Category Archives: The Secret Place Secrets

Devotionals about The Secret Place as found in Psalm 91.

The Secret Place Secrets

There is more to this walk with God ~

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It has been 15 years since I first heard God’s call to write. The big question is: Write what?

I record this call in my journal every time I hear it—“Call to write ~ 2001; Call to write ~ 2004; 2006; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014.” I write it in the margins of the books I read and re-read. Perhaps dozens of times I have documented my call to write—to write something anyway.

In those 15 years, I have filled many journals with something. In 2005-2007, I completed a two-year writing course through the Christian Writer’s Guild. Yet, even upon finishing the course, I wasn’t any closer to knowing what to write.

However, through that writing course God put me on the trail of a new ideology—new to me anyway. I didn’t question its validity because of the spiritual giants who embraced it, such as: D.L. Moody, Andrew Murray, Hudson Taylor, and A.W. Tozer, to name a few.

I found it in many places, often obscure and not fully defined, but it was there nonetheless. One very helpful book was: “They Found the Secret” by V. Raymond Edman, who wrote about the lives of 20 spiritual gurus and their discoveries. I gradually dug deeper into the lives of many of those 20 people, always coming up with the same conclusion.

Today, I can sum up my findings with this one single statement: There is more to this walk with God than I currently know and possess. That has been the crux of my on-going search and that search has clearly led me to the secret place.

That something will be the content of The Secret Place Secrets. ~ Janie Kellogg

Small footprintKey Concept: There is more to this walk with God than I currently know and possess.

 

See other Secret Place Secrets at http://www.treasureinearthenvessels.net.

The Secret Place Secrets

Just enough light for the step I’m on

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Many years ago I heard a speaker say, “If you’re not journaling, start now!” I took her advice and I have never regretted one of the 26 red spiral-bound 6”x9” notebooks that I have used up journaling. And, I have no plans to stop. Ever.

I told my children that if my house catches on fire, I won’t risk my life rescuing the family photos—it will be my journals that I go in to get!

They are filled with life—my spiritual life! I have never done the “Dear Diary” thing and never plan to. But I do document what God speaks to my heart as we walk together in this Father-daughter relationship.

My journals are filled with the treasures I have taken the time to capture with pen and ink. They are priceless to me—my very own words of encouragement, correction, and love messages from my Heavenly Parent! And, they are my memory that won’t fail as I grow older.

Within these journals I have recorded the key concepts that were revealed to me as I journeyed to the secret place. I can trace God’s hand leading me one step at a time. He opened my understanding and then enabled me to take the next step.

I love the song by Stormie O’Martin, “Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On.” That’s the story in my journals—God giving me just enough light to make the next step—not the ones for next week, or next month, or next year.

So, if you’re not journaling, I hope you start now! As we move forward, I will identify the key concepts, scriptures, and quotes for you. I like to call them footprints. I am so grateful to the writers who left some footprints along their path for me. Check out the one below. ~ Janie Kellogg

Small footprintKey Concept: As I journey to the secret place, God gives me just enough light for the step I’m on.

The Secret Place Secrets

The Secret Place Secrets

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Why secrets? Why not findings, or discoveries, or how about insights? To me, findings sound mathematical, discoveries scientific, and insights, well, really theological. So, I chose to call them secrets, mostly because that is what they are. You know—valuable information not readily available and given exclusively to those who actually want to know. Those things reserved for special ears only.

We all like them—secrets, that is. Who doesn’t want the secret for making to-die-for cheesecake or the world’s best BBQ? Or even a tip on the best doctor or hairdresser in town? Oh, we must not forget those anti-aging products that actually work. Let’s be honest—the list of subjects for which we desire personally-proven insider information is endless!

It is so totally us—we all have personal secret conclusions that we like to tell our friends (or actually anyone) who might be interested in what we have to say. We all do it; we share those special secrets we’ve learned while living life.

The content of The Secret Place Secrets will be the personal tidbits of my own journey to that special place mentioned in Psalm 91—my faith, my struggles, my successes, and yes, my hard lessons. I will also share with you the “what to do’s” and “what not to do’s” that I learned along the way, as well as powerful writings from admired spiritual gurus that support my conclusions.

I expect most of us know that famous scripture-with-promise by heart: “He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1. ~ Janie Kellogg

Note: In case you missed it, check out my last post “New Feature on Treasure in Earthen Vessels Blog,” at www.treasureinearthenvessels.net to learn more about what you can expect from The Secret Place Secrets.

The Secret Place Secrets

New Feature on Treasure in Earthen Vessels Blog

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I am excited to announce a new feature on my blog, Treasure in Earthen Vessels. Starting next week, I will begin posting shorter, more frequent, devotional-type writings on various topics. My first topic of devotional writings will be called The Secret Place Secrets. If you are already subscribed to my blog, you will automatically receive these devotionals directly in your email inbox. If you are not subscribed, please read the note at the bottom on how to subscribe.

The secret place has always intrigued me. For the past 15 years I have searched diligently for the meaning of that mysterious abode, as found in Psalm 91. I have read dozens of books about what it is and how to get there. Slowly, God has opened my understanding to at least some of it. Throughout these years I have recorded my journey and the secrets I learned along the way. It is with great joy and much humility that I attempt to share them with you.

I must give credit to the many authors whose works guided me to this place. I will forever be grateful to Amy Carmichael, Oswald Chambers, Hudson Taylor, Henri J.M. Nouwen, Raymond Edman, Sarah Young, and many others—who have enhanced my search. Yet, no one has spoken into my life as deeply as Andrew Murray. I am indebted to each these saints for faithfully documenting their findings for people like me—and you—who would come along behind them searching for this very place. In the weeks to come, I will share some choice excerpts from many renowned writers on this topic.

I am also grateful for Angela Thomas, a modern-day author and speaker. While watching a video session from her amazing Women’s Bible Study “A Beautiful Offering,” I heard Angela tell how she comes before God face down on the floor in her daily prayer time. The Holy Spirit— my Holy House Guest—quickly pointed out that my own personal prayer life was indeed lacking. I decided to give it a try. Words cannot express what this has done for my quest to find the secret place. Thank you, Angela, for challenging me to make this powerful posture before God a reality in my life.

However, my deepest gratitude belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, for it is His continuous wooing of my heart that has ultimately brought me to this place. Looking back, I clearly see that it has been my own unwillingness to surrender my all to His Lordship that hindered me from entering there. His loving-kindness and patience with me is astounding! Truly, the Lover of my soul and Pursuer of my heart deeply longs for me—and you—to enter that place of intimate fellowship with Him.

I trust that The Secret Place Secrets will be a very real blessing to you in your journey. I hope the richness of these shorter messages will be enough to keep you reading and their briefness enough to make it doable.

I dearly love to hear from my readers! Please let me know what you think by hitting the reply button on this email or use the comment section on the website at the bottom of each post. ~ Janie Kellogg

Note: To subscribe to my blog, go to www.treasureinearthenvessels.net and enter your email address in the green subscribe section on the right side of the screen. Once you click the subscribe button, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. Please do so shortly or it will expire and you will need to repeat the process. If you are relying on Facebook to get notifications of my new posts, you are probably NOT subscribed and will likely miss many of them.