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Quieting Practice
Quieting is best done in a Bonded Pair because of the intimacy and relational bonds that are strengthened by the exercise. However, a peaceful state of being can be generated with the Lord, “in the presence of the Lord”, by going through the same exercise minus the bodily presence of another person.
Quieting in LESS stressful times will generate new neural pathways (actually grow a part of the brain) so that you can then generate peace in MORE stressful encounters or times.
Carve out at least 10 Minutes/at Least once a Day – Quieting for 10 minutes may be extended if needed and it’s typical to struggle to quiet in the early phases of learning this skill. If you have the opportunity and the ability to extend the time necessary to gain a peaceful state of body and mind it’s good to practice doing so. Deep centering and a peaceful calm state, will sometimes lead to sleep and may be necessary to reset one’s Relational Circuits or RC’s. This is especially true in cases of intense stress or when dealing with various forms of trauma.
Sit and or lounge/recline in a comfortable position. The exercise assumes “cuddling” and “closeness” as the physical foundation for connection but the exercise is much more than the typical understand of cuddling.
- You will want to remove distractions like TV and other media sources.
- Get comfortable together-Cuddle postures/positions
- Quiet- this means that you want to wrap up any conversation and just be quiet in one another’s comforting embrace. This will not be easy when triggered but is often what we need the most.
- Begin to Slow your breathing. Deep breathing from the diaphragm is suggested. Allow your hear rates to slow down and synchronize.
- Focus your mind on positive images, senses, memories, instances and emotions of thankfulness. In the beginning it may be challenging to focus on things that build Joy but in time you will get faster at removing negative thoughts and distractions and grow in your capacity to relish in joyful “good” thoughts. Remember, the Joy of the Lord is your strength (Psalm 28:7) and in Quietness and Trust is our Salvation (Isaiah 30:17).
Immanuel Journaling Exercise
STEP ONE — Gratitude. Write anything I appreciate and then write God’s response to my gratitude. Dear God, I'm thankful for .... Dear child of mine ....
STEP TWO —I can see you. Write from God’s perspective what He observes in you right now, including your physical sensations. I can see you at your desk. Your breathing is shallow and your shoulders are tight...
STEP THREE — I can hear you. Write from God’s perspective what He hears you saying to yourself. You are wondering if I will speak to you and how you would ever know. You are discouraged and tired... OR: You woke up full of energy this morning. You are ready to take on the world. Your mind is buzzing...
STEP FOUR — I understand how big this is for you. How does God see your dreams, blessings or upsets and troubles? I want you to know that I care about what matters to you. Your desire to honor me brings me great pleasure... OR: I understand how intimidated you feel. This situation feels all-consuming to you as if you are about to sink...
STEP FIVE — I am glad to be with you and treat your weakness tenderly. How does God express His desire to participate with your life? Your dreams are precious to me. I ll you with life each day and really enjoy your desire to .... OR: I see your discouragement after yelling again. Times when you are frustrated and tired are when I want to be closer to you ....
STEP SIX — I can do something about what you are going through. What does God give you for this time? Come away with me. I offer you times of refreshing, new energy and vision .... OR: I will strengthen you. Remember how your friend encouraged you last week? With me you are not alone ....
STEP SEVEN — Read what you have written aloud (preferably to someone.)
Why Do We Need Faith?
- Jesus told us to have faith.
Mark 11:22 – And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God [Have God’s faith]. - We are saved by faith.
Eph. 2:8,9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom. 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. - We are baptized in the Holy Spirit by faith.
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Gal. 3:14 – That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. - We are made righteous by faith.
Rom. 1:17 – For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom. 3:22 – Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.
Also: Gal. 5:5; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 9:30
© 2006 Life Christian University Principles of Faith Page 3 - We are justified by faith.
Rom. 3:28,30 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Also: Gal. 2:16; Rom. 5:1 - We have peace by faith.
Rom. 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. - We have access to God’s grace by faith.
Rom. 5:2 – By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. - We are healed by faith.
Mt. 9:22 – But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Mt. 9:29 – Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Also: Mark 10:52; Luke 17:19 - We are prospered by faith.
3 John 1:2 – Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. - We please God by faith.
Heb. 11:6 – But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. - We have purified hearts by faith.
Acts 15:9 – And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
© 2006 Life Christian University Principles of Faith Page 4 - We are sanctified by faith.
Acts 26:18 – To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. - Our righteousness is revealed from faith to faith.
Rom. 1:17 – For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. - We live by faith.
Gal. 3:11 – But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Heb. 10:38 – Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. - We stand by faith.
Rom. 11:20 – Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
2 Cor. 1:24 – Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. - We walk by faith.
2 Cor. 5:7 – (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) - We are the children of God by faith.
Gal. 3:26 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. - Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.
Eph. 3:17 – That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love… - We receive for others by faith.
© 2006 Life Christian University Principles of Faith Page 5
Mt. 8:10,13 – When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel…. 13) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Mt. 15:28 – Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. - We inherit the promises by faith.
Heb. 6:12 – That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. - That which is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 — And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin. - By faith we overcome the world.
1 John 5:4 — For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. - By faith in God’s promises, we become “partakers of the divine nature.”
2 Peter 1:2-4 — Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. - By faith, we speak as God does, calling “those things which be not as though they were.”
Romans 4:17 – (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. - We need faith to finish our course – we even die in faith! The biblical heroes died in faith “being persuaded.”
Hebrews 11:13 — These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.