Cottage Way Christian Church Online
VI'S VIBES:

Do you have any idea how proud I am of this congregation? We had 52 in church last Sunday (Jan. 18th). We have been going up 2 or 3 every week now, but last Sunday we just made a jump! When you are here, the hymns have more voices. When you are here, it is easier for the preacher to preach. When you are here it is more exciting! When you are here it has a ripple effect, we are all nurtured by each other. When you are here I get more hugs! You have showed Pastor Chris and I that you accept us and love us for who we are. That is a wonderful gift to give to your pastors. So please know I love each and every one of you, and that I see Jesus in you.

There are times in our lives when we need to take the time to intentionally feel the love of Jesus in our lives, so do me a favor and find 30 minutes sometime this week to do a special meditation to find Jesus. You will need your Bible and a journal or just a piece of paper and a pencil.

Read Luke 6:17-26 carefully. Close your Bible. Get into a comfortable position in your chair, both feet flat on the floor, your hands quietly in your lap. Close your eyes after you read each sentence. Imagine you are one of Jesus' disciples gathered on the plain. Feel the crowd surrounding you, jostling you out of the way to touch Jesus. Like the rest of the crowd, you have come to see Jesus for healing. The crowd catches you up and surges forward toward Jesus. You turn around, and suddenly you are face to face with Jesus. You realize he is speaking directly to you, Blessed are you ______. Jesus goes on to tell you how you are blessed. Listen carefully to Jesus.

Then after a pause, he begins speaking to you again, saying, Woe to you _________. Words of admonition even warning. Listen carefully as Jesus lists reasons you have for woe.

Jesus is finished speaking to you, and you are left behind in the crowd. Now slowly open your eyes and open your journal. Remember, in the scene you have just imagined you came to Jesus for healing. You will now record Jesus' healing words to you.

On a fresh page, write, Blessed are you, then fill in your name after that and complete the sentence. For example, Blessed are you, Jane, for you have known pain and soon you will know healing. You may write several such, Blessed are you sentences. When you've finished, write Woe to you; fill in your name after that and complete the sentence. For example, Woe to you, Andrew, for your sharp tongue will bring you trouble. You may write several such Woe to you sentences. After you've finished, close your journal.

Conclude this meditation by offering a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus' healing words and ask for strength and guidance. Thank you for doing this with me.

I do sooo love being one of your Pastors - Vi


- posted by Pastors Vi & Chris @ 3:16 PM