#lent2020

March 29 -Cycle or Walk to Church Sunday

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“whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which Jesus walked.”  ~  1 John 2 :6 The people of God are a walking people. At the beginning of time, we find the Lord God walking with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening. Abraham walked out of Ur. All of Creation kept the same life-giving pace. Today’s ecological crisis and every doctors room show the consequences for human well-being of living life at inhuman speed. Before the Jesus Movement became Christianity it was simply “The Way.” So today choose to walk or cycle to church as part of your spiritual journey instead of jumping on a bus or in the car. It is widely known that walking is the most natural and healthy of exercises. In many ways the perfect exercise. We virtually all learn to do it as little children. It is our first ticket to freedom, our initial experience of moving forward in life without obstacles or the help of another. Bottom of Form On a physical level, walking has enormous benefits. It strengthens the heart. It helps the lungs operate more efficiently. It strengthens the digestive system. Walking boosts the immune system and  reduces stress On a relationship level, you will pass people on the way that you greet, and you can witness to them that you are on the way  to church. On the level of nature , you will become aware of the movement of trees, the sound of birds, the buzz of insects. The journey is worship, not just the destination.

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March 27 – Romantic Candle-lit Dinner

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“Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”  ~ Matthew 5:15   Whenever we have power cuts in the evening, we mostly opt to use candles. Candles have become an under used utility with technology taking over. Can you remember a time you didn’t have access to electricity? Have you ever thought of the significant amount of people and communities who still do not have access to electricity? We have become so dependent on electricity that we barely ever think of the people without it and the environmental impacts of electricity in our lives. Today take an opportunity to have a candle lit dinner to appreciate electricity. There are fun ways to go about it and it’s a great way to have a date or a get together with a loved one or friend. An additional benefit is that lighting candles instead of electric lights can help you drastically lower your electricity bill. How to set up a romantic candle lit dinner: Send your guest/guests an invitation for the dinner Keep the menu simple Prepare their favourite food, do not experiment with a new dish Set up the table with a beautiful tablecloth, candles and flowers Switch off the computer, TV and get rid of any other distractions Set the mood by playing soft music Switch off the lights Light the candles (preferably scented) Enjoy!!

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March 26 – Walk or Cycle to Work/Church

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“Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth.” ~ Genesis 13:17 Plan a day once a week when you cycle or walk to work or church. Cycling and waking has become an underappreciated form of transport in the recent years and this is mainly because most people prefer to commute with motor vehicles.  There are several reasons to switch to cycling or walking. The most notable benefits is the reduced strain on the planet and environment.  Motor vehicles cause so much congestion not to mention the global pollution they are cause. Walking or cycling to work or church is a great way to reduce carbon emissions and your carbon footprint. Problems with motor vehicles Air pollution Increase global warming due to the carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emitted Car production requires a lot of energy and leaves a giant footprint Fuel production requires extraction if fossil fuels which damages ecosystems. It also consumes a lot of energy and oil spills which negatively affect the environment High demand to build new roads which therefore decrease the green land we need. So why embrace cycling and walking? Cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Reduces air pollutants (walking and biking emit no greenhouse gases). Reduces noise pollution and congestion. Reduces the need for new parking lots and roadways. Saves valuable green space from development. Reduces your ecological footprint. Save money on transportation costs. You will spend less money on fuel and or public transport costs Improved health. Walking or cycling is an easy way to get exercise and it will reduce your chances of developing chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc. Be part of the sustainability movement by choosing to walk or cycle to work instead of commuting with a car or public transport More links https://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/benefits-of-biking-walking/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/green-guide/buying-guides/car/environmental-impact/

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March 25 – Fast from Elecctronics

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“Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10   In todays age and time we have become so dependent on electronics that it almost seems impossible to live with these electronics (for example computers, TVs and cellphones). Electronics were made to improve our quality of life and make things easier but it Is no secret that people have gained a great unhealthy attachment to them and to others an addiction to their electronics. This attachment is growing daily among our peers. It is becoming evident that excessive use off electronics is not good for us physically, mentally and emotionally. People no longer interact with each other even though they are sitting next to each other. How many times have you been to a “get together” yet everyone was on their phone and not talking to each other? How many times have you felt lonely or “FOMO” because of social media? There is a clear need to put a restriction to electronic use. Benefits of fasting from electronics: Reduce stress – both your brain and body need to recover from daily activities. Electronics us on a 24/7 mode, which is not healthy for us More free time – people spend so much time glued to their devices or computer, and loose so much time which they could have spent on something more productive. Time lost is never regained. Improved mental health – social media allows for feelings such as loneliness, depression, envy, jealously and dissatisfaction to grow. Taking a break from seeing what others are doing or have, and focusing on being grateful for what you have, is important. Be present and in the moment – embrace the precious moments with loved ones and friends by being present instead of being on your device when you are with them. Better sleep – Television, computer screens and cell phones give off a light wavelength called blue light, which is similar to the bright midday sun. Exposure to this kind of light in the evening can trick your body into thinking that it’s still the middle of the day, making it hard to get to sleep. Fasting from electronics will therefore improve your sleep pattern. More links https://paleoleap.com/media-fast/ https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2019/march/the-benefits-of-unplugging-from-electronics/

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March 24 – Buy Energy-Saving Lightbulbs

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“The girls who were wise answered, ‘There’s not enough oil for all of us!’” ~ Matthew 25:9   Everyone or rather all buildings are dependent on light bulbs, individually light bulbs are not major energy consumers in building but when considered collectively, they use a significant amount of energy. Lightbulb manufacturing has been undergoing an energy-saving revolution in the recent years. There are 3 types of lightbulbs, namely; Incandescent light bulbs; Compact florescent lights (CFLs) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LEDs are the most advanced lightning technology on the market.  LEDs are the most energy efficient lightbulbs available on the market and they also have a considerably longer lifespan. Advantages of using energy saver bulbs(LED): Energy efficient- LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent lights. 95% of the energy in LEDs is converted into light and only 5% is wasted as heat. This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy to heat and only 5% into light! LED lights use much less power than traditional lighting; a typical 84 watt fluorescent can be replaced by a 36 watt LED to give the same level of light. Less energy use reduces the demand from power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. No toxic elements- LED lights contain no toxic elements. Compact Fluorescent lights contain noxious chemicals such as mercury. These elements contaminate the environment when disposed of in landfill waste.  LED bulbs helps to protect the environment from further toxic waste. Less lights needed- LEDs have a better quality of light distribution and focus light in one direction as opposed to other types of lighting which waste energy by emitting light in all directions, often illuminating areas where light isn’t required. Less LED lights are needed to achieve the same level of brightness given off by fluorescents and incandescent lights. Fewer lights will reduce energy consumption and will therefore be a benefit to the environment. Life span- LED Lights last up to six times longer than other types of lights, reducing the requirement for frequent replacements and therefore decreasing the resources needed to manufacture lightbulbs. A longer life span will result in lower carbon emissions. More links https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/energy-efficient-lighting/ https://www.savingenergy.org.za/asl/consumers/light-bulbs/ https://www.sepco-solarlighting.com/blog/bid/145611/the-advantages-of-led-lights-for-the-environment

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March 23 – Turn Down the Heater

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“It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it and warms himself; also he kindles a fire and bakes bread.” ~ Isaiah 44:15   There is nothing like taking a hot shower to wash away the worries of our day. But too much of a good thing is NOT a good thing. Water heating accounts for 15 to 25% of energy consumption in the average home. For every 10 degrees you turn down your water heater, you’ll save 3% to 5% on your bill. Most water heaters come pre-set at 140 degrees, which has the added risk of scalding. It is recommended that households lower it to 120 degrees. This amount is high enough for your needs, and high enough to reduce mineral buildup in your tank and pipes. A fridge/freeze is an appliance one uses on a daily basis and it is normally kept on 24/7. Fridges form part of our energy consumption.  Refrigerators and freezers should not be set too cold. It is recommended to set your fridge between 4-5°C  and the freezer to -18°C  .If you set fridge or freezer 1°C  colder, it increase your energy consumption by 5 to 10% and therefore increase your electric bill. Steps to turn down water heater: Find the current temperature- use a thermostat to measure the temperature your water is at now. At the tap furthest from the water. Mark the setting- to remember this setting, mark that temperature on your thermostat. Now turn down the thermostat to what you think will be 120 degrees, based on your earlier measurement. Wait at least 2 hours. Measure the water temperature again at the same far-away tap. It may take a few attempts to get it right. Once it’s right, mark that spot on your thermostat so you’ll remember the new temperature. How to turn up the fridge using a thermostat: To check your refrigerator’s temperature, set a thermostat in a glass of water in the center of the appliance. Read the thermostat after 24 hours. For a freezer, place a thermostat in between packages. Again, read the thermostat after 24 hours. More links https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/water-heater-energy-saving-tips/ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/services/do-it-yourself-energy-savings-projects/savings-project-lower-water-heating https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-save-money-on-refrigeration-2941167 http://blog.etundra.com/tech-talk/refrigeration-thermostatscold-controls-work/

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