I didn’t attend church today, because I’ve got a cold and didn’t want

I didn’t attend church today, because I’ve got a cold and didn’t want to get anyone else sick, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have worship. Around 2 o'clock took a bicycle and hit the New River Trail. I biked the first two miles like a madman, quickly tiring myself, so I turned to go back. On the way back, I put on some Christian music I haven’t listened to in forever, such as TobyMac and Disciple, and just sat down and took it easy, looking around and relaxing. It was such a beautiful day, and for the first time in months, I felt God’s presence in full force. Don’t get me wrong, I know He’s been there the whole time. I just haven’t stepped away from this world’s madness long enough to notice. Here I was, in the middle of nature, away from the Internet, away from Facebook, texting no one, no distractions, and now I could focus on God. Everything suddenly seemed so beautiful, or rather I finally noticed it’s beauty. I turned into a 7 year old girl with my phone’s camera, pulling to the side of the trail, taking pictures of everything, wanting to share this with everyone. I got back to my vehicle, and turned back around to ride those two miles again. Now, I could give you several different devotions from this, but I think I’ll just sum up two things I want you to take away from this.1. Only when I stopped riding so quickly and heavily, deciding rather to relax and take it slow was I really able to enjoy the ride. When I was going slow, I was able to take the time to enjoy the beauty God has put in this world. Only when I took time to notice this beauty, did I feel Him, showing me that He is ALWAYS there, I just have to step away from everything and make time for Him.2. When I was on that trail, I was texting no one. I was not on Facebook. I had no Internet access. All I had was a beautiful day, a bicycle, and some uplifting Christian music. That’s when I felt God. To be close to God, to really feel Him, you have to put your phone down, step away from your computer, turn off the TV, and find somewhere that you can enjoy the beauty God has put in this world. I felt closer to God alone on that trail than I have in a long time, and that’s because I had no distractions. I love God very much. Even after rebelling against Him as I did, even after doing the awful things I’ve done, even after ignoring Him as I did, He still does this for me. He is indeed merciful and loving. I’m very thankful for my zillionth 2nd chance. I encourage you guys to go out and meet God today. Put your phone away, turn off your TV and computer, and just step outside your house into God’s beauty. It will overwhelm you. “Today is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.” -- source link

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