Take a Deep Breathe

Over the last few weeks, in conversations with very different people who were in various circumstances the concept of how we breathe came up. I believe that many times, whether we sigh, or groan, as Christians, it is prayer. The part of our lives that we can not put into words. Whether because of great pain, anxiety, or confusion, God hears our heart. After the sigh, it is certainly the prayers that we pray along the way that allows God to weave our journey with His will, but also I think there is a time that we have to stop and take a deep breathe.


As we grow from a baby to a mature adult, our normal breathe goes from 30 breaths to 15 breaths per minute.As we mature, maybe we can go longer between breaths because we have greater lung capacity, but there are still times that we have to take a deep breathe.

So as we journey with God, we breathe, we sigh, we groan. How do we take a deep breathe? A few right answers seem to fly in the face of reason when you consider that most of the reasons we sign or groan are because we are busy or physically not well or serving those we love. These circumstances are the very reasons that we give to avoid taking a deep breathe.

"The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, 'Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.' For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat." Mark 6:31 The Message

Take a Deep Breathe
In our local church we have the fall women's retreat "Live the Adventure" coming up. If you are a lady that attends Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, why not intentionally come away with Him?
On the VA District we have Team Day. If you are a leader in your local church, why not attend a gathering of other leaders and breathe deep?
On the VA District also is the Escape Retreat. Why not join others in His Presence for a time of refreshing?

These are not so much to learn, but breathe deep in the Presence of God and allow Him to give you rest.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Live the Adventure

Most of the songs that we sing in Kids Church have motions that go along to help the kids understand what we are saying and stay engaged. "Trust in the Lord", which is Proverbs 3:5-6 put to music, begins with the sign language sign for "trust", which is to grasp your hands as if grasping a rope. We add a little extra to it, which I like by leaning back as if to base our balance on the rope we are holding.

Galatians 2:20 "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by believing in God’s Son, who loved me and took the punishment for my sins." 

In light of the mercy and grace of God, based on His goodness and love, my goal is to hang by this thread, what I mean is that my whole existence is dependent not on my own balance or my own leverage, but rather on my faith, my grasp of Him, of His Good News, of Jesus. Knowing that He is holding me and making His dwelling in me. Sometimes I talk to someone, hear a song, or tell a story that reminds me of my zombie (walking dead) life before I received the Good News.

 The Good News

Jesus died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. 2 Corinthians 5:15,17-18

 Thank you, Jesus! What an adventure my life has become!

James 4:14,
Camelot