Great question and I'll try to keep it as simple as possible.

Like in any relationship you both reinforce and maintain your relationship as it is strengthened by getting to know each other, spending quality and quantity time and looking at how you can add value to the other person. 

How do you add value to God you might be asking.... as you reflect Him more and more as you become like His Son Jesus.... you add value to Him by aligning yourself to His Word

Think of when a guy loves a girl .... What wouldn't he do for her?
Think of a musician ... the time he spends tuning, practicing and then playing his instrument.
Think of an artist at a blank canvas.... he expresses the innermost pictures of his mind's eye with his paint brush and palette of colors.

I've used in the last 3 years something really simple... it's called Journaling. It's more than a dairy or a record of the events/activities in your life... it is a meeting place for reflection on Your Journey of Transformation.... (Hey that sounds like a good title for your journal... feel free to use it) How you're being transformed after spending time in His presence.... praying, reading scripture, meditating, and reviewing the applications of His Wise Counsel in your everyday activities of work, church, family, your hobbies/leisure.... I don't make it a burden or a routine ... I don't make it 'religious' I go to it as often as I can... at first I started it daily then I cut back to a few times a week.... I've had some periods when I first started that my entries were superficial.... but as I continued to spend specifc dates with Him I found that my heart raced to spend time...even when He would challenge me on weak areas of my walk or when He wanted me to take ownership of my Growth in scripture or understanding Him and expectations of me.... I even had a chance to jot down the observations of my sons walk with Him... they too have been entries as it pertains to my growth as a Dad.... well you can see where this can lead...

If you like I would love to share more details on how to get started, what a time could look like journaling.... there is no "right or wrong way" about doing it.... but I can assure you that after a year or two you will look back and see that you have grown substantially in your Journey of Transformation.  Rom 12:1-2 

angie

Thanks Pastor Mike?
12/18/2008 5:30:34 PM