Welcome to Waltham Chase Methodist Church
"For when two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" Matthew 18:20
Lectio 365
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28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message
As mentioned by Anouska why not try
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/
Don't forget that Elijah was not only fed warm bread, he had water to drink, so do drink water.
Phyical wellbeing
a. Invest the time.
b. Make it fun.
c.Don't compare.
d. Take small steps.
Have a look at the NHS website
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
For all ages from the Methodist Church
https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/guidance-for-churches/wellbeing/
https://theadditionalneedsblogfather.com/2021/01/14/mental-health/
The website and resources we are using to be a base for this series. You can find
out about the book here.
https://hopetogether.org.uk/Groups/350558/The_Wellbeing_Journey.aspx.
Looking at colours for our lounge that’s to be redecorated next week, this was the caption on the Dulux paint chart:
MAKE ROOM FOR JOY
JOY IS MENTIONED times 102 in OT, 63 in NT.
I read this: Seek JOY daily, be grateful for when it comes easily, fight for it when it doesn’t.
I think joy is a bit like a butterfly.....sometimes we have to chase it down and net it.
BUT JOY IN A TIME OF COVID, you ask?
James 1:2/3“ Consider it pure joy when you endure trials of many kinds.........like now? ....Why? “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance so let perseverance finish its work.”
Perseverance is part of Discipleship, and that implies the in-working and outworking of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Paul asked: Gal 4: “what has happened to your joy?” So that shows us it’s possible to lose it.
Elsewhere, he says, “ you were running well, who cut in on you?”
Satan loves to do does highway robbery on us.
THE NATION IS CRYING OUT FOR GOOD NEWS.......yet the media only feed us BAD....is it time to redress the balance?
Neh 8:10: “Ezra reminded the labourers building the wall that the Joy OF THE LORD is their strength”.....so even in the heat of the battle, the Lord gives us support.
1. through His Word, 2. His Holy Spirit and 3. through His People.
That’s why staying connected is vital......even the smallest Act of Kindness, a phone call, a cake, flowers. When we spread joy, we receive joy. Prov 11:25:”Those who refresh others will be refreshed themselves”. It works in other ways too.......as we receive from the Lord, so in turn, we bless HIM in worship and obedience.
In one of Marilyn Baker’s songs, there are these lines: “He gives JOY to the hopeless, PEACE to the weary, and He binds up the broken-hearted.”
Remind you of Luke 4:18? “The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me and appointed me.........”
A final Paint Chart thought: when we choose MATT we become dull and lifeless and we soak up.......when we choose SILK or GLOSS, we shine and reflect light, we GIVE OUT, and become life GIVERS......so.....let’s MAKE ROOM FOR JOY.
Although the account of Elijah seems devoid of such expressions of praise. Both in the desert and on mount Horeb he does seem fully able to express how downcast and disturbed he is feeling, which is very helpful – but without turning this into positive declarations of what God has done or will do.
Paul from the NT is very able to express both frustrations and joys! Acts 16:25-34
Gratitude expressed to God is glorifying to Him, but also very good for us -0 & is one of the primary keys to us experiencing positive emotions. This increases not just our health, but our spiritual wellbeing too. (Which is why worship, especially singing worship with others can be so good for us!)