week 14 of 52 week challenge....14 the number of Love ;) Happy Valentine's

MEDITATION/MESSAGE 

 "sin and judgement versus Truth and Love"

^{Jeremiah 9: 
23-24}God's Message:
   "Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.
   Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don't let the rich brag of their riches.
   If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
   I'm God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what's right and set things right and fair,
   and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks."
   God's Decree.

 ^25-26"Stay alert! It won't be long now"—God's Decree!—"when I will personally deal with everyone whose life is all outside but no inside: Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab. All these nations are big on performance religion—including Israel, who is no better."  

In the Bible, God speaks through several people known as prophets. One prophet in particular, Jeremiah, speaks Gods message to the people of his day, as well as to the people of today, that God does not want us to fall into sin, because He knows what awaits us there; that familiar shame, sadness, loneliness, regret, fear, doubt, discouragement. Sin belongs to us all; as individuals, communities and nations. No person or group is exempt from sin; we are all just as susceptible as our sister or brother. The Lord sees no difference between the sins of man throughout the ancient nations or modern culture. Sin is sin. Sin destroys our lives. Sin kills our awareness. Sin steals our identity. The sins of one are as evil as the sins of another; they steal, kill and destroy the Truth. We need the Truth in order to see, understand and recognize what only the Truth can disclose....the Way of relationship; love, freedom, peace, and joy in knowing Him intimately, not just on a surface, superficial level. So if all sin is equal, then we need to stop judging one another and instead come together to fight the enemy in strands of two or three or fourteen. Love casts our sin from us; revealing to us the nature of the sin versus the Truth. Before the Light of Truth, the darkness of sin is obvious. But within the darkness of the world, sin may become camouflaged.  It is only in relationship with the Light that darkness is put in it's place. With this revelation comes life closer to the Source of all understanding. Love always accompanies the transfer of darkness for the beauty of Light. As the darkness flees, the Light floods in; all under the parachute of Love! God is Love. Love is His dealing with us, whether it be in discipline, correction, revelation or healing. This should be celebrated and shared with one another. Not preached, dictated or required of others. It is an exchange, that only God within man accomplishes. This is the story of the "good news", that we can be set free from sin, because the Light came and made us aware of the Truth and took sin to the darkest place it could go until the end of time. Now every man can come to find a life that is abundant and beyond description; a life in Christ, one that transforms from the inside out. But often we cannot get there alone, many must travel along side us pointing and reflecting the Light; not casting shadows upon the already dark space we may find ourselves in....May we find grace, encouragement and support for one another. May our hearts grow as we lean into relationship with our True family always pointing to the Light, the Source, the Truth, the Love that comes in and makes the darkness flee.

James 4:11-12 ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Romans 2:1-3 ¹ You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. ² Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³ So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ~ Jesus

"Love one another, as I have loved you..."

PARTNER POSE DESCRIPTIONS

Forward fold with interlaced hands behind the back~

Even if you do not have a special valentine, I want you to think of a person whom you would like to embrace in Truth and Love. Truly ask God to guide you in this. Let Him show you whom you need to be connected to. Once you know, invite them for a session. If this is too far out of your comfort zone, I pray God offers His presence as a stand in until you are prepared to join with a brother or sister in this intimate exchange of Truth and Love. 

• ~starting from mountain pose, stand facing one another
• ~interlace the fingers behind the back pointing the forefingers away
• ~then rooting down through all four corners of your feet
• ~slowly hinge forward at the hips rounding the spine
• ~melt the heart as close to the thighs as you are able and allow the forehead to reach towards the knees
• ~ ten let the hands reach towards the sky as you are able
• ~keep the shoulders drawn together and away from the ears (don't scrunch them up)
• ~allow your hands to cross one anthers if you are both  able (one set inside one outside)
• ~Now visualize your pose...neither of you is pointing at one another, but instead you are pointing to HIM
• ~Hold, breath and take it all in. Loving your sister or brother as He is loving you in this moment

Double Down Dog

• ~Partner 1 finds themselves into downward facing dog (The partner’s feet are spread hip-width apart and the heels pressed firmly to the ground. The hands are placed shoulder-width apart. The buttocks are raised toward the ceiling so that the body forms an inverted V relative to the ground)
• ~Partner 2 stands with his or her back toward the first partner. 
• ~Partner 2 places his or her feet between the first partner’s hands, and assumes Downward- Facing Dog position as previously described. 
• ~Partner 2 bends the knees and places the hands on the floor in front, about shoulder-width apart. 
• ~Partner 2 then raises one leg and places the foot firmly on the first partner’s lower or middle back.
• ~Partner 2 then lifts the other foot so that it is alongside the first foot on the partner’s back. 
• ~Partner 2 straightens the arms and legs, and lifts the buttocks to assume Downward-Facing Dog position on the first partner’s back (see pic) Hold this for several deep breaths. Love your brother or sister as Jesus loves you; meeting them exactly where they, as He meets and loves us exactly where we are. No judgment or condemnation. Sometimes we must go into the dark to bring the Light to another so that they may see there feet and one step more!
• ~Then partner 2 easefully returns one foot, and then the other, to the ground. 
• ~Both partners can rest in Child’s Pose for a few breaths, then switch positions and perform once again. 
• ***(Note: In practicing this pose, Partner 2 should be careful not to apply pressure directly onto the fleshly tissue just below PArtner 1's rib cage. If you or your partner have any back or circulatory problems, or are uncomfortable in any way, then skip this pose)

SONG SUGGESTIONS
Head or Your Heart by Matt Kearney
Let Your Love Be Strong by Switchfoot
The Light Will Come by Phil Wickham