open - Latest Comments in christian cliche? (quiet time)

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:59:52 -0000

thanks brother.
time with God..anywhere, all the time!
Peace.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:58:14 -0000

Prayer in isolation is a must!
It’s just the idea that we “have a certain place” or “only a certain time” where we can be with or hear from God that I’m against. Thanks for the thoughts and post!!

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

K-Mad — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:56:21 -0000

Aaron,

I think about the verse that says "be still and know that I am God" and I just have to think, in no way does it say to be quiet, just still. I don't really understand what "quiet time" means, but you and patrick and jonathan have all made good points and strong cases agaisnt what it means. Or doesn't mean. Thanks for this blog, you have really uplifted me with your blogs. Your friend,

K-Mad

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:51:14 -0000

In my life I’ve experienced seasons of both. The times I’m most alive is when I’m living in the balance of disciple while being spontaneous.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Joseph — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:10 -0000

Aaron,

I hear what you're saying, however, I don't think the concept of quiet time is quite as simplistic as a comparison to a meeting at Starbucks. It is true to say that we live in a world in which media distractions are ubiquitous. If I'm trying to have a conversation with someone I love yet I'm distracted by TV, or music or some other such influence, it's fair to say that my conversation will hardly be of any substance or depth. Whether it's the semantics of the term "quiet time" that you disagree with, I imagine you certainly are not opposed to the idea of prayer in a place of isolation in much the same way Jesus did when he had fed the five thousand and then retired to a secluded place for upwards of six hours.
By the way, thanks for showing some love to the Clarks on my blog.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Kevin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:21:57 -0000

I onece heard a pastor say that discipline comes before godliness. Do you think it is more effective to be disciplined or spontaneous in our time with God? It is important to be disciplined to make spending time with God a habit in our life but it is also something that should come naturally over time. How do you feel about it?

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Beartracks — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:00:02 -0000

I have a moble air card and my wife was driving.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:25:17 -0000

love the pictures you paint...and man you are tech savvy, driving down the road!
thanks beartracks!

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Beartracks — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:52:03 -0000

Sorry for the mispelled words, I am typing this in the dark as we are traveling down the road.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Beartracks — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:48:54 -0000

Here is a little story of two artists eho were asked to paint peace (quiet). One atrist found a glassy still lake and painted that as his quiet time. The other saw an eagles nest at the bottom of a waterfall and painted that ax hhis quiet time. When asked ato explain he simply said peace in the middle of tribulation. That's how I define my QT finding peace int eh middle of strife. Driving down the road during rush hour and finding God . Working on a project at home and talking to God while I work, these are great moments of QT with God.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

robin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:20:59 -0000

The phrase doesn't offend me. I spend much of the quiet times in my day with God. It could be a little quick prayer in between student's questions or the few min I have alone in my room before school starts or the five seconds after I have found Reese coloring on the walls to ask God to help me not kill her...or pray that he develops her strong little personality in spite of me!

Regardless of what you call it or when you do it, it is essential to deepening your relationship. And I think when people ask, their question is probably something deeper they have a desire to know.

Just my two cents.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Broun Stacy — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:39:50 -0000

Shouldn't our times with Christ be the most violent, ruinous, occasions where our preconceptions fall like scales and daily we get to try to get our minds around these unfathomable claims of Christ. I can understand why the Puritans called it "quiet" in order to do things in private/secret but i mean c'mon 5 minutes with Max Lucado (no offense) is not what the triune God would call "Quality Time" (another cute acronym for Q.T i have seen)

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Veronica — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:53:12 -0000

I have never been asked that question. However, I do have quiet time on my way to work every morning and my way back home. To me, it's time just to speak to God outloud. Hi, came across your blog through Cindy's.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:31:39 -0000

Cindy and Chris.
baptist roots huh?
we're on the same page!

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:30:16 -0000

Anne, Hope, and Bradruggles.
Thanks for your posts today!
Enjoy spending your entire day with Jesus Christ!

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:27:16 -0000

aaron thanks for the post.
i agree. One of the best "quiet times" i've ever had was sitting in a park on a warm day, feeling the breeze and watching my little girls play on the swings. I was alive in that moment. God was alive in that moment

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

bradruggles — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:26:25 -0000

I don't have as big of a problem with this one as I do some of the others. While I agree that it can easily become a cliche in Christian culture the concept behind it is something that we should all try to work on.

And I don't think that our times with God always need to be "quiet." Some of the best time I've spent with God was with music blaring and me singing at the top of my lungs in my car. :-)

Brad Ruggles
www.bradruggles.com

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Hope — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:24:08 -0000

This might sound a little strange but my quietest times with God are the noisiest times that occur. It's when I seem to be getting trapped in "life" or disappearing in the "noise" that I just visit that space in my head where only He has access. I zone into Him and get still in my mind - everything else just seems to follow suit. To be frank, when I "try" and be still and quiet, I get most distracted - strange perhaps - but that's what makes me unique I suppose. :)

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Anna Meadows — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:20:59 -0000

Agree... the phrase has lost it's true meaning and effect. However, it is vital for me to take time out of my day to pour over the scriptures, and pray... but it's never a set time, or on a schedule, it's more out of desire... hunger... like I can't help but remove activities so I have the time to spend with HIM... but that doesn't mean that I don't constantly talk with Him during my day and feel His presence in everything!

I'm loving this series!

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:10:51 -0000

I rebel when I hear this phrase. I have "quiet times" with God all through out the day. Seeing a little boy with CP smile when I sit him on my lap and swing with him or hearing my daughter make up songs and sing with all her heart. I understand the importance of reading God's word and praying, but it most definitely does not stop there.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

chris rogers — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:28:20 -0000

"Quiet time" brings me back to my southern baptist upbringing. I can't stand that phrase.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Cindy Beall — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:18:08 -0000

Guilty. Ex-Baptist. Not a big fan of that phrase but I've used it a bazillion times. Another thing that goes with that is when people think that it SHOULD be done the first thing in the morning. Well, I've got an early riser and when he hears me, he's up. So, my "quiet time" wouldn't be very quiet. I just try to spend some time in the Word whenever it is actually quiet at my house! That's rare :)

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:07:18 -0000

i had a motorcycle. some of the best time with God was when i was riding. that seemed to be one of the only times no one could reach me...no radio, no phone, no email...just me, the wind, and God! Great time with my king!

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

aaron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:05:38 -0000

Patrick-totally agree
Jonathan-totally agree

a cliche is a word that or phrase that looses its meaning. Quiet time has been used so freely it has lost some meaning.

Re: christian cliche? (quiet time)

Robin Meadows — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:20:15 -0000

Well, since it's never been very quiet at our house, I guess you could say I never have a "quiet time". My favorite talking to Jesus time happens when I'm in the car alone, or on a motorcycle ride. It still usually happens in the continual chaos of life!