Living Free...To Worship

I am free to run
I am free to dance
I am free to live for You
I am free

The Newsboys -- I Am Free

A few weeks ago I attended a Sunday morning service in a little country church where the sweet spirit of worship permeated the whole building. The joy of that one hour carried me through the next week, helping me be mindful to worship daily. There is great freedom in joining together to praise God without restraint.

I knew when we decided to go that was how worshiping with this particular congregation would be. While I am sure they are no different from the typical Bible-teaching church in most aspects, they hold close the words of Jesus:

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26 NIV)

For this group of Christ-bearers, to sit reserved and silent in church is an affront to the One who gave all for their freedom from sin and to be able to gather in His name. So Sunday morning worship is a celebration full of singing, praising, and testifying to the greatness of our God.  

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Living Free...To Worship

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Choosing to Rest in the Father Everyday

"Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10a NKJV)."

A child develops a chronic illness...

A spouse decides to pursue another relationship and leaves us alone...

How are we deal with the problems that come into life? Do we rage and stomp at the unfairness of it all? Do we weep and retreat into ourselves to hide?

"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling (Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV)."

Psalm 46 is a song for us to sing during times of trouble. We can be so caught in the trouble of the day that we see no way of escaping the stress and pain. If we don't quiet ourselves when the trouble comes, if we just focus on the immediate pain, we can't hear or feel the comfort God has for us.

"There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted (Psalm 46:4-6 NKJV).

We do not have to suffer alone. Jesus did that for us when He suffered alone on the cross. That was the only time in all of eternity that He experienced complete separation from His Father. After He rose from the grave and ascended to heaven, He left us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He is the still small voice that speaks comfort when our hearts are crushed. He is the still small voice that warns us not to make the wrong choices in response to trouble. He is the groaning too deep for words that cries out to the Father...

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Choosing to Rest in the Father Everyday

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Choosing to Be Disciplined Everyday

"The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you're lost for good." (Proverbs 10:17 MSG)

I am an emotional eater. I am also a bored and thoughtless eater. When I am sad, I choose foods high in carbohydrates like chocolate, potato chips, and ice cream. When I watch TV or need other entertainment, I choose cheese and crackers, popcorn, and more chocolate.

There is nothing wrong with any of these foods in and of themselves. Eaten in small portions once in a while they are fine.

Failing To Be Disciplined

Cold weather and family issues gave me a one-two punch that knocked me right out of my healthy eating program. When I was actively engaged in healthy eating practices, I lost 12 lbs and dropped my cholesterol level 17 points.

My emotional eating for the past few months has made my climb back to fitness into a backward slide down a steep hill. Although I only gained 4 lbs back, I got all 17 cholesterol points back plus 42 more points.

I really had no idea what was going on inside my body. I attributed the slight weight gain to holiday cooking and chose to ignore my niggling conscience when I ate foods that were not part of my diet plan.

Imagine my dismay when I opened my recent blood test results as I walked from the mailbox to my house and read these words: "Cholesterol very high. should start medication. She has been reluctant to do so in the past. Will discuss at her visit in two weeks."

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Choosing to Be Disciplined Everyday

https://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2010/02/choosing-to-be-disciplined-everyday.html