DISTRACTION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES - Join the Conversation!
Friends,
Welcome to THE GATHERING, the community forum for you, the Friends of the Further Up newsletter. Think of it like our own private cafe or pub where we can connect and chat with each other about important topics that relate to our spiritual journeys.
The response to Tuesday’s post was incredible. I’ve read so many great emails about reliance on God, dealing wit distractions, and controlling our desires. Your email replies inspired me!
Now I’d love for you to share your thoughts and ideas on the subject with our community here at Further Up. I really feel like so many of you have so much to offer us and I’m eager to learn and grow from and with you! Please share! :)
So, this is what’s called a “Thread.” It’s a place where I can pose questions to our little community of readers (friends of Further Up) and everyone can join in the conversation, sharing their experience and wisdom.
I will also be part of the discussion unless no one shows up, because it’s no fun to sit around a bonfire by yourself—unless you have your ukelele with you, I guess. :)
If you need a refresher on the post or haven’t read it yet, you can READ IT HERE.
So, let’s give this a try, shall we?
This Evening’s Discussion Question:
How do everyday luxuries insulate and distract you from a deeper walk with God? And what practices do you use to keep your desires in line with God’s, keep distractions at bay and stay dialed into Christ?
You can also feel free to share how you did on “the quiz” from the last post and any reflections you might have on the questions.
Please keep others in mind in your comments and responses, always seeking the “upbuilding” of others.
P.S. Have a question you want to pose to the community? Submit it to me via email.
Your recent post struck a chord with me but I arrived where you are writing about involuntarily. I have struggled with chronic pain for years but it suddenly ramped up around 2013. I was faced with having to give up more & more activities which was a struggle until I realized this is a spiritual issue. God is using my pain & limitations to make me more like Jesus- IF-I am a willing participant in the process.
The moment I changed my perspective & learned to give thanks in & for all that God brought my way the sweeter my life became.
Practices:
Daily devotions first thing
Keeping a gratitude journal
Reading, reading, reading
Being content with the life God has given & not wasting time wanting something other.
Remember- remember what God has done in the past- reading old journals, telling stories to friends & family, writing down what He does- big & small.
I love so much about this post, Kathy. Keeping a journal is such a great practice. I keep many journals, but last year was the first year I actually wrote out prayers; filling the whole journal with them. My wife and I talk about the importance of contentment in our lives--it's such a huge thing to learn. It's also something we're constantly trying to help our daughters understand better. I also love what you said about being a willing participant in the process. Thanks for these great thoughts!
When I read Tim's last post, I was compelled to share with him how I learned that asking the Lord to minimize "me" in my life led to magnifying Him... excruciating and glorious TRUTH.
This is my story (or the most recent chapter), which is less than a sentence in His story, because it's really not about me anyway...
My "word" for 2018 was "prune." My friends laughed about how cute that would be embroidered on a throw pillow... while I sincerely asked my Father for help in shedding the excess... tangible, and intangible, pruning whatever kept me from being fruitful and flourishing.
...and then my home, where my babies grew up, and where we lived and laughed and cried and comforted and sang and played and housed our treasures, burned to the ground. Pruned.
...and two months later my husband of 23 years left me for a younger woman. Pruned.
...and two months later, that same blue-eyed boy, who captured my tender heart at nineteen, divorced me. Pruned.
...and a month later my middle son, the curly-headed one with all the fierce fire for the Lord, came home from the mission field and renounced his faith. PRUNED... all but DESTROYED.
Pruned. To the roots.
I agreed for a season with Job. It would have been better had I never been born.
BUT GOD...
It has taken forty-five years of abundant LIVING, but in the last two He has taught me complete and utter reliance on HIM alone, when I could not reconcile all of the other things and people with what I had believed of them.
We aren't strong enough. I am not. I prayed dangerous prayers for my faith, my family, my utterly precious babies... and it HURT. I wasn't strong enough. BUT GOD was... and is, and always will be. He made me strong enough.
In Tim's post the question was posed, could/should we be footloose wanderers... and the response given: "A man or woman may do so if he or she possesses the needed strength." Well, maybe we don't possess the needed strength... BUT WE CAN. I can. I do... because the Lord is my strength and my SONG.
P.S. I'm not picking a word of the year anymore. lol
Tim, great questions. And yes, the luxuries of life do insulate & distract. And the games that I mind's try to deceive us into thinking and believing.
And that's why disciplines are so important for me. I start with a couple of wonderful prayer/adoration-style apps (Pete Greig's Lectio365 is a beauty). I'm intentional on getting still and silent to listen to God. We need this, otherwise, it's all about us. And I consciously ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me each day. I often do this repeatedly during a day.
My day starts in dialogue with God and I try to maintain that as much a possible during the day, always asking God questions on what's going on and around me.
I also intentionally seek to encourage someone ... everyone needs a Barnabas in their life.
And connecting with people on a deeper level helps too. Simply asking questions and going deeper to hear others hearts.
The item I struggle most related to this is my inability to create down time in my day to spend with God. I just get rolling on work and family stuff and by the end of the day when my brain and body slows down it feels like I haven't talked to God in awhile. Like me and an old friend need to catch up. Days where I am more intentional about this are always better days, just need to build it more consistently into my life. Definitely open to tactical ideas others have for creating margin for God in my day. Thanks for this Tim!
Thanks for these thoughts, Tony. I totally get the "rolling on work" thing. Anyone got any tactical ideas here? I know for me, the work demands and the desire to be more intentional as you say, forced me to become a morning person. So, now I'm rising earlier than I ever have in my life to get in the word and pray. That's been the biggest change for me probably in the last 8 years or so.
I echo Tim’s “morning person” comment. I would build onto that and say, if you simply cannot be a morning person, share your lunch hour with God. I enjoy listening to sermons as I eat and when I am done eating I read the Bible and pray as needed. It rejuvenates me.
This new thing called "found time"? People say this is why podcasts and audiobooks are the top ways people consume content because people have begun using time on commutes and dropping the kids off to school/soccer/etc., to consume inspiring content. Found time for me, I think, is similar to you, Peter. Share my lunch walk with God in prayer. Or an evening walk after the kids go down. I'm out of the house, focused and can let the silence the Spirit do their work.
For me, mornings work best because my babies are basically grown or gone, so mornings are easier in this specific season of my life... but, also, it's intentionally filling those margins you mention all day long with Him... like we did/do when we are in love and ALL THE THINGS remind us of "the one." Examples: The Bible app during a break (soooo many Bible app reading and/or audio plans that can be accomplished in the odd moments of the day), praying while driving, mentally listing blessings while standing in all the lines of life, and then sending up grateful prayer, choosing music that creates a soundtrack of worship for the day...
And then, if we are seeking or trying a more minimalist lifestyle, carving away some of the busy, or excess/non-mandatory stuff of life to give the Spirit more space.
Leslie, this is so great. I love how you use the margins to carve out space. "Lines of life" ha, yes! Sometimes, I find myself praying for the people in the line in front of me, praying blessings upon them, etc. I'd love to hear more about your minimalist lifestyle as well. When we moved to England years ago, we lived on so little and our family was the happiest. And yes, your "running" on the dirt or pavement is my mountain biking. One of my favourite things.
I'm not as minimalist as I'd like to someday be... completely footloose.... However, my motto is "own less, live more." If I have to worry about needing someone to "take care of it" in my absence (I enjoy roaming), then I have traded freedom for that possession/responsibility. I just don't want to give mental space to possessions. That being said, after the fire we had virtually nothing... but, I have been inordinately blessed with amazing friends who filled the much smaller home I purchased with all of the necessities, and many of the first world luxuries, of life. I have an adorable teenager at home with all of his acoutrements as well... so we do have "stuff." And I praise the Lord for it all. I SEE His loving provision in it ALL! But, we have the least that we can do life with right now. Because, I simply don't want to "need" storage. If we don't actually use an item, or sincerely treasure it, it doesn't live with us. This makes it easier to enjoy our spaces, to create simple and cozy beauty, to clean and upkeep, and to share our time and resources with others. That's all referring to the tangible...
Intangibly, I have purged "noise" from our lives... We don't have cable, or video streaming, or wifi. We have unlimited data on our phones, but because we live in a "little house in the big woods," our internet access is dismal, which is a blessing. So... I can sit on the aquamarine metal glider on the back deck and watch for deer, or read yummy words, while listening to the wind sigh. My summertime back-deck firefly show is MAGNIFICENT; God just twinkles all over the place... and I don't want to miss it with my face on a glowing screen instead.
My precious Memaw went Home this past spring. She was ninety-one years old and spent her last year waiting in a nursing home, with all of her worldly possessions reduced to two drawers and a couple of changes of clothes.... No matter how long we breathe on this earth, it's BRIEF. I'm not planning to waste any more time gathering things which will so soon be scattered. I plan instead to LIVE, and run Home with outstretched, empty hands, having given it ALL. I'll "finish on empty. "
Every part of the day is a distraction for me. I tell you what, the drivers in Dallas make me so angry sometimes, words come out of my mouth that would make my momma tell me to eat a bar of soap. The stresses of work make me want to throat punch some people & all 4 of my kiddos drive me so cra cra that I scream at them & send them to their rooms so I can have piece & quiet.
What I have to remember is all of these distractions are allowed into my life by God. There is a reason & purpose for them. So when they happen, I pray for those types of people.
Lord I know I ain’t the only one wanting to yell at that driver but be with him. Ride in the passenger seat of his truck speaking light & love directly you him. Send someone to him today that can settle down his anxieties & angers. I know these things because I used to drive just like him. Help him like You helped me & pour our a double blessing of love for every ounce of anger this man has to all of those he comes in contact with.
Father God, calm all my anxieties today even before I step one foot into work. For every problem that arises download the solution into my soul so that when it’s brought up I will have an answer. Overflow my cup today so that my peace & calmness creates an environment that others follow suit.
Ok Dad, these kids that You have given me are Yours. And since the only thing You know is good then they will be good. If any hatred or rebellion has taken root in their hearts cut it out so that You Lord can fill in their holes with love & respect. For every one root that’s cut out plant a double blessing inside them. Help me Dad to be more like You when fists of rage are ready to sprout out. Send Your Spirit to me Dad so that all I feel is the blessings of love & peace no matter what chaos is doing around me. Calm my storms so I can be the light that calms other people storms.
I love learning new things, but sometimes my best sword, is the Ol’ trusty one. When I pull it out, I find Him. I have to remember God is my Dad, He desires conversations with me more than any works I think I need to accomplish.
If you're receiving the emails currently then you are already subscribed. :) At the end of the month, this little forum (thread feature) will be only for paid subscribers. A bunch of people have been asking, so I'll set up an early bird special when I send out The Saturday Stoke this weekend. Sound good? :)
Ok, everyone. This is how this works. It's just like writing a comment on a blog or article or even an Amazon review. Share your thoughts to the question, and also respond and engage with others. Ok, ready, go. :)
I once heard that your day is like a jar, starts empty but is filled with various size rocks and sand. If you don’t prioritize the important things first (rocks) then you fill up your jar with small stuff (sand), with no room for the import large rocks. But if you fill it up with rocks first then there is still room for sand, which fills in the empty space between the rocks. So, prioritize God first or at least early in the day and don’t let the small stuff consume you. It also helps if you ask God for help...He wants to help. God bless.
Your recent post struck a chord with me but I arrived where you are writing about involuntarily. I have struggled with chronic pain for years but it suddenly ramped up around 2013. I was faced with having to give up more & more activities which was a struggle until I realized this is a spiritual issue. God is using my pain & limitations to make me more like Jesus- IF-I am a willing participant in the process.
The moment I changed my perspective & learned to give thanks in & for all that God brought my way the sweeter my life became.
Practices:
Daily devotions first thing
Keeping a gratitude journal
Reading, reading, reading
Being content with the life God has given & not wasting time wanting something other.
Remember- remember what God has done in the past- reading old journals, telling stories to friends & family, writing down what He does- big & small.
I love so much about this post, Kathy. Keeping a journal is such a great practice. I keep many journals, but last year was the first year I actually wrote out prayers; filling the whole journal with them. My wife and I talk about the importance of contentment in our lives--it's such a huge thing to learn. It's also something we're constantly trying to help our daughters understand better. I also love what you said about being a willing participant in the process. Thanks for these great thoughts!
When I read Tim's last post, I was compelled to share with him how I learned that asking the Lord to minimize "me" in my life led to magnifying Him... excruciating and glorious TRUTH.
This is my story (or the most recent chapter), which is less than a sentence in His story, because it's really not about me anyway...
My "word" for 2018 was "prune." My friends laughed about how cute that would be embroidered on a throw pillow... while I sincerely asked my Father for help in shedding the excess... tangible, and intangible, pruning whatever kept me from being fruitful and flourishing.
...and then my home, where my babies grew up, and where we lived and laughed and cried and comforted and sang and played and housed our treasures, burned to the ground. Pruned.
...and two months later my husband of 23 years left me for a younger woman. Pruned.
...and two months later, that same blue-eyed boy, who captured my tender heart at nineteen, divorced me. Pruned.
...and a month later my middle son, the curly-headed one with all the fierce fire for the Lord, came home from the mission field and renounced his faith. PRUNED... all but DESTROYED.
Pruned. To the roots.
I agreed for a season with Job. It would have been better had I never been born.
BUT GOD...
It has taken forty-five years of abundant LIVING, but in the last two He has taught me complete and utter reliance on HIM alone, when I could not reconcile all of the other things and people with what I had believed of them.
We aren't strong enough. I am not. I prayed dangerous prayers for my faith, my family, my utterly precious babies... and it HURT. I wasn't strong enough. BUT GOD was... and is, and always will be. He made me strong enough.
In Tim's post the question was posed, could/should we be footloose wanderers... and the response given: "A man or woman may do so if he or she possesses the needed strength." Well, maybe we don't possess the needed strength... BUT WE CAN. I can. I do... because the Lord is my strength and my SONG.
P.S. I'm not picking a word of the year anymore. lol
Tim, great questions. And yes, the luxuries of life do insulate & distract. And the games that I mind's try to deceive us into thinking and believing.
And that's why disciplines are so important for me. I start with a couple of wonderful prayer/adoration-style apps (Pete Greig's Lectio365 is a beauty). I'm intentional on getting still and silent to listen to God. We need this, otherwise, it's all about us. And I consciously ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me each day. I often do this repeatedly during a day.
My day starts in dialogue with God and I try to maintain that as much a possible during the day, always asking God questions on what's going on and around me.
I also intentionally seek to encourage someone ... everyone needs a Barnabas in their life.
And connecting with people on a deeper level helps too. Simply asking questions and going deeper to hear others hearts.
Love what you're doing, Tim.
The item I struggle most related to this is my inability to create down time in my day to spend with God. I just get rolling on work and family stuff and by the end of the day when my brain and body slows down it feels like I haven't talked to God in awhile. Like me and an old friend need to catch up. Days where I am more intentional about this are always better days, just need to build it more consistently into my life. Definitely open to tactical ideas others have for creating margin for God in my day. Thanks for this Tim!
Thanks for these thoughts, Tony. I totally get the "rolling on work" thing. Anyone got any tactical ideas here? I know for me, the work demands and the desire to be more intentional as you say, forced me to become a morning person. So, now I'm rising earlier than I ever have in my life to get in the word and pray. That's been the biggest change for me probably in the last 8 years or so.
I echo Tim’s “morning person” comment. I would build onto that and say, if you simply cannot be a morning person, share your lunch hour with God. I enjoy listening to sermons as I eat and when I am done eating I read the Bible and pray as needed. It rejuvenates me.
This new thing called "found time"? People say this is why podcasts and audiobooks are the top ways people consume content because people have begun using time on commutes and dropping the kids off to school/soccer/etc., to consume inspiring content. Found time for me, I think, is similar to you, Peter. Share my lunch walk with God in prayer. Or an evening walk after the kids go down. I'm out of the house, focused and can let the silence the Spirit do their work.
Tactical ideas? Let me think...
For me, mornings work best because my babies are basically grown or gone, so mornings are easier in this specific season of my life... but, also, it's intentionally filling those margins you mention all day long with Him... like we did/do when we are in love and ALL THE THINGS remind us of "the one." Examples: The Bible app during a break (soooo many Bible app reading and/or audio plans that can be accomplished in the odd moments of the day), praying while driving, mentally listing blessings while standing in all the lines of life, and then sending up grateful prayer, choosing music that creates a soundtrack of worship for the day...
And then, if we are seeking or trying a more minimalist lifestyle, carving away some of the busy, or excess/non-mandatory stuff of life to give the Spirit more space.
And, I adore (and abhor) running... so miles on pavement/dirt = valuable God time for me.
Leslie, this is so great. I love how you use the margins to carve out space. "Lines of life" ha, yes! Sometimes, I find myself praying for the people in the line in front of me, praying blessings upon them, etc. I'd love to hear more about your minimalist lifestyle as well. When we moved to England years ago, we lived on so little and our family was the happiest. And yes, your "running" on the dirt or pavement is my mountain biking. One of my favourite things.
I'm not as minimalist as I'd like to someday be... completely footloose.... However, my motto is "own less, live more." If I have to worry about needing someone to "take care of it" in my absence (I enjoy roaming), then I have traded freedom for that possession/responsibility. I just don't want to give mental space to possessions. That being said, after the fire we had virtually nothing... but, I have been inordinately blessed with amazing friends who filled the much smaller home I purchased with all of the necessities, and many of the first world luxuries, of life. I have an adorable teenager at home with all of his acoutrements as well... so we do have "stuff." And I praise the Lord for it all. I SEE His loving provision in it ALL! But, we have the least that we can do life with right now. Because, I simply don't want to "need" storage. If we don't actually use an item, or sincerely treasure it, it doesn't live with us. This makes it easier to enjoy our spaces, to create simple and cozy beauty, to clean and upkeep, and to share our time and resources with others. That's all referring to the tangible...
Intangibly, I have purged "noise" from our lives... We don't have cable, or video streaming, or wifi. We have unlimited data on our phones, but because we live in a "little house in the big woods," our internet access is dismal, which is a blessing. So... I can sit on the aquamarine metal glider on the back deck and watch for deer, or read yummy words, while listening to the wind sigh. My summertime back-deck firefly show is MAGNIFICENT; God just twinkles all over the place... and I don't want to miss it with my face on a glowing screen instead.
My precious Memaw went Home this past spring. She was ninety-one years old and spent her last year waiting in a nursing home, with all of her worldly possessions reduced to two drawers and a couple of changes of clothes.... No matter how long we breathe on this earth, it's BRIEF. I'm not planning to waste any more time gathering things which will so soon be scattered. I plan instead to LIVE, and run Home with outstretched, empty hands, having given it ALL. I'll "finish on empty. "
Every part of the day is a distraction for me. I tell you what, the drivers in Dallas make me so angry sometimes, words come out of my mouth that would make my momma tell me to eat a bar of soap. The stresses of work make me want to throat punch some people & all 4 of my kiddos drive me so cra cra that I scream at them & send them to their rooms so I can have piece & quiet.
What I have to remember is all of these distractions are allowed into my life by God. There is a reason & purpose for them. So when they happen, I pray for those types of people.
Lord I know I ain’t the only one wanting to yell at that driver but be with him. Ride in the passenger seat of his truck speaking light & love directly you him. Send someone to him today that can settle down his anxieties & angers. I know these things because I used to drive just like him. Help him like You helped me & pour our a double blessing of love for every ounce of anger this man has to all of those he comes in contact with.
Father God, calm all my anxieties today even before I step one foot into work. For every problem that arises download the solution into my soul so that when it’s brought up I will have an answer. Overflow my cup today so that my peace & calmness creates an environment that others follow suit.
Ok Dad, these kids that You have given me are Yours. And since the only thing You know is good then they will be good. If any hatred or rebellion has taken root in their hearts cut it out so that You Lord can fill in their holes with love & respect. For every one root that’s cut out plant a double blessing inside them. Help me Dad to be more like You when fists of rage are ready to sprout out. Send Your Spirit to me Dad so that all I feel is the blessings of love & peace no matter what chaos is doing around me. Calm my storms so I can be the light that calms other people storms.
I love learning new things, but sometimes my best sword, is the Ol’ trusty one. When I pull it out, I find Him. I have to remember God is my Dad, He desires conversations with me more than any works I think I need to accomplish.
How do we subscribe, Tim?
If you're receiving the emails currently then you are already subscribed. :) At the end of the month, this little forum (thread feature) will be only for paid subscribers. A bunch of people have been asking, so I'll set up an early bird special when I send out The Saturday Stoke this weekend. Sound good? :)
Thanks! Your last stoke was so good! They all are, but that one really spoke to me.
Thanks, Tammy! That's so encouraging to hear! I love doing them.
Ok, everyone. This is how this works. It's just like writing a comment on a blog or article or even an Amazon review. Share your thoughts to the question, and also respond and engage with others. Ok, ready, go. :)
I once heard that your day is like a jar, starts empty but is filled with various size rocks and sand. If you don’t prioritize the important things first (rocks) then you fill up your jar with small stuff (sand), with no room for the import large rocks. But if you fill it up with rocks first then there is still room for sand, which fills in the empty space between the rocks. So, prioritize God first or at least early in the day and don’t let the small stuff consume you. It also helps if you ask God for help...He wants to help. God bless.