Quiet Time Journals

Do you have a method for keeping track of what you're thinking and reading and studying and praying during your "God Time"?

Right now, I'm lousy at it. There have been times that I have been really good at journaling and recording my big ideas. But those seasons of life have seemed to be sporatic, not consistent. 

I'm on a roll of reading my Bible daily, but just not writing anything down. I haven't been able to find a method or tactic or system that seems to work. 

But here's what I know from an educator's perspective...

In lesson planning, there are several components to designing an "effective lesson". You have the "hook" - the thing that gets your students' attention - this could be a task, a demonstration, a reading passage, whatever. Then you have the acquiring previous knowledge, the direct instruction, the guided practice. All teacher stuff that if you're teacher, you know and if you're not a teacher, all you've been reading for the last couple of sentences is blah, blah, blah.

But the one final component that teachers include in a lesson before turning students loose to practice the skill on their own is Closure. As a teacher, I need to be able to assess what stuck in my students' thinking and what completely went in one ear and out the other. Closure can be in the form of Q&A or having students jot down what they got or what they didn't get or a myriad of other techniques. 

I think that same component of Closure is necessary in my my quiet God Time. Otherwise, I'm just reading Scripture and praying prayers that are littered with random thoughts, like what do I need to buy at the store later today and how can I get so and so to do such and such. 

Journaling can be considered a type of Closure. It's a way of recording, what stuck and what went through one eyeball and out the other as I read. In my past experiences, I have been more focused as I record my thinking. 

I have a ton of Closure templates that I've created to use in the classroom that I'm thinking that I will attempt to convert into more of a Bible Study/Quiet Time format that I hope to eventually make available to anyone who wants to use them. But for now, here's one. 

Here's a link that I think you'll be able to download a copy of this template if you're interested in using it. Quiet Time Journal #1. This is the first time that I'm attempting to link a PDF to my blog, so if it doesn't work, please let me know. Thanks.

If you're a Google user and you'd prefer to keep this digital - CLICK HERE to make your own copy of the template and save it to your Google Drive.

So let me know what methods, systems, strategies, techniques, you've used or are using to record your thinking as you study God's Word. If you have an idea for a template & you'd like help in creating it, let me know about that too. I'm not promising anything fancy, but it will be functional. 

Thanks and many blessings to you today!
Bethany

The abc's of #whyIwrite: adventure

Have you ever been on a ropes course? You know those obstacle courses made out of ropes and logs up, up in the air? I love them! I have had the opportunity to be a monkey on three different ones in three different countries. My third experience was in New Zealand. It was fun and nerve-wracking all at the same time. The picture below shows me finishing it off by repelling down the side of a drop off. 

@BethanyLigon (2006)

My second experience was in Austria. There were several challenging aspects to that one too, but the ending was my favorite part, ziplining across a small lake/big pond. With my shoes removed, my toes splashed across the water as I cruised through the air. 

My first ropes course, it by far, has been my most memorable experience. My heart raced the entire time as I maneuvered through the tree tops in Colorado. The way to get down was a more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge. Imagine this: standing on a platform about 50 feet up in the air. The goal is to jump off the platform and grab a hold of a swinging trapeze bar that is 5-6 feet out in front of you. If that wasn't freaky enough, you then had to let go and just fall, while trusting that the ropes course dude would use his skills in repelling to stop you before you hit the ground. It was certainly an adventurous thrill!

Here's why I like these adventurous high in the sky obstacle courses:

• It's communal - You can't do it alone. In fact, you are dependent on others to help you get from station to station and down safely. But more than that, the awesome experience of having others cheer you along the way and being able to do that for others makes these adventures a lot of fun.
• It's a safe risk - Yes, you could fall, but you're not going to hit the ground. You're harnessed in and connected to a series of ropes. But still, knowing that there is some small possibility that something unexpected could happen certainly gets my heart pumping and my legs shaking.
• It's out of the ordinary - Like I said, I've only done 3 in my whole entire life! And the last time, in New Zealand, was already 10 years ago! 

I think of writing a blog, especially one that focuses my attention on what God is teaching me, is a lot like the adventure of hanging on to dear life on a ropes course. 

• It's communal - It's my way of connecting to others. I know that those who know me well will be cheering me on. And for other writers, I can encourage and support them on their journeys too.
• It's a safe risk - These days it's a bit risky putting your ideas out there for others to judge. You never quite know how someone might respond. But it's a relatively low risk because in the case of this blog, people are very kind. And what's even more, is that I kinda think that God has my back.
• It's out of the ordinary - Blogging is a time where I can sit still and reflect on what message God is trying to teach me. It's not work, chores, or even leisure, which is how a majority of my time is spent. It's time set especially aside to get ideas out of my head and onto a screen.

So thanks for going on this adventure with me! 

Blessings to you!

Bethany

Forty-Nine Months

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heavens.

--Ecclesiastes 3:1

Photo by @BethanyLigon (April 2016)

Forty-nine months. 

That's how long it's been since I've last written on this blog. As the character Vincini from one of my favorite movies, "The Princess Bride" says, "Inconceivable!" 

The last post I wrote about getting married. I guess it's taken some time to adjust and find another rhythm of life. 

For a while, just about every routine that I had developed came to a complete halt. And it's been slow but steady trying to reintroduce the things that are important to have a balanced life. 

As the verse above says, "There is a time for everything". And it's finally time to get back to writing about what God is teaching me. 

If you read my blog 49 months ago - here we go again. 

If you're new to this blog - welcome. Please read some of the older posts that can be found here. I think that you'll get a decent feeling for my style and perspective. 

So here's to new patterns of life and learning together again.

Blessings to you,
Bethany

Awesome God, Thank you for this life. Thank you for your patience as I learn how to live this life as you have called me. 

I Do!

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

--Matthew 8:34

According to the helpful little notes at the bottom of my Bible, it says that the people of this region, Gadarenes, were more likely concerned with the financial loss of having Jesus around, then they were about all that they could gain with Jesus around. 

And this has me thinking...what have I said 'No' to lately? Have I missed out on something because of my negative response? On the flip side, what have I said 'Yes' to and how has my life changed because of it? 

Four weeks ago, I got married. (Yay!!!) Standing at the beginning of the aisle with my dad he asked me, "Are you ready to do this?" I had never considered not marrying the man at the end of the aisle, but I realized in that moment that if I wanted to change my mind, this was my chance. After all, I already knew what to expect and how to handle the life of a single 30-something woman. I had the routine down pat. But is that what I really wanted? Was I ready to trade in that comfortable familiarity for a brand new life? A life where new routines and habits would have to be established; a life that would have to be shared, on all levels; a life that would surely bring out uncertainties? Even though I had all these unknowns pounding on my heart's door, I knew, without a doubt, that this new life would allow me to partner with my best friend. He is man who is a friend of God; who is honorable; who is strong in so many ways. Having confidence in these qualities allowed me to turn to my dad and say, 'Yes!' and begin our walk down the aisle to my future.

Here's a picture of that moment: 

The people of Gadarenes were short sighted. They could only focus on what they had to lose. Pastor Cal recently shared a golden nugget of truth: "If you focus on what you stand to lose, you forfeit what you stand to gain."


As believers, you and I are challenged, on a daily basis, to make a choice. Luke 9:23 says that we must pick up our crosses daily. Choose now to move forward, down the aisle, if you will, towards a life that will draw you closer to your Savior. After all, what do you have to lose?


Heavenly Father, I first ask for your forgiveness for the times that I have told you, 'No'. I realize now that I have missed out on tremendous opportunities to experience you in exciting ways. I ask you now that You open my eyes to what you have in store for me today. Fill me with peace and contentment as I walk after you, following your footsteps into places that you have already been before me. No place is uncharted territory for you. Build my faith upon that.

Beautiful Hearts & Friendships

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

--Ecclesiastes 4:12

I received a Facebook message from an acquaintance yesterday sharing some devastating news. And as I have prayed during the last 24 hours for this person, two revelations of beauty have come to mind. This first is my friend's amazingly optimistic outlook upon the circumstances that are now a reality. While I am not so convinced that I would possess the courage to be so positive, it is "smack you upside the head" obvious that my friend's confidence comes from having faith in a God who desires to bless His children, even in the midst of a trial. How beautiful is the heart of a true child of God?

As I was reading the Facebook message yesterday, I couldn't help but think, why is this person sharing this information with me? We don't know each other very well. We've only met face to face once or twice; most of our connections have taken place within the conveniences of social networking. This individual knows the power of gathering a fierce group of believing brothers and sisters in Christ to walk along side as the daily battles are fought.  My brave friend understands the strength and power of the truth that is this post's scripture verse. And this strikes me as beautiful because my friend wants me to be part of the cord.The friendships that are made within the family of God are like no other. We do not have to speak on a daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly basis to know what's going on in their heart. Because we each have submitted ourselves to be followers of Jesus, we can easily pick up wherever we left off and continue on life's journey.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for the beauty to be found in the hearts of your children and the friendships that can be found and sustained in your name. Continue to mold me into the child You have mind for me to be.

New Year, New Word

Holy Moley! I can't believe where time has gone and how long it's been since I've posted anything. Sheesh! But today I got a writer's itch and have been thinking about how I can be more intentional with not just my blog, but with my days. The last few years, I've noticed friends not coming up with New Year's Resolutions, but rather, a word to define 365 days. This makes sense to me. And I've decided to hop onto the bandwagon and ditch the resolution-making and seek a word that will help me focus my daily existence.

The word that I have chosen for 2012 is "BEAUTY". I want to observe the beauty in creation. I want to see the beauty in relationships. I desire to recognize the beauty in my work and play. But more than this, I want to contribute beauty to this world. I want my life to be so full of beauty that it points others to God.

I would like to use this blog space, not just for posting a devotion or two a month, but for journaling about the beauty that I am fortunate enough to experience; and I'll start with something that I saw today.

In today's church service there was a baptism. A young man had decided to accept Jesus as His Lord and Savior and make a public confession of his devotion to living a life that will be Christ centered. His parents had the blessing of introducing him to the church family and ushering him into this new life. I can only imagine the excitement that this brought to his parents. Not only did they get to experience his physical birth, but they also got to share in his spiritual birth.

What made this event beautiful to me was that it demonstrates exactly what God desires for families. A father and mother, not just taking care of a child's physical needs, but also instructing him in the ways of being a follower of Christ. God must be so proud of this family! They are being obedient and as a result, will be blessed!

Lord, I pray that this year, I will not only be able to observe beauty in others and my circumstances, but also to do my part in making this life beautiful for others so that it directs them to You and only You. Show me each day exactly how to do that. Thank you for enduring promises that confirm that You will never leave us or forsake us and that You have abundant blessings in store for those who choose, each day, to be obedient.

I Don't Know How She Does It

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

–        Isaiah 26:3

I have suddenly found myself living at super duper torpedo speed times infinity. What about you? My days are never long enough and when I do sit down to take a breather, my overachiever perfectionist persona starts breathing down my neck telling me, “Kick it in gear, sister! You have too much to do!” I’m beginning to wonder if the author and screenplay writer of a recently released movie secretly stalked me and wrote about my life?

A few weeks ago a co-worker and I crossed paths and she paused long enough to comment that she was amazed at how calm I always seemed. Huh? Are you kidding me? I’m as frazzled as they come! Apparently what she sees and how I feel are in direct contrast with one another. I have only one explanation. Jesus.

Because I make a concerted effort to memorize Scripture, I usually have a verse or two at the forefront of my thoughts. I’m convinced that it is because I have those Holy words first, all the other thoughts I have, and there are many of them, tend to fall into just the right places. So even when it feels like I’m falling further and further behind, I’m right on schedule according to where God needs me to be for any given moment. And if it’s good enough for God, it’s more than good enough for me.

As the above verse says, when you have a steadfast mind, you will experience peace. Isn’t that what we all long for in this crazy-busy, fast-paced world? I certainly do! So go ahead, find a verse or two and begin to meditate on it and commit it to memory. Making this discipline a priority will lend itself to helping you order your responsibilities in a way that pleases our Father. Who knows, you may even find a few spare minutes too!