Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

Recording Your legacy

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She cried out desperately in her pain. Calling to the Lord, she laid bare her struggles and fears. She acknowledged His faithfulness and sovereignty in her life, even through theses trials. She was clinging to the Lord God as to a lifeline.

She was me, nine years ago. 

Reading back through my prayer journal, I was struck at my utter desperation and dependance on the Lord. I addition, I saw all that He had done in my life. Little things. Things I had forgotten and would never remember again, save for the words written on the page. 

I saw the Lord’s faithfulness in my life; His promises fulfilled:

-I will never leave you or forsake you

-You are precious in my sight and I love you

-My grace is sufficient for you.

These memorial stones help me remember the ordinary and extraordinary. My words recorded on the page allow me to look back and see Jesus – in the good times and in the bad. He is there. Jehovah Shama⁠1.

Average days, boring most times. Yet, they are preserved as a legacy and testament to what God has done for me. I can share these stories with others. But only if I record them. Putting pen to paper makes them memorable, not forgettable. It makes them concrete, not a vapor.

Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord. Psalm 102:18 NLT

A friend recently told me “No, I don’t want to talk about that right now. I don’t want to think about that.” But sometimes we must. Journaling records our memories and helps sort through our emotions. Journaling can bring clarity.

The act of hand writing my prayers and journal entries is one way I process events unfolding in my life. Slowing down to write out my thoughts helps me to think more deeply about them. Recording them in a purposeful way opens my eyes to see how I may be reacting, or over reacting! On one occasion,  journaling helped me see the “other side” of a story, and filled me with compassion, replacing the anger that I had felt.

Open up my understanding to the ways of your wisdom and I will meditate deeply on your splendor and your wonders. Psalm 119:27 TPT

A prayer journal can help keep us focused on God’s Word. If a scripture causes us to pause, we can explore why. Writing out our questions helps us slow down and hear what He may be saying.  

“When I record in a journal my meditations on a passage of scripture, I can follow more closely the still, small voice of God as He Speaks through the text.”⁠2 

Am I a prolific journaler? No, indeed. It’s really hit or miss with me. That’s why I record many daily events in my prayer journal. I jot down a phrase or two about what has happened, just as a reminder to me what was going on in my world during that season. Often, I jot a “tweet length” description in my planner, and go back every week or so and expand and expound on those notes in my journal.  

Making memories, one tweet at a time!

What is your preferred method of journaling? Or recording what the Lord has done in your life? Leave a message, I’d love to hear!

Grace be with you,

 

 

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1 Ezekiel 48:35

2 Whitney, Donald S., Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, NavPress 1991, page 209

Things Distracted Women Need to Know

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Let’s be real here. Transparent. Raise your hand if you ever get distracted during your quiet time with God. Yeah, me too! You would think that I could stay focused since I am spending time with the God of all creation! But no. I look up and see the crooked picture frame on the wall. Mentally, I straighten it out. Then, I look around the room and see dust and cobwebs that need to be cleared, instead of looking into the Word and clearly seeing Jesus. 

My friend Betsy, at Faith Spilling Over, has a new book that released February 26. It’s called More of God, A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times. It is a must read for all of us who can’t seem to keep our focus during our quiet time. Betsy has so much practical help in this book, that I think everyone should read it!

Part of MY problem just may be that I’m in a Quiet Time Rut. Have you been there? For the most part, I love a routine, but I recognize I need to shake up my mornings with Jesus every now and again. Betsy has some great suggestions that I will try, and they involve pretty colored pens! YAY!

The first is Verse Mapping. This is one way to dig deeper into God’s Word. And, as Betsy says “it puts a fun, creative spin on Bible study.” First, choose your verse, and write it in the center of an unlined piece of paper. Then, with different colors, circle, box, or underline words that stand out. You can also add notes around the outside of the verse – using carious colors, of course! And you could also do a Greek or Hebrew word study on your verse map. Betsy also suggests that we personalize the scripture with our own name, or the name of someone you are praying for. I’m no brain expert, but I think this would also make for easier memorization! YAY!!!

[tweetthis]We find new freedom and joy when we let go of what’s grown stale and open the windows to fresh ways of connecting with God. Betsy de Cruz, More of God [/tweetthis]

Very similar to verse mapping is Betsy’s suggestion to Prayer Map. Wow! I never would have thought to do this! Betsy says “something about looking at that map, with requests written out in different colors, keeps my mind focused on prayer.” By each prayer request on your map, you can add a specific scripture to pray.

You can find these wonderful tips and more in Betsy’s book More of God, A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times. Betsy gives many suggestions for helping us to focus and make our prayer times more meaningful. But she is quick to remind us that Jesus is with us all day long! 

“A meaningful quiet time is a springboard for inviting more of God into the rest of our day.” Betsy de Cruz, More of God      

And we all need more of God, amen?

Father, Forgive me when I lose my focus and become distracted while I am sitting at Your feet! Thank You Lord, for these new ideas to make my time with You more meaningful! I love You, Father God! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Grace be with you,

 

 

Meet Betsy:

Betsy de Cruz writes and speaks to encourage women to get more of God’s Word in, so they can live their faith out. She wrote her book More of God to help distracted women take small steps towards God to experience more of His presence and power. You can find Betsy online at Faithspillingover.com where she shares Bible study and prayer tips for distracted women, as well as encouragement for everyday faith and family.