This morning I will take time to talk to God, listen to God, and to ask God to do things on behalf of people who have made requests to bring before God. I want to structure my time to invite God's presence to permeate my mind & thoughts. Next, I will focus on who God is--I will reflect on what I know about God from the Bible. Subsequently, I will tell God how I experience those qualities in my life. Moreover, I will then pray for myself and the needs that I have pressing on my mind and life. Lastly, I will make time to intercede, to pray on behalf of the other requests that have been shared. I can't wait to engage in prayer. May God visit me this morning.
Pastor D
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Day of Prayer
Join me tomorrow at 9am at Northwest Chapel 6700 Rings Road for an hour of prayer. Prayer is talking with God. Our church has designated tomorrow as the day of prayer. We set aside the chapel for quiet prayer and reflection. I will be there from 8-9am. You are invited to join me afterward for a Starbuck's debrief about your experience. I love a tall, decaf, no room. :)
Pastor D
Pastor D
Day with God
In my walk with God, I have been busy. But taking a day to commune with God is incredible. The focus and the direction I feel is amazing. If you haven't read, I spent a day with God yesterday. I want undisturbed, undistracted time to hear God speak to me. It was a spiritual experience.
In our busy lives, everyone is busy. Each one of us could use our own administrative assistants. Well, almost. I juggle responsibilities, tasks, appointments, etc. Sometimes it all drives me crazy. I find that being too busy deteriorates my health and damages my relationships. So where does God fit in when I am so busy with life and ministry--even busy with good things. I challenged our students to take five minutes to be silent and to listen to God. I decided to take more than that.
God did not design you and I to be pushed to the limit! It's a challenge everyone faces for their whole life. The great thing is to experience taking control of your schedule and reset positive patterns for your life that can tremendously impact your everyday life. I wanted to give some time over to God. As busy as anyone of us can be, it only feels like life gets busier, so I wanted to take time to be with God.
Links:
I used the following helps to direct my day. Clink on the link http://ctlibrary.com/2900 from the Christianity Today Library online. I was also glad to discover the detailed article on how to spend a day for prayer by Lorne C. Sanny: http://www.cmfhq.org/Training/Prayer/Day%20Alone%20with%20God.pdf This article is on the Christian Military Fellowship website.
I did hear from God. I'll share more about my experience later. I wonder if you've taken the five minute challenge to hear from God. Tell me your experience.
In our busy lives, everyone is busy. Each one of us could use our own administrative assistants. Well, almost. I juggle responsibilities, tasks, appointments, etc. Sometimes it all drives me crazy. I find that being too busy deteriorates my health and damages my relationships. So where does God fit in when I am so busy with life and ministry--even busy with good things. I challenged our students to take five minutes to be silent and to listen to God. I decided to take more than that.
God did not design you and I to be pushed to the limit! It's a challenge everyone faces for their whole life. The great thing is to experience taking control of your schedule and reset positive patterns for your life that can tremendously impact your everyday life. I wanted to give some time over to God. As busy as anyone of us can be, it only feels like life gets busier, so I wanted to take time to be with God.
Links:
I used the following helps to direct my day. Clink on the link http://ctlibrary.com/2900 from the Christianity Today Library online. I was also glad to discover the detailed article on how to spend a day for prayer by Lorne C. Sanny: http://www.cmfhq.org/Training/Prayer/Day%20Alone%20with%20God.pdf This article is on the Christian Military Fellowship website.
I did hear from God. I'll share more about my experience later. I wonder if you've taken the five minute challenge to hear from God. Tell me your experience.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Links updated
Thom asked about updating the links because they were not working. I trust the links do work. Let me know if they do not. Thanks.
Pastor D
Pastor D
goodreads | see what your friends are reading
goodreads see what your friends are reading
Check out this site for those wh0 like to read rather than who like to play. I wonder if there are any students who still read. Goodreads is a place i discovered as a growing trend among friends. I think I'll give it a try. You should check it out too.
Pastor D
Check out this site for those wh0 like to read rather than who like to play. I wonder if there are any students who still read. Goodreads is a place i discovered as a growing trend among friends. I think I'll give it a try. You should check it out too.
Pastor D
Quiet Time with God
I am in need of practicing quiet time with God. I often can quiet my body and mouth. But its my mind and speeding thoughts that scream loudly inside my head. God's truth and His voice is so dear to me. I want to hear God speak. I want to do what He prompts. I just need to stop and to listen. One of the practices that I need to implement is unloading.
Unloading is a process where you unload your mental pending files. So as you isolate yourself for quiet time with God take a note pad or piece of paper to list everything that comes to your mind. Simply unload and get it all on paper. This list becomes your memory bank. You may think that you will forget what comes into your mind. But this list acts as a prompter so you can remember the things that pop into your mind. You want to focus on hearing God's voice. You need to mentally focus on hearing God's voice. You want to be free of distractions and interruptions. Unloading things on paper is one good way to focus on hearing God's voice.
You will struggle to do this. But as I experience listening for God's voice. I find great comfort. And I discover how real God is--because He longs to speak to me. Throughout the Bible the word, "listen," permeates God's communication to humankind. He breathed forth His words for everyone to consider His truth,
So, hear God's voice right now. Take the FIVE minute challenge to be silent and to listen to God's voice.
Pastor D
Unloading is a process where you unload your mental pending files. So as you isolate yourself for quiet time with God take a note pad or piece of paper to list everything that comes to your mind. Simply unload and get it all on paper. This list becomes your memory bank. You may think that you will forget what comes into your mind. But this list acts as a prompter so you can remember the things that pop into your mind. You want to focus on hearing God's voice. You need to mentally focus on hearing God's voice. You want to be free of distractions and interruptions. Unloading things on paper is one good way to focus on hearing God's voice.
You will struggle to do this. But as I experience listening for God's voice. I find great comfort. And I discover how real God is--because He longs to speak to me. Throughout the Bible the word, "listen," permeates God's communication to humankind. He breathed forth His words for everyone to consider His truth,
"All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)."
So, hear God's voice right now. Take the FIVE minute challenge to be silent and to listen to God's voice.
Pastor D
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Sunday Morning Lesson: Slow Down
The next two weeks we will target trying to slow down. Everyone is busy. Even elementary kids have Palm Pilots and personal administrative assistants, and students live with cell phones attached to themselves (at least its a dream for middle school students).
Juggling responsibilities with school, academics, sports, extracurricular activities, youth group, clubs, and homework can not only drive you crazy, but can deteriorate your health and damage your relationships.
So where does God fit in? Do you have time to explore and experience God in a world so amok with the business of life? Did God design you to be pushed to the limit? I don't think so, yet it's a challenge that everyone faces throughout one's lifetime. The cool thing is, though, that you can take control of your schedule and set positive patterns for your life will continue until you're old and gray, watching Wheel of Fortune reruns in your RV.
You viewed a film capturing what life may be like for an average overworked student. This may have served as a wake-up call--to remind you to give some time over to God. As busy as you are as a student, it only gets busier, so take time to be young, and to be young with God.
If you took the challenge or want to take the challenge this week to spend five minutes of silence to listen to God, then you can do the following and post your comment.
First, take a few deep breaths. Second, look up in the Bible the book of Proverbs and turn to chapter five. Read the whole chapter in one reading, silently whispering the words. Third, say a prayer like a young person in the Bible, Samuel who said in I Samuel 3:8, "Speak, God . I'm your servant, ready to listen." So whisper this prayer, "Speak, God. I'm your servant, i'm ready to listen" Fourth, set a timer and quiet your mouth, body, and thoughts. Block out the things that pop-up on your mind's desktop. When you are distracted, repeat the prayer in a soft whisper, "Speak, God. I'm your servant, I'm ready to listen." Then quiet yourself again.
God wants to speak to you. Tune into His still, quiet voice. Invite God to speak to you.
I wonder what your experience was. Share your comment.
Juggling responsibilities with school, academics, sports, extracurricular activities, youth group, clubs, and homework can not only drive you crazy, but can deteriorate your health and damage your relationships.
So where does God fit in? Do you have time to explore and experience God in a world so amok with the business of life? Did God design you to be pushed to the limit? I don't think so, yet it's a challenge that everyone faces throughout one's lifetime. The cool thing is, though, that you can take control of your schedule and set positive patterns for your life will continue until you're old and gray, watching Wheel of Fortune reruns in your RV.
You viewed a film capturing what life may be like for an average overworked student. This may have served as a wake-up call--to remind you to give some time over to God. As busy as you are as a student, it only gets busier, so take time to be young, and to be young with God.
If you took the challenge or want to take the challenge this week to spend five minutes of silence to listen to God, then you can do the following and post your comment.
First, take a few deep breaths. Second, look up in the Bible the book of Proverbs and turn to chapter five. Read the whole chapter in one reading, silently whispering the words. Third, say a prayer like a young person in the Bible, Samuel who said in I Samuel 3:8, "Speak, God . I'm your servant, ready to listen." So whisper this prayer, "Speak, God. I'm your servant, i'm ready to listen" Fourth, set a timer and quiet your mouth, body, and thoughts. Block out the things that pop-up on your mind's desktop. When you are distracted, repeat the prayer in a soft whisper, "Speak, God. I'm your servant, I'm ready to listen." Then quiet yourself again.
God wants to speak to you. Tune into His still, quiet voice. Invite God to speak to you.
I wonder what your experience was. Share your comment.
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