No News is NOT Good News

Blessed are those who hear the word of God.

Luke 11:28

Last night I hear Scott shouting into the phone. The "well-seasoned" gentlemen on the other end simply couldn't understand what Scott was saying no matter how loud he spoke. The older I get, the less I can hear and sometimes the less I want to. 

Back talk from the throat of my teen.
Bad news tumbling from my TV.
Bickering bouncing between my young children.

Some days I think it would be easier to click off my ears. And I do. I don't hear the people who walk about in my heart and I don't hear the One who makes His home there. 

But no news is not good news.

Stifling communication exacerbates whatever it is I'd prefer not to discuss. 

Today I'm over at Encouragement Cafe sharing about a time I tried to walk out of God's earshot. If you ever struggle to hear His voice or distinguish His from yours or others, you'll find rest in this stroll with the Shepherd. Come on over: http://www.encouragementcafe.com/2012/08/27/the-shepherds-voice/

When you have trouble hearing God, what's one thing you do to unstop your ears? Let's share our ideas in comments below.
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Silence

Today I have the privilege of hosting, Teri Johnson, of Keeping it Personal. Teri values transparent relationships and leads others to deeper honesty and growth. My friendship with Teri has done all that and much more in my life.

Please welcome her to Jesus & My Orange Juice by following her here, liking her here and reading her here. You too will find your life richer for having made the connection.

You can also find me blogging at her site today, so be sure and visit today and many days in the future!

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I'm overwhelmed -- I don't hear you. “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before you, but you don’t even look." Job 30:20 I ask you to lead me, guide me, show me...what is my next step? You brought me here, to this place. Now what? Why are You silent? Why do I feel that You're gone, when I know in the depth of my heart You are here?

 

 

"... for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

 

 

What am I missing...from Your silence? I'm a broken record praying these words, pleading for you to speak loudly to me. "Father, Open my eyes to see, open my ears to hear, open my heart to know. Show me! I am willing and desire to do Your will not mine. Amen."

 

 

Silence.

 

 

Okay...I'm getting it. I think. Is this what you want me to hear? To do? To know?

 

 

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

How can I be still, when the world around me is going 100 mph? How can I be still when life seems to be all about what we do? How can I be still when I really never have, and it doesn't feel comfortable, I doesn't seem acceptable?

 

 

This word still, seems distant and unfamiliar to me.

 

 

Still = calm, motionless, quiet. Free from sound or noise; silent. Hushed. Peaceful. Tranquil.

 

 

Okay...I'm getting it. Turn it off, ALL of it. Eliminate the distractions. Pay no attention to what others are doing. Log of and disconnect. Stop checking in with everyone. Turn off the ringer and the notifications. Silence the voices and audience of many.

 

 

And...finely tune into The audience of ONE.

 

 

Okay...I got it. I'm leaning into you. Teach me Father to truly be still and know. I'm willing to listen in your silence.

 

 

I got it.

 

 

“There are times when silence has the loudest voice” - Leroy Brownlow

 

 

Do you know how to be still in this fast paced world? What do you hear when God is silent?

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/colloidfarl/2911216392/

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Teri is a writer, speaker, and sought-after personal growth expert. Her unique strategies have helped transform the lives of her clients, enlightening, guiding and motivating them to achieve even their most deeply desired goals.

She is the President and Founder of Keeping It Personal, a company that specializes in self-development training and discovering your life purpose. She facilitates her clients, who range from executives to hard working stay-at-home moms, through, “The Ultimate Journey”, a course focused on unpacking self deception, to freedom from old destructive behaviors, discover and develop their truth, goals, and most importantly, accomplish them. Through her mentoring and life coaching, Teri’s clients have found personal growth and joy allowing them to improve relationships, decrease stress and anxiety, and move forward in their business and personal life, and more.

Her book, Overcoming The Nevers, will be available in October, 2011. You can learn more about Teri and her book by visiting her personal website http://terijohnson.com Be inspired daily by signing up to receive The Daily KIP…a little nugget of truth she writes at http://keepingitpersonal.com

Teri is social! Meet her on Facebook at http://fb.com/keepingitpersonal and http://fb.com/terijohnsonwrites -- you can also find Teri on Twitter http://twitter.com/keepitpersonal

Day 8 of Prayer Guide - Confidence for Your Soul

Day Eight

Confidence for Your Soul

Psalm 138:3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. (NASB)

It’s silent. I strain my ears and soundlessness echoes back. When the voice comes, I doubt. Are these my thoughts or Your inspiration, God? Uncertainty bounces around inside me. Where it lands, I hurt. Struggling one, come gain confidence for your soul.

Today I Pray for You:

·         That the still voice of God would shatter the silence

·         For boldness to believe You hear God and faith to follow His beckoning

Today You Pray:

God who Speaks, I close my eyes and see You only. In the quiet, Your sweet voice trickles to my heart. I rush into Your arms as Your confidences rushes my soul.

My soul leaps. There is joy in hearing from the One who knows me best and loves me most. The silence has surrendered to the Savior. My soul doubts no more.