Listen to this...

This is one of my very favorite speakers Peter Rollins....just wanted to share a part of what moves me to help people heal and grow and learn.....why it has taken me so many years of the Grace God's given me to understand how to extend it to others....humbling really... enjoy!
http://feeds.feedburner.com/marshill/podcast

click on the Being Human Podcast, Peter Rollins Sun, 28th Oct 2012

week 26...Half a year gone by...Half to come!!!

Let me start by offering my deepest apologies!! I don't really have an excuse other than life has been throwing a lot in my general direction and my time management has left me not getting to all of my passions! I put the blog on the back burner while Nicole was out and just simply haven't set down long enough to pick it back up. I pray none of you have been hurt by my lack of attention to this project; I am human after all...lol! Thank you for your grace, understanding and forgiveness. I will be doing better....just needed to find that time for God first and as it usually does, everything else begins to fall into place once more!

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

Don't look back. Don't run ahead. "I am" right here! Fear is such an interesting beast. I believe that it is the one emotion that constantly attempts to eclipse Love. God loves us so much and fear simply screams run. Fear is funny really; it keeps us knowing we are alive yet can keep us from fully living simultaneously. So the situation begs the question, "what are you afraid of?" My biggest fear is vulnerability in love. I have never let myself get raw and completely vulnerable in an intimate relationship. This is a lot to swallow when you discover it about yourself; when you realize you have offered a controlled vulnerability to every intimate relationship you've ever held close to your heart. That you truly have never released all of yourself into another's hands because you were sure they would crush your heart. Fear rises out of many of our experiences, failures, and trials; sometimes we are even unaware that fear has attached itself until we are standing face to face with an opportunity to not fear. I am learning how to let Love win; and my hope is that each of us, when standing in front of that thing we fear, would seek Gods love. Right there, right then; in that very moment! Love truly is the only thing that can cast out fear; Love is greater than fear. What have you to fear when you know the Love of God? He says nothing can keep you from His Love; He says He has overcome the world and your fear is included in that world. He says do not be afraid....again and again and again! Fear not sweet children, God, Our God is Love and we have nothing to fear!

FULL PLANK POSE DESCRIPTION

                            *Come into plank pose, knees can be down or off of the floor. 

*Line your left hand up directly below your chin.

*Shift onto the outside edge of your left foot, and stack your right foot on top of the left. 

*Now swing your right hand onto your right hip, turn your torso to the right as you do, and support the weight of your body on the outer left foot and left hand.

*Make sure that the supporting hand isn’t directly below its shoulder; position the hand slightly in front of its shoulder, so the supporting arm is angled. 

*Straighten the arm by firming the triceps muscle, and press the base of the index finger firmly against the floor.

 *Strengthen the thighs, and press through the heels toward the floor. Align your entire body into one long diagonal line from the heels to the crown of the head.

*If you'd like you can stretch the top arm toward the ceiling, parallel to the line of the shoulders. 

*Keep the head in a neutral position, or turn it to gaze up at the top hand.

*You can stop here or go into the full variation as shown. 

*Simply bend the top knee and take the hand to the inside of the foot and slowly extend the leg towards the sky. Do Not Be Afraid, for I Am with you!

SONG SUGGESTIONS

Empty my Soul by Melissa and Jonathan Helser

Abba(extended version) by Jonothan David Hesler

Sweetest Name by Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

Colossians 2:2-3 “I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery!”

There are times when we know just what to do, and life seems to rise up and support us. And then there are times when everything is a little unclear, and we might feel a bit lost. Thankfully, God’s word tells us that “all the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in the mystery of knowing God and nowhere else.” We can use our meditation and yoga practice as a time to tap into a deep connection with ourselves and Him…. remembering who we really are (His children) and what is most important to us. When we embrace the awareness of God into our whole life, we will experience the kind of presence that will make us stop in our tracks, engage our senses, and find joy in daily life. But for most of us, accomplishing that is easier said than done. Often it requires a conscious effort to examine the world, push in new directions, and find fresh ways to bring to mind the same sense of connection, foundation, and contentment we find in Him.

STANDING SIDE STRETCH POSE DESCRIPTION

This is a great posture that warms up and awakens the body. Try practicing this pose as you awaken yourself and intentionally focus the mind on your Lord! 

Standing tall in Mountain Pose 

Inhale arms up and overhead, turning palms to face together & interlace the fingers, 

~ sink the shoulder blades down the back, creating space between the ears and shoulders 

Exhale and side bend evenly toward the right, 

~ ensuring that the shoulders do not tip forward or backward, use the core strength to keep centered  

Repeat the side bend over to the left side 

Continue flowing from side to side slowly, to the rhythm of your breath.  

Release your hands down with an exhale, coming back to Mountain Pose

Benefits:

Creates space in the spine, feelings of peace

week 25 of 52 week challenge...almost half way!!!

MEDITATION/MESSAGE


" For everything~absolutely everything~above and below~visible and invisible~everything was started in HIm and finds its purpose in Him alone."


Have you ever pulled out a 2000+ piece puzzle and simply sighed at how overwhelming it is. So many random pieces and yet you find the ability to work through it because there is this picture on the box of exactly what it can become once all of the pieces find their way to where they belong. I think our lives mimic the puzzle, our picture is Christ. He is what is in and through us causing coercion of each and every detail of our live to return us back to where we belong. He takes all of the pieces, every detail and brings them together as they belong; making us whole. So all of those pieces that you swear have nothing to do with that puzzle; the ones that you just cannot see belonging to the same picture...those pieces are all part. Everything is part, everything is from Him and finds purpose in Him... Even though you may not be able to see it now, whatever it is, it is part of the big picture. It is all His and He is using every detail to reconcile you to wholeness. I am also guilty of trying to make pieces fit where they do not belong; I have to remind myself the picture is His. He knows when and where each piece fits and how to put them together for the best possible outcome. Puzzles are always confusing right up until the last few pieces find their way into place...so give yourself and others some grace and remember this is all His and He is doing the work. Timing and perspective matter, but you can rest knowing all of the pieces have been laid out on the table before Him and His mighty hand will weave them into a reflection and a masterpiece....believe! And sometimes we get a glimpse of how all the pieces are coming together and this is a wonderful moment, the picture becomes more clear and one more piece falls into its place....


WARRIOR THREE POSE DESCRIPTION


I like this pose for the message because it truly challenges us to find meaning and purpose in all things. To look forward with anticipation for the pieces to fall into place.

1. From Warrior I, bring the hands onto your hips.

2. Bring your weight forward into your front foot as you gently kick up your back leg.

3. At the same time, bring the torso forward until it is parallel to the floor.

4. Keep the neck relaxed, as if it's the natural extension of the spine.

5. Keep both hips pointing toward the floor as you bring the back leg in line with your body.

6. Flex the raised foot and keep the muscles of the raised leg actively engaged.

7. Bring the arms back along your sides.

8. Repeat on the other side.

Beginners: Do the pose at the wall. You can either face the wall and bring your arms outstretched in front of you with your hands on the wall or turn around and bring the lifted back foot onto the wall.

Advanced: Try another arm variation. Bring the arms outstretched in front of you or into reverse namaste position behind your back

SONG SUGGESTIONS

Farther Along by Josh Garrels

Soon by Hillsong United

Carried to The Table by Leeland

P.S. Nicole had to go back to the hospital and receive a second treatment to remove fluid from around her heart and lungs. Please keep her in your prayers and know her contribution will return as soon a this piece finds it way into the puzzle and her heart finds the healing it longs for....

week 24 of 52 week challenge...

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

The last few weeks my life has been quite a mess; it seems as though every area of my life was at odds. After spending some time with God and listening to His word; it’s apparent He allowed all of it to happen, and He had purpose behind it all. Sometimes when we are struggling we may assume it is the enemy attacking us, which it very well may be. However, God does come into our lives and sometimes makes a mess of things to get our attention and to get us on His plan! Without the mess I wouldn’t have stopped to listen to Him. When Jesus comes into our lives and makes a mess of things He is deconstructing us to construct something better. He is building a better temple inside of us, but sometimes He has to tear down the old one, in order to build a new and improved temple.  

EXTENDED TRIANGLE POSE DESCRIPTION

1. Starting in Mountain Pose, begin to pay attention to your breath. Let go of distractions. Breathe softly and fully. Take a moment to tune into your body and draw your awareness inward 
2. Step feet wide apart, about 3 to 4 feet, make sure heels are aligned with each other
3. Turn the toes of the right foot to face the front of the mat
4. Keep the left toes pointing towards the long edge of the mat 

• The two hip points are now facing the side of the mat

1. Inhale, taking the arms out in a “T” with palms pointing down, keeping the shoulders relaxed
2. Exhale as you begin to tilt the left hip away from the front leg, deepening the crease where the hip bone meets the pelvis
3. Continue to reach out through the top of the head, keeping the spine long, and the torso engaged
4. Lift through the knee cap of the front thigh, contracting the quadriceps to support the knee
5. Extending through the right hand, gently lower it towards the shin, a block on the inside of the foot, a block on the outside of the foot, or fingers/palm on the mat or big toe
6. The left arm will float up towards the sky, keeping the arms in a “T”

- Whichever hand position you choose for the bottom hand, make sure to keep the spine and torso long, without creating a bend in the waist

- Draw the low belly in to support the lower spine

1. Tuck the chin in slightly, lengthening the top of the neck, and turn your gaze up towards the sky or gazing towards the floor 
2. Breathe comfortably as you hold the position
3. To exit the pose, on an exhale look down towards the front foot, draw the low belly in, root down through the feet, and inhale as you rise up 
4. Turn and step back to the top of the mat and repeat on the opposite side

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

Butterflies represent the resurrection of Christ. As christians our walks balance upon this idea that God is always bringing resurrection again and again within each one of us. He brings our old nature up to the surface to examine, and then He delicately binds us up and transforms us behind the fibers of His hands and then opens His hands to set us free, new with beauty, to fly upon the breath of the Spirit. This pose embodies our openness to the resurrection process. Our willingness to be still and wait while He works to create in us a new and clean heart. To transform our bodies, minds and spirits into His lovely intended creations. It is always a process, one that seems painful as all of our old stuff must be burned away, liquified into nothingness that we may begin to form from dust all over again. But not just any dust, dust that has been infused by the Breath of God, the Spirit filled life that only His magnificence can bring. Man cannot free himself from the cocoon, only God can whisper strength into our yet unformed wings and inspire us to fight, you get free of the bindings and set flight into an unknown but miraculous world of freedom and of love...

BALANCING BUTTERFLY POSE DESCRIPTION

• Begin standing on your mat with both feet together. Bend your knees and squat down, placing your hands on the floor in front of your feet.
• Turn your knees out to the sides, keeping the balls and heels of your feet together. When you're ready, bring your hands to your knees.
• You can stay here, or bring your hands together in front of your heart in prayer position. Hold here, balancing for five deep breaths. To release, bring your knees together and stand up

Week 23 of 52 Week Challenge

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

Why does our reality forsake us? Why do stand in this world partly aware of our center with Christ and partly distracted or confused with what is in front of our eyes? Our true identity is so apparent when we see it in His presence, but as soon as we stand among the other broken souls we are tempted to start questioning our worth and our place among them. We can stand and see where God has moved, where He has been. But it does not keep us from stopping right where we are, in the middle of the process, to look around and see what is going on; as if looking around our broken world is somehow going to reveal Gods perfect works. He is so far beyond our comprehension, such a mystery  and a miracle giver. There is truly no way for our little minds to grasp all of what is actually happening and so very often we simply settle for whatever we can logically conjure up instead of watching and waiting for Truth to reveal itself. We can find ourselves buried beneath the rubble of our torn world; we need only return to the Master and rest and wait to be used as He intends for the great revelations of our stories in His book. Plow pose is a figurative way to change our perspectives and reveal the Way out of the rubble.....

PLOW POSE DESCRIPTION

 Lie on your back and bring your legs straight up in the air towards the ceiling. Bring your arms alongside your body with your palms down. Press into your hands and lift your legs over your head.

If your legs do not touch the ground behind you, bring your hands to your back for support. If your feet do hit the ground, then clasp your hands together, trying to roll your shoulder blades towards one another.

SONG SUGGESTIONS

He Loved Me To The End by Jenny Powell

Perfect by John Loux

Never Let Me Down by Jill Phillips

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

The word “pain” or some form of it appears many times in Scripture. While not specifically stated in the Bible, medically we know that pain is a gift. Without it we would not know when we needed medical attention. Children would never learn that touching a hot stove is a bad idea, nor would we be aware to a dangerous medical condition without the pain associated with it. Pain also provides one an opportunity to experience the grace of God. Consider what Paul said: 

“and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

We don’t know what exactly Paul was struggling with, but it seemed to have been painful for Paul. He recognized that God’s grace was being given to him so he could endure. God will give His children the grace to bear pain. Although pain is not pleasant, we should thank God for it because it alerts us that something is wrong in our body. Also, it causes us to reflect on the awful consequence of sin and be extremely thankful to God for making a way for us to be saved. When one is in pain, it is an excellent time to realize that Jesus endured excruciating emotional and physical pain on our behalf; that He suffered pain willingly to redeem us and glorify His Father.

BUTTERFLY POSE DESCRIPTION

• Keep the spine and the neck in an upright position
• Breathe natural and easy.
• Bend both the knees.
• Bring the soles of the feet together and place them as close to the pelvic bone as possible.
• Grasp firmly both feet with your hands.
• Do not allow the heels to be raised.
• Keep the torso in line with the waist.
• Place the elbows on the thighs.
• Inhale deep and press both the thighs downward with the elbows.
• Remove your hands from thighs and try to raise the knees without any support; exhale breath.
• Practice this in the beginning with rhythmic and natural breathing.
• Initially attempt this for 10-20 times.
• Closing your eyes remain focused on the hip joints and the waist zone.
  
  
  ALSO, NICOLE IS HOME AND HEALING!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS....REST IN HIM SARAH G

Week 23 of 52 is on hold....

Hey guys, so sorry no post this week. Instead we have a prayer request. Sweet Nicole the second writer for our blog has been in the Hospital and suffering from serious pain and looking at possibly having to have fluid removed from around her heart. She is a trooper , but we would love for you to join us in prayer over her. We will take this week just to join as a community in prayer if that is alright with you, please feel free to practice any of our previous poses and simply surrender your mind to this family...each and every one of us that comes together to unite more fully with Christ. Thank you so much for your love and support. Rest In Him Sarah G

Nicole 

Week 22/52 week challenge....Chaos in a week; sorry we are late...enjoy!!!

MEDITATION/MESSAGE
Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything turned upside down and you could not seem to find where you were standing. Well this week has been like that to me. One thing showed up out of no where and everything started changing. I couldn't keep my brain focused let alone my body or soul. I couldn't see ahead of me, but I knew I was standing on the verge of something new and something amazing. But it just looked like a whirl wind in the moment. I began to wonder what on earth was going on, when calmly and quietly God whispered, "Keep Your Eyes On Me, just keep your eyes on me." He brought me to Peter and the other disciples standing outside  Gethsemane, with Jesus. They had no idea what all was about to happen and Jesus simply said to them, "This is serious, please wait and watch with Me." I guess this just made sense to me today, in the middle of the whirlwind, the only thing you need to do is Keep your eyes on Him, and Wait and Watch what He does, because it will not be what you expected. It will be far better, a Risen Savior....even after all the suffering, the denial, the pain, the betrayal....there He stood Alive again! So whatever you may be facing may I encourage you, first that you have no idea what is really about to go down; so don't assume you do. And second, if you just wait and watch, keeping your eyes fixed on Him, you will find yourself in the safest place as the chaos spins around you; and you will see something beyond expectation rise out of the ashes...just wait for it!!! This pose is a combination of inversion, balance, strength and stretch...all the things that this journey will present to us and all opportunities to Keep Our Eyes On Him, watching and waiting for what He will do next....


STANDING SPLIT POSE DESCRIPTION
This pose is perfect because it tasks all of your muscles in order to stay focused and to reach deeper. 
~I like to start this pose from Warrior I, right leg forward first
~Cartwheeling the hands down to the floor and pivoting onto the ball of the left foot
~taking the hands to the floor or a chair
~begin to lift the back leg off of the floor
~then reach that leg as high as you are able
~melting the heart towards your thigh and reaching with the toes to the sky
~lengthening and stretching for the standing split
~draw your forehead to the knee sinking into the pose
~lower leg and switch sides
**This pose may be done against the wall to deepen the stretch; listen to your body but focus your mind on Him that you may remain in this tasking, upside down, and difficult pose...watching and waiting, He has something remarkable in store for you!!!




JUST ONE SONG SUGGESTION
Matthew 26:38 by Marcy Priest-The Artist Bible

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

We can do almost anything to turn our attention inward. We could tune into our breath or stop mid-stride of walking to feel our feet on the ground. Or we could take a moment to remember the interconnectedness God has placed in everything. As we do, we should notice a thread of connection to Him, to the part of us that is not totally caught up in the drama of the moment. As we touch that open presence, we touch our deepest source of strength through taking a moment to connect with God. In that state of stillness, we should recall our intentions that God has called each of us for. Then act or speak in a way that's in line with that intention. You may find, in moments when your intention and motivation are clear, that it will bring you inner strength. This strength is a dependable source of support, the support that never leaves you through God.

GARLAND POSE DESCRIPTION

Don’t let the world take away your peace, wear your “peace” as a garland of protection and a connection with your Lord at all times.

1. Starting in Mountain Pose with the palms of the hands together in prayer pose
2. Step feet open a little bit more than hip width apart with feet turned out slightly, rotating the legs slightly outward 
3. Inhale, bringing your arms overhead, turning your palms to face each other 
4. Exhale, as you release the arms bringing them into a straight line, hinging at the hips and leading with the chest, fold forward, making sure to keep a straight spine and release the finger tips to the ground
5. When fingertips touch down, inhale and deeply bend the knees and lower hips down into a deep squat
6. Exhale, bring palms together for prayer pose, and use the elbows as levers to open your knees a little farther, keeping the spine long and chest open. Feel tension in the lower back begin to melt away. 

• If your heels aren't planted down, try opening your feet a little wider apart 

1. Hold here for several breaths 
2. To come out, place hands on the floor and straighten your legs. Next, slowly roll up one vertebra at a time and step your feet together in Mountain Pose.

Week 21/52!!!!

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

In today's world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress; almost everyone is carrying some amount of it. Most of us are so used to carrying the burden of stress; we can hardly imagine our lives without it. We think it is simply an unavoidable part of life. Stress seems to be intrinsically woven into the fabric of our lives; hanging around in our bodies creating strain. It presses in on us from all sides, causing tension and pain. 

Yet, Jesus says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30)
The first thing we must do to be free from our stress and worry is to come before Jesus. Without Him, our life has no real purpose or depth. We simply run from one activity to another, seeking to fill our lives with purpose, peace, and happiness. 

"All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied." (Ecc. 6:7)

If we do not know our real purpose in life; our reason for existing may seem very meaningless. Yet, God created each of us with a special purpose in mind. There is something that needs to be done on this earth that can only be done by YOU. No matter who we are, we are bound to have tribulation in this life, it is unavoidable. But having trouble in this life is not the issue; the real issue is how we react to it. The trials we face in this world will either break us or make us strong. Until you have fully committed yourself to God and your foundation is dug deep into Him, discerning what His perfect will is for your life, will be a huge challenge. When the storms of life come, as they are bound to do, you will only worry and fret and walk around with an ache of stress. Who we are under pressure reveals who we really are. The storms of life wash away the thin covering that we present to the world and will expose what lies deep in our heart. God, in His mercy, allows the storms to hit us so we will turn to Him & be cleansed of the sin that we were not able to see in the times of ease. We can either turn to Him and receive a soft heart in the midst of all our trials, or we can turn away and harden our heart. In all things God allows us the freedom of choice, which will you choose?

NOOSE POSE DESCRIPTION

In the previous weeks, we have mentioned great poses for relieving stress and letting go of tension. Carrying on with a similar theme this week, noose pose is another great posture for relieving stress and tension. With any spinal twist, it will help relieve tension in the muscles of the spine. Noose is more of an intermediate pose but with the noted modifications anyone may add it to their yoga practice. As you practice the posture, meditate with God, knowing that He will bring you peace in the midst of your trials and stress.

* For beginners it may be helpful to stand sideways, with a forearms distance, next to a wall

• Standing tall in Mountain Pose with feet hip-width
• Slowly, with a straight spine fold into a forward fold
• Bend the knees coming into a full squat, with the bottom resting on heels

* If you're not able to get the heels fully on the floor, try resting heels on a thickly folded blanket or a rolled up mat

• Inhale & lengthen the spine long, taking any roundness out of the back
• Shift knees slightly to the left
• As you exhale, twist your torso to the right
• The left elbow presses against the outside of your right knee, acting as a lever to help you deepen the twist
• Slowly, inch the left arm down the side of your leg, moving the back of the left shoulder toward the outside of the right knee

*Eventually, you can place the knee into the armpit, as you bend your elbow, & move the forearm around the front of the shins

• Exhale & flow the other arm behind the back
• Preparing to bind your arms, Grasp the top hand with the bottom hand
• Use the pressure of the bind to lengthen out your left side and deepen the twist
• Maintain long slow & steady breaths deep into the belly
• Hold here for several full breaths then release out the twist as you exhale
• Repeat on the opposite side

MEDITATION/MESSAGE


One thing is essential and Mary has chosen it....She has found what is important and that won't be taken from her... Ah the story of Mary and Martha. I have a sweet take on this; here is what I have found...in my own life there have been precious moments of exchange between God and I. These exchanges are personal, intimate and unexplainable to others ( by this I mean there is no way to truly relate the experience from your perspective to another who cannot nor will not ever have your perspective) It is a unique gift that God has given us, one that simply draws us where we are into awareness of His presence. He is looking right at us, with Loving eyes that adore and say, “ You are my Beloved, won’t you come with me?” The instant we think we have arrived at the most expansive sense of who God could be and how much He can love us, He will break through our insufficient thinking and make Himself known, once more, in a deeper way than before. And all we have to do is be willing to look....to believe in a reality that says God is greater than even what our sense of Him has been and that this reality can and will grow as expansive as our God truly is.....as well allow our reality to shift. So no matter how you find your way to The Well, go; again and again and drink of The Water of Life. You do not have to wait until you are thirsty. Once you understand that you need The Water, always and for all things..you can begin to go to The Well more frequently, drawing from the Source and feeling the Power and Healing that come from each drink. You cannot get enough Water and when the first well you came to runs dry, follow Him to the next trusting that He knows you and your true needs. You begin to find the One Essential in this life and He will not take it from you....He may move you and mold you, but never remove Himself or you from His feet. May you find surrender and peace as you partake of that which is Essential...


SEATED STRADDLE POSE DESCRIPTION


The idea with this pose is the simplicity of turning to Him and surrendering at His feet; letting everything else fall away from you so that Truth, Light, Healing, Peace and Joy are what you find as you arrive there. Aware of His presence all around you every day, every moment, every second....As you begin to see your need for this awareness; you find yourself at His feet...so simple go to The Well in whatever way you know how and partake...


~From a sitting position, spread your legs apart until they won't go any further. 
**Sitting on a cushion will help tilt your hips. 
~Fold forward, resting your weight into your hands with your arms straight-out in front of you
~Flex or point your toes (try both and see which one fits best for you)
~breath and surrender...stay here as long as you are able...remain with Him as long as you need...It will not be taken from you!!!!


SONG SUGGESTIONS
The Secret Wedding off the Braveheart soundtrack
Satisfy by Bethany Dillon
In My Veins by Andrew Belle

Week 20 of 52week challenge!!! It is going by way too fast...try to keep up!

MEDITATION/MESSAGE


Knowing when to let go....this is a practice; not a mastery for most of us. One that requires that we understand when and where to let go. I use the bow pose because I think it is a great metaphor for the reality of this concept. You see, we must first learn to draw back the bow...with strength and courage in order that we let go of it, properly releasing the arrow where it is intended to travel. Much like our walk we must first draw back into the Lord, before we are able to let go. There is so much just bubbling around under the surface of our consciousness. Things we do not see or understand about ourselves, our reality or others. We must first learn the practice of drawing back, making it a continuous method of building foundation and strength. This allows us to grow in understanding of how this design truly works. Once we understand this concept the rest seems to fall into place. We seem to find ourselves where we need to be, in the safety of His arms, when we are ready to release our bows; letting go of whatever had been long since tied around the arrow and piercing our delicate hearts. You see the simple habit of drawing back into Him allows Him to arm the bow with whatever He desires to free us from....and then with you, firmly in His grasp He watches as it is sent away from your heart....allowing you to heal; to experience freedom....no longer piercing your soul, your mind, or your body. This happens sometimes without your awareness, you simple understood it was time to draw back and it was there that God had done the rest. May each of us realize the strength of a warrior lies in their capacity to know when to draw back; when and where to release are His gifts to our practice.  Sit in the tension of this pose aware of the continuous practice that contemplative prayer requires of us and may you become assured it is a practice to be partaken throughout the entirety of our journeys; with hope it will become more accurate as we grow and the arrows will be released effortlessly every time!


BOW POSE DESCRIPTION



~ Lie down on your belly with your hands at your sides, palms up. (You can lie on a folded blanket or towel to pad the front of your torso and legs.) 
~Exhale and bend your knees, bringing your heels as close as you can to your bottom.
~ Reach back with your hands and take hold of your ankles (but not the tops of the feet). ***Make sure your knees aren't wider than the width of your hips, and keep your knees hip width for the duration of the pose.
~Inhale and strongly lift your heels away from your buttocks and, at the same time, lift your thighs away from the floor. This will have the effect of pulling your upper body and head off the floor. 
~Press the tailbone down toward the floor, and keep your back muscles soft. As you continue lifting the heels and thighs higher, press your shoulder blades firmly against your back to open your heart. Draw the tops of the shoulders away from your ears. Gaze forward.
~With the belly pressed against the floor, breathing will be difficult. Breathe more into the back of your torso, and be sure not to stop breathing.
~Stay in this pose anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds. Release as you exhale, and lie quietly for a few breaths. You can repeat the pose once or twice more.

NO SONG SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS ONE, INSTEAD SIMPLY WHISPER AGAIN AND AGAIN "COME LORD, COME"

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

Distracted: 1. Preoccupied: showing a lack of concentration 2. Anxious: so worried or upset as to be unable to think clearly or act sensibly 

Life is full of distractions!

Everybody knows you can read the Bible and at the same time think about something so far away, that you may not even remember which passage you have read afterwards. You can go to church and listen to the most spirit-filled sermon and yet, never hear one word of it. You can pray as much as you want and yet, never turn your mind towards God during your prayer. We, as people, have an amazing ability to listen and yet not hear. That’s why Jesus said: “Let those that have ears, HEAR (not just listen) what the Spirit says”.

Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The path of walking with God is a narrow road. So, we cannot afford to get distracted, as we can fall off very easily. There are all kinds of distractions at both sides of that road, which may stray us to compromise our life and calling, our family, or our leading from the Lord.

Thank you Lord for your mercy!

He has the ability and wants to lift us up every time we fall in the ditch. However, He teaches us to learn how to walk more and more steadily on that narrow path as we grow in Him. Just as a parent’s relationship with their child, the parent helps them walk steadily when they are small and inexperienced, but as they grow up, the child starts walking on their own. In the same way, as we grow in the Spirit, we are not supposed to grow only in our knowledge, activities, etc., but also in our walk on that narrow road, which includes our personal relationship with the Lord Himself and our following His purposes and intentions. That’s why the Lord tells us our lives are at stake, and not to turn to the right or the left, but to walk straight ahead in the way set before us. 

Proverbs 4:25-27 “Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.”

CAT/COW POSE DESCRIPTION

When distractions arise it’s easy, and almost second nature for us to try to hold onto them. This may lead to tension in the body in areas like the neck, shoulder, and spine. Cat/ Cow stretch is a nice pose to practice when feeling this tension. 

• Starting on all fours, in a table top position with a neutral and straight spine

- Line up: knees with the hips and hands with the shoulders

If uncomfortable to the wrist, you can make fists with the hands

- Center the head and neck in a neutral position with the eyes looking toward the floor

• Exhale, get all of the air out and round the upper part of your back (the space between your shoulder blades) to the sky

• Chin tucks in towards the chest, let your head follow, feeling a stretch the back of your neck
• At the same time, your tailbone should tip down and tuck under while you pull your abdomen upward. Imagine an angry cat that has puffed up its back

• Coming back into your neutral spine
• On the inhale, do just the opposite of cat pose

• curve in the back
• tilt the tail up to the sky
• draw the shoulder blades together and down your back

• Feel a great stretch in the front of the torso as you gaze up
• Always come back to your neutral spine, and repeat for several breathes