Yoga for Christians

In the introduction for “Yoga for Christians” Susan Bordenkircher wrote, “This book is another step toward helping Christians understand that God is using yoga as one of many creative approaches to get outside the chaos of this world and move into the rhythm of God’s Spirit. In turn, I pray that it leads readers on a path to developing an intimate, real relationship with Him. Because no matter what the world tells us, that is what is ultimately about: finding God, hearing His voice, and illuminating the world with the love of Jesus.” (p. xi).

I’ve been taking yoga class for 5-6 weeks now, wondering why I keep coming back for more, although some of the postures, called “asanas” were challenging - uncomfortable and downright painful at times. Within the first few pages of Bordenkircher’s book, I realized that I am, as she is, experiencing the psychological and spiritual benefits of yoga.

Bordenkircher wrote, “. . .The quiet stillness that I was learning was creating a heightened attitude of worship and alert listening to deepen my relationship with my Savior. My contentment allowed me to experience God’s joy in the midst of any circumstances, and my increased focus enabled me to get my mind off myself and onto something - Someone - so much bigger.”

Yoga began in India, thousands of years ago. Hindus and other Eastern religions adapted yoga. recognizing the spiritual as well as physical benefits. But that is no reason for Christians to not tap into God’s design for our bodies. We are so “wonderfully and fearfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

I am intrigued by the names of the asanas. The ancient people were inspired by the works of God in developing the postures. I like to think of The Mountain pose - used to align and stabilize the body - as The Rock, so I can think on Jesus.

As Bordenkircher explained, the early yoga teachers “imitated the way some animals moved and found that the movements created strength, power, and agility.” Hence the names like, cobra camel, cat, downward-facing dog (a dreaded challenge for me) and even human animal poses like Child’s Pose and Happy Baby.

Prolific Christian writer Max Lucado said of “Yoga for Christians,” “I’ve done enough ‘downward dogs’ to believe in the physical benefits of yoga. Now we have a chance to improve the soul and the body. May this project stretch us all.”

I’ll be writing more soon about breathing the Holy Spirit into your yoga sessions. In the meantime, I recommend buying "Yoga for Christians." It comes with a one-hour DVD of a Christ-centered yoga session with Bordenkircher.
In Christ,
Elizabeth

Let's travel to Riga, Latvia

Some may wonder - why would we need to spread the gospel in Europe? Aren't they all Christian - Protestant or Catholic - over there? Why would we need to rescue orphans from the streets?
These photos depict Riga's historic sites: the interior of St. Patrick's, which was bombed by Russia and restored; the lady on the top of the Freedom Monument reminded me of our Statue of Liberty; the round brick building once stored Russian armaments. Yet darkness still exists. Read on and learn what is happening.

Latvia's: 2008 or 1941?
By Micah Halpern

MicahHalpern.com | Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Riga is the capital city of Latvia. Located on the Baltic Sea, Latvia, a scenically beautiful country to behold, is one of the former Soviet states. Riga is a city rich in culture in history and even in human and natural resources.
On Sunday, in Riga, three thousand Latvians came out to join a parade. It was a parade to honor those Latvians who belonged to and fought in and defended the honor of a notorious SS Unit known as the Latvian Legion.
Three thousand people came out and joined that parade. Did I make myself clear? Three thousand Latvians flocked to the city of Riga to participate in a pro-Nazi rally.
It happened this Sunday - in the year 2008, in a European capital.
As Americans, we think that most people think the way we do. We think that not to think the way we do is bad, or wrong, thinking. We think that our understanding of right versus wrong is universal. We think that the reason others do not think the way we think is because they have not heard the power of our argument, that they would be convinced if they had As Westerners, we think that our belief system is the correct system, the most evolved system, the most popular system. In actuality, we are deluding ourselves. Our view of the world is insular, it is short sighted and it is narrow-minded.
Look no further than Riga, March 2008.
Latvia, along with the rest of the USSR, was invaded by the Germans in 1941. Then, as now, Riga was the capital of Latvia. According to a census taken in 1935 there were 43,672 Jews living in Riga. After the war there were 150 Jews, survivors from Riga.
Most of Riga's Jews were murdered in a place called Rumbla, a "killing fields" located only seven miles outside the city. There, on two separate days, first on November 30th and then on December 8th, 1941 the Nazis - with the help of the local Latvians, mowed down 25,000 Jews.
The Jewish Ghetto in Riga, like most Jewish ghettos created during World War II, was situated in the most densely populated area of the Jewish community. In Riga that area was called Maskava. In Riga, like in every other city under their control, in order for the Nazi massacre of the Jews to succeed the Germans needed local assistance. The assistance that the Latvian community of Riga gave to Nazi Command came in the form of the Latvian Legion, proud members of the German SS.
We now know, the proof is in the numbers, that local Latvians today, are still proud of their members of the Latvian Legion.
Was there a counter demonstration? There was - and we should be thankful that there was, but their well intended shouts of "disgrace" and "Hitler is Dead" and their few numbers pale in comparison to the pomp and glory of the Pro Nazi parade.
The lessons of the mass murder of the Jews at the hands of Nazis have not sunken in very well in Europe - even in those places where the lessons are most needed. Mass murder is still celebrated. Local mass murderers are encouraged to strut their stuff in style.
The most important lesson we can draw from the citizenry of Riga is not to be deceived. Realize that the values and issues that we hold dear are unique to us. We can try to influence others to adopt our values, we can even bribe them to behave in ways that we deem appropriate, but in their hearts seldom do they truly adopt our values and our sense of right and wrong.
We are who we are because we think that what the Nazis did was wrong. Some of the world still does not agree.

Micah D. Halpern is a columnist and a social and political commentator.
Read his latest book THUGS.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595550739
He maintains The Micah Report http://www.micahhalpern.com

Back to Idols

(Pre-requisite for reading this is to read post of April 22, 2008)

Can our modern-day idols really do anything for us? Anything that that amounts to anything good?

Our jobs, I suppose, do some good - we provide for our families. But then, are we not putting family before God if all what we mostly think about is making a living?

(Folks, this line of thought is surprising me too. It is not coming from my own wisdom.)

Ephesians 4:28 says “Let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.” You see, the purpose of work is to give.

God’s written Word is our guide. We need to read it - not go by what we think it says.

Back to idols - God sounds a lot like a lawyer in Isaiah 41:21-22:

“Present you case,” says the Lord
“Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob.
“Let them [idols] bring forth and show us what will happen;
Let them show the former things, what they were,
That we may consider them
And know the latter end of them;
Or declare to us things to come.

Let’s stop there and consider what God is saying.

He is saying that idols - man-made things and ideas - cannot come close to giving us the insight and wisdom that the living Word of God can.

They cannot tell us why things happened in the past and what the outcome will be. They cannot tell what is to come as the Spirit of truth can:

“He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak to you of his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." John 16:13

Idols cannot prophesy. (Maybe, "prophe-lie" as Pastor is fond of saying.)

These age-old thoughts certainly sound contrary to some new-age philosophies. such as the "The Power of Now." I have not read any of Tolle Eckhart so I am admittedly pre-judging.

Just beware, reader, that one man’s packaged deal does not become your idol.

Beware that one woman - such as Oprah, first with "The Secret" and now with "A New Earth" - does not replace God, or even coexist with Him, as your source of wisdom, worthy of your praise and worship.

Remember, God said, “For I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”
Is God jealous of Oprah?! (More about God’s jealousy another time.)

Continuing with Isaiah speaking and writing for God, He challenges idols:

Show the things to come hereafter
That we may know you are gods
Yes do good or do evil, [Do something, anything!]
That we may be dismayed and see it together*
Indeed you are nothing,
He who chooses you is an abomination.
Isaiah 41:23-24
* - That makes us stare, amazed. (The Living Bible)

Sorry, Oprah, but God is pretty clear about not wanting to share the stage.

These things need to be said, people. It's not all about: Be nice to your neighbor. Let's put the First Commandment first.

Click on "# comments" below to give your input,good, bad or ugly.

Yours truly,
Elizabeth

We are like grasshoppers

To begin where I left off - I left off a part of a verse in my last post. After Isaiah 40:22a “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,” comes Isaiah 40:22b: “And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.”

That’s us folks. We’re inhabitants of the earth. We’re like grasshoppers, tiny and insignificant compared to His Greatness. He is the Giant sitting on the curve of the planet, able to crush us. We’re at His mercy.

It’s a good thing God’s mercy is not like our mercy.

The Greek word for mercy, eleos (Strong’s Concordance #1656) means not only "an outward demonstration of pity," but also “a sympathy that expresses itself in helping a person in need instead of remaining completely passive” (note in Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible, p. 2083).

He wants to help us. That is what the gospel is all about. His whole plan is to rescue us. He wants to gather us as chicks under his wings, as sheep in his fold.

In our own strength we’re as insects - striving to survive, then dying.

His plan is and always has been to rescue us, free us from ourselves, our bondages, our captivity by the things of our Egypt, our world.

And to enter into His rest, His land of milk and honey. To take us back to Eden.

Wow - that’s not where I intended to go at all. Back to the topic of grasshoppers and/or God’s plan next time.

From little ‘ol me,
Elizabeth

Who's Your Idol?

When God said “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me” He meant it. “You may worship no other god than me,” says The Living Bible.

In the next verse, Exodus 20:4 God tells us: “You shall not make for yourselves a carved image. . .you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.“ (NKJV).

But haven’t we done that, spiritually speaking? We may not have carved an image out of wood and covered it in gold (as in Isaiah 40 :19) - but we have our idols - we try to serve two masters. It doesn’t work. (See Luke 16:13.)

So what is a modern-day idol? It can be anything that dictates our moves, around which we plan our days, but most of all that dwells in our minds. It can be a person, a job, an activity, a drug, a thing, a TV personality - even a family member, a friend.

Are you more interested in who’s going to be the next “American Idol” or who God wants you to talk to today?

What are you looking forward to? The next episode of ”Lost”? Your next payday?

Is your paycheck your idol? The answer to all your problems? It often does not even pay the bills - in which case - they are what occupies your mind.

God said,
“They will say, ‘Arise and save us’
But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves.
Let them arise,
If they can save you in time of trouble” (Jeremiah 2: 27-28)

So many times God warns us against idols. He says we are harlots when we stray from him and flaunt our attention elsewhere. (See Jeremiah 2:20 - Go ahead, read the whole chapter.)

I am in hope that readers will realize that the Old Testament is as alive and relevant as the New Testament to us in these times. Maybe more so. It supports the age-old story, the good news, the gospel. God never changes. He still wants to rescue us from our slavery.

"Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth"
(Isaiah 40:21-22a)

It has been said that Isaiah 40 -55 contain the real gospel. I will be reading and studying and sharing those chapters here.

Let God reign in your heart today,
Elizabeth

Here I am. . .

{I apologize for not getting to that “powerful message from one of my pastor‘s recordings” as I said I would “next time” on April 9th. It turns out that relaying his words requires some thought and leads me to studies of my own - Now I have too much to write and have to assimilate it first.}

I saw a song on video a short time ago when I was at the Z-launch in Houston in February. It’s a song we often sing in the church I attend. The music and lyrics are very moving:

Here I am to bow worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God

You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sins upon that cross

The last two lines are repeated in a different emphasis, until the words
get you.

I was amazed when on the video, during the repetition of the last two lines
the following words (or ones like them) flashed on the video:
LUST
GREED
ARROGANCE
GLUTTONY
POVERTY - When that word came up I was stunned – POVERTY, a sin??
I thought. It was as if I were “whacked up-side the head” (as they say in
West Virginia) by the Holy Spirit.
Later I realized that the list above are not necessarily sins, but
strongholds. Or bondages. We are enslaved by such things. They can be
our idols. (God had a lot to say about idols – about His people deserting
Him. I’ll write more about that another time)
I had realized that I had a “poverty mentality” – that I was thinking more of
my needs, all those bills to be paid, than almost anything else. Try as I
would to have Jesus be my first thought at any given time, I had to fight the
battle in my mind.

I am reminded now of one of the scriptures (in red letters) that began bringing me back to God -

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that
They may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

I am on a personal campaign in the War against Poverty. Would anyone care to join me?

Feel free to leave comments for this and/or earlier posts, next to the time stamp below.

In Christ,
Elizabeth

But first, a Sidebar. . .

I met a great group of God’s people the other night. How can I say so definitively that they are people of God? Because they were doing the work of God.

As my pastor said recently, “God may ask you to lay hands on someone and heal them, or he may ask you to build a hospital.” These folks are building churches along with the kingdom of our Father.

They are a group of Baptists from South Carolina, from Rocky Knoll Baptist Church in the city of Walhalla - I like saying that name. Eight vehicles full of people from age 2 to 75 came to help build Friendly Baptist Church - that’s the name of the town too - Friendly, W.Va., on the waters of the Ohio River.

These folks brought their gifts: skills, money, materials, craftsmanship, and their hearts. The children gave up their spring break; the adults, their time off paid work. They put God’s work first.

They walked the streets of Friendly and Sistersville and were not ashamed to talk about Christ. They spread seeds; we are meant to water and spread seeds too.

These folks inspired me. I need to listen more. I need to be quiet to hear the still, small voice of God that is telling me what to do for Him in small and great ways every day.

That is living for God, dying to self. Not what we give up or stop doing - but what we do to carry out gospel - the good news that Christ told us to spread. As Samuel said, “to obey is better than sacrifice” (I Samuel 15:22).

Be a blessing to someone today,
E.T.
P.S. The website for Rocky Knoll Baptist Church was under construction today, but try visiting it soon.