Wow, episode 34. It seems like a year since COVID-19 shutdown, but like 2 days since this podcast started. “Practicing solitude has been the most formative part of my walk with Jesus.” Ruth Haley BartonJesus practiced solitude, and we are commanded to “be still”.There is a stillness in the quiet that we can't get when surrounded by noise, this noise can be external, environmental, and internal distractions or business.Richard Foster in celebration of disciplines wrote, “Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment”“Loneliness often speaks to our need to be with and know ourselves. It reveals our need for solitude. We learn through solitude that we need to stop activities in order to give ourselves a chance to hear our hearts and listen to what they are saying, sometimes waiting to get clarity. We do this through stopping, listening, waiting, resting, planting, and trusting. We need to rest for the heart to regain strength, replenish hope, and prepare for the next step. We need to plant, tending to the seeds of desires, needs, longings, and hope within us. And we need to trust that we are emotional and spiritual creatures who need time out from the world’s incessant urban clanging. Valuing our loneliness through” Chip Dodd, The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living“Learning to be quiet before the Lord is one of the greatest challenges we face today in our quest to enter in and experience true intimacy with Him”. James GollTruly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Job Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm If you have a thought, prayer or prayer request please leave a voicemail here.I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness.  If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: [email protected]