Hmmm, I don't think 2017 was very 'successful' by looking at this list:
1. Confront (and hopefully conquer) some long-held fears and phobias. More to come in another post.
This mainly revolved around riding my new bike. Unfortunately it didn't happen. This year...
2. Submit my novel to more publishers.
I entered it into the Dorothy Hewett Award For An Unpublished Manuscript run by UWA Publishing, but didn't get anywhere.
3. Try to have regular quiet times. I don't want to set the bar too
high (it's hard to go from pretty much nothing/sporadic times to daily,
so I'm aiming for 2-3 times per week, then build up).
Nope! I really only read my Bible the night before Bible study each week in order to prepare. I have such a hunger for God's Word, but somehow I just can't sit down and read it.
4. Continue to sell baby stuff and other items to raise money for Christian ministries.
I donated some stuff to our church's biannual mission stall. I did sell some stuff, but keep forgetting to actually give the money to ministries! One thing I did last year was save all of the $5 notes I could and put them in a container. I counted 20 notes the other day....that's $100 for Pregnancy Problem House. This year, I want to save $10 notes and pray about which person/organisation God would have me give the money to.
5. Adjust my weekly routine now that I'll be a kindy mum, which will
include taking Flynn to playgroup on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, while
Rory is at kindy.
This was one thing I had some success with. Flynn and I became regulars at playgroup on Thursdays by the middle of the year.
Stay tuned for my 2018 hopes.
Showing posts with label Bible Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Reading. Show all posts
Friday, January 26, 2018
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
5 Hopes For 2017
1. Confront (and hopefully conquer) some long-held fears and phobias. More to come in another post.
2. Submit my novel to more publishers.
3. Try to have regular quiet times. I don't want to set the bar too high (it's hard to go from pretty much nothing/sporadic times to daily, so I'm aiming for 2-3 times per week, then build up).
4. Continue to sell baby stuff and other items to raise money for Christian ministries.
5. Adjust my weekly routine now that I'll be a kindy mum, which will include taking Flynn to playgroup on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, while Rory is at kindy.
What are your hopes for 2017?
2. Submit my novel to more publishers.
3. Try to have regular quiet times. I don't want to set the bar too high (it's hard to go from pretty much nothing/sporadic times to daily, so I'm aiming for 2-3 times per week, then build up).
4. Continue to sell baby stuff and other items to raise money for Christian ministries.
5. Adjust my weekly routine now that I'll be a kindy mum, which will include taking Flynn to playgroup on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, while Rory is at kindy.
What are your hopes for 2017?
Wednesday, January 04, 2017
2016 Hopes: How I Went
Well....2016 wasn't a very productive year AT ALL!
1. RECOVER! I have a myriad of appointments to arrange and attend this year to aid my recovery - physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, hospital follow-ups, blood tests. It's doing my head in already.
I don't think I recovered much at all. There were so many moments during 2016 where I should have returned to hospital. I enjoyed counselling (I found a Christian counsellor in Perth that did appointments via Skype), but I'm not sure it's really had much of an impact. I guess it's just an ongoing and LONG process. I had physio regularly, but will need surgery to repair my abdominal diastasis.
2. Send my book to more literary agents and publishers.
I got my submission to Fremantle Press ready with just weeks remaining in 2016. Now, I just actually have to print and post the thing.
3. Have regular quiet times. We're only 15 days into the new year and I feel like I'm failing already. But maybe if I was succeeding I'd be tempted to become proud. Thank the Lord it's all about His grace.
My friend Amanda sent me a devotional for my birthday, which I found very helpful. If I wasn't part of a KYB Bible study, which required weekly preparation, I think I would have sadly neglected my Bible altogether. I think it shows where my heart is, that I don't see reading God's Word and praying enough of a priority. It's the being still part that I find hard, just enjoying God's presence without thinking about the next thing on my to-do list.
4. Declutter and sell things to raise money for missions or whoever the Lord places across my path in need of money. As soon as Flynn outgrows the baby stuff, IT'S OUTTA HERE.
I've sold a fair bit of the baby stuff so far and donated some to our biannual church missions stall. It breaks my heart to know there will be no more bubbas for us, so I try to list the stuff for sale quickly, so I don't think about it too much.
5. Read and comment on other blogs more. I failed dismally at this last year as I was too preoccupied in keeping my own blog afloat.
Sorry, I don't think I did very well at this at all.
Oh well, onwards and upwards....
Stay tuned for my 2017 hopes.
1. RECOVER! I have a myriad of appointments to arrange and attend this year to aid my recovery - physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, hospital follow-ups, blood tests. It's doing my head in already.
I don't think I recovered much at all. There were so many moments during 2016 where I should have returned to hospital. I enjoyed counselling (I found a Christian counsellor in Perth that did appointments via Skype), but I'm not sure it's really had much of an impact. I guess it's just an ongoing and LONG process. I had physio regularly, but will need surgery to repair my abdominal diastasis.
2. Send my book to more literary agents and publishers.
I got my submission to Fremantle Press ready with just weeks remaining in 2016. Now, I just actually have to print and post the thing.
3. Have regular quiet times. We're only 15 days into the new year and I feel like I'm failing already. But maybe if I was succeeding I'd be tempted to become proud. Thank the Lord it's all about His grace.
My friend Amanda sent me a devotional for my birthday, which I found very helpful. If I wasn't part of a KYB Bible study, which required weekly preparation, I think I would have sadly neglected my Bible altogether. I think it shows where my heart is, that I don't see reading God's Word and praying enough of a priority. It's the being still part that I find hard, just enjoying God's presence without thinking about the next thing on my to-do list.
4. Declutter and sell things to raise money for missions or whoever the Lord places across my path in need of money. As soon as Flynn outgrows the baby stuff, IT'S OUTTA HERE.
I've sold a fair bit of the baby stuff so far and donated some to our biannual church missions stall. It breaks my heart to know there will be no more bubbas for us, so I try to list the stuff for sale quickly, so I don't think about it too much.
5. Read and comment on other blogs more. I failed dismally at this last year as I was too preoccupied in keeping my own blog afloat.
Sorry, I don't think I did very well at this at all.
Oh well, onwards and upwards....
Stay tuned for my 2017 hopes.
Friday, January 15, 2016
5 Hopes For 2016
I'm aiming for small things this year...
1. RECOVER! I have a myriad of appointments to arrange and attend this year to aid my recovery - physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, hospital follow-ups, blood tests. It's doing my head in already.
2. Send my book to more literary agents and publishers.
3. Have regular quiet times. We're only 15 days into the new year and I feel like I'm failing already. But maybe if I was succeeding I'd be tempted to become proud. Thank the Lord it's all about His grace.
4. Declutter and sell things to raise money for missions or whoever the Lord places across my path in need of money. As soon as Flynn outgrows the baby stuff, IT'S OUTTA HERE.
5. Read and comment on other blogs more. I failed dismally at this last year as I was too preoccupied in keeping my own blog afloat.
1. RECOVER! I have a myriad of appointments to arrange and attend this year to aid my recovery - physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, hospital follow-ups, blood tests. It's doing my head in already.
2. Send my book to more literary agents and publishers.
3. Have regular quiet times. We're only 15 days into the new year and I feel like I'm failing already. But maybe if I was succeeding I'd be tempted to become proud. Thank the Lord it's all about His grace.
4. Declutter and sell things to raise money for missions or whoever the Lord places across my path in need of money. As soon as Flynn outgrows the baby stuff, IT'S OUTTA HERE.
5. Read and comment on other blogs more. I failed dismally at this last year as I was too preoccupied in keeping my own blog afloat.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
2015 Hopes: How I Went
It wasn't a very productive year....at least not how I had hoped:
1. Finish editing my book, write a synopsis and cover letter and send to literary agents. NO MORE PROCRASTINATING, SARAH, YOU'VE COME TOO FAR!
FINALLY! I DID IT! Although I've been rejected four times so far, I finally put my creation out there.
2. Make God and His Word a priority. I need regular quiet times, plus I need to get into a Bible study of some sort. The ladies' fellowship at church has turned into a social group and no-one seems keen to do any Bible study, which I find a real shame. I'm praying about who to approach to read the Bible with.
The ladies' fellowship folded and an actual Bible study started instead. I was overjoyed to be meeting with other women every Monday morning to study the Bible using KYB study guides. It was difficult at times due to Rory being the only child there, and he's not always great at entertaining himself. Unfortunately I've had to stop going since Flynn arrived.
3. Get fit and lose 4kg. Water aerobics is on on Saturday mornings at our local pool and, now harvest is finished, Duncan can look after Rory so I can go. I'll get back into Zumba as soon as it starts again, and keep playing tennis. I want to do some yoga/Pilates type stretches at home to help my back. Maybe a healthier lifestyle will help with my fatigue. One thing I NEED to do is stop rewarding myself with bad food. It's too easy to think, I've had a tough day with Rory, I need some icecream/biscuits *fill in the blank*. I don't want to, but I need to stop buying Mocha Chills. Those things are EVIL. No more than one a week for me!
Well, I stopped drinking Mocha Chills...but that was because of the pregnancy. I went to water aerobics once before I found out Flynn was on his way and I was too sick. Any other attempt at exercise went out the window.
4. Pray and think about how to go about my role as the Ladies' Fellowship Deacon at church. It feels like I do nothing in this role. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing and I need wisdom. I don't want to overburden the ladies with too many things to do, but I want to encourage them to read the Bible with each other. I was thinking about having a trash and treasure stall at the local show in March to raise money for missions.
The trash and treasure stall didn't eventuate and I stepped down from the role in August.
5. Get my DIY projects at home done. I want to paint the laundry (we have a scungy outside laundry), paint the window frame in the kitchen and stick Bible verses and encouraging quotes around it, upcycle a toy box for Rory, make myself a patchwork skirt....that's probably enough.
Hahaha! Moving Rory into his new room and rearranging parts of the house was enough.
1. Finish editing my book, write a synopsis and cover letter and send to literary agents. NO MORE PROCRASTINATING, SARAH, YOU'VE COME TOO FAR!
FINALLY! I DID IT! Although I've been rejected four times so far, I finally put my creation out there.
2. Make God and His Word a priority. I need regular quiet times, plus I need to get into a Bible study of some sort. The ladies' fellowship at church has turned into a social group and no-one seems keen to do any Bible study, which I find a real shame. I'm praying about who to approach to read the Bible with.
The ladies' fellowship folded and an actual Bible study started instead. I was overjoyed to be meeting with other women every Monday morning to study the Bible using KYB study guides. It was difficult at times due to Rory being the only child there, and he's not always great at entertaining himself. Unfortunately I've had to stop going since Flynn arrived.
3. Get fit and lose 4kg. Water aerobics is on on Saturday mornings at our local pool and, now harvest is finished, Duncan can look after Rory so I can go. I'll get back into Zumba as soon as it starts again, and keep playing tennis. I want to do some yoga/Pilates type stretches at home to help my back. Maybe a healthier lifestyle will help with my fatigue. One thing I NEED to do is stop rewarding myself with bad food. It's too easy to think, I've had a tough day with Rory, I need some icecream/biscuits *fill in the blank*. I don't want to, but I need to stop buying Mocha Chills. Those things are EVIL. No more than one a week for me!
Well, I stopped drinking Mocha Chills...but that was because of the pregnancy. I went to water aerobics once before I found out Flynn was on his way and I was too sick. Any other attempt at exercise went out the window.
4. Pray and think about how to go about my role as the Ladies' Fellowship Deacon at church. It feels like I do nothing in this role. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing and I need wisdom. I don't want to overburden the ladies with too many things to do, but I want to encourage them to read the Bible with each other. I was thinking about having a trash and treasure stall at the local show in March to raise money for missions.
The trash and treasure stall didn't eventuate and I stepped down from the role in August.
5. Get my DIY projects at home done. I want to paint the laundry (we have a scungy outside laundry), paint the window frame in the kitchen and stick Bible verses and encouraging quotes around it, upcycle a toy box for Rory, make myself a patchwork skirt....that's probably enough.
Hahaha! Moving Rory into his new room and rearranging parts of the house was enough.
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
5 Hopes For 2015
This year is sounding much like 2012...the year of 'keep on keepin' on'. I WILL finish what I started....God willing.
1. Finish editing my book, write a synopsis and cover letter and send to literary agents. NO MORE PROCRASTINATING, SARAH, YOU'VE COME TOO FAR!
2. Make God and His Word a priority. I need regular quiet times, plus I need to get into a Bible study of some sort. The ladies' fellowship at church has turned into a social group and no-one seems keen to do any Bible study, which I find a real shame. I'm praying about who to approach to read the Bible with.
3. Get fit and lose 4kg. Water aerobics is on on Saturday mornings at our local pool and, now harvest is finished, Duncan can look after Rory so I can go. I'll get back into Zumba as soon as it starts again, and keep playing tennis. I want to do some yoga/Pilates type stretches at home to help my back. Maybe a healthier lifestyle will help with my fatigue. One thing I NEED to do is stop rewarding myself with bad food. It's too easy to think, I've had a tough day with Rory, I need some icecream/biscuits *fill in the blank*. I don't want to, but I need to stop buying Mocha Chills. Those things are EVIL. No more than one a week for me!
4. Pray and think about how to go about my role as the Ladies' Fellowship Deacon at church. It feels like I do nothing in this role. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing and I need wisdom. I don't want to overburden the ladies with too many things to do, but I want to encourage them to read the Bible with each other. I was thinking about having a trash and treasure stall at the local show in March to raise money for missions.
5. Get my DIY projects at home done. I want to paint the laundry (we have a scungy outside laundry), paint the window frame in the kitchen and stick Bible verses and encouraging quotes around it, upcycle a toy box for Rory, make myself a patchwork skirt....that's probably enough.
1. Finish editing my book, write a synopsis and cover letter and send to literary agents. NO MORE PROCRASTINATING, SARAH, YOU'VE COME TOO FAR!
2. Make God and His Word a priority. I need regular quiet times, plus I need to get into a Bible study of some sort. The ladies' fellowship at church has turned into a social group and no-one seems keen to do any Bible study, which I find a real shame. I'm praying about who to approach to read the Bible with.
3. Get fit and lose 4kg. Water aerobics is on on Saturday mornings at our local pool and, now harvest is finished, Duncan can look after Rory so I can go. I'll get back into Zumba as soon as it starts again, and keep playing tennis. I want to do some yoga/Pilates type stretches at home to help my back. Maybe a healthier lifestyle will help with my fatigue. One thing I NEED to do is stop rewarding myself with bad food. It's too easy to think, I've had a tough day with Rory, I need some icecream/biscuits *fill in the blank*. I don't want to, but I need to stop buying Mocha Chills. Those things are EVIL. No more than one a week for me!
4. Pray and think about how to go about my role as the Ladies' Fellowship Deacon at church. It feels like I do nothing in this role. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing and I need wisdom. I don't want to overburden the ladies with too many things to do, but I want to encourage them to read the Bible with each other. I was thinking about having a trash and treasure stall at the local show in March to raise money for missions.
5. Get my DIY projects at home done. I want to paint the laundry (we have a scungy outside laundry), paint the window frame in the kitchen and stick Bible verses and encouraging quotes around it, upcycle a toy box for Rory, make myself a patchwork skirt....that's probably enough.
Friday, January 02, 2015
2014 Hopes: How I Went
This is how I went:
1. Get fit. A friend of mine is the local Zumba instructor. I've always swore I'd never do Zumba. I'm the most unco-ordinated person on the planet, and anything that involves dancing, I look like I have too many legs all tripping over each other. But I've decided to eat my words and give it a go. There's no other high impact aerobic exercise available locally, and I like to exercise with others as it gives me the motivation to give it my all. Netball is out of the question because there is no team at my level and it hurts my back. So, there....I'm go to be Zumba-ing it up on Monday nights this year. Duncan has promised to be home from work in time to look after Rory.
I started off well, going to Zumba most Mondays and really enjoying it. Then the Zumba instructor (my friend Asha, whose husband works with Duncan) decided to not run it during winter because of low numbers. At the start of May, Asha had a terrible horseriding accident, fracturing three vertebrae in her back. It hasn't healed properly so Zumba is on hold for a while yet. I did start going to ladies' tennis again more regularly (while Rory was at daycare) and now Sunday afternoon tennis has resumed as well. But I'm far from fit.
2. Read the Bible regularly. Whether I can be a part of a Bible study or not, I need to really feast on God's Word. I'm not interested in set plans, so I'm going to continue on with the devotional I'm doing, read a Psalm a day, and keep up with the verses and discussion we receive from our pastor via an iphone app.
Epic fail! I'm so thankful for a God that loves me, regardless. I will keep trying.
3. Finish editing my book! Surely this has got to be the year!
So close, yet STILL no cigar. I finished the second major edit, so that was good. Now I'm just doing a quick read through (and finding MORE mistakes, unfortunately). Then I just have to write the synopsis and cover letter and it's off to the literary agent.
4. Shop ethically. Recently, I've been evaluating how my faith in Christ impacts my grocery and clothes shopping. Expect a post on this very soon.
This was the post I did and I really did give this a go. It's hard in a country town, where some 'ethical' brands are just not available, and you have to pick the best out of a bad lot. Sometimes I got lazy and couldn't be bothered checking the app before making a purchase. Sometimes I was too tempted by what was on special. I'm aiming to keep on with this this year.
5. Take Rory to playgroup. I've been putting off trying the local playgroup because friends of mine told me they found it very cliquey. Now I've decided that I should give it a go and make up my own mind about people instead of listening to hearsay. A former workmate told me she is planning to go with her new baby so at least I'll know someone. It's hard at the moment because it's on from 9:30-11:30 and that clashes with Rory's morning sleep. When he drops to one sleep a day, then we'll go.
I just squeezed in with this one...we didn't get to playgroup until December due to playgroup being on Thursdays and the ladies' fellowship at church being every second Thursday. It took me a long time to get the guts to go. It IS a bit cliquey, but I'm persevering and SLOWLY getting to know more mums...when Rory's not wanting me to help him climb the fort, that is, and I can actually sit down and talk to people. Sometimes I feel like a real idiot because I have nothing interesting to say - I suck at small talk. We went to Storytime at our local library a fair bit, and also to 'Play in the Park' a few times, but building relationships when you're an adult is slow, hard work.
Stay tuned for my 2015 hopes next week.
1. Get fit. A friend of mine is the local Zumba instructor. I've always swore I'd never do Zumba. I'm the most unco-ordinated person on the planet, and anything that involves dancing, I look like I have too many legs all tripping over each other. But I've decided to eat my words and give it a go. There's no other high impact aerobic exercise available locally, and I like to exercise with others as it gives me the motivation to give it my all. Netball is out of the question because there is no team at my level and it hurts my back. So, there....I'm go to be Zumba-ing it up on Monday nights this year. Duncan has promised to be home from work in time to look after Rory.
I started off well, going to Zumba most Mondays and really enjoying it. Then the Zumba instructor (my friend Asha, whose husband works with Duncan) decided to not run it during winter because of low numbers. At the start of May, Asha had a terrible horseriding accident, fracturing three vertebrae in her back. It hasn't healed properly so Zumba is on hold for a while yet. I did start going to ladies' tennis again more regularly (while Rory was at daycare) and now Sunday afternoon tennis has resumed as well. But I'm far from fit.
2. Read the Bible regularly. Whether I can be a part of a Bible study or not, I need to really feast on God's Word. I'm not interested in set plans, so I'm going to continue on with the devotional I'm doing, read a Psalm a day, and keep up with the verses and discussion we receive from our pastor via an iphone app.
Epic fail! I'm so thankful for a God that loves me, regardless. I will keep trying.
3. Finish editing my book! Surely this has got to be the year!
So close, yet STILL no cigar. I finished the second major edit, so that was good. Now I'm just doing a quick read through (and finding MORE mistakes, unfortunately). Then I just have to write the synopsis and cover letter and it's off to the literary agent.
4. Shop ethically. Recently, I've been evaluating how my faith in Christ impacts my grocery and clothes shopping. Expect a post on this very soon.
This was the post I did and I really did give this a go. It's hard in a country town, where some 'ethical' brands are just not available, and you have to pick the best out of a bad lot. Sometimes I got lazy and couldn't be bothered checking the app before making a purchase. Sometimes I was too tempted by what was on special. I'm aiming to keep on with this this year.
5. Take Rory to playgroup. I've been putting off trying the local playgroup because friends of mine told me they found it very cliquey. Now I've decided that I should give it a go and make up my own mind about people instead of listening to hearsay. A former workmate told me she is planning to go with her new baby so at least I'll know someone. It's hard at the moment because it's on from 9:30-11:30 and that clashes with Rory's morning sleep. When he drops to one sleep a day, then we'll go.
I just squeezed in with this one...we didn't get to playgroup until December due to playgroup being on Thursdays and the ladies' fellowship at church being every second Thursday. It took me a long time to get the guts to go. It IS a bit cliquey, but I'm persevering and SLOWLY getting to know more mums...when Rory's not wanting me to help him climb the fort, that is, and I can actually sit down and talk to people. Sometimes I feel like a real idiot because I have nothing interesting to say - I suck at small talk. We went to Storytime at our local library a fair bit, and also to 'Play in the Park' a few times, but building relationships when you're an adult is slow, hard work.
Stay tuned for my 2015 hopes next week.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
5 Hopes For 2014
It is with both excitement and trepidation that I announce my hopes for this year and put them firmly in God's hands.
1. Get fit. A friend of mine is the local Zumba instructor. I've always swore I'd never do Zumba. I'm the most unco-ordinated person on the planet, and anything that involves dancing, I look like I have too many legs all tripping over each other. But I've decided to eat my words and give it a go. There's no other high impact aerobic exercise available locally, and I like to exercise with others as it gives me the motivation to give it my all. Netball is out of the question because there is no team at my level and it hurts my back. So, there....I'm go to be Zumba-ing it up on Monday nights this year. Duncan has promised to be home from work in time to look after Rory.
2. Read the Bible regularly. Whether I can be a part of a Bible study or not, I need to really feast on God's Word. I'm not interested in set plans, so I'm going to continue on with the devotional I'm doing, read a Psalm a day, and keep up with the verses and discussion we receive from our pastor via an iphone app.
3. Finish editing my book! Surely this has got to be the year!
4. Shop ethically. Recently, I've been evaluating how my faith in Christ impacts my grocery and clothes shopping. Expect a post on this very soon.
5. Take Rory to playgroup. I've been putting off trying the local playgroup because friends of mine told me they found it very cliquey. Now I've decided that I should give it a go and make up my own mind about people instead of listening to hearsay. A former workmate told me she is planning to go with her new baby so at least I'll know someone. It's hard at the moment because it's on from 9:30-11:30 and that clashes with Rory's morning sleep. When he drops to one sleep a day, then we'll go.
1. Get fit. A friend of mine is the local Zumba instructor. I've always swore I'd never do Zumba. I'm the most unco-ordinated person on the planet, and anything that involves dancing, I look like I have too many legs all tripping over each other. But I've decided to eat my words and give it a go. There's no other high impact aerobic exercise available locally, and I like to exercise with others as it gives me the motivation to give it my all. Netball is out of the question because there is no team at my level and it hurts my back. So, there....I'm go to be Zumba-ing it up on Monday nights this year. Duncan has promised to be home from work in time to look after Rory.
2. Read the Bible regularly. Whether I can be a part of a Bible study or not, I need to really feast on God's Word. I'm not interested in set plans, so I'm going to continue on with the devotional I'm doing, read a Psalm a day, and keep up with the verses and discussion we receive from our pastor via an iphone app.
3. Finish editing my book! Surely this has got to be the year!
4. Shop ethically. Recently, I've been evaluating how my faith in Christ impacts my grocery and clothes shopping. Expect a post on this very soon.
5. Take Rory to playgroup. I've been putting off trying the local playgroup because friends of mine told me they found it very cliquey. Now I've decided that I should give it a go and make up my own mind about people instead of listening to hearsay. A former workmate told me she is planning to go with her new baby so at least I'll know someone. It's hard at the moment because it's on from 9:30-11:30 and that clashes with Rory's morning sleep. When he drops to one sleep a day, then we'll go.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Just Eat Something
This is my new motto when it comes to reading the Bible:
Just eat something.
In my current stage of life, reading the Bible at breakfast time doesn't work anymore. I often feel like I'm floundering when it comes to daily quiet times. Currently I'm finding Cathy's practice of 'Morning Tea and Bible Time' works reasonably well as I can sit down for a bit while Rory has his morning nap. Still, my Bible reading is sporadic at best.
I feel like I can strongly relate to yesterday's quote at the moment. Have you ever been so busy you've been racing around all day, then sat down and realised you've skipped a few meals in your busyness? You've started to feel faint and wondered why? I have. I was trying to do too much on an empty tank. It's like that with Bible reading. I find I can go for a while and not realised I've been neglecting reading God's Word and speaking with Him. Then I wonder why I feel so dry.
I loved Meredith's advice when it comes to Bible reading: five minutes is better than nothing. That's what I'm aiming for. Sure, I'd love to have long quiet times and do lots of heavy theological reading, but it isn't the stage of life for it at the moment. My head feels elsewhere most days.
If you're struggling with Bible reading, just eat something. Start with a nibble and work up to a bigger bite. Not because God won't love you if you don't read His word, but because if you don't read it ever, you'll starve.
Don't listen to people who place yokes on other believers' backs by insisting you HAVE to have a quiet time in the morning. Just eat something. Sometime. Somewhere.
Thank you, Meredith. I found your post so liberating.
Just eat something.
In my current stage of life, reading the Bible at breakfast time doesn't work anymore. I often feel like I'm floundering when it comes to daily quiet times. Currently I'm finding Cathy's practice of 'Morning Tea and Bible Time' works reasonably well as I can sit down for a bit while Rory has his morning nap. Still, my Bible reading is sporadic at best.
I feel like I can strongly relate to yesterday's quote at the moment. Have you ever been so busy you've been racing around all day, then sat down and realised you've skipped a few meals in your busyness? You've started to feel faint and wondered why? I have. I was trying to do too much on an empty tank. It's like that with Bible reading. I find I can go for a while and not realised I've been neglecting reading God's Word and speaking with Him. Then I wonder why I feel so dry.
I loved Meredith's advice when it comes to Bible reading: five minutes is better than nothing. That's what I'm aiming for. Sure, I'd love to have long quiet times and do lots of heavy theological reading, but it isn't the stage of life for it at the moment. My head feels elsewhere most days.
If you're struggling with Bible reading, just eat something. Start with a nibble and work up to a bigger bite. Not because God won't love you if you don't read His word, but because if you don't read it ever, you'll starve.
Don't listen to people who place yokes on other believers' backs by insisting you HAVE to have a quiet time in the morning. Just eat something. Sometime. Somewhere.
Thank you, Meredith. I found your post so liberating.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Quote of the Day
Not hearing the word of God is like missing the rain: one day you may not notice that it did not rain, but over time, you cannot live. We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3b).
- Phillip D. Jensen in his book By God's Word: Volume 1, page 104
- Phillip D. Jensen in his book By God's Word: Volume 1, page 104
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Bible Reading and Self Feeding
I've always been haphazard with personal Bible reading. For a long time after I became a Christian, I rarely read the Bible on my own. I almost completely relied on other people - church, Bible study, one-to-one - for my consumption of Scripture. This wasn't because I hated reading the Bible; I just didn't think I needed to spend time sitting around reading it on my own. I didn't get why so many Christians had 'morning devotions' or 'quiet times'. It sounded all a bit too legalistic for me.
Emma, my dear housemate at the time, noticed that this was an area I struggled in, so she bought me a devotional book for a Christmas present in 2004. I really enjoyed the book, but I still couldn't develop a consistent Bible reading habit. They say it takes 21 consecutive days to establish a habit. I never got close to 21 days. By this stage, it was mainly due to my own laziness (busyness can only ever be so much of an excuse).
I've tried devotional books and reading plans, but they aren't really for me. I found having set readings on set days to be quite unhelpful. I would get stressed if I missed a day and get in a panic trying to catch up. Eventually it would be all too hard and I'd throw in the towel. Some of the devotionals were just way too light on for Scripture. There would be a verse taken out of context, and the rest of the page would be the author's thoughts which often weren't even about the verse. I know plans and devotional guides really help some people with self-discipline and structure, but that's not the way I learn best. I think I need a mixture of discipline and freedom. That is, I need a set time per day, but I need freedom to decide what I read.
Over the past few years, I've been challenging myself to read more of the Old Testament. I started with 1 and 2 Samuel, then 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Jonah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Now I've decided that I need some New Testament for a bit of variety so I've been reading Hebrews. I think that reading OT, NT and then doing a topical study is the way to go. Often I try and get hold of a commentary or study guide to supplement my reading.
As far as times go, I've tried early in the morning before I get up (I fell asleep in bed again), and at night before I go to sleep (often I've been too tired to really concentrate). Lately I've been reading the Bible while having breakfast and this seems to work well. If it's a work day or I have to be somewhere early, I only read a chapter of the Bible. If I don't have to be anywhere in the morning, I read a chapter of the Bible, and then do either a chapter of a study guide or read a chapter of a commentary. Sometimes I pray for a country using Operation World or I write in my journal. Other days, either prayer is very rushed, or it doesn't really happen (just being honest here).
I'm always wary in writing about Bible reading as I'm aware it can create a lot of guilt. A friend of mine reckons that if you feel you HAVE to do anything, then it's legalism, and therefore we shouldn't do it. I agree partly in that we shouldn't be reading the Bible to try and win brownie points with God, or so we can feel superior to others. But we also need to acknowledge that self-discipline is a good thing, and that we are sinful people who often use any excuse NOT to delve into God's Word (I know I do). Sure, there are different seasons of life, and spending time with God might be easier in one season than another. At the moment, reading the Bible at breakfast is working reasonably well for me (I'm wary about saying that as it sounds like pride and it could all fall in a heap again), but it might not work so well in a different season. Yet, we also need to stop making excuses and need wisdom to realise when a season has ended (unless we're retired and spend all our time at home, we're ALL busy in different ways). We're always going to have mixed motives in whatever we do. I pray that I will read the Scriptures because I want to love and honour Jesus more, and not for any other reason.
Since I read yesterday's verse in Hebrews, I've been thinking a fair about Christian maturity. When someone says, "He/she is a mature Christian," what do they mean? How do you become a mature Christian? As I've reflected on this, I think a lot of it is due to God's Word. We need God at work in us by His Spirit, yet we also need to co-operate with Him. We need to WANT to mature in our faith, and not be infants. I was having a conversation with someone recently and they asked how long someone else I know had been a Christian. I said that they'd been a Christian for a lot longer than I had, but the person responded by saying that that doesn't necessarily mean they are more mature. I'm beginning to see that my friend was right, that time as a believer doesn't always equal maturity. I'm not saying that someone who sits around and reads the Bible all day is necessarily more mature and godly either, but we need to WANT to grow and take some responsibility in this. If God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures, then that is the logical place to know more about Him.
This has been a big kick up the bum for me. We can encourage one another, but no-one else can take responsibility for this. I have been blessed by ready access to the Scriptures, churches, conferences, books, sermons....Christians in China would love to be in my position. I can't rely on my church, other Christians, or even my husband in this. There will be times in my life where I may not be able to get to church, but doesn't mean I stop seeking God. I hear a lot of Christian wives (younger than me) say it is the husband's responsibility to lead his wife spiritually. Yes, I agree with that, but that doesn't mean that I become this kind of dumb woman who turns off her brain and just drinks in whatever Duncan says without being wise and discerning. Duncan is not God, God is God, and my ultimate allegiance is to Him before my husband.
I'm no champion when it comes to Bible reading. Satan will do whatever he can to distract us from this. He doesn't want us to love and trust Jesus more in the way we live. I still find Bible reading hard, but when I do it, I wonder why I thought it was so difficult. Let me encourage you in this - have a desire to grow in the Lord by reading His Word, but remember Romans 5:8 during the difficult days.
Emma, my dear housemate at the time, noticed that this was an area I struggled in, so she bought me a devotional book for a Christmas present in 2004. I really enjoyed the book, but I still couldn't develop a consistent Bible reading habit. They say it takes 21 consecutive days to establish a habit. I never got close to 21 days. By this stage, it was mainly due to my own laziness (busyness can only ever be so much of an excuse).
I've tried devotional books and reading plans, but they aren't really for me. I found having set readings on set days to be quite unhelpful. I would get stressed if I missed a day and get in a panic trying to catch up. Eventually it would be all too hard and I'd throw in the towel. Some of the devotionals were just way too light on for Scripture. There would be a verse taken out of context, and the rest of the page would be the author's thoughts which often weren't even about the verse. I know plans and devotional guides really help some people with self-discipline and structure, but that's not the way I learn best. I think I need a mixture of discipline and freedom. That is, I need a set time per day, but I need freedom to decide what I read.
Over the past few years, I've been challenging myself to read more of the Old Testament. I started with 1 and 2 Samuel, then 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Jonah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Now I've decided that I need some New Testament for a bit of variety so I've been reading Hebrews. I think that reading OT, NT and then doing a topical study is the way to go. Often I try and get hold of a commentary or study guide to supplement my reading.
As far as times go, I've tried early in the morning before I get up (I fell asleep in bed again), and at night before I go to sleep (often I've been too tired to really concentrate). Lately I've been reading the Bible while having breakfast and this seems to work well. If it's a work day or I have to be somewhere early, I only read a chapter of the Bible. If I don't have to be anywhere in the morning, I read a chapter of the Bible, and then do either a chapter of a study guide or read a chapter of a commentary. Sometimes I pray for a country using Operation World or I write in my journal. Other days, either prayer is very rushed, or it doesn't really happen (just being honest here).
I'm always wary in writing about Bible reading as I'm aware it can create a lot of guilt. A friend of mine reckons that if you feel you HAVE to do anything, then it's legalism, and therefore we shouldn't do it. I agree partly in that we shouldn't be reading the Bible to try and win brownie points with God, or so we can feel superior to others. But we also need to acknowledge that self-discipline is a good thing, and that we are sinful people who often use any excuse NOT to delve into God's Word (I know I do). Sure, there are different seasons of life, and spending time with God might be easier in one season than another. At the moment, reading the Bible at breakfast is working reasonably well for me (I'm wary about saying that as it sounds like pride and it could all fall in a heap again), but it might not work so well in a different season. Yet, we also need to stop making excuses and need wisdom to realise when a season has ended (unless we're retired and spend all our time at home, we're ALL busy in different ways). We're always going to have mixed motives in whatever we do. I pray that I will read the Scriptures because I want to love and honour Jesus more, and not for any other reason.
Since I read yesterday's verse in Hebrews, I've been thinking a fair about Christian maturity. When someone says, "He/she is a mature Christian," what do they mean? How do you become a mature Christian? As I've reflected on this, I think a lot of it is due to God's Word. We need God at work in us by His Spirit, yet we also need to co-operate with Him. We need to WANT to mature in our faith, and not be infants. I was having a conversation with someone recently and they asked how long someone else I know had been a Christian. I said that they'd been a Christian for a lot longer than I had, but the person responded by saying that that doesn't necessarily mean they are more mature. I'm beginning to see that my friend was right, that time as a believer doesn't always equal maturity. I'm not saying that someone who sits around and reads the Bible all day is necessarily more mature and godly either, but we need to WANT to grow and take some responsibility in this. If God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures, then that is the logical place to know more about Him.
This has been a big kick up the bum for me. We can encourage one another, but no-one else can take responsibility for this. I have been blessed by ready access to the Scriptures, churches, conferences, books, sermons....Christians in China would love to be in my position. I can't rely on my church, other Christians, or even my husband in this. There will be times in my life where I may not be able to get to church, but doesn't mean I stop seeking God. I hear a lot of Christian wives (younger than me) say it is the husband's responsibility to lead his wife spiritually. Yes, I agree with that, but that doesn't mean that I become this kind of dumb woman who turns off her brain and just drinks in whatever Duncan says without being wise and discerning. Duncan is not God, God is God, and my ultimate allegiance is to Him before my husband.
I'm no champion when it comes to Bible reading. Satan will do whatever he can to distract us from this. He doesn't want us to love and trust Jesus more in the way we live. I still find Bible reading hard, but when I do it, I wonder why I thought it was so difficult. Let me encourage you in this - have a desire to grow in the Lord by reading His Word, but remember Romans 5:8 during the difficult days.
Friday, May 18, 2012
One To One Bible Reading
I'm no stranger to one-to-one. I've found it so much more helpful than small groups at times as you really get to know the Word and the person you're meeting with at the same time. In my early days as a Christian, I benefited enormously from having mature Christian women meet with me over the Bible. If they are reading, then I say a huge thank you! Now that I'm not in a small group, I know that meeting with another Christian woman one-to-one would be a wise use of my time with eternal significance. I'm still thinking through things and praying for God to direct me to the right person (whether they be a non-Christian, new Christian or established Christian). One thing that has hindered me in getting started is: How do I go about asking someone? (I feel quite nervous just at the thought of it).
This is why One To One Bible Reading was such an encouragement to me. It addresses that very question and I loved the fact that the first step Helm suggests you should do is pray. Too often Christians advise each other to 'just do it' (stealing Nike's slogan for a minute) rather than asking our Father for His wisdom first. Start by praying that God will lead you to someone to whom He is already looking to reveal more of Himself (page 23). Of course, after you've prayed, you will have to bite the bullet and actually ask someone. There's no easy way around it, but Helm does encourage us to consider that although we may be scared of asking someone, that doesn't mean it is a scary thing for them to consider. The people who invited me to meet with them one-to-one may have been nervous about asking me, I don't know, but I was delighted they asked.
Another thing I really liked about this book is its flexibility. It doesn't give a 'right way' to do one-to-one, but offers a lot of suggestions. Some of these include the advantages and disadvantages of preparing a study and reading the passage before the meeting compared with just turning up and 'winging it' (like just reading together with no set plan or questions other than asking each other, "Did anything stand out?" etc). The choice is yours.
He also suggests that one-to-one does not have to be an open-ended commitment. It seems silly now, but this was a revelation to me at the time. You could meet with someone for six weeks or a few months and then meet with someone else. One thing he does recommend though is arranging a time for the next meeting after you've had your current one.
Part II: Frameworks and Ideas contains everything you need in regards of sample questions and passages to read depending on who you're meeting with (i.e. if you're meeting with a non-Christian, you may want to look at Mark's gospel, or if you're meeting with someone who is suffering, you may want to read Job or some Psalms). It looks at two well-known Bible reading methods - COMA (Context Observation Meaning Application) which I've used, and the Swedish method which was new to me. I skimmed over this section a bit, but I expect I will examine it more closely when I actually start meeting with someone.
It's rare to find a book with so much encouragement and helpful information contained in just 103 pages. It has given me much more confidence in pursuing meeting one-to-one with another Christian. I highly recommend this book for every established Christian.
It is available from the Matthias Media Australian store here.
There is also a US store here.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Starving
Lately I feel like I've been starving myself to death.
Before you go into panic mode thinking I've got some kind of eating disorder, I better set you straight.
I'm not starving myself physically...rather spiritually.
If you're a Christian then you can probably identify with this as most believers seem to go through these patches. Patches where spending 1-1 time with God seems too...well...hard.
Life is busy and I've been allowing that busyness to choke my spiritual life. I still love going to church and hearing God's word preached. I still love going to bible study and digging into his word there. But that's because I have a group of people around me and that encourages me to do it. I'm struggling to find any motivation to do it on my own.
I loved being at Perth Women's Convention last Saturday because it was a whole day hearing from God.
It's one of those things that is so great when you're actually into it...it's getting started that's the problem. I know it's not only that I'm busy. I'm also lazy.
When I do have the time, I don't do it. In fact I'd rather watch TV because it's easier. I can just sit mindlessly in front of the telly and not have to think much but when I study the bible I really want to concentrate and take in what God is trying to say to me...and let the Holy Spirit work in me so that I can actually live it out.
Praying is also becoming a drag. I'm not one of those people who can pray for long periods of time. I get bored, I get distracted and then I want to do something else. I tend to do lots of little quick prayers throughout the day rather than one sizeable chunk. Is that bad?
I'll just get a few things straight. I'm not angry at God. I WANT to talk to him and read his Word. But when I try, it's hard. My mind starts to wander and I end up saying "God I don't know what to say to you. I really can't be bothered talking to you right now, I'm sorry." Sometimes I just don't feel like talking to anyone. I can't be bothered having a conversation and when I pray sometimes it just feels like it's me talking to God. It's not like talking to another person where they're responding to you straight away.
Slowly I feel like the weeds of life are choking me. It's kind of like comparing junk food with healthy food. I know I should be eating the healthy stuff because it has good long term benefits. But when it comes to the crunch I go for the junk because it's quicker and easier and I have to do less work. But you know what happens when you keep doing that for too long? You feel slimy and unhealthy and longing for some healthy stuff because let's face it - too much KFC (or TV) isn't good.
I've tried to put some plans into action regarding having a regular quiet time/devotional time, whatever you want to call it. I decided I'd rather meet with God in the morning when I'm less tired and arm myself with his truth when I go out into the world for the day. That is not saying that people who spend time with God at night or any other time are wrong, it's just my personal preference. So I decided I would get up at 6am and read the Bible and pray while eating breakfast. It didn't work. I persevered for a while but it just didn't work. For a start, I find it hard to get up in the morning, I end up sleeping in and running late for work. Plus my housemate gets up early as well and it's hard to concentrate when someone else is around. So i tried Plan 2 - reading the Bible in bed before I get up. This hasn't worked yet either because I either sleep in to start with or fall asleep again while trying to read and pray.
Now I've decided to be more disciplined in going to bed earlier so I can rise earlier (actually get up at 6am instead of just saying I will). A good theory. Now I've just got to put it into practice.
I don't feel like God has abandoned me. He hasn't gone anywhere. It's me that has moved away from him.
I'm not trying to have a quiet time so I can feel superior to other people who don't. I want to do it because I've got this great privilege of being able to talk to my Creator and I want to take advantage of that.
I don't think God is angry with me if i don't do it but I know the spiritual benefits it will bring. Besides I think it's pretty cool that the God of the universe actually WANTS to talk to his children.
I don't want to let guilt be the motivating factor.
I want to keep persevering but it's getting pretty disillusioning.
I know that I'm not the only Christian to have gone through this and won't be the last.
Any advice?
Before you go into panic mode thinking I've got some kind of eating disorder, I better set you straight.
I'm not starving myself physically...rather spiritually.
If you're a Christian then you can probably identify with this as most believers seem to go through these patches. Patches where spending 1-1 time with God seems too...well...hard.
Life is busy and I've been allowing that busyness to choke my spiritual life. I still love going to church and hearing God's word preached. I still love going to bible study and digging into his word there. But that's because I have a group of people around me and that encourages me to do it. I'm struggling to find any motivation to do it on my own.
I loved being at Perth Women's Convention last Saturday because it was a whole day hearing from God.
It's one of those things that is so great when you're actually into it...it's getting started that's the problem. I know it's not only that I'm busy. I'm also lazy.
When I do have the time, I don't do it. In fact I'd rather watch TV because it's easier. I can just sit mindlessly in front of the telly and not have to think much but when I study the bible I really want to concentrate and take in what God is trying to say to me...and let the Holy Spirit work in me so that I can actually live it out.
Praying is also becoming a drag. I'm not one of those people who can pray for long periods of time. I get bored, I get distracted and then I want to do something else. I tend to do lots of little quick prayers throughout the day rather than one sizeable chunk. Is that bad?
I'll just get a few things straight. I'm not angry at God. I WANT to talk to him and read his Word. But when I try, it's hard. My mind starts to wander and I end up saying "God I don't know what to say to you. I really can't be bothered talking to you right now, I'm sorry." Sometimes I just don't feel like talking to anyone. I can't be bothered having a conversation and when I pray sometimes it just feels like it's me talking to God. It's not like talking to another person where they're responding to you straight away.
Slowly I feel like the weeds of life are choking me. It's kind of like comparing junk food with healthy food. I know I should be eating the healthy stuff because it has good long term benefits. But when it comes to the crunch I go for the junk because it's quicker and easier and I have to do less work. But you know what happens when you keep doing that for too long? You feel slimy and unhealthy and longing for some healthy stuff because let's face it - too much KFC (or TV) isn't good.
I've tried to put some plans into action regarding having a regular quiet time/devotional time, whatever you want to call it. I decided I'd rather meet with God in the morning when I'm less tired and arm myself with his truth when I go out into the world for the day. That is not saying that people who spend time with God at night or any other time are wrong, it's just my personal preference. So I decided I would get up at 6am and read the Bible and pray while eating breakfast. It didn't work. I persevered for a while but it just didn't work. For a start, I find it hard to get up in the morning, I end up sleeping in and running late for work. Plus my housemate gets up early as well and it's hard to concentrate when someone else is around. So i tried Plan 2 - reading the Bible in bed before I get up. This hasn't worked yet either because I either sleep in to start with or fall asleep again while trying to read and pray.
Now I've decided to be more disciplined in going to bed earlier so I can rise earlier (actually get up at 6am instead of just saying I will). A good theory. Now I've just got to put it into practice.
I don't feel like God has abandoned me. He hasn't gone anywhere. It's me that has moved away from him.
I'm not trying to have a quiet time so I can feel superior to other people who don't. I want to do it because I've got this great privilege of being able to talk to my Creator and I want to take advantage of that.
I don't think God is angry with me if i don't do it but I know the spiritual benefits it will bring. Besides I think it's pretty cool that the God of the universe actually WANTS to talk to his children.
I don't want to let guilt be the motivating factor.
I want to keep persevering but it's getting pretty disillusioning.
I know that I'm not the only Christian to have gone through this and won't be the last.
Any advice?
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