Never fear I have more posts about my trip coming up….tomorrow. =)

Exemplify Online is the host of the monthly Kettle Club.  Here are the details:

Here is how it works:
• Women who want to make the commitment to spend 5-10 minutes (or more!) of time in the Word before blogging each day, will join up.
• Each month, we will post little devotional questions and encouragement to help hold one another accountable.
• The last week of the month we will link up and share what we are learning in our private, devotion time.

Basically we share what we have learned personally in God’s word.  I love that!!!

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For the month of March I went through the book of Song of Solomon.  I know what you are thinking, why in March and not in February? Ah well I have never been a person that does things that are expected. J

I did write a devotional at Laced with Grace about what I was studying.  Please read it if you have not had a chance yet, but I will add some additional thoughts.

Here are some facts:

Solomon was the writer of Song of Solomon.  He was the author of 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32), but we have only one (Song of Songs).  Perhaps it was his best?

Many preachers are sometimes counseled not to preach on this until they are older and many Jews call this book the Holy of Holies of scriptures.  This book is normally regarded as an example of wedded love, but this time while studying Song of Solomon I studied from the perspective of the love Christ has for the church and Christ’s love for the individual.

I studied from the perspective of the love Christ has for the church and Christ’s love for the individual.

It touched me deeply.

Even though what I consider my life verse (see below) is not found in Song of Solomon, it sure reminded me of it. For me personally I did not get married in the traditional white wedding dress, it was more of a cream/off the sale rack special. I don’t have those beautiful wedding pictures many of you have, it just did not work out for us.   Mind you my husband thought I looked stunning, but for me in my heart I live for the day where through Christ’s death on the cross I can present myself as the pure “bride of Christ.”

My life’s verse is:The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”~ Zephaniah 3:17

Salvation is a love affair. Just as the woman in Song of Solomon could not rise to the status of Queen on her own accord, we can not come to the high place of Christ.  He “draws us” to him.

The love Christ has for me and his church will never cease to amaze me!

To answer a few of the “March Discussion Questions”:

• What are some practical ways you maintain a consistent “in the Word” time?

I subscribe to the 5:45 AM club.  I tell you that because it did NOT, NOT ,NOT come easy.  It took awhile for me to say, “I am just going to do it. Period.”  And I give myself permission to sleep in on Saturdays.  Now mind you if I am sick or have a circumstance that is understandable…it is all about grace.  But I don’t allow myself to make excuses anymore, and “I got to bed too late” does not fly.  I tell you though, people notice.

My teenage son has asked, Why do you get up so early Mom? It gave me an opportunity to tell him I don’t want him walking out of our front door unless he is covered in prayer for that day.  I also shared it is the only quiet time I have during the day where I can talk to God without distractions.  Sure there have been some adjustments, I go to bed earlier (at least try to).  Hubby stays up later, so sometimes I don’t get as much as sleep as I would like if we spend time watching TV together or what have you.  I have found now, if I don’t have that time in the morning I am lost through the day.  When I wake up it is hard, but now even though I am tired I desire that time with God.

Mothers with small children please do not feel any guilt reading that.  God will meet you when ever and where ever!  If during your child’s nap time works for you, great.  But I do believe we need to find at least some time to meet with him each day!

• Do you have a certain morning system that accompanies your quiet time?

I set my coffee pot the night before, so the coffee is hot and ready as soon as I wake up.  I have my beginning prayer time, grab my coffee, study God’s word and then sit there and talk to him or sit there and just listen.  That is what works for me….God and Coffee a GREAT combination!

Click on over here to read what others have been studying.