Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to my blog. No excuses, just kept forgetting.
So I hope your summer of transformation is going well. Its been pretty awesome for me so far (all except the whole "lose 10lbs" thing). I started off with a bang, but between vacation, 4th of July, and homeade ice cream, things start to crumble. As usual, I'll be back in the game tomorrow. Isn't that what we always say? You know there is an interesting paradox I find in my life. I know that God will continue to forgive me and work with me as long as I keep trying, but at what point is, "I'll start tomorrow" no good anymore. Not to God necessarily, but to myself. How long do I say this concerning all types of things from my health to my prayer time, my bible reading to my relationships? At some point it isn't about God, its about my ability to get off my rear and stick to the things I know I need to do.
It seems like everyone has their areas of "weaknesses". Not always sins, just places where our self-discipline seems to run a little short. But there's always tomorrow. Its like the sign at Joe's Crab Shack that says "Free Crabs Tomorrow". Sometimes I feel that I've got great discipline, but the truth is, some things are just easy for me. That doesn't mean it takes discipline to get them done. For instance, getting up and getting to work on time, staying late, working hard, is not a problem for me. Long hours are no big deal. Why? Because God & church are my #1 passion outside my family. I love it. I'm eaten up with it as my Dad used to say. Even when I'm on vacation or playing golf, I'm thinking and talking about church. So is it really discipline when I do what I do? Probably not, discipline kicks in when its hard or difficult. When it's not the easy and natural thing to do.
This applies in many areas of life. One of them for me, also for many other Christians is having a regular prayer time. Its not that I don't want to or don't have time or don't try. I have several issues beginning with my struggle to shut my brain down. When you combine my overactive imagination with a little A.D.D., it can be difficult to focus on God for an extended period of time. I start thinking of everything I need to do. Who I need to call. Where I need to go. etc. etc. etc. So here are a couple tips that I use to try to focus in my quiet time:
1 - Keep something to right with nearby. This allows me to write down anything God shows me. It also allows me to right down those things that come to my mind. This way, I can move on knowing that I won't forget it later.
2 - When praying for an extended time, I sometimes take a 10-15 nap in the middle of my prayer time. Its interesting how as soon as I wake up, my mind is often clear and receptive to what God might be saying. Its in those first few minutes after I wake up, that I often get the answers I'm looking for.
3 - Worship but not too much. I love to worship, but if I'm not careful, I will spend all my time worshiping and not praying and listening. Worship is a great way to focus your mind, but if all we do is worship, we may never give God time to speak.
4 - Find a quiet place. Too much going on around us causes our minds to wander. Find your "prayer closet".
5 - Don't always wait until you have an hour. Take time whenever you have it. 15 minutes 30 minutes, 45 minutes. Take the moments that you have.
Anyway, hope I've helped you in some way. God is moving. Momentum is building. TC Beaumont is on the verge of something great. Don't miss it!! Jump in!
P Randon
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