THE PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
*
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits
*
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10
And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39
.jpg)
Be still my soul
I know You're here
This quiet place
You're drawing near
Speak to my unrest
Lord I lay it at Your feet
Recall Your promises
In the shadow of Your wings
Cultivating a quiet soul doesn't come easy. It is easier to stay in the whirlwind of striving, drama, and expectations that have come to define who we are.
It often takes a crisis in a relationship, our circumstances, or our health to serve as a wake up call.
Cultivating stillness is not a one and done. It's a series of ongoing choices. It requires the removal of our fear of missing out, our obsession with fixing others, our insatiable desire to be heard. Anything and everything that pushes away the still small voice that is His.
As we invite the Spirit to do His pruning, we wince and squirm and long for the busyness and distractions that held us hostage along the way. But in purposefully allowing Him to still our hearts and minds, there is great reward.
Our work, our worship, our witness, our way of life become clarified. More focused and meaningful, productive and peaceful.
Space opens up for our grieving. For comprehending what truly matters. And our capacity for joy expands. We are refined. Energized.
I'm curious to hear what you've removed so you are better able to hear the Savior's voice and the steps you've taken to cultivate that innermost stillness that comes only from Him. I'm still in learning mode. Let's talk.
Linda
*
I think I'm always in the learning mode for this but it's good. Thank you for your words. -Debby
ReplyDeleteYeah, none of us has arrived. And I'm always leery when someone claims to have all the answers ...
Delete🙄
It has been easier to find moments of stillness since retirement. My heart goes out to young mothers who may be working and managing a home. I find that I am spending more time listening to my daughters as they struggle with busy schedules. How can I help lighten the load?
ReplyDeleteCarol, ... oh that question for us to ask our kids as they balance huge work/home/ministry/community roles. Beautiful. No strings attached, no advice given. Just a sweet, non-judgmental offering of ourselves to them ...
DeleteThank you so much. This is helpful. And welcome, I'm glad you're here.
🥰
When it comes to cultivating stillness and contentment, I don't think we ever get to a perfect point; God is always drawing us forward to experience more and to rest and relax in His presence, Linda. I do have to agree with Carol that retirement has opened up more opportunities for joy in solitude.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I agree, this is a valuable gift for one's 'golden' years.
DeleteBut can you even believe we're in that vicinity? Yikes.
🎁
I remain a learner, too, Linda. Thank you for inviting us to be still and know He is God! Even your photos invite stillness. I especially love the one of you looking out over the water. I love the song, too. It's so peaceful. Love and blessings of stillness in God!
ReplyDeleteI know we're saying 'yes' to His invitation together, friend. The fellowship is sweet. Thank You, Jesus.
Delete✝️
oh yes, I'm still learning and have a lot to learn! It takes an awful lot of patience and persistence and discipline to remain still.
ReplyDeleteIt's like we've been so disciplined our whole lives and our human nature is to slack off. At least I find that true for myself ...
Delete😒
slowing down and quieting down - two practices I find difficult but oh so essential. Your photos certainly help!
ReplyDeleteJean, you've been a guiding light, a spiritual mentor in your faithful writing on spiritual formation and the practices that draw us closer to our Savior. Bless you, thank you for stretching me, friend. I need it.
Delete🕯️
I honestly go crashing into this particular wall every single day. I know for a fact that the earth will continue its journey around the sun without my help, but I still need to take myself by the scruff of the neck and purposefully stop.
ReplyDeleteOne small success is that I don’t let myself work on anything in the evening. I’m reading through the Bible this year, so I settle into a comfy chair with an afghan and my journal and read the day’s portion. Like manna.
I'd venture to say that's a HUGE success, letting yourself rest in Him in the evening, as I know how busy your days are with teaching and ministry and writing and gardening and all the things you do.
DeleteThanks for the nudge to carve out hefty time with the Lover of our souls, friend. Manna indeed. No wonder we're so hungry.
🥙
Be still is necessary, but hard to do. I have my quiet time when I first get up. If I don’t, busyness takes over. Thank you for your encouraging post and Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Pam ... the busyness of the day takes over and then all of a sudden we realize what we neglected to indulge in.
DeleteLord, help us know what's most urgent.
☀️
Our minds can take us in so many different directions…I so often have to remind myself… ”be still my soul”. It is where I find Peace and Rest.
ReplyDeleteAmen. So true. He is our peace.
Delete🕊️
Linda, love the conversation here. I have been in the school of stillness too for quite some time. One would think it easier than it actually is. I agree, it's not a once and done. I find I have to create space, in other words, draw some boundaries with others to have that space. Lately, I find surrendering my "agenda" in a simple ritual of sitting quietly with open hands before the Lord, quiets my busy mind, and I am better able to "listen" for His way.
ReplyDeleteBoundaries, oh yes, I hear you, friend. I find that I need to draw boundaries with myself. I love how you describe surrendering your agenda to the Lord. This is a needed, ongoing practice.
Delete🤲
Love the scripture you shared. Hmm, what have I removed. I guess just turning everything off and hearing nothing but the sounds of nature. Sometimes I fill my life with too much noise, tv, podcasts, etc.
ReplyDeleteAmy, you're echoing what I've been hearing from God ... unplug. I'm seeing this incessant distraction as a huge detriment in doing life well, on all levels. You've verified this truth for me. I'm appreciative.
Delete🔌
I may have shared this here before, but Ruth Haley Barton's book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, is proving to be a valuable tool as I seek to quiet my spirit and hear more readily and often from my Heavenly Father. My mind wants to jump from one thought to another, so for me, stillness is an elusive attitude! Ruth's suggestions are helping--suggestions such as sitting in silence, taking several deep breaths, praying a simple breath prayer that expresses openness and desire for God, and sit with hands open to express that openness and emptiness in God's presence. I've read nine chapters out of twelve and am seeking to implement what she presents. I've also been journaling the impressions that come to my spirit. That's a practice I've participated in before, but now I'm seeking to avail myself to this kind of "inactive" stillness in God's presence most mornings, not just now and then. It is NOT easy! However, with other retirees who've commented here, I too am grateful for the extended quiet times I can enjoy, which easily accommodate this practice. It now precedes my Bible study.
ReplyDeleteNancy, Ruth's book changed my life, too. How I connected with God, what my devotional life looked like. She had me at 'dangerously tired' and life was never the same. She opened the door to the deeper Christian life and I will forever be grateful. It makes me wonder what I would have missed if I somehow (thank You, Jesus) hadn't stumbled on her work.
Delete🌹
One of the things I'm learning to remove are thoughts about challenges that need taking captive and replaced with scripture - that has replaced hurt and frustration with joy and peace:)
ReplyDeleteOh yes and amen, Maryleigh. A focus on Scripture brings joy and peace right into our places of hurt and frustration. His Word puts those ever-shifting emotions back into their place and keeps them from stealing the show.
Delete⚔️
I love all your pictures, Linda, that evoke stillness! I'm learning to not to have to have everything done--in other words be still even in the messy. As I grow older, I'm learning what needs to be completed does not need striving. God completes His purpose for us in His timing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nudge to remember that 'He's An On-Time God,' Lynn. Oh to follow His timing instead of my own ... not dragging my feet or racing ahead of what He has already planned.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=he%27s+an+on+time+god
🎶
Love all your photos, Linda.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of patience to cultivate stillness but I am learning.
And it gets easier with age!
Hugs and blessings
Patience is sometimes in short supply. It's a gift I haven't treasured enough. And that hasn't served me well.
Delete🤦♀️
Pam Ecrement
ReplyDeleteI'm a HUGE Merlin app fan, too, Pam! I never leave home without it! Of course, being too absorbed in checking out who's chirping while walking down the street isn't a great idea for someone like me. Case in point - last year's sprained ankle!
Delete* sigh *
🐦
Oh, Linda! You are so right. It surely takes an intentional effort to shut out the noise. I type this as I sit with our balcony door open, letting in the cool, spring, morning air, and I listen to the birds sing out their praise to our wonderful Creator God. It would take far too much space for me to share all the things I have let go of in order to hear His precious still, small voice. It is a choice. We have to make it every day—what do we want more? The peace of God or the things of this world. Thank God, we are in this world, but not OF this world, and we do NOT have to be a part of its clamoring, peace-robbing distractions.
ReplyDelete'It would take far too much space for me to share all the things I have let go of in order to hear His precious still, small voice.'
DeleteActually, Cheryl, I really want to hear that part of your story. Again. After all, you're the one who wrote Biblical Minimalism.
READERS -
http://www.lindastoll.net/2020/07/biblical-minimalism-giveaway-bookbag.html
😉
Love the chartreuse chair. I'm building a custom AR 15 for Barb in just that colour, with a hand-carved red oak stock.
ReplyDeleteStillness isn't my first choice;
I really prefer noise and action
done with loud and boastful voice,
but stillness has been gaining traction
thanks to a new metastasis
that has arrived for coming summer
to live in my right humerus,
and baby, yeah, that is a bummer.
Right arm stays glued to my side
(like the left, which has one too).
I'm scared of that which may betide,
and don't know quite what to do
except to face tomorrow's dawn
determined that life with go on.
Last line, obviously 'will go on'.
DeleteI know exactly what you're saying ... and absolutely makes sense about the 'stillness gaining traction.' May we take heed on caring for this need, whether dealing with cancer or simply with life ...
Delete🗝️