https://ubcentral.org/2009/01/13/a-daily-time-with-god/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-daily-time-with-god News From The United Brethren in Christ Church Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:31:22 +0000 hourly 1 https://ubcentral.org/2009/01/13/a-daily-time-with-god/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:30:04 +0000 http://ubcentral.org/?p=309#comment-49 Bishop Ramsey,
I took your advice and had the book sent to me the day you posted it on your blog. I finished reading it a couple weeks ago and have been looking forward to the discussion. It has given me a lot to think (and pray) about.
My morning begins with a chapter out of Proverbs. I have heard of the 5 Psalms a day before, but haven’t added it yet. What I have done is committed to praying with my wife each day. One of those things you know you should do but just haven’t taken the time to start. What a blessing! Yes there have been days we missed, but we both notice the difference.
I also find myself taking more opportunities to pray. God has blessed us here with a lot more snow this year. Maybe it’s because I use the time for snow blowing to be with God. Some days the driveway looks very clean before God is done with me.
I’ve been bi-vocational with full time jobs since we moved to Traverse City in August of ’05. God gave us a funny blessing of ending my “other job” at the start of November. Somehow, He has continued to meet our needs as we continue to look for the next opportunity. It is no doubt because of our increased dependence on Him and more prayer that we are enjoying this “extra” time.

]]> https://ubcentral.org/2009/01/13/a-daily-time-with-god/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:11:42 +0000 http://ubcentral.org/?p=309#comment-48 Bishop,
I learned a lot about prayer when we had a Korean congregation meeting in our church. Every morning (even when the sanctuary temperature was 45 degrees), they would meet in the church sanctuary for prayer. This lasted one to one and a half hours every weekday. (It puts me to shame.)
What I learned and applied to my life were these two important issues.
1) Schedule a time to set aside for the Lord.
2) Find a “prayer closet” and use it.
I found that I couldn’t pray meaningfully at home or at my office (too many distractions). I have to go to the sanctuary or even the youth room, close the door, turn off all distractions, and focus on the Lord. If I don’t do that, I won’t spend time with the Lord because I will immediately start to work. I try to get to the office early, go to another room, and spend time with Jesus.
We have also implemented what we call the 5 by 5 in the church and the jail ministry. 5 minutes of Bible study and 5 minutes of praising God twice a day. Not praying (because most prayers are about me), but praising God (for prayers of praise are about Thee and are prayers of faith.) It takes discipline to praise instead of “pray.” So, every Sunday, the church receives a 5 by 5 Bible reading and praise guide. (Every Thursday the prisoners we minister to receive one). This has transformed my ministry, individuals in the church who are implementing it, and the prisoners in the jail who are applying it. It changes our focus from a me center to a Thee focus.

]]>