Old dogs, new tricks

When I sent out the reminder to my foxhole guys this week, I told them I needed some inspiration for my ACTion plan. As usual, they came up big! We started in the area of Abiding, where I thought I was already doing pretty well. See, I've been a DBR (daily bible reader) for a while, and in more recent years have begun journaling to slow me down, collect my thoughts, and articulate my impressions of what I'm reading. But I began to notice something: Even in that activity, I could sometimes breeze through and treat it like the first item on my to-do list - check the box and get on with the day. Was I becoming like the man in James?

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  -James 1:23-24

In order to experience the blessing of relationship, my quiet time has to be more than a peck on the cheek on my way out the door. It has to leave an impression that sets the tone for everything else that happens in the day. I needed a way to get to the next verse.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  -James 1:25

What was missing? I wasn't consistently supplementing my reading with prayer. So the Abiding portion of my ACTion plan now includes a prayer before my quiet time, asking the Spirit to prepare my mind to receive what He needs to show me today, a prayer after my quiet time, asking Him to bring today's scripture and related thoughts to mind repeatedly throughout the day, and an end-of-day prayer to recap, be aware of where God was working, and thank Him for His ongoing care and presence. As a side benefit, I've been told that end-of-day prayer (vespers, as it's known in some circles) will help me sleep better too!

I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  -Psalm 16:8 (NASB)

It's an exciting journey we're on, men! We talked some about Convoying and Transferring in foxhole as well, but I will save those notes for another time. Safe to say - the ACTion plan is starting to shape up! Jump in and join us at the Lodge on Friday, February 1, 6:15 AM. We will hear from Doug Raines as he sets the tone, before we’re too far down the road, by reminding us who GOD is.

Who is this King of glory? YHWH strong and mighty, YHWH mighty in battle.  -Psalm 24:8

Heads up, eyes open, men!