the blinds directly behind me to enjoy the stars for a few minutes.
Star gazing always draw me closer to heaven.
Sitting quietly, I enter my one-on-one time, listening for
the Lord’s voice. I wait with great expectation with what He might have for me
to ponder, learn, or pray about. It is a privilege to enter His courts, isn’t it?
Other than the Bible, what is your one go-to tool you use during your time with the Lord?
My prayer notebook. In my notebook are the names of people I pray for, broken down in sections such as family,
friends, events and so forth. Writing down their requests engraves them on my
heart. I also use The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word by Joyce Meyer.
I cherish starting my
day knowing that I’ve prayed for each name in my prayer notebook, and other
people the Lord lovingly brings to mind. I picture them with a prayer covering
over them as they move through their day. Such a joy!
Sometimes I
also incorporate other books, such as commentaries, always keeping a spiral notebook on hand.
What’s one of the most unique experiences you’ve had during
your one-on-one times with God?
I have a rather unusual prayer spot; it is a prayer
bush in my yard. Let me explain. I live in a farmhouse that is over one hundred
years old. Tucked away in the back is a very old, very tall, forsythia bush
with a large, river-rock beneath its limbs is a perfect place for sitting and
praying in all seasons but winter. I tie a different color ribbon for each
person on the prayer bush as a touch point to aide me in remembering to pray
for individuals and events. The ribbons themselves hold no power except to help
me focus. I’ve done this for years and friends often bring me ribbons for this
ministry. Some days the prayer requests are plentiful and the bush looks like
an earthbound rainbow. I rejoice when prayers are answered and I give thanks as
I untie the ribbon’s knot and release the request. (Many of you that follow
Cathy’s blog have ribbons on the bush.)
Once, when at the prayer bush, a ribbon became untied and
fell to the ground. While tying the ribbon back onto its limb, I felt I was being
led to spend extra time for the person the ribbon represented. The next day I
received word that the person was involved in a serious car accident while
traveling out of state.
What word of encouragement would you like to share with the
readers in regard to spending time with the Lord?
I am in my late sixties now and have had the privilege to
spend many precious hours in prayer with my heavenly Father. I can say that
those hours have been some of the sweetest of my life. I would encourage
readers to set aside time to snuggle up close with the Father. Listen for His
voice. Pray for others. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be
added to my prayer list. There is a ribbon waiting for you and together we will
pray it through!
Dee Dee, thank you for sharing your heart with us today. What a blessing.
Is there some way Dee Dee can pray for you today? Please share in the comment section, if so. She would count it a privilege.
Award-winning Appalachian writer Dee Dee Parker infuses wisps of Southern grace throughout her writing. Recent First Place winner in Southern Writers Magazine’s Short Story Contest, she has also contributed articles to Chicken Soup for the Soul, Christian Devotions US, Almost An Author, Inspire a Fire, and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. magazine. Proceeds from her children’s book, Josie Jo’s Got to Know, benefit breast cancer research. Visit Dee Dee at http://comegohomewithme.blogspot.com
by Cathy Baker | Book Reviews |
One particular gift from my Christmas list, The Songs of Jesus..A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms, by Timothy and Kathy Keller, has become a meaningful accompaniment during my quiet times.
Off and
on over the years, I’ve read a psalm a day along with a chapter in
Proverbs, matching that day’s date to the corresponding chapter. Its
lyrical prose reads like a songbook — one that is active and alive —
resonating with the soul and all that matters most.
So why would I recommend this particular book? Let me count the ways. Three, to be exact.
- It’s biblically sound. Enough said. 🙂
- It’s versatile. Three options are offered on ways to approach the book. One way is to read it straight through, as is. Each small page shares Scripture verses, which are written out, a brief summary, and a prayer. Secondly, you could also look up and study the embedded scripture found in the summary and/or prayer section. And lastly, show up with a blank journal and read the psalm portion twice slowly, asking three questions as you go: {Adore} What did you learn about God for which you could praise or thank him? {Admit} What did you learn about yourself for which you could repent? {Aspire} What did you learn about life that you could aspire to, ask for, and act on?
- It’s foundational for new devotees and rich with depth for longtime learners. Tim’s inviting style welcomes the newest of Christ-followers while also challenging those who’ve dusted off their sandals more than once on this journey.
The
book of Psalms can revolutionize our devotional life, our family
patterns, and the fellowship and witness of the church of Jesus
Christ. -Willem VanGemeren
So there it is — three reasons why I would recommend this devotion to not only those who consider themselves to be Christ-followers but also to those who are still searching.
“The
more deeply we grow into the psalms and the more often we pray them as
our own, the more simple and rich will our prayer become.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer – See more at:
http://www.leadershipresources.org/blog/quotes-about-the-book-of-psalms/#sthash.YLMpcRvS.dpuf
How about you? Do you have a devotion book that you would recommend?
{Coming up next Monday, you’ll not want to miss our interview with Dee Dee Parker, as she shares a glimpse of what her quiet time with the Lord looks like and how a forsythia bush often finds its way into that sacred time.}
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Today, I’m thrilled to welcome author and friend, Lori Roeleveld. We first met several years ago on Facebook when she posted her desire to begin an online accountability writers group.
Desiring to keep the group small for obvious reasons, the call-out was limited to the first twenty-five people to respond. I was timid but determined to set my introverted ways aside and join this community — so I responded, and my life has been forever changed by this group that has held together, led by Lori, for five years.
Lori’s first book, Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus), continues to impact my life. If you’re expecting a comfortable feel-good read, this isn’t the book for you — but if you’re ready to be challenged and spurred on by a woman who knows, loves, and follows her God with a tangible passion, you will want a copy of this book, trust me.
So, thank you, Lori, for allowing us a glimpse into your quiet time today. I’m excited — let’s get started.
If we were to join you during your one-on-one times with God, what might we observe?
I’ve never been able to confine myself to one daily quiet time with God. As a young person, I spent hours with God – back in the days when kids were sent out to play until the street lights came on. I’d put my Bible, my hymnal, and my journal in my bike basket and sit under a tree reading, praying, singing, and writing several times a day. In college, I was impressed by Brother Lawrence’s practicing the presence of God concept and so I continue to incorporate time with God throughout my day. On work days, I read a passage before I’m out of bed and usually pray through my current needs before my feet hit the floor. I then listen to the Bible on CD in my car. At odd times through the day, I’ll google an image from the morning’s passage or look up a definition to deepen my understanding of what’s going through my mind. After work, I generally process what God’s been bringing to mind by writing it out (often resulting in a blog post but not always.) I generally get caught up in a story or concept for days at a time and God seems happy to supply object lessons as I go about my day to reinforce what I’m reading. When I have a weekend or vacation, I’ll spend longer periods of time with God alone in the morning, reading, taking notes, praying, and looking up cross-references or Hebrew/Greek stuff.
Other than the Bible, what is your one go-to “tool” you use during your time with the Lord?
Probably my laptop. I like to type out my thoughts, it’s how I process, and love being able to look up different translations, images, or definitions on the Internet.
What’s one of the most unique experiences you’ve had during your one-on-one times with God?
I spent six months away from home at a job I didn’t like and where I didn’t feel accepted by the people. I decided to devote hours every night being alone with the Lord and asking Him to direct my quiet time. I was very afraid of what would happen. What if I didn’t sense any direction from Him? I started every evening by praying and then opening my Bible to a passage – reading and following references as I read. The sense of God’s presence was very powerful for me and I felt an incredible peace sort of leaving my burning questions aside and allowing Him to direct my thoughts. The first week, I was concerned about how I would know it was God leading my time but He confirmed it in a powerful way. At the time, I was visiting churches as one does when living in a new place. Over six weeks, I visited six different churches and every week, the sermon was on the theme that God led me to study in my quiet hours that week. It remains one of the most significant times of calling and formation in my life.
Is there anything else you would like to add about your one-on-one time with the Lord?
As have most long-term believers, I’ve experienced times when reading His Word and praying felt dry and I couldn’t sense His presence. When that happens, I’ve learned not to agonize. I ask Him if I’m putting up barriers such as cherishing sin in my life or being too distracted and I wait for an answer. Sometimes one comes but at other times, I’ve learned to just be patient and not try to force things. Just as the shore couldn’t handle the sea being at high tide all the time, so we even need a rest, a low tide, in our relationship with God. I’ve come to trust that the intensity of His presence will return in due season if I continue to show up. I don’t abandon my time with Him during these periods but I don’t agonize or try to force the issue, either.
What word of encouragement would you like to share with the readers in regard to spending time with the Lord?
Show up messy. We worry too much about having mixed motives when we spend time with God. I used to put off meeting with Him when I knew I really was just showing up because I wanted something. Now, I just admit that right away and ask Him to cleanse me of impure motives. It’s a much better process than me trying to do it without Him. Show up messy, show up late, show up inconsistently at first but whatever you do, keep showing up with Him.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us today, Lori. God bless you!
Is there one particular part of Lori’s interview that resonated with you today? If so, please share! I would love to hear from you.
Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. She’s authored an unsettling blog since 2009; a pursuit that eventually resulted in her first book, Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus). Her new release is a Christmas novella, Red Pen Redemption, available now and she’s currently working on her next release, Jesus and the Beanstalk. Though she has degrees in Psychology and Biblical Studies, Lori learned the most important things from studying her Bible in life’s trenches. You’ll find her at her website www.loriroeleveld.com. If not, know she’s off somewhere slaying dragons. Not available for children’s parties.
(Lori’s site was recently voted one of the top 100 Christian blogs. Congrats, Lori!)
If you missed last week’s post with Marcia Moston, you can view it here.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I
don’t know about you, but when I’m struggling to grow in a
particular area of my life I consider scripture first, and then, if
needed, I also seek out wisdom from those whom I observe have a godly
grasp on that particular struggle.
It’s
for this reason I’ve asked three such women to share their personal
experiences with us this month in relation to their time with God because I always consider myself a WIP (work in progress)…maybe you do as well.
Today I’m delighted to share with you the thoughts of Marcia Moston, a woman whom I respect immensely. I met Marcia years ago at our local writer’s group. Her vibrant relationship with the Lord is evident, and it’s a privilege to call her friend.
Thank you, Marcia, for graciously allowing us a glimpse into your quiet time with the Lord.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
As I bring this month of gratitude to a close, I want to share one final act of thankfulness. It will also explain why I’ll be taking a break from blogging during the month of December.
In September, I had a CT scan. It was to be a straight-forward procedure to help the surgeon who performed my gall bladder surgery earlier this year view the scar tissue, as the site was giving me some pain.
The site turned out fine but the scan did reveal a mass, which turned out to be multiple fibroid tumors. The surgeon remarked on how, if it had not discovered, it would’ve more than likely become cancerous. While not excited about what was found, I couldn’t help but thank God all the way home, confident He orchestrated the unfolding of circumstances.
As I write this (early November) I’m scheduled for surgery on November 19th. If I’ve not replied to comments as quickly as normal, this is why. I’m recuperating on my comfy couch with my spoiled rotten pup and a hard-to-put-down book nearby, Lord willing.
Blogging in December is one of my favorite things to do. I will miss it — I will miss you — terribly. I thank God for the friendships He has allowed me to forge through this ministry, and for those He has deepened.
I pray you and your family will be richly blessed as you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
I look forward to returning in January! In the meantime, feel free to stay in touch as I would love to hear from you. I especially thank you for your prayers.
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
Every single time, my friends.
Award-winning Appalachian writer Dee Dee Parker infuses wisps of Southern grace throughout her writing. Recent First Place winner in Southern Writers Magazine’s Short Story Contest, she has also contributed articles to Chicken Soup for the Soul, Christian Devotions US, Almost An Author, Inspire a Fire, and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. magazine. Proceeds from her children’s book, Josie Jo’s Got to Know, benefit breast cancer research. Visit Dee Dee at http://comegohomewithme.blogspot.com
