"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"   ( Psalm 46: 10; English Standard Version )

Grace & peace! 

I imagine you are sitting as you read this email. Sitting is the most common posture for prayer. And it is not because we are lazy! Sitting, as we all remember, is the posture of learning. In this position we are challenged to be still and quiet. An aspect of prayer is to be meditative. When we are still and quiet, we remember, we repent, we reconcile. An important characteristic of sitting is to listen. Psalm 37: 7 states:

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" ( English Standard Version )

As I pointed out, in this position, we listen, but we are all aware that our minds move quickly to other 'issues.' In this position we struggle with one aspect of the Quadrilateral, we REASON.

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." ( Leviticus 19: 17 - 18; English Standard Version ) We become aware of how we face situations and others as the Holy Spirit gives utterance and discernment into our lives.

From our stillness before God, we move to REASON in the realm of daily living. And if we follow this teaching, it is better than counting to 10 before we react/speak! "Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, 'Turn aside, friend; sit down here.' And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, 'Sit down here.' So they sat down." ( Ruth 4: 1 - 2; English Standard Version )

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and opened her heart as she listened to Jesus.

Zacchaues was convinced of his sin while sitting with Jesus.

The disciples are sitting ( reclining ) in the Upper Room. 

Imagine sitting in the presence of Jesus.

Sit quietly and let the chair hold you.

Above all, quietly allow yourself to rest and ask God to hold you.

Perhaps my favorite biblical reference ( there are many! )  regarding sitting:

"And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested ( sat ) one each one of them."

( Acts 2: 3; English Standard Version )

Sitting is restorative on many levels. The position implies that we are resting. The song "You Raise Me Up," implies this understanding:

"When I am down, and oh, my soul so weary.

When troubles come, and my heart burdened be.

Then I am still and wait here in the silence

until you come and sit awhile with me."

( Words & Music: Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham )

I invite you to come and SIT in Sunday School and Worship this Sunday!

Emmanuel,

Stacy

Scripture for August 28, 2022: Pentecost/Kingdomtide 12

Jeremiah 2

Psalm 81

Hebrews 13

Luke 14

ORDER for August 28, 2022: Pentecost/Kingdomtide 12

8: 45 a.m.   The Connection Worship * Remember when you enter there will be tables set up for the Preschool Appreciation Luncheon at Noon. Invite a friend!

9:30 a.m. Sunday School * Wedding Shower for Drew & Brittany Arrington ( gift cards only as gifts. Location: Millennial/GenX Sunday School Classroom

10:00 a.m. Choir rehearsal

10:45 a.m. Wesley Worship

Noon:  Preschool appreciation Luncheon in the Ministry Center. Invite a friend!

1:00 p.m.  Preschool Open House and Blessing

4:00 p.m.  Trustees

5:00 p.m.  UMYF