Comments on: This Was Hard For Me

By: Living with “God Vision” » Blog Archive » Silent Bliss

Living with “God Vision” » Blog Archive » Silent Bliss — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:49:51 +0000

[...] though, I read a couple posts from a blog I subscribe to recently here and here about silence and solitude. It really struck me how much I enjoy being alone yet there is [...]

By: jimkastkeat

jimkastkeat — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:41:20 +0000

Great write up. And I think our entire generation will resonate with your words, this need for silence and stillness, but the abnormality it has in our lives.

Henri Nouwen has written a few splendid things about this topic, saying something to the effect that we are too often occupied with our past or preoccupied with our future, but never present.

The past and future only exist in my head. This present moment is all that really is. Sometimes it takes three hours under a tree to figure that out.

Thanks for sharing this.

By: dorothy (vicar of vibe)

dorothy (vicar of vibe) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:58:19 +0000

This is one I struggle with often.
I struggled with trying to carve out time to spend time with Him. I truly had the desire in my heart, I in my earthly flesh just couldn’t seem to make it happen read: I was trying to do it in my power).
I am ashamed to say, there have been times in my life when God is trying to tell me ‘Be still and know that I AM…” and I have ignored Him.
So, I finally just sincerely asked God to help me find the time.
Now I know that when I wake up inexplicably in the early morning (or middle of the night) I know it’s time to praise God and then wait on Him.
Today was one of those moments.
It is so amazing to me that the God of the universe would want to spend time alone with me. More importantly, why wouldn’t I want to spend time alone with God?
Thank you Tyler, for being so open and honest about your faith journey. I know you will be blessed.

By: jan owen

jan owen — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:16:37 +0000

Tyler
Solitude and Silence have been – to quote Henri Nouwen I believe – the furnace of my own spiritual transformation. Some of it has been by choice – quarterly retreats where I go hours and hours and never speak to anyone and I don’t take my ipod or laptop, no tv etc. Some has been my phase of life. My children are older, two are away in college and my husband is gone ALOT. So I am home alone much of the time.

Quietness helps my soul to settle. Being still and by myself and without “noise” causes me to be able to let the very real distracting noise and busyness of life settle and die down so that I can truly hear the voice of God – and have more than a 2 minute conversation with Him.

In silence and solitude I have time, space and quiet to wrestle with God and see myself more clearly. I come face to face with myself – the good, the bad, etc. I no longer use other things to distract – it’s just me and the Lord.

I’d recommend these books:
1) Invitation to Solitude and Silence – Ruth Haley Barton
2) Sacred Rhythms – same author
3) Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership – same author

All have great teaching on this topic. Ruth leads my retreat group – wonderful woman with deep insights into this topic.

So go Tyler, find a quiet place and let the noise of life die down so you can clearly hear the voice of the Lord and lead and live out of that word. I encourage you brother!

By: Don Hofer

Don Hofer — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:59:18 +0000

The ringing in my ears is so loud that I don’t think I’ll never have silence again. If not ringing, then it’s a song. Here, let me help you…”It’s a small world after all…” When the music fades…When I get close to silence it’s pretty hard to quiet the rest of the speaking voices in my head. No, I’m not crazy. I’m being figurative. Lest anyone misunderstands. It’s difficult for me to “Be still and know…”
That said, I’m trying to take more walks alone. 1 hours seems good for me. The “voice” of God is still a mystery. But what is life without a good mystery.

By: CJ Mills

CJ Mills — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:29:45 +0000

I am not – but I’m pretty sure I need to…

By: Richard Dahlstrom

Richard Dahlstrom — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:29:35 +0000

glad you’re taking the class… I’m pleading for a balance between outward and interior activities as both the model of our Lord, and the means for a vibrant and sustainable faith. Maybe check out the book I wrote on the subject: o2 Breathing New Life into Faith

Love your blog…

By: JRupp

JRupp — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:59:55 +0000

Every morning I spend at least 10 – 15 minutes in total silence near a window telling the Lord what I’m grateful for and requesting for how I hope the day will go and what will be accomplished. Many times I will be gardening on the property and I will hear in my heart that I need to stop and “understand the moment”. Literally … there are times when tears flow. The connection between nature and human is very powerful.

By: Kurt Brandemihl

Kurt Brandemihl — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:54:14 +0000

Going to that Monastery was all about that…you should totally do that sometime. I know you said your dad did that regularly…its pretty intense.

By: Yonas

Yonas — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:16:08 +0000

I could tell you were having a hard time, you even wrote your post in codes….