by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This is not what I’d planned.
Today was supposed to be about sharing numerous ways to use our prayer journals, but something my pastor’s wife, Emily, shares in an upcoming post made me re-think the premise of this post.
So, what did she say?
It went something like this, and I should’ve said it from the get-go.
While having a regular time with the Father is a holy, beautiful privilege⎯our salvation, His love for us, His acceptance of us⎯is not dependent on it.
As we bring the Drawing Close to the Father series to a close I want us to embrace grace and freedom through Christ, rather than finding another way to do something. Please don’t hear me say that journaling (or using any other tool) should be shunned — no way! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have my own well-worn journals lining the shelves, nor would I be giving away one of the most beautiful journals I’ve come across in a long time.
This month, we learned valuable insights from friends who graciously allowed us to get a glimpse of their personal times with the Lord. Thank you Marcia, Lori, and Dee Dee. Although the series is coming to a close, the glimpses will continue every first Saturday in 2016. In February, Edie Melson will be our guest. You will not want to miss it!
If you’ve followed my blog for long you know I love to share a little treat (my grandfather always referred to this type of treat as a “sercy”) at the end of every monthly series. So, last week I came across this Dayspring journal. While tempted to keep it for my own {just keeping it real!} I knew it had a bigger purpose. I pray this sercy will bless one of you during your time with the Father. And I love the saying on the front cover: When God speaks, take good notes.
To enter the drawing, you simply need to answer this random question in the comment section. (If you have trouble leaving a comment for some reason, please private message me on Facebook.)
So here’s the question: What book are you currently reading OR what’s the next book you plan to read?
Me? I’m currently reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert. Love it!
Oh! In case you’re wondering about our February series you need wonder no more. Check out the image below. (Loving my new camera, thanks to the hubster! The snowy day did its part, too.)
Beginning Monday, February 1st…
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
There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
and
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.
He loves us, we love Him, and so it’s only natural to want to spend time together.
Ready to try something new? Me too!
{Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10}
Practice Psalm 46:10: Pour a steamy cup of coffee, bundle up, and head outside just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. If you’re not up for a morning time of worship, practice the same at sunset. It’s simply about remaining still, soaking in God’s magnificent creative power, and recognizing Him for He truly is…and who we are in Him.
{C. S. Lewis writes, “My own eyes are not enough for me,
I will see through those of others.”}
See art as an act of worship. Visit a local museum, go to a poetry reading, watch a potter at work. See through their eyes. Then set aside some time to create your own art as an act of worship. Sing, write, color, paint, take photographs, try your hand at poetry. It’s just you and your Father. Enjoy!
{“The
King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40}
Donate hours and/or clothes. I need to do more of this but no doubt, when I do, I sense God’s presence in very real ways and perhaps that’s no coincidence when we consider Matt. 25:40. One idea that came to mind while gathering goods for a local missions group recently was to pray for those who will receive the items. We don’t know who that person will be, but obviously God does.
Your turn! I would love to hear from you. Is there one idea that was shared today that you would consider trying, or would you consider sharing one of your own ideas with us in the comment section? Thank you!
You’ll not want to miss next Monday’s post as Lori Roeleveld will be guest posting. She’ll share some of her journey, including a peek into her one-on-one time with the Lord. It’s sure to be a tremendous blessing.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Greetings! Today, I’m sharing how I bring a blog post to fruition, as well as what I’m learning along the way. Some parts of the process are more fun than others, but make no mistake—churning out regularly scheduled blog posts each week is hard work. But it’s worth it. Here goes!
It all begins with coffee and complementary music. I write upstairs by the window but it’s muggy hot in the summer. This fall, I hope to blog from the bench seats in Buttercup, our ’63 Shasta Airflyte camper. Wherever I go, Pandora music follows. Nothing boosts my writing power like George Winston’s station. Did I mention it’s free?
What I’m learning: Writing/blogging in the same spot on a consistent basis alerts the brain that it’s time to stop playing and get to work. I’m also learning that Starbucks Cold Brew provides a swifter kick to my energy level than a latte. Go figure.
Brainstorm. I try to remain aware of how God might prompt a thought or idea. I also plan regular brainstorming sessions with Dee Dee Parker, my go-to stormer. A tiny Moleskin journal (with pen) is tucked in my front purse pocket to fetch promptings, random thoughts, and obscure words. Also, I’m beginning to use Evernote, along with the notes app on my iPhone.
What I’m learning: I need to consolidate my ideas to two places max. Having them scattered in too many places breeds frustration.
Peck away anyway. Sometimes an idea comes quickly and fiercely (love those!) but most take their own sweet time. I type anyway. More often than not, once I begin the process of pecking away at the keys, the idea begins to unfold in unexpected and delightful ways. Also—and yes, this is crazy—unless I use the Trebuchet font while working on a post, the idea tends to cross its arms, pout, and storm off. Silly fonts.
What I’m learning: Mentor and friend, Edie Melson, has advised many of us for years (I’m a slow learner) to first type everything in Word and then upload it to Blogger or WordPress. This prevents the loss of our masterpiece if something goes wonky on the site. {While typing the final few words in this post, my delete button became stuck, erasing all the words one-by-one. Um, Lesson learned.}
Spend quality time titling and formatting the post. I kid no one. I’m no Lori Roeleveld when it comes to titling blog posts. I do, however, try to allow plenty of time for developing the right title. For me, “right” would be pithy and SEO friendly, with a hint of panache. See below.
What I’m learning: I stink at titling. I continue to study online and I’m also learning the importance of SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Check grammar, photos, and links. Then do it again. I usually save the photo search for last as I enjoy it the most. I currently use some of my own photos but plan to increase that exponentially in the coming months. For now, I pull from Can Stock Photo (buy credits at minimal cost), Pixabay, and other free sites. I’m always looking to promote others via linking in my posts and including them in the Labels section.
What I’m learning: No post is to be published until I’ve read it aloud at least once. Much is learned when reading our work aloud.
When you consider the above quote, what ONE word best describes your idea of a GREAT blog?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE my local writer’s group, CrossNPens (led by Cynthia Owens), as well as my online group, The Light Brigade (led by Lori Roeleveld.)
I didn’t realize how blessed I was to be part of such amazing groups until my first writer’s conference at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference. When discussing our critique groups, I was the envied one! And rightfully so.
Being critiqued isn’t easy when it’s your heart spilled out in ink. It has an especially vulnerable feel to it, which is why trust within a group is essential. If you have confidence in a person’s intentions—that they desire the best for you—the words can be received, even the “critical” ones. Don’t you find this to be true in our daily lives as well?
|
| Some of our CrossNPens group from February meeting. |
Doing life with other imperfect people can result in bruised feelings and messy hands, but it comes down to the heart.
It always does.
Both writing groups have introduced me to some of the godliest and most creative people I know. They’ve also helped to sharpen my skills, spur me on, and kick me in the pants when necessary. I have the footprints to prove it!
You may not consider yourself a writer but truth is, we all need a group like this—whether it’s a life group in our church, a group of young moms who can relate to runny noses and weary souls, or someone to meet with on a regular basis to discuss the deeper issues of life. Even a bona fide introvert, such as myself, recognizes we were created for community. Some of us just have to work at it a little harder.
Your turn! Would you like to give a shout-out to your group of any kind? Who knows, it might just spark an idea for someone else.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing
near. Hebrews 10:24, 25
To enter the drawing, you simply need to answer this random question in the comment section. (If you have trouble leaving a comment for some reason, please private message me on Facebook.)
