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The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 2:46:04 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1354
Joined: 1/22/2008
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I came across this quote from Mother Teresa of Calcutta that I thought others might appreciate hearing and responding to.
We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature---trees, flowers, grass---grow in silence; see the stars, the moon and sun; how they move in silence. . . the more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence to be able to touch souls. The essential thing is not what we say, but what God says to us and through us. All our words will be useless unless they come from within---words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.
So how are you doing in making room for silence and solitude?
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 4:38:05 PM
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Calea37
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I love my quiet times! My favorite is first thing in the morning when I can just sit in the quiet and pray, meditate, etc...
I have been reading a book that talks about how rushed and busy our society is now with all of the multi-tasking and things that we are "doing" constantly. The saddest part is that we often feel GUILTY for just taking time to sit in quiet, but it really is so important!
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Thanks for the reminder that it is not only ok to quiet ourselves, but also essential!!
_____________________________
Calea
Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 4:51:13 PM
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Little_1
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God tells us: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 47:10). There is definitely a time for quietness and stillness before God in the Christian walk, i.e. a time to refrain from activity and wait upon God.
Many people are afraid of the 3 S's:
'Stillness', 'Silence' and 'Solitude' and have to have a radio, CD player or television on - even if it is for background noise only - just anything to block out the silence! I know many non-Christians who are like this. Stillness and quietness unsettles them a lot.
I often have my quiet time early in the morning when the house is still and quiet or even later in the evening (when everyone has gone to bed) for this same reason. I cannot meditate on God's Word when it is noisy. I like my daily appointments with silence and solitude before God and I really appreciate having the opportunities for such.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 7/9/2008 5:06:20 PM >
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 5:10:33 PM
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SinnerSaved
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From: Belfast, N. Ireland
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1 Kings 19:11-12
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
_____________________________
"No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
John Donne
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 5:17:21 PM
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SinnerSaved
Posts: 297
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From: Belfast, N. Ireland
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My point, of course, is that we need the silence and solitude in order to hear the still small voice...
_____________________________
"No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
John Donne
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 7:04:22 PM
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Liveloved
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Thank you all for confirming YOUR need for silence and solitude. As a reformed busy person, God has made me a person who thrives in silence and solitude. What a wonderful Lord we have. There is no greater pleasure in my life than taking my cup of coffee, Bible, journal and pencil to the front porch to spend time with the Lord. What do I do? others ask. Even those of us who know that this is so vital, life itself, wonder at times. . . what do I do? I sit. I listen. I read. I commune. I speak to Him about what He is doing. And I enter into all of that. . . of Him.
What do I do?
The busy world does not understand. He does.
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 8:31:51 PM
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SonInMe1
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I read a Louis Lamore noveil once that addressed this issue...
A seasoned trapper took on a tenderfoot. They were out in the wilderness for a long time. An old friend of the trapper's came by. The young man, who had not seen anyone but his older friend in months was talking up a storm.
When the friend left the younger man asked the older man why his friend said so few words. He replied....Yep thats right, but when he does say something, listen because it will be important.
Too many people talk too much. If you eliminate gossip and non-edifying remarks, course joking and selfish sentiments, there really isn;t that much to say. I see people with cell phones in their ears almost constantly.
What do they have to say for an hour and a half?
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/9/2008 11:24:55 PM
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Walker311
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quote:
We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
I don't think so! I watched the penguin movie. Even in the midst of thousands of squaking male penguins protecting the baby between their legs (in subfreezing cold), the mother can find her baby and her mate.
In this world of noise pollution, we can miraculously connect with God and find spiritual sustenance.
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/10/2008 2:25:23 AM
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FROGkissin
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It has been my personal experience that God's voice can reach me in all circumstances. It is in the stillness, however, that (among other things) we find rest with the Spirit of God. There is much to be gained from the concept of Sabbath. I mean spiritually catching our breath in the midst of the chaos of humanity.
_____________________________
"Greet one another with a holy kiss."
2 Cor. 13:12
~~~
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/10/2008 4:26:06 AM
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Liveloved
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I don't disagree with either of you, Walker and FROGkissin, that we can connect with God in the midst of any and every circumstance. We can. And I'm sure we're all thankful that we can because alot of life can be noise and busyness.
But Mother Teresa is speaking of finding God in the way where our soul is nourished and satisfied with Him. And she is saying that this requires coming apart, stilling the noise without and within, to drink in the Living Water.
Even Jesus had to spend this time apart with the Father. There was something very necessary in what He demonstrated for us.
Anyway, those are my thoughts.
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/10/2008 4:51:21 AM
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conrack50
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My first real activities is spending time with the Lord every morning and listening to soaking.net at the same time.
The internet has become my study guide with the Lord's help.
My devotionals are here, also the forums.
I have found that in the few times I had something drastic happen(once there was no coffee in coffee maker---made hot water..DUH) I seemed to be misplaced all day long.
When the sun rises, I'm in my swing with my bible and journal thanking the Lord for the birds singing, his skies, his clouds, his trees and even his hummingbirds.
I have gained so much knowledge about the Lord on the net.
I can't thank the Lord enough for Crosswalk and the other sites I visit.
I give you all the honor, praise & glory that you so richly deserve Lord.
Without you I am nothing and I'm not going back to nothing!
In Jesus name, Amen
Connie Lou
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/10/2008 9:14:00 AM
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deliveredarling
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Oh the silence! I absolutely love it! To be alone...... in a word-awesome.
My life prior to becoming sold out, was terribly, terribly chaotic. Total busyness, focus on everything that was not of God. Anything that would keep me from the silence and keep the chaos going. Fear was in the silence. Fear of having to see who and what I really was. Fear of the Unknown. The more sober I got, the fear actually increased! I couldn't stand it. I was covered in shame, blame and guilt. When I became able to look into the mirror, I became able to turn to my Father. I was along time before I could be still and know that He is God. During the silence, I came to know His love for me. I gave Him the sins of my past. In the silence I surrendered. In the silence He gave me new life! He speaks to me anywhere I go, but it is in the silence and solitude that I relish Him and feel the closest. How important is it? For me, It is a daily requirement, sometimes more than once, especially when the whirlwind of life starts turning. I need the silence and solitude to stop and focus on Him to give me the solution or at least the next step.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: The importance of silence and solitude - 7/10/2008 11:27:54 AM
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Liveloved
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quote:
Fear was in the silence. Fear of having to see who and what I really was. Fear of the Unknown.
You're speaking true words, DD. I think what you found to be true, lived and are sharing IS exactly the reason so many do not come to the quiet. It is fear based indeed. In the light we can not hide. We are exposed. We see ourselves just as Isaiah saw himself and knew what a wretched man he was. But it is then and only then that we can truly see and know God. But Perfect Love casts out fear. He has for you. He has for me. He will for anyone who comes to Him. Thanks for sharing your story and your love of silence! Bless you, DD! 
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