24 Comments
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Christine Hoy's avatar

Thank you for having me in your space, Stephanie. It was such a gift to write about the day abiding stopped being one more thing to perform. Grateful to be here with your readers.

Stephanie Miller's avatar

Of course! Thank you for kicking off the series for us! I so appreciated the words you shared!

MaryBeth Powers's avatar

we have a mutual friend ❤️ … love Christine!! She's such a

great writer!!

Christine Hoy's avatar

Aww... thanks, Mary Beth! Love that I get to interact with you here on Substack!

Coach Kinsey's avatar

Isn't it crazy how that works? As soon as we drop performance, we begin to desire to be with Him. It's so much easier to check off boxes. Pray, check. Devotional, check. Scripture, check. Sermon notes, check. I picture Jesus watching and wishing we would lay it all down and be with Him. No agenda. That's where my deepest insights have come, and more importantly, where my love for him continues to grow. Thanks for posting!

Christine Hoy's avatar

Amen! "As soon as we drop performance, we begin to desire to be with Him." Yes! Thank you for your insights.

Stephanie Miller's avatar

Yes! I think there is something to the verse “Seek first HIS kingdom” … just presence over performance, every time! Thanks for commenting!

Carmen James's avatar

Beautiful

The Wind's avatar

Just purchased Christine's book on Amazon. It's very sore for me to purchase it that way. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Christine Hoy's avatar

I hope it blesses you and meets you where you're at!

The Wind's avatar

😍🙏

The Wind's avatar

Thank you for your beautiful post. I relate to everything you shared. I've disciplined myself to run to the Throne and not my Phone when I first wake up, Be, share everything I'm thinking, feeling and any concerns. I do slow breathing and hang out with Jesus in his Presence who is our Peace. I'm also checking in consciously throughout the day. I want more of him and less of me.

Stephanie Miller's avatar

Amen! These are beautiful spiritual disciplines!

The Wind's avatar

I learned these things and so much more last year from Arabah Joy at The School Of Magnificence. I used to share how the experience with Arabah and others created Exponential Growth opportunities.

Christine Hoy's avatar

I was in Arabah Joy’s SOM also! Loved her “Just Jesus” devotional last summer. One of the day’s questions prompted a thought that has turned into my next book! Are you following her on Substack?

The Wind's avatar

Yes I'm subscribed to her post. I thought your name sounded familiar. She's got a new devotional book coming out soon that she wrote. Her "Just Jesus" was amazing and Brilliant!

Bethany McIlrath's avatar

This blessed me, thank you. Praise the Lord He draws us near, and invites us to write with Him and to just be with Him! Thank you for sharing.

Christine Hoy's avatar

Bethany, I'm so grateful that the message resonated with you. I pray you take delight in your writing journey with the Creator!

Stephanie Miller's avatar

Amen! So glad it encouraged you this morning!

Jana Smith, Christian Author's avatar

What a wonderful article that speaks to learning to just be in the presence of God. But I think the author was a little hard on herself. Discipline is often the way we begin our journey. As a young Christian and a busy, working mother, it was my attempts at discipline that kept me connected to God. But, yes, over the years, that changed, and discipline grew into something more. It grew into a deep relationship with my Savior, the creator of the universe. God loves us and sees our effort. He honors every attempt, every moment of prayer, even one sent as we fly from one emergency to another, or when we fall asleep while praying. I love the article and the heart behind it. Blessings.

Christine Hoy's avatar

Thank you, Jana! I agree that spiritual disciplines are foundational to Christians building those daily rhythms that form our relationship with God. But we can’t stop there. We can ask Him to show us the joy and delight in time with Him. Not just “checking off the boxes.”

Jana Smith, Christian Author's avatar

Absolutely!!! Plus, after a time, we begin to desire more than just discipline. Blessings.