The lead pastor at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford has written a new book about spiritual disciplines.
Author April Yamasaki said “Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal” describes spiritual practices that can refresh and delight people, and even include “having fun” or “making music.”
The book includes personal stories and scriptural allusions with references.
Yamasaki said the book is “for all those seeking rest and personal renewal, whether or not they are already familiar with spiritual practice, whether or not they think of themselves as spiritual, and whether or not they feel they are disciplined.”
Yamasaki has published numerous articles and several books, including Remember Lot’s Wife and Other Unnamed Women of the Bible (FaithQuest) and Making Disciples: A Manual for Baptism and Church Membership (Faith & Life Press).
She has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of British Columbia, and a master’s degree in Christian studies from Regent College in Vancouver. She has taught college-level courses in Bible and English, adult enrichment courses on prayer and journalling, and seminars and retreats on Christian living.
A third-generation Canadian of Chinese descent, Yamasaki was born and raised in Vancouver and lives in Abbotsford with her husband Gary, who teaches biblical studies at Columbia Bible College.
Yamasaki will sign copies of her book on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at House of James, 2743 Emerson St. in Abbotsford.