It’s Sabbath Saturday & Wayne Muller says it best…

It’s Sabbath Saturday.   ((this was written on Friday))

I am not here.

I am not Blogging.

I am not Twittering.

I am not Texting.

I am not on Email.

I am resting.

You probably should too.

See you on Sunday.

Until then…This…

…I make a plea for renewed Sabbath-keeping. As a nation, we cannot live like this, endlessly rushing about in a desperate frenzy, never stopping to enjoy the blessings of family and friends, unable to taste the fruits of life. We can change society by beginning a quiet revolution of change in ourselves and our families. Let us take a collective breath, rest, pray, meditate, walk, sing, eat and take time to share the unhurried company of those we love. Let us, for just one day, cease our desperate striving for more, and instead taste the blessings we have already been given, and give thanks.

- Wayne Muller, “Sabbath: Remembering the Sacred Rhythm of Rest and Delight”

Sabbath Saturdays ((written on Friday))

It’s Saturday…and you will not find me here.

Saturdays are my Sabbath.

You can read more about the Sabbath HERE.

Or about how I celebrate the Sabbath on this blog HERE.

Until then, a reflection From the book How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household….

Six days shall you be a workaholic;
on the seventh day, shall you join the serene company of human beings.
Six days shall you take orders from your boss;
on the seventh day, shall you be master/mistress of your own life.
Six days shall you toil in the market;
on the seventh day, shall you detach from money matters.
Six days shall you create, drive, create, invent, push;
on the seventh day, shall you reflect.
Six days shall you be the perfect success;
on the seventh day, shall you remember that not everything is in your power.
Six days shall you be a miserable failure;
on the seventh day, shall you be on top of the world.
Six days shall you enjoy the blessings of work;
on the seventh day, shall you understand that being is as important as doing.

Your Turn :: REST…..

Don’t forget to die today

In case you missed it, Lent has officially begun.  For the next 40 days, those of us who follow Jesus, follow him through his suffering and ultimately to his death.  We do this to truly have something to celebrate this Easter.

We are typically clumbsy if not awful at 2 things: Remembering / Grieving.  Lent gives us the opportunity to do both.

As always, Henri Nouwen gives great context to what this season and my life is to be about.  Few voices have shaped me as much as his.  Enjoy.

A Prayer for Lent, by Henri Nouwen

How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it?
But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death?

Yes, Lord, I have to die-with you, through you, and in you-and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection.

There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger,impatience and stinginess…. I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it.

O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.

A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee; Image Books, 2002

Your Turn :: What are you doing to remember and even celebrate the Death of Jesus this Lenten season?

I hope that Heaven is a cool as Cirque de Soleil

Jeanne and I went to our very first Cirque show last night (about 10 years AFTER everyone else) and we were absolutely blown away.  Our jaws were dropped and our eyes gazed in wonder at moment after moment of sheer amazement as we witnessed things unlike anything we had ever experienced.

At several points throughout the “show” I thought to myself – I bet this is what Heaven is going to be like.  An infinite multitude of angles and others gathered together in sheer amazement as moment after moment melts into eternity.  Experiencing wonder.  Gut clinching, jaw dropping, wide eyed wonder at the sheer glory of God.

We will watch and participate with saved sinners and saints throughout history and from every corner of the earth.  All together one in the experience of the full presence of God.  

Last night gave me a small glimpse of the hope that dwells deep within me…and you…and anyone born with eternity in their hearts.

I have a feeling that Heaven will be as good as cirque de soleil…but with a little less makeup.

You’re DARKSIDED!!!!

I’ve been told that I am a very “gifted / talented” person. I think that’s true. I think we all are. (I also think that I am the most humble person that ever existed on this planet).

We are each gifted by God, and that’s a good thing. The scary thing is the dark side that exists behind that bright light. It is often unnoticed and adressed, but it’s real.

We can thank success for the way it the blinds us from the Power of the Dark Side (read in best Darth Vader Voice). It comes out when I find myself relying on my Gifts, Talents, and Abilities more than I am relying on the one who gave them to me.

When I fall back on what I know I can do and what has worked in the past, I am living from the Dark Side. It is a scary and real thing that I find myself living from more than I want to admit.

It does however lose it’s power when I confess my dependence, even needyness on God and submit my gifts, talents, and abilities to his use and agenda.  When I give back what has been given and entrusted to me.

Now let’s get real :: What is a Gift / Talent you have been given AND what is the Darkside of that Gift / Talent?