personal journey

This was a journal of my progress through the book "The Purpose Driven Life"...after having read the book, I know that I've only begun to learn about God's plan for my life.

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Day 11

Chapter Eleven: Becoming Best Friends with God

In Eden we see God's ideal relationship with us: Adam and Eve enjoyed and intimate friendship with God. There were no rituals, ceremonies or religion--just a simple loving relationship between God and the people he created. Unhindered by guilt and fear. -Rick Warren

The profound thing about this statement is that God wants the same relationship with me...

You will never grow a close relationship with God by just attending church once a week or even having a daily quiet time. Friendship with God is built by sharing all of your life experiences with him. -Rick Warren

I am guilty of sequestering God to one time a day, or even one day a week. I think that many "so-called" Christians do this, thinking that is all that is required of them. I am learning that God can be a part of everything that I do. He is always with me.

The key to frienship with God, is not changing what you do, but changing your attitude toward what you do. -Brother Lawrence

In Eden, worship was not an event to attend, but a perpetual attitude; Adam and Eve were in constant communion with God. Because God is with you all the time, no place is any closer to God than the place where you are right now. -Rick Warren

Constant communion with God...it is recommended that we pray all the time, and thankfully this chapter gives suggestions on how to do this...I have found that my prayers are lengthy and complex...to the point I even confuse myself by being too formal. Keeping it simple and keeping it constant seems much easier. It's funny, sometimes I catch myself talking to myself...replaying certain conversations...it shouldn't be too hard to transition myself into talking to God instead.

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation. -Rick Warren

Again, I am an expert at the art of worrying...to the point I create scenarios to worry about. I am sure that meditation is probably much healthier. I have to switch my attention from worry to Bible verses instead...however, I HAVE done this from time to time...there is a Bible verse that I repeat to myself quite often and repeatedly...

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you...Ephesians 4:32

I've been "meditating" that since I was eight years old.

Point to Ponder: God wants to be my best friend

Verse to Remeber: Psalm 25:14a Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.

Question to Ponder: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

Right now I keep a calendar in my purse that has Bible verses in it...I also have a small Bible in my car. I wear a small silver cross on a necklace. These all help to remind me to thank God throughout the day. Although, I do fall into "forgetting" about him when things are going awry.
I'd like to start knowing my Bible verses better, so I should make notecards and keep them handy. I also try to remember to listen to the Christian radio station during the day...to keep my thoughts focused on God.





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