So, Why Read the Bible?

Spiritual Reading: Getting More Out of Scripture

Have you ever asked yourself, WHY do I read the Bible?

• Do I read out of duty: "All good Christians should read God's Word?"
• Do I read out of desire: I want to grow closer to Jesus?
• Do I read for information: I want knowledge?
• Do I read for transformation: I want to know how to live in a way that pleases God?

Actually, these are all good reasons--because they get you to pay attention to what God says, and hopefully, lead you to some sort of positive action.

Here's another question: What impact has the Bible had on your life? Can you think of a specific situation?

You know how I would answer that? Reading Scripture taught me to:

• Zip my lips and learn to speak wisely (I'm still working on this). Proverbs and James helped.
• Think differently about people and situations. Check out Romans 12:1-2; Phil.4:8-9; Heb.12:1-2
• Realize that God is awesome, real, all-knowing, personal, and near. Read Psalms and Isaiah for input.
• Forgive and deal with resentments, to love sincerely, and if I can't, to ask God for help!
• Risk and try new ways to serve Him--to step out in faith even if my knees are shaking.

There are many more things I could add, but I challenge you to think about your own life:

• How has Scripture spoken to you?
• What has the Holy Spirit shown you, and how have you responded?

I'll write some more on reading God's Word in my next blog--especially about our attitude to it. Keep reading and opening yourself up to what God is saying to you personally.

Blessings,

Blogger: Poppy Smith - Speaker and Author - Manage Posts

Find A Spiritual Friend!

Have you ever wished you could sit down and talk with a mature Christian who would listen and pray for you? Are you willing to share what is on your mind and heart, knowing everything will be kept in confidence? If so, begin praying for God's encourager to come into your life.

As a professional spiritual director/supportive friend and companion, it's a privilege to listen to women's struggles with relationships, self-image issues, and confusion about God's expectations, among other things . Helping women in their spiritual journey through sharing Scripture, pointing to Christ's presence, and giving hope, transforms these times into holy moments.

What qualities should you be watching for in someone you might approach?

A woman who not only loves the Lord but is actively seeking to grow herself

A woman who has faith and confidence that God is alive and wants to lead and bless you

A woman who keeps confidences and is supportive, as well as straight-forward when needed!
How do you find this person?

Look at women in your church--observe their involvement and attitudes. Would their personality and yours mesh?

Ask your women's pastor or leader for a mentor--being specific about what you are looking for.

Ask women leaders you know if they could suggest someone for you to contact.
Be understanding if some women cannot add one more commitment to their lives at this time--don't take it personally! This process can take time, but persevere in praying for discernment and direction.
Any questions, suggestions, or stories that would help others? Feel free to post a comment.

Blessings.

Take Care of Your Emotions and Mind

Last night I went to the gym and worked out. After a day at the computer my body ached for some stretching and exercise. In the morning, I dug into some Scripture. In both cases I was TAKING CARE OF MYSELF.

In addition to taking care of our spiritual and physical needs, valuing God's gift of life means taking care of our emotions and intellect. Here's some suggestions for doing this:

EMOTIONAL HEALTH:

Analyze just how much you can cope with and learn to say 'NO' before you stress out.

Decide: I will make it a matter of prayer before agreeing to another commitment. Offer to do part of a job if you really want to be involved.

Think through your priorities and let them guide you when deciding what to do.

If you're struggling with tears, depression, fears, or wanting to withdraw, recognize you need help. If you're not ashamed to visit a doctor or dentist, why feel you can fix emotional pain or damage without any help? It doesn't make sense and robs you of the joy and support God wants for you.

INTELLECTUAL HEALTH

God gave us minds to think and learn. Honoring His gift of life includes continuing to stretch our intellect by feeding it on more than television sit-coms! What book are you currently reading that is helping you grow spiritually or personally? When did you last take time to read something helpful?

Read in snatches if you don't have much time. Carry a book with you wherever you go and dig in as you wait (but not at red traffic lights!).

When did you last take a class? Check with your church, local community college, library, or newspaper--and the web, of course. Is there a skill you'd like to develop? Start researching and move forward one step at a time.

Never think you're too old to keep learning--as I said in my best-seller: I'm Too Young to be This Old, don't climb into your coffin until it's your time! In the meantime, keep stretching, informing, and using those grey-cells that God blessed you with.

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If you would like some over the phone or email spiritual support or coaching, contact me at: poppy@poppysmith.com To check out my motivational book for women, plus other resources, visit: www.poppysmith.com

Caring for Yourself Spiritually and Personally

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

In addition to my normal business card that simply describes me as Speaker/Author, I've added another one. This card says:

Poppy Smith Ministries: Spiritual Direction/Support/Coaching.

As Christians, we sometimes want to separate our "spiritual" side from the rest of who we are. The truth is, God has made us body, soul, and spirit. All parts of who we are come under His concern and care. All parts of us are to be valued and attended to because we belong wholly to Hm.

Sometimes we need help to break this down into practical steps that work for us, which is where coaching comes in. Sometimes we need focused spiritual support to help us hear what God is saying about our life priorities.

In my Sunday class on Spiritual Disciplines this past week, I taught on creating a Personal Covenant of Care. The covenant is between you and God. Being a not-so-discplined woman I like to soften the covenant part to:

"I will, to the best of my (limited) ability, seek to intentionally care for

what God has given me spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. "

Let me share some thoughts on Spiritual and Physical health that I've written in my own Personal Covenant of Care. I'll add some ideas on taking care of ourselves Emotionally and Intellectually next time. I hope these examples help you to develop your own Covenant of Care so you grow both spiritually and personally.

Spiritual Health:

• I will choose and commit to specific practices, i.e. I will set the alarm for ....... to spend time with God reading His Word, listening and responding in prayer or other practices.
• I will meet with a spiritually mature friend once a month, inviting her to listen and speak into my life so God can work more deeply in me.
• I will give ..... hours a week serving others, reflecting Christ's heart who came to serve.

Physical Health:

• I will take care of my body by getting at least 7-8 hours sleep a night.
• I will work to attain or maintain my best weight for my height and age.
• I will either go to the gym or walk four times a week for 45 minutes.

As you can see, a Covenant of Care requires you to be specific and takes into account your individual circumstances.

Don't let this produce feelings of condemnation--that's not from the Lord our Encourager. Instead, ask Him what three things you could do to take care of yourself spiritually and physically. I'd love to hear what you currently do, or plan to put into practice.

Blessings,

Henri Nouwen: Solitude and Silence

It's so easy to try and multi-task--I want to write this blog but I also want to listen to a debate on health care at the same time! So, click! Off goes the television. Now I can do what I'm encouraging you to do--create silent space in order to pay attention to God.

Here's a question for you:

Do you find it hard to function when all the noise around you is silenced?

Because we live in a cultue of incessant noise: radio, TV, Ipods, MP3 players, CD's, movies and background music in shopping malls, the thought of silence can be very difficult for some people.

Henri Nouwen, a follower of Christ and author of many helpful books on growing close to God has written extensively on solitude and silence. Here's a quote from him to mull over:

"Solitude creates space for God, but it also removes our protective distractions, forcing us to deal with our inner chaos."

Of course, in talking about solitude, he is referring to more than being by yourself working at your computer or tackling another task. The solitude he refers to is where we are not just alone with the noise switched off, but where we deliberately take time to look at our lives and pay attention to God's voice.

Why carve out times to be silent and alone with God?

• To hear God's voice without distractions (1 Kings 19:11-13)
• To focus on God and worship Him (Habb. 2:20)
• To express our faith by resting in His presence (Ps.62:1-2, 5-6)
• To regain a spiritual perspective of our lkives
• To seek God's will
• To learn to control our tongue!

When was the last time you enjoyed a time of silence and solitude with God? When could you you fit one in?

Slow Down!

Why slow down? Because living with too much on your plate has a negative effect on your life:

Physically: studies show that running on adrenaline (which is the chemical that powers your ability to keep going) is harmful to your health when you give yourself no down time.

Emotionally: constant demands produce irritability, frustration, burn-out and depression.

Relationally: when you already have a full plate, one more request or need that comes your way is likely the straw that breaks the camel's back! It all becomes too much--and those you love or work with easily become the victims of your overload!

Spiritually: without time to get quiet, connect with God, and receive His perspective on your day, you can easily feel spiritually dry, discouraged, and overwhelmed. When this happens, we are sitting targets for the evil one to attack.

James 4:7 gives three practical steps when we realize there is too much on our plates:

1. Be subject to God.

• Ask yourself, is my chosen schedule subject to God's direction? What would He say?

2. Resist the devil.

• Learn to recognize and resist his attempts to demoralize you--he works through your thoughts and inner accusations. Ask God what you need to cut out, cut back on, or add to your life so He is at the center--not your schedule.

3. Come close to God.

• Make time to read the Word, meditate and listen to what God is saying to you. When you do this, He promises to come close. What will He do? Instead of leaving you in your discouragement or weariness, He will give you perspective, wisdom, and ideas for how to get some of that "stuff" off your plate! I know, it happens to me all the time!

Blessings on your path to slowing down!

Trace Your Spiritual Time Line

Here's a great tool to help you get an overview of your relationship with God.

Draw a straight line. At the beginning point, mark the year you became a follower of Jesus Christ. If this wasn't a definite time you can recall, when did you first become aware of believing in Him as Savior and starting to serve Him?

At the end of the line, write today's date.

Now draw an intersecting line going up or down, showing when you felt closest to God (up), and when you seemed most distant (down).

Write in the approximate dates of both the highs and lows. Now pray about those events and ask God to help you understand and record:

1. What was happening at these times.

2.How you were feeling?

3. What were your thoughts about God?

4. What did you learn about your faith

5. How did the good, and the difficult times, affect your relationship with God?

I hope this reflection exercise is encouraging as you see how God has been with you through tough situations (When you go through the the waters, rivers, fire I will be with you... Isaiah 43:1-5).

I also hope it will lead you to be thankful and rejoice as you see His blessings surrounding you (You are a chosen people... belonging to God, that you may declare the priases of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light... 1 Peter 2:9).

Grow Closer!