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
*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
