True Perspective by Guest Blogger Shireen Spencer

Living through this pandemic CAN be frightening BUT it doesn't have to be!

Because we have God. Because we can depend on his word.

The Bible tells us to cast our cares on Jesus because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) This is very comforting to me.

We are told to be anxious about nothing but in EVERYTHING by PRAYER ...SUPPLICATION... THANKSGIVING...make our REQUESTS to God (Philippians 4:6) So yes, the anxiety will show up, but with our focus on God and his truth it can't stay. We can invite this unwanted visitor to leave!

The word of God can come alive for us during this time in such a fresh way and if we choose to, the Joy of the Lord can and will be our strength. His peace is his gift to us when we choose to come to him.

I love this quote I read from Nelson Mandela! "May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears" I choose Jesus. I choose faith.

There have been moments I begin to feel suffocated. I feel the stress TRYING to rise up in my Spirit and physical body and what do I do? I pause. I breathe in and out slowly. I whisper a prayer. I read scripture. I put on worship music. I think about and declare my gratitude. These choices allow room for peace and joy to take over.

What does God do for me in these moments? He let's me rest. He soothes me. He reminds me that the breath I am taking comes from him. He brings joy to my heart through the words of scripture and songs. And... he practically touches my heart and life in ways I wouldn't trade for anything! He sends my son to give me a kiss or to ask for, most times he just gives, a great big long bear hug and to whisper into my ears three precious words...I love you. Then with a smile and a twinkle in his eye he gazes at me for awhile and we share a moment. That moment is so precious! It is a moment with him and with God. My heart and life becomes so full again!

These are treasures that God is revealing and giving in these times. There are diamonds to be found in these rough mountains we are climbing and valleys we are walking.

Parenting on a good day is a challenge! In these times being a parent, supervising education and working from home all at the same time and in the same confined space is adding another dimension of difficulty. Trying to stay calm and be patient with the noise level or attention demands of little humans who are just being who they are...children adjusting to confinement, takes an extra measure of grace especially when there is a melt down. If I were honest I would have to say I sometimes feel the same way, but because I am a big human I have learned how to deal with my emotions or at least to hide them until I get to my bedroom or bathroom.

But God again speaks to me in these moments and opens my eyes to the good happening in all this. We are having more family time than ever before -Our own immediate family and our extended. The games we have learned to play and my online/technical communication abilities have grown so much and the learning experience has been so much fun! We've learned to be creative on different activities that don't involve spending money unnecessarily! My son has become quite the baker. My waistline is suffering but this kind of suffering is worth it! We have learned the boys can make dinner one night each! Now this is a most amazing gift! Why didn't I implement this before? They are 15 and 12. It is about time! The kids are learning to be more independent and we are learning their strengths and differences in this area. We are getting to know our children more! I'm reading the Bible more, because it's what keeps me uplifted. All these ways that God is gifting me with special jewels are too many to list!

Am I uncomfortable with this pandemic? Of course. But I am not frightened because "My soul finds rest in God alone" (Psalms 62:1). My foundation and salvation is found in him. By choice I am choosing to focus on "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8 This choice is revealing more of God and more reasons to be thankful. This choice has made this journey through this pandemic, and many other difficult times in life, an experience of adventure with God. There are nervous moments. There are many moments of uncertainty. It makes me think about getting on a roller coaster. I say I hate those rides but I still go on holding my breath and screaming. Opening my eyes and shutting them tightly. Yet I come off laughing and having enjoyed it. God has allowed me to go on this pandemic ride and by keeping my eyes and mind on him I will have the same experience...I may not enjoy all of it but I will have been filled with Joy. God is still on the throne. He is still sovereign. He is still in charge.

Shireen Spencer is an author, speaker, and regular guest preacher at Amberlea.

So how are you doing...really?

So how are you doing … really?

In my conversations with people, I find that there are those who are thriving in this time of isolation and others who most definitely are not. There are others again who are fluctuating between the two. 

I find myself in that latter group. There are moments when I think, “How wonderful (in theory) to have time to stop and just be.” Unfortunately, that hasn’t panned out exactly as I imagined. It seems that the pandemic has created a different type of pastoral work, which requires new skills to be learned. I never signed up to be a televangelist!  Not only that, honestly, I had never heard of Zoom before all of this. Now it seems, a day doesn’t go by when I am not “Zooming”, sometimes several times a day ;)

So, on those days when I am feeling overwhelmed, battling feelings of isolation in a house with two other people, antsy to go out, frustrated with the news, I remember this: 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

These are the words that Moses spoke to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6 and they ring as true today as they did then.

The Lord has promised to never leave His people. We need not fear because His unfailing love surrounds us always. 

Remembering that God is near helps me to stand stronger against feelings of fear, discouragement and all that isolation brings. 

So here are some things that I have been doing:

1. Spending some quality time with God.

The stores may run out of toilet paper, flour and hair dye, but as Christians we have a never-ending treasure in God’s word. I have been challenged in these weeks to read through the Psalms and it has been amazing!

2. Staying connected with others.

Like I mentioned, I have been “Zooming” a lot, but I have also been going old school and chatting with friends and family on the phone. I still have one of those phones that plug into the wall and it still works great!

3. We found Quarantine buddies!

Every Sunday night, since this thing began, Brian and I ‘Zoom chat’ with our dear friends in Hamilton.  We catch up on our week, talk about life, kids, and how we are coping. It has been so good to have friends to go through this with! 

4. We are maximize family time.

I spoke with a young person this week who told me that the best part of isolating is that he is spending more time with his parents than ever before. And he loves it! I am not sure Emily feels the same way about being stuck with her parents, but I for one LOVE it.  We are cooking, baking, watching movies, and having some great conversation, which are only some of the hidden blessings!

5. We are trying to serve others

At Amberlea we are trying to find creative and fun ways to serve others by building community in isolation. For instance we have: Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:45am on Sunday morning; the “Getting to Know You” series on our website; Youth gatherings on Zoom; and even Freezer Club! 

Personally, we are baking, cooking and sharing!  Delivering ice cream cakes, balloons, flowers and whatever else we think will brighten someone’s day. It’s likely been more fun for us than the recipient.

And, on those days when we feel particularly lonely and overwhelmed, 

6. We reach out 

I have spoken with friends I trust, colleagues and our outstanding and Godly elders. I hope you know that you can do the same.  You are not alone. We are the church and we are here for each other. So if you need help, please reach out. If you are feeling lonely, please reach out. We are stronger together and together we will get through this!

Staying put and staying strong!

In Jesus name,  Amen!

Legacy of Faith by Guest Blogger Nancy Varga

During this unusual time, one of the obvious fall outs is not being able to spend time with the ones we love. Whether we are crazy busy or find ourselves with some extra free time, the loss of up close and personal interactions with loved ones has been a hard transition for many of us. Our family lives a few hours away, and the pandemic has introduced my parents to new technology including, Zoom. It’s been neat to talk using video instead of just hearing them on the phone. At the end of our calls, my Mom usually tears up and tries to hold them back.  (It’s much harder to hide on video.)  Truthfully, we have always made fun of her for her emotional side, but now with almost grown kids and grandkids of my own, I better understand the bitter sweet reaction; the joy of loving and the pain of being separated. During this time of crisis and particularly as we come up to Mother’s Day we have pause to think about the things and the people that are most important to us. 

When I was a child, when the sky was still dark, my mom would wake me from my bed. I’d shuffle into the living room and curl up next to her on the couch. I’d lay my head on her shoulder as she read from 1Our Daily Bread. (A daily reading that included a Scripture, an encouragement and prayer.) Sometimes we took turns reading.  I don’t remember the words that were spoken, but I vividly remember the feeling of comfort and security and the time she gave even into my teens.  There was no doubt in my mind that my Mom was daily relying on the Holy Spirit to sustain her every day.  No worry was bigger than He could handle.   

I saw her pray for a new hair dryer (don’t underestimate the need for a hair dryer in the 80’s with two teenagers).  I saw her on her knees weeping to God about hurts and disagreements. I saw her skillfully make pies to encourage someone. I saw her go to small group to learn the Bible. 

What I saw evidenced in my mom was a woman who learned to trust God for every need. In those quiet moments, I saw glimpses of her learning to forgive and persist in loving even when it was hard. I witnessed and experienced her encouragement, her generosity and her love unconditionally. I saw her seeking after God. 

The Bible states so simply the legacy of faith passed on to Timothy by his Grandma and his Mom. “ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”  2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

I don’t know how Timothy would have described the faith he saw in his Mom and Grandma. It probably looked a little differently than what I saw in my Mom, and only time will tell how my children and grandchildren will (hopefully) describe the sincere faith they see in me.  Hopefully, they will see it in the quiet, everyday moments that are lived out with them. 

Moms, Grandma’s, Mothers-in-Law, Aunties, Sisters, Women of God… you are passing on a legacy of faith whether you realize it or not. You are not too old or too young. It’s never too early or too late.  Spend time, encourage, forgive and love… in Jesus’ name.2

Not sure where to begin or not sure if it will make any difference?  

Who are the godly women in your life? What do you admire most about them? How did God use them in your life?  This Mother’s Day, tell them.

Can you be that person for someone? What does that look like in this season?3

Happy Mother’s Day.

“Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.” 2 Timothy 1:3-7 (MSG)

1 If you are interested in reading Our Daily Bread, go to https://odb.org/for a digital version or if you are interested in receiving a paper copy, let us know at admin@amberleachurch.ca

2 https://mike-gordon.ca/hey-church/

3 Let us know how we can pray for you (prayer@amberleachurch.ca) and support you in sharing your legacy of faith this season. For KidZone resources check out: www.amberleachurch.ca.  

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Nancy Varga is the Family Ministry Director at Amberlea Presbyterian Church. You can contact her at familyministries@amberleachurch.ca