Sabbath And the Rhythm of Life

 

I love mornings. There's just something about staring out fresh each day. I am fortunate most of the time to start each day, sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee and listening to the birds as the sun slowly makes its way up for its daily journey across the sky.  Often I get to watch other activity as the neighborhood wakes up, such as people walking their dogs, cats making their morning rounds, and saying hello to neighbors as they start their day.

It is these peaceful moments that help me to prepare my mind and my heart for my daily time with God.  It is at this time - before I do anything else - that I read a devotion and some Scripture, pray, and meditate. I've made it a habit to carve out this time in my schedule each day. It's this routine that helps me start my day on a positive note - even if the day turns out anything but routine. 

Setting a regular rhythm that includes rest is vital to our physical, mental, and spiritual selves.  Jesus often took time out to be alone with His Father.  God Himself took a day of rest after creating the Earth - and commands us to do the same each week.  And not only does God command us to keep a Sabbath - the Bible even states that we are blessed by doing so.

After incorporating a Sabbath day in my routine, I have found better balance in my life.  I also consider my daily devotional routine as a "mini-Sabbath."

Life is crazy - there is no doubt about that.  And in all the noise of the craziness, it's nearly impossible to hear God speaking. Are you taking time for your soul to rest?  If not, try adding a routine of Sabbath to the rhythm of your life - even if you can only manage to squeeze in a mini-Sabbath each day.  You may be surprised what happens!

Read:  Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 56:2, Mark 1:35, Matthew 6:6

Discipleship Is A Two-Way Street

The word protégé comes from the French proteger, meaning to protect.  Websters Dictionary defines protégé as one who is protected or trained or whose career is further influenced by a person of experience prominence or influence. 

The Bible has several examples of protégés. The Apostle Paul is a great example of this relationship. Although he authored several letters in the New Testament to serve as examples to all Christians, Paul did not come upon this wisdom and knowledge immediately after his conversion on the Damascus road.  In fact, when he first tried to join the disciples in Jerusalem, they did not trust this pharisee-turned-apostle; instead, Barnabas had to speak on Paul's behalf.  Barnabas was essentially Paul's protector and teacher.

As Paul grew in his faith and his ministry grew as well, he had taken several under his wing - most notably Timothy.  Young Timothy became Paul's protégé. 

Discipleship is a two-way street.  Just as Paul was discipled by Paul, and Paul, in turn, discipled Timothy, we are also required to have the same kinds of relationships in order to mature in our own Christian faith. 

As a Christian for nearly 30 years, there are those with whom I've sought to be in their presence in order to glean wisdom and knowledge from them.  Their words and actions have guided me.  Even today, on Sunday mornings, I like to hang out with a particular pastor on campus so I can glean wisdom from him.  I have also found great joy in discipling other Christians - especially those newer in their faith - and watching them grow and learn in their journey with the Lord.

Even Jesus had His protégés. He did not pick twelve religious scholars to join Him in His ministry; He instead picked twelve unlikely men from various and unexpected backgrounds to learn from Him.  They, in turn, became leaders of the Church whom we look up to.

Read:  Acts 9:26-28, Acts 11:25-26, 1st Corinthians 4:16-17, Philippians 2:21-23

First Full Day of Retirement: Back to Work

Well that was an interesting day! I had a career in the banking industry spanning 36 years, and every day I would log into a computer. Upon my retirement on Monday, I relinquished my credentials. Then the following day, I reported for my volunteer work at the church and was promptly assigned a username and password. I also learned a new computer program and did a little data entry. Kind of ironic! But I enjoyed it immensely.

Signpost: Transitions

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.  - Romans 12:1 NIV

My impending retirement form a banking career that spans 36 years has brought feelings of joy and excitement.  But in the last couple of days, I've found myself reaching out to a few people to say goodbye.  And frankly it caught up with me, for yesterday I woke up feeling a little blue.  Given the circumstances, it was a strange feeling that was hard to shake.

Fortunately, I knew that I needed to go to church last evening and worship.  I got there a little early, and as customary, our senior pastor was sitting at the platform quietly studying his notes.  I don't like to disturb him when he's doing that, but I did say hi. He asked how I was doing, and I told him I was feeling a little weird.  After a moment, it was apparent to both of us that I was feeling a little bit of grief over my retirement.  That's only natural.

The worship team took the stage and the music soon started.  The second song grabbed my attention.  It was being sung by the female soloist, and she was doing a marvelous job.  She is a friend with whom I've become acquainted in just the last couple of months, but this was the first time I've heard her lead a song; her voice was amazing!  Although it was a song I've heard perhaps a hundred times, I can't tell you the title or even the exact words.  But it hit me like it never hit me before, as if I was hearing it for the very first time.  The words were meant for me in that moment.  I felt the assurance of God holding me tight, knowing that He was with me, and that He had been there all along, preparing me all these years for this next chapter of my life.

The message this weekend was based on Romans 12:1-3.  And it became clear to me - especially the first verse - what the purpose of my retirement was all about.  And what I get to do in this new chapter of my life.  Of course!  I can sum it up with one verse: Romans 12:1. I felt the joy again!

I woke up today feeling positive.  Though bittersweet, the time is fast approaching when I must move on.  Tomorrow marks the last day of a long career.  I stand at the banks of the Jordan awaiting the signal to cross into the Promised Land!

Journey to the Promised Land

Are you, or have you ever found yourself in a season that was undesirable, uncomfortable, or even unbearable?

Such was the case with the Israelites who had suffered under slavery in Egypt for 430 years.  So unbearable was their situation that they cried out to God for deliverance.  And God heard them.  He made a way out.  With Moses to lead them, they conquered numerous obstacles by God's supernatural power.  Pursued by Pharoah's army, God parted the Red Sea and they were led out of Egypt.  They were free and were headed to a new land flowing with milk and honey.

But the Promised Land wasn't just across the Red Sea from Egypt.  Hope led to despair when the Israelites found themselves in a harsh and desolate wasteland, and realized they had to cross that wasteland before entering the Promised Land.  Furthermore, once reports came in from the scouting party telling of the people occupying the land God promised them, their despair grew even more (they were going to have to displace these people and didn't feel they were strong enough!) They complained and cursed and wished they had never left Egypt.  They had grown impatient and worried.  Although they had seen God part the Red Sea, they lost their trust in God, thinking He led them to die in the wilderness. 

Yet, through His supernatural power, God was still leading them, and providing food and water in a desert more desolate than our own here in Arizona.

It took forty years, but God delivered on His promise.  He not only provided a way out of Egypt, but He also provided a way through the wilderness.  Although Moses did not actually go into the Promised Land, he did get to see it with his own eyes.  After all the waiting and wandering and wondering, the Israelites finally crossed the Jordan River and began to take possession of their homeland.  

How about you?  Are you being patient and trusting God to lead you to your Promised Land?  Are you about to cross your own Jordan River?

Read:  Exodus 2:23, Exodus 12:40-41, Exodus 14:15-31, Joshua 3:14-17

A Better Bible Reading Plan for Beginners (and Anyone Else!)

I have found a resource that I think will better serve you in your reading of the Gospels.  It is found on Bible.org and there is a dedicated page for reading through the Gospels.  I have the link here: [LINK].

I figured, "Why should I reinvent the wheel when there's already an excellent resource?"  This plan has a good pace already built in (of course you can take it at your own pace) and offers excellent commentary and reflection.  So, for the time being I have decided to leave you in better hands in completing your Gospel readings, while I take time to create a better resource that can adequately meet your needs.  After all, as children of God, you deserve the best.

As always, I encourage you to get into the Word.  Make it a habit.  Ask questions.

And remember my suggestion for reading your Bible:

1. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).  These four books tell us everything that Jesus said and what he did.  It is the foundation of your Christian faith. If you read nothing else of the Bible, read this.
2. Continue on with the rest of the New Testament.  Here you will learn the history of the early church (Acts) and read the letters that were written to give encouragement (and sometimes even constructive criticism!) to the early churches and church leaders.  Even today these words are relevant to us. To finish off the New Testament we have the Book of Revelation. Even this book is a letter to some of the early churches (encouraging and admonishing them) before it gets into the visions of future prophecy.
3. Once you've read the entire New Testament you will have a good foundation to build from.  Then go back to Genesis and start reading the Old Testament.  You will find that the Old Testament is basically a prequel.  Everything that Jesus taught is based on the Old Testament - he didn't leave anything out.  Everything that happened in Jesus' life - his birth, his ministry, his death, his resurrection - is referred to in the Old Testament.  Even his return is mentioned there!  There are some wonderfully awesome stories in the Old Testament.  And granted, there's some really dry and boring stuff there, too - you can skim through those parts (there are extremely detailed instructions on how to build the tabernacle - right down to the material, color, and measurements of the curtains, the curtain rods, and even the curtain rings - chances are you won't be asked to build a tabernacle).  Again, just skim through those parts so you get a general idea.

So, I leave you now with hope and prayer that will continue to grow and learn in the Christian faith.  Remember that it is a life-long process.

Pearls: Discomfort Makes for Growth

A friend of mine once said that if we have grown too comfortable in a situation then perhaps it's time to make a change. What a pearl of wisdom!

Whenever a grain of sand or some other small irritant gets caught inside an oyster shell, it's not unlike getting a splinter. To counteract the irritation, the oyster's body secretes a substance called nacre which covers the irritant with a thin layer of material and hardens. Over time, additional layers of nacre are secreted over the irritant and the end result is a pearl.

In a similar way, God may use an uncomfortable situation to cultivate our spiritual growth and maturity. He may even use it to lead us on a different path altogether. It could be argued that there was enough discomfort in each of the disciples' lives that they felt compelled to heed Jesus' call, "Follow me."

Paul spoke of a "thorn in his flesh," Although we don't know what that thorn was, we do know that it contributed to Paul's spiritual maturity; he stated that it kept him from being too conceited. In other words, it made him lean on God more.

Our English word "pearl" comes from the Sanskrit word for "pure."  A fine pearl is a valuable treasure that only God could create and perfect.

You may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation right now. Perhaps you feel you are being pushed out of a situation, or pulled into another one, or both. Meditate on it and listen to God, for He wants to create a pearl in you!

Read:  Romans 5:3-5, 2nd Corinthians 12:7b-10, Matthew 13:45-46