connection

I don't know much about Bible history but I picked up something interesting the other day. 
Paul went on several missionary journeys and he wrote the book of Romans while he had a brief stay in Corinth.   He wrote the letter to folks in Rome encouraging them to build a peaceful and close relationship between their house churches.   
But here's what struck me:   
In Romans 16:1-16 he mentions 27 people by name, and most of those in terms of personal connection.   Here's this guy that is traveling around, doing his thing for God, and still manages to make personal connections along the way.  Paul even mentions someone's mom who "has been a mother" to him.  

And more than that... those mentions made it in to the Bible, to be remembered and read throughout history.   That's got to account for something that God wants us to see and understand.

I believe that God wants us to see, and embrace, the importance of connection with other believers.

In her Bible study guide, "Get out of your Head" Jennie Allen identifies the "enemies of our mind".... which I believe are tactics that Satan uses to destroy us.  The "enemy of isolation" is so prevalent in our society today.   We may have thousands of online friends but I'm pretty sure that none of us could mention 27 people that we really know.   Can we even mention one or two?

Jennie writes, "We weren't meant to be alone in the dark.  Being known turns on the light.  And that scares the devil.  He doesn't want us in the light, because when we stay in the dark with him, he can tell us whatever he wants.  No more.  Use the weapon of connection and fight with the light."

The weapon against Isolation is Connection!

Paul knew that.  Paul knew that connection with others was important enough to mention and to nurture.  The church draws it's strength through the connection of like minded individuals.  We all play a part in the big picture- and being connected is the key.

My ponderings over Paul's connections seem to be a perfect segue into mentioning that I'm planning to work through a study called "Find Your People:  Building Deep Community in a Lonely World" starting in January.
Several gals and I have been doing a study on Philippians over the past few months and I'm hoping they'll continue with me on the new study, in the new year.   
If you're interested in jumping in with us, and learning how to "Find your People", please send me a message!

old habits

I have been grieving the loss of my old habits lately.   I miss my early morning jogs, and I miss how awesome and confident I felt just 5 years ago.   
I recently cleaned out a drawer where I had been keeping my "when I lose those 20 pounds" clothes.  I held up some of the shorts and they looked like Barbie clothes!  (It's only one size smaller than what I wear now.... but MY GOODNESS.... they look tiny!)*** 
The fact that I used to confidently wear them made me gasp, but also made me realize that it's only MYSELF that is keeping me from wearing that size again.   

20 pounds lighter, I totally wasn't small by any means.... but I felt powerful, confident, and healthy.

Over the past 5 years, I've learned to stop fighting my body.  I've gone through periods of shame, disgust and disappointment in myself.    And then I finally realized that life happens.  Our bodies will fluctuate the same way our minds and emotions shift and change.   However as I age, I want to keep moving my body in productive, healthy ways.   

This week, I started jogging again. (small intervals, of course) 

My internal dialogue:

The first two days:  "who am I kidding?!  I've got too much extra weight to start this. I need new shoes- I'm going to hurt myself.   I'm too old to start this again.  I should never have stopped.  Maybe walking IS better for me."

Day Three: "Oh, I'm going a bit further.  I can probably do this again.  New shoes would be helpful.  Jesus died on a cross for me..... the very least I can do- to honor this body- is to jog to that next mailbox.
Oh my goodness, I feel amazing.  I did it!"

Day Four: "Look at me.  I'm pretty much doing it.   Jesus, give me your strength.  I'll go a bit farther.  I'm feeling so good!  I can do this!"

I had no idea that I'd be hooked again in a matter of days.  I'm so pleased.   I don't want to become a runner.  But I do want to continue to be someone who gets outside daily, soaks up sunshine, and does some jogging here and there.   I'm feeling capable and want to be a good steward of the body that God has given me.   

Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?  You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

***Minimalist tip:   Holding on to, or storing, clothes that don't fit your body at it's current size takes up mental storage space, physical storage space, AND creates feelings of guilt, shame and anxiety. 
I donated these smaller clothes to Goodwill knowing that I can treat myself to new/modern clothes if/when I reach a smaller size.