girltalk Blog
2009 at 2:03 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines Homemaking Holidays and Seasons
While the kids napped on Saturday afternoon, Mom, Kristin, Janelle, and I had a conference call to plan the Thanksgiving holiday.
We reviewed the menu from last year. I suggested a few changes (as usual) and they vetoed them (as usual)—“Why mess with a good thing?” they ask. Good point. But I still might try to sneak in a new dish (don’t tell!).
We had a friendly argument (as only female members of the same family can) over whether we should play take-two or five hundred after the meal. It ended in a stalemate: two vs. two.
We hoped the weather wouldn’t be cold and rainy—after all, Dad insists we hold the Turkey Bowl, rain or shine, warm or cold, pregnant or not.
As soon as we finished the call, my mind was off and running with all that needed to be done: Get to Michaels before the Christmas decorations overtake the Thanksgiving stuff (I might already be too late)….find a Thanksgiving book for the kid’s story time…. print out Thanksgiving coloring pages….assemble the coupon books...pull out the recipes…make a grocery list….
But on that same phone call (because we never talk about just one thing) Mom reminded us of the story of Mary and Martha, and the importance of sitting at Jesus’ feet. We decided to make it our next series on the blog.
You know the story well:
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. but Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
The holidays might seem like an odd time to talk about sitting and listening. But maybe it’s the most important time. When are we more “distracted with much serving”? When do worldly lights most threaten to obscure our vision of the Greatest Light of all?
So, come with us to Bethany this holiday season. In the midst of all the distractions, let’s sit at Jesus’ feet. And listen.
2009 at 2:55 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
Here are three more worthy winners of the ESV Study Bible…
Kristina nominated her sister:
What a great idea for a contest! My husband and I made a priority of getting ourselves this study Bible when it was published last year… and we both love it! I was just thinking the other day about how my sister in Georgia would benefit from this Bible. She has two babies (13 months and 2 months), she is moving next week, and her husband deploys to Iraq in December. I am so aware that I can’t do much for her, but what she really needs is the strength of God’s Word! I think this Bible would be such a source of hope and help for her in this season.
Rachael entered her sister-in-law:
I would like to enter my sister-in-law Ashley for the ESV Bible. Ashley is married to my brother and she has the sweetest spirit and heart for the Lord. Back in January I joined the 5am club, Ashley always said she could never do that. Well, this summer she read your book “Shopping for Time” and she was hooked. We have made a deal to hold each other accountable in this and periodically we will ask how the other is doing waking up in the morning. She has joined an in-depth Bible study group this year and I know she would benefit from this Bible. I just got one for my birthday in June and she loved looking through it as we talked about all the fun features and notes. I know what a benefit this Bible has been to me and I would love to share this with my sister in Christ.
P.S. I sent in an entry for my sister-in-law, Ashley yesterday but I need to add an additional comment. Ashley just called to tell me that her new dog chewed up her Bible. So, she REALLY does need this Bible now! Thanks.
Emily nominated a young women in the youth group at her church:
My husband Brandon has the privelege of working as youth pastor at Campbell Baptist Church in Windsor, Ontario. I would love for one of the girls in our youth group, Amanda, to receive the ESV Study Bible. Here are a few reasons: First, last year she shared that she takes her Bible with her to her public high school every day. She reads it whenever she has a few free minutes. She has had the opportunity to share her faith with classmates who have asked what she’s doing. The Word of God is very important to her, so this Bible would get a lot of good use! Second, our senior pastor just recently introduced the ESV Study Bible to our congregation during an evening service, with the hopes that one day soon our church will switch to ESV as the version used for teaching/preaching in our services. So, Amanda would be ready for when this happens. Third, it is her birthday on Saturday, so I would like to give it to her as a birthday gift!!! Thank you for doing this.
2009 at 2:46 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
Really now, y’all know how to make these contests difficult on the judges! I knew as soon as I began to read your entries that we wouldn’t be able to stick with two winners. We decided to pitch in a few more Bibles and (barely) managed to narrow it down to six contestants. We’ll share three winning entries today and three tomorrow. Then you’ll see why it was so hard to choose!
We wish we could award every contestant a Bible to give away. But if your nominee wasn’t chosen, may I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to provide another way for you to give this precious gift? Our Lord delights in His Word going forth!
And now it’s my distinct privilege to announce our three winners for today…
Cassie nominated her sister:
I would love to be entered into the ESV Study Bible Birthday Giveaway. Without a doubt, I would give this precious gift to my sister, Chelsea. She lost her baby boy at 34 gestational weeks just a few weeks ago. Though she is a very disciplined student of the Word, she has come to find an even more need for Scripture in the past few weeks. She reads night and day as she rests in the reality that He is the only One that can and will sustain her. She would treasure such a gift and without a doubt would fill it with underlining and notes of her own. And knowing her, she would eventually pass it on to someone traveling a similar road, knowing that what the Lord has taught her through His Word would speak to others. She’s just that amazing.
Julie nominated her mother-in-law:
My mother in law became a believer (after 60 years!) and ever since she has been serving and super involved at our church (Calvary Bible Church in Burbank California). She stocks the pews, serves the shut-ins, and is very faithful. She recently tripped in the church parking lot and thankfully she wasn’t hurt but her hardcover study Bible took the brunt of the fall! It completely fell apart but since it was all she had, she tried her best to salvage it. Needless to say… A new study Bible would be a great blessing to her!
Sarah nominated her childhood friend:
My childhood friend of 15 years has expressed great spiritual interest as of this past fall! We both grew up apart from the church and spent much of our time together building our friendship by committing shameful acts and reveling in them. We have each walked the path to destruction, only God saved me in 2005 and my life hasn’t been the same (Praise God!).
For a few years there, neither was our friendship. However, God kept bringing her back into my life. I’ve been praying for her since I became a Christian and had alluded in a few conversations with her that her pursuits of men and drugs were because she was made to pursue God. Her response was always blank. But this fall, God softened her heart and I couldn’t contain my desire to share the gospel with her and the message left us both speechless. Within a few hours after our conversation, she emailed me all these questions she had and we’ve been back and forth ever since!
She’s been reading the Bible like crazy, but some of the study notes she shares with me don’t seem quite right. I’ve been wanting to buy her a Bible, but with our first baby on the way and no insurance, all of our extra earnings are going toward this new little blessing. She expresses delight in the truths of God’s Word, but that there’s much she doesn’t understand. I believe that this ESV Study Bible will be very helpful to her!
2009 at 2:11 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
The ESV Study Bible
is a staple of my morning devotions. (Never mind that it weighs 100lbs; it’s packed full of amazing content.) My favorite feature is the study notes, which provide wisdom and explanation throughout the entire Bible.
Take James 1:6 for example. I have both the verse and study note underlined in my Bible (yes, I’m one of those people). The verse says: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” The study note defines the word “faith” as it’s used in the verse: “A settled trust and confidence in God, based on his character and promises as revealed in Scripture.”
Wow! So much to meditate on in this one verse and definition: Am I approaching the Lord in faith as defined here? Is there a “settled confidence” in my heart that is based on my Savior’s character and promises? Do I ask in faith with no doubting?
Do you see why I love my ESV Study Bible? Well, this week, the ESV Study Bible is having a birthday. It’s turning one! Happy Birthday, ESV Study Bible!
In honor of the occasion, the publisher, Crossway Books, would like to give two girltalk readers their very own ESV Study Bible. But instead, we’d like to give you the chance to give. As my parents used to tell me at Christmas: “it’s more blessed to give than to receive.”
Who do you know who would be super-blessed by an ESV Study Bible? Maybe a friend of yours wants one, but can’t afford it right now. Or maybe a new Christian in your church is hungry to dig deeper into God’s Word. Or maybe you know a teenager who would really benefit from this Bible, or a grandmother who would treasure it. Maybe you’d like to thank someone who has mentored you in biblical womanhood. It’s probably whoever you are thinking of right now.
To enter your (female) friend or family member in this contest, send us a short explanation of why you would like her to receive the Bible. The deadline is Friday at midnight (EST) and we’ll announce the winners on Monday.
Isn’t this exciting? My parents were right—it is more blessed to give than to receive. I just didn’t believe them until I grew up.
2009 at 1:31 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
Last week I was reading A Place of Quiet Rest, edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and came across this inspiring story:
“I must have a Bible of my own! I must have one, if I have to save up for it for ten years!”
The year was 1794. For as long as she could remember, little Mary Jones had yearned to hold a Bible in her hands so that she might read it for herself. For years, she had sat at night on her weaver father’s lap and listened to him tell stories of Abraham, Joseph, David, and Daniel. But her family was far to poor to afford a Bible, even if one had been available, for Bibles could scarcely be found in all of Wales during those days.
Two years earlier, Mrs. Evans, the wife of a nearby farmer, having learned of Mary’s longing to read the Bible, had promised the child that when she learned to read, she could come to their house and read their Bible. As soon as the first school opened in a neighborhood village, Mary had eagerly set about learning to read.
Now, the ten year old girl had just walked two miles from the North Wales village of Llanfihangel to the Evanses’ farm. The distance was no object to the eager child: “I’d walk farther than that for such a pleasure, ma’am!” she said to Mrs. Evans.
When once Mary finally was left alone in the room with the Bible, she reverently lifted off the white napkin that covered and protected the cherished Book. Then, with trembling hands, she opened the Bible to the fifth chapter of John where her eyes lit on the words, “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39, KJV). Confident that God had spoken to her directly, she earnestly vowed to search His Word with all her heart.
Every Saturday from that point on she made the journey to the Evanses’ farm where she read, studied, and memorized entire chapters from the borrowed Bible. All that time, however, her heart ached, so great was her yearning to have a Bible of her own. She purposed that she must have a Bible, at any cost.
For the next six years, in addition to her studies at school and the many chores to be tended to at home, Mary used every available moment to do odd jobs for friends and neighbors. Every penny she earned was carefully laid aside, until at long last she had saved enough to buy a Bible of her own.
When she learned that the closest place a Bible could be purchased was the town of Bala, some twenty-five miles away, there was no question in her mind about what she must do. With hope in her heart, she started out early one morning, walking barefoot so as not to ruin her one pair of shoes Before she reached her destination, her feet were blistered and cut from the stones in the road.
Physically weary, but barely able to contain her excitement that her lifelong goal should be so nearly realized, Mary finally arrived in Bala where she poured out her story to the minister, Mr. Charles. When she had finished, Mr. Charles reluctantly informed her that the last of the Bibles available for purchase had already been sold and that the remaining Bibles had been promised to others. Furthermore, the Society that had printed the small quantity of Welsh Bibles did not intend to print any more.
So great was Mary’s disappointment, that she began to sob uncontrollably. Touched by the intensity of her passion to have a Bible of her own, Mr. Charles decided that she must have one of the few Bibles left in his possession. Words cannot describe the ecstasy Mary felt as Mr. Charles placed into her hands the precious treasure for which she had prayed, wept, and hoarded all these years. Her heart sang as she walked the twenty-five miles back home, carrying her very own Bible, the Book that would remain her dearest friend and companion throughout her life.
The footnote to this story goes on to tell how: “Mr. Charles Thomas’ encounter with Mary Jones deeply impressed him and led to the establishment in 1804 of the British and Foreign Bible Society, a society dedicated to publishing and distributing the Word of God throughout the world.”
Mary’s passion for God’s Word forces us to consider: “Do I have the same infectious passion for God’s Word?”
Thankfully, most of us don’t have to save for ten years or walk twenty-five miles for a Bible anymore. All you may need to do is come back to girltalk tomorrow.
2008 at 4:45 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
Last week CJ sat down for an interview with one of my favorite authors and teachers—Jerry Bridges. As I listened to the podcast of their conversation, I was freshly reminded of why I appreciate Mr. Bridges’ ministry so much. He is a man who combines a deep understanding of the truths of the gospel with a passion for personal holiness. To listen to him describe his daily pursuit of godliness—which has not waned, but only increased with age—inspires me to new zeal in fighting sin and loving the Savior. I would heartily encourage you to listen and apply.
2008 at 1:38 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
I made a new resolution recently. It’s a good idea I’ve known about for a long time but never consistently put into practice. (Sadly, it’s one of many!) I’m purposing to review the Sunday message in my Monday quiet time.
My mom made this point (in a post I can’t find at the moment): If our pastor, whom God has called and gifted to preach, spends many hours studying God’s Word to share it with us, shouldn’t we be humble and diligent to review and apply that truth?
Our Senior Pastor here at Sovereign Grace Church, Mark Mullery, is an exceptional expositor of Scripture, as are the other men who regularly fill the pulpit (you’ll forgive my bias if I tell you my husband is my favorite?). Sunday after Sunday I am instructed, convicted, and encouraged only to forget what I heard by Monday morning. I want that to change. I want to extract the full benefit from the weekly preaching of God’s Word.
So this morning I reviewed my notes from yesterday’s sermon. My dad happened to be the visiting preacher and he spoke from Psalm 42 on “Speaking to Yourself.”
“In the Psalms,” he explained (quoting David Powlison), “God meets you where you are.” Then he made the potentially audacious claim that “The truth in this Psalm, if applied, can dramatically change your life” It’s true. That’s why I’m trying to apply it today.
I bet a lot of great sermons were preached all over the world yesterday. I wish I could have heard them all. But let me encourage you to review the notes from your pastor’s sermon. And if you have extra time, listen to “Speaking to Yourself.”
Let’s take full advantage of the preaching of God’s Word.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Ps. 19:7-11
2007 at 5:31 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
This post is a bit out of place in the middle of July. It’s more at home in January—right around the first of the year. Actually, that was my problem this morning. It wasn’t the first of the year.
As I considered my current quiet time plan, I decided that I wanted to begin to read through the Bible during my daily devotions. Only, today is July 11, and as everyone knows, you are supposed to start these plans on January 1.
But God graciously inspired the good folks over at the ESV Bible blog to post a solution to my problem—today, July 11, of all days! Here is a plan that makes it easy to start reading through the Bible beginning today, or August 12, or September 13.
Whether you are reading through the Bible or studying a particular book (as I’ve been doing lately), may Psalm 119:18 be our prayer: “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”
2005 at 2:14 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
I have discovered two secrets that help me wake up early in the morning. The first is positioning my alarm clock across the room so I am forced to get out of bed when it rings (no return to bed allowed). The second is realizing that if I press through about 10 minutes of feeling dog-tired, then I’ll feel awake and I’ll be glad I got up early for the whole rest of the day.
The first order of business after stumbling out of bed and downstairs is to make a pot of hazelnut coffee. I then set up my fan (I love both the sound and the breeze that a fan provides), gather my devotional materials, make my wakeup calls to Nicole and Kristin (Janelle has opted out of a wakeup call right now, due to pregnancy sickness) and by this time I’m alert enough and ready to begin my quiet time.
For the past few years I have followed Brian and Kristin’s new plan (see Kristin’s post)—reading through the Bible using For the Love of God commentaries by D.A. Carson. I found it to be very beneficial. However this year, I wanted to study certain books of the Bible more in-depth. I have chosen an Old Testament book (Genesis), one of the gospels (Mark), and an epistle (Philippians). My husband helped me select commentaries for each book to supplement my study: Genesis by Bruce K. Waltke; The Gospel According to Mark by James R. Edwards; Paul’s Letter to the Philippians by Gordon D. Fee.
Along with my book study (I’m presently in Philippians), I also read one Psalm per day using Charles Spurgeon’s 2-part commentary on the Psalms, and follow it up by reading the designated day’s meditation in Charles Spurgeon’s, Morning and Evening. (I guess you can tell we are big fans of Spurgeon!)
Like Nicole, I keep my journal in a computer document. This allows me to copy and paste verses and quotes from my journal to include in an encouragement email or use in other documents as desired.
For my prayer time I use the Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) as my guide. Recently the pastors of my church did a teaching series on the Lord’s Prayer which has proven to be a huge help in my prayer life.
After praying, I take a few minutes to create my “to-do” list for the day. I then copy and paste from my journal and add to the top of my “to-do” list what I want to take in to the day for mediation. I keep this list folded in my pocket and refer to it throughout the day. This verese and quote heads up my “to-do” list for today:
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.” Ps. 29:2
“The actions which flow from His character are glorious; but while He intends that they should manifest to His creatures His goodness, and mercy, and justice, He is equally concerned that the glory associated with them should be given only to Himself. Nor is their aught in ourselves in which we may glory; for who maketh us to differ from another: and what have we that we did not receive from the God of all grace? Then how careful ought we to be to walk humbly before the Lord! The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for one glory only in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High.”
—Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, p.458.
Finally, while getting ready for the day, I worship with the help of a music tape. My present favorite is Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project
by Sovereign Grace Music.
In concluding this little series on the spiritual disciplines I want to emphasize once again that we don’t think we are the standard for godly quiet times. We are struggling along, striving to glorify God just like each one of you. Our purpose in this series was not to highlight our own accomplishments, but to hopefully give you new ideas and fresh encouragement to seek God each and every morning!
2005 at 10:52 am | by Kristin Chesemore
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
Here is one final quote for our concluding day of posting on the spiritual disciplines:
"There is no duty we perform for God that sin does not oppose. And the more spirituality or holiness there is in what we do, the greater its enmity to it. Thus those who seek most for God experience the strongest opposition.”
John Owen, Sin and Temptation, edited by James Houston (Minneapolis, Minn: Bethany House Publications, 1996), 18.
Each and every morning when Mom calls to wake me up, I experience opposition. Sometimes I give in and turn over and go back to sleep. But this quote reminds me of the source of that opposition—it’s my sin. This truth also inspires me, by the grace of God, to seek Him more diIigently.
2005 at 4:34 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
After a couple of sips of Starbucks Columbian coffee with three scoops of sugar and toasted almond non-dairy creamer, I’m awake and ready to start my quiet time. If you’ve read Kristin’s and Janelle’s posts it probably won’t shock you that I begin by reading a meditation from Morning and Evening
. Charles Spurgeon’s grasp of the gospel, passion for holiness, and beautiful prose make him, I think, my favorite author of all time.
Currently, I am studying the joyful book of Philippians. After several years of read-through-the-Bible plans (I was always on my own unique two-year plan), I wanted to spend time digging more deeply into a specific part of Scripture. For my study I am using commentaries by J.A. Motyer
, James Montgomery Boice, and my favorite, D.A. Carson.
This morning I read the following comments on Philippians 1:9-11:
“And this is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
“Our obedience, discipline and hard graft are not insignificant or optional. On the contrary, they are the God-intended context for growth. But something else energizes the growth till the fruit is ready for harvest: all is done through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (verse 11)….In this setting the daily task of obedience remains hard, but not fruitless. We are often neglectful, frequently failing, ever inadequate; yet the end is secure, for God is at work.”—J.A. Motyer
J.A. Motyer, The Message of Philippians, (Downers Grover, Ill: Inter-Varsity Press, 1984), 60-61.
I have much need to grow in prayer, however, I try to collect prayers from others and use verses of Scripture to help me pray in a more God-centered way. Hebrews 13:20-21 is a favorite that I used today.
Also, I’ve been journaling differently the past six months or so. Instead of hand-writing the verses, quotes, thoughts, and prayers from my quiet time into an actual journal, I’ve been entering them in a WORD file on my Mac under specific categories (e.g. The Gospel, Unbelief, Self-Righteousness, etc.). So, for example, if I am tempted to fear in a particular situation, I type all the verses and quotes I read under the “fear” category. That way, the truths that provided me conviction and encouragement are easy to find the next time that I am tempted. This method may not be as artistic as using a felt-tip pen to write in a leather-bound volume, but it is intensely practical.
Finally, I must make a worship recommendation. For some time I have been listening to Redemption Songs
by Jars of Clay in my quiet time. The words to this collection of hymns have lifted my gaze to Christ. So I’ll close with some of my favorite lines:
“O love of God O sin of man
In this dread act your strength is tried
And victory remains with love
Jesus our Lord is crucified.”
2005 at 9:53 am | by Carolyn Mahaney
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
No doubt we can all identify with C.S. Lewis’ observation that: “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals.”
But we must respond in kind: "The first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, (SanFrancisco, CA: Harper, 2001), 198.
2005 at 3:07 pm | by Kristin Chesemore
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
My day begins with a phone call; a phone call from mom who has graciously agreed to give Brian and me a wakeup call each morning. I have found that if I am going to have a quiet time, it has to happen before the boys wake up in the morning.
For my devotions I have just started a new plan. Growing up, Dad always encouraged us that the goal of the spiritual disciplines is to “make your soul happy in God” and to preach the gospel to yourself—not to finish a book. He wanted to make sure we didn’t feel obligated to complete a book we had begun if it was not feeding our soul.
So for this reason I stopped reading the commentary I had been using to study a particular book of the Bible and have begun a “read through the Bible” plan along with Brian. By reading through the Bible together, we hope we will experience even deeper fellowship in our marriage.
We are using the books For the Love of God, Volume 1
and Volume 2
by D.A. Carson. This plan takes you through the entire Bible and then the New Testament and Psalm twice in one year. To accomplish this, you read four chapters of the Bible a day. However, I am only attempting two chapters per day and going at my own pace!
Like Janelle, I read Morning and Evening each day, as well as Valley of Vision
during my prayer time. And I am also currently reading Christ Our Mediator
by my dad, because I always need to be reminded of what Christ accomplished on the cross in my place. Today, this particular selection affected me:
“As we watch Jesus pray in agony in Gethsemane, He has every right to turn His tearful eyes toward you and me and shout, ‘This is your cup. You’re responsible for this. It’s your sin! You drink it.’ This cup should rightfully be thrust into my hand and yours.
Instead, Jesus freely takes it Himself…so that from the cross He can look down at you and me, whisper our names, and say, ‘I drain this cup for you—for you who have lived in defiance of Me, who have hated Me, who have opposed Me. I drink it all…for you.’
This is what our sin makes necessary. This is what is required by your pride and my pride, by your selfishness and my selfishness, by your disobedience and my disobedience. Behold Him…behold His suffering…and recognize His love.”
C.J. Mahaney, Christ our Mediator (Portland, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2004), 57-58.
2005 at 8:08 am | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
This verse and quote need to be taped to my alarm clock…
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” Psalm 19:7
“Even on days when every cinder in our soul feels cold, if we crawl to the Word of God and cry out for ears to hear, the cold ashes will be lifted and the tiny spark of life will be fanned. For ‘the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.’” —John Piper
John Piper, Desiring God
(Multnomah; Portland, Oregon 1986) p.118
2005 at 6:27 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Biblical Womanhood Spiritual Disciplines
My devotions are usually the first thing I do upon prying my eyes open in the morning. (I used to fix myelf a cup of hot tea first, but since becoming pregnant the stuff makes me sick!) Therefore, I’m not much to look at during that early hour. Despite my hair sticking out in every direction it is a cherished time in my day. The Lord is so kind and gracious to allow me to meet with Him.
I am currently reading a number of wonderful books. In the Bible, I am working through the book of Isaiah with my new The Reformation Study Bible (a must buy item!). Charles Spurgeon’s, Morning and Evening is next. These short daily readings never fail to encourage and challenge me in some way. And I’m nearing the end of R.C. Sproul’s, The Holiness of God
. I couldn’t recommend this book more highly! It’s easy to read and so insightful. For my prayer time, I often visit a Psalm and use The Valley of Vision.
Throughout my devotions, my journal is open nearby with my pen. I love to jot down verses, quotes and prayers as I go along. My favorite verse from my time with the Lord this morning comes from Psalm 103:11: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.”
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