My Personal Key to Transforming Quiet Times

Welcome to Widows Christian Place! Of course, I'm sorry for the reason you're here, but this is a good place to stop in for strength and encouragement on your journey through grief.

Just like your body needs healthy food during grief, so, too, your soul needs the wholesome nourishment found in the Bible. Last week we were talking about choosing a Bible reading plan for the year ahead. I suggested some resources, and I also urged my readers to realize that a plan is just a structure, not a slave driver. Grieving is distracting and chaotic, so expect the unexpected. If (when) you fail to keep up, don't bother trying to catch up on what you missed, just start fresh with the current day.

My 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 notebooks

Today I want to share the one essential tool that has become my key to discovering treasures and refreshment in God's Word---a 7" x 5" notebook. See the picture of the notebooks I've kept since 2008?

I've kept journals, diaries and notebooks all my life and the assorted sizes and bindings are as scattered as my thoughts. But I finally found the 7" x 5" spiral-bound page is just right for me for several reasons.

• It's not a large sheet of paper daring me to fill it up
• It's a great size to stack with my Bible and other books
• I can easily stuff it in a purse or carry-on
• It only costs around $2.00
• There are pretty ones out there that don't look like school work (very important!)
• And if, while I'm reading my Bible I remember I need to buy some milk, light bulbs, socks, etc, I can scribble those down and rip out the page without ruining the whole book---you can't do that with a journal or diary binding.

I also like the front pocket where I keep the tiny calendar from my insurance agent and grocery lists. It comes in handy! And there's an elastic pagehold to keep it from flipping open if I'm out and about.

Here's how I use these notebooks during my Bible-reading time. (This is so easy!)

As you can see, I just jot down the date and the verse,
sometimes more, sometimes less.

1. Pray. I tell God I'm ready to listen to Him, to learn what He wants me to learn, and to do what He tells me to do. If I feel convicted of sin at this point I confess it and seek His forgiveness. I usually feel very welcomed into God's presence.                                                                 

2. Read. Then I read the scheduled verses for the day. I mentally note the ones that impress me the most. Sometimes there are so many I don't have time to finish the reading.                                         3. Write. Then I open the notebook. I select one or two of the verses that impressed me most of all, and I simply copy them word for word into the notebook. Sometimes I have to add why the verse spoke to me--like, sometimes it speaks directly about my circumstances or feelings on that very day. But often it seems rather random. That's cool, too, because very often when I read back through my notebook, those "random" verses set a pattern of what God is telling me over a period of a few days, or a week, or a year!

4. Pray. Ideally, I end the time in prayer, sometimes on my knees, sometimes just relaxed. I thank God for speaking to me through the Bible, and ask Him to help me be mindful of Him throughout the rest of the day.     

I feel kind of "exposed" sharing all this because it is rather personal, but I hope you'll see that developing a personal time with God every day doesn't have to be a mystery reserved for only the super spiritual, saintly types (I sure don't fit that category!)

Are you ready to try this?

You only need three things.

1. A Bible, of course. (Let me know if you don't have one and I'll help get one for you).

2. A Bible reading guide. Find one through your church or look over the plans I suggested last week.

3. A notebook. I buy mine at Discount Drug Mart, closest to my house. I'll bet there's a store like that near you, too. Pick out your notebook when you go there to get a gallon of milk. :) God blesses us in these common places!

♥ ferree