etcetera:

(A short note for our MRB community on January 12th) 

[3] So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:3

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In light of our choosing not to host service at 3912 tomorrow, here’s a simple encouragement:

Stop

Rest

Play

Remember

Shabbat is something by and large lost to modern church culture. It’s a Hebrew word that simply means “stop”. God wove a “stop for 1 out of every 7 days” rhythm into creation, a gift for resting, playing, and remembering His love and kindness toward us. My family tries to do this Friday evening to Saturday evening weekly. 

If you’re not used to stopping like this, getting started can be a challenge. So, I’d like to encourage you to use tomorrow as an attempt.

Sleep in, sip good tea/coffee when you wake. Eat a fun breakfast. Think on one kind word from God on and off through the day. Be curious. Play a game. Build a fire. Play in the snow. Bake me a pie (just kidding). Do something enjoyable and don’t let it or anything else drive you tomorrow. Think of it as Your Father’s kind gift. Then, remember how He kindly offers this to you weekly! 

His desire for our rest and wellbeing isn’t the frustrated command of a curmudgeon, but the design and desire of a loving Father. Receive it best you can, and expect something kind in the experience. 

So much love and Shabbat Shalom (stop and be at peace)… ♥️ padre