“That sounds like fun. Who’s going to be there? Will the parents be home? What time are you leaving? What time will you get home? Who’s driving? Do I need to call Mrs. So-and-so?”
“Mom, Mom, you ask so many questions.”
Yes, that’s me - forever curious. The kids eventually joked and told me I was only allowed three questions so I better make them good. I blame it on my mom. She was the same way. You’d think we were writing books about any topic thrown our way, but we’re not. We always want to know more.
So, that brings me to my question for you gals. What are you doing for personal spiritual nourishment? I’m the type of Christian who must always be in the Word. Got to. And even with this practice, one hour after removing myself from the kitchen table where I read, study and journal, I find myself far from God’s plan. One of my daily prayers is – MORE YOU, less me. I seem to get in the way of God’s work and am forever seeking forgiveness for the same stupid things I sought forgiveness for the day prior. Today I even journaled, Don’t you ever get tired of this broken record? So practice, I must. Day in and day out, I must have something to work on to keep me on His path.
A bit ago, while traipsing through Sam’s Club, buying mega sized packages of food and drinks for an upcoming vacation, I stumbled upon some life changing books. Have any of you ever been to a Women of Faith Conference? I’ve been to a few and would love to make them every year, but something often comes up that keeps me away. Anyway, I found these books that are written by the Women of Faith gang. I love these women. I immediately scarfed up many. The first ones I bought were:
Discovering God’s Will for Your Life
Giving God Your All
Contagious Joy
Receiving God’s Goodness
Now who can’t benefit from those topics? I’m currently doing Managing Your Moods. Again, what boomer woman doesn’t need that study? Each book was only $3.77. Can you believe that? They’ve since gone up, but I’ve purchased several more anyway. These books are over the top. You can do them alone or with a group. I do them alone. I devour them and can’t say enough good things about them.
In addition to this daily ritual, during the school year, I also attend a weekly faith focused group sponsored by The Well. I have also been part of a prayer group for too many years to count. We still meet, but were having trouble connecting weekly this past year due to all of our changing schedules. We’re having lunch tomorrow to get caught up. I have daily calendars sitting around the house for quick little pick-me-ups, and listen to either a Christian radio station or CD while in the car most times. Every now and then, Jimmy Buffet or some country CD wins out. I try to put on Christ while responding in my Forum Community at www.boomerwomenspeak.com. And then of course, I worship on Sundays.
I’d love to know what everyone is doing to stay focused and spiritually nourished. I’m always looking for new ideas. If you respond, don’t be surprised if I ask you a couple more questions about where to buy, how to get…whatever you are using. Hang with me. I think we can learn from one another.
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13 Comments
Ah…Dotsie…we must be kin! They call me “Queen of Questions” around our house! My kids are used to it by now, but they still don’t like it. If Tim’s around, they’ll look at me, then look at him and start nodding, like “She’s doing it again, and we’re not playing!” When they do play, they give me little tidbits at a time, so I can get my questions into the conversation!
I love this post because you mention several things I’m dealing with myself. I’m currently doing an old Beth Moore study “Breaking Free” because I missed it when our church led the study. I’m also reading several books - fiction and non-fiction - written by Christian authors who dig deep in their walk and in their work.
I feel God leading me down a path for writing a particular non-fiction book right now (although I’m currently working on two novels) and I’m still floundering for direction. So I’m doing a lot of praying, a lot of listening, and I keep going out into the world into the area where I feel He’s nudging me, and still floundering. I can’t seem to “get it.”
Thanks for a great post - and keep on questioning! How else are we to learn anything??
Your post today is a great reminder of what we gain when we move in close with God. Thank you, Dotsie.
Suzie
Tracy, it’s great to hear from another woman who ask too many questions. The kids honestly joked aobut limiting me to three. WHen they walked through the dorr, my son would smile and say, “Three.” If a friend was with him, I’d ask if I could get six out of the two of them.
Beth Moore was in DC at the Women of Faith conference and I couldn’t make it. Are you enjoying her study?
I’ll pray that your ears are open to what God is calling you to write. I’m sorta doing the same thing right now. Sigh.
Who are soem of your favorite Christian authors? Have you read any of Joseph Girzone’s books? He’s helped me learn to walk the walk and talk the talk the most. I could read him every day and still learn. I have learned tons about the spirit of Christ from him.
Tracy, you should have a link to your site in your posts!
I think if you click on my name it will take you to my Pix-N-Pens blog. http://www.pixnpens.com
Great post, Dotsie! My prayer partner in Delaware, Lorraine, gave me “The One Year Bible” for my birthday last year, which includes a reading in the OT, NT, Psalms and Proverbs for each day. I love it, plus she gave me her Bible with all her notes…what a gift. My morning starts out with the Big-4!
Hugs
Got it, but I thought you had another site.
Connie, I’m so proud of you for using that Bible the way it’s intended. I have one but have never been motivated to use it. She must be a great friend. I can’t imagine ahsring all the notes throughout my Bible, except my dear hubby!
This is a good post and we shouldn’t mind these kind of questions! I’ll have to say, I think I starved myself spiritually for years, trying to keep pace with my less-interested husband in the name of submission. You know, didn’t want to rush ahead of him, etc. (I haven’t figured that one out yet). I was dying. Literally. I have come to the conclusion that we’ll never be united spiritually if we’re not spiritual individuals in the first place and that I have a responsibility to ensure that my spiritual needs are being met, both personally and in community. And so I’ve gotten involved with a church and bible study group that have been wonderful, as well as lots of reading, journaling and time in the Word.
In the last month, I’ve read Ortberg’s If You Want to Walk on Water, Listen (by Keri) and now reading The Journey of Desire, by John Eldredge. Amazing how God has directed even my reading choices, down to the order, I believe! Just last evening I was reading in Desire how quickly we can get off track and how important it is for us to intentionally keep the desire alive. Which is why God told the Israelites not to forget, but in the next breath to arrange stones at the river JOrdan, and observe days of feasting, etc. - to help us remember.
Dianne, thanks for responding. Your mention of reading books and how God can even put those in our lives, reminds me of my friend who walks in a book store and says, “Okay Lord, throw a book at me.” It seems to work for her. She is usually directed to a book she needs for that period in her life. I love books about faith written by women. I STILL have to read one of Keri’s.
Dear Dotsie,
I loved reading your blog and appreciate all the wisdom that each of you shares with me everyday.
We all have to find our own recipe to satisfy our spiritual nourishment, but mine is simple. I begin each morning prayer journaling, pouring everything onto paper. Then I read through 4-5 devotionals (using the Bible rather than just the few verses usually provided in devotionals). I am amazed how often the verses contain words or phrases that I just wrote in my journal. My quiet time truly becomes a dialogue instead of simply a monologue of my own thoughts.
There are thousands of wonderful books that can inspire, but I’ve discovered that God can use almost anything. Last week I picked up the children’s book, Charlotte’s Web. What a blessing it was to read of Charlotte’s devoted love given in friendship. Yes, I cried and realized again that God speaks to me however and whenever and through whatever He wants. I just have to look and listen.
What a wonderful Lord He is to speak to us individually and uniquely…in so many ways!
Dotsie, thanks for your weekly words…
Have a wonderful day! Ginger
GInger, I enjoyed reading how you reinvented yourself at midlife. What an interesting life you’ve led. I especially enjoyed reading about your young boomer years that speak to our generation.
How true, that He speaks to us uniquely and differently every time we approach him. So often I get a completely different understanding while reading hte same Bible verse. It just depends what is going on in our lives at the time.
Welcome Ginger.
I’m reading a great little book that is packed with great stuff on this topic, titled “Spa for the Soul - Rejuvenate Your Inner Life” by Lucinda Secrest McDowell. It looks like a little gift book and I’ve had it on my shelf for weeks. What a treat it has turned out to be. It offers not only ideas about this topic of rest, and time with Him, but also mini-spa ideas you can do at home.
Suzie, thanks for responding with a good book idea. I have a friend who is suffering a bit right now. I think I’m going to look this one up and get it for her. It sounds like just the right little gift. Thank you.