Study to be quiet. ~1 Thessalonians 4:11We cannot go through life strong and fresh on constant express trains with ten minutes for lunch: we must have quiet hours, secret places of the Most High, times of waiting upon the Lord, when we renew our strength and learn to mount up on wings as eagles, and then come back to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint.
The best thing about this stillness is, that it gives God a chance to work. "He that is entered into His rest hath ceased from his own works, even as God did from His"; and when we cease from our thoughts, God's thoughts come into us; when we get still from our restless activity, "God worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure." ~A.B. Simpson
Wonderful words to start the day, Laura! Thank you for sharing! Would you believe the squiggly word in the "word verification" box is TESTINGS?? Wow....
ReplyDeleteThis was a great help, Laura. I've been rushing around, always in a hurry, and not spending time with my Father. I needed this.
ReplyDelete~Britt
Who would have thought that it would take study to learn to be quiet? But it's true -- you can't hear that still small voice unless you are...well...still. Thanks for the great reminder.
ReplyDeleteI really like that. What a great way to start my day, thanks for sharing Laura! Hope you have a great day, I will be thinking and praying for you. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you, Laura. I needed this today. I'll have to ponder this further. It just has to be so deliberate, more these days than ever. I guess this is the blessing of finding out I have high cholesterol. We bought an exercise bike and when Chris gets home I go down there for my late-afternoon quiet time.
ReplyDeleteFriday I'm headed to a book tea held by one of the ladies in our church. And we are discussing Hinds Feet.
OK, I'm going to share this because it is sticking in my mind. Here is a beautiful quiet time song, Still by Watermark:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRhblSLKRJE
Hope the link works.
You were so right, Laura. The next four days is going to be all about retreat and stillness for me and B, even though it's a road trip. A really really laid back one, and maybe a bit of research too. :)
ReplyDeleteMay you find your hours of stillness this weekend, and may they be filled with floods of inspiration.
Oh, thank you for posting this, Laura. I think we sometimes need a reminder that we need the quiet times.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura, for this absolutely beautiful post! Such inspiring and powerful truths- every line brought to mind a scripture! I can't tell you how much it blessed me and how much I needed it!!
ReplyDeleteMay God abundantly bless you, dear friend :)
Amanda Stanely
Regina,
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't like the "T" word! Praying things are smooth sailing for you this month, my friend:) My aunt in Atlanta just wrote after looking up this quote and told me something about AB Simpson I didn't know ~ that he was pastor of a church in Louisville, KY for 4 years in the 1880's. That sure made me smile!
Britt,
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you. Your words always touch my heart. I've been rushing around too and in need of time spent with my Father. So well said. Thinking of you!
I've always loved the word "study" as it's so archaic, Kav. And it does make you realize stillness is often work on our part. I guess busyness comes too easily for many of us. Praying you have some time in your garden and with your books and your writing ~ and beloved canine ~ today:)
ReplyDeleteCasey,
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your prayers and thoughts. It's a privilege to pray for you, too! Glad you're home safe and sound:) Cyberspace isn't the same without you!
Julia,
ReplyDeleteOh your Watermark link is beautiful! And fits so well with this post. Thanks for sharing that here. I haven't heard that particular song before ~ her voice and the lyrics are wonderful.
You're on the right track with your high chol. I have that, too:) Quite high, actually, and discovered when I was nursing. I keep it in check by walking and eating oatmeal and garlic:) Just not together! You'll be amazed at what a little exercise can do. The bike sounds great!
And you said the magic word ~ we have to be deliberate at being still. I hope you enjoy that tea as I love things like that - and Hannah's book is one of my favorites. She was a woman who knew the value of stillness:)
Lori,
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you about your road trip. Historical sites are the best! I sense a great blog post coming...
Prayers with you all the way! And may the inspiration return to you in droves:)
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome. It's such an encouragement to me to know it means something to you and other readers here, too:) A mutual ministry of encouragement.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI know you love those great heroes of the faith like I do. AB Simpson is way up there. God is so good to let us learn from them by keeping their quotes alive. And this particular one does bring so much Scripture to mind! Won't it be wonderful to meet these people in heaven?! Bless you today.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling you would like that song. I love Christy Nockel's voice and the fact that her songs are so worshipful about lifting God up.
Did the garlic work for you? I think I've heard some about it. Do you take the daily supplements? I think I could bathe all my food in garlic but Chris might start avoiding me like the plague :)
Yes, garlic supplements/tabs are much friendlier:) I prefer raw garlic though but just make sure Randy eats it right along with my. The littles, too! I think one thing that has really helped besides exercising is diet. I have never met a granola bar I liked till they invented Kashi bars, particularly the Honey Almond ones. They have lots of oats in them which reduces your bad chol. and ups the good. Every morning about 6am I have one with a cup of decaf. It's surprisingly delightful though I'll always long for eggs, country ham, and biscuits:)
ReplyDeleteNever tried the Kashi bars. I'll have to give them a try. I think for me its more the carbs than anything else.
ReplyDeleteJulia, Hopefully you'll like the Kashi bars. We really do have a lot in common, besides good books and high chol. Now I can add carbs to the list:)
ReplyDelete