52 DATES WITH JESUS - Reading His Love Letter

Cultivating a relationship can be tough. And it is really hard when you just don't have time. I think one of the greatest struggles in our society is how easily we can fill our time with frivolousness. I challenge you (as I am challenging myself) just time yourself for a couple days, write down everything you do and how long you do it. From the time you rise until your head hits the pillow, what is occupying your time. You and I are probably going to be dreadfully surprised at what we find.

In pursuing these Dates with Jesus and determining in my heart that I desire to know Him more intimately I have been convicted that I long for this same connection with my spouse. I think it stems from the stress I've been experiencing at work. My time has been divided between the work and school and there has been little time left for my man. This isn't healthy and it is showing. I have so many excuses - from lack of time to I honestly don't feel well - my health took a nose dive when all the stress hit. I am so blessed by the ways that Lord places things on my heart and then gently weighs in on me until I respond.

I apologize now if this seems an eclectic collection of thoughts or if this just seems to ramble. I think I just need to unload my mind of all the craziness that is bouncing around in it.

SO back to cultivating a relationship. I want to know Jesus more intimately right? Well, what better way than to read about Him. To dig deep and ponder the precious words penned into the Bible? On Sunday I found this amazing tool that, in just two days, has begun to open up a deeper knowledge of the Lord and His ministry.

It presents the New Testament in more of a comprehensive, chronological order that has blown me away. In just 40 days I will have the entire New Testament read! :)
It's like reading a love letter only it is a few hundred pages long...

Along with all of this I am trying to catch up with school, I've quit my job and am starting a new one in a week and I have been brainstorming some creative dates. So far here's what I've come up with...

Photography Nature Walks - just breathing in and admiring His Creation!
Coffee Date (or tea as the case may be) - with my journal and my Bible.
Dinner for two - setting up an intimate dinner at my house sometime just the "two" of us. :)
Early to Rise - getting up with the sun and taking in the sunrise with Him.
Midnight Prayer - getting up in the middle of the night for some conversation.
Pillow Talk - just laying in bed and chatting away (I do this to Daryl a lot poor guy...)

What are some ideas you may have?