REST: I went to bed around 11:00 pm exhausted, fell asleep immediately, and woke up around 4:35 am to use the bathroom. When I came back to bed, I listened to my entire iTunes playlist for Day #17, including a worship song, Proverbs 17, Acts 17, I Bless You, TPPH 17, TPPP 17, and TPPW 17.

Maui got me up at 5:25 am. After feeding her and letting her outside briefly, I came to my Sacred Place (sunroom) to journal using my brand new “Sacred Time, Sacred Place: A Journal” for the first time. This was an UNCOMMON gift I received in the mail from Bruce (Cook) yesterday. The mail lady managed to deliver our mail despite the 4-5″ of new snow.

In his email to me dated December 15, Bruce wrote “BE expecting a powerful surprise this week! Just remember, in business it’s not always about whether you know someone. Often it Is about value that was created, or trust that leads to action.”

I began my quiet time in my Sacred Place by reading Patricia King’s introduction to her “Sacred Time, Sacred Place” journal. I happened to open to a page that said “In Memory of Oral Roberts!” That immediately grabbed my attention. Then I read the key scripture – Song of Solomon 2:14

O My dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret pace of the steep pathway,
Let me see your form, let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet, and your form is lovely.

Next, I read “A Divine Appointment With Oral Roberts.” Patricia wrote,

“Three months before Dr. Oral Roberts went to be with the Lord, I had the privilege of being with him in his home. Prior to his departure to glory, he invited a number of ministers from around the world into his private quarters to pray over them. During this time he allowed each to ask a question. I desired to know how he had maintained his devotion time in the midst of many years of leading large mandates and assignments from the Lord. Another guest asked the question before it was my turn and I will never forget his answer.

He called his daily time with the Lord his Sacred Time. He explained that when he went into his prayer closet no one was allowed to interrupt him – including his wife and children. Everyone in his family and ministry respected this sacred time – his time alone with God. No phone calls, no visits, no questions, and today we could say, no internet! He informed us that when God spoke to him in his Sacred Time, he obeyed immediately. He stated, “God never had to speak twice to me. When he spoke, I obeyed.” He pursued the Lord with an undivided heart and with full belief that God would speak with him just as He spoke with Moses – face-to-face as a man speaks to his friend.

The enormous fruitfulness of Dr. Oral Roberts’ worldwide ministry was clearly a result of the God encounters and visitation of grace he experienced in his uninterrupted and undisturbed Sacred Time and Sacred Place.”

Next I read “How To Have A Fruitful Devotional Time With Jesus!” This was so good. I especially liked Patricia’s simple teaching about “What to do in a devotional time?” One of the things that jumped out at me was this, “Make a list of things that distract. Somethings in the midst of your devotion time you might receive some distracting thoughts such as, “Oh, I better remember to pay that bill later and email a friend.” Keep a small notepad available, and write those things down so you do not have to think on them again until after your devotion time is over.”

Finally, I read her “One Year Bible Reading Plan.” The Holy Spirit then prompted me to start with Day #1, so I read out loud Genesis 1-2 and Matthew 1 in the Maxwell Leadership Bible declaring and decreeing God’s Word. As I read John Maxwell’s introduction to Genesis, I realized the book of Genesis has 50 chapters. The number 50 is very significant. As I read these 3 chapters in the Bible, these scriptures stood out

Genesis 2:24-25 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Joseph heard God and obeyed.

I then hand wrote this very first two-way prayer in my “Sacred Time, Sacred Place” journal.

Wow Jesus! My spirit is jumping for joy. Thank you for laying out the entire sequence of steps that were necessary to lead Bruce to sow this UNCOMMON seed – Sacred Time, Sacred Place: A Journal” into my life. Thank You for this morning’s rich abiding time. To You, I give all glory, honor, and praise. Blessed be Your holy name.

Thank You Joseph for your obedience. Your past has not been wasted. Your choices and decisions have led you to this turning point. Today, I lay before you life and death, blessings, and curses. Therefore, CHOOSE LIFE. Choose Me. What you were missing was your Sacred Place. Even your Sacred Time was not sacred. Today you begin a new life in Me, with Me, and through Me. Today you move from the natural to the SUPERNATURAL.

Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart. What are your desires?

Thank you for asking Jesus!

1) I’d like to be debt free by December 31, 2010.

2) I’d like to launch the 30-60-100 Master’s Mind Coaching by Christmas (2010).

3) I’d like to be praying and decreeing financial blessings with Julia starting today.

Ok, Joseph. I’ve heard your prayers and heart cry. BE blessed.

Blessings to establish a Sacred Time and Sacred Place and journal!

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy
Founder and Executive Director of Webinars777 and Seminars777
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations
Community Transformation Specialist

P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course ““30 Days To Breakthrough” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

A team is a group of people doing something together to produce a specific result or outcome. None of us, no matter how good we are can be great at everything. So what are 6 key advantages of teams?

Advantage 1: Increases productivity
Organizations are continuously looking for efficiency or productivity gains as a source of competitive advantage. Teams, especially those that are close to the point of delivery can identify what needs to change to boost productivity better than any group of senior managers could ever hope to. Let the team focus on productivity and the organisation gains.

Advantage 2: Improves communication skills
For teams to succeed they need to be able to get their messages across, listen effectively to other points of view and build on ideas. As a result of being on the team, people are getting the opportunity to develop and improve their communication skills.

Advantage 3: Diversity of skills
Some people in organisations thrive in dealing with the big picture stuff. Others get their kick from getting immersed in the detail. There will be others who thrive on idea generation and others who love to take something from concept to finished article. This diverse range of people skills and working together have the potential to deliver a much better solution than any one individual could ever hope to do.

Advantage 4: Improved problem solving
Think about a time when you had a problem that you needed to solve. You probably get so far and then end up getting stuck because of your own range of experience or knowledge. When you have access to the wider range of skills and knowledge you ultimately solve problems faster and better.

Advantage 5: Process improvement
Few business processes operate in isolation just within one area of the organisation. They tend to cross functions and even geographical boundaries. A team with insights of different parts of the process will clearly be better placed to make successful process improvements.

Advantage 6: Smarter use of resources
When a team has focus on getting a specific result, chances are they will find creative ways of using the resources at their disposal rather than focusing on the constraints.

Bottom Line – There are numerous advantages of teams. What else would you add to the list of advantages.

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps professional people to improve their leadership and management skills and getting better results through teams. For information about services and programmes click here.

LORD, teach me what it means to seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness first.

Randy, “whenever you lack clarity” as to what to say or do, get alone with Me, quiet your mind, read My Word, and write down what you hear. That is seeking My Kingdom and righteousness first. Confusion is never from Me. Connect to Me – I AM the Vine. Fruitfulness is My state of being. It will be yours too as long as you stay connected to Me.

Randy, I AM the source of breakthrough. Prayer and praise open the gateway to heaven. I have wanted you to spend much more time praying for hurting people like you used to. I AM bringing you back closer. Working harder is not the answer. It never has been. Abiding in Me always has. I love you with an everlasting love. I AM – I AM the God of the present – always here for you.

Pr 23:4-5 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Joh 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Randy, thank you for pressing in. My love, My grace is sufficient. Peace be with you. My peace is with you. Rest in Me. Rest in Me! Get it – REST. I was never in a hurry. I don’t want you to be either.

Now Rest. Stop writing. Close your eyes. Picture being with Me at the Sea of Galilee. Just you and Me – friends.

Write Ben and Renato to ask for their forgiveness in making them feel like they couldn’t have access to you. Do I ever restrict access to Me? Of course not. So why should you do otherwise?

Randy, I want you to to start a class with Renato called “Words From Jesus!” Start in December. Let your friends and followers experience Me in a new way this Christmas.

Randy, let’s go for a walk around the lake. Do you see the mother with her little boy? She has nothing to give her son this Christmas, but you can reach out to help. Go talk to them. Listen to them. Bring them My peace, My hope. OK now tell them about Me. They can’t see Me yet, but you can. Tell them about Me. Tell them how much I love them. They need to know someone loves them.

To be spiritually healthy, you must ruthless eliminate hurry from your life!

BE STILL and KNOW that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)

What does a hurry-free life look like to you?

One of the best reasons to journal is that it helps you to SLOW DOWN, to meditate on the Word of God and to hear God’s quiet, still voice.

God promises He will be exalted among the nations if we will just be still and know that He is God. God will be exalted in your home, neighborhood, church, business, and ministry when you are still and know I AM. He is sufficient. You see, it’s the presence of God that changes you and your circumstances. Everywhere God is miracles happen.

We live in a hurry-sick culture! For months, my background image on my computer desktop reminded me each morning that the secret of my future was hidden in my daily routine. Next to that I had Psalm 1 verses 1 through 3.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Basically, God says blessed is the man who delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on it day and night. But what does it mean to meditate? It means much more than just reading the Bible.

An online dictionary at www.freedictionary.com defines “meditate” this way:
1) To reflect on; contemplate
2) To think or reflect, especially in a calm and deliberate manner.

Journaling is the number one tool I have discovered to rest (slow down) and reflect. The number one life lesson I’ve learned over the past seven is this, “To be spiritually healthy, you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”

God says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Pastor Rick Warren says, “Love and hurry are incompatible!” Slowing down helps bring God’s peace that surpasses all understanding.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the many ways you work in my life to get me to SLOW DOWN to meditate on the Word of God. Thank You for this wonderful habit of journaling that allows me to notice your footprints and fingerprints around me every day. I pray that you will work in the lives of my readers to SLOW DOWN to better understand who You are and how they fit into Your master plan. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Blessings to SLOW DOWN to meditate on the Word of God!

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
Dr. Breakthrough, THE CONNECTOR, and The Journal Guy
Founder and Executive Director of Webinars777
Breakthrough Life Coach helping your DREAMS come true
Creative Marketing and Communication Specialist

Empower 2000, Inc.
Empowering and Connecting a new generation of THOUGHT LEADERS
Changing Lives to Disciple Nations

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P.S. Sign up TODAY for my free E-course “30 Days To Breakthrough!” God wants to transform your life NOW!

P.S.S. Spiritual Journaling will transform your life!

UNCOMMON Journaling is the key
to unlock YOUR dreams!

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. (Psalm 145:5)

What daily habit can I start to guarantee I will slow down and hear God?

To me, “busy” is a bad four letter word. Yesterday, I shared how the Holy Spirit led me to Track #11 of CD #2 of Bill Hybel’s book “Too Busy Not to Pray” and how I applied the 3 steps to reduce my rpm’s the next morning. The following in an excerpt from Track #11:

To have an authentic walk with Jesus Christ, time is required. Something good is going to have to give way. Some practical vehicle will have to be employed to get the rpm’s down from 10,000 to 5,000 to 500, where you can be at peace with God and be in a condition to hear what the Lord is saying. Nobody ever said the Christian walk is easy.

I want to offer you a practical, tested, guaranteed rpm-reduction approach that will help you slow your life down so that you can stop playing games and begin living an authentic Christian life. It’s a shree step program that really works… You can begin to learn to “be still and know” that God is God (Psalm 46:10)

STEP #1: The first step toward rpm reduction is called journaling. Journaling means keeping a journal, in this case a spiritual journal. It involves writing down your experiences, observations, and reflections looking behind the events of the day for their hidden meanings, recording ideas as they come to you.

In his book “Ordering Your Private World,” Gordon McDonald suggests journaling, but with a different twist. Go to a drugstore, he said, and buy a spiral notebook. Plan to write in this notebook every day, but restrict yourself to one page. Every day when you open to the next blank sheet of paper, write the same first word: Yesterday. Follow this with a paragragh or two recounting yesterday’s events, sort of a postgame analysis… According to McDonald, this exercise causes a tremendous step forward in spiritual development.

Most of us, the author said, live unexamined lives. We repeat the same errors day after day. We don’t learn much from the decisions we make, whether they are good or bad. We don’t know why we’re here or where we’re going. One benefit of journaling is to force us to examine our lives.

STEP #2: Write out your prayers. Some people tell me they don’t need to schedule regular time for prayer; they pray on the run. These people are kidding themselves. Just try building a marriage on the run… As with the journal, I limit my writing to one page… Once I write out the prayer, I put the notebook on the credenze and kneel down … I find I pray much more effectively on my knees. I read the prayer aloud, adding other comments or concerns as I go through it.

STEP #3: Listen to God. This step is so important … These moments in God’s presence are the ones that really matter… You can’t become an authentic Christian on a diet of constant activity, even if the activity is all church related… The archenemy of spiritual authenticity is busyness. It’s time to slow down, reflect, and listen.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, You are a God who usually speaks in quiet whispers. I love being in Your Holy of holies to hear You and to speak softly to You. Help me to daily apply the three steps above to reduce my rpm’s even further and may many others follow this example. Thank You Jesus for Your peace that passes all understanding. You are my Rock and my salvation. I praise You and Your holy name. Amen and Hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Ordering Your Private World – by Gordon McDonald

Blessings to apply these 3 simple steps each morning to slow your rpm’s way down!

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.” (Revelations 3:3)

What can I do TODAY to prevent fires, rather than rushing around to put them out?

A recent letter I received from the Pentagon Federal Credit Union states, “No one ever plans to fail, but many fail to plan.” Because I have a heart to serve, I easily fall into the trap of allowing other people’s “emergencies” to pull me into the tyranny of the urgent. But it’s my desire to live most of my life in Quadrant 2, doing things that are important, but not urgent.

On Sunday August 26, I got up at 5:10 AM after 6 ½ hours of sleep. I went to our sunroom, knelt down, and prayed for a few minutes. I think I also sang a few songs to God, but I’m not sure because I was busy the evening before. Because of my recent devotionals about QBQ, I asked God the question, “What can I do TODAY to increase my finances?” It didn’t take Him long to go to work.

When I went to my office, I started iTunes intending to listen to a scheduled playlist for the 26th day of the month. However, I discovered I needed to create new playlists because last week I upgraded my hard drive and operating system on my main computer. During the process of creating playlists, the Holy Spirit prompted me to load Psalms 74-150 into iTunes. While retrieving my NIV Bible on CD in our basement, I noticed the 2 CD set “Too Busy Not to Pray.” I was prompted to load those too into iTunes.

While listening to CD #2 of “Too Busy Not to Pray,” Track #11 jumped out at me. Bill Hybels talked about decreasing your RPM’s from 10,000 to 5,000 to 500 each morning. I felt strongly convicted and was driven to action. I listened to that track at least two more times that morning.

The next morning (August 27), I decided to apply the three principles (steps) of slowing down discussed on Track #11. My first step was to write (type) one full page in my spiritual journal starting with the word “Yesterday.” As I recounted the events and people from the day before, I became more and more aware of how God was at work in that day. My second step was to write (type) one page of personal prayers.

To see what I wrote in my spiritual journal on the morning of August 27, visit today’s Link of the Day.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, on December 29, 2006 You told me my theme verse in 2007 was to be”Be Still” (Psalm 46:10). While preparing my devotional for January 1, 2007, You told me that was Your message for the entire world in 2007. Guide me to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from my life. Do likewise for my readers. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
Yesterday… – my journal entry for August 27 [see below]

Blessings to learn and apply simple principles to slow down your RPM’s from 10,000 to 500!

I then chose to sit next to John, a teenager whose life is being turned around by God. Because John respects me, I knew it would encourage him by being with him. I was encouraged to hear John singing. Within a matter of 5-10 minutes, the crowd grew to at least 60-70 people in the high school auditorium. I noticed an extremely high and positive energy level. Julia (my wife) arrived around 10:40 AM and sat on my left. She had run a 10 mile race earlier that morning in Bealeton.

Pastor Matt Gregory began his sermon by sharing that 90% of people who come to church do so because a family member or friend invites them. He then called forward all the people who were present at the very first SPC worship service in March 2005. Then he called forward people who had come to SPC because of being invited by someone already up front. (i.e. the second generation). Next he called forward third generation SPC attendees. By this time, almost no one remained in the audience. One could easily sense an atmosphere of fellowship and a breakdown in tension by having people get out of their seats. Then more humored followed. By this time, people had let down their barriers and were ready to hear from God. The title of Matt’s message was “Borrowing and Lending Faith.” I think I’ll do a devotional about that later this week.

After the worship service, I immediately went to talk to Bud. The Holy Spirit had instructed me earlier that morning to give him a brochure inviting him to the 17th Annual International Institute on Nation Transformation in Argentina Sept 28 – Oct 5. I also gave Bud a Harvest Evangelism DVD titled “Marketplace Transformation.” Bud seemed quite interested in going to Argentina and told me he has a good pastor friend who might be up for that too.

Before leaving SPC, I talked to several other people and helped load carts into the SPC trailer. When Julia invited me to have lunch at China Jade in Culpeper with a few other families, I accepted the invitation, even though I had initially thought I’d skip lunch.

When Julia and I arrived at China Jade, we saw the Jarvis family and went to talk to them. Then we joined the Smith and Gregory families to eat. The conversations were authentic. I did a better job than usual listening.

When I got home, I immediately laid down for what turned out to be a 3 hour nap. I was exhausted.

——————-

Morning prayer page for Monday 08-27-07

LORD, yesterday morning I asked You the question, “What can I do TODAY to increase my finances?” It didn’t take you long to go to work. You led me back to the CD set “Too Busy Not to Pray” and then You imprinted the message from Track #11 of CD#2 on my heart. Thank You for doing that. Thank You that I had time to listen to that message several more times. Thank You that this morning I am applying the 3 principles to slow down my RPM’s from 10,000 to 500.

I’ve had a ton of excuses why I’ve let me prayer life slip. I’ve had a ton of excuses for why I’ve allowed people to get me in the fast lane that leads to nowhere. I’ve had a ton of excuses on why some words (prophecies) You’ve spoken to me haven’t come true. My own busyness has hurt my relationship with Caren, Robbie, and Julia. It has damaged their faith. Please forgive me. I know I need to assume personal responsibility for what is being manifested in my life and family. I need to stop blaming others, especially Julia, for holding me back. I need to be a man of action as well as prayer. I need to be an answer to my own prayers much more often. I need to be a good steward with my time. I spend too long talking to people on the phone. This wastes my time and their time. I haven’t been preparing adequately for my meetings with my clients.

This past Friday (August 24), I vented my anger to Julia in front of John and then Caren.

I’ve been asking You over and over to bless my finances and yet things just seem to get worse and worse. I’ve been telling You what I want to see happen instead of asking You what I need to do to be successful. I’ve allowed journaling and emails to draw me into the tyranny of the urgent.

Thank You LORD for yesterday!