Monday, January 09, 2023

Quiet-time musings

 


 Just taking a moment on this January Monday morning to muse for a few moments about quiet times.  I've been wondering what others are doing this year. 

Last week I had the opportunity to ask a few ladies at church about their plans for spiritual growth in the new year.  Several planned on reading through the Bible, using various reading plans.  Some had a goal to improve their prayer lives and planned on starting a prayer journal.  A couple had purchased Bible studies they would be working through to begin the year.  Of course we do realize that attempting any of this in our own strength or determination would be impossible.  We must have God's guidance and help in this, as in all things.  Without Him we can do nothing.

I am personally reading through The Daily Walk Bible this year.  I've read through this several times.  In 2021 I journaled my way through all of the readings and devotional thoughts.  Last year I didn't read through the Bible.  I read in Proverbs every month and read through the New Testament a couple of times, but for 2023 I decided to read through the Bible again.  

I've done this a few different ways in the past, using a chronological Bible a couple times (which I loved), a plan that has you in both Old and New Testaments plus Psalms and Proverbs, other types of reading plans, and then a one-year Bible like this one.  I actually own two one-year Bibles, but the Daily Walk one is my favorite.

I'm also working through a Bible study from The Daily Grace Co.  I've done several of their studies and enjoy them so much.  They are not only well-written, deep dives into Scripture, they are absolutely beautiful and a joy to work on each day.  Currently I am working through their study on Lamentations, Between Grief and Glory.  

 
I am seeking to maintain a rich and meaningful prayer life in 2023, and my prayer journal is a wonderful help with that.  You can read much more than you may want to know about my prayer journal by simply clicking the "prayer journal" label in the label cloud.

Coffee is an integral part of my quiet time, and I'd like to share a fun little tip that I've recently tried. 


 We love flavored coffee, but the flavored creamers are not very healthy and the flavored coffees are sometimes artificial tasting.  I had the idea -- I'm sure I read it somewhere -- of adding a flavored tea bag to the coffee grounds when brewing. We enjoy the gingerbread coffee at our local supermarket cafe very much, so I tried adding a gingerbread spice tea bag to my coffee as it brewed.  It was very good!  Sugar Cookie may be up next.

The photo at top has really nothing to do with my quiet time -- in fact, it's from 2016 -- but it has a lot to do with my view right now.  We had friends over for brunch on Monday, and another set of friends over for lunch yesterday, and I brought out this gorgeous table runner and place mats for the first time this season.  I managed to snip some greenery to fill the heirloom pitcher, as I love the way it looks with these table toppers.  It makes me smile every. single. time I look in the direction of our dining table.  For many reasons -- the love of family, and friends,  the kindness of God to allow me to cherish some family heirlooms and to give me time and (admittedly limited) skill to create the runner and mats -- and also seeing the beauty of God's creation in the form of evergreens that symbolize growth.

We have so many wonderful resources available to us in 2023, including some that I haven't mentioned, such as Bible reading apps and a variety of excellent podcasts.  What is your quiet time looking like this new year?

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:44 AM

    I use the YouVersion app for devotionals in Am and bedtime. Coffee in the morning…..a cinnamon stick can be used for flavor many times over. I do love Spurgeon and his morning and evening devos. My quiet time is not optional!

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  2. Agreeing with "Anonymous" in the previous comment, quiet time with the Lord is not optional! Thank you for the suggestions you've share with us today, both for private times with the Lord and flavored coffee!

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  3. I’m using the Right Now Media @ https://www.rightnowmedia.org - It has everything I need. I found it on my church website. I’m enjoying it.

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  4. Currently, it looks like a cup of coffee (I like your tea bag idea) beside a lighted tree. I'm in Genesis again. Then I watch four hours of Christian tv as I putter about doing my morning chores. I like your journaling, but my hand tires very quickly doing writing.

    The tree is coming down the end of this week, but Kim says hers is staying up until February. 🙂

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  5. I love your inspiring post, Mrs. T! Quiet time is definitely vastly important to so many of us! My day starts with getting my morning coffee & going to our porch room all by myself to sit alone with the Lord & watch the sunrise & just 'be still and know' that He is God. Praising Him. Then reading my Bible. THE best way to start the day! I need to tell my sons about your flavored coffee idea...they will enjoy that! Your table looks so pretty and so inviting! No doubt your guests appreciated your special touches!!

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  6. I would so enjoy sitting at your table with you and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. It would be lovely to sit and share God's Word together as well. I am trying to get back into spending more time with the Lord outside in my little swing out by the pond. I've been neglecting that time through the holidays and cold weather and also since we are so busy now with our son's store in the mornings. I do have devotions early in the morning each day with my hubby, but a quiet time with just me and the Lord alone is what I am needing now. My word for 2023 "Listen" is drawing me away to a peaceful place where I can hear God's voice again. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I appreciate them so much.

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  7. Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice has left a new comment on your post "Quiet-time musings":

    Love the first picture you shared of your beautiful kitchen early in the morning. I love my morning quiet time. I have a variety of devotionals that I work through, my favorite being Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest". I also do an online bible study with some other ladies, and that has been really refreshing. You are right, there are so many things available now. My favorite though - just the Word of God. I am reading through the book of Ruth now, and will continue reading one book at a time throughout the year. Several years ago I started reading the Bible through one book at a time, and found it was quite amazing how much more you gleaned when you read the whole book, as a book. I also like to do word studies, or research ideas for the ladies bible study I teach. There is so much to learn in His word! I love your heart for Him, so wonderful to share your home with others. Many blessings to you dear friend!

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