Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Living the Satisfied Life

Good morning!


My quiet time this morning really needed this espresso!

{Do you like how I just casually threw in "my quiet time" like it happens every morning??  Don't be fooled...I rarely get quiet time outside of my car}

My quiet time has consisted of a bible reading plan and finishing off with a book called "Women Living Well" by Courtney Joseph.  


I've found this combination of being in the Word and then reading a book from a woman of a similar age and stage who is walking the walk {with grace & candour} has been very beneficial.  I feel my soul being soothed and released.  Nurtured and understood.  Encouraged and inspired.  I've provided the link for it above if you're interested in purchasing it. Run, don't walk people:)

One of the helpful hints I've taken away and implemented from this book regards planning my quiet time.  To this end, I have an A4 spiral book with 5 tabs and each one is labelled thus:

* Thoughts/Applications
* Key Verses
* Quotes/ideas from books I'm reading
* Prayers/Confessions
* Goals

The concept is very similar to the REAP journals which you might have used or seen.  However, with this format I can customise my own journal to be in line with whatever books of the bible I want to focus on.  At the moment I'm focusing on Proverbs.  Containing 31 verses it will take me a month and I'm hoping it will set me in a daily discipline.  I've read Proverbs 31 extensively {almost obsessively} but I'm just loving reading the preceding verses utilising the journal.  

Here's what I like about this format:

* It's simple.
* I keep my bible & journal together with a pen tucked inside and it fits inside the door of my car:)
* If I've only got 5 minutes, I might just focus on "thoughts" & "prayers"
* My prayer journal and bible reading plan is all in one place. Yay!
* It's simple.

The second major "light bulb" moment I've had with this book comes from this excerpt below.
I found it particularly helpful in terms of getting a right perspective on why attending bible study, reading the bible and being in fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters is so important:

Living the Satisfied Life
My babies loved their pacifiers.  The word pacify means "to stop agitation, to soothe, appease or subdue."  What would happen if I gave my babies a pacifier and never gave them a bottle?  They could not survive.  They'd be pacified, but their stomachs would not be satisfied.  The bottle of milk is what truly satisfies them.  Satisfied is "being completely happy and at peace, all requirements are met."
What do you use to pacify yourself?  For some it's pleasure or fun - you seek an adrenaline rush.  Others are consumed with their current romantic relationships or seeking another one.  Some seek beauty, to be in style, to have power, or to be in control of everything in their lives.  Still others seek money and possessions; you dream of a nicer car or a bigger house and believe that if you had those things, then you'd be happy.
....The end result of seeking money, pleasure, beauty, or any of the others is the same:  painful unfulfillment.
John 6:35 says, "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Is your soul thirsty?  Walk with the King. 
- Courtney Joseph.  Women Living Well

This year I want to live a satisfied life, not a pacified one.
I've got a feeling it's a question which will be useful to ask myself at the beginning and end of each day

Can't wait to catch up with you all next Tuesday!

God bless,
Meredy xo





Wednesday, January 22, 2014

2014 - Let's do this!



This is the view I've been soaking in while enjoying my coffee lately.

“The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.”
--Isak Dinesen

....and we know who provided all of those salt water options don't we??
The sea has definitely cleansed my weary end of year soul.
Nothing like swimming with my waterbabies in God's beautiful playground to be reminded of His generosity and goodness.

I hope this finds you well rested and ready to grab this year by the horns and give it a good shake.

Here's what the coming term will look like:



Can't wait to get deep into the Word with you in 2014.

God bless,
Meredy xo