HALLELUYAH MOMENTS

A HIGHER FASHION

Posted on by pennyjoliver

God is love. 1 John 4:8

Less of me ~ more of Love. John 3:30.
He must become greater and I must become less, higher style of living. Approaching every word and deed we do, fashioned by God’s guidance and dressed in His Love!

However, getting naked and becoming vulnerable before God takes great courage! I know I find it rather easy to layer up and dress how I want the world to see me. And it’s easy to grow accustomed to our style, our way. Coming from a fashion background I know I fall into my style all the time. I know when I wake up and immediately put my feet down on the ground, rather than thanking God for giving me a new day that I’m on the road for doing things my way. And so easily do I fall right into it somedays.

On most days, I try not to forget God who wakes me up everyday. When I wake up rushed, I’m then reacting rather than responding to the moments before me. That usually results in gripping the steering wheel from God in whom I gave it too and moving into the drivers seat of my life. That can happen quite easily when a situation occurs during the day and my mind takes off and I let anxious thoughts fill me up which makes me run to the next fix to ease my tensions. However, that is our human flesh response.  A higher style perhaps would be to pause a moment, take a deep breathe and look to Jesus and for help! This would help us immediately and give us hope for the next time to respond in a calmer, less stressed mode. Better would be diving into in HIS Word before we respond and with that, we will be on our way to a higher style of living, everyday!

Do not be anxious about anything! Instead, pray! Philippians 4:6

pray more worry less

xxoo

Penny

AND BREATHE…

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What happens to our body when we are stressed? It defends itself, of course!

Amazingly, God has created us with an entire defense system that turns on as soon as we become stressed. Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiovascular specialist at Harvard Medical School coined it “The Relaxation Response.”  Esther Sternberg, physician and author of several books on stress and healing, explains how it works.

Immediately, our heart rate speeds up and diverts blood away from our guts and to our muscles so we can run away. The pupils of our eyes constrict, so we can keenly focus on our attacker. The bronchii of our lungs increase blood oxygenation and convert energy stored in the liver into fuel for strength and stamina.  She also states that if we are stressed for too long, our body starts to release stress hormones and nerve chemicals that we do not want floating around in our body. That is why it’s important to our health to chill out as soon as possible. Perhaps God designed our breathing system with that in mind: that we might trust in Him for help.

Next time you feel stress coming on, drop and give yourself 10 long and deep breaths. Chill and meditate on this verse of Scripture and just breathe… let God take care of it all!

More ” Halleluyah Moments ” please!

A SKY PENNED IN LOVE

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Just one sunrise or perhaps a sunset too would suffice to be a testimony of the Glory of God. However, our Heavenly Father chooses to bestow His beauty across the skies every single day and every night!

God doesn’t have to say a word but not a day passes without bearing testimony that the skies are not put together by chance, but handcrafted by the supreme Architect. Heaven’s hands are busy at work fashioning the bright lights of the morning and painting the day away with evenings bursting in a glorious array of infinite colors.

Though the world has many languages both spoken and written, the Glory of God speaks in magnificent colors to end every day and morning light to brighten up every day. Bestowed upon His creation is His morning and evening love letter that we might for a moment contemplate, reflect and admire His wisdom and power. He’s in the business of ravishing our souls with awe and wonder at of His eternal beauty. Perhaps He simply wants us to know that just like a sunrise or a sunset, His love is freely given and we need only to look up to accept it. For in His eyes we are worthy, so very special and indescribably loved!

Halleluyah!

APPRECIATING SNOWFLAKES

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To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.

Although I hate being cold, a snowstorm triggers my inner child and out into the cold I go. Of course the best part is coming back inside and feeling my hands, feet and cheeks thaw out and a cup of hot chocolate never hurt either. Driving in snow is a much different story. I experienced a pretty big accident in nineteen eighty one and it left me terrified that I would get into a big slide again and end up inside the back edge of a town snow plow! however, today I’m happy to report that by the grace of God I do more snow driving. However I did complain about it for years. How about you? Do you live in a place where it snows and have you ever complained about it?

Actually, I think it’s quite a natural human being thing we do, complaining about the snow because let’s face it snow does make our lives a little bit harder. However, looking at snow from Heaven’s eyes it’s  incredibly different. In fact, the Book of Job tells us that snow is very, very  special. That God has given it a place among the wonders of the world and has ranked it up there with the morning stars, the seas, and even the lightening. So Job gets my attention and because Jesus is my Father, I’ve simply got to find out more!

Looking up interesting facts about my Father, “The Snow King” I found that scientists actually estimate that it takes fifteen minutes for a snowflake to be born and to reach it’s physical completion. To me that is nothing short of amazing. Also, under a microscope scientists can also actually see all the details of a snow flake and they all agree that no two snowflakes could possibly be exactly alike. Did you also know that it is snowing all the time in different places all over the world? How about the fact that every time it snows our planet also receives roughly one million, billion, cubic feet of snow per every snow storm? That would translate in my yoga picture above that I am standing on over a billion snowflakes, even while new ones are being made and fresh ones are still falling. Isn’t that amazing! But that’s the awesomeness of our Father! All of His creations are intimately fashioned with infinite care and utmost detail. When you really get to the heart of it, each snowflake is a revelation of unfathomable love and care, of artistry and intelligence, and wisdom beyond human comprehension.

Oh how He loves us that He would let His love fall upon us! And just in case that is not enough proof of the unfathomable depth of love, might and power, God gave us eyes to see the snow, hands to touch it and a body to feel it and scientists to study it. Surely when the snow is falling He desires that we remember how great His love is for each of us. We are loved beyond measure! Hallaluyah!

A COLOR-FULL SEASON TO LET GO

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This time of year every window I look out displays a magnificent masterpiece of indescribable beauty as the summer lets go into fall. There’s just something magical about the lush green leaves of summer turning into warm golds, robust yellows, vivid oranges and deep reds. Just a simple peek out of my windows brings joy to my soul as leaves celebrate their colorful descent, joyfully dancing in the wind.

Though it be the most colorful time of year here in New Hampshire, us Granite Stater’s know the cold and snowy weather will soon it be upon us for we all know that Autumn shall quickly pass. It always does. Nothing stays the same here, not a season and not even a day.

For our Heavenly Father told us in Ecclesiastes,

There is a time to be born and a time to die;

A time to plant and a time to pluck what has been planted;

A time to kill and a time to heal;

A time to break down and a time to build up;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones;

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain and a time to lose;

A time to keep and a time to throw away;

A time to tear and a time to sow;

A time to keep silence and a time to speak;

A time to love and a time to hate;

A time of war an a time of peace.

As we can see the beautiful seasons of the earth and the different seasons of our lives possess no secrets to The Lord Jesus Christ because He created each season and sustains each one. He arranges when things will happen and when they will not and no moment exists where He is not in charge. Moment to moment and day by day, His order and supremacy shines down upon all of the earth and every living thing. The process of it all, the procedure, the duration and every detail is perfectly executed at “His” perfectly given time. Isn’t it so nice to know that He’s a mighty God with a purpose and a meaning for every detail that goes on for you and for me and the entire world?

Perhaps He gives us the changing seasons to let us know that He’s in got this life of ours and we need not worry. Maybe like the leaves He wants us to let go of things and trust the process for He’s promised to make everything beautiful in it’s time. And if we find ourselves in a strange and sorrowful season as we all will at different times, He wants each of us to remember that, this to shall pass. And to remind us that there is beauty in the letting go, we need only look outside.

Chill Out In The Happy Corpse Pose

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Who knew something so simple as laying back in a Corpse Pose could make us healthier and more beautiful?

In the Yoga community Corpse Pose is known as a huge stress-reducer, a great method of meditation and the perfect  position to focus our gaze on higher thoughts.

Simply lay back, let your feet spread, place your arms by your sides with palms up and try to keep your shoulders away from your ears. Then give yourself ten or more big inhales and exhales. If your feeling it stay here longer and really give yourself a chance to unwind!

I personally have a hard time staying here. I wanna go go go! If I do relax for a moment though all the things I must do seem to flood my mind. Hopefully your not like me and will be able to reap all the healthy benefits of acting like your dead on the ground here. You can always pretend your sunbathing, too!

Corpse Pose is also a perfect position to…

Set your mind on things above and not things of the earth.

Colossians 3:2

And also a perfect position to focus upon goodness & positivity!

Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy, think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

After reaping the healthy benefits of these applied Bible verses know that…

Those who look to Him are radiant, Their faces are never covered with shame!

Psalm 34:5

keep calm & yoga on

xxoo

Penny

 

 

 

 

ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING FOR ANXIETY & STRESS

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Hello Friends and welcome to “Yoga with Penny!”

To begin the New Year, I’m going to teach you a yogic breathing technique called “Alternate Nostril Breathing.” It’s a meditative practice that switches our breath between our two nostrils helping us to manage the stresses of daily life and to become mindful of the present moment. In the book, “What Happened,” Hillary Clinton wrote that she used Alternate Nostril Breathing after her loss in the 2016 Presidential Election to help manage her stress and anxiety.

In studies, this breathing technique has shown to lower participants perceived levels of stress and was significant in lowering blood pressure, heart rate and the respiratory rate. It also improved the functioning of the lungs and the functioning of both sides of our brain. It had a positive effect on mental health by reducing anxiety which naturally promotes a state of well being.

Let’s begin by sitting comfortably anywhere you like. Please take a few moments to close your eyes. Try focusing on your inhales and exhales. For greater results practice this technique daily and for extended moments of time.

To begin:

Take your right hand and bend your forefinger and middle finger into your palm.

Take your right thumb and seal your right nostril.

Inhale deeply through your left nostril for 4 counts.

Seal your left nostril with your ring finger and hold your breath with both nostrils sealed for 4 counts.

Release your right thumb with an exhale of 4 counts.

Inhale deeply through your right nostril for 4 counts.

Seal your right nostril with your thumb and hold your breath with both nostrils sealed for 4 counts.

Release your ring finger and exhale for 4 counts.

Repeat the entire process by inhaling deeply through your left nostril for 4 counts to begin.

If you find holding your nostril with your ring finger is a little tough, simply use your pinkie finger.

If you find holding your breath for 4 counts is a little tough start with 2 or 3 counts and build from there.

Slowing your breath beyond the 4 seconds will slow your body down which will register a message to your brain to move from a stressed state to the calming tranquil relaxation response state.

Sealing the right nostril and breathing with just your left directs oxygen flow to the right brain hemisphere which  also turns on your paras

Thanks for joining me and I hope that the Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique helps you start the New Year calm, relaxed and ready for all the wonderful things the New Year may bring!

keep calm and yoga on!

xxoo

Penny!

 

 

 

 

A MIGHTY WARRIOR!

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Don’t let the drama and the chaos that life certainly throws at you trip you up, get you down or make you feel smaller. You, my dearly beloved, are a “Mighty Warrior!”

 

Judges 6:1-18  tells us the story of Gideon, a “Mighty Man of Valor.” But he didn’t start out that way. Gideon was a young man in the land of Israel. During this time God’s people were forced to hide in caves along the hill side because the Midianites were terribly oppressive to them. For seven years they cried out to God but God did not help them. Gideon thought that the Lord had forgotten all about him, his family and the Israelites.  But it was actually the the people who turned their backs on God when they chose to worship idols.

One day an Angel of the Lord spoke to Gideon and told him,” The Lord is with you, Mighty Man of Valor!” Gideon was so surprised he thought the Angel had the wrong man. Gideon reminded the Angel that his people were weak and that he was the weakest. Full of doubt and unworthiness to be called a man of valor, Gideon asked the Angel for signs that this was true. Imagine asking an Angel for a sign? But then again, I’m guessing you, like I, would want a sign to know when things are true. We are not unlike Gideon sometimes. Thankfully, God doesn’t depend on our level of faith or our circumstances to get things done on our behalf. God depends on Himself and His own character to accomplish His Will.

And in the Mighty Hands of God, Gideon would soon become a “Mighty Man of Valor.” Of course, not because of who he was but because of who God Is!

Which leads me to believe that God is not into calling the qualified. Instead, He qualifies who He calls. I know God is building my faith and qualifying me at this very moment. How about you?

Know that we can all be Mighty Warriors in every aspect of our lives. We simply must “let go” of what holds us back to become what God knows we can be in His Strength!

 

 

 

STAR POWER!

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I know. I know. Of course you want to be a Star!

I can’t offer you that but I can offer you a luxurious stretch for your entire body in a Star Pose position. It will light up your spine and fire up your cells sending oxygen and energy throughout your entire body. The Star Pose is a beginners posture that strengthens and lengthens our entire body. It also helps in aligning our spine, thus improving our posture. As it utilizes every muscle, it also provides more space for our lungs and heart so of course it will improve circulation and respiration as well, resulting in more energy.

Start by bending your knees and extending both your legs to the sides. When you feel stretched yet sturdy, begin to straighten your legs. If your still feeling sturdy with a deep long invigorating inhale,  lift and extend your arms out from your sides. Let your palms meet over your head. Really try to stretch those arms up. You may even try to stretch deeper by pulling your arms back from your head.

You can always use a chair or wall for more support while holding your Star. And, you do not have to extend your legs so far out to the sides. Once you have found the perfect starting point for you, begin by closing your eyes. Imagine you are a star lit from within, radiating outwards, an abundance of life shining brightly because that is exactly what you are~

Let your light shine! Matthew 5:16

Breathe deeply for 10 counts and you will feel lighter and brighter!

 

 

 

keep calm and shine on!

The Peaceful Warrior Pose

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Peaceful Warrior Pose. A paradox of peace and power. The perfect opportunity to experience and explore the magnificent strength and presence our bodies can evoke while offering us a chance to absorb the beauty and exhilaration of the present moment. The broad powerful stance of our legs offers a rooted, earthy feel, where the sweeping arm stretching upward provides an uplifting, luminous feeling. Surely a positive way to begin or end any day!

Once you have arrived in your perfect Peaceful Warrior Pose linger a while focusing on your deep breaths. Allow those breaths to calm your body and mind as your parasympathetic nervous system, your rest and relaxation response, kicks in. This lowers your blood pressure thus improving circulation and sending fresh oxygen and happy peaceful hormones through out your body which kick starts the healing process. Be good to yourself and let this luxurious stretch nourish and comfort your body like a warm, bubbly bubble bath or a comfy, soft easy chair.

When you feel all calm and peaceful switch sides. Practice a few more times on each side if you like. Remember, you can always step your back leg in as much as needed for more support.

You can also give your cares or anxieties to the Lord as you practice this pose for deeper, truer, inner peace and wellness. For Paul the Apostle, tells us in the Bible to “give all your cares and worries to God for He cares for you!” (1 Peter 5:7)

I hope you enjoy your “Peaceful Warrior Pose” remember you can do it anywhere and more importantly you can give your cares and worries away to God, any time, anywhere and any place. He’s waiting for you.

see ya next time,

penny