Nine Arts.......Listening

LISTENING!!!!

OK, so you have noticed.
You have prayed.
You are doing FABULOUS!!!!!!

This is the hard one for a lot of people.  When you are having a conversation with someone, are you REALLY listening?  I know that we have to make a conscious effort to listen.  Maybe we need to make eye contact. Maybe turn off the computer, the iPad, the television or even your cell phone! 

If I were to ask your friends, would they say that you were a good listener?  It really makes you stop and think.  I know it did for me.  I have to make sure that I don't say "Yeah" to everything that Kaleb has to say because he will take it and run with it and the next thing I know, I have agreed to purchase something totally our of the budget.  On the other hand if someone is talking to me and sharing their heart and I am not listening, then I have totally missed the boat!  That is NOT where I want to be and for sure I will not be a good listener. 

The study posed this question.
When others are talking to me....
I find myself finishing their sentences
I give my opinions before hearing them out.
I get restless and impatient
I lose track of what is being said
I mentally rehearse what I'm going to say next.
I take control of the conversation
I interrupt with frequent comments or questions
I try to diagnose and help them fix their problems
I worry about what I'm going to say next
I answer before gaining real understanding.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!  That one really hit home.  If I'm standing in the grocery line and my checker starts talking to me, am I REALLY listening?  Yes, this requires you to FOCUS!!!!  Hear what she/he has to say. You can learn a lot!  If you are talking with a friend or family member, what do you do?  I am a FIXER!!!!  I want to fix everything.  GUESS WHAT????  It is not up to me to fix it or them.  I am to LISTEN!!!!  Do you lose track of what is being said because you left the conversation 5 minutes ago and then they ask you what you think....OH NO!!!! 

So what in the world does this have to do with sharing your faith?  EVERYTHING!!!  LISTENING to people talk tells you about them.  From the study it states.... " It requires you to prove, explore, reflect back what you've been hearing to ensure that you've truly understood what's been revealed to you.  It seeks to discover people's stories, to learn what interests them, and ultimately to discover where God is at work in their lives."  It takes the focus off of you and me and puts it on them.  They are comfortable talking to you because you listen!  As they are sharing with you, ask them questions. Simple questions that they can share with you.  Remember the lady that I was telling you about at the grocery store.  I talked with her and remembered what she told me.  That gives me the open door to talk to her when I am in her line.   

James 1:19-20 (NIV)- My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

There is another very neat idea that they shared in the study that you can use.  Just to make sure that you are truly LISTENING is to try and use some of these statements.
So, if I'm hearing you right.....
So the really big thing for you is....
You seem to be saying....
I think I hear you saying....
It sounds like.....
MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN!!!!  You can learn so much!!!!!!!!

So, we have notice.  We have prayed.  We are listening.  How are you doing with this?  SHARE!!!!!!

When He Speaks To You.....

I'm always amazed and even to the point of being overwhelmed when I "hear" the Lord speak.  I will tell you that I have not heard Him in an audible voice.  I would probably fall over if that happened.  On the other hand I have "heard" Him speak loud and clear. 
Have you heard Him? 
Have you listened for Him?
Did you realize it was Him?

I was thinking about this and the more I thought about it, the more I started thinking about when He speaks and what is my response to Him. 
Do I respond quickly?
Do I question "Did I really hear that?"
Is that my brain working overtime or was that really Him?

I know you have been praying for something and you have either "heard" Him speak so clearly.  I know when we were praying about moving to Mississippi, every time we turned around we kept seeing and "hearing" Him speak and direct us.  There was absolutely NO denying it! 

Currently praying about a certain "thing".  Something that I have only shared details with one couple and my sweet Hubby.  I sent a Facebook Message to a couple of Prayer Warriors.  I sent them NO details.  Funny how He can speak.  He can use ANYTHING!!!!  He can even use the VBS Lesson books.  I'm telling you HE IS AMAZING!!!!!  Just amazing!!!! 

What about you?  When was the last time you "heard" from Him?  Make sure you are listening!!!!!

God Told Me

While getting Kaleb ready for bed the other night, we were having discussions about sleeping and being ready for Kindergarten.  Bedtime is sometimes a challenge.  He had bunk-beds when we were in Greensboro.  He has SO many toys and his room had become very messy before we moved.  He had decided that he was "afraid" of his room.  What it actually boiled down to was the bunk beds.  There was all of the sudden something about having the other bed on top that was really bothering him.  I mean bothering to the point of screaming and crying at bed time. 

When we moved here to Mississippi we decided to set his room up with his beds separated.  Thinking that would help but we were wrong.  The other night he had his bath, pajamas and we had done our typical nightly stuff.  I said, "Kaleb, time for bed".  He quickly without any hesitation at all. 
"Mom, I can't go to bed in my room."  Of course I opened the door and asked, "Why not?"  Out of his mouth came. "God told me I can't sleep in there." I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't know whether to laugh or just shake my head and keep going.  Well, to say the least, he did actually sleep in his bed and is doing very well with sleeping in his room now.  We still have times of wanting to sleep on the couch or somewhere else but typically ends up in his room.  

It really make me stop and think after he had made such a bold statement.  This is what I have been thinking for the last few days.
-When was the last time God told me something?
-When was the last time I heard someone else say that they had heard from God?
-Do I realize it when He speaks?
-Do I share (when supposed to) what the Lord has said to taught me?

It really has had my brain going.  Scripture says to hunger and thirst after the Lord.  If I (we) am truly hungry and thirsty for Him, I'm going to hear Him in some shape or form.  Just as if He were answering me like I would Kaleb, the answers could be the same.  Yes. No. Wait.  All of that being said, it was something I thought I would share.  Something to make you think. Something to make me think. 

Praying you are hearing from Him.  When have you heard from Him?  Feel free to share!!!!!!!