²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:27 

“A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!”

For what seems to be an extremely long time now (really only 5 months) I feel as if many of us have been holding that same glass of water and we are becoming a bit numb. I remember a time when our two boys were quite little, our oldest son was in and out of the hospital over a 6 month period. A few times it was a full month and I would become physically and emotionally exhausted. As I sat next to his hospital bed the days simply ran into each other and at the time we had no idea how long this journey would last. On the good days, I could put him in the red flyer wagon and walk him through the halls at St. Joseph’s Hospital. On the, not so good days, I could hold him for only 15 minutes a day.

For me, the only sense of peace I could find was to pray, to offer my son up to God along with my worries and fears. Believing God placed the right Doctors and nurses in our care was part of that sense of peace. Jesus left us with the promise of peace, he is the Prince of Peace, he never left my side then and never leaves our side now during these difficult times.

So I ask you to visualize placing all that you are holding on to, maybe it’s fear, or worry, or anger, or whatever it might be that has you burdened, place it into that glass that you have been holding and set it at Jesus’ feet, ask him to take it from you, and know it’s no longer yours to keep.

Loving and Comforting God, we give to you all of the burdens and heaviness that we have carried and held on to for so long. Pour out your Holy Spirit of peace upon each of us to comfort and restore us so that we may live each day fully in your presence. Send your angels to watch and guard over us, our families and friends. Thank you for your peace that never fails, the peace that passes all understanding and for your love that endures forever. Amen.

Blessings,                                                                                                                          Brenda

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Up until March, I was able to practice yoga regularly throughout the week. Like so many things that came to a complete halt when we began to shelter at home, going to classes at the studio was one of them. But this past Saturday, that all changed.  I was heading to a yoga class. Finally! Only this class was not at the studio but outside in a park.

I was thankful for Ashley and Gilbert to think out of the box and to find a way that we could do yoga together in a safe manner. I was thankful for God who has blessed them with the courage to try something new.

God is a creative God that is constantly working around us and through us to create and recreate new ways of doing things.  This time has given us “permission” to try new ways of doing things and embracing the creativity that God has blessed us with that, perhaps, we have not lived into fully.  This time has allowed us to take creative risks. We have been able to try new things in worship, Messy Church and Vacation Bible Camp. Our fellowship time after church is a new and creative way for us to visit with each other as well as to reflect and dive a little deeper in the message for that week. 

This time has allowed us to take creative risks and to use the gifts that God has blessed us with.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate God than to give yourself permission to use those gifts God has given you and to try something new.  Some of the things will work, and some will not. That’s ok because God will be with you every step of the way. 

Creator God, your transforming power of creativity is in us as we are created in your image.  Help us to recognize this gift and to use it to bring new life and new ways of thinking and doing during this ever-changing time. We give thanks for those that try new things so that we have opportunities to learn and grow in ways we didn’t think were possible.  In your name we pray.  Amen

Marty

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. 
Hebrews 6:19

How is your soul today? I have a friend who does a weekly meditation called Porch Talk and she always begins with that question.  As I write this, I, like so many of you, are overwhelmed with so many emotions including: Fear, anxiety, loneliness, concern for loved ones, family, and friends, and on and on. Who would have thought that we would find ourselves in 2020 with a pandemic that would shut everything down? Churches, of all things, would need to find new and innovative ways of reaching out to its members. Choirs would no longer be able to sing for fear of spreading the virus to unsuspecting members. Jobs would be lost and families would find themselves getting in lines at food banks for the first time.

The latter part of January my sister and I determined that we were going to need to place my mom in a board and care facility because she would need a great deal of assistance. How could we have known that a month later we would not be able to visit her because of the pandemic? Even in this, we were blessed as I asked  God to guide and direct me to the place that would give her the best care and a place where she would be happy. I still have concerns about my mom, but I had to put those concerns in God’s hands and trust that He would put His strong arms of protection around her and us. I speak to her at least three times a week and she tells me they are taking very good care of her. If they weren’t she’d tell me that as well.

All of us are dealing with so many issues not to mention racial tensions, the politics of the day, continuously depressing news cycles, death, and all the rest. It can all become so overwhelming.  Many of us can relate to Michelle Obama when she speaks of having, “low grade depression”  I ask you again, “How is your soul today?” Just know that God has been with us at all the stages of life and He will continue to be, “a very present help in the time of trouble,” through the good, bad, happy and sad. We are not alone. God is with us.

I am reminded of an old hymn that says, “In times like these you need a Savior.  In times like these you need an anchor;  Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!  This Rock is Jesus, yes, He’s the One;  This Rock is Jesus, the only one!  Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!” (Ruth Caye Jones, In Times Like These)

James Calhoun