homeless. hungry. please help.

They’re at certain intersections. Some of them even start to look familiar.
"Homeless"
"Hungry"
"Anything Appreciated"
"Please Help"

If you’re like me, your mind struggles between thinking, ‘I wonder how much they rake in this way?’ to ‘What if this person is here in true need, waiting on me to be a real Christian?” Or we may wonder how they come to stand there, without much thought to pride, an advertisement to their desperation.

In many ways, we as Christians should be able to identify with the homeless. Whether we like it or not…we’re all the same.

Homeless
Scripture continuously reminds us that this world is not our home. Hebrews 13:14 “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” And Hebrews 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

We have sung it since we were young, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue…” Let our behavior dictate that this world had no hold on us, our treasure is banked someplace else, our eyes fixed on a heavenly destination.

Hungry
Each soul has that hunger and thirst that only a relationship with Christ can fill. Psalm 63:1: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” It has been described as “the hunger of the man who is starving for food, and the thirst of the man who will die unless he drinks." What an expression of the kind of desire we should have to obtain righteousness!

Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God!” Psalm 63:1: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”

Please Help
Who reading this doesn’t desperately need divine help? Maybe with a decision you have to make, maybe with your relationships or job, maybe with bad habits or massive struggles. Maybe you need His help just to make it through the day!

No matter how self sufficient we like to feel, how much we think we’ve got it all figured out… We ALL need help to resist temptation and to live a godly life. Doing the right thing doesn’t always come easy. Paul exclaimed in Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” God’s power is available to us. We must simply ask. He’s there for you, no matter how big or small your need.

He doesn’t judge how many times you’ve asked, or what your sign says. He offers, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

So here I am Lord, with my sign “Homeless, Hungry, Please Help.”

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quiet time resources

Continued from yesterday's post...


Online Devotionals
A a list of links to online devotional sites, from pastorswives.org.

Inspired to Action
A blog by Kat, a Christian mother, helping women effectively manage time at home:
http://inspiredtoaction.com/

Maximize Your Mornings
Katʼs e-book on practical ways to make mornings more meaningful with God:
http://www.inspiredtoaction.com/wp-content/uploads/kat/ITA_Maximize_Your_Mornings.pdf

Stress Management: 8 Tips for Busy Moms
A blog post with ideas for staying sane and slowing down.
http://www.ourdailydevotions.info/blog/70/stress-management-eight-tips-for-busy-moms/ 

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quiet time in a crazy world

this article was originally published in 
the 4th Quarter 2010 issue of The Journal,
an international magazine for pastor's wives
adapted and reposted here by special permission
by Sarah K Asaftei

Quiet time is tough to find. At least it is where I live.

I suppose in some cultures, pastorsʼ wives may manage to live at a slower pace, but the increase of technology makes life run faster nearly everywhere. Just to write this article, Iʼm snatching a few peaceful moments at 6 AM, before our household explodes into the dayʼs activities.

“Come away, and rest awhile,” Jesus told his disciples, when they were so busy ministering that they hadnʼt even taken a moment to eat. (Mark 6:31) But if youʼre like me, that can be a tough invitation to accept.

The thing is, if we want to minister effectively, if we want to make a lasting impact, if we want to be agents of revival among our congregations and communities - quiet time is something we cannot do without.

Revival at church can only come after personal revival at home.

Itʼs an inescapable fact. We simply cannot minister to others when we are empty ourselves. Even Jesus needed time away with his Father to rejuvenate and refill. But how do we actually make it happen? Where do we find the time?

Sometimes I look at older women, or at younger women, and I envy the extra free time they seem to have. Probably - to them - their lives feel just as busy as mine, filled with different activities. But itʼs easy to imagine that other people have more time to rest, or pray, or study.

As younger PWs, we tend to fall into a narrow set of categories: fiancee, newlywed, young mother. Iʼll admit, there are times when I daydream about the flexibility and freedom I once had to spend time alone with God during my 6 years of being a “newlywed”. Back when my dayʼs schedule was dictated by what I chose to do, instead of by feedings and diaper changes and nap times.

The silly thing is, I didnʼt think I had enough free time then, either. I thought I was so incredibly busy, and taking quiet time to be with God had to be just as intentional as it does today.

And thatʼs my point. It doesnʼt matter how old or young you are. It doesnʼt matter if you work or stay home. It doesnʼt matter if your house is full of children, or if you havenʼt had kids yet, or if they have all grown up and moved away.

Getting daily spiritual revival time has to be a conscious choice. It is never going to magically happen. And the less time you spend communing with God, the more empty and dried up youʼll eventually feel
toward others.

CLUTCH recently published a series of interviews asking several pastorʼs wives about their individual devotional habits. I asked each woman to share what they do during their devotions, how they make it actually happen, and what time of day they choose. (You can catch up on that series here.)

An interesting trend emerged. The women who reported having successful, regular daily devotions, all said that they wake up extra early to make it happen.

The ones who donʼt get up early, donʼt make it happen.

Now Iʼm sure that doesnʼt mean there isnʼt some woman out there who has quality, meaningful time with God every single day in the middle of the afternoon. But our best chance of spiritual rejuvenation comes early, before the dayʼs madness begins.

Right now, Iʼm in a season of life where even the early mornings are difficult. Some of you probably are right here with me. Between my 1 year old son and the new baby arriving shortly, it is not necessarily quieter before dawn! And it probably wonʼt calm down much for another year or two.

So what about us? What about the ones who do want to dedicate daily time with God, but being good mothers to our little ones makes quiet time all but impossible?

If your day is so full of babies that you hardly have time to shower (believe me, Iʼve been there!), try an unconventional approach to devotions. Play uplifting music and sing along while doing dishes, pray out loud while folding laundry, or turn on a recording of the Bible being read aloud while you nurse the baby. Talk to spiritual women whose children are a little older than yours, and ask them how they did it. There are all kinds of ways to commune with God.

Life brings all kinds of seasons. Some seasons bring flexibility, others bring exhaustion. Some seasons bring deep spiritual communion, others feel like a drought. Sometimes we are rejuvenated best through hours of deep study, other times God speaks to us through song, or uplifting relationships or supportive prayer partners.

Whatever your stage in life, whatever your season - the important thing to remember is that God longs to bring you spiritual revival each day. He hopes that youʼll think He is important enough to make it a priority in your day - even if you can only snatch a few minutes here or there.

If your season right now is flexible, why not choose to spend more time with God than you usually do? Maybe cut back on media consumption and other less valuable activities, and just soak up this part of your spiritual journey!

And if, like me, your current season is full of exhausted weariness, remember (like I'm trying to do!) that seasons come and go. This phase of life wonʼt last forever, and when it changes youʼll have a different schedule, with different amounts of time to spend talking to God.

Whatever your season, God wants to spend time with you today. What do you want to do with Him?

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digging into devotions - a miniseries (Holly Larsen Elias)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

Holly Larsen Elias
Georgia
2 daughters, ages 5 & 4

Well I get up early, before the kids are up. Usually by 5:00 or 5:30 AM. I read for about 30-45 minutes. It doesn't happen every day, but I try for most days.

I also try to do some reading before bed, even if it is just 10 minutes. I read the Bible and then read some inspirational book. Right now, I am reading a book called Education -- good stuff!!! I have also read alot of books by Francine Rivers, Beth Moore and Max Lucado. I try to read one book a month as a personal goal.

Besides being a mom, a full-time student, and the pastor's wife -- I'm worship coordinator and I teach the beginner level children's class each week at church.

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

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digging into devotions - a miniseries (Heidi Rogers Melton)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

Heidi Rogers Melton
Tennessee
  3 kids, ages 16, 13, & 7

Spending time with God begins for me at 5:30 in the morning while everyone else is sleeping, usually for 45 minutes. 

I accomplish so much more in the day when I start the day right. It has become a non-negotiable for me. 

I read a daily devotion and my Bible. I'm the earliteen/youth class teacher at church, and a counselor for Pathfinders. 

In addition to being a mom, and the pastor's wife, I serve on the regional Women's Ministries committee, and I'm the NE Tennessee area coordinator for Women's Ministry leaders in our denomination.

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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digging into devotions - a miniseries (Nancy Witt)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

Nancy Witt
Georgia
3 grown children, 3 grandchildren

How do I make it happen? First thing in the morning is when I love spending time with my Lord most. I get up 2 hours before any appointment and pray, read the Bible and/or a devotional book or study a specific topic. 

 

Often throughout the day, as time permits, I listen to sermons I've downloaded from the internet. That seems to keep Jesus as my focus during the day. Before going to bed I usually have a short devotion and prayer. 

 

Years ago I committed to spend as much time or more with my Saviour than I do watching or listening to TV or Radio. It has proven to be a real blessing.

 

Besides being married to the preacher, I'm involved with Women's Bible Study, Vespers Coordinating, Spotlight on Bible Ministry, giving away gospel books at the Flea Market on weekends. I also give Bible Studies during the week and do PowerPoint presentations for the Worship Service each week to help the service flow smoothly. 

 

Spending time with my Lord is always the highlight of my day.

 

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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digging into devotions - a miniseries (Clara Lou Johns)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

Clara Lou Johns
Georgia
2 grown sons, both also pastors

This is my current devotional practice although I have tried many other methods throughout my life.  This plan has been most meaningful for me.

I prefer to have my devotional time in the morning, first thing, before I do anything else.  My mind is clear, refreshed and the house is quiet.  No phones ringing, nobody in the house is yet stirring, and it is peaceful.  Since the children are gone, I chose a comfortable chair in the guest room that has a floor lamp positioned next to it for good lightening.  I keep my devotional paraphrase Bible there and a devotional book that I have selected from our library.

I begin with a short prayer for the Lord to draw near and open my mind to His truth.  I want this to be a time of spiritual growth for me personally.  I have been reading the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation completing it in about 1 ½ years, then I start again.  I will usually read 2 chapters from the Bible and approximately 2 pages from a spiritual book.  

As I am reading, I am writing down things from both sources for which I want to praise God. I write down things that I want God to do for me in my personal spiritual growth, and another short list of things I need him to transform in my character.  I also write down the prayer requests that come to my mind while I am studying and things for which I am thankful.

By the time I finish my study I have a prayer list in front of me that includes:

• Praising God, 
• Petitioning God for specific requests, 
• Asking for God to help my spiritual experience with Him, 
• Areas of character weakness that I recognize only He can change, and 
• Thanksgiving for things that He has done for me.  

Pastor & Clara Lou Johns

I usually list about 4 things in each area, except the Petitions.  That can have as many as are brought to my mind.  I then use this list to pray and talk out loud to God and turn it into a conversation with the Lord.

Starting my day like this keeps life in perspective.  I ask God to help me view life from His bigger perspective and then I give to Him the burdens I am carrying because He has said His burden is light, His yoke is easy.

Here's an EXAMPLE:  For years I had a tendency to worry about every problem that occurred with the people in the church. When I started asking God to remove this worry, fear and anxiety from my character, He did so day by day.  I know He took care of it because I have such a different response to these issues now, and the worry part is gone. Praise God, His word teaches us and His love reaches us through this personal time with Him.

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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digging into devotions - a miniseries (June Burn)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

June Burn
Michigan (originally South Africa)
2 grown kids, 4 grandkids

My ministry is praying for others and giving encouragement to those in need and also helping people in need - widows, young mothers, elderly, children - whoever God puts in my path!  Just being a disciple!

I discovered that to begin making time with the Lord was like beginning exercises - you start doing a little at a time.  Just 10 minutes to start with, and then gradually I became more and more interested in my quiet time so that now one hour is barely enough!.  This means going to bed earlier so I can get up earlier, but the incredible joy I receive makes it so worth it!

When I began, I had no clue what to do.  So I knelt down and asked God to lead me, and He very vividly brought to my mind 1 Corinthians 13.  Since I love journaling, I studied the chapter through verse by verse with all the cross references.  

These days I include several books that I enjoy reading just a paragraph or page at a time and I also choose a book in the Bible to study - I'm doing Genesis at this time and always a Psalm.

After reading, I have a journal where I "talk" to the Lord about what I have read, and I pray over it asking God that the theory I'm learning may be practiced in my life, which brings joy!  Then I have a separate journal where I go through a list of names of those people I'm praying for.

The only time I can do this is from 5-6 AM.  At the end of the day I literally say "Amen" because off and on throughout the day I often decide to meditate on the verses, and the portions I read from the various books. 

I find when I am battling with a negative thought that replacing it with meditating over my devotion drives that negative thought out the back door!

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

 

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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digging into devotions - a miniseries (Dilys Brooks)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

Dilys Brooks
California
2 kids, ages 4 & 2

How do you make it happen? I set time aside in my schedule daily. If I want uninterrupted quiet, alone time for worship, I get up before anyone else in my house. A good week is when I am able to get 7 days.

What do you do/read/study?
I am following a liturgical calendar. I read and reflect on the scripture assigned for the day. Then I journal on the New Testament passage and my prayers.

Delroy & Dilys Brooks & kids

When do you do it?
If I want uninterrupted quiet, alone time for worship, I get up before anyone else in my house. Each morning at around 5:00 or 5:30am. Our oldest gets up at 6:30am, so if I begin worship 6:30 or later, he will join me. This will mean a short worship because he will tell me that he's hungry at about 7:00AM.

What kind of ministry are you involved in?
I am a Chaplain. At church I teach classes during the study hour before church (Beginners & Young Adults, on alternate weeks); and I am a Worship Leader and an Elder.

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

 

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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digging into devotions - a miniseries (Juliet van Heerden)

This is part of a mini-series featuring profiles of PWs about their devotional life and how they spend quality time with God. 

Juliet van Heerden
Florida
newly married, no kids

I'm involved in the ministry of teaching young children & being a wife to a never-been-married-before man. It's all I can do at the moment. But I'm asking God to show me what my niche is in my new church.

Pastor Andre & Juliet van Heerden

I like to get up early & meet God before anything else takes up my thoughts. I like to read straight from the Bible - asking God to direct my reading.

When I feel no direction, I do it anyway - just taking my study lesson chapters as a guide. Sometimes I take to studying an entire book of the Bible for a while. It just depends.

I also like to write scriptures on index cards and keep them on rings in my purse or car. I also put them on Post-It Notes on my bathroom mirror. I can easily access God's word when I'm sitting at a stoplight, blowing my hair dry or putting on my make-up. I've been able to memorize scripture without even realizing I was doing it.

Share what you do to get personal time with God in a comment below!

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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