Posted on 01/12/2020 6:58:26 AM PST by Kaslin
With the new year and decade off to a chaotic start, here are four “Godly exercises” that can help reduce stress but don’t require working out. Instead, you exercise your mind and soul with thinking beyond yourself — beyond the world, into the heavenly realm, and back down again with a new perspective.
Now, let’s get real. Any talk of “God” can be threatening, especially if you are not a churchgoer — and part of a growing trend. According to the Pew Research Center, church attendance and Christianity is on the decline in the U.S — especially among the largest population group known as Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996.
Alternatively, instead of participating in any traditional Judeo/Christian religion, characterizing oneself as “spiritual” is popular, non-threatening, and culturally acceptable. Subsequently, if “spiritual” means that you believe in a universal power greater than yourself — or not sure exactly what you believe, but like the moniker — you are cordially invited to begin “exercising.”
Finding God in Mother Nature
Truthfully, I despise the term “Mother Nature.” Surely it was invented by atheists reluctant to acknowledge that nature is God’s handiwork. Therefore, let’s state the obvious: “Nature is God and God is Nature.” More specifically, God’s awesomeness is continuously on display. For example, when I see the sun rise out of the ocean with the most magnificent color pallet, I am left with only one thought, “Praise Be To God.”
Finding God in nature is obvious because He is everywhere. Thus, the next time you are surrounded by mountains; forest; in the sky; on the ocean or scuba-diving under; watching the sunrise or set; gazing at the moon and the stars —looking at anything not made by man — concentrate on feeling His presence. Talk to him. Seriously, it’s as elementary as, “Hi God, thanks for creating this beautiful scene.”
Conversely, if you don’t believe He is the Creator, be bold enough to tell Him. (He might “answer” you in a profound way, so be prepared.) If you are interested in reading what the Bible says about God in nature, here is a link to 100 short passages.
Thanking God for nature brings us to exercise No. 2:
Thanking Him in General
Thanking God for the many blessings in your life is easy, and He appreciates it. All you have to say is, “Thank you, Lord, for (fill in the blank).” However, you should say it often, humbly, and with the utmost sincerity.
The “One” with the most awesome power expects you to thank Him. He wants you to acknowledge Him. He never gets tired of you thanking Him for the people you love in addition to all the gifts, talents, success, financial resources, and good health that you might take for granted because life is fragile — and you never know what tomorrow will bring. Then, when days turn dark, I firmly believe that adverse occurrences are also from God. He utilizes both good and bad to advance, sharpen and often “break” us so that He can use us for His greater glory. But granted, understanding tragedy in one's life is very difficult, and people often grow closer to Him during those times.
One of my favorite and famous Bible passages addresses that topic with “all things” as the operative phrase: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
If the concept of thanking God resonates with you, here are 100 Bible passages you might enjoy browsing.
Seeking Him/Asking Him
Our third exercise invokes a concept that has preoccupied great religious and scholarly minds for centuries — and to this day. For the record, I am neither a great religious or scholarly mind. However, through my faith journey from Judaism by birth, to Christianity at age 20 — I know the following is true: God is around 24/7. He is eternal. He is always there for you. The problem is you don’t think He is, or you don’t think about Him at all.
The beauty of this exercise is that you can practice it anywhere, at any time. Seek God in your mind and heart. Ask Him into your life. Ask Him a question about an issue that is troubling you. It’s called prayer. But if that word sounds too “religious,” call this exercise a “conversation with God.”
God is not confined within the walls of a church. (Although that is always a good place to find Him.) Seeking Him is like opening a window, but you must first do the opening.
Here is a popular Bible passage on this topic: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
Are you motivated to seek and ask? Check out these Bible verses for inspiration.
Praising and Glorifying Him
Our last exercise encompasses all of the above. After you “practice” finding God in nature, thanking Him, seeking and asking Him — the more compelled you will be to praise and glorify Him in your life with words and deeds. That is because He will make His presence known to you. I have no idea how or when, only that He will.
Once again, here are Bible passages to assist you with praising and glorifying God.
Finally, it is important to note that for the purpose of these exercises, you can either contemplate God or Jesus. I will leave identity in HIS hands
In the practicing Catholicism to attend Mass every Sunday is a tenet.
Indeed. I left the Catholic church for a number of reasons, the inexplicable Pope who now presides being one, the sexual abuses of the clergy being another.
Although I was raised Catholic and happen to believe many of it’s tenets, I have found my relationship with the Lord the best it’s ever been now that I have left the church.
Catholic must receive sacraments but are encouraged to attend mass. Jesus didn’t teach in churches, Mega Churches, or Television. Man wants trappings, power, and controlling others. Matthew 19:24-28 I can guarantee again that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
Ditto
Going to mass has nothing to do with the current Pope, nor any scandal.
I do not give money to any diocese - I don’t give to the collection plate- so I do not contribute to any scandal.
Popes come and go. He might think the Church is a political design but it is not.
Dorcus, and for me, I’m with Yeshua all the time at 30,000 feet.
Catholics have the Catechism. They can read it, follow it or say they’re Catholic but not be.
It is a sin to not attend Mass every Sunday. I don’t make up the rules.
Ping.
I converted my church going to serving a hospital and it’s patients. Over 20% care rendered is “tithed” to those who can’t pay, I witness daily, but the task definitely falls into “pulling cow from a ditch” on the sabbath. Awaiting the next call to task as I’m close to retiring, Would like greatly to return to church in service.
“...or say they’re Catholic but not be”
I take that back. Catholics (who are baptized in the Catholic Church) are always Catholic. Again, I don’t make up the rules
“ Jesus didn’t teach in churches, Mega Churches, or Television”
Jesus taught to more than 5,000 at once.
The apostles formed the first mega church of 3,000
“ Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”
Yes, it sucked under Obama and lots of Bad Things occurred under his time in office. However, people of good will and moral fiber didn't move to Canada/leave the country. We knew, the man isn't America and he can't change what is right and wrong. So we stayed and prepared for the day when he'd leave and we could start again with someone good.
Replace Obama with Church Leadership, and America with the Church, and you'll see why many good Catholics haven't fallen for Satan's trap. Yes, this Pontificate is trying, but God Always Wins. It is only our souls that are in jeopardy if we walk because of rot in the men.
I find it astonishing, sad but astonishing that she neglected the number one answer.
If you really want to seek God, you will read his Word.
Where in the Bible does is say it is a sin not to attend services of a particular denomination every Sunday? i’m all ears.
Nor did God make that rule. This article is not about religion at all. You miss the point. It is about opening up your heart to a dialogue with God Himselfx the person of God.
Most enjoyable thing in life...
I may have forgotten, is that the 11th or the 14th Commandment? I keep getting those two mixed up.
As I have found calling others foolish over their faith dangerous.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Mathew 5:22
I pray your physical condition be addressed by God, hopefully by healing, and pray you the wisdom to discern the changes in public church since you have been away.
These are the days of the great Apostasy, not the days of revival.
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