Ready, Set, Go!!

Welcome everyone! We officially began our study, Passionate Prayer, today. What a day we had as we first met for worship with almost 400 women, and then shared in our small groups for Passionate Prayer. I loved seeing everyone’s smiling faces. As I was standing on stage at the beginning after sharing about our study this year, I couldn’t help but get excited to see everyone. I believe the Lord has something amazing and incredible in store for us as we open the pages of His Word and live there each day. I can’t wait to see what He is going to teach us all in the Psalms about prayer.

This week we are going to live in a number of psalms and think about how the psalmists can help us in our prayers. I believe you are going to love the devotional reading this week - it includes such greats as Oswald Chambers, S.D. Gordon, O. Hallesby, and Andrew Murray. What can I say - their books are amazing and they were prayer warriors!! I’m looking forward to writing my letter to the Lord. Then, at the end of the study I’ll have the opportunity to see all that God has taught me.

I’m going to be writing weekly here at the Passionate Prayer blog I’ve set up so that we can connect together online. I might even write more than weekly - you just never know, so keep checking back here. Also, feel free to look around - you can see that my regular blog, Cath’s Blog, is here also, and there are links to other Quiet Time Ministries websites. And I mentioned that the online videos are available (m4v’s) for all my Passionate Prayer messages. The Intro message is online available to watch free of charge here in the QTM Online Bookstore.

And now, as we begin, I encourage you to write a comment (click on the “leave a comment” link to write), share your name, maybe whose group you’re in, or where you’re from if you’re joining us from somewhere else outside of Indian Wells, CA. Also, you can share anything else - maybe your desire to learn more about prayer or whatever else may have brought you to this study. The great thing about being online is that you can even invite friends and family from other parts of the country and world to join us. The videos are available online and the books are available from our online bookstore, local Christian bookstore or places like amazon etc. And now, I just want to pray for our week of study. God bless you!!

Lord, thank You for the privilege of being Your child and have the incredible opportunity to study Your Word. I pray that You would bless every person who is studying Passionate Prayer and enrich their life of prayer in ways they could have never before imagined. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Knowing and Loving the Bible

Has the BIble become like an old bike to you? Like the desire of a young child to have a new bike when they eye it in the store, they walk around and around it looking at it from all angles. They touch it and admire it, imagine themselves whizzing down the street on it. When they get it for their birthday it’s a tremendous joy! They can’t wait to ride it! They jump on it and ride and ride. But over time it loses its luster. It becomes just a means of transportation. They whiz home, jump off it, carelessly lay it down in the front yard and run in the house.

Is this how your Bible is to you? Did you devour it, write notes in it, underline meaningful verses, even memorize it at one time? But now it’s not that important. Other things take more of your attention. This study can help you refresh your perspective, remind you of the great value the Bible is, remind you it not only has a place in your life but a supreme place in your life. How powerful it is, how meaningful it is. It is the very word of God speaking to you.

Catherine says in her book “Knowing and Loving the BIble” that God desires fellowship with us and “heart-to-heart with God means God speaking from His heart straight to your heart-an intimate romance joining your heart to the heart of God. It is a radical intimacy with the God who created you, loves you, and wants you for all eternity. How does God communicate with you so that you may hear Him speak? God’s Word is filled with His words. If you want to know what God has to say to you and fellowship with the One who loves you more than life itself, open the pages of your Bible.”

I had a few more chapters of the Old Testament to finish reading last month on the Old Testament BIble reading plan we started last Fall at Woodcrest in conjunction with our survey of the Old Testament BIble study. I decided to try Catherine’s devotional BIble study method as I was reading these chapters in Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah. I didn’t think I would get much meaning out of these old books of prophecy. Using the devotional method really surprised me! I actually was able to find significant thoughts and personal application from even these books! I was amazed! God spoke to me with encouragement for my own life!

What Catherine says is true! “Knowing and loving the BIble are as essential to spiritual life as breathing is to physical life.” We need the Bible. And as we read it and study it, it can change us, and teach us and make us grow.

I am thrilled to be joining with you on this six week adventure as we learn how to delve into the Bible and get to know God better!

Welcome to Passionate Prayer - A Quiet Time Experience!

I want to welcome you to the new study I’ll be leading this year beginning the week of October 29. No matter where you live in the world, you can join in. All you need is the book Passionate Prayer - A Quiet Time Experience. We will take 8 weeks to journey through this study in the psalms, learning from the psalmists as our prayer partners, teaching us how to pray. The psalmists are champions of prayer and will teach us how to adore God better, worship Him more, and draw near, believing Him for big things. I’ll be writing weekly on this blog and you can connect with others who are also doing the study. In addition, if you are joining from another area of the country or world, all my messages for Passionate Prayer - A Quiet Time Experience are available for download and viewing online at the Quiet Time Ministries Online Store. I want to encourage you to join me in this amazing experience of prayer. I look forward to learning together with you. God bless you and I’ll be back in late October. In the meantime, if you decide to join the study, why not introduce yourself in the Comments area of this post and share why you’re looking forward to learning more about prayer.

Continue the dance!

Quiet time gals! 

Were we delighted or what?  It was such a treat to finish our summer study off hearing from the author herself last Thursday.  Catherine is full of energy, motivated by her love for the Lord and her passion for quiet time and after traveling through her book “on our own”, we so enjoyed our time “all together”!  She dedicated her brand new book, A Woman’s Heart that Dances, to her father, who was there to receive it,  and we gifted her with a plaque to recall that she was our “personal quiet time tutor” so that she will always remember this journey!  Another big thank you to Catherine!    I’m still reveling in God’s entire orchestration from beginning to end!                                                                           

Many of you were recipients of her gracious gifting of all the books that she has written – Catherine was very generous!   And in addition to the book give aways, Laura Touchette took home the treasured quiet time journal and the grand prize quiet time basket went to Connie Hampy!  We were also blessed with a time of worship by Joi Bowling!  I will be humming “sitting at his feet” over and over again!  

I hope all you “ladies” enjoyed your lovely framed centerpieces and have found a prominent place to display them as a reminder not only of our study together, but also of the call from the Lord Himself to “be still and know that He is God!”   There was a beautiful keepsake for each of you on the table to take home –  a bookmark with Psalm 46:10 inscribed on it along with “Quiet Time in Summer 09” .    If you were unable to attend on Thursday, I would love for you to  still  have  one, so if you will stop by the women’s table in the pavilion at Shadow Mountain on Sundays, you can pick one up for yourself ;   and please take one for your friend or relative that did the study with you if they were out of town or unable to attend so that everyone can have this keepsake – there are plenty!! 

I hope after an incredible study like this that calls you to sit at the feet of Jesus, where you were encouraged and challenged and saw God at work, that you are asking, “what next?”   

If you are still finishing your book, do that!    If you have completed it, there are 4 more books in that same format to do on your own, or many other resources to choose from by going to www.quiettime.org.   Or if you are looking for a Bible Study, I hope you saw the Bible Studies that will begin in the fall at Shadow Mountain!   I teach a precept class on Thursday mornings and would love to have you — there are also 5 more Bible studies on different days in different studies – I know you would be able to find one to fit your need and schedule!  At http://www.shadowmountain.org/default.aspx?page=3411, you can view these options.  The sign ups have begun in the pavilion at Shadow Mountain every Sunday morning and you can also register online.   

You will also be receiving a card in the mail inviting you to the complimentary brunch on September 12^th called “Finding your Niche” from 9:30-noon (there is no charge but you need to pick up a ticket for the count  in the pavilion ).  This is a great display of all of the ministries in Women’s Ministries – a great way to meet women, get involved, and find your niche!  You will hear from each ministry and have opportunity to chat with leaders and sign up for classes! 

Well, it has been wonderful traveling through with you. I pray, as I sign off of this summer study, that you will find your “next thing” and be always moving a little closer  to knowing God a little more and serving Him a little better! 

Would love to hear a last blog from you all!!

Blessings on your journey as you continue to dance! 

Debbie Harris

 

QUIET TIME in SUMMER 09

@ Shadow Mountain

www.shadowmountain.org

www.cathscommunity.com

 

 

 

“LOVE the dance”

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved!!  I want that byline!  Debbie, the disciple whom Jesus loved!!!  Did you put your name in there?  And now at the end of this journey, do you get how very much you are loved!  Do you see how God was the One that called out to you, and is so faithful He will never stop?  He wants to dance the dance for a lifetime, until He sees you face to face and I suppose even then, we will dance on into heaven and down the streets of gold!  What an exciting dance to look forward to! 

I will take from this study the awesome truth that it is “I” who determines the level of intimacy I will enjoy – God is waiting on me – and it is ALWAYS my turn!! 

I echo with John this side of heaven:

          I want to lean on You Jesus!

          I pledge to be trustworthy of my God-given earthly assignment!

          Though I see You dimly now, I can hardly wait to see You face to face!

          I want to please You by telling others of Your amazing resurrection!

          I love the glimpses, but I have a desire to see what I’ve yet to see! 

We have a hope!!  And that causes me to say, “Hallelujah!”  We think dancing with the Lord is so incredible now (and it is), but just wait til glory – we haven’t experienced anything yet!! 

I know everyone is at a different spot in the book, just like we are all in a different place on our journey!  The quiet time is a process!  But, I hope no matter where you are, that you will be coming on August 6^th to celebrate the hope that we have in Him together.  We’ve done the “on-your-own” part – now it’s time for the “all together” part!  The evening will begin at 6:00 with an author’s reception, with Catherine Martin, in the Lower Campus Chapel at Shadow Mountain Church, 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA  92019, followed by the program at 7:00.  Catherine will have resources there and we will have upcoming studies available in case you are asking ”what’s next?”  I am praying that you can be there.  I have only received 12 regrets, so we are in for a party!  If you know for sure that you will be unable to attend and have not emailed me, it would be most appreciated to know so that we do not count on you in the setting of the tables.  Also, I am still looking for plates of “finger desserts” and “testimonies“ if you are willing.   

Well, I pray you LOVE your dance along your busy way!  How fortunate that God is always there, never tires of waiting upon our schedule, and is always so very glad to see us when we sit at His feet!!  He truly does love us – we too are the disciples whom Jesus loves. 

Loving this dance (and the hope of the next)! 

Debbie Harris

Quiet Time in Summer 09

@ Shadow Mountain

www.shadowmountain.org

www.cathscommunity.com

“Develop your dance”

Paul showcased this week how his intimacy with God developed over the years!!  It didn’t happen without intention and it certainly didn’t happen overnight.  Were you surprised to see that Paul lived in obscurity for 3 years — and then another 14 years learning whatever he could from the disciples?  No doubt in that time he became intimately acquainted with the God of the Old Testament, who had sent Jesus the Messiah, in the same life time as Paul, to fulfill some of those Old Testament Scriptures right before his very eyes!  That would be something to witness!  

This week was a great look at Paul’s life and how God used each chapter to mold him into the person He needed him to be for the task He had set out just for him. 

In obscurity – I found myself wanting to be a radical disciple like Paul, consistently living “the Lord Jesus in action!”  I thanked God for the times of obscurity in my life where I was literally “forced” to “be still and know that He is God!”  Many good things came out of that time as God used it to move me along in the plan He had for me!  

In weakness – I loved Paul’s poetic dichotomy “when I am weak, then I am strong”.  I also loved D.L. Moody’s quote, “I think we will be so ashamed of ourselves when we get to heaven, to remember we ever spoke about our sufferings!”  God shows Himself strong in our weaknesses if we allow Him to. 

In ministry – Absolutely loved the “ripple affect” – I want to cause a ripple that goes far beyond my pebble as I love others into the Kingdom! 

In conflict – a love for God and people (the only two reasons I breathe) are what keep me going when it gets tough.  Paul continued to encourage the church even through the tough times – like so much of life, it is a choice! 

In life – Jesus was Paul’s “all!”  “For I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.”  I Cor 2:2 

After watching this progression of development, I hope you set some goals and resolves.  I’ll share mine and hope to hear some of yours!! 

“I resolve to live my life ‘unshaken’ by anyone and anything and allow nothing to move me except Jesus.” 

“I resolve to head straight for the ‘Evergreen Wood’ and I will not detour to the left or to the right for anyone or anything because no one and nothing offers anything even comparable to what is waiting for me straight ahead!” 

“I resolve to lead as an ‘Ambassador to the King’ in a land not my own, because I know to where I am going, and I want to take everyone else along with me; and I know to whom I belong, and I want everyone to know Him too!” 

Hope you are enjoying the journey – the dance!  And I am praying that this chance to be encouraged into a quiet time develops in each of you a love for your Lord and His Word like never before, which will spill into a love for spending quality one-on-one time with Him!  There is nothing quite like it on the planet – and there will be nothing quiet like it someday in heaven!  

Developing for Jesus, 

Debbie Harris

Quiet Time in Summer 09

@ Shadow Mountain

www.shadowmountain,org

www.cathscommunity.com

Week 5 - Reach the Summits

This week’s readings touched me deeply. I spent extra time on Days 20 and 21 pondering what it means to yield to God. I’ve come to points of yielding many times before but I have to admit, it’s been quite awhile since the last time. I really thought about some of the questions posed here such as, ” Are there dreams and desires that you need to give to the Lord now in order to continue on in this great adventure of knowing God?” I thought about my dreams and desires. I wrote several pages of reflection. I didn’t want to answer hastily. I asked myself is there anything holding me back from trusting God completely to handle my life? Do I want to yield myself 100% to him, even if uncontrollable tragedies occur? Which is the better place in which to be to handle tragedy? 1) myself and my own mental faculties alone? What I think? My wisdom? What I think I should do and to whom I should turn for advice? My own limited strength? OR 2) Rely on the great omnipotent God of the universe who has promised never to leave me or forsake me, who has promised to give me wisdom if I ask, who loves me immensely and who has power to help me?

It even seems a silly question to ask? Should I trust me or God? The answer is obvious: GOD!

Then I thought of what surrendering means and it occurred to me that by definition “surrender” can only be 100%. Only surrendering 70% couldn’t really be called surrendering.

After much thought I finally came to the point where I could say, “Yes Lord, whatever happens, I am yours. I yield myself to you. I give up all my desires and dreams. I will sign a blank page representing the rest of my life and allow you to fill it however you please. If I have to do things I don’t want to do, if I have to act in spite of fear, if I have to take your hand by faith and step off into the unknown of unemployment, uncertainty about the future, economic instability, family strife, my own pain or illness, or “the valley of the shadow of death,” Lord, I am yours no matter what.

Week 4 - Read and Study God’s Word

We were given many good Bible study tools this week. One of our members said this week really blessed her.

One of my thoughts was that it would be easy for us to say, “Good, now I know what are some good tools and some time I’ll come back to these pages and choose some of these tools to check out.” It gave me an idea for an object lesson.

Chelsea came up to the front and I said we would make her a world-class fisher-woman. I gave her the tools of the trade: a fishing pole, extra line, bobbers, hooks, a tackle box, a paddle to get out into the lake, and a copy of the Minnesota fishing regulations. With all of these tools Chelsea could become a great fisher-woman. But wait! Chelsea just decided to go back to her seat and put all these great new tools on the floor! She wasn’t going to use them at all!

I hope everyone got the point that it’s not enough to have good tools, or know where to find them. We won’t find the treasures in the word of God if we leave all the Bible study tools on the shelf.

I used Catherine’s devotional method of responding to a Biblical passage this week. I am reading through Jeremiah and I thought it might be hard to find some application there for me. However, using Catherine’s method I have to say I was surprised at what I found. I was reading Jeremiah 14-17 one day and came across Jer. 17:7, 8. I wrote these verses down as my significant observation. Then I looked up some cross references and came to the conclusion that the best place for a tree to grow is by a river. It keeps the tree alive, growing and fruitful. So the best place for a person to dwell is near God, our river of living water. The tree is an object lesson to us that if we want to be healthy, vibrant, nourished and useful we will stay near God and draw our life from him.

The small group I sat with this week discussed the testimony of George Mueller given on page 144. After reading that, I guess none of us can really say we don’t have time to spend with God. None of us are nearly as busy as he was, and quiet time in the word was his top priority. What an eye-opener for us!

“Choice in the dance”

At some point we all learn that life is literally made up of choices.  I hope you gave serious thought to the choices laid out this week, and I not only hope you “dance,” I hope you make the right choices in the dance.

CHAOS OR QUIET?

“Come away. . . to a quiet place.”  He calls to me and I love to come.  I can’t wait to meet with Him every morning in my prayer closet – now I want to schedule an extended time to be with Him because “He has both satisfied me, and made me thirsty for more!” (pg 175)  Are you finding the time to be quiet? 

SCURRY or SIT?

I truly desire Jesus to be my ONE THING (Ps 27:4) and I will forever seek after Him so I that I will “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold His beauty and to inquire of Him!”  Though my life is full of “scurry”, I am determined to accomplish intimacy with God which will only occur when I sit at His feet like Mary did – “sitting at His feet, listening to every Word!”

RELUCTANT or RADICAL?

Did you relate to Luke 10:40 – has anything or anyone dragged you away this week?  Many things dragged me away this week, especially this week!   And I actually could picture this scripture – nothing like life happening to you to teach you the lessons in the Word!  I desperately want to know Him and I know that occurs by being with Him.  I choose to be radical, not reluctant! 

PRACTICAL or EXTRAVAGANT?

I’m a pretty practical person, so the contrast is clear in my mind!  I will be practical in most all areas, but He is the One who gets my extravagant all!  And that would include my “alabaster box.”  For the God who lavishes His love on me will take lavished love in return anytime I am willing to lavish it!  I loved Spur-geons quote on page 194, “Surely as we meditate on the Lord, our hearts burn within us and we long to love Him more!”  I want to love Him more and extravagantly more!

SIGHT or FAITH?

Each time I read the Word and catch a glimpse of His glory (the “weight” of God), it gives my faith sight.  But to walk by sight without faith is to ask for trouble.  God longs to be gracious to me and wants to have compassion on me, and every time I choose His way and what I cannot see (faith), rather than my way and what I am able to see (sight), He is there to show me who He really is!  Psalm 18 was incredible!  If you missed it, go enjoy it!  His deliverance and lovingkindness are indescribable gifts of our faith! 

I pray this week as you make your choices, that you choose to be “quiet” and “sit”, living “radical” for Jesus with an “extravagant” “faith” that cannot be swayed!   I would love to hear your testimonies!

Intentionally choosing,

Debbie Harris

Quiet Time in Summer 09                                                               

@ Shadow Mountain                                                                    

 

PS  Please look for my second email regarding our evening together on August 6^th to follow shortly.  Be sure to include it on your summer calendar 6:00 p.m.

Week 3 - Taste and See That the Lord is Good

Hello everyone,

As Bible studiers arrived this week they were greeted by a table of chocolate-dipped strawberries and the verse: Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

As we enjoyed our delectable treat I asked everyone to imagine their favorite breakfast; what they would like to wake up to in the morning. We can think of our Quiet Time as this delectable treat. This will help us change our attitude toward a Quiet Time from thinking of it as something we “should” do to something we “get to” do. Yes, it’s a mind game at first, but as we grow in spending time with the Lord and learn to know him better and share our heart with him, this time will actually become as “delicious” to us as physical treats.

We talked about preparing our hearts this week. I enjoyed sitting in on one small group’s discussion and hearing all the comments regarding journaling. One person shared that she often begins writing to the Lord in a complaining tone but usually by the end, she has changed to an attitude of thanksgiving and praise. Interesting how many of the Psalms are this way, too!

Another shared how she has not been much of a journaler in the past but she’s been trying it by responding to a different Bible verse each day which is printed on each page of her journal.

Some said they’re beginning to enjoy this time with the Lord so much that they want to spend more and more with Him and find their time runs out.

Another shared how beginning to spend personal time with God is changing her life! She is hearing God speak to her and she is so thrilled!

All of these comments blessed my heart! Preparing our hearts is truly valuable! It helps us focus on God, lay aside the distractions and really commune with him.

One suggestion I really liked is adding music to one’s Quiet Time. I’ve found playing soft music in the background is soothing and focusing for me. I’ve even set up a keyboard in my office and dug up my songbooks and hymnbook to have ready when I want. Singing to God really connects me with him.

I would love you to leave your comment here sharing what it now means to you to Prepare Your Heart for Quiet Time!

nancy

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