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!

Share

© CLUTCH, 2009-2010 unless otherwise sourced.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

Read more...

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.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

Read more...

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.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

 

Read more...

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.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

Read more...

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.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged. 

Read more...

fill her up

 In Texas (where I'm from) you'll hear "fill her up" all the time, referencing filling up the gas tank in your car or truck - all coupled with a Texas twang.

As a child of the Most High, a woman of God, someone after God's own heart, don't you want to live life filled up?

I want to walk in the authority He has given me. I love to encourage those around me to thrive and not just survive. This requires that I be full -- full of the word and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

As PWs, we have busy schedules. Some of us serve alongside our husbands, others manage women's ministry, children's ministry or praise & worship. Some maintain a personal career, others have little ones and are focused on holding down the home fort.

Whatever your schedule, do you make time to spend with the Father? How many times have we been guilty of giving and pushing ourselves to the limit? It's time to replenish. It's time to fill up. It's time to renew.

Let's take it one step at a time.

If you are tired of reading the bible version you have, get another one.

If you need to engage in a new bible study, go visit the bookstore.

If you need an accountability partner, find one. That's actually what CLUTCH is all about, to help us be there for each other.

How do you fill up? Leave a comment and let us know!

I enjoy relaxing on the couch in the early mornings, while the kids sleep. I read my bible and in pure silence simply reflect on what God is speaking through his Word. I also enjoy engaging in worship, simply praising and worshiping for the audience of One.

Together, this week, let's commit to "filling up"! It's so easy to get discouraged. It's easy to focus on the hurt and pain that congregants and others in ministry have caused. But God is calling us to a higher level!

Are you in?

© CLUTCH, 2010 unless otherwise sourced.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

Read more...

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.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

 

Read more...

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.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

Read more...

the family ebenezer

My mother has a small rock, about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide, sitting on her dresser. On it is written the word, “Ebenezer.” Now I don’t know what would come to your mind, but I always think of Ebenezer Scrooge when I see it—you know, the grumpy old man who had a life-changing experience on Christmas Eve. I know that isn’t what it means, but I tease her anyway about having a rock with an old man’s name on her dresser.

What it actually means is “stone of help.” She keeps it there to remind her that God is her help. It all comes from the Bible, when Samuel placed a stone at Mizpah after the Isrealites defeated the Philistines rather miraculously (see 1 Samuel 7:12). This ebenezer was meant to be an altar, a monument, a place to help the Isrealites remember God’s help.

Each family, especially each pastoral family, should have their own ebenezer. I don’t mean placing a big stone in the middle of your living room and praying before it. I mean that we should each have a family altar, a place where we worship and honor God for his help. I mean that we should each have a regular family worship time. Here are the 5 W’s of family worship:

Why should we have family worship?
It is a time where the family gathers together and worships God. The family altar is extremely beneficial because it is a place to discuss your faith, to worship together, to discover God, to transmit your faith and values, to build memories, to listen to each other, to pray together, and to address relevant issues.

Who is involved in family worship?
Everyone. The entire family. It should ideally be led by the father, as he is the priest of the home. However, everyone should be involved. Once the kids get old enough, it is fun for them to sometimes plan and lead a worship. And we all know as PWs that our hubbies are not often around in the evening, so we might have to lead out when he isn’t there.

When should we have it? 
Preferably in the morning and evening. But our schedules are often so crazy, that any time your family can consistently have family worship is the time you should plan for. Maybe around the breakfast table. Maybe after baths at night, before the kids go to bed. Even if you can’t have a morning worship because everyone is rushing out the door, at least have a family prayer before everyone leaves.

Where should we have it? 
Anywhere! It could be around the table, or on the couch in the living room (wouldn’t a crackling fire make it cozy?). Maybe gathered around the piano. Or perhaps snuggled up on the kids’ beds before bedtime. How about going outside to worship (there is a stream near our house where we like to go)? In the car on the way to a church service. However, even though it can take place anywhere, the best place is somewhere consistent.

What should we do for family worship? 
This, of course, depends on the ages in your family. The purpose is to discover God, so the best place to start is the Bible. However, Bible story books or family devotionals may be a great bet for younger kids. Share your own stories, or share objects from nature. God has written His character all over creation! Every family worship should include prayer, but music is usually included in our family worships. We also like to play Bible games, perform skits or role plays, or other active learning activities.

The beauty of family worship is that you can tailor it to fit your family’s needs and tastes. Make it fun and meaningful. Vary the format at times. Consider the ages of your family members and create it for them. The important thing is to keep it consistent, purposeful, relevant, and godly.

But I must warn you—as soon you start to have family worship in your home, Satan will try to stop you, and put all kinds of distractions and disruptions in your way! Don’t let him! Treasure your “family ebenezer” and do whatever it takes to be faithful with it. When we worship God as a family, and honor Him for the help He brings us everyday, we will draw closer to Him, and to each other. Isn’t that what we all want in our homes?
 
 

© CLUTCH, 2010 unless otherwise sourced.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

Read more...