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The holidays have come and gone. The regular disciplines and routines of life where filled with other things because of the holiday season, and I find I am having a tough time getting back into the swing of things.
Am I the only one?
The first week of January, I spent time seeking the Lord for direction. During that, I felt like God was prompting me to reread a book for my quiet time that I read over 10 years ago when I launched my ministry Dare 2 Hear.
I actually groaned and grumble, not because the book isn’t good. In fact, it is fantastic, but I was arguing with the Lord, because that season 10 years ago, was hard for me. I launched my ministry after a success conference, however, there were some things that happened simultaneously that brought about a lot of hurt, pain, and loss of relationships. As I was working through that season, a time when I should have been busy promoting, working the ministry, etc. I felt like the Lord asked me to just “Sit at His feet.”
My response was “WHAT???!!!?!? Lord, I just launched into full time ministry, there are things I need, no, that I MUST do!”
God obviously didn’t understand what it takes to get a new ministry off the ground, <insert sarcasm> not to mention that if I went absent from email, newsletters, conferences, speaking etc, then people will look elsewhere to find what they need. Oh, and not to mention the fact, that I am a ‘get-er done gal’ … I’m wired to be a DO-er and doers have a hard time just Be-ing.
That season 10 years ago, was one of the most frustrating and yet rewarding seasons of my life. By the end of that year, I had never felt so close to the Lord. I received healing from wounds and hurts of ministry and my past. I was learning how to just “BE” His kid, and find my worth in just BE-ing who He created me to be, and not in what I could DO.
Yet for most of that year, I was frustrated. I would set aside hours a day to sit at His feet, read His word, pray, listen, only to come away discouraged. I kept waiting for Him to speak during those hours, days, and months, and all I heard was silence …
Crickets …
Tweet ThisYep, crickets, nothing – the silence was so deafening and defeating at times. Then suddenly He would speak. I would be so excited for the next day when the kids would finally go back to school, and I could sit at His Feet. However, I was often met with more silence. Ugh!
Ever been there? Please, oh please tell me I am not alone in my experience.
Silence is hard, I would rather fill the space with talking, noise, or busyness. But silence is sometimes needed. Often times, it’s in the silence, in the stillness that He is there
In obedience, I found the book on the shelf and dusted it off. I purposed to read it and try not to dwell on what happened before. I mean, His Scripture says, He is doing a new thing!
That’s what He wanted to do, right? A new thing? Not a repeat of the last time? As I began reading the book, let’s just say, I may have been obeying, but my attitude stunk.
I knew the book had great content of powerful truths, I mean I had read it before. Yet, how soon I forgot the richness found in its pages. I am also realizing how quickly the demands and responsibilities of life have gotten my focus off what is really important … my relationship with My Heavenly Father. I am only 6 days into my new devotional reading plan, but can I just say WOW!
What book am I reading you ask?
Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge
Even as I began reading Secret #1: “The Secret of Saying Yes!” God spoke to me.
As I read Secret #2: “The Secret of the Shut Door.” He spoke to me.
Each day, as I read, I can honestly say, I have been encouraged and ministered to. My Heavenly Father is challenging me and revealing truths that I know, but may have forgotten to implement.
Tuesday on my Video Blog(Vlog), I shared a picture and a word of encouragement that the Lord spoke to me on Sunday, about a tornado and being in the eye of the storm.
Later Sunday, as I read Secret #2 in Bob’s book, he said this in regards to Matthew 7:24-27:
“Jesus’ message is unmistakable. He is saying, “If you hear and do what I have taught you in these Sermon on the Mount you will build foundations into your life that will survive the harshest storms of life.” And believe me, friend, storms, will most certainly come! There are some storms that have yet to hit your life, the questions is, will you have the foundation in place to survive the storms?” (page 9)
I peeked ahead to tomorrows secret (#7) since the title intrigued me and the verse was one I was planning on using for today’s post.
This one paragraph immediately caught my eye:
“The secret place is like the eye of the eye of a storm. While all is storming about is, we find an inner sanctuary of rest and peace. There’s something of a paradox here because we are experience both storm and peace simultaneously. When we retreat to the secret place, the storm doesn’t stop. In fact, sometimes it seems that when we run into the Lord for help the storm escalated in intensity!” (page 27)
If you don’t already have this book, I suggest it is a MUST read. You will be challenged, inspired and empowered by the words you read.
In fact, I LOVE this book so much, I am personally giving away a FREE Copy.
Please use the Rafflecopter below and enter for your chance to win a copy.
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My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Sunday’s
Monday’s
What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings
Tuesday’s
Wednesday’s
Thursday’s
Friday’s:
Saturday’s:
This sounds like an interesting book. Right now we are going through a consecration at our church until the end of the month. Hope you have a lovely week. I tweeted for you.
Thank you so much Laura for tweeting and commenting. I love how churches set aside times to do things in unity. This book is definitely a good one.
How have I missed this book through the years? Thanks for sharing about it. I just got a sample sent to my Kindle!
Lisa, I am glad you got a sample, you will have to let me know what you think… I think I miss a lot of great books through the years, but when the time or season is right, they seem to find their way into my life. Blessings.
I have heard a lot of good things about Bob Sorge and that book reminds me of Psalm 91. It was one of the first full Psalms I ever learned to memorize. I love the title and the connotation of hiding ourselves right in the secret hidden place of God. I read Psalm 27:4 today… One thing I ask from the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.
🙂 Great reminder to seek Him in all things and hide them deeply in our hearts.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn — I love that the first Psalm you memorized was Psalms 91 – such a promised filled Psalm. Bob’s book is great, and I am enjoying reading it again… I need the reminders and nuggets of gold found in the pages of his book right now. I love Psalm 27:4 – It is the desire of my heart and I pray it often. I am so glad you stopped by for a visit. thank you so much.
Hi Debbie, I’m your linkup neighbor from #dancewithjesus. This book looks like a good read. I write early in the morning, but as much as I want to jump on the computer, I always sit at Jesus’ feet with my Bible first. Yes, it can be hard but it’s always worth it. I know where you’re coming from! If I happen to win the drawing, I’ll review the book and give it away to one of my readers. Just contact me at sarah@sarahgeringer.com okay? Blessings to you!
Sarah … It is amazing what we can accomplish in our day when we take time to sit at His feet first. I have been diligent about doing my devotional time first thing before turning on the computer or starting my work day and I feel more at peace and inspired than when I forget or go running out the door. It is definitely a discipline, especially since I am not a morning person. So glad you are my neighbor at Susan’s
Sounds very encouraging… Always looking for new ways to build a foundation and draw closer to God.
Shelly, it most definitely is encouraging, challenging, and bring me great new revelations. Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
I like the idea of a secret place where we have refuge from the storm with God. That is a great idea. The book looks great! Thanks for visiting!
you are so welcome for the visit and yes Sherry, it is a great book. Scripture talks often of getting along with God in the shelter from the storm, where there is peace and quiet even though the storm still rages on, we can be tucked into the secret place… Thanks for visiting back
So enjoyed your story and life application it had for me. Thank you for your transparency. It was good to see how others feel in ministry at times as well.
Gretchen, I am so glad you enjoyed my story and were able to gain something out of it for yourself! You are most welcome and thank you for visiting
Retreating into the presence of the Lord sounds like a safe place to be! This looks like a great book and I appreciated your application.
Valerie – I believe retreating into the very presence of the Lord is always the safest place to be. So glad you could stop by for a visit.
This sounds like a really powerful book! And powerful lesson… I’ve been struggling lately with not accomplishing my to-dos and feeling the frustration and insecurity of that… going to try to be still with God in those moments instead. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your reflections at #FridayFrivolity!
Sarah – It is most definitely a powerful book filled with a lot of powerful lessons. I am sorry you have been struggling with not accomplishing everything you set out to do… I know the feeling, and can relate… YES, being still with God in those moments, while doesn’t help the to-dos get done, does help to focus us and our attention on the important things. Thank you for stopping by tonight and commenting, and sharing your heart and current struggles, I really appreciate it. Praying that the insecurity and frustrations will be set aside in the still moments with God, never to return…. blessings
Sounds like an encouraging book! I feel like so many doors have been shut in my life, so I’m sure I could use this book. 🙂 Entering the giveaway now! Thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays.
Brandi, it is an encouraging book. Thanks for entering the giveaway. I know just how frustrating it can be when doors shut and we are left wondering what we are supposed to do next. I pray that very soon you come into a season of doors opening… or at least one, one open door is all it takes.
Wow! This post really touches me. Throughout my life things have happened to slow me down, hurt foot, broken ankle, my stroke…and when I look back it seems as if God was calling out to me. He wanted me to slow down, listen and learn. To sit at His feet. I was so busy doing, going, acting that I didn’t take the time to listen. When I did, and when I do, it is astounding that I don’t make time for it more often. That’s why I’d like this book, to remind me and teach me. Thanks for the story and thanks for sharing this book. <3