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Bible Study, Project 366, Works for Me Wednesday

WFMW – Let’s Talk QT

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wfmwIt’s backwards day at Works for Me Wednesday. I ask the questions and you all provide the answers. It’s wonderful! I don’t have to be profound, helpful, witty, or spiritual. That’s implying, of course, that we here at the Duckabush ever ARE those things.

We don’t have time to discuss that right now. :)

I have so many areas in my life which need assistance, as you already know, if you are a faithful reader of this blog.

oh dear!

Someone, please help this girl!

Lately I’ve been thinking and praying about developing self-discipline in my life. A friend spoke some intense words of conviction into my life on Sunday and I’ve been mulling about them ever since. I am trying to filter what she said through the reality of my life on a day to day basis.

Where are my priorities?
What are my goals for my family and myself?
Where am I letting laziness, distraction and self-indulgence prevent me from meeting those goals and addressing those priorities?

who is this shadowy figure?

It’s getting harder and harder to capture Joshua on film.

That’s where you come in. I want you to help me figure out my life, guide me in attaining my goals and teach me how to develop a core of self-control.

Or maybe not.

What I really want to discuss is basic Bible Study/Quiet Time habits. I know there are some amazing, godly women who do me the honor of visiting this blog and sharing their heart. I’ve been encouraged, prayed for and challenged by many of you. Thank you for taking time to read and comment. I am eager to be blessed by your thoughts on this subject!

I want to spend time with the Lord. I crave time with my Bible and journal. I’m doing a fantastic Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Daniel. I want to give the work some thought and attention.

I also have FIVE children. Five children who adore and love me and MUST be with me at all times. Between my younger boys who get up early and want to do their Bible devotions with me and my older son and daughter who are entering their teen age years and like to stay up late and just talk, my life is full! And that’s not even addressing the other responsibilities that come into play in trying to run a smooth household.

mother daughter time

And I LOVE that special one on one time.

I’ve tried to carve out some time in the middle of the day.
::snort::
Did I mention we’re a homeschooling family? The middle of the day is not exactly prime “quiet time” material here.

The (late) evenings tend to be my only moments for rest and relaxation. I don’t have the depth of insight or energy that I want to give the Lord by the time that part of the day staggers along. Blogging I can do, studying the scriptures…no.

So I’m left with the morning. If I sleep in just a little bit it seems the entire morning vanishes. Little ones need help with breakfast. The laundry cries out for a little bit of attention – just a wee load before the day starts, it whispers.

I’ve been trying to do my Daniel study while David and Sarah (7 and 5) sit with me and read their Bibles.

Um, that does not work.

David, who can read, likes to do so aloud.

Are we in Daniel this morning, Mommy?
Yes, sweetie, chapter 6. You can read it in your Bible.

Several minutes pass while I try to answer the questions in my book, help David sound out words, and referee conflict taking place in the adjoining room.

No time for reading, let’s go outside!

It’s not exactly what I would call precious moments with the Lord.

Meanwhile, Sarah, who is just learning how to read, likes to describe all the illustrations to me … in detail.

So I’ve discovered that, while this is a lovely time of family devotion and an amazing opportunity to teach the younger children how to study their Bibles, it is NOT a place where I can effectively hear from the Lord.

Is this the longest Works for Me Wednesday ever?

Share with me from your experience.

Do you have time in your schedule set apart for one on one time with the Lord?
Do you read your Bible and pray on a regular basis?
Devotional? Bible Study book? Read through the Bible in a Year plan?
Do you journal?
Do you journal or record your prayers?
Do you teach your children to have a daily Quiet Time?
How LONG is your own personal time with the Lord?
WHEN do you find this time?

Remember I am a night owl with some early risers in the family. How early do I have to get up to set aside time in the Word? Do I hide out in my room and guard 20 or 30 minutes for prayer and Bible reading?

Stun me with your spiritual maturity and discipline.

Stop by Rocks in My Dryer to see how you can aid other desperate bloggers.
Kathy

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Musings

Good Night

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Having been convicted about the lack of self-discipline in my life AND been reminded about the priorities which are important to me, I think I will forgo my favorite evening past time – BLOGGING – and go to sleep at a decent hour.

Thank you for all your kind words and prayers. You are all so dear to me. It is such a blessing to have friends and family (and random internet strangers) encouraging me.

Works for Me Wednesday is Backwards Day this week so be prepared to share with me your words of wisdom.

I’m not sure on what topic yet, but it will be something powerfully good.

Kath

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Accountability

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When the Lord works in your life to refine you, do you fight, flee or listen?

I am a cheerful, even-tempered person, for the most part, but this evening I found myself weeping.

Twice.

God is speaking to me about some issues of self-control and discipline in my life. I can feel Him pruning away the dry, shriveled branches.

It hurts. Stings. Wrenches.

Even though I know the end result is fresh growth and new blossoms, I still find myself clinging to those withered, unattractive twigs.

rachel and her mama

Rachel and I enjoyed the sunshine this afternoon.

Today a friend listened to me share my struggles in the areas of finances, homeschooling and healthy food/exercise habits. Just as I was asking for prayer to be faithful, she interrupted to point out that all of those battles lead back to a lack of self-control.

“You can’t treat the symptoms when there is an underlying, root cause that needs addressing,” she said and from there we began a quick Biblical word study on the topics of “self-discipline” and “self-control.”

It wasn’t pleasant. My heart was hurt as I looked in the face of some of my shortcomings and thought about my many failures. I was weary at the thought of all the effort involved in CHANGING a core weakness.

At the end of our visit, my friend gently touched her Bible and said she would be earnestly praying for me from Colossians 1.

“…and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…” Colossians 1:9-11

let's sit together

Through the fire, amidst the tears, never leaving me, the Lord is there by my side. When I am weak, I can lean on Him. In my ugliness and failure, His love is still true and constant.

Kathy

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Marriage, Finances and Other Serious Topics

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Husbands – love your wives.

Wives – respect your husbands.

How can this teaching be so simple and yet so profound?

Your spouse isn’t wrong, just different. Can you accept that he or she has needs that you don’t share?

These were some of the questions which challenged us this weekend at a Love and Respect video conference hosted by our church. We went as a family. Joshua and Rachel served in the children’s department, the rest of the kids were, um, children IN the children’s department. We brought treats, welcomed people as best we could in our (always late) manner, and helped put away chairs and tables at the end.

it's a little sunny

We did walk away with 3 leftover pizzas so the time obviously wasn’t wasted.

Oh, yes and we also left with a renewed commitment to practice love and respect in our marriage. A reminder that we have have tools available to us in a conflict.

In the afternoon we had a family meeting. Time to talk about finances, budgets, and other exciting topics. Nothing like hitting some of the big issues!

sarah and david

We watched some sermon clips from Pastor Mark at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, listened to several discussions on stewardship with Randy Alcorn, and were challenged by some words from John Piper on the prosperity gospel.

Just your typical afternoon viewing.

We ended the day with the rest of our Pollyanna movie.

How about you? If you have children, do you wrestle over the big issues with them? Do you talk about tithing and stewardship? Do you discuss the problems facing the poverty stricken people in other countries? Do you let them see that marriage takes WORK? Do you let them see you struggle?

purple puppy and pink pal

Tim and I are both spenders, not a saver between us. As our children have gotten older, they participate in our conversations over money, debt and stewardship. They see our weaknesses and faults.

It’s humbling to know they are aware of your flaws.

I hope amidst it all they also see we are striving to grow and follow Jesus.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. Job 22:10-11

Kathy

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What is this picture?

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We had co-op this week. No matter how we plan or schedule our time, the kids are constantly working on projects at the last minute.

I can’t imagine where they get that from!

Perhaps from their father’s side of the family.

Please don’t check the time stamp on this post.

As I was saying, each week there is something that needs IMMEDIATE attention, at the last minute. Is this true for public school as well or is it because we only have classes one day a week? Do all parents face this, “Oh no, my assignment is due tomorrow and I haven’t started!” phenomena?

Daniel and Rachel hurry to memorize their spelling words. Joshua is usually on the computer finalizing his presentation homework. Daniel often has a paper to finish for our writing class. The only reason Joshua and Rachel aren’t also furiously writing is that they aren’t taking the course this semester.

doing his math

Sorry kids, just being real.

This was Daniel creation for co-op. Can you identify if from my poorly taken picture?

what is this?

So not only am I homeschooling the children, teaching them during the day, molding and shaping their little brains, I’m also monitoring homework someone ELSE has assigned them.

We started watching Pollyanna this evening.

I can see I need to practice playing The Glad Game.

that's my girl

I’m awfully glad God blessed me with this sweet daughter.

Kathy

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The musings and ravings of a bloggart family