I think it's good that you mention spiritual off-seasons here because I know so many people who have mentioned going through those and I have some myself. No matter what, I find some way to start my day with the LIVING WORD of God. I try not to make it a religious thing out of habit but something of consistency and heart.

Sometimes I will go weeks at a time where I feel God is speaking every day- new words, new oxygen into my life. And then sometimes I pick up my Bible and read and it is just me and my Bible. I am so happy for both of the times because my spirit rests more in that time than at any other point in my life- but I love when God speaks.

This is such an excellent point that we have to stop all of the chaotic noise and "to-do's" and press in to know Him and See Him further. More. Always wanting more. And then we see that bush blazing before us with the passion of God Himself lighting the fire!!!!

You're absolutely right! I see people get fired up all the time in short spurts and while I feel that there is a place for that- the Key is to Keep that Fire Burning for God's Word and Will. Press forward sensationalism or dramatics. Just Give Me JESUS!!!

I think a common thread I see here is "break", "rest", "time off". We all need to be better and taking time off regularly and resting. What is regularly....every week. Below is an article by Pastor Brady Boyd on how to do just that. Enjoy.........

The Sabbath was not a suggestion. Moses included it in his top 10, and Jesus completely redefined this ancient practice to the Jewish culture that had made it a chore instead of a blessing. But let’s be honest, most of us do not know how to take a day off without feeling guilty, restless, or insecure. As a young pastor, I seldom chilled for an entire day, and it almost cost me my marriage, my health, and my ministry. Today, I am better at it. Here are some thoughts and suggestions to help all of us unplug and recharge our lives.

1. Tweet less or not at all.

2. Don’t look at your Facebook inbox. (OR UPPER ROOM PAGE)

3. Go on a date with your spouse.

4. Go outside and take a walk. The sun recharges our bodies more than we think.

5. Unless it’s family or one of your close friends, do not answer your phone. Voicemail is a great screening tool.

6. Don’t drink cheap coffee.

7. Talk about anything but work stuff. Note to pastors - church stuff is work stuff.

8. Wear clothes you would never wear to work. I have an awful set of t-shirts I wear on my day off.

9. Do something that makes you smile or laugh. If nothing comes to mind, read something from Dave Barry.

10. Spend time reading the Bible. If you’re a pastor or teacher, do not read the text you plan to teach on Sunday. Read for yourselves today and not for others.

11. Hit yourself on the kneecap with a hammer each time you read an e-mail from work. After a couple of e-mails, you will be forced to lie down and rest.

12. Spend some time completely alone. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. We should, too.

May our souls be restored and our joy return as we trust that God can do more in our lives in six days than we can accomplish in seven days on our own. The Sabbath requires faith and obedience, but the rewards are incomparable.

One of the things that comes to mind here is..."He makes me lie down in green pastures!"

Let me first respond to one of Jareds comments:

Quote:

Don’t drink cheap coffee

...Done...I hate Folgers and Maxwell house...they taste like ashes!


Here is another thought that was given during the sermon. And Tommy did say that this is not the "common" way of taking this scripture. But I have to say I can understand it.

His thoughts were that Moses was hiding his face due to shame. He was ashamed of what he had done (Killing the gaurd, his lack of faith in God, his rebbelion against Gods will...etc) and dispite it all, God still wanted to use him...so he "Hid his face."

Quote:

Exodus 3:5-6 Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

I have to say this understanding really struck home with me. Feeling as though "I am not worthy of what God is sharing with me." Turning my head everytime I felt him draw close, because I just didnt feel "worthy." In this ministry I have often felt very un-deserving of...and in truth I guess I am un-deserving of it! But, God chose to use me anyway!!!!!

My problem Scott, is that I more often than not fail to listen to someone he sends...and the "burning Bush" awaits close by to get my attention!

What an awesome discussion! Praise God for the 'burning bushes' in my life. Here are some examples:

• Two Divorces to realize God loves the divorced not divorce, marriage is not a license for lust or idolatry.
  
• God gave me a book through my sister when I had allowed my life to get so messed up that I was not functioning rationally. This book was written in a way God knew I would 'get it' and grow in Him. Ouch! Until then (age 31) I might have fooled many people into thinking I was responsible but God got my attention. From there I began to take responsibility for my life before God.
  
• Getting 'fired' from my the dream job. I had, in effect said to God after getting the job, "I'll take it from here Lord!" (He loved me too much to let that go on any longer.)
  
• Walking off a job because "I" was falsely accused of lying by the bosses' son, (She wasn't even there). Then the boss called. She wanted to know why I did not have the decency to talk to her first. At age 46 God got my attention. "You are not that sweet person you pretend to be." "You are very angry and unforgiving." I cried out to God, "Help me to recognize my anger, confront it, and forgive."
  
• So much fear and anxiety in my life that I became unable to solve the simplest of problems and I lost another job at (59). This was at a time when there was 'no way' myself and my wonderful husband could make it without a good job. God was there once again to teach me that without Him I can do nothing and with him life is full of beautiful possibilities.
  
• I am nearly 64! When the next burning bush comes along, it will be no more pleasant than any before but He has a hold on me and has used me before, during and after every 'burning bush' experience. THANK YOU GOD FOR BRINGING ME OUT OF HIDING!
  

I like the concept of 'burning bush experiences'. I called them The School of 2X4 Learning before today. My only hope in sharing here is that someone else will see themselves where I once was and realize God can do anything. I also would be glad to share any of my testimonies.

I am recovering right now from some more wacks up the side of the head, so to speak, because I didn't slow down (Jared) when I needed too! My husband gently tried to tell me but I did not submit to his wishes for my welfare! This left me running on empty when he needed me most. Now here I am down with some serious internal infections. Missed two days of work, that will hurt us financially.

Jared thank you for your reminders! I keep thinking I will learn some important lessons without quite so much pain. This time I didn't even know which tools to use. Praise God, the Christian Counselor to whom I haven't talked in probably a year was able to give me a quick refresher on which tools I need and how to use them.

THANK YOU GOD THROUGH JESUS OUR LORD FOR THE HARD LESSONS! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

I have read through this one with particular interest. Now I have one of my own that I would like to share.

I called this my "Job" week.

I was managing a guest house by the sea that I wanted to buy and turn into a backpackers. I didn't have the money so I got some investors to sponsor me, at a fee naturally. during this same period I was also helping a friend in the church get his ministry off the ground. I was so busy with my "works" that I had locked God out of everything believing that I was going to do this all in my own strength and intellect.

Then it hit. The owner of the guest house had some very unsavory business practices that came to light when we needed his business zoning and tax documents for the purchase. He fired me from the establishment and evicted me in the same breath. He went overseas and returned with a foreign buyer who bought it "as is" and all the problems the same week.
I then while working with my friend helping in the ministry broke my arm very badly, the bones came sticking out the skin. Then while lying in bed feeling that my world had come to an end my cousin contacted me to inform me that my guardian mother as I'm an orphan, had just passed away and asked if I would do the artwork for the picture that was going to go up at the wake. It was one of the hardest times in my life. This all happened in a space of three days. But it brought me so much closer to God, as only such events can.

Yes there was the initial downside of depression and wallowing in self-pity from taking such a beating, but ultimately my walk with Father has grown from that experience.

Its true Scott, we become so involved in ourselves and the world around us that we fail to hear the "still small voice" that Father prefers to use and so out comes the 2x4 and in some cases even a 4x4

And I am not saying that He punishes us but rather its just another way for Him to get our attention.



@ Jared
Awesome, every point you made was just so spot on, and yes, life is too short to drink bad coffee.

@ Myles, I so agree with you. Meeting you guys and finding this sight has by far been one of the highlights of my spiritual walk. I am so blessed by God to be a member of this forum.

Praise be to God, for His love never fails.

I suggest Maui as a place of sabbath.....gitrdone.

Angel and I have taken a vision retreat every year the last four years and I can say it is radically life changing. We come together every morning of our trip and we just pray and seek God's direction for every area of our lives for the next year. One example is that in January God spoke to Angel and me both that we were NOT to buy a car this year. We weren't even considering buying a car. Guess what? Three times this year we have been presented with "great" deals on new cars. Had we not received vision from God we could have easily convinced ourselves that God put a blessing in front of us and we took it. However He spoke to us in January and we have know to say NO everytime.

I suggest taking the time to rest (Maui sounds like a good place) and having a vision retreat and allowing God to direct you this coming year. It sure does take a lot of stress off.

Thanks to all of you for what you contribute to this website! Thanks for your prayers too!

[size=18]When I had my prayer time this morning I repented once again for my selfishness and for picking up all these worries.[/size] The Holy Spirit reminded me today of those passages of scripture concerning worry. Then I was quiet inside long enough to hear Him say,

"Noreen you are here (on this job) to glorify me not get caught up in how well you do this job compared to ________." "Does your service and witness here belong to me or are you going to try and be in control from here (again ) "

I knew I would mess it up so I gave it to Him and asked for guidance every step of the challenging workday!