CULTIVATING AN INTENTIONAL AND CONSISTENT QUIET TIME

Last week we talked about becoming a woman of the Word with why we need to read the Bible and how a Bible reading plan can help. Today we are going to continue our discussion by talking about how to cultivate an intentional and consistent quiet time.

We now know that we need to read the Bible and we can see how a Bible reading plan can help. But how can we be intentional and consistent? Here are a few tips to take into 2026 to help you be intentional and consistent as you become a woman of the Word.

Make a plan.

Decide what time of day to read the Bible and pray. Pick a time you know that you will be able to focus. If you fall into bed at night so exhausted you can't even see clearly, that is probably not the best time to read the Bible. Personally, I feel better and notice a positive impact on my day when I read the Bible and pray in the morning. Maybe for you, first thing in the morning is your best time. Maybe you will do better on your lunch break from work or while the kids nap. Or maybe you are your best at night. Whatever it is, decide that you are going to set aside time to spend with Jesus.

To continue reading, please join me at Woman to Woman Ministries. Click HERE.

WEEKLY BLESSINGS {1.26.26}

There is an occasion for everything,

and a time for every activity under heaven:

a time to give birth and a time to die;

a time to plant and a time to uproot;

a time to kill and a time to heal;

a time to tear down and a time to build;

a time to weep and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn and a time to dance;

a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;

a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;

a time to search and a time to count as lost;

a time to keep and a time to throw away;

a time to tear and a time to sew;

a time to be silent and a time to speak;

a time to love and a time to hate;

a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 CSB

This weekend all across the Midwest we had a winter storm. Temperatures below zero in some areas and snow accumulation. Many businesses were closed and many churches cancelled services or opted for online only services. My husband and I spent the days relaxing. We watched some of our favorite TV shows and movies, he worked on a model, I worked on a puzzle, we cooked, we napped.  For this homebody, it was so nice. As much as I love being home and being with my husband, I don't like the idea that I can't leave if I wanted to. As I watched the snow fall and wondered how long this would last, I remembered that it won't last forever. There is a time for everything. A time for the winter cold and snow, but right around the corner is spring. A time for us to mourn losses and grieve in pain, and a time to rejoice and dance. Just like the snow and -5° is temporary, so is our pain and chaos.

What is something you are thanking God for today?

Continuing to count God's sweet blessings...

4050. Time with our youngest grandson.

4051. Our warm home during the winter storm.

4052. Time spent with my husband.

4053. Watching our son grow in God and heal while facing a very difficult time.

4054. Sunshine despite the cold.

It's your turn! Share something you are praising God for. I would love to rejoice with you.

BECOMING A WOMAN OF THE WORD

We are three weeks into 2026. The year is still fresh and new. Some people are still figuring out what they want their goals for the year to be, others are trudging along making progress day by day, and others are waning in their commitment to stick with it. Whichever category you fall under, making a commitment to becoming a woman of the Word is never out of reach and it's never too late to start.

Why should we read the Bible?

The Bible is the true and inspired Word of God. Through the Bible, God shares Himself on every single page. We can learn about Him, learn His heart, and get to know Him on a personal level. Through the Bible we can also learn what God wants from us and what His plan is for our lives.

The Bible is our personal letter from God to us. It is also our instruction manual for every possible life situation and season we face.

To continue reading, please join me at Woman to Woman Ministries. Click HERE.

ABIDE MINISTRIES BOOKS

Abide Ministries is a ministry to help you learn to abide in Christ, encounter God, hear the voice of God, and experience life as God has for you. Their mission is to "Invite everyone to experience the grand, spectacular, abundant life that comes by hearing God's voice and aligning with His will."

Richard Case, Abide Ministries founder along side his life Linda, has written books to support their mission. Books on forgiveness, marriage, and more. I've been going through his books and so far, have loved each one.

In The Blessing of Unity: God's Best for Our Marriage, Case says, "Division is primarily caused by us living in the flesh -allowing self-centeredness- and not walking in the Spirit. When we, as believers, are living in the flesh, there are three serious consequences to our lives." Then he goes on to share that those consequences are: we put to death the very Spirit that has been given us by the Father, we place ourselves at the enmity against God, and we cannot please Him. Case teaches on discord, disagreements, praying through unity, and more.

In Life in Forgiveness: Embracing Reconciliation with God and Others, he says, "We maintain our unforgiveness, because the other party has not admitted or confessed their wrongdoing to us, so we wait on them to make things right. Since most people do not respond to conflict and wounds by resolving what they have done to us (and often faith to admit what we have done to them), everyone continues operating in unforgiveness." Case teaches on examining our wounds, defining reconciliation, and much more.

Case's books not only teach, but he also shares his own life experiences and, most important, he always points to Scripture. I've enjoyed his books and look forward to reading the rest of them.

To find out more about Abide Ministries and Richard Case's books, click HERE.

WEEKLY BLESSINGS {1.19.26}

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding;

in all your ways know him,

and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB

We are taught to be independent and strong. We are taught to make it on our own. But the truth is, that just gets us into trouble! We aren't meant to be independent; we are meant to depend on God. In fact, Proverbs tells us to not rely on our own but to trust in God. On our own, we will go down some crooked paths that lead to destruction. Sometimes the path may seem straight, but eventually destruction appears. God's path, even when it seems a little bumpy at times, will always be straight.

What is something you are thanking God for today?

Continuing to count God's sweet blessings...

4045. My youngest who celebrates his 23rd birthday today.

4046. God's protection during a difficult time in uncharted waters.

4047. The prayers and support of dear friends.

4048. The warmth of our home, it is so cold!

4049. A beautiful painting of my grandparents home to hang in my home.

It's your turn! Share something you are praising God for. I would love to rejoice with you.