a place of quiet rest {book giveaway}
Oops. I meant to post this yesterday. Sorry! Hope you all have a good weekend...
This summer I have been reading A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I first heard Nancy speak when I listened to one of her breakout sessions from the True Woman conference. She was speaking on our devotional lives and I was so challenged and encouraged by what she had to say. You might say I was needing a little "kick in the pants" to make my time with the Lord the priority of my day...everyday.
Listening to Nancy challenge the ladies at the conference to do a 30-day challenge got me thinking that I needed to do my own 30-day challenge here at The Macs. That was the inspiration behind my 30-Day Challenge in June. Wow! I am so thankful that I made that commitment to "just do it" and get up every morning (before Levi woke up) to spend time in the Word and in prayer. I didn't decide every morning whether I was going to get up and meet with God. It was something that was already decided and it became part of my everyday. That decision has really been life-changing for me.
Of course, the goal of this challenge was that at the end of June I wouldn't stop meeting with the Lord first thing in the mornings. This would just be the beginning of making the Lord the priority of my days for the rest of my life. I have continued meeting with the Lord in the mornings, but I can't say that the month of July hasn't brought with it a few struggles. {I guess I really need the accountability of my blogging friends!} Even this week I have hit my snooze button a few more times than I would like to admit. And I know that a new baby joining our family will bring with it a few challenges in keeping the Lord a priority. But I am pressing on and not giving up. I am confident that the Lord is going to use this time I set aside to teach me, encourage me, guide and direct me, strengthen me for each day, draw me closer to Himself, and forever change my relationship with Him.
So back to the book...
This week as I was reading, Nancy referred to the passage in Isaiah that God used in BSF to start nudging at my heart about my daily priorities. Here is what she had to say:
The words of Isaiah 50:4-5 have often helped to tune my heart; many times, even before getting out of bed in the morning, I have meditated on this passage and prayed it back to the Lord:
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
"Lord God, You are my Lord. You are the Sovereign God. I want You to reign in my life this day. I know that today You will bring people into my life--family members, friends, fellow workers, people I don't even know--people who are weary and need a word from You to sustain and encourage them. I will not know how to speak the words they need to hear, unless You first instruct me."
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
"Thank You, Lord, for waking me this morning. Before I can teach others, I must be taught by You. Before I open my mouth to speak to others, I need to listen to You. Please open my ears to hear what You want to say to me this day."
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not be rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
"As You speak to me, may my heart be submissive toward You. May I not resist anything that You say to me today."
I loved the idea of turning this passage in Isaiah into a prayer each morning as I meet with the Lord. What a powerful way to start our day. And how true is it that the minute we start our day we are often bombarded with a busy schedule and meeting the needs of our children or those around us. We need to first be strengthened and instructed by the Lord ourselves, before we can adequately meet the needs of others...even our own kiddos.
A Place of Quiet Rest is full of encouragement as we seek to make the Lord the priority of our days. In this book Nancy talks about the priority, purpose, pattern, problems, practice, and product of a devotional life. There is even a chapter devoted to addressing struggles and questions that we probably all can relate to:
"I just can't find the time!"
"My time with the Lord often seems hurried."
"How do I deal with interruptions and distractions?"
"What if I have young children?"
"Sometimes I feel like I'm having my quiet time just out of duty."
"Truthfully, I don't have a strong desire to spend time with God."
"Sometimes God seems a million miles away."
Whether you are struggling with how to find the time to make God the priority of your days or whether you just need a little encouragement in your devotional life, this is a great book. I have been so challenged and encouraged by it myself that I decided to buy an extra copy to give away to one of you. I hope you will love it too. Here is how you can enter to win:
Giveaway Details:
A Place Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
ONE winner chosen at random
One entry per person
Giveaway ends Monday, July 18th at 12pm (CST)
To enter leave a comment on this post.
Bonus: What is "the hard thing for you" about your devotional life?
or
What has really helped you as you seek to make the Lord the priority of your days?
Happy weekend!
posted by the mcclenahans @ 10:53 AM
122 Comments:
I have struggled for years with having a consistent quiet time with the Lord. I was inspired by Nancy's challenge and your 30 day challenge to begin again. I liked what you said about not struggling each morning with the decision of whether or not to get up because the decision was already made. My son is 15 months old so I found that a key for me was having my quiet time first thing in the morning before he got up. I noticed a real difference in my attitude during the day when I started my day with the Lord. The "hard thing for me" has been getting to bed earlier.
I feel like when things are going good I neglect my quiet times. When I'm struggling with something, I turn to the Lord. I need ( and want) to be consistent with my devotional time!
I found your blog recently and also participated in the 30 day challenge in my own way. Your blog is so encouraging to me because you are honest and it is very refreshing. I have always struggled with consistency, mainly because I can be lazy and selfish! I long to spend time with God in prayer and reflection, but some days I really do choose not to.
There have been some difficult relationship situations that I have been in recently that have been a huge wake-up call that I can't do this alone. I NEED the Word of God to help me as I try to live for God and show God's love for other people that I don't always feel. One thing that has been a huge blessing in my life this year is the One Year Chronological Bible. There is no searching for different passages - it is all right there in that day's reading. Each day at some point (usually morning), I have my quiet prayer time with the Lord and my Bible reading. Your 30 day Challenge was such an inspiration to me to pray also before I read. I notice a difference in my attitude when I start the day this way. And a difference in how I respond to others.
I'm still working on it!! The hardest thing for me has been being a mother, but at the same time I know it is sooo important for me to do it!! (Even more so, since I am sherpherding my kiddos)
Something that has really helped my devotional life is the fact that this summer I nannied 2 girls who were in swim team. I got to sit by the pool for hours every day, and I was able to use that time to be with God. I started seeing how desperately I needed that time with him.
So sad to say that as soon as swim team ended, my time with Jesus is sporadic at best. All this to say a schedule that I'm forced to keep has been the most helpful.
That sounds like a great book! My problem is having the motivation to meet with the Lord. I always say I am going to do it, but then I always end up doing something else. It is quite discouraging. I need to kick it into high gear and just do it!
I have 2 struggles. The first is making the time. The second is keeping my focus. I feel like my mind takes off the minute I wake up and I really find it difficult to stay focused and not think about my "To Do" list.
Thank you, Jessica! You are so inspiring!
Susan in Indiana
Thank you so much for posting this. I have been struggling with my devotions. I keeps saying, I will do it. I have time. But I spend more time on the computer than anything else. I am lazy. I NEED to though to keep life full and balanced. THANK YOU!!!
It is wonderful seeing how blessed your life has become. I have been away from blogging for awhile. Congrats!!! http://sunnywithachanceofhope.blogspot.com/
I also struggle to have a quiet time with the Lord. I usually try to read my Bible before bed, so that I can fit it in before going to bed, and that is sooo wrong. And by that point, I'm so tired, I can hardly keep my eyes open. My main problem during the school year is that I get up at 4:30 a.m., go to bed waay to late so I'm lucky to get 6-7 hours sleep. It would be a struggle to get up 30 minutes early for devotions so I'm trying to come up with a different schedule.
Karen in MD
this sounds like a great book!
Great giveaway Jess! I am only on day 8 of the challenge (off to a late start) but I have already felt such a difference in how it's changed my days. One thing I am trying to do differently in my devotional time, is to spend time just LISTENING. I have never made this a focus and have found it really challenging with a 5 month old that's napping and a huge list of to-do's looming over head. But even though it's challenging for me, it's been such a blessing. I keep trying to remember to be still and just bask in His presence. Thanks for the update on how you're doing, Jess. You always lift me up. ;)
I just find it so hard to find the time-and like someone else here posted-keeping my focus when I do find / make the time. It's hard with little ones!!! When I finally get a break or a moment alone, I just want to sit-breathe and not do much else. It's definitely not something I'm proud of-I know it needs to change. :(
I, like many others, need encouragement, so that daily devotion is actually a daily habit and that the peaks and valleys of devotion time might diminish. I don't like to admit that it takes fear, worry, chaos, tragedy, grief... to drive me to my knees when I should be there everyday regardless of the events in my life.
Quiet time is so hard. I struggle with feeling like I'm not doing "enough". I am working towards meeting Him regularly. I love the encouragement you are giving here on this blog. If you do another thirty day challenge, I'll jump on board! :)
I want God to know he is a priority and that I "need him every hour". I struggle with being distracted and having wandering thoughts. I try to journal using the P-A-R-T system (praise, admit, request, and thanks). It helps me focus. I love finding new ways to make my time with Him more intentional.
I am the youth director for my church. While I am able to find time for the lord on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings...I'd love to find my quiet place for him everyday without it being a rushed situation. I'd love to pass this same knowledge onto my youth group as well.
Robyn
Wyoming
I just hate admitting that I lack the motivation to get up in the morning. Lately not even in the morning. I can't get myself to open my Bible or even read lately. I get into a funk and it takes a while to get out!!
The loss of my son Christian 11 weeks ago has rocked me to the core. I find that when my 2 year old is napping, I am at my saddest and I don't always find the time to read His word b/c I try to fill my mind with anything but my reality.
I'd love to read this book. The hardest part for me changes but during the summer it is not having a structure to my quiet times (no BSF).
This has been a continual struggle for me since children began coming along 8 years ago... THANK YOU for your encouragement. Getting up early is a struggle for me, but if I don't spend time with the Lord first thing, it doesn't seem to happen!
The hard thing for me is time! I have two young kids at home, I work from home as a transcriptionist, always have a long to do list, and need to keep up on house duties. I always feel guilty about not having time to get it all done and I let my quiet times suffer as a result.
The thing I struggle with the most is finding time. Although that's really just a big fat excuse because somehow I have time to check blogs,email, and facebook. I obviously have time, but I don't make it a priority.
Thank you for the chance to win this great book. I struggle to really concentrate during my quiet times. My mind so often wonders to the chores that need to be started or the things that will be happening that day. I started your 30 day challenge last week. A little late but it is so good for me.
meadow1994@yahoo.com
The hardest thing for me is getting up early - I love the morning "calm before the storm" - but my kiddos are up between 5:30-6am most days...so that quiet time is EARLY for me.
what an awesome book! I struggle with finding the 'right time' to have quiet time and not getting DISTRACTED-that's my biggest obstical.
The hard thing? Being consistent. Lord, please forgive me!
I REALLY enjoyed listening to Nancy's talk about devotion. I am seeing a difference every day in my attitude and perspective from my time with the Lord. Making the decision ahead of time has really made a difference for me. Remembering that it is not a "to do" thing but more about my heart and showing my devotion to him helps too. Not getting up before the rest of my family is what hinders me from my time with the Lord. That book looks great!!
Katie T.
I am a "do-er" (Martha) and must work on being a "be-er" (Mary). Like Mary, being willing to sit at the feet of Jesus and to trust and obey all He has for me. Instead of starting on laundry, cleaning, making my lists, etc. I need the discipline of just sitting at His feet first thing in the morning.
Thank you, Jess, for being genuine. I am a pastor's wife in California. I found your blog thru a friend asking for prayer for Cora. I have faithfully followed you every day since. You are a great example to me and I thank God for your obedience in all things. God is using you in a mighty way all over this country! I don't comment much because you are so articulate and me . . . not so much. :) Thanks for being thoughtful to buy an extra copy of Nancy's book. If I don't win it on July 18th, I'll be buying a copy on July 19th. :) It sounds very promising as something I could lead my women through this Fall. Blessings on your precious family. Can't believe you're about to have your 3rd baby! (I have 2 sons; 10 and 12). Anyways, you're the type of person I wish I could be friends with in IRL. But I will continue to glean wisdom from you through your blog!
The hardest part of my devotional life is making time, especially with a little one at home. I'm a new mom (my son is 3 months old), so I've never before had to learn how to make time for devotions while taking care of a child who is completely and totally dependent on me to fulfill his every need. It's quite a challenge! I've been encouraged by the Isaiah 40:11 which says that the Lord will gently lead those with young. I know that God understands my situation and has grace with me.
Sounds like a challenging and encouraging book. The most difficult part about my quiet time us being consistent! I have the desire and go through good spurts, but then I find myself struggling again...
When I am inconsistent in my walk with the Lord, I always have to remind myself that I make time for what matters. I have a deep need for a connection with the Lord and when it is missing, I am reminded of what is missing in my day.
Becky
beckomk@aol.com
I came across your lovely blog today. The hardest thing for me is attending church alone. Sometimes people treat you like you are invisible.
Ann
I have two main struggles.
1st: giving God priority over sleep. I love to sleep. Waking up a bit early is SO hard for me to do. I've never successfully done it.
2nd: I read the Word each day, but the real devotional, going deep time with the Lord? Very hard for me. I struggle being totally honest and vulnerable before my Lord. I am always afraid of what my questions might reveal. Dumb, I know, but still I struggle.
I struggled to be constant in my devotion time each day. This bbok sounds awesome!
A year ago, I would have said being consistent. Now, having learned a wonderful lesson is discipline, I struggle with quality and not just "checking the box" every morning. And I agree with Megan - getting to bed earlier would make getting up in the morning a lot easier!
The biggest roadblock for me, in regards to a devotional life, is time. With four kids, the oldest being 9, once they are up, we are running all day. I used to get downtime on my commute to work, but without that quiet car time, I struggle.
And I don't think, "please Lord help this child stop whining" counts.
I'm currently reading another book by Nancy - Surrender. It's been a great read. Sometimes I get overwhelmed when I try to read the Bible, but when I take a passage and just break it down and allow the Lord to speak to me - I always walk away amazed. I can't wait until the next day's devotional time. But then I get busy and time goes by and I forget the feelings that intimacy brings. I need to keep it at the forefront of my mind.
I find it hard to be consistent; I seem to go in spurts.
I, too, struggle with getting up and consistency. It seems the times I try to get up early, a child gets up even earlier then normal!
The biggest obstacle for me is that I don't have a set daily schedule right now. I've noticed that it is something I need to work on so I can be more purposeful in my relationship with Jesus.
Something that has helped me has been (surprisingly) becoming a new momma. The time I have while nursing him in the evenings before bed has helped me to have a set time devoted to reading God's Word. I would like to start my days this way, but find I am too tired. This is something I would like to change! :)
So happy to have your encouragement to prioritize time with the Lord. I struggle with consistency and distraction. Thanks for the chance to win - I love to hear Revive our Hearts on the Radio and am sure I'd enjoy the book. . .
Like many others, I seem to lean more toward spending time with the Lord in the bad, and neglect Him in the good. I have two small children and many times I feel that I am not using any time during the day for me. I always am doing for the boys......it's hard and I struggle. I pray that the Lord helps me more intentional everyday - good or bad.
I have been going through a separation from my husband who wants a divorce, I have been clinging to God in hopes He can work in my husbands heart but sometimes I am finding it hard to hang on to the hope, specially with taking care of our daughter, work, stress, life in general . I want to have a better relationship with God & not have it be ebbs & flows. I try to have quiet times but I find myself making excuses when I am tired or dont feel like I have time to do it.
I have been wanting to read this book for a long time! So glad you posted about it! The hardest thing for me is setting aside a consistent time each day to spent time with the Lord. Mornings would be most reliable but I am soooo tired that I keep hitting the snooze until Its too late to even get it done (Sound familiar :) Then I am struggling to find the time during the day or struggling to keep my eyes open when I do it before bed. Would love to hear more of your feedback on the book!
I can make up excuses all day long but it's simply a matter of not doing what is important to me. I know that I'm a better momma and wife when I spend time in the word but I can't seem to find a restful place to do it. Maybe I need to stop trying to create the perfect environment and just do it! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love praying the Word back to the Lord! (that why I like Mom's In Touch so much)
What has helped me as I struggle with being consistent, is journaling my prayers. It helps seeing the answers come and knowing God cares about every aspect of our lives.
I find, as you do, being bombarded with other obligations can make me put time with the Lord as 2nd or 3rd...Your blog is a great encouragement! Thanks for the giveaway!
The hardest part for me is finding the quiet moment with 2 little boys running around on my heels all day long. Then when I do find that moment, the next challenge is knowing where to begin. DO I just open the bible and read whatever chapter I land on, or do I open an old bible study I went through? The book you are giving away looks really good- would love to read it!
The hardest thing about alone time is the stuff I don't always want to hear. The accountability that God bestows upon me when I least expect it and the discipline to endure the pain and trials I've created for myself. It would be a lot easier if I just listened instead, right?
I think August will include a 30 day challenge, too. Thanks for the encouragement. <><
In a word...everything. I think that is the devils biggest joy. Placing things in the way of our devotional time is his ultimate goal, and unfortunately there are so many ways we are distracted. Through my life those distractions have changed, but they are always there.
My hard thing is that I am organized and like to have a schedule, but I have four kids 4 and under. Ha. I have been making it a priority to spend time with God every day even if it doesn't happen the same time every day. I am in a season of craving Him! :)
I've found over the years that there are always reasons that will make it hard for me to find that time in my day to communicate with God and that I just have to set those things aside. And sometimes, when I seem to do best, I will find that I am just doing it as a check off item on my to do list and that I'm not getting much out of it, nor am I giving much of myself over to God. The key for me is in knowing just how much difference that time is to my life... how much better things go when I GENUINELY communicate with God. It doesn't mean my life becomes easy or without concerns or problems, just that I deal with life better. I think starting the day with Him is critical but learning to use short breath prayers all day to express gratitude, worries, concerns, turn over situations is also important. They may be as brief as 'thank you' or 'help me with this' but it all helps get me through the days.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity and although we are very different in where we are in terms of life situation, I find reading your blog to be inspirational and encouraging. The old can and does learn from the young!
Thanks to your 30 day challenge, I can honestly say my quiet time with the Lord was the best it had ever been. But already in July I have not been doing so great. I would say overall my "hard thing" is just learning and developing a quality prayer time with the Lord. I can be so good with reading and thinking and journaling, and then not take the time to really spend with the Lord in conversation. Thanks for this giveaway - I'm pretty sure I'll get the book even if I don't win!
The snooze button is my biggest failure. I struggle so much with getting out of bed early.
Gosh, I guess my excuse is just that I don't have the time... I know that's not true but there is something keeping me from taking the time out I need with the Lord. When I really get down to it, I'd say it's my pride that keeps me away, because I want to think I can handle it all on my own. Thanks for being so open and sharing with us!
Like you, I have a small child and another due in September. It is challenging for me to have quiet time because I often feel the pull of home life and all that comes with it.
I have always wanted a consistent, daily time with the Lord. Unfortunately, I lack the discipline. My husband would like a daily time with the Lord as well, yet he also lacks the discipline. We have been wanting to do daily devotions together, but lack a consistent time. Perhaps Nancy's book will have some good suggestions for this! Blessings to you!
I think what I struggle most with is feeling guilty taking time for myself...away from kids, away from my husband, away from work, and away from just the everyday hustle and bustle! I feel like my every minute needs to spent with my children...scared that I am going to miss something, scared that I am not going to be there when they needs me! I forget that I need to fulfill my own needs and that top need is to turn to the center of my being with devotion to the one who knows me best...MY SAVIOR!
It is very hard to find time for quiet time. I struggle this everyday. I want to sleep in ,but that leaves no time for the bible. Nap time is an option,but sometimes it does not go as planned. Night time could work,but sometimes I am just to tired. See my drift? I really need to work on finding a set time even it means giving something else up. I would love to read the bok.
The hard thing for me is waking up earlier than I already do to have quality time with God. I wake up early to get to my school, and in September we'll be adding a baby to that routine and I know it will be even trickier!
I find it very difficult at times to find a quiet time to just listen to the Lord. Reading your blog has encouraged me to try harder to make that special time. I would love to be able to get my focus back on the Lord, and not so much on the "duties of the day" God Bless...
I find it harder to have regular devotions when I am not on a schedule. When I was always working at the same time, I had a set routine. I need to find a time that works even when the rest of my day is flexible...
I would love to win this book. I have been looking for something to jumpstart my relationship with God.
I would love to read this book! You seem to find such great devotionals! My biggest struggle is having consistent prayer time and knowing "how to" pray. My mind always wonders off and I find myself praying the same things day after day and feel like there's no depth to it! I'd love to do a better job of incorporating prayers for my hubby and children, like you mentioned in one of your previous posts. If I don't "win" this book, I might just have to go out and buy it! And speaking of books...I have your friendship book to get back to you! I lent it to a friend here and she just got it back to me so next time in KS, I'll bring it along! Hope you're doing well!
Looks like a great book. My problem is taking the time and being consistent. Need to carve out time each day to spend time with God!
The hardest part of devotions for me is keeping my mind focused on God and not letting it fill up with things I think I need to be doing instead. I enjoy my devotions, but I need to be more intentional with my time with God.
Thank you!
I struggle to have quiet time with the Lord because it doesn't seem to give me the same "instant gratification" that I feel when I spend time with a friend, watch a good tv show or work on a project. It is easy to talk myself out of doing it.
I would love to read Nancy's book. Like so many people have said in their comments, the thing that most stands in my way is my idea of how much time I have to do things during the day. I know the Lord is faithful and will speak through His Word, but I let life get in my way. More than anything, I want to glorify Him, but I struggle to make my time with Him a priority, which doesn't glorify Him at all.
the hardest thing for me is actually DOING it. I talk to God alot during the day, i just need to work on "being still" while JUST focusing on HIM and His word!!!
What has helped me in my devotional time is when I first wake up I realize that the Lord is waiting on me to talk with Him. This helps me to realize that I don't want to keep Him waiting on me. In addition, what has helped me is to journal my prayers. I write letters to God in my prayer journal. This helps me. I would really enjoy reading Nancy's book. I have read other books by Nancy and I'm sure it is a fabulous read!
I currently have 2 children under three and finding the time and energy to sit and have much quantity time with the Lord is a regular challenge. For now I think it's about the quality of the time that I am able to find. Frankly, discipline in this area of life is one I am praying the Lord will help me grow in.
I always feel there is so much for me to do in the evenings after work!I already get up at the crack of dawn, work all day and have 2 children and a husband to look after. I always try and read before bed. Seems like something never fails to get in my way - laundry, internet, TV, exercise, you name it. Sometimes I go through periods where I read the Bible constantly, others where I get sidetracked:)
I struggle to meet with the Lord first thing in the morning, because I have to be at work so early and then by the time I get home I am exhausted. I just have to be more disciplined and START the day with Him!
Oh this is something that I have struggled with my whole life. I guess I just like sleeping too much, and it's winter in Australia at the moment which does not help one bit. I know that I need to go to bed earlier and have a spot set up before I go to bed. I will work on that tonight. Maybe a cup of tea would be helpful to keep me warm whilst I spend time with God.
Thanks so much for your consistent reminders about the importance of this, I know that partly it is to remind yourself, but please know that God is using you in a very powerful way to work in many lives at the same time!
The hard thing for me is quieting my heart and mind.,.not getting off on bunny trail thoughts, my grocery list, my email, blogging or laundry. I get up early before my house does, but still struggle to find quiet...
This book looks great! In the morning I find it easy to be distracted by everything I feel "needs" to be done, so sometimes it is hard for me to focus on what I know is really a necessity.
I often find it difficult to focus. Either the kids are interrupting, or I'm exhausted. It's a challenge for sure, but the rewards for facing it are well worth it. I'd love to read Nancy's book!
I'm lazy is the biggest problem. I get consumed with housework and my kids, so if I get a chance where things are quiet and I can sit down for 30 minutes, I just try to catch a nap! I also don't know a good way to really have a "structured" quiet time bc I basically just open up my Bible and flip around while reading the stuff I've already highlighted. I'd love to wing this book!
Consistency would be my major hurdle. It hurts to admit that I am constantly hitting the snooze button instead of getting up before my girls so that I can focus on God and His plans for the day.
I would definately say just motivation. I am just lazy. I need a good kick in the rear end at times.
What has helped me seek the Lord daily? His faithfulness to me over the last decades that had me walking through some pretty difficult situations that I did not create. Clinging to Him and remembering His faithfulness lead me back day after day...
oh dear jess, i think i find many things hard about my own devotional time... my real trouble is that i can be a great starter, quick out of the gates, but i lack that whole endurance thing. 'i want' to do it but just haven't been able to get consistant time. trying to get up before the 4 of them do (and they...really i mean the youngest two, do not have a consistant wake-up time) has it's own issues and then there is my mind issue...the all or nothing type mentality- if i cannot have some quiet alone time by waking up earlier (because one of the 4 woke up too) then why bother? awk, i am working on it and trying to be content with the hit or miss devotional times.
all that said i really appreciated your 30 day challenge and how you approached it. i wasn't able to do all 30 days but it encouraged me and held me accountable. thanks dear sister!
It is hard for me to be consistent, and also to not just do it to do it, but to actually fellowship with the Lord. I am NOT a morning person, but wish I was! I was actually up before my children today and I love the peace and quiet of the morning to be with the Lord.
Waking up early...I definitely do better having my quiet time early before the children wake up. I just have to discipline myself to go to bed early so that I can wake up earlier :). Thanks for this fun giveaway!
Having lost our first baby in my fifth month of pregnancy I have found that the blessing of our 7 month lil blessing of a daughter has taught me to include the Lord in every part of my day. Through dedicating myself to bring her up in the Lord I find myself talking about, teaching about, praying to, singing about, and reading about the Lord all throughout our day as I spend my time with her. What began as my attempt to grow her knowledge in HIM has in turn deepened my relationship and knowledge in and of HIM. God is amazing and mysteriously wonderful in HIS ways :).
I love the verses in Isaiah 50:4-5 I love that the Lord will give me "an instructed tongue" so I can be refreshment to the weary. I have struggled for years to have a consistent time with the Lord for a number of various reasons "excuses"! Your blog has been such an encouragement to me & today's post was extremely helpful in realizing that I just need to make it a priority and know that God will use it no matter what my feelings happen to be on any given day. You are such a testimony to so many and your photos are absolutely beautiful! Thank you for blessing so many of us with your life.
Staying consistent.
If I don't get things done in the morning, I just don't get them done. I really struggle creating the habit of getting up before my children.
I think spending daily time with the Lord is something everyone struggles with! Thanks for the encouragement!
I've found that if I don't get my quiet time in for the day, turning on and focusing on my Christian music really helps me focus and take a deep breath. AND that can be done with two kids at my feet!
Hi there! This book does sound super encouraging and the kick start I need in spending more time with the Lord. I sometimes just feel overwhelmed and not sure where to start, but the point is just starting and spending time with Him. I need to have no excuses and just do it!
Sam D.
The struggle is truly sitting down and making the time and really opening my heart. Shutting all the noise out and letting the Lord in...working on it but tough.
Precious friend,
Though I have never met you I feel we are kindred spirits. One day I would love to give you a real hug. Thank you for your transparency & honesty with the 30 day challenge. He is life changing! I am a mom of 4 & know all too well the mess I can make when I try to take on the day without the Lord. I'm thankful for His love, grace, patience & kindness that draws me to Him over & over & over.
i have just struggled with making Him a priority in my life right now.. i love nancy leigh demoss, and have done a couple of her bible studies. i appreciate your openness to your struggles with devotional time, and your encouragement to keep at it..
thanks !!
It sounds just like what I need to read right now. I would love an opportunity to read it!
I am beginning to recognize that many of my prayers are selfish, and I need to lean on the One who knows what I truly need in this life, and how I can use my words and time to show others His true Love!
Tiffany
I struggle to be consistent with my devotional/quiet time with the Lord. I don't know if I'll ever find the "perfect" time to spend with God, but I try to catch the moments when I can do this throughout my day.
Donna
Jess I have been so inspired by your challenge. More than ever before, I have felt the urging of the Holy Spirit for me to arise and have a consistent quiet time in the mornings before my little ones awake. Unfortunately, my flesh continues to fight my spirit in my desire. I struggle with "perfectionism" and so when I am not consistent in something, my flesh desires to stop trying because I can't do it perfectly but I know that this is exactly where the devil wants me. Instead, I need to rise up and keep striving towards my goal. I would love to win this book as an added encouragement in my journey.
--Kristy (akwallace4@yahoo.com)
I struggle with consistancy. I usually end up studying late at night. I am praying for an accountability partner for morning devotions. I know our mornings/days would go much smoother if I did.
Sounds like a great book!
I did her "Seeking Him" study two summers ago, and it was so incredible!
I agree that the decision already being made is key. I committed this year to read through my bible in a year with a particular reading plan, and I get up first thing and do have my reading before I get out of bed. It makes such a difference. But the challenge for me is not making God just a habit, I don't want Him to be something I check off my list. Reading the Word is partaking of HIM, and sometimes I fail to remember that and focu on His presence in the process.
Growing up, I was never exposed to the idea of daily devotional, and as a young mother and wife striving to know the Lord better, it hasn't really happened for me yet. So for me it is simply getting started and trying to figure out how it all works has been the challenge for me.
Melissa
I would love to get this book. So I think if I don't win, I will head over to Amazon and buy my own copy :)
thanks for doing this, Jess.
I'd love to win! What a great book! My biggest challenge is making time for a daily quiet time. And a lot of time, my mind wanders to my to do list...sometimes I feel like I am just giving God a list of requests and not taking the time to really listen to Him.
This sounds really good. I've been hurting and lonely and not seeking the Lord.
I guess the hardest thing for me is being purposeful. I think you use the word intentional. I always think that becoming a godly woman is just going to happen - at least I act like I think that! But it doesn't, it takes intentionally pursuing Christ in order to become more like Him.
I struggle with having a consistent, uninterrupted time with the Lord. I know that it is important, and I just need to make it my priority!
I took you up on your challenge and have been meeting with the Lord before my son awakes. I has been easier than trying to stay awake and do it before bed:) Hoping I can continue once school starts again.
Deb
Thanks for the reminder to enter. Love your heart!
Thank you for the reminder....I am working on being consistent with my morning time with Jesus. So hard to be consistent..I need help!!
The hard thing for me is getting up early enough to fit my devotions in first thing in the morning. Baby boy's sleep schedule is still unpredictable and if I miss doing it before he awakes, I get distracted and have a hard time fitting it back in. But I have found that since I have been more focused on my devotions as a result of your 30 day , I turn to the Lord more in prayer throughout my day...when I'm folding laundry or driving somewhere or making dinner! And that has made all the difference!
I struggle with the part of just checking it off my "to-do" list for the day. Some of it is me, some of it not having something that holds my attention. I'd love this book as I have read some of her other books/devotionals and loved them. Thanks for the chance!
Finding quiet time.. time that others won't pop in and distract my thoughts. But mostly not making excuses... My life NEEDS this time so I WILL be figuring it out and soon.
Jessica,
I did this book in a Bible study a few years ago. It was great and helped me tremendously. Glad to hear you're reading it.
Being the mother of 5 kids (the youngest 1 year old twins), makes it difficult to have consistent, quiet time with God. If I'm lazy and don't get it done early before the kids are up, it gets put on the back burner.
My most difficult thing is getting to bed at a decent time. I don't have a hard time getting up, but I do have difficulty staying away from the internet during this quiet time before the boys get up. I'm currently reading Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" and it gives me something to chew on.
Thanks!!
The hardest part of doing my quiet time, is reminding myself that this time with the Lord is more important than anything else I do. SO often I convince myself that other things are more important. I did the 30 day challenge with you, and it was such a refreshing experience. I missed a few days, but I kept up for the most part and it really showed me that I can always make time for it if I really want to. So thanks for these reminders and encouragements that you have been faithful to post:)
I'm trying to be consistent in the morning before the kids are awake but that's easier said than done.
I would love to win this book!
Since starting a new job last Aug. 2010, I drive 1 hour to work & 1 hr home. I 've made it part of my devotion to have prayer time on my way to work before I turn the radio on! Sometimes I catch myself fixing to turn the radio, & I'm like nope..I can't listen to the radio until I've talked to God & thanked him for all of my blessings & a long list of other things. It gives me "me" time with God! :)
I am Doris,from what I can read. It has been sad news and scam to everyone about Voodoo casters or so. But to me they are so real cause one worked for me not quite two weeks. I traveled down to where his shrine his and we both did the ritual and sacrifice. and now me and my ex are living very ok now.I don't know about you but Voodoo is real;love marriage,finance, job promotion ,lottery Voodoo,poker voodoo,golf Voodoo,Law & Court case Spells,money voodoo,weigh loss voodoo,diabetic voodoo,hypertensive voodoo,high cholesterol voodoo,Trouble in marriage,Barrenness(need a child),Luck, Money Spells,it's all he does. I used my money to purchase everything he used he never collected a dime from. He told me I can repay him anytime with anything from my heart. Now I don't know how to do that. If you can help or you need his help write him on (nativedoctor101@live.com) Thank you.
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