Around November of 2009 I made several changes in my life as a result of a growing unrest in my soul.
Facing the reality of turning thirty years old, celebrating 10 years of marriage and church ministry, and the realization that having a consistent quiet-time was still a daily "battle" or "struggle", I decided to pray, search, counsel, and dig to find the answers to my questions.
"What is it I am doing?" or "What is it I am not doing?" and "Why do I feel so empty?"
Don't misunderstand me; I had experienced seasons of growth and discipleship in my relationship with Christ, but at the time, I was experiencing a spiritual drought.
Thankfully, it wasn't long before the answer came.
I was depending on lots of "good" things like sermons, songs, teachings, and books at the expense of the "great" thing God had waiting on me, namely His WORD and His PRESENCE.
A great friend and brother in Christ told me about Robert Murray M'Cheyne who was a minister in the Church of Scotland from 1835 to 1843. He died when he was 29 years old but the ripple effects of his life and ministry carry on to this day.
M'Cheyne designed a system for reading through the Bible in one year for his congregation. The plan entails reading the New Testament and the Psalms through twice a year, and the Old Testament through once.
I searched for his reading plan online and dove in head first. I also dusted off my journal and started writing. Additionally, I took a break from the blog and other "good" things, and devoted myself to seeking the Lord in a fresh way through His Word and Presence in my daily life. After a few days I was hooked, and the drought was over!
Looking back at 2010, I can honestly say that it has been the most trilling and fulfilling journey through God's Holy Word I have ever personally experienced. It was indeed a great year, praise God!!
If you have not already begun a reading plan for 2011, I wholeheartedly recommend it to you. I'm reading it again (but this time in the ESV).
Most of my posts and tweets in 2011 will come from what God teaches me on this journey.
My prayer for this year is that we would EXPERIENCE and PROCLAIM the love and faithfulness of Christ more than ever.
Thanks for reading.
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Unless otherwise indicated all posts are written by B.J. Price
Copyright © 2011
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
2 comments:
Hi BJ - Just a note to tell you how much I appreciate your heart for worship every Sunday. I get inspired by your outpouring of love for The Lord. I had friends attend recently from the Emmaus community (They said they spoke with you) and they told me how much they loved and were moved by your leadership with the venue worship.
God bless and thanks for all you do!
Jeff Cargile
Thanks for the encouragement, Jeff! It's great to know that God is using us.
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