Paste up in Paraparaumu today
Tag Archive: breath
Ten stolen minutes
to say
to see
all there is to see
all there is to say
all there is to be
to breathe
take ten minutes
and breathe
Talitha Fraser
We did a mindfulness activity at Sunday group last night led by Bron.
For three minutes, take a segment of mandarin and explore it with all of your senses – touch, taste, sight, smell – as if you have never tried mandarin before. What do you notice?
For ten minutes, focus on your breathing, in and out, sensations in your lungs… chest… nose… Focus on your breath and nothing else. When thoughts, feelings, plans, tasks come… recognise them and let them pass like clouds in the sky above you – a degree removed from them – without judging yourself for wandering.
you, dear child
you exert so much energy
trying to be something other than
how you were made.
Rest. Rest in Me and know
that you are loved, you are
a delight to me and I am
proud of you – just as you are.
Come to me those who are weary
and heavy laden and I will give
you a real rest.
Rest. Rest in Me and know
that you are loved, there is no
one else you need to prove yourself
to or meet the expectations of,
there is no ‘right’ way or ‘normal’.
Each person must walk their own path
and I made each of you unique
– though your path may travel along
aside another’s, it may not, or may
not always and it is not given to
you to know the Way… I know
the Way. I AM the Way, and I am
with you always.
Rest. Rest here awhile with Me.
We can go on when you are ready.
Talitha Fraser
God is in the garden with the grubs and shrubs
God is in the laundry with the taps and tubs
God is in the kitchen with the pots and pans
God is in the bathroom where we wash our hands
God is in the bedroom with the lamp and bed
God is in the backyard with the bikes and shed
God is in you – and also in me
Whatever you look like, wherever you’re from
God lives within us and God’s kingdom comes
Talitha Fraser
black front
enters from the south
invading blue-white sky
a deep inhalation of raw wind
outlines the ribcage with pain
as it scourges clean
all in its path
Talitha Fraser
breathe
one breath
that’s it
now another
now you’re getting the hang of it
breathe out
that’s the way
and again
that’s the way
to life
Talitha Fraser
The Word of God is written on our hearts not in our hearts. Our hearts need to be broken for the word to come in.
Spirit is God travelling incognito – us!
The Spirit breathes energy into our tired souls. Sustaining anonymously until we know we need a breath of fresh air. It’s when we feel breathless/”’I can’t breathe” – we cry out for fresh air and the Spirit rises to answer. Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones. Yahweh a wind that comes like a rush of air àrevival of a group of people. God will breathe within it. Coming of the Spirit restored that nation, giving strength and resolve to its people.
Jesus told disciples – not the rules and regulations but the Spirit at the heart of his being that gave him energy to be who he was. They didn’t get it. Be empty, open, receptive, create a hospitable space in your heart for the Spirit to come. Disciples spent time in prayer – not rushing around but waiting until the Spirit came. Pentecost came and they were ready, speaking in tongues. I will pour out my spirit on all people. Spirit descends in ‘tongues of fire – takes ‘nobody’ disciples and makes them somebody. In touch with core passion – who we were created to be in the first place. Desire to fulfil our potential. Creates more light than heat – we won’t burn out if we are being true to who God created us to be. Need to be our true selves authentically in any situation.
Engage with struggle. No one with an unmet need – glimpses of glory in community. Disciples fought over distribution of resources – sought the power of the Spirit. Greater collective and individual control. In Acts – they choose 7 men who are strong in the Spirit. All agreed to give power to the minority. Marginalised given authority to have control and manage affairs for themselves ‘today scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’. Spirit is not only working in us but working in others – no culture, church, tradition where Spirit is not already working. Go with the flow. Grieve when it ends and wait for the breath of fresh air to come again. Fruits of the spirit are love, peace, joyfulness, self control… à where the fruit is, that is where the Spirit is already working. Arrogant to think it arrives with me. Work with a Spirit of forgiveness and compassion, follow the spirit of text rather than the law. Pray “God fill us with the Spirit that was in Jesus” – a spirit of love and justice. We don’t have a monopoly on the Spirit but we need to be open/receptive to it.
itellyouarise 