Exploring the Theme of 'Breathe' in Christian Fellowship
Breathe: Be Still
Jeff Burkholder
Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians
2016 July 17
Good morning, everyone
Good morning, everyone
Yes,
I’m standing over there,
but this morning, I’m going to be
“speaking” from over here.
Speaking of “speaking”
…
Speaking of “speaking”
…
Let’s watch a video about
public
speaking and how profound
someone can
seem
…
Speaking of “speaking”
…
Let’s watch a video about
public
speaking and how profound
someone can
seem
…
Without
actually
being so.
It’s funny, isn’t it?
It’s funny, isn’t it?
It’s funny how someone can talk so
much without saying anything.
I’m going to try something
different today.
I’m going to try something
different today.
Let’s see how much I can “say”
without speaking a word.
“Be still,
and know that I am God
…”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
This year’s teaching theme
has been “Breathe”
We’ve spent a lot of time
talking about the Breath of
God: The Holy Spirit
We’ve spent a lot of time
talking about the Breath of
God: The Holy Spirit
The Spirit of Jesus
We’ve spent a lot of time
talking about the Breath of
God: The Holy Spirit
The Spirit of Jesus
The Gifts of the Spirit
We’ve spent a lot of time
talking about the Breath of
God: The Holy Spirit
The Spirit of Jesus
The Gifts of the Spirit
The Fruits
of the Spirit
We’ve spent a lot of time
talking about the Breath of
God: The Holy Spirit
The Spirit of Jesus
The Gifts of the Spirit
The Fruits
of the Spirit
The Poor in Spirit
This week,
let’s not talk at all
This week,
let’s not talk at all
…and let’s focus on the
literal
breath that God has given us.
There are three
main times
when we focus on our
breathing:
There are three
main times
when we focus on our
breathing:
•
When we’ve been running and
are now
out
of breath,
There are three
main times
when we focus on our
breathing:
•
When we’ve been running and
are now
out
of breath,
•
When women are giving birth,
There are three
main times
when we focus on our
breathing:
•
When we’ve been running and
are now
out
of breath,
•
When women are giving birth,
•
And when we are still
Relax!
I’m not going to ask you to
run around the sanctuary!
Relax!
I’m not going to ask you to
run around the sanctuary!
(And I’m not really qualified to
make
an object lesson out of
Lamaze techniques!)
Relax!
I’m not going to ask you to
run around the sanctuary!
Instead, let’s… well…
Relax.
“Be still,
and know that I am God
…”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
“Cease striving [let go; relax],
and know that I am God…”
Psalm 46:10a (NASB)
How often are we actually
still
?
How often are we actually
still
?
•
In the car?
How often are we actually
still
?
•
In the car?
With the radio blaring…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
In the car?
With the radio blaring…
Or a cell phone ringing…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
In the car?
With the radio blaring…
Or a cell phone ringing…
Or the engine knocking…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
In the car?
With the radio blaring…
Or a cell phone ringing…
Or the engine knocking…
Or a semi passing
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At night, before bed?
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At night, before bed?
With your head nodding…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At night, before bed?
With your head nodding…
And eyes drooping…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At night, before bed?
With your head nodding…
And eyes drooping…
And attention wandering…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At night, before bed?
With your head nodding…
And eyes drooping…
And attention wandering…
And spouse snoring…
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At church on Sunday?
How often are we actually
still
?
•
At church on Sunday?
Aside from the fact that Sunday only
comes once a week, how often do you
ever see
anyone
around here
(particularly me) be still??
So… let’s be still.
So… let’s be still.
Let’s breathe.
So… let’s be still.
Let’s breathe.
And let’s
focus.
Because
I should point out:
When I’m talking about “being still”,
I
don’t just mean “not moving”.
Just because you’re relaxing in your
La-Z-Boy doesn’t mean you’re a
paragon of virtue.
Because
I should point out:
When I’m talking about “being still”,
I
don’t just mean “not moving”.
Just because you’re relaxing in your
La-Z-Boy doesn’t mean you’re a
paragon of virtue.
Sorry about that.
“Being still” involves
your body
“Being still” involves
your body
your heart
“Being still” involves
your body
your heart
and your mind
“Being still” involves
your body
your heart
and your mind
All
together, being focused on God
Because there’s more to the
verse than just “Be still.”
Because there’s more to the
verse than just “Be still.”
More than “Be still and know
that I am God.”
Because there’s more to the
verse than just “Be still.”
More than “Be still and know
that I am God.”
In fact, the verse continues…
“Be still,
and know that I am God;
I will be exalted
among the nations,
I will be exalted in all the earth.
”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
“Let be and be still,
and know [recognize and
understand]
that I am God.
I will be exalted
among the nations!
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 (Amplified)
What’s going on here?
What’s God talking about?
What’s going on here?
What’s God talking about?
Psalms 46,
47, and 48 seem to be
written from the setting of a war-
torn land, where God has stepped in
and abruptly ended the fighting.
The
word “still” is translated from
the Hebrew word
rapa
, which
means “to slacken, let down, or
cease”.
The
word “still” is translated from
the Hebrew word
rapa
, which
means “to slacken, let down, or
cease”.
The connotation here is that of two
fighters
going after each other, until
someone else – God, in this case –
steps in and stops them.
(I won’t point
out that this is
just like in
Star
Trek,
the Vulcan
word “Kroykah”
was used to
separate Kirk
and Spock
during a battle
to the death.)
God isn’t just telling the
reader –
telling
us
that we might want to
chill out a bit.
God isn’t just telling the
reader –
telling
us
that we might want to
chill out a bit.
He’s
commanding
us,
demanding that we…
STOP.
STOP.
Now.
STOP.
Now.
And then, know
STOP.
Now.
And then, know
Recognize
STOP.
Now.
And then, know
Recognize
Understand
STOP.
Now.
And then, know
Recognize
Understand
Comprehend
STOP.
Now.
And then, know
Recognize
Understand
Comprehend
Realize
STOP.
Now.
And then, know
Recognize
Understand
Comprehend
Realize
Get it through our heads
That
HE is GOD.
That HE
is GOD.
That HE is
GOD.
That HE is GOD.
We should lay down our arms
We should lay down our arms
Drop our weapons
We should lay down our arms
Drop our weapons
And come out
with our hands up.
“
B
u
t
t
h
e
L
O
R
D
i
s
i
n
H
i
s
h
o
l
y
t
e
m
p
l
e
.
L
e
t
a
l
l
t
h
e
e
a
r
t
h
b
e
s
i
l
e
n
t
b
e
f
o
r
e
H
i
m
.
”
Habakkuk 2:20 (NIV)
“
T
h
e
e
y
e
s
o
f
t
h
e
a
r
r
o
g
a
n
t
m
a
n
w
i
l
l
b
e
h
u
m
b
l
e
d
a
n
d
t
h
e
p
r
i
d
e
o
f
m
e
n
b
r
o
u
g
h
t
l
o
w
;
t
h
e
L
O
R
D
a
l
o
n
e
w
i
l
l
b
e
e
x
a
l
t
e
d
i
n
t
h
a
t
d
a
y
.
”
Isaiah 2:11 (NIV)
Keep in mind, He’s not just
talking to warriors.
Keep in mind, He’s not just
talking to warriors.
We all need to stop striving to
control things.
Keep in mind, He’s not just
talking to warriors.
We all need to stop striving to
control things.
That
’
s His job
And honestly? It’s not a
matter of, “God is in
control, if we let Him
be.”
And honestly? It’s not a
matter of, “God is in
control, if we let Him
be.”
There is no “if”.
God is in control.
God is in control.
Period.
God is in control.
Period.
He’s just
asking
us
to
acknowledge
that sometimes.
Think about that. It’s
very
good news, isn’t it?
Think about that. It’s
very
good news, isn’t it?
We don’t have to take care of
everything. HE’s got this.
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
Think of all the things that occupy
our minds most of the time:
•
Going to work
•
Paying the bills
•
Taking care of
our family
•
Watching TV
•
What’s happening
in the news
•
Playing
•
Eating
•
Sleeping
God’s asking us, through
all our
worries, to be still and recognize
that He is God.
God’s asking us, through
all our
worries, to be still and recognize
that He is God.
By doing so, we can find
calm
despite our anxieties,
trust
that overcomes our fear, and
peace
in the midst of our
battles.
God’s asking us, through
all our
worries, to be still and recognize
that He is God.
By doing so, we can find
calm
despite our anxieties,
trust
that overcomes our fear,
and
peace
in the midst of our
battles.
God’s asking us, through
all our
worries, to be still and recognize
that He is God.
By doing so, we can find
calm
despite our anxieties,
trust
that overcomes our fear, and
peace
in the midst of our
battles.
And remember, as God’s
people, we don’t need to
find
peace:
And remember, as God’s
people, we don’t need to
find
peace:
He’s already given it to us!
“
P
e
a
c
e
I
l
e
a
v
e
w
i
t
h
y
o
u
;
m
y
p
e
a
c
e
I
g
i
v
e
y
o
u
.
”
John 14:27a (NIV)
“
C
o
m
e
t
o
m
e
,
a
l
l
y
o
u
w
h
o
a
r
e
w
e
a
r
y
a
n
d
b
u
r
d
e
n
e
d
,
a
n
d
I
w
i
l
l
g
i
v
e
y
o
u
r
e
s
t
.
”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“
L
e
t
t
h
e
p
e
a
c
e
o
f
C
h
r
i
s
t
r
u
l
e
i
n
y
o
u
r
h
e
a
r
t
s
,
s
i
n
c
e
a
s
m
e
m
b
e
r
s
o
f
o
n
e
b
o
d
y
y
o
u
w
e
r
e
c
a
l
l
e
d
t
o
p
e
a
c
e
.
A
n
d
b
e
t
h
a
n
k
f
u
l
.
”
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
“
B
e
s
t
i
l
l
,
a
n
d
k
n
o
w
t
h
a
t
I
a
m
G
o
d
…
”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
Now, will this make everything
perfect?
Will ignoring the harshness of
life make it all go away?
Now, will this make everything
perfect?
Will ignoring the harshness of
life make it all go away?
Of course not.
God is in control of the
“Big Picture”
And
when bad things happen,
we need to have faith that He
is able to make good things
come out of them.
There have been, are now, and
will be war, death, and
destruction.
There have been, are now, and
will be war, death, and
destruction.
Kingdoms and governments
will
fall.
There have been, are now, and
will be war, death, and
destruction.
Kingdoms and governments
will
fall.
Everyone and everything you
know will eventually come to an
end.
So much of what we spend our
energy on, so much of what
consumes our thoughts,
So much of what we spend our
energy on, so much of what
consumes our thoughts, is
actually fighting a battle we will
lose.
So much of what we spend our
energy on, so much of what
consumes our thoughts, is
actually fighting a battle we will
lose.
All things will pass away…
B
u
t
d
o
n
’
t
d
e
s
p
a
i
r
!
T
h
e
L
o
r
d
G
o
d
,
o
u
r
C
r
e
a
t
o
r
a
n
d
S
a
v
i
o
r
w
i
l
l
t
r
i
u
m
p
h
o
v
e
r
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
a
n
d
b
r
i
n
g
a
n
e
n
d
t
o
a
l
l
c
o
n
f
l
i
c
t
s
.
B
u
t
d
o
n
’
t
d
e
s
p
a
i
r
!
T
h
e
L
o
r
d
G
o
d
,
o
u
r
C
r
e
a
t
o
r
a
n
d
S
a
v
i
o
r
w
i
l
l
t
r
i
u
m
p
h
o
v
e
r
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
a
n
d
b
r
i
n
g
a
n
e
n
d
t
o
a
l
l
c
o
n
f
l
i
c
t
s
.
B
u
t
d
o
n
’
t
d
e
s
p
a
i
r
!
T
h
e
L
o
r
d
G
o
d
,
o
u
r
C
r
e
a
t
o
r
a
n
d
S
a
v
i
o
r
w
i
l
l
t
r
i
u
m
p
h
o
v
e
r
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
a
n
d
b
r
i
n
g
a
n
e
n
d
t
o
a
l
l
c
o
n
f
l
i
c
t
s
.
B
u
t
d
o
n
’
t
d
e
s
p
a
i
r
!
T
h
e
L
o
r
d
G
o
d
,
o
u
r
C
r
e
a
t
o
r
a
n
d
S
a
v
i
o
r
w
i
l
l
t
r
i
u
m
p
h
o
v
e
r
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
a
n
d
b
r
i
n
g
a
n
e
n
d
t
o
a
l
l
c
o
n
f
l
i
c
t
s
.
“
S
t
e
p
o
u
t
o
f
t
h
e
t
r
a
f
f
i
c
!
T
a
k
e
a
l
o
n
g
,
l
o
v
i
n
g
l
o
o
k
a
t
m
e
,
y
o
u
r
H
i
g
h
G
o
d
,
a
b
o
v
e
p
o
l
i
t
i
c
s
,
a
b
o
v
e
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
.
”
Psalm 46:10 (The Message)
“
S
t
e
p
o
u
t
o
f
t
h
e
t
r
a
f
f
i
c
!
T
a
k
e
a
l
o
n
g
,
l
o
v
i
n
g
l
o
o
k
a
t
m
e
,
y
o
u
r
H
i
g
h
G
o
d
,
a
b
o
v
e
p
o
l
i
t
i
c
s
,
a
b
o
v
e
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
.
”
Psalm 46:10 (The Message)
(I really like that part.)
T
a
k
e
a
m
o
m
e
n
t
a
n
d
r
e
a
l
i
z
e
:
H
e
’
s
G
o
d
.
W
e
’
r
e
n
o
t
.
S
o
m
e
d
a
y
,
e
v
e
r
y
o
n
e
a
n
d
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
w
i
l
l
f
i
g
u
r
e
t
h
a
t
o
u
t
,
t
o
o
.
Psalm 46:10 (Jeff
’
s Translation)
Being still is part of that.
Being still is part of that.
And fair warning:
It’s not easy to do.
Why not?
“Silence introduced in a society that
worships noise is like the Moon exposing
the night. Behind darkness is our fear.
Within silence our voice dwells. What is
required from both is that we be still. We
focus. We listen. We see and we hear.
The unexpected emerges.”
–Terry Tempest Williams
When we turn off everything…
When the only thing we hear are
the voices in our own heads…
When we force
ourselves to feel
things we don’t like to feel…
When we turn off everything…
When the only thing we hear are
the voices in our own heads…
When we force
ourselves to feel
things we don’t like to feel…
When we turn off everything…
When the only thing we hear are
the voices in our own heads…
When we force
ourselves to feel
things we don’t like to feel…
It
can be terrifying.
But if we use that time to focus our
bodies, our hearts, our minds on
God?
It
can be terrifying.
But if we use that time to focus our
bodies, our hearts, our minds on
God?
“And do not be conformed
to
this world, but be
transformed
by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what the
will of God is, that which is good
and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
So…Let’s take a breath.
And another.
And one more.
So…Let’s take a breath.
And another.
And one more.
So…Let’s take a breath.
And another.
And one more.
“
B
e
s
t
i
l
l
,
a
n
d
k
n
o
w
t
h
a
t
I
a
m
G
o
d
…
”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
I encourage you, in the coming
week, find time despite
the
busyness of life to breathe.
And be still.
And know
that HE is GOD.
I encourage you, in the coming
week, find time despite
the
busyness of life to breathe.
And be still.
And know
that HE is GOD.
I encourage you, in the coming
week, find time despite
the
busyness of life to breathe.
And be still.
And know
that HE is GOD.
I encourage you, in the coming
week, find time despite
the
busyness of life to breathe.
And be still.
And know
that HE
is GOD.
I encourage you, in the coming
week, find time despite
the
busyness of life to breathe.
And be still.
And know
that HE is GOD.
Feel free to remain here
in our sanctuary
in stillness
for as long as you’d like.
When you’re ready to leave,
please do so quietly.
Feel free to remain here
in our sanctuary
in stillness
for as long as you’d like.
When you’re ready to leave,
please do so quietly.
God’s peace and blessings
go with you,
ever and always
Dive into the teaching theme of "Breathe" at Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians in this engaging visual journey. Discover the profound messages conveyed through images and reflect on the significance of being still, the Breath of God, and the power of silence in communication. Join the exploration of public speaking nuances and the art of conveying meaning without words.
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Presentation Transcript
Breathe: Be Still Jeff Burkholder Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians 2016 July 17
Good morning, everyone Yes, I m standing over there, but this morning, I m going to be speaking from over here.
Speaking of speaking Let s watch a video about public speaking and how profound someone can seem
Speaking of speaking Let s watch a video about public speaking and how profound someone can seem Without actually being so.
Its funny, isnt it? It s funny how someone can talk so much without saying anything.
Im going to try something different today.
Im going to try something different today. Let s see how much I can say without speaking a word.
Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
This years teaching theme has been Breathe
Weve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit
Weve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus
Weve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus The Gifts of the Spirit
Weve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus The Gifts of the Spirit The Fruits of the Spirit
Weve spent a lot of time talking about the Breath of God: The Holy Spirit The Spirit of Jesus The Gifts of the Spirit The Fruits of the Spirit The Poor in Spirit
This week, let s not talk at all
This week, let s not talk at all and let s focus on the literal breath that God has given us.
There are three main times when we focus on our breathing:
There are three main times when we focus on our breathing: When we ve been running and are now out of breath,
There are three main times when we focus on our breathing: When we ve been running and are now out of breath, When women are giving birth,
There are three main times when we focus on our breathing: When we ve been running and are now out of breath, When women are giving birth, And when we are still
Relax! I m not going to ask you to run around the sanctuary!
Relax! I m not going to ask you to run around the sanctuary! (And I m not really qualified to make an object lesson out of Lamaze techniques!)
Relax! I m not going to ask you to run around the sanctuary! Instead, let s well Relax.
Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
Cease striving [let go; relax], and know that I am God Psalm 46:10a (NASB)
How often are we actually still? In the car?
How often are we actually still? In the car? With the radio blaring
How often are we actually still? In the car? With the radio blaring Or a cell phone ringing
How often are we actually still? In the car? With the radio blaring Or a cell phone ringing Or the engine knocking
How often are we actually still? In the car? With the radio blaring Or a cell phone ringing Or the engine knocking Or a semi passing
How often are we actually still? At night, before bed?
How often are we actually still? At night, before bed? With your head nodding
How often are we actually still? At night, before bed? With your head nodding And eyes drooping
How often are we actually still? At night, before bed? With your head nodding And eyes drooping And attention wandering
How often are we actually still? At night, before bed? With your head nodding And eyes drooping And attention wandering And spouse snoring
How often are we actually still? At church on Sunday?
How often are we actually still? At church on Sunday? Aside from the fact that Sunday only comes once a week, how often do you ever see anyone around here (particularly me) be still??
So lets be still. Let s breathe.
So lets be still. Let s breathe. And let s focus.
Because I should point out: When I m talking about being still , I don t just mean not moving . Just because you re relaxing in your La-Z-Boy doesn t mean you re a paragon of virtue.
Because I should point out: When I m talking about being still , I don t just mean not moving . Just because you re relaxing in your La-Z-Boy doesn t mean you re a paragon of virtue. Sorry about that.
Being still involves your body
Being still involves your body your heart
Being still involves your body your heart and your mind
