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Bible

Keeping First Things First

by Jessica on January 11, 2010

One of my biggest struggles since becoming a mom is maintaining a consistent quiet time and, even harder, spending serious time studying the Word. My intentions are good, but distractions come so easily. Here’s a snippet from my journal earlier in the week:

I have such a hard time putting first things first. Joey’s been sick–unexpectedly, we’re supposed to be on a plane right now…instead we’re still at Chuck’s (my father-in-law’s).

He (Joey, my son) threw up on the way to the airport. Once we got things settled back at the house, really even before then…I went to the computer. My intention was to check stuff while cooking breakfast, but it carried over into Joey’s nap and I’m just now sitting down to read my Bible.

Instead of retreating to the Word I open the laptop. I need to work on setting my priorities straight practically. When we’re on our schedule it’s so much easier to keep first things first, but when everything is wide open the normal events go out the window!

So…I made a little plan. It’s nothing new…it’s not even new to me, more like a compilation of 15 million things I’ve heard of the years. I just need some focusing. What about you?

Keeping First Things First

1. Have a plan.

Time?
What to do? Read a few Psalms, study a book of the Bible, or do a Bible study.
Stick with it, but be flexible.

2. Be held accountable.

By my husband.
By a friend.
By my kids. (Right now, I only have one kid who doesn’t really talk yet, but lately he has a good habit of bringing a Bible to me and my husband each morning and we’ll ask him if wants to read the Bible to which he’ll nod and we’ll read a psalm.)

3. Pray.

For the heart change…
…the desire.
…the passion.
but, also…pray to meet Jesus throughout the day.

4. Keep it with me.

Put Scripture on notecards
Set an open Bible on the kitchen counter or table
Hymns
Audio Bible
In decoration

5. Just do it.

Tagged as: Bible, first things first, quiet time, reading the Bible

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5 Pointers for Approaching the Bible from John Piper

by Jessica on August 17, 2009

in Scripture

If you read the Desiring God blog you’ve probably already seen this, but I found it a useful and needed reminder and thought I’d share. These points are taken from an interview with John Piper in Bible Study Magazine.

Be open to the fact that it is the Word of God.
Revere the Bible when you discover that it’s God’s Word.
Have a sense of conviction that you are a sinner in the view of God’s Word.
Know that the Bible meets you with forgiveness because Christ is at the center of the Book.
Have the hope that you can press on in life because the Bible will give you all the guidance you need.

I like what Piper had to say about making time to read the Bible,

I don’t think it’s merely a function of time. It’s a function of earnestness and faith. A person must build into their life a regular encounter with God, personally and quietly meditating on His word. [...] You don’t need hours and hours with God every day, but you do need to have time with God orienting your mind, taking something into your heart, letting your heart express itself to God in communion–taking faith’s renewal and walking with God through the day, reminding yourself of what you say in the morning.

That last part is one I struggle with often and wish it weren’t so. It’s easy for me to spend time in the Word in the morning, to soak it up, and pray, but to carry it with me throughout my day is something altogether different.

All too often, I close my Bible and it’s done. That expression, that communion, is shut away until I open the Word the next morning.

That, for me, is a matter of discipline and I think it says something about how I view and live life…somewhat autonomous. I charge up with God, but then go into the day on my own. I’d like to say this is a rare occurrence, but if I’m honest with myself my dependence on God is really when I find I’ve reached the end of my rope.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with calling out to God when I’m at my wits end. But the problem is I usually wait until I have exhausted all my resources before seeking Him, when it really should be me seeking Him hour by hour, minute by minute.

Tagged as: Bible, growth, John Piper, quotes, reading the Bible, Scripture

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Musings on Modesty

by Jessica on April 24, 2009

in Be an ambassador

Since the conversation on representing Christianity and modesty, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. How do we apply modesty to our everyday life? And where do we draw the line?

Here’s what I’ve been thinking:

Take a bikini. Most people are fine with their daughters, girlfriends, wives, etc. donning a bikini and walking around in public. So, would these same people be fine with taking off their clothes and walking the boardwalk in their underwear?

Mostly likely not. Of course, the construction in a swimsuit is different than underwear, but the same amount of skin is revealed either way.

Why is it that one is deemed appropriate and the other not?

Now, here’s the next step in my thought process. Is there really a difference between wearing a bikini and wearing a one-piece that’s second skin? Sure there’s less skin revealed, but it still hugs your every curve…

It does leave more to be discovered rather than the bikini leaving (nearly) nothing left for the imagination.

Now back to the dinner table conversation. So, I mentioned to my husband this question, what’s really the difference?

His response was, “But you usually wear one of those skirt thingy’s over it.” Not always. Later Joe said, “You could just wear one of those old bathing suits…” like this,

Circa 1900

Circa 1920's

The modern verison

Umm…yeah.

But really, where’s the line? What makes one thing modest and reflecting a pure heart and something else immodest? Does what we wear always reflect the motives of our heart? See it really is a loaded topic!

But right now I have an adorable little boy to go play with…