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