August 22: “Feasting” (Deuteronomy 14:24-29)

Keeping the Sabbath holy (or wholly) involves ceasing, resting, and embracing. Lastly, it also involves feasting and celebrating. We celebrate who God is and what Jesus has done for us. We take delight in God, in God’s people and in God’s creation. In addition, the Sabbath is feasting with food & joy in God’s presence. […]

Continue reading

August 15: “Embracing” (Acts 2:42-47)

Sabbath rest is more than just about ceasing and resting. It involves embracing God’s values to live them out. It involves embracing our finitude instead of efficiency, giving instead of requiring. We embrace the Christian community and wholeness (shalom). The practice of embracing will enable us to embrace the world with the love of Christ.

Continue reading

August 8: “Resting” (Genesis 2:2, 1 Kings 19:11-12)

The Sabbath day starts with ceasing. When we have learned to cease, we can rest. The kind of rest God intended for us is holistic. It is not just a physical rest, but also emotional rest, and spiritual rest. Our spiritual rest is found in Christ who gives us shalom. After our rest, God calls […]

Continue reading

August 6 (Retreat 2021): “Rediscovering Paradise”

Genesis 1:1, 26-31 Exodus 31:1-5 Ephesians 2:8-10 Colossians 3:22-4:1

Continue reading

August 1: “Ceasing” (Leviticus 23:3)

The Hebrew word for rest, “shabbat,” can also mean to cease. In order to have a good rest, we first need to learn how to stop. The Sabbath day is a time of ceasing. We cease not just from our work, but from the need to accomplish and be productive, from our worries and anxieties, […]

Continue reading