quiet time.

i see it a lot in my life, and it's probably because i'm stubborn, but the Lord often calls something to my attention and then brings it right back up the same day or shortly thereafter. it's wild.

yesterday's devotional on elisabeth elliot's website was about quiet time.

this morning's inbox had a blog entry from pastor ed and that was about quiet time.

on sunday, we listened to pastor ed's sermon on 1st john. one thing that stood out most to me? we have joy in FELLOWSHIP with our Savior when we walk with Him.

and these weren't just about the importance of it... but also how to actually put it into practice. 

and as i read pastor ed's just now, i'm like... YES - i've lived through many years of failing in consistency in that discipline because YES those are a lot of the reasons for sure! and yet - by God's grace - i've also experienced the fruitfulness of maintaining that discipline and OH what joy of fellowship it brings.

and OH how i want it again.

this storm - though it's shown me over and over again that God never leaves me... it's reminded me as well that it's so easy for me to let the little slips add up to a measurable slide when you're looking up from the bottom.

it's humbling. and honestly disheartening. but i know that the enemy knows my weaknesses. he's crafty... the devil and his demons - they pay attention to know what will make us fall. and i need to be on guard. it's the day to day that i struggle with most. the daily disciplines. the daily moments and frustrations. the daily grind. it just gets to you. so this life... especially this Christian life... it like a roller coaster. i'm just hoping that for the most part the dips ahead won't be so big as far as my faith and consistency in walking with Him are concerned. but i'm just frail humanity. nothing about my performance is guaranteed... i'm stumbling on this path of obedience and it's only by the grace of God that i don't end up flat on my face each time.

thank You, Lord!

and thank You that even when i haven't been disciplined in my quiet time with You, that You're still there. help me to abide in You. help me, Lord - i need You.

From Pastor Ed:

From my own experience and from hundreds of conversations with frustrated disciples of Christ, here are five mistakes to avoid:

1. Not reserving a specific time and space. Your time alone with God needs to be on your daily schedule and in a comfortable place. When you set aside a specific time and meet God in the same place, it soon becomes part of your daily routine. Keep your Quiet Time materials together in one place so that you don’t have to interrupt your routine by chasing down your Bible, your journal, or your iPad. I recommend early morning. 
2. Planning too much. If you want to be consistent, and you do, then be realistic. The three musts of a Quiet Time are: Reading (preferably the Bible or a devotional), responding (journaling, or just waiting before God), and praying. A friend of mine in seminary lived frustrated because he turned his time alone with God into an ominous assignment.
3. Turning your routine into a tyranny. Obviously, consistency is important. But give yourself some grace and some variety. I’ve had mornings when I’m so worn out or so preoccupied with a problem that I’ve had to set my reading aside and just sit in the dark with God crying for mercy. God’s okay with that. He just wants to be with us.
4. Forgetting to praise God. If our prayers are only about what we want from God we tend to overlook expressions of His love and care in everyday life. I begin every Quiet Time by thanking God for the ways He’s showed up in my life over the last 24 hours. It’s easy. I just begin with my left pinky and don’t quit until I get to my right pinky. Ten fingers, ten thanksgivings. 
5. Trying to go it alone. We need friends to encourage us in our walk with God. It helps to have someone in our life who will check on us. Tell your close friend or mentor, “I want to do better at my Quiet Time. Will you please hold me accountable?”