I seek the quiet place in the morning. There’s nothing like my sun porch at 5 am to hear the voice of God above the sound of dawn breaking wide open.
It’s my time to steep in the word of God, uninterrupted before life begins. It’s also the fellowship time I spend with an unmet mentor, Lettie Cowman. A woman who lived for nearly a century, and continues to live today within her writings, Streams in the Desert. With the exception of my Bible, no book has met me as personally and dramatically as this devotional.
Years ago, a dear friend gave me a copy during a fragile time. It not only brought comfort, but was a survival guide to help me through the dark valley. It means as much today as it did then. Each meditation of encouragement recorded in the sacred journal brings me closer to the heart of God.
Out of Lettie’s experience and heartbreak came the compilation of quotes and inspirational thoughts that helped sustain her throughout her husband’s long illness. Written by a woman who knows . . . really knows. Despite the 1920s language, I can read and re-read her heart between the antiquated lines, and find my own.
Her deep writings became bread and water in the parched places of life. A stream in arid times.
I’m grateful for those who’ve gone before us, the timeless wisdom preserved on pages by Spirit-driven pens. And I’m grateful for the mentors of today, Max Lucado and Charles Stanley. I’m forever thankful for the one who taught me to study the Bible, Kay Arthur . . . and the one who helped me to “break free”, Beth Moore.
Although there will never be a substitute for my Bible, how grateful I am for the powerful devotionals written by Oswald Chambers, AW Tozer, Corrie ten Boom . . . and the lady who likes to be identified as Mrs Charles Cowman.
A personal excerpt from her foreword . . .
In the pathway of faith we come to learn that the Lord’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways. Both in the physical and spiritual realm, great pressure means great power! Although circumstances may bring us into the place of death, that need not spell disaster – for if we trust in the Lord and wait patiently, that simply provides the occasion for the display of His almighty power. “Remember His marvelous works that He hath done; His wonders and the judgments of His mouth” (Psalm 105:5).
Tell me . . . who is your favorite unmet mentor. . . . ?
Verna
Corrie TenBoom : ) (among many)
Thanks, Erin — I love “The Hiding Place” and “Each New Day” — this amazing lady of grace and forgiveness.
The same dear lady…Mrs. Charles Cowman. Though I have many dev books, this dear one continues to speak to my heart over 40 years later. Wonderful post and picture, Verna. Tunis for sharing.
. . . and thank you for my first copy of Streams, Glenda . . . I’ll never forget how it ministered to me through the hard times.
I love to read Charles Spurgeon.
I do love Chas Spurgeon, the ancient wisdom of these writers is amazing, but sometimes He writes “above me” . . . so I find it more comfortable with Lettie 🙂 Thank you, Lori!
I do love their quotes, but I must say this…at 5:00am when you are “steeping” in the word of God, I’m afraid I would be sleeping. Maybe someday I can enjoy that early morning quiet…maybe when I don’t have a daughter getting of work and coming in after midnight 😉 Enjoy those mornings with Jesus Verna! I’ll have to keep finding my afternoon and after midnight quiet times :/
I’m steeping while you’re sleeping – like it, Celeste . . . . and yes, once my mama role was similar to yours, but Father honors our effort when ever we meet with Him . . . and you’ll have these sweet early times before you know it! Thanks so much for stopping!
I love Tozer, Charles Stanley, and Oswald Chambers. One I found a few years ago that spoke to my professional work life was William Beausay’s devotional, The Leadership Genius of Jesus.
Thank you, Gloria . . . I wasn’t familiar with this one . . . the beauty of a sharing blog community. I’ll let you know!
My devotionals are Streams in the Desert and Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. I also like Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening.
My favorite author is John Piper.
I know so many who love Jesus Calling. Thank you, Carina . . . I’ll get a copy. Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening is beautifully deep. Thank you for your comment!
Oswald Chambers never fails to convict my heart. Also, I did enjoy Jesus Calling. Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water has consistently pushed me as a Christian artist. I have yet to finish it, because I get stuck on a small, thought-provoking paragraph and meditate on it.
Oswald Chambers, everyone’s favorite. . . . thank you for sharing Walking on Water. I’ll look forward to that one. So good to catch up with you at the conference, Janeen!