Q & A with Author Doug Gilmer, Part 2

Today we continue with Part 2 of the Q & A with Doug Gilmer, author of the devotional book, Backcountry Devotions (available in both print and e-book format: Kindle / Nook).

If you missed Part 1, here is a link so you can catch up.

Your devotional also includes beautiful photos that go along with your messages. Did you do that because men are so visual? 

A picture is worth a thousand words someone once said. The idea behind the pictures wasn’t for more visually inclined men but for everyone, women included. It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman to appreciate the beauty and majesty of God’s creation.

As a matter of fact, in the Adventure Leadership and Outdoor Ministry academic program I direct at Liberty University, nearly half of my students are women. Along with this is the fact I have been writing for magazines for several years and I know the power the photographs contain in helping to illustrate or otherwise tell a story.

And in full disclosure, while some of the photos are mine, some came from the publisher. The cover photo was shot by James Overstreet, a photographer for ESPN Outdoors and all around great guy. More of his work can be viewed at OutdoorShooter.com.

What does your current devotional life look like? Do you use devotional material, are you studying a certain theme, something else?

My mind rarely slows down and I am constantly researching or thinking of new ideas to explore in Scripture. I keep them written down in a journal and I work down the list. I don’t use too many devotional books myself except for some of the classics as I don’t want to rely on them.

Being in academia I have to read a great deal of faith-based research or other material regularly. Forcing myself to do self study keeps me sharp. One book I have enjoyed recently, however, is called “The Thrive Journal” by Linda Freeman. Instead of being just an inspirational devotional, it is very introspective and forces you to think.

I also spend a great deal of time journaling what it is I am studying so I can go back and review it later. It’s amazing to me to go back and see where God has taken me spiritually over the years just by going back and reading what I have journaled.

Do you have any practical tips for us regarding our devotional time – anything that has worked well for you? 

As I mentioned previously, journaling is a key element for me and should be a part of anyone’s devotional time. Keeping a journal documents what God is teaching us, reminds us of where we’ve been, and helps to chart a course of where we are headed.

I also have my quiet time in the morning, however, that doesn’t mean mornings are the right time for everyone. Whether you have your devotional time in the morning, noon, or night; seven, five, or three days a week, the key is consistency. Make it a habit.

Also, make it interesting and relevant to where you are in life. Your devotions should not be a drudgery. You should look forward to them and to what God is going to teach you.

I am so committed to journaling that I require all of my college students in my program to keep a journal. Each week they are required to spend time outside and they have to journal about the experience. Not only that, but they have to make a spiritual application, from the Bible, to their journal entry. They have to turn them in every week. I don’t call attendance – my teaching assistant and I review journals instead. At least once in the semester, all of my students will have to give a 10 minute devotion to the class based on one of those journal entries. I call it outdoor exegesis.

One study for me which never gets old is the Psalms and Proverbs. I don’t care who you are, they are always relevant. There are 150 Psalms and 31 Proverbs. Read five Psalms each day and one Proverb and you will work your way through them in a month (just leave yourself extra time when you reach the day on which you read Psalms 119!).

Anything you want to add?

Being outdoors is not only fun and relaxing, but it can also be an incredible time of renewal, comfort and counsel. When we are outside. we see just how big God is, just how small we are, and how insignificant our problems seem when compared to a God who created all that we see.

In Mark 9, the disciples didn’t fully witness Jesus as God over six days of hanging out with him. It wasn’t until he intentionally took them, led them up on a high mountain, away from everyone else and free from all distraction, that they saw his divine presence.

In Genesis 15, God appeared to Abraham and made him a promise. Abraham could not understand what God was telling him until God brought him outside (verse 5). Once he left the security of his tent, he saw the stars above and God’s promise became real.

When Job was destitute, defeated, and beginning to question God over all that happened to him, he is given this advice in chapter 37:14, “Listen to this O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God.” This is good advice for all of us, “Stand and consider the wonders of God.” When we do, we can’t help but be amazed and we can’t help but see God for who he truly is.

You can read more of Doug's insights on his blog: Backcountry Chaplain. And you can follow him on Twitter: @DouglasGilmer.