TED

The Amberlea family lost a great man last week. Ted Jowett has joined the great cloud of witnesses that surround us.  He ran with perseverance the race marked out for him, fixing his eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

It was unmistakable that Ted loved the Lord and loved the church. Amberlea was blessed to be the recipient of Ted’s generous nature for a great many years. Ted was a man of many talents, many passions, abounding energy and a joyous presence. He and Margaret were involved in so many areas of the church — far to many to mention but, can I say that having Ted and Margaret greeting you at the door made Sunday morning somehow… perfect!

When I arrived on the scene 10 years ago as the minister of Amberlea Church, Ted lovingly guided me through.  He often popped into the church to visit.  He would walk into my office with a big smile, sit down and we would just chat. I loved our our conversations. We talked about family, and church but what really got him excited was talking about faith and world religions. He was always learning. He would often hand me a manilla envelope with copies of an article he found interesting.  “Read it when you have time, I would like to hear what you think”, he’d say. He was like steal on steal, he kept me sharp. I learned so much from him, and I will miss him dearly.

Ted left an indelible mark on so many of our lives. As a Church family we will have an opportunity to celebrate the amazing life of Thomas Edward Jowett and to show our love and support to Margaret, Fiona, Dave and the rest of the family.  I hope you will join us on Saturday, March 26th at 1:30pm at Amberlea.  

All are welcome.

Multi-tasking

Did you know that the first published use of the word "multitask" appeared in an IBM paper describing the capabilities of the IBM System/360 in 1965. Of course since then the term multi-tasking has been applied to human tasks.

I appreciate multi-tasking. Long before accomplishing the feat of being able text, talk and walk at the same time, I was the mother of two small children. I was known to balance a baby on my hip, make dinner, keep a 3-year-old from climbing into the dishwasher, all while consuming a half-eaten sandwich!  

Multi-tasking is what makes us efficient, sure, but I wonder if all the multi-tasking is making it harder to appreciate the beauty found in a singular accomplishment. It’s getting difficult to focus on the moment. 

What if we took the time to not just hear what someone says, but pause to actually listen. Not methodically checking items off our to-do list, but actually engaging with them. Not rushing through obligatory morning devotions, but actually waiting upon the Lord. 

“Be still, and know that I am God….” Psalm 46:10

No one accomplished more in his brief time, on earth than Jesus. And no one was more fully present. Jesus said,

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19).

He did nothing but what he saw his Father doing. Constant communication with God taught Him how to value every single moment. He experienced no conflict between the stillness of knowing God and the efficiency of working God’s plan. 

If we hope to be more present in the present, a wonderful place to start is to live the way Jesus lived. 

Father, Help us to not rush through our days without pausing to invite you in. Help us be more aware of Your presence whether we find ourselves in the good or the bad, the mundane or the spectacular. Be with us. Amen.

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Join us this Sunday as we continue our series entitled:  The Way Matters!  If you missed Parts 1 and 2 be sure to check it out on our Amberlea Youtube channel or Amberlea Online.  Join us online or in-person!!

So we pray.

As I sit to write this blog, my thoughts can’t seem to focus on anything but what is going on in the world right now. 

On the heels of a global pandemic that attacked millions worldwide, there is yet another attack on innocent lives, again with global consequences.

Today, (March 2) I am reading reports that: 

• Russia has ramped up assaults on key Ukrainian cities.

• President Zelensky pleads for more international assistance

• A second round of talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to take place.

• According to the UN more than 800,000 refugees have fled Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.

• The UN also reported at least 136 Ukraine civilian deaths but cautioned the toll is likely "much higher."

Perhaps you like me are asking WHY?  

Why is this happening? And WHAT can we do?

You can do a quick google search to understand the politics behind the why.  And in our helplessness, what can we do? We can do the most powerful thing we can.

We can PRAY.

When one part of the Body of Christ is hurt, the whole body suffers with it. 

So we pray. We pray for the people and democratically elected government of Ukraine.

As the world aches under the weight of violence, instability, and threats to global order. 

So we pray. We pray for world leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom and courage in pursuing peace and human flourishing.

As we pray you may wonder why? Why bother praying when it doesn’t seem to be working?

Let me tell you why we pray. We pray because prayers can invoke the powers of heaven to intervene in the affairs of nations, but prayer can also rid us of the malice and envy that cuts through the heart of every human being.

How will prayers be answered?

• Perhaps by God opening the hearts and moving our thoughts to ways of peace and reconciliation.

• Perhaps by awakening in us an intense compassion for the victims of war.

It may well be that prayer, and the power it invokes, may be the only thing that can rid the world of war and division.

So we pray.

We pray for peace and as we do, let us remember that:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.  (Psalm 46:1-2)

In prayer we place our violent world back into the hands of its Creator, echoing the Psalmist who promised:

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter…
The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46:6-7)

So we pray.