Breathe, just breath.

A memory popped up on my Facebook feed.  On this day, twelve years ago I posted a quote from Mahatma Ghandi that said:

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

I don’t remember specifically what was happening in my life that that quote would resonate with me, but it resonates with me today.

As things are opening up and mask mandates have been removed (for the most part), there seems to be an urgency to get out to previously restricted places; to be with others; to return to some sort of “normal”.  And suddenly life is increasing speed.  I am also hearing from others that it is also increasing anxiety.

Long before I was an Ordained Minister, I was a Lamaze (Prenatal and Postnatal) Instructor. My company Expectations was contracted by three hospitals and I taught privately in my home. It was a wonderful time - meeting and guiding couples through one of the most significant and spiritual times in their lives. One of the core subjects of my curriculum was Non-medical coping strategies. The most effective coping skill I taught to deal with anxiety, stress and yes, even pain, was deep breathing.

Breathing is highly underrated.

Breathing is a miracle we seldom stop to think about. We just do it and it keeps us alive.

And breathing helps us to slow down, to chill out and to be mindful.

Breathing can also be Spiritual - to consciously and deliberately be aware of each breath as you inhale the pure and exhale the impure.  

To embrace a readiness to “exhale” or confess that which has separated us from God (sin), and to “inhale”, or trust God to fill us with His Holy Spirit.

When life increases speed or negative circumstances of life crowd in, we can slow down and breathe.  And as we do we can “Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit” – Ephesians 5:18 (ISV)

Breathe….Just Breathe.

Join us this coming Sunday as we begin a new sermon series that will take us to Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.  

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!!