Here. Listening.

Sometimes the painter must put down the brush and admire.

The musician needs to refrain from composing and hear.

The speaker must silence and listen.


There is a season when the writer’s words are few so she will read.

When the seeker cannot seek so she will be found.

When opportunities for the “doer” decrease so she may be a “be-er.”

When what was thought to be “silence” was really a call for her to be silent.

So He can speak.

And she can listen.

It was almost mine...

Yeah. I kinda view bouquet tosses as a sport.

I didn't intentially elbow my friend in the face.

She was gracious and forgiving, nonetheless.

And she gave me the bouquet to boot.

#100

I've never taught Sunday school before.

Sure I've helped out with the wee ones.

And I even co-led a cell group for college+ students back in Illinois.

But now I find myself searching for something to bring to a room full of 9-11-year-olds.

And so I am presented with a new challenge (did I mention it's in a Hispanic church that I went to for the first time last week?).

I must find a medium between deeper Biblical truths I'm discovering and..."goo, goo, ga..blah!"

But, I suppose even grade-schoolers can understand and comprehend our call to be the Body of Christ, and their values in it.

I'm thinking of starting with a race between one child who has to hop on one leg and one who can...eh, walk briskly...on both.

He, he. They'll get so mad at the injustice of it.

Perfect.

And on the seventh day...

Yeah.

The “contemplations” have been rather lax as of late.

I’m not sure whether this is due to lack thereof…or perhaps just contemplations of the sort that are better kept hidden away in my mind instead of sprawled on screen.

Or maybe, I’m just too tired and busy to formulate anything worthwhile.

Hmm…this should not be.

In January I read through Genesis and Exodus. A lot went down in these two books. The very foundations of our faith laid by men like Noah, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Aaron, Joshua…and ol’ what’s-his-name?...Moses.

I’ll admit that not all of it was exhilarating. Is all of anything exhilarating?

But it was interesting, parts of it reveling of us, parts reveling of God….and parts reveling God’s keys to living a life that pleases Him.

The Lord really hammers away at this whole “Sabbath” suggestion.

Or at least that’s what we like to think it is. A nice suggestion to set aside the stresses and pressures of life for one day. One day to take a rest from the world and abide in Him.

He commands it rather intently. Quite a few times. Even condemning violators to death.

Many studies confirm the benefits of taking a “rest day.” Exercise is fabulous, but work-out every day of every week and the body will be fatigued and worse off.

That’s just like God. His usually has statues for a reason. Benefits unknown.

No, I am not under the law, and thanks to His Son, I don’t have to be put to death for violating this law.

But I long to adhere to the Spirit of this law.

Great blessing is found in obedience.

And so while I am left (once again) with dilemmas as to how to implement REST in my life, I am encouraged that God honors those who honestly seek Him and His ways. He will grant grace with time, and He will be lavish with renewal and strengthening.

So, I will try my best to keep to His standards for working and rest. Work hard for six days (that’s key in taking a Sabbath). Rest on the seventh.

Mmm. I feel better already.