I’m no early morning girl, in fact, if I were the one who created the world the sun would never rise before 8 a.m. Years ago, when the kids were younger I got up long before the sun on a regular basis, and spent quiet time with the Lord. Honestly, at that stage of my life, it was early or never. As the kids got older, life got busier and nights got later and my early morning time got later and shorter. Amazingly, my peace and joy shrank in direct proportion to the time decrease. Then one day, I got “the email” asking me to review a book called “Early to Rise,” this great little treatise on the value of rising early led me to read further, which convicted me that the first part of the day could really be the best part of the day. So, I pulled on my big girl pants and set the alarm for 5 a.m. What a difference an hour makes!
Keys to Finding Your Secret Place
- I have everything ready the night before: coffee set, cup out, Bible
and other study tools and a notebook handy. Be sure to set your alarm.
• Pick a quiet comfy spot free of distractions.
- For the first 15 minutes I just sit and still myself and try not to let me mind run down my chore list for the day. Then I thank Him for all the great things in my life. My family, home, ministry, car, everything I can think of, nothing is too small to be grateful for! This helps to minimize problems and it maximizes joy and gratitude.
- I read my Scriptures for that day, a Proverb, a through the Bible schedule, or whatever I want to study.
- I journal what God is showing me as I read.
- Next, I have a confession list of what I believe God wants in my life with the Scriptures to back it up that I speak out loud each day.
- (example) God has great plans for me. Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Lastly, I make any requests I might have and thank Him for hearing me.
If I can do it, so can you. I promise it will change your life.
S. Courtney Lawson
Writer and speaker Sandy Lawson recently hit two Amazon.com best-seller lists with the new business book, "Transform," co-authored with best-selling author and speaker Brian Tracy.
Sandy Lawson serves as a Care Pastor at Element Church, in Wentzville Missouri, one of the fastest growing churches America. Sandy recently joined noted business development expert, best-selling author and speaker, Brian Tracy, along with a select group of the world's leading experts, to co-author the book titled, Transform: The World's Leading Entrepreneurs and Professionals Get to the Heart and Soul of Transforming your Life, Business & Health. The book was released on September 18, 2014 by CelebrityPress™ - a leading business book publisher.
On the day of release, Transform reached best-seller status in two Amazon.com categories - reaching as high as #6 in the "Direct Marketing" category. The book also reached best-seller status in the "Marketing and Small Business" category. Sandy contributed a chapter titled, "The Relationship Transformation...Taking Relationships From Terminal to Transformed."
Sandy Lawson has over 30 years of experience partnering with her husband, Kip, in family ministry and outreach. She's had the privilege of serving on staff at three mega churches prior to Element Church. In addition, she and her husband also had the honor of building the bus ministry of the Oneighty Youth Group at Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 400 riders weekly to nearly 1,500 riders each week.
Her biggest joy is coaching people in their personal relationships and helping them reach their God-given potential. She and her husband have helped hundreds of couples turn failing marriages into happily-ever-afters, as well as assisting parents in their quest to create healthy thriving families. In their career, Sandy and her husband have been a major influence in the lives of thousands of children, teens, and adults around the world. Sandy is the mother of three, and the grandmother of eight wonderful grandkids. She and her husband have been married over 46 years.
She is the author of a parenting book, "Parenting Through the Mirror" which explores the concept that great parenting must begin with personal transformation. She is also the author and illustrator of a children's geology book, "Iggy and the Volcano" that teaches kids the cycle of igneous rocks. Sandy is a freelance writer, speaker, blogger and was a major contributor to an internationally distributed children's curriculum.
After such a successful release, Sandy Lawson will once again be recognized by The National Academy of Best-Selling Authors™, an organization that honors authors from many of the leading independent best-seller lists.
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