Breath of Heaven

Last night, the third Vespers service took place.  The pictures above were taken of the evening set-up to give you, my faithful readers, a better idea of how things appear.  I also included a photo of me with my Asian friends, Amy, Maggie, and (the other) Amy, who keep coming back each week.  {God is good!} 

Because Easter is approaching, we focused on the scriptures that coordinated with the Jewish calendar during this season of Lent.  These included Ezekiel 37: 1-14, where God restores Israel like dry bones being restored with flesh and breath; the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11; and Romans 8 where Jesus talks about life in the Spirit versus death in sin.  Vs. 10 says, “But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead to sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

All three passages dealt with life and restoration; therefore, I developed a station dealing with breath and the act of breathing.  Josh placed an introductory sheet at the station, describing it with these pertinent words:

“The ancient Hebrew name for God is Yahweh.  The way you would see it written in Hebrew is YHWH.  The reason they chose this as the name of God is that when you pronounce these letters side by side it is the sound of a person breathing. 

To the Hebrews, the name of God is the first thing you would ever say.  The name of God is also the last thing you will ever say.  If you are having a conversation with someone who does not believe in God, then in some mystical way, they too are saying the name of God.”

For the Breathing Station, I decided to create a meditative environment that allowed people to come silent before God and focus on their breath and what it means in relation to life and spirituality.  On one side of the handout were various facts about breathing and breath.  On the other side was the meditation activity.  Below is the station’s handout.  Feel free to take some quiet time to utilize it yourselves. 

Facts on Breathing:

Of all the essential nutrients needed by the human, oxygen is the one we must have on a moment to moment basis. We can’t live without it even for a few minutes.

 

Most people only use about twenty percent of their lung capacity.

 

The air we breathe is a mixture of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, water, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases. Each day we inhale around 14,000 litres of air as we take about 26,000 breaths (that’s equivalent to about 150 full bathtubs)

When we are engaged in normal activity and not exerting ourselves, we

breathe around 500ml of air in and out each time. On average, we breathe 14

times a minute. The maximum capacity of our lungs is 4 – 7 litres.

The diaphragm is the muscle which plays the most important role in our breathing.  When we breathe in, our diaphragm contracts and flattens, and our ribcage expands in order to create enough room for the inflow of air. When we breathe out, our diaphragm relaxes and moves back to its original position, while our ribcage retracts.

Deep breathing can relieve headaches, backaches, stomach aches, and sleeplessness. It allows blood pressure to return to normal and releases natural mood enhancers (endorphins) into the bloodstream.  It’s one of the best overall techniques for stress relief.

 

Meditation:

“Take time to be still in My Presence.  The more hassle you feel, the more you need this sacred space of communication with Me.  Breathe slowly and deeply.  Relax in My holy Presence while My face shines upon you.  This is how you receive My Peace, which I always proffer to you.”

Breathing Mediation Technique:

1. Focus only on the breath flowing into and out of your body.  Let any other thoughts go.  The mind tries to distract you with thoughts – it is the nature of the mind.  Release the thoughts.  Without judgment, bring your awareness back to the breath, the life force, flowing into and out of your body.

2. Notice the sensation of the breath, as it whispers across the skin just below the nostrils, and above the upper lip.  Feel the sensation as you breathe.

3. Don’t change your breath.  Just observe it as it is, without the need to change anything.  Just notice.

Meditative Thoughts:

-Do I intentionally take time each day to pay attention to my breath?

-How do I typically breathe?  Short, shallow breaths? Slow, deep breaths?

-How does my breathing style reflect my inner thoughts and workings?

Prayer:

Almighty Lord,

            Whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!  I am small and weak, I need

            Your strength and wisdom.  Let me walk in beauty.

            Make my hands respect the things You have made, and my ears sharp to hear Your voice.

            Make me wise so that I may understand the things You have taught your people.

            Make me always ready to come to You with clean hands and straight eyes.

            So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to You without shame.

            Amen.

I hope that this activity is beneficial to you.  Vespers is a new and exciting endeavor here in Perth and I know the ones of us that are passionately involved are enjoying watching it grow and touch individuals’ lives.  God is doing amazing work here and I thank you for your continual support, prayers, and encouragement.

On a lighter, yet equally exciting note, I will be home later this week!  My flight arrives late Friday night, March 14^th.  Oh how the past 6 months have flown by!  I look forward to being home for a short visit and hope to see many of you while I am in town.  Please pray for safe travels. 

Grace and Peace,

Sarah Kate