I
am drawn to books that are categorized as “self-help”. I always have been. However, as I have gotten older I’m more
careful about what I read and what information I apply to my specific
circumstances.
For
example, books that tell me that I can do it all on my own are not
helpful. Because I know for a fact that
I cannot do anything on my own. “Self-help”
is not a term that I am a fan of because I know that my help comes from God
(Psalms 121) not from myself. That’s not
to say that these other resources don’t make a valid contribution to my
growth. It’s just important to me that I
balance the secular and biblical.
I’ve
been writing recently about the Michael Neill book The Inside Out Revolution (TIOR) and how much I’m enjoying it.
I’m rereading the book now and just finished a chapter entitled “The
Value of an Empty Mind”. Coincidentally,
(or not by coincidence at all) we are starting a series at church entitled “Knowing
God” which emphasizes being still (Psalms 46:10). In my estimation, the two go
hand-in-hand.
TIOR – When we
listen without anything on our mind we become receptive to a wisdom that comes
from beyond the reach of our own experience
Psalms
62:5
– Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him (New Living
Translation)
I
am amazed at how much I actually hear when I stop talking and just be still and
listen. It’s not easy to drown out the
distractions of everyday life. Why do we
always feel like there should be noise in the background? I have been so guilty of this even though I
have proven it to myself time and time again – the answer is truly in the silence.
In
the near future my pastor will be leading a 40-day exercise to assist us with
getting quiet in order to better know God.
To know God is done by spending time with him. Here are some steps to assist:
Give God your best time
Find a suitable place
Get still
Read the word of God
Write down what God says
Pray and give thanks
The
key here is to listen first and then talk.
1 comment:
Wow... Can I come to church with you? Good stuff.
The problem here is one thing: DISTRACTION. I've been thinking about that for a long time. The amount of distraction is getting worse as time goes on. And I know that is just not a coincidence. No it's not.
I like self-help books too. But I lean more towards the spiritual ones, concerning my major issues and struggles. And I heard a minister say some 15 years ago, "When you read, you are not trying to get everything. Only the one or two things that apply to your situation." As long as I am looking at it from that point of view, I draw out principles that stick long term.
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