Comments on: Cigars and Solitude http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/ This is my story and I'm sticking to it. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:02:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ded http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1993 ded Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:05:22 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1993 no doubt no doubt

]]> By: Ben Cotten http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1992 Ben Cotten Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:20:07 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1992 Hey, one man's "rancorous odor" is another man's bliss... Hey, one man's “rancorous odor” is another man's bliss…

]]> By: ded http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1991 ded Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:38:49 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1991 Ok, what you're really talkin' bout, it seems to me, is the practice of meditation. Not TM, of course, but David under the tree with his lyre meditating away on the wonder of God. I choose daily solitude and indulge in a variety of supports, though never a foul smelling cigar. (Sorry, Ben, but that rancorous odor does help you gain your solitude I suspect.) If no supports are available, God still is. Drawing near does not even require the effort of prayer; you know, as good a thing as prayer is, it is not the all in all just being with Him is. I get up before anyone else in the house. Solitude. What's more, usually there are not calls or other interruptions to the quiet. The price I pay is a need to go to bed before anyone else is ready. Small price for a big payoff. Some days I get in two periods of solitude. The second one is a good long walk or bike ride, when the whole world melts into the noise around me, and I may lose myself in the wonder of adoring Him for nothing other than the pleasure of filling my mind and releasing my feelings all upon Jesus. Ok, what you're really talkin' bout, it seems to me, is the practice of meditation. Not TM, of course, but David under the tree with his lyre meditating away on the wonder of God.

I choose daily solitude and indulge in a variety of supports, though never a foul smelling cigar. (Sorry, Ben, but that rancorous odor does help you gain your solitude I suspect.) If no supports are available, God still is. Drawing near does not even require the effort of prayer; you know, as good a thing as prayer is, it is not the all in all just being with Him is.

I get up before anyone else in the house. Solitude. What's more, usually there are not calls or other interruptions to the quiet. The price I pay is a need to go to bed before anyone else is ready. Small price for a big payoff. Some days I get in two periods of solitude. The second one is a good long walk or bike ride, when the whole world melts into the noise around me, and I may lose myself in the wonder of adoring Him for nothing other than the pleasure of filling my mind and releasing my feelings all upon Jesus.

]]> By: Sarah (Real Life) http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1990 Sarah (Real Life) Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:44:18 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1990 I have precious little solitude these days. I either working, or tending to the kids, talking to God as I go. Every now and then, when I have time to really think out a blog post, write and pray, I lock myself in the office (when Judd's here, of course) Writing helps me hear from God. But I can assure you I'll NOT be lighting up a stogie! I did try chewing tobacco on a whim in college, almost fainted. My grandpa smoked cigars his whole life, and ...well, I won't tell you the rest! :) I have precious little solitude these days. I either working, or tending to the kids, talking to God as I go. Every now and then, when I have time to really think out a blog post, write and pray, I lock myself in the office (when Judd's here, of course) Writing helps me hear from God.

But I can assure you I'll NOT be lighting up a stogie! I did try chewing tobacco on a whim in college, almost fainted. My grandpa smoked cigars his whole life, and …well, I won't tell you the rest! :)

]]> By: Ben Cotten http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1989 Ben Cotten Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:42:06 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1989 Right on! The "battle for solitude" is a battle I don't mind fighting... Right on! The “battle for solitude” is a battle I don't mind fighting…

]]> By: Joseph_Cotten http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1988 Joseph_Cotten Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:04:26 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1988 It's definitely something that takes work to make happen. I think that's why God made such a big deal about the Sabbath. He knows that we HAVE to rest - on purpose, not just rest because there's nothing to do - rest BECAUSE there's so much to do! Happily we're not bound to any law, so you're not going to come into judgement for not resting, but I think God knows you need it, so He will help you find a way to win the battle for solitude. It's definitely something that takes work to make happen. I think that's why God made such a big deal about the Sabbath. He knows that we HAVE to rest – on purpose, not just rest because there's nothing to do – rest BECAUSE there's so much to do!
Happily we're not bound to any law, so you're not going to come into judgement for not resting, but I think God knows you need it, so He will help you find a way to win the battle for solitude.

]]> By: Cathy Ratcliffe http://www.bencotten.net/life/christian/cigars-and-solitude/comment-page-1/#comment-1987 Cathy Ratcliffe Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:58:50 +0000 http://www.bencotten.net/?p=621#comment-1987 Whats solitude? I really need prayer. I hate to say, I get quiet time maybe once a year at the Beach where i just sit on some warm sand and just amazed of Gods aww, so there is some of us still working on SOLITUDE! Whats solitude? I really need prayer. I hate to say, I get quiet time maybe once a year at the Beach where i just sit on some warm sand and just amazed of Gods aww, so there is some of us still working on SOLITUDE!

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