Relationship Over Religion Field Manual
IMPORTANT: Deeper relationship with God happens when you practice and experience the tool. Complete the TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD & REFLECTION WITH GOD
Consider: If this resource helps you or someone you know, consider a thank you-gift. This will help the Why Live Today channel and GodFocus app continue to grow!! (2 Cor. 9:7)
I've collected the tools that have helped me and others over the past 18 years of biblical counseling and discipleship. I recommend practicing and experiencing every tool. Some you'll use for a chapter/season, and others for a lifetime.
"Now this is eternal life: that they KNOW YOU (experiential and growing relationship), the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." - Jesus (John 17:3)
Try the GodFocus App (Mobile & Desktop)
Don't get distracted! Fan the flame of your relational, daily Time Alone With God (TAWG) with the GodFocus app! If we have a shallow relationship with God, it’s no wonder that the pull of everything else is stronger. I created the GodFocus app to help you deepen and defend your daily time alone with God. This was the #1 habit of Jesus. (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Mark 14:32). We should do it too!
IMPORTANT: Sign up for an account (name, email, and password) to access the following features:
Growing Flame & Stats
As you grow in your Daily Time Alone With God, your flame will grow. Also, keep track of your minutes, sessions, and streaks. You can share them as well.
Daily Reminders
Click the bell or go to Settings in the menu to schedule a daily reminder to do your Time Alone With God. If you already did it that day, it will remind you what God showed you.
Private GF Journal
You can easily encourage and share the app and your Time Alone With God sessions with friends. You can also easily search your journal sessions using customizable tags. All session entries are privately archived.
Become a Firekeeper or Flamekeeper (supporter). Your support helps the app grow and help more people, and you receive lifetime access to all current and future features (never pay anything).
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: For 30 days, use the app at least once daily for a 3-minute guided, relational Time Alone With God session (Share, Silence, Seek) and then record what happened in the GF app journal. OR turn off your phone and go somewhere to be alone with God for at least 3 minutes every day for 30 days (take Bible and notebook).
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
Daily Guided Time Alone With God Videos
Why Live Today YouTube Channel
Click on the button below to join me for a daily, 3-minute guided, relational Time Alone With God (TAWG).
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Click link above or go to Why Live Today YouTube and search for @whylivetoday, which is my YouTube Channel. Subscribe and sign up for all notifications (click the bell icon) to be notified daily. Do this for at least seven days, until you get momentum to do it on your own, or just keep going with me! It can also help you get started again if you have been struggling to be consistent.
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
Telescope & Microscope Bible Study
Get to know God and listen for God's Voice through an overview of the 66 books of the Bible and in-depth study of the Bible
"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." - Jesus [Jhn 5:39-40 NIV]
RELATIONAL TELESCOPE (Topical)
It's good to have general knowledge of the Bible and what each book is about so you know where to go, and you can tell others where to go to grow your relationship through the season/chapters of life. One of the best is Ray Stedman's Bible Overview and his 66 messages summarizing the 66 books of the Bible.
RELATIONAL MICROSCOPE (In-Depth)
Learn to use the Blue Letter Bible Study App to experience the different ways God can communicate with you through…
- Reading plans
- Listening to the Bible
- Translation comparison
- In-depth written / audio / video commentaries
- Topic studies
- Cross-references
- Hebrew and Greek lexicon (definitions)
- Maps and more!
05:17
YouTube
The BLB in 5 Minutes
This video walks you through the Blue Letter Bible in only 5 minutes, showcasing the various study tools that are available to all of our users—as always, completely free. We encourage you to share this video with others as a brief overview covering the essentials of BLB. ___ We humbly ask that you consider giving to Blue Letter Bible today. If you feel so led, you can donate here: https://blb.org/donate #BLB #BlueLetterBible #BibleStudy
Click to download Blue Letter Bible onto your device…
One of my favorite in-depth Bible commentaries is by David Guzik. We must learn to hear God's voice through others, especially people who have the gift of teaching. David's teaching/commentaries have consistently been the most helpful because it's not just David! He often references other well-known Bible teachers (Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, G. Campbell Morgan, etc.).
Proverbs 11:14
Where [there is] no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety.
David has been in Christian service for more than 35 years, including two church plants and more than seven years as a missionary in Germany, as director and teacher for an international Bible college. It's also offered in Spanish.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Watch the blueletterbible.org instructional video above. Ask God to communicate with you as you go through the exercise below. Don't just listen or read for information. You are reading or listening for God to speak something to you.
In-Depth Exercise: For seven days, pick a Bible chapter in the blueletterbible.org app and read or listen to it. Choose a verse that stands out (connects to a personal issue or circumstance in your life, repeatedly comes up in your mind, or causes strong feelings or thoughts). Click on and try out each feature (Interlinear, Bibles, Cross-Refs, Commentaries, Dictionaries, Misc.). Expect God to lead and communicate with you as you explore. When you select "Commentaries," read through David Guzik's commentary.
Topical Overview Exercise: Listen to Ray Stedman's teaching on each of the 66 books. Each one is under one hour long.
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
YouVersion Bible Mobile App
Relationship with God through community and creativity
FEATURES…
Available in more than 60 languages
Read the Bible or let audio versions read the Bible to you.
Subscribe to Bible Reading and Topic Plans
Daily portions of Scripture paired with devotional, audio, or video selections.
Prayers you can keep private, or invite friends
Add bookmarks, highlights, and private/public notes to any verse.
Easily share Bible passages
On social media, text, or email.
Bible Reading and Topic Plans
Go through a Bible or topic plan on your own, with a friend, or in a group.
Create verse images
Shareable Bible art that uses your own.
www.youversion.com (explanation of mobile app)
Download to your mobile device…
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD:
Option 1 - For one week, every day, go to the YouVersion front page on your phone and go through the Guided Prayer and/or the Guided Scripture.
Option 2 - Start and complete a Bible Reading Plan on an area where you'd like to grow and expect God to communicate with you every day as you go through it (e.g., The Gospels, Fear, Addiction). Invite someone else, a few people, or a large group to join you in the plan on a daily basis. Expect God to speak through others too!
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
The Bible Project
Visual and audio teaching that helps us get to know God so we are better able to recognize His presence and trust His voice. We can share our hearts more easily if we know God is compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love for us.
Click to get the Bible Project on…
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD:
- Learn how listening is connected to doing, which leads to experiencing relationship with God: Doing things with and for God is a critical part of relationship. Watch Shema – Listen
- Recognize the voice of God by knowing what God is like: Watch the Character of God Series
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
Music
Does God feel more present when you sing to Him, or with Him, or just when you listen to the words and think about His presence? What about when you listen to instrumental songs vs. songs with lyrics? Different genres?
Personal Note: For the longest time, I didn't sing in church. But when I finally broke free and stopped caring about what others thought of me or my self-consciousness, I really connected more deeply with God's presence.
Below are some of the songs that help me connect most deeply with God.
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Scars by TobyMac
A broken/evil world will tempt and wound me, but Jesus is with me and will forgive, heal, and help me to overcome. My scars can be a story to comfort others (Heb. 13:5).
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Strong Enough by Matthew West
I'm not strong enough without God (John 15:5).
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The River by Jordan Feliz
I'm clean and right with God through Jesus (1 John 1:9).
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More Like Fallin' in Love by Jason Gray
Relationship with Jesus over rules (John 17:3).
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Move by TobyMac
Pray, guess, God (Proverbs 3:5-6). Hang in there and just do the next right thing (Gal. 6:9).
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What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship
Fix my eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:3).
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Skin and Bones by Jars of Clay
We are lonely for God and to be rid of the presence of sin (the penalty and power are gone). Perfect love and connection is already, but the fullness is not yet (Rev. 21:4).
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Yours Will Be by Big Daddy Weave
Jesus is all that matters (Philippians 3:10).
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Already There by Casting Crowns
God already knows my whole story and is helping me (Ephesians 2:10).
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD:
- Consider the relational connecting principles of presence, pour, and pitch. Listen through my WLT Freedom Songs Playlist on Spotify (or your own playlist) while practicing God's PRESENCE and enjoying the music with God (try singing with and/or for God, or listen to the song as God singing over you). Remember, God is real and He communicates through music (Genesis 28:16).
- As you listen through the music playlist a second time, ask God to help you express (POUR) how you feel as you listen to the songs. Pick songs that fit how you are feeling (try singing with that feeling: mad, glad, sad, frustrated, thankful, etc.). Be real with God (Psalm 62:8).
- A third time through, don't sing. Ask God to speak to you (PITCH) through these songs and pay attention to the lyrics, your thoughts, or images that come to mind as you listen. Remember, you will recognize His voice (John 10:27).
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
10 Ways to Practice God's Presence
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Practice 1: Just Jesus
What better way to get to know someone than to read or listen to their biography from four different perspectives: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Every day re-engage, read, remember, reconsider, and reimagine the life of Jesus while rooted somewhere in these four Gospel books of the Bible. There are all sorts of ideas regarding Jesus. If you are at all open to the idea of Jesus being God, then I encourage you to still get to know Jesus for yourself and make an informed decision. Set aside what others say and get to know Him personally for yourself based on eyewitness accounts. Returning to Jesus is a foundational practice that will keep you dug in and engaging with the presence and identity of God.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: One-Thing Focus (8 Days of Beatitudes)
Today, slowly re-read and think about just one of the eight qualities that are blessed by God. Notice that each quality (also known as Beatitudes) is fulfilled and satisfied by God's presence. For example, the first is found in Matt. 5:3. Accepting our poverty of spirit (inadequacy without God) is critical in experiencing God's merciful, loving presence and help in our lives! Work your way through each of the eight qualities in Matt. 5:3-12 over eight days. Feel free to spend longer or shorter on each quality with a focus on God's presence filling, surrounding, guiding, and protecting you in that moment.
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Practice 2: Physical Presence
The body is often forgotten and minimized in much of Christian culture. Contrast that with the secular obsession with fitness, health, and looks, and well, it's confusing. We are mind, soul, and body. In the following passage, Jesus looked up to heaven, with His eyes open, and talked to God out loud.
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so He can give glory back to You." - [John 17:1 NLT]
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Involve Your Body
At least once each day this week, talk to Jesus out loud with your eyes looking up. Or try a different physical position, like on your knees. Sometimes I get on my knees and face the wall in my office, like Hezekiah did when his city was under siege. The wall is a great reminder of just how powerless we are to overcome problems, or do good without believing in God's powerful presence in our lives.
Here are some other ideas. Simply acknowledge God's presence with a movement when you are involved with a physical activity like lifting weights (a slower, thankful rep), shooting a basket (look up before the shot), putting dishes away (set it down slower), or running (point up before, during, or after). When I surfed, I would paddle for a wave and pull back to give God the wave.
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Practice 3: God's Delight in You!
If we've placed our trust in Jesus, we can rest in, enjoy, and celebrate as we rest and receive God's delight over us. You are enjoyed, accepted, adopted, secure, significant, satisfied...the list goes on and on, because of the work of Jesus through the cross and with His Spirit. Repeat, meditate, reflect, and personalize a meaningful Bible passage. The Holy Spirit is speaking to you and will bring it back to mind at the right time. It's a personal Word from God.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Personalize Something God Says
Take Zephaniah 3:17 as an example:
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." - [Zep 3:17 NLT]
Just take one small part of this passage and change it to something like this: "[Your name], I rejoice over you with joyful songs." Take a moment to repeat this truth out loud to yourself and/or just think about it at least three different times of the day (e.g., wake up, ride to work, before you go to sleep). Put it somewhere where you will see it: a bathroom mirror, end table near your bed, your car dashboard, or office desk. Work this into your weekly routine.
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Practice 4: Mid-Conversation Prayer
Talk with God mid-conversation as you speak to someone at an event or during an activity. I used to play golf and not give a moment's thought about God, especially if I was playing really well (rare) or stinking it up (often). Nehemiah does this in the Bible (an arrow prayer).
Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king… [Neh 2:4 NKJV]
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Practice at least once a day for a week
Practice praying the mid-conversation prayer for one week, at least once each day, when you are talking to someone or in the middle of an activity like checking out at the grocery store, speaking to a coworker, or working out at the gym. It will be awkward and take effort at first. Watch how this transforms your interactions because you are drawing near to God.
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Practice 5: Title Change
I'm not talking about the DMV. For a long time, I would pray beginning with, "God, Lord, or Father," which would be an abstract idea of God at best, or at worst, a negative association from my past because of baggage related to those titles. I had a great Dad, but Father sounds so foreign and formal.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Practice at least once a day for a week.
Every day for one week, try talking to God by saying the name of Jesus out loud, or something more personal like Daddy, or Abba. Picture Jesus in your mind based on a representation from a Gospel story that is especially meaningful to you. For example, in John 10, He calls Himself the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. Imagine Him leading you, carrying you, holding you close, and standing between you and some threat, like a cliff, a wild animal, or another person.
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Practice 6: Fade and Focus
Can you think of another practice that would help you let everything and everyone else fade away so that you are only aware of God? Brother Lawrence gives radical advice in his book: The Practice of the Presence of God.
"I began to practice the presence of God, and I began to live as if there was no one else in the world but God and me." Page 29
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Block out the Noise and Stimulus
Here are a few exercises for Fade and Focus. Do you ever wonder why some of your best thinking happens in the shower? I will close my eyes, let the water run over my head, and just let everything fade away except the awareness of God's presence. Sometimes, I will even tilt my head or lean against the shower wall like I'm leaning on Jesus, just like John did at the Last Supper.
Or invest in some serious noise-canceling headphones (try silence and try with music) that draw you into practicing God's presence (try not to fall asleep ;-). Or find what works for you to Fade and Focus! Experiment!
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Practice 7: Keep a Record
While we strive to practice God's presence throughout the day, there are particular moments or experiences in God's presence that we need and want to record and remember. This is where a journal, canvas, a camera, or smartphone app come in. It's not so much the medium or method, but what works for you. Sign in to GodFocus mobile app to access the searchable and shareable journal entries with a bell icon to be reminded of what God said later in the day.
Think of it this way: if Jesus was meeting with you for coffee, or in your hotel room, or hiking up a mountain with you, would you want to write down or record what happened? Things changed for me in an empty Louisville hotel room where I would usually feel lonely and bored and act out sexually when I struggled with sexual sin. But it changed in Louisville when I by faith believed the truth. Jesus was my roommate. I couldn't wait to get into my room, get on my knees, and lay my journal on the bed, ready to record my time with Jesus. I often take my journal with me during my Time Alone With God, road trips, for a Sunday sermon, on a hike, etc., because there's an expectancy and valuing of that time as a real meeting with the Creator of the Universe, best friend, and the Lover of my Soul. There isn't always excitement or expectancy. That's when keeping a written record can remind and rekindle the fire of your relationship with God.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Get away once this week for a few hours, or once this month for a day
At least once this week, get away with your journal, a paintbrush, colored pencils, or headphones (noise-canceling or peaceful sounds) so you can be alone. You may want to shut off your phone completely. For more detail on how to do this, see the Extended Time Alone With God (ETAWG) resource.
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Practice 8: Quiet Place and Timer Exercise
Every day I use the GodFocus mobile app and click on the 3-minute guided relational session and then sit back in my office chair, get on my knees, or walk back and forth in my office journaling what God brings to mind. Often I increase the time. I also turn off the lights. I ask God for a Word from the Bible to stay anchored in truth. Remember to only keep thoughts and ideas as a communication from God if it passes the following test (1 Thess. 5:21):
1. Aligns with the sacrificial love of Jesus
2. The Bible and the
3. Body of Christ (mature believers)
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Set a daily timer to just sit with or walk with Jesus.
Once a day for a week, set a timer for at least 3 minutes and just sit with God. A friend of mine said that he can't sit; he has to walk. I remember a season of life when I just didn't want to journal because it felt like another task to check off or a burden. So I stopped. Find what works for you in your current season.
8 Practices Qualifier: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Keep in mind that I am an introverted counselor, English major, with input and connectivity as two of my top qualities (StrengthsFinder Assessment) and mercy as my main spiritual gift (Romans 12:6-7). Not everything is going to resonate with you. God made you different. You need to get to know yourself. That said, as a way of balancing out the bias of my practices/approaches that I am sharing, you can check out a great article called Jesus Didn't Journal by the wife of a well-known author and introverted pastor. I especially like it because she pushes back on some of the practices I mentioned, like journaling. Instead, she mentions attending an intense event. As an extrovert, she talks about connecting with God at a big wave surfing event with lots of people all around her :-). On the left sidebar of this article, there are other articles called "Fresh Air" and "Creative Connections" that explore some other potentially helpful practices.
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the practices you tried (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
How Emotionally Mature Are You?
"It's impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature." - Peter Scazzero
Personal Note: Emotional immaturity was one of three major reasons I struggled with functional addiction (bad/sin habits) and loneliness. Click on the link below and scroll down the page to find the quiz.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: Find out how emotionally mature you are on the Emotionally Healthy website. Click the button and take the quiz. This will be helpful if you choose to experience the emotional vocabulary exercise tool.
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
How to Mature Emotionally
Practice identifying and expressing your feelings and go deeper with God!
Tip: Finding the right Psalm, and reading, listening, or praying through it, is a great way to help you identify, process, and express your feelings with God.
If you've ever been lost or looking for a specific store in a shopping center, there's a good chance you were helped by a display map. Usually, a red dot on the map says this: "You are here." I struggled with emotional awareness and expression for years, and this is a key step in discovering deeper, core thirsts in our soul. There is a reason God asks Adam, "Where are you?" God knows, but Adam doesn't. You can do this on your own, but you ultimately want to share and feel these feelings with God (Psalm 62:8) and a trusted friend who can listen and process it with you. Remember, feelings are like car dashboard signals and gauges that help you discern what is going on in the deeper places of your engine (mind, heart, and soul). Emotions should not dictate your decisions and actions but they can help discern them and connect us relationally.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD: For at least seven days, practice the Red Dot and Green Dot Emotional Vocabulary Exercise. I encourage you to do this alone and with a trusted believer friend (Matthew 18:20).
- As you look at the dots, simply ask yourself the question, "Where am I right now, or what am I feeling right now?"
- Then look over and pick out the Red Dot and/or Green Dot words that seem to fit.
- Write those feelings down and then ask God, "Why am I feeling this way?" then sit and listen. Or, walk through the Listening Prayer Guidelines or Healing Prayer Guidelines with this emotion in mind to see what the Holy Spirit shows you. NOTE: The words below the waterline in the iceberg illustration (above) are examples of universal core thirsts that God has given to us. Often, core thirsts like these cause the emotions we experience because they are unmet or violated in some way.
- Ask God, "Which of the core thirsts on the iceberg sheet matter most to me?" Rank them from most important to least important. God must be the primary way we fulfill these core thirsts. Ask God to satisfy these core thirsts/desires and ask for forgiveness for trying to have these desires satisfied by people or things.
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
My Freedom Through Relationship
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD:
Option 1 - You can watch a more recent interview where I share my personal story, struggles, and journey to freedom through relationship with God. Here is my interview with Jonathan Daugherty of BeBroken Ministires on three different platforms:
Option 2 - Watch each of the videos in my Freedom from Addiction and Loneliness Video Series. These are older, rougher videos (and a little cheesy), but I pray they are helpful to you. ;-)
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
How to Do Extended Time Alone With God
If we have a shallow relationship with God, it's no wonder that we experience functional addiction (bad habits/idols) and loneliness. We can develop a deeper relationship through extended time alone with God (ETAWG). If Jesus went away for extended time alone in prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Mark 14:32), we should too!
IMPORTANT: Don't put pressure on yourself, but make it like a time with your best friend. Even if nothing dramatic seems to happen, remember that you are connecting with God through faith by sacrificing the time to God. Don't worry, God will follow through on his promise to speak to you and guide you, but it may not be in the way you think (Jeremiah 29:13).
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD:
- Read the above article.
- Put Extended Time Alone With God (ETAWG) on your schedule for at least two hours, but it could be longer (half day, day, weekend, etc.).
- Plan where you want to go and pack what you need (Bible, journal, pen, jacket, music, etc.).
- Try at least three of the tools in this Relational Field Manual.
Option: Try the S.O.A.P. method. Ask God to give you a SCRIPTURE (Bible passage) that seems to stand out (example: John 3:16), then make an OBSERVATION (example: God so loved), then APPLY it to your life (example: I will put a post-it note on my bathroom mirror saying "God so loved [your name]"), and finally PRAY (example: "Lord, help me put this on my mirror and remember to look at it and believe it every day.").
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with, and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it, and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.
What's Your Mole Focus? (Fun Quiz)
This is fun, but also helpful for figuring out what season of life you are in and the role you need to focus on as you grow in your relationship with God.
TAKE A FAITH STEP WITH GOD:
- Take the quiz to discover the role you need to focus on for your current season of life.
- Optional: Click on the related playlist below on the Why Live Today YouTube Channel to watch videos related to your focus. FYI, I haven't done much with the Giver Video Playlist yet. Lord willing, I will get back to it soon. Thanks for your encouragement and support as I keep working to develop these projects!
- Optional: Let me know if you want me to bring my merch store back from the dead so you can buy merch with your focus mole! (sweatshirts, t-shirts, journals, hats, etc.) for your mole focus;-)
REFLECT WITH GOD and write about the experience (thoughts, feelings, questions, a prayer, a Bible verse, an experience or activity you did with God, etc.). These are all ways that we can experience, connect with and hear from God. Writing it down can help you realize this, remember it and act on it so the relationship with God grows. Consider sharing your experience or the tool with a friend who might benefit. Loving others by sharing is another way we experience God's presence and love.