Comments on: When Your Devotional Life is Dry: How To Fall In Love With The Bible Again http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/ Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:46:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: PC Thoughts http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-548 PC Thoughts Sat, 10 Apr 2010 09:35:30 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-548 <strong>Friends' Blogs...</strong> This is just a list of links to blogs that some of my friends contribute to :) Duke Dougal Enliven Publishing Instep Fitness comming soon... Lyndell Punshon Nicki's Yarn Paper and ink and glue Sensei Stef Successful Endeavours Supercalifrigginawesome... Friends’ Blogs…

This is just a list of links to blogs that some of my friends contribute to :) Duke Dougal Enliven Publishing Instep Fitness comming soon… Lyndell Punshon Nicki’s Yarn Paper and ink and glue Sensei Stef Successful Endeavours Supercalifrigginawesome…

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-540 Helen Calder Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:22:17 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-540 DAY 6: I haven't journaled for a couple of days--started an entry and then became distracted and didn't complete it. But went back to it today and saw that I had made only one note: Exodus 33. Reflecting upon Exodus 33 today I find myself inspired by Moses friendship with God. It is as though I am reading this familiar passage with new eyes. Another benefit of SOAP journaling--when you're looking for gold, you can be sure that you will find it. DAY 6:
I haven’t journaled for a couple of days–started an entry and then became distracted and didn’t complete it. But went back to it today and saw that I had made only one note: Exodus 33.
Reflecting upon Exodus 33 today I find myself inspired by Moses friendship with God. It is as though I am reading this familiar passage with new eyes.
Another benefit of SOAP journaling–when you’re looking for gold, you can be sure that you will find it.

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-538 Helen Calder Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:40:07 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-538 DAY 5: The benefit of including Psalms in the daily Bible readings is that when nothing else seems to catch your attention, there is usually something relevant in the heart cries of David and the other Psalmists. Timeless. [Selah] :-) DAY 5:
The benefit of including Psalms in the daily Bible readings is that when nothing else seems to catch your attention, there is usually something relevant in the heart cries of David and the other Psalmists.
Timeless.
[Selah] :-)

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-537 Helen Calder Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:25:51 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-537 DAY 4: I found this harder today, the choice of scriptures from the daily readings were more difficult to receive inspiration from (and I should have done this earlier when my mind wasn't glazed over from working at the computer too long). Read back over the last few days for some stimulus, which wasn't forthcoming, then just decided I'd better get on with it instead of staring at the page. I couldn't get past Jesus' patience and perseverance with Peter in those last hours including Gethsemane (Matt 26). And the crowning gem--in spite of all Peter's weakness and lack of ability to really 'get' what was going on in Jesus' world, Jesus still wanted Peter close to Him. So often I don't 'get it' either, and am slumbering at my journal instead of catching on to what is on the heart of God. The reminder that Jesus still wants to hang out with me is blessing indeed. DAY 4:
I found this harder today, the choice of scriptures from the daily readings were more difficult to receive inspiration from (and I should have done this earlier when my mind wasn’t glazed over from working at the computer too long).

Read back over the last few days for some stimulus, which wasn’t forthcoming, then just decided I’d better get on with it instead of staring at the page.

I couldn’t get past Jesus’ patience and perseverance with Peter in those last hours including Gethsemane (Matt 26). And the crowning gem–in spite of all Peter’s weakness and lack of ability to really ‘get’ what was going on in Jesus’ world, Jesus still wanted Peter close to Him.

So often I don’t ‘get it’ either, and am slumbering at my journal instead of catching on to what is on the heart of God. The reminder that Jesus still wants to hang out with me is blessing indeed.

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-536 Helen Calder Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:04:44 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-536 DAY 3: I am enjoying that this journaling is centred in the Bible whilst also listening to the Holy Spirit. Today the verses that stood out to me were clear, but when it came to the 'application' section I hesitated, unsure of what to write. But after asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me I found I was able to really dig into some connecting scriptures and find personal meaning that was really inspiring. Not surprisingly, it was a continuation of yesterday's theme. DAY 3:
I am enjoying that this journaling is centred in the Bible whilst also listening to the Holy Spirit.
Today the verses that stood out to me were clear, but when it came to the ‘application’ section I hesitated, unsure of what to write. But after asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me I found I was able to really dig into some connecting scriptures and find personal meaning that was really inspiring. Not surprisingly, it was a continuation of yesterday’s theme.

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-535 Helen Calder Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:52:43 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-535 DAY 2: I didn’t feel like journaling today, but my accountability to the blog this week pushed me into it :-) Was glad I did, had such a WOW moment. The OT reading was in Exodus, about the construction of the tabernacle, and the bit that leapt out at me was the oil-fed lamps in the temple. The priests had to tend them so that they burned continuously. It reminded me of the story of the 10 bridesmaids who had to keep their lamps burning while waiting for the bridegroom. Five wise had oil to spare, but the five foolish ran out and missed the wedding (Matt 25:1-13). When I turned to my NT reading, it was Matt 25! That was incredible, out of a whole year of readings that’s what it was. So glad the Spirit is speaking to me through God’s Word. The application was the reminder to stay filled with the Spirit of God, and to enlarge my capacity so that I have a reserve-supply of His anointing in my life. Or simply—more of God! DAY 2:
I didn’t feel like journaling today, but my accountability to the blog this week pushed me into it :-)
Was glad I did, had such a WOW moment. The OT reading was in Exodus, about the construction of the tabernacle, and the bit that leapt out at me was the oil-fed lamps in the temple. The priests had to tend them so that they burned continuously. It reminded me of the story of the 10 bridesmaids who had to keep their lamps burning while waiting for the bridegroom. Five wise had oil to spare, but the five foolish ran out and missed the wedding (Matt 25:1-13).
When I turned to my NT reading, it was Matt 25! That was incredible, out of a whole year of readings that’s what it was. So glad the Spirit is speaking to me through God’s Word.
The application was the reminder to stay filled with the Spirit of God, and to enlarge my capacity so that I have a reserve-supply of His anointing in my life. Or simply—more of God!

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-534 Helen Calder Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:43:40 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-534 That's great, Michael. I love your choice of words, 'soaking up' the scriptures. It's a great picture of how it can be for us. That’s great, Michael.
I love your choice of words, ’soaking up’ the scriptures. It’s a great picture of how it can be for us.

]]> By: Michael Young http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-533 Michael Young Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:08:59 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-533 Hi Helen, This is one spot on piece of advice for me at the moment, as I realise it as a weakness for me. I hope to take soak up the scriptures and draw from them the 'life' that David speaks of. Regards, Michael Hi Helen,

This is one spot on piece of advice for me at the moment, as I realise it as a weakness for me. I hope to take soak up the scriptures and draw from them the ‘life’ that David speaks of.

Regards,
Michael

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Helen Calder Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:54:35 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-532 DAY 1, SOAP JOURNALING: In order to test SOAP, I'm using my 'One Year Bible,' which takes me through 4 chapters each day. My Feb 6 readings included passages from Exodus, Matthew and Psalms. Without SOAP, I would be more inclined to scan these scriptures without them touching me personally (okay, I confess to being prone to that :-) ) A few verses in the readings that I felt God was speaking to me through leapt out at me quickly. The SOAP process enabled me to focus on what the scripture meant in the context, as well as how it applies to me today. Then it encouraged me to personalise my response with a prayer at the end. As a result, I have some challenging food for thought... convicting stuff and also a call to intimacy with God. This method of journaling is surprisingly simple, and I love that it is centred in hearing God speak through the Bible. DAY 1, SOAP JOURNALING:
In order to test SOAP, I’m using my ‘One Year Bible,’ which takes me through 4 chapters each day. My Feb 6 readings included passages from Exodus, Matthew and Psalms.

Without SOAP, I would be more inclined to scan these scriptures without them touching me personally (okay, I confess to being prone to that :-) )

A few verses in the readings that I felt God was speaking to me through leapt out at me quickly.

The SOAP process enabled me to focus on what the scripture meant in the context, as well as how it applies to me today. Then it encouraged me to personalise my response with a prayer at the end.

As a result, I have some challenging food for thought… convicting stuff and also a call to intimacy with God.

This method of journaling is surprisingly simple, and I love that it is centred in hearing God speak through the Bible.

]]> By: Helen Calder http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-530 Helen Calder Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:59:40 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-530 Mary, thank you also for sharing your heart. It sure helps to know that we are not alone, but that others also experience dry times. The Lord says in Isa 43:20, 'I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen.' His desire is to bring us refreshing in the midst of our dryness, not when we're out the other side of it. Don't you love that about God? (I sure do) Mary, thank you also for sharing your heart.
It sure helps to know that we are not alone, but that others also experience dry times.

The Lord says in Isa 43:20, ‘I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen.’

His desire is to bring us refreshing in the midst of our dryness, not when we’re out the other side of it. Don’t you love that about God? (I sure do)

]]> By: Mary Cunningham http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/02/04/when-your-devotional-life-is-dry-how-to-fall-in-love-with-the-bible-again/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Mary Cunningham Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:56:49 +0000 http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/?p=700#comment-528 Helen, What great insight into rebuilding our devotional life. Mine has been so dry lately I feel I'm living in a desert but this sparks interest in my heart and I plan to put this into practice immediately. Thanks for sharing and not being timid about sharing your own trials. Mary Helen,

What great insight into rebuilding our devotional life. Mine has been so dry lately I feel I’m living in a desert but this sparks interest in my heart and I plan to put this into practice immediately. Thanks for sharing and not being timid about sharing your own trials.

Mary

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