I’m writing this on a sunny, windy Saturday and the view out my 2nd floor window currently is one of pretty awesome trees displaying their fall colors. One is deep red, and the other is a yellow that’s almost golden. It’s good to take notice even for a moment of the beautiful things God made.
The scripture thought I’ve chosen this week is about you, and that reality that you are wonderfully made, just like the fall leaves. Actually even more so.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Psalm 139:14
your works are wonderful. I know that full well. “
I’ve been learning more about how our mind works in that our feelings and thoughts aren’t beyond our scope to choose them. As a “sensitive person” who easily identifies my feelings and respects them, it’s been super helpful for me to learn about the connection between emotions and thoughts.
Specifically I’ve been working on the practice of gratitude, noticing what I’m grateful for, talking about this with loved ones, even posting on social media thoughts of gratitude. Research shows that this daily gratitude practice will shape my future emotional and thinking life. And I find that meditating on scripture absolutely backs this up. Trusting what God says about us and filling our minds with this on the regular is a good anecdote for whatever our days bring us.
I wonder if you’d like to join me? If so, try to choose to fill your thoughts and your prayers with this scripture (Psalm 139:14) for a few days and see how it impacts you. You could even choose to rehearse it when you’re around others, reminding yourself that both you and they are wonderfully made by God. You could pray this over your children, your family and yourself every day. You could put it on your screensaver or in mid-day reminder on your phone. You could journal about it. You could say it to yourself as you run, or swim or workout. You could start every meal with a short prayer of gratitude. What ideas do you have to help you fill your mind with that God says about you?
My hope is that this practice will connect us to praise, otherwise known as worship as the scripture says. I praise you God because…
Speaking of worship, would you join us this week to worship God and choose to see that you are his delight? We are meant to do this in community, my friends, alongside others.
Here’s what’s coming up:
SUNDAY, Nov 9, 10:30am Church in the Living Room at the Ross’ place. I am expecting a new visitor or two, so please come ready to help us make them feel welcome.
SUNDAY, NOV 9, 6:30 – 8:00pm, Youth Group at the St. Stephen’s. Natalie and I will lead the youth as usual. Bring a friend is you like. Message me if you need a ride.
MONDAY, Nov 10, 7:00pm, Adult Small Group at the Ross’ place. Join us as we continue to explore our spiritual gifts and ways to pray for each other. This week we’ll continue our practice of prophetic prayer and I’ll also introduce another way of praying, called a breath prayer.
BLESS OTHERS: Bring a box of Pasta. We’re working to help St. Stephen’s restock their supplies for their various food ministries which provide support for over 175 or so families each week. If you are able, bring a box of pasta to anything that’s happening at Gathering Delco this month and I’ll make sure it gets to St. Stephens.
THANK YOU to each of you who join our family to support the ministry of Gathering Delco financially and with your time and prayers. Let’s keep encouraging one another to be faithful in building our church. We are small but God is moving among us, and I have faith that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead us as we seek to live our faith values out together.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
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