As we work our way through James, the title of our new series indicates what we are looking for: “wisdom for wholeness.” In fact, I would go as far as to say there is expectation that, for those of us who are Christians, we are to ultimately live as whole beings, able to withstand challenges regarding our faith because of who we serve.
Being so impacted by the Holy Spirit through music, Josh loves working with teams who have a heart for worship ministry and is so excited to be part of the Harvest family.
Volunteers ran carnival games inside the gym, where kids were able to throw darts at balloons, fish for prizes, and throw glow-in-the-dark rings at pirate hooks. Families enjoyed cotton candy (thank you volunteers for premaking it!) and popcorn. On their way out, each child was given a mini-pumpkin decorating kit and information about Harvest.
Each of one us is unique. The way we rest is unique too. There is not a perfect format, rule list, or way to practice the rhythm of rest. If you are trying too hard to rest "the right way," then it's probably not restoring your soul, mind, and body in the way it's meant to. Sabbath is not about resting perfectly but resting in the One who is perfect.
This past year was especially difficult for my family. There were many months in which we didn't know if and how we were going to pay our bills, feed our family, pay for my husband's multiple back surgeries...or even pay for then shoes my son needed.
It would have been easy to think... If we don't tithe this month...than we can pay off our hospital debt instead of having to make payments for a few more months...we can ... we need...we can...
In prayer, God wants us to come before him as we are, however we are feeling. There is no need to hold back. Everything belongs: our nervousness; our aggression; the good and the bad; EVERYTHING. God can handle it! We do not need to fear being honest with God.
No spiritual rhythm is more important than the intake of God's word. Nothing can substitute for it. In our busy lives, it's easy to become preoccupied with "Christian" activities and not spend enough time in God's word. Scripture intake is not only one of the most important spiritual rhythms, it is also the most broad. There are several ways to pursue scripture.
That is the focus of our series, "PURSUIT". We are pursuing relationship with Jesus by developing rhythms that shape our hearts and the pattern of our behaviors. Not just our hearts...our souls. These rhythms unite our heads and our hearts, growing our love for God and our neighbors, just as we were created to be.
Had Christ not hung on the cross, taken on our sins, and defeated Satan’s power, His rising again would not have been as meaningful. We wouldn’t be singing worship songs about it. The New Testament probably wouldn’t have been written. And no one would have eternal life.We're going to read through scriptures together each day this week, "walking in His shoes." And by He, I mean Jesus. This is HIS story.
