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Pastor's Reflections for February
“Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.” --Lamentations 3:41
Last Sunday after church I was visiting with the Parish Nurse as she was taking my blood pressure. It wasn't really of concern to me, having been blest with lower than usual blood pressure. But I've put on some weight, and let my exercise lapse, and behold! my blood pressure was a little high for me. Our conversation turned to the amount of time spent sitting—at the computer, in front of the TV, on the phone, in the car, etc. She said, “You know what they say--'Sitting is the new smoking'.”
Gulp. No, I hadn't heard that.
That afternoon I got a phone call from a friend about 10 years older, who'd had a scare one day when her arm went numb, and she became short of breath. After a trip to her doctor and several tests, a “heart event” was ruled out, but it was also pointed out that she was at increased risk for one: elevated blood pressure, weight gain, lack of exercise, increased stress.
OK Lord, you've got my attention. I'm all ears.
“Lift up your heart, as well as your hands...”
Like many people in the church, I'm (we're) pretty good at lifting hands in service to God and others; when it comes to actually caring for the heart that pumps blood to these hands that serve, not so great. I/We sit too much. I/We eat too much. I/We don't move enough. I/We are not getting any younger.
“Lift up your heart, as well as your hands...”
You are invited to join me in nurturing healthier hearts—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—by tackling one habit at a time. This week, my personal goal has been to eliminate sweet snacks. Thanks to prayer, a little scare, and supportive friends, it's been a successful week. One day at a time.
This month, I'm offering a new discipline called “Prayer Walking”. On Super Bowl Sunday you'll notice walking paths marked throughout the church, with designated Scripture Stops along the way. Next Sunday, Feb 5, a printed personal guide to Prayer Walking will be included in your bulletin, so that you can use the “trails” any time the church is open. Beginning Tuesday, Feb 7, and Thursday, Feb 9, a group Prayer Walk will be offered at 10 am twice each week.
Heart Health Month comes around every February. Seems like it'd be nice to lift up hearts and hands together for many Februaries to come. Fewer funerals would be good too. Most of all, I'd like to live more prayerfully, lifting up my heart—in every sense—as well as my hands to God in heaven. How about you? How's your heart?
With heartfelt gratitude and affection,
Pastor Chris
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