Heart Choices: Soul Rest Sunday -->

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Soul Rest Sunday


I love the sound of rain.  Living in Phoenix, Arizona ...rain is rare.  After all, it's a desert.  So when it rains, I get excited.  All day Saturday it rained on and off.  I spent some time on my front entry all wrapped up as I watched and listened to the rain.

My hubby made me my favorite hot tea and we spent the day together at home. Sometimes it's nice to not run all over town doing errands.  We had quality time enjoying one another's company.

Today I got up early as I wanted to go to the early service at my church.  It's at 8:15.  Although I'm an early riser, I cherish my weekends.  So getting ready and being there on time was a challenge.  But I heard that this service was a bit more traditional and lately I've been missing some of the older hymns.  I enjoy most Christian music and of course I want young people to come to church.  But there's just something about those old hymns I've missed.

I wasn't disappointed in the least.  Jan Payne, a beautiful soprano sang "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling". The words to the song were so beautiful and meaningful.  I almost cried when she sang the chorus:

Come home, come home
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home.

I missed church the last few weeks.  I've not been feeling well and so I stayed home.  I had my devotionals and I read my Bible daily.  But I really missed that corporate worship time.  Many people nowadays feel they don't need to go to church.  But for me, I miss not being there.  After all, the Bible tells us to meet together.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) says:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Our sermon was delivered by Scott Savage, minister to young adults.  He's also a fellow blogger at The Joshua Collective.  He preached about the importance of character from the book of Judges.  It was the story of Deborah and Barak.

Scott defined character:

Character is who you are and what you do when no one is looking.

He reviewed what he called the Judges Cycle.
Sin -> Oppression -> Repentance -> Peace
Sometimes I wonder why those people couldn't get their act together.  But then I consider myself.  I have a tendency to learn things the hard way too.


Scott also reminded us of something our pastor has been saying.

Quizio
I feel like I've been refreshed this weekend.  Resting, worshiping and spending time with my loved one has done wonders for me.  How about you?  Did you get any soul rest this weekend?

I'm linking up with Bonnie of Faith Barista for Soul Rest Sunday.  



Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
10 Comments
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10 comments:

  1. "Like The Deer Panthest After Water" is what we sung today - I love that hymn and we focused worship aroung Psalm 42:1-11. All good, all service and refreshing start to my week. Thanks for your post and blog Debbie - peace and prayers

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  2. It's funny. Sometimes the hardest mornings to get to church are the ones that are the richest. PS ~ I love hearing about your weather. I'm living vicariously as we are still stuck in the winter that never ends.

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  3. Hi Debbie! So you were rewarded with a sermon about your namesake? That's pretty wonderful :)
    I like the idea of a blanket, tea and rain. It sounds so cozy.
    I remember hearing a recording of that song "Softly and Tenderly", and it really is lovely. It sounds like you had such a recharging experience at church, and I'm so glad you felt well enough to attend. It sounds like the Lord was waiting for you, to treat you to his loving grace.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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  4. Have a wonderful week! Thanks for sharing from your Sunday,

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  5. Debbie, I feel like I have been refreshed just reading your post this morning. I, too, find myself missing the old hymns. I grew up on Softly and Tenderly--it brought back such sweet memories. Rain, I love, the rain also, especially on an old tin roof--which I never get to hear anymore--thanks for your presence at my place.

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  6. God blessed us with rest yesterday too, through a surprising 50-degree temperature drop and sleet storm. Sometimes it's lovely to have plans interrupted.

    Faith Barista's link-up brought me here today. Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus, and may He give you health to join your church family in worship again next Sunday and the next....

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  7. I'm glad you found refreshment in your Sunday service. I find such healing and encouragement from our Sunday gatherings as well. My wish for everybody is to have a place to go each week to get that renewal; it's such a huge boost for me. Have a great week, Debbie!

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  8. That rain felt so good. rare indeed. I wish someone in my church blogged!

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  9. What a good reminder of what it is to be refreshed by the community of believers and God's word. We missed going to church yesterday because of the bad roads, and like you when you missed, I had my quiet time, but today has been more of a praise and worship time, since I do not have my grandson and I have a quiet day to myself. I am already looking forward to getting back with our church family next Sunday. Thank you for sharing a bit of the sermon you heard - much to glean from!

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  10. I so relate to this post. I miss the music of yesterday so very much.

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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