MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Condry’s and RRSN

by | Dec 25, 2024 | Headlines, RRSN News, Spiritual Development, Sports Devotionals, Uncategorized | 0 comments

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The “Most Important Hour”

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). 

A couple of years ago, a dear friend of mine sent me a book called the “Most Important Hour.”

He told me “I think you will like it, if you give it a chance.”   The pages of the “Most Important Hour” for the most part are blank.  It’s a journal. 

The mindset is simply to rise early in the morning (my time is between 4:45 a.m.-5:30 a.m.) and spend the first hour of the day with God.  So, each morning, I follow the same routine with one goal in mind.  To seek ye first the kingdom of God that day.

While I am enjoying my freshly brewed coffee, I open up my journal and I have an intimate conversation with God on what my blessings are. What I am thankful for and every morning, I write a letter to GOD. Sometimes it’s a paragraph, and sometimes it’s two pages.

The way I look at it was, if Jesus made this a common practice and discipline, I needed to do it as well.   Mark 1:35 says “Jesus rose up very early in the morning, while it was still dark to pray in a solitary place, ” It is important to note the connection between Jesus’s ministry and his prayer life.  In Mark 1:32-34, Jesus healed all the sick in the town and cast out all the demons. Mark tells us that this ministry took place after sunset.

Rather than sleeping in after this amazing ministry, Mark notes that Jesus got up before the sunrise in order to pray.  I’m sure that Jesus was exhausted, but he knew that his strength came from God the Father, so his prayer time could not be compromised.  It is clear that Jesus’s ability to minister powerfully came from as a result of his prayer time. These two are intimately connected.  What we do first thing in the morning over time says a lot about our true priorities.  In general, we have our best energy in the mornings, after we’ve just slept, and once we’re fully awake.

To what or to whom will we give the first fruits of each day’s time and attention? For me, it’s simply seeking first the kingdom of God each and every morning. So, our prayer this CHRISTmas season is that you get to know this God of ours closer than you ever have before.

So, join me first thing each morning.  You will understand why it’s the most important hour of the day! 

Merry CHRISTmas and God’s Blessings Always!   Paul and Tonya Condry

Related Stories

COLLEGE HOCKEY: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES AT NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

COLLEGE HOCKEY: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES AT NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH By John Fineran Notre Dame opens its Big Ten Conference hockey schedule this Friday and Saturday evenings against its long-time rival Michigan. Friday’s game will be the 172nd meeting between the two...

Titans Take No. 15 Viterbo to Five Sets in Gritty Battle

SOUTH BEND --- IU South Bend volleyball went toe-to-toe with one of the top programs in the nation Wednesday evening, pushing No. 15 Viterbo to five sets before ultimately falling (27-29, 13-25, 25-23, 25-23, 12-15).The Titans (12-17, 8-7 CCAC) saw their...

No.1 Purdue MBB pounds U Indy 92-49

[1] Purdue 92, UIndy 49 (Postgame Notes) Purdue tuned up for the season with a 92-49 win over the University of Indianapolis on Wednesday night in Mackey Arena. The win marked the 36th straight home exhibition win for the Boilermakers. Purdue has won four straight...

This Week in BIG TEN FOOTBALL

  Big Ten | Football | 2025 Standings   Week 10 of the 2025 college football season features six games. The conference slate begins with two Saturday noon ET matchups. Iowa, Northwestern, Oregon, UCLA, Washington and Wisconsin will all enjoy byes this week,...

THE 2025 INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST INSIDER – SECTIONAL QUARTERFINALS

BY PAUL CONDRY AND MATT KOPSEA NEWS AND NUGGETS Mooresville’s Mike Gillin announced his retirement after nine years and 47 years overall. The Indiana Football Hall of Famer was 68-40 with the Pioneers and 373-157 overall. He is currently the third winningest coach in...