HOW A QUIET TIME BASKET HELPS WITH BIBLE READING

When I started getting back into the Word in 2010, I started with a Bible and an Our Daily Bread quarterly devotional. I hadn't read the Bible regularly in several years and was trying to find my way back and find my routine once again.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8

Pretty soon I tasted the goodness of the Lord and spending time with Him and five minutes of rushed reading turned into ten minutes of reading and prayer. Then I tasted more of His goodness and ten minutes turned into twenty. The more time I spent, the more I tasted His goodness and the more my time would grow and become more passionate.

Before long my Bible and little devotional were joined by a highlighter and pen, then a journal added to the mix, then more pens and more highlighters. My little stack of supplies were slowly growing so I reached for a basket to house everything.

My "Quiet Time Basket" became an important part of my day. This cute little basket held all I needed in my daily quiet time. Throughout the past twelve years my Quiet Time Basket has changed and developed.

I've had several different baskets, changing sizes as needed and styles to match my home. I even switched to using a Quiet Time Bag for several years. The contents of my basket -or bag- have also changed with time.

So why use a Quiet Time Basket/Bag?

In my daily quiet time I use my Bible, I also like to have a second study Bible in a different version just in case, I use a blank journal, my Write the Word journal, a plethora of pens and highlighters, and normally will have a devotional or study book as well. This is quiet a bit of supplies.

Using a basket or bag helps to keep everything together in once place. Having everything already together means I don't have to go searching for my Bible or just the right highlighter or my journal, it is all together and ready.

It also makes for easy transportation. I keep my basket under the end table in my living room, however, I don't do my quiet time in the living room all the time. I often like to sit at the dining table, so I can grab my basket and carry it to the table.

Having everything together, easily accessible, and ready to be moved helps me spend more time with God instead of setting up to spend time with Him. It also is a reminder to me of how special it is and what a privilege it is that I get to read the Bible. I see my pretty little basket sitting there all set up and ready for me brings a spark of joy to my heart.

Is a Quiet Time Basket/Bag necessary? No. But it can be helpful. It has certainly helped me in my daily quiet time.

My current Quiet Time Basket:

One Step Closer Bible
CSB Study Bible for Women
Bible reading plan
Write the Word Journal
Blank Notebook for journaling
Accessory pouch
Pilot Frixon Erasable Highlighters
Zebra Sarasa Pens

Discussion:
1. Do you use a Quiet Time Basket/Bag?
2. If so, how is it helpful to you? If not, do you think it could help you?
3. What supplies do/would you add to your Quiet Time Basket/Bag?

Today at Woman to Woman I am sharing why to have a Bible reading plan, what to do when you fall behind on your plan, and how to stay on track. To read, click HERE.

OPEN THE BOOK

 You recently saw an ad for a new face serum that claims to do wonders for a woman's skin. You do some research and find this beauty product is clean, made by a wonderful and trustworthy company, moisturizes skin deeply, helps with fine lines, and brightens the skin. It sounds perfect! You read the reviews to see that hundreds of women have used this product and had wonderful results. So you decide to give it a try.

You place the order and patiently wait for the serum to arrive on your doorstep. Then, the day comes. The delivery driver rings your doorbell and when you open the door you see a little box containing your serum. You cut the tape on the box and pull the serum out. Then, you take the serum to your shelf and place it just so. However, you never open the little glass bottle and use the serum.

Sounds crazy right? Why purchase the product and never use it?  You don't get benefits just from researching and purchasing. You have to actually open the bottle and use it.

The same goes for your Bible. You don't get benefits from just owning a Bible. You have to actually open the Bible, read it, and apply.

To continue reading, click HERE.

STAYING STYLISH

As a homemaker and stay at home mom, I spend most of my time at home. I teach my teenagers, I chase toddlers, I clean house, I keep up with laundry, I cook meals, I do ministry work, and I take care of it all from home.

After 20 years of being a homemaker, I think the hardest part is taking care of myself. It is so easy to wake up, shower, put on the comfiest of clothes, throw the hair back in a pony tail or messy bun, and be done. But let's be real, that isn't the most flattering way to go about it. Even though I am home all day, I want to look nice for my husband. Truthfully, I want to look nice for myself too. Like many women, I feel frumpy or self-conscious when I don't intentionally take care of myself.

Another thing I've learned in the more recent years of being a homemaker is when I intentionally take care of myself, I am better able to take care of my family. When I am feeling frumpy, I quickly begin to feel grumpy. But when I take time to take care of myself, I feel better about me which helps me to take better care of my people. I've had to learn to take care of myself by getting the sleep I need; taking the vitamins, drinking the water and getting the exercise my body needs; and not allowing myself to be frumpy.

In her new book, Staying Stylish, Candace Cameron Bure says, "So I've had points in my life when I put myself and my needs last. It wasn't until I realized that taking care of myself would make me better at taking care of other people that I was really able to shift my priorities and put my health and wellness at the top of my priority list."

Candace has learned that taking care of herself must be a priority. She also knows that not only does it help us take better care of our people, but it honors God when we take care of our self.

In Staying Stylish Candace gives tips and tricks to staying stylish with:

• Fashion is all about balance

• Skin care, makeup and hair

• Health, fitness and nourishing your spirit

She shares great tips for style and fashion, skin care, make up, and hair, including her signature Fuller House ponytail. She reminds us that, "Fashion isn't about anyone else. It's about yourself -what you feel beautiful wearing and what makes you feel most comfortable, which leads to confidence."

Over the summer my husband and I decided to take control over our health. We are trying to eat healthier and exercise regularly. Let me tell you, it is not easy! But like Candace says, "If I want to live a long and fulfilling life with my husband and kids, then I have to focus on my health and make it a priority." After visiting our doctor for a physical, we found that had we stayed on the path we were on, we just might not be here to have a long and fulfilling life with one another.

Candace also teaches us about Spiritual nutrition. She tells us that, "Nourishing your spirit is easy to do, but just like eating well and exercising, it requires intention." She talks about the importance of prayer and Bible reading.

Staying Stylish is so much fun. It feels like you are personally sitting down with Candace for a girl to girl chat about fashion and health. You will love all of her tips and encouragement. And you'll likely find yourself referring back to the book often.

Staying Stylish is out today! Pick up your copy HERE.







*Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own. Links on this page may be affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using the affiliate links.