Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

This past Sunday I shared with my congregation a habit I have developed which has helped me in my spiritual life. I am a bi-vocational pastor, so I don’t have a lot of time for Bible reading and study either. Now, I realize that because of my position, I do more of both than the average Christian. But I, too, find time fleeting and scarce. When I get up in the morning, I make sure that I devote at least 15 minutes to spiritual preparation for my day. That 15 minute block has proven to be the most effective of my day.

Those minutes are spent in getting into my mind a key thought from God’s Word that I will explore mentally throughout my day. In the early morning on my way to work I know that I will have a forty minute drive when I will be able to think more intently about what I have encountered in the Word. Throughout my workday I am asking myself how I can apply that truth in the various situations I confront and with the various people I encounter. During the drive home I am evaluating how well I was able to live out the truth and maybe what I could have done to improve.

I don’t intend to give the impression that this is all that I think about or what I spent most of my time thinking about. However, I find myself gravitating to that truth from time to time throughout the day, during breaks, lunch, etc. I also notice that when I open my life and my day to God and a slice of his Word, he will bring me back to it as I need it. He can speak to me as I am conversing with him. I am beginning to understand how to “pray without ceasing” as I haven’t before. It’s not that I have never done this before, but the conscious, consistent effort has brought more effective results. Isn’t it amazing how he will bring into my life circumstances where that truth applies or people to whom it applies or who need to hear it.

I don’t know how you prepare for your day or if you have found a more effective plan that works for you. It’s not the particular approach you take, but that you make room for God in your life. I just wanted to share what I have found to work for me and hope that you have found or will find what works for you.

If you have one, please share it in a reply. Also, if you are following and intend to become a member of the Fellowship of the Burning Heart, please like or comment and let me know. The only requirement for membership is a burning desire to know God. I’m praying for a many to join me on this journey this year.