Community Leader's most recent contribution:
johnburke: So Much Better
Wow, I’m grateful for the improvement since I last blogged. I did three things that really helped pull me out of that downward spiritual spiral we all can fall into: I put additional intentionality back in place to stay connected better (got my watch beeping to remind me, and when I felt stressed I slowed down to talk it over with the Lord), and more importantly I set aside extended time for solitude and decompression last weekend. It’s amazing how three hours of hiking or sitting quietly with no noise, just talking things over with God, can clear out the fog and bring back the light of hope.
Other recent posts from John Burke:
Read all items from John Burke
Watch videos about the 60-60 experiment.
Displaying 20 selected entries. Log in to read more.
Haly: 20 Days and still learning Sunday, November 30th 2008
Day 20 and I keep trying every day. God give me the patience to keep on keeping on. Every day I fail in so many ways, and I loose focus, but I just keep at it. I need a new better watch, as this is not just for 60 days but for a life change. Lord teach me to live for you every day every decision. Thank you God for the hope you give me. Hope not to give up, but that you will complete in me the good work you have only yet begun. H
flatlanderdox: 60 days, whatever... Thursday, November 6th 2008
I don't plan to ever stop this. It is a way of life.
kirk: 60 days and counting... Tuesday, November 4th 2008
So I made it... today is Day 60!! I don't see any reason to stop now though, and I see every reason to keep going. I know it was never about the beep or "60 days" though - this is about changing habits, focusing on God, and shifting my personal paradigm. This is a wake-up call. This is not the end - this is just the beginning.
k.
Veronica: Moment by moment Tuesday, November 4th 2008
Its weird how this 60 60 thing works. I do notice him more through the day. He was the first thought of my mind before I got out of bed today. I took time out for just sitting with God and being in his presence today on more than one occasion. I asked "What is the next right thing to do now?" I wrote two letters. I made time for some friends. I sat with my foster daughter while she played outside...granted she lost interest within seconds and wailed for me to go inside but the effort was there! I am more present with God today and more present with others around me. Different times during the day I felt myself say prayers of thankfulness in my head for things like the weather, the food, the blessings we have in our lives. I thanked God that he had given me more than one option which while it causes me stress over direction for my life lots of people dont have the luxury of choosing a direction. I am noticing the God of my life more and he is getting more of my life. That is kinda exciting.
kw: We are His body Thursday, October 23rd 2008
I was having my quiet time with God today and reflecting so far on my 60-60 experience. It's been pretty cool not only in my life, but in the lives of the people in my SR small group and here on this site. I love coming here and reading all your updates. I loved being at my soul revolution group and seeing all the steps of faith that are being taken. I love hearing about how God is moving inside all our hearts. It's so powerful and such an answered prayer. Even when I hear/read stories of struggle or doubt, I am thankful because it's being brought out into the light where healing can happen.
I am praying for all of us who are joined together on this journey. It's inspiring and I hope that each of us stay the course. I am thankful for everyone who comes here and shares what's on their heart. Your words and thoughts are powerful and you never know how God might use your life to touch someone else. All of our stories and experiences with this 60-60 matter! We are each apart of this beautiful picture He's painting.
I just felt led to encourage all of us on this journey together. Keep beeping, blogging, and seeking. God is so faithful and will reward our willing hearts!
covered-in-dust: From a walk to a jog Sunday, October 19th 2008
I am learning that they more I move into Divinely inspired moments & willingly follow God's promptings, the more often God's Divine moments arrive in my life.
Looking back over the course of the past several months, I am realizing that every small step of responsiveness has led to an even bigger & better experience of who God is. The more I respond the more He interacts. The more I am willing to "go" when He says "go" or "do" when He says "do"; the more opportunities He gives me to say "my chance." (Thanks Rick!) My walk with God on this journey is starting to turn into a jog.
I am starting to realize in a tangible way that my greatness is only limited by my fears. If my fears define my limitations then why not have my limitations be defined by an unlimited God who loves me?
It's just so comfortable to hold on to my fears but I am learning to slowly let go as God guides me & empowers me.
lisa.illuminate: Focus on gratitude Friday, October 17th 2008
If you know me, you know I can sometimes be a very focused person. Some people have A.D.D. Sometimes I think I have the opposite of A.D.D. Once I get into a project I have a hard time being distracted.
So one of my biggest challenges with the beep is breaking my focus. Or at least letting God into my moment. Without thinking I'll often switch my beeper off and not even realize that I've done it.
So today I'm trying to focus on breaking my focus. Stopping, if only for a moment, and thanking God. Whatever I'm in the middle of today I'm taking a moment to focus on gratitude.
leilawurst: Chapter 2 Thursday, October 16th 2008
I love this experiment!!!!! I am dealing with many stressful things right now in my life and usually I would be in tears everyday, but lately, nothing! I just pray that the Lord will help me through everything and he is. For a while I thought he was "up there" playing golf or something and not listening to me or doing what I asked of him. Apparently he was listening because my life is really starting to change. I am at peace with my life. My daughter is happy and healthy. I began a new job this week with a state agency that I have been trying to work for, for about 6 years. I am fortunate enough to be a graduate student, have amazing friends and a wonderful family. None of this would be possible without a great relationship with God!
jonwood11b: wow Wednesday, October 15th 2008
As part of my job, I go around to Iraqi Army units. I was at one in west Baghdad yesterday when my watch beeped, it actualy beeped 3 times during the meeting, so you can tell how long we were there. An Iraqi soldier came up to me after the meeting and with the help of an interpreter he asked me why I let my watch beep every hour. I then told him about 60/60. He told me that he does something like that but they HAVE to pray 5 times a day, everyday, so they can be in paradise. and that got me thinking about why I was doing this, was it to make up for bad I had done? was it to prove I was a good christian?
I thought long and hard last night about this, and I know in my heart I am doing this to come to know God better and deeper.
greenmea: Living on the edge of expectancy Sunday, October 12th 2008
Wow, what an amazing feeling it is to know that each time that beep goes off I smile and remember that God is right here with me. As the hours pass by I find myself anxious and expecting to hear that sound. A couple of times though I realized I missed the sound only because I was somewhere where I could not hear it or I did not have the watch nearby. Right away I found myself disappointed that I missed that moment. I can only imagine what God must feel when I have done something that may have disappointed him. My faith is running stronger each minute and I feel so much closer to Him each day because I know that He is always here. Living this life I have learned to live in the moment and cherish each minute. I am about to venture on a journey to a Africa where I will be delivering mosquito nets to thousands of children, and I will be ready, because even in Africa I will have my watch and I know God will be with me, even there.
bluefish: Revealing First Week Saturday, October 11th 2008
I'm impressed with what God's doing in me throught the first week of this challenge. I didn't find it particulary hard to remember to connect. But, what I discovered was when I stopped to connect, I was usually in a negative thought pattern about life in general. So,. I spent that majority of the first 3 days recognizing and deleting this pattern from my daily walk. What has shown up on the other side is joy. Just pure joy. It's a crazy joy. Like, just being so happy that I've got food in the house to eat. Just being happy that my marriage rocks, even though my husband won't attend church. And the girls in my bible study are connecting into a worship attitude as well. First week: God wants our worship...and He will supply the joy! Fun!
johnny: day 2: a strange day Wednesday, October 8th 2008
So I'm finishing up day 2...
I've committed to journaling for as many 60 minute spans as possible, and already God has been reminding me to not be concerned about writing as much as listening.
God has reminded me that it is not about meeting him on the hour, as remembering Him on the hour has made me more aware of His presence in-between the 'beeps' as well.
God made me aware today of how painful and hurtful a past relationship was; one which I had previously defended and was in denial about, and I wasn't even praying about it.
God reminded me -- after I noticed that the 60 minute reminders were messing up my normal event-driven prayer life and other habits -- that He will give me a prayer life, life habits and awareness after all of this that is unlike anything I have ever experienced.
He helped me to be kind with someone I didn't want to be kind with.
He helped me to smile and encourage someone, when I didn't feel like it.
That was just today.
jenf: Blogging - Who knew? Tuesday, October 7th 2008
The past 30 days have been both inspiring and frustrating. God is constantly at work and I've rarely acknowledge that fact! Having that beep going off each hour has given me the opportunity to notice my surroundings more and how blessed my life has been. It has also made me notice when I'm not doing or being my best. At the same time I've noticed improvement; I'm catching some behaviors as they're happening (or before) instead of after. It's not definitely not me making that change. I'm interested to see how the next 30 days will go.
WebreXGames: Our First Beep Monday, September 29th 2008
So I wasn't ready to fully do the 60/60, just try it on for size for a little while. I will never forget the first beep. So Heather and I had our appointment for her first ultrasound. It was for our fourth baby, we just had a miscarriage in May after having two health boys. Heather had been praying "religiously" that the baby was healthy and she was very apprehensive about the doctor's visit. Before we left the house I used my new timer I just received from Gateway that weekend. Click one way and then a click back.....the countdown was on. During the ultrasound as we both heard the baby's heartbeat and saw the little fingers, we were both filled with joy that God had answered our prayers after the loss we had just experienced. The ultrasound technician left the room so Heather could get dressed. After she got dressed I held her for an instant and the BEEP went off. God reminded us at that moment we were not alone and we were overcome with so much BEEPING joy we both began to cr
Sjoerthing: I was scared Wednesday, September 17th 2008
It was scary doing the inventory with my triad this week. I thought how vulnerable I will be. I was scared to reveal myself to them. But when I did I got some clarity and support and found out they had similar struggles - wow now we can go on the journey together. I also thought what will I write down - it is amazing when you let the Holy Spirit guide how quickly and how much you can write down. I felt such a burden being lifted when I was able to share it. Yeah! I can't wait to proceed.
Geezer: God of the Impossible Wednesday, September 17th 2008
I've loved being part of the 60/60 lifestyle. Some days are better than others. But definitely a change I have found is that I feel so connected to God and how he is working around me. I love it!!! It's awesome. God, help me keep it going.
One thing that has been very apparent over the last few days is that God does answer prayer. I know we "say" He does but I've had so many "God" moments lately where prayers have been answered.
Right now I have a prayer for some family members who are really struggling in their relationship. I feel like it's one of those "impossible" things to work out but I really feel like God can do the impossible. They're not believers so it will be an interesting road for them. I pray that through this trial they will both come to know God in a very special way and that their relationship will be strengthened.
God of the impossible, Rock this Day!!!!
covered-in-dust: baby steps Wednesday, September 10th 2008
I have been experiencing promptings from God during the past couple of months of 60-60.
Here is an example of when I responded to one of "God's nudges." A good friend of mine who I have not spoken to in about 15 or so years and I have connected on Facebook recently. We exchanged some "small talk" via wall posts and then he asked me, "So what brought you down to Texas?" I stalled. God nudged me to tell him the truth. How am I gonna share with him how God miraculously orchestrated the whole move? I obeyed God's prompting with this response, "What brought me to TX? Good question! I think that I will have to say that it was one of those weird coincidences that just seem to coincidental... it's like God wanted us in Texas, so we went. I'm not sure if that makes much sense but I really can't explain it any other way." He responded by telling me that he just started a renewed walk with Christ and he was encouraged by our faith.
Callbright: I don't want to. Friday, September 5th 2008
About 6:00a.m. one morning my husband asked me to take him to the airport later that morning. I was a bit grumpy at the moment, a bit frustrated with my husband, and told him I didn't have time, because my schedule was very full that day. (I am a very busy person you know.)
He left, said he understood, and I reset the alarm to 7:00 and went back to bed. Of course my "God" alarm went off at 6:55, and I was anxiously awaiting God's direction for me. Here's what he said, "Take him to the airport." I told him, "I don't want to." He then told me "do it anyway." So, I reluctantly got up, checked my schedule, (which was easily re-arranged by the way), called my husband, and told him I would be happy to take him to the airport.
He was thrilled. When we were walking out to the car, he said to me "this is just like when we were dating and couldn't stand to be apart from each other." We had such a sweet time together on that drive to the airport.
graceunveiled2: Desiring to hear... Thursday, September 4th 2008
It's amazing how just even being intentional to say, "Holy Spirit, please lead me" really opens your eyes! When I am faithful to express that to Him I walk confidently forward knowing that He WILL and it makes me EXCITED! It makes my heart come alive knowing I'm on an adventure planned by God Himself!! God says in Jeremiah 1:5, in talking TO Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." ... I can't get past that verse! Before God even BEGAN to form Jeremiah, he set him apart as a prophet to the nations! While I don't know that I have personally been set apart as a prophet ;) , this verse COMPLETELY points to God having a plan for me even before He formed me in my mother's womb!!! When I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me, I am aligning my heart with God's and the plan He had for me before He even began to make me and since I fully believe Ephesians 3:20, that makes me EXCITED!!
Kenny Conley: Tuesday, August 19th 2008
Officially been doing the 60-60 for a week now. I think I can honestly say that I feel like I'm more aware of him more times in the day that I've noticed in years. This is a good thing. Why is it so easy to forget about him? I've been on a lot of mission trips in my life and I've noticed that while on a trip, everyone is totally aware of his presence and that we're there to be used by him in a powerful and even a specific way. However, we almost always come home from these trips and that "feeling" eventually wears off. Personally I think that the way I feel on a mission trip is the way God wants me to feel every day. The 60-60 may just be that catalyst that brings about this way of living. He's here and he wants to use me in a powerful and even a specific way!