Rev. Deb

He leads me beside peaceful streams

Take care of yourself

This process of healing up has taken a lot longer than I ever dreamed, but I have learned a lot in the process.  Sometimes when we keep having thoughts that we need to do something it's not just us, it is the Holy Spirit trying to get something across to us.  We all have only one body to get us through this life and it's not just important to us that we take care of it but it's important to God and to others.  The older I get the more I realize how important it is that I take care of my body and that it is totally up to me.  I can't cheat myself I need to eat better, get enough rest, exercise, drink my water etc etc.  I also learned that when I go to a Doctor and I don't feel like they diagnosed me right or listened to me that it is up to me to get a second opinion.  Our bodies try to tell us things and we need to take the time to listen.  Since I have had to sit on the sidelines and just heal up these last few weeks I have had lots of time to think about my health.  My plan is to recover from this and to take better care of myself and be better than ever.   

Rest #2

Back in March I was one of the speakers at a Ladies Conference  at LWFC in Raleigh NC.  The Pastor's wife Connie Caronna (my sweet friend) was hosting this event.   On the last day of the conference she spoke on rest. I shared some of this in an earlier blog but I felt it needed repeating.  The scripture in Matthew 11:28-30 is an invitation from Jesus for us to come to Him for rest.  Rest for our soul.  When I looked back at my notes from Pastor Connie's teaching I saw this, the lead ox would pull the weight and the other just had to keep in step.  Jesus can take the weight off of us and we just have to walk with Him.  WOW that's good stuff!  I know that the Holy Spirit is drawing us to that closer walk with Him, more fellowship and intimacy.  Press into the Spirit and you will realize that all those little things that were bugging you will become insignificant.   

Rest

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest, (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)  Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.  For my yoke is wholesome (useful, good - not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne."  Matthew 11:28-30 AMP. 

I love these words of Jesus.  These are words that we need to read often and act on.  Anytime you find yourself struggling go back to these words.  I like how the Amplified Bible brings out the word rest here - relief, ease, refreshment, recreation and blessed quiet, for our souls (mind, will and emotions). Last Sunday (Fathers Day) we had our family over and we ate and played games and just enjoyed each others company.  After everyone left I was just resting out on the patio looking at the beautiful sky.  I spent some time just meditating on the goodness of God in my life.  It refreshed me, I could feel myself being renewed and energized in His presence as I spent some fellowship time with Him.  I encourage you to meditate on these verses and let the Holy Spirit teach about rest.  This rest is different from the physical rest you get for your body this is a rest for the soul.  More later!