Harvard studies, particularly from the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, consistently show that regular religious service attendance (at least weekly) is linked to significant health benefits, including lower mortality (especially from despair, cancer, and heart disease), increased happiness, better social support, reduced depression, and greater purpose, suggesting benefits beyond just individual spirituality, with some studies finding up to a 33% lower death risk for women attending weekly compared to never attendees, note CBS News. Key Findings from Harvard Research - Lower Mortality: Women attending services weekly had a 26% lower risk of death, while those attending more than once weekly had a 33% lower risk, according to a 2016 study, say CBS News and Harvard Health. - Reduced "Deaths of Despair": A 2020 study found weekly attendance associated with a 68% lower risk of death from suicide, drugs, and alcohol among women, say JAMA Psychiatry and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. - Improved Well-being: Attending services promotes social support, discourages smoking, reduces depression, fosters hope, and leads to more forgiveness and purpose, notes CBS News, Christ Community Church - KC, and The Human Flourishing Program. - Benefits Across Generations: Research also shows positive effects on children and adolescents, including greater happiness and purpose, say Christ Community Church - KC. 

What or who are you praying for and when? Do you pray in the morning? during the day? any special place?

Good evening brethren, I felt in my spirit that someone needed this word of exhortation, Not just the obvious ones… but the subtle ones we don’t always call out. The pressure to have it all figured out. The need for approval. The hustle that slowly replaces trust. The backup plans we cling to instead of faith. Sometimes it’s not that we stop believing in God we just start relying on other things more. This has been a personal check for me lately: What am I leaning on when things feel uncertain? What gets my first attention, my first trust, my first response? I’m learning that surrender isn’t weakness it’s alignment. So I’m praying this, and maybe you are too: Lord, let every other god fade away every distraction, every false source of security, every silent idol. What’s one thing you’ve had to consciously release or realign lately? Feel free and Let’s talk about it and I believe God will grant us a peaceful response at the end of it. Amen

All my words fall short, I got nothin' new How could I express all my gratitude? I could sing these songs as I often do But every song must end and You never do So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah And I know it's not much, but I've nothin' else fit for a King Except for a heart singin', "Hallelujah, hallelujah" I've got one response, I've got just one move With my arm stretched wide, I will worship You And I throw up my hands and praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah And I know it's not much, but I've nothin' else fit for a King Except for a heart singin', "Hallelujah, hallelujah" Oh, come on, my soul Oh, don't you get shy on me, lift up Your song 'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs Get up and praise the Lord Come on, my soul Oh, don't you get shy on me, lift up Your song 'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs Get up and praise the Lord, hey So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah And I know it's not much, but I've nothin' else fit for a King Except for a heart singin', "Hallelujah, hallelujah" Hallelujah, hallelujah!

“This Is The Day God Made!” “The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. ~Psalms 118:24 NIV Every day is a new day which has been given to each of us by our Heavenly Father, God our Creator. What a beautiful gift. A new day to behold His creation, to enjoy loved ones in our lives, to praise and worship God in the morning, the afternoon and the evening. Truly, let us rejoice and be glad for all God has done for us, will do through us and who will walk beside us daily. Praise be to God! How do we serve God in our lives? We can turn to Scripture to find out. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Let’s start by reading these chapters: Psalms 113 - 118, yes it’s going to take a minute. Psalms 113-118 comprise a wonderful 6 psalm praise to God called the “Egyptian Hallel” (Hallel meaning praise in the Hebrew.) These 6 psalms were sung during the main Jewish holidays, Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of the Tabernacles. Traditionally, Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115 through 118 afterwards, reflecting on their deliverance from Egypt. Psalm 118 was most likely sung by Jesus Christ Himself and the disciples before they left the upper room in Jerusalem the night He was betrayed. The two challenges to joy are adversity and ingratitude. It takes a choice to rejoice; I WILL be glad and rejoice in it! Circumstances don’t determine joy, it comes from the Lord, in spite of circumstances. “It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow... Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.”~Robert J. Hastings “You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” ~ Psalms 118:28-29 NIV Amen…