Sabbath Groove

Just the other night I told our church (which is the handful of people that meet in our living room on Wednesday nights) about my new commitments and revised rule of life.  One item on the list is my mid-week Sabbath.  Since my job requires me to work some weekends (sometimes just one of the two days), I make one morning a week sacred.  From the time I get up until noon I don’t make or take calls, check or respond to email, make work plans, or work on anything work related – this is still a challenge for me.  Typically I do some reflecting, some reading, and some writing.  If my wife is available, we get coffee together.  I may exercise, or just choose to watch a movie.  Bottom line, no work for these few hours before noon (usually on Thursdays, but sometimes on Wednesdays).

It seems that every mid-week Sabbath day is always loaded with potential chaos and work-related demands.  No matter how much I prepare, there always seems to be an emergency or a deadline or someone who has a pressing need right when I am taking 4 hours of Sabbath.

It’s always a test for me.  But I’ve found that people can wait, it’s not the end of the world, and somethings end up resolving themselves.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends – Community in Full Swing

Currently we are in the middle of our two-month rhythm of community.  Prior to the launch of each rhythm we contemplate ways we will engage.  For instance, in this rhythm one thing we did as a family was to make a list of those people in our lives that we wanted to be closer with and who we’d made intention efforts toward.  After a month into the rhythm, I’m reflecting more on the ways we’ve been loved and cared for; the neighbors that have helped and served us, oppose to all of the great, intention things we’ve done to foster and love those in our community.  I guess planning is our best attempt to be faithful (and maybe it allows us to be in control), while just making ourselves available, open, and receptive may be the greater lesson?

Last week our clothes washer broke down and the cost of repair may have been equal or greater than buying a new machine.  It took us about a week to figure out what we could afford, which washer was the best in our price-range, and who carried it for the best price.  Our family can sure pile up loads of laundry in just a few days!  (By the way, this made me completely aware of how much more of a star my wife is and the amount of unseen laundry she does behind my back!  Also this shines the light on how little laundry I do – which is zero!  I digress…)  Several neighbors heard of our plight and opened their homes and laundry facilities.  One neighbor even folded our clothes!  Also, my wife and kids spent an afternoon hanging out at the laundry mat while they literally did TEN loads of laundry.  The only up side if this is that one can do all ten loads at once.

While my parents were up for the holiday weekend, my dad helped me figure out the coming installation of the new washer and, without complaint, helped me lug the old washer down the tight stairway – that was brutally heavy and awkward.  After my wife picked up our new appliance, another unassuming neighbor was in the wrong place at the wrong time (for him)…. standing in front of my house when my wife pulled up.  “So Jay… how’d you like to help me out and lend some muscle? ”  Going up was definitely easier than coming down, but, nonetheless, my neighbor was my hero in that moment!

My best laid plans and efforts continue to pale in comparison to the plans and schemes God has for me and my family.  We sit back and are grateful.  God is in the planning, the struggle, and the generous gifts.  We love because He first loved us.  We continue to see that love shine through a multifaceted lens.

Resurrection Relection

Wow, it’s been a while since my last post.  An old friend just asked me what we were doing as a family and I referred her to our blog… then I looked at it and realized I had not posted since lent – yikes!  I guess I felt so alive since Easter that I relinquished the need to post

I was also having coffee with an old friend this morning who asked the same question… How’s your family practice going? (or something like that).  I described our lent rhythm, Holy Week and Easter gathering, which turned out to be one of the most memorable, endearing and powerful lents/Easters I’ve ever experienced.  We engaged in some great and challenging experiments during lent.  We experienced such closeness with those with whom we journey, especially during the last week, where we meet each night from Thursday to Sunday.  We capped it off with an early Easter breakfast together Sunday morning.  There was such joy, newness, and life in the air.  It felt like a true, new beginning!

Lent – Day 37: Joy

JOY

READ: Luke 10:17-21

CONSIDER: What brings you joy?  What do you really need to be happy?  What stops you from remembering that?

PRAY: That God would realign your ideas of what it means to be “happy” and filled with you – and that you would be both of those.

[These excerpts are from an outline handout, which we do not have the source for - The cover reads, "The Evergreen Community - Lent Prayer Guide"]

Lent – Day 35: Apathy

APATHY

READ: Matthew 21:28-32

CONSIDER: Have you ever told God you would do something, felt Him stirring you to care and act about a certain situation and they fail to follow through?  Why?  What keeps you from putting your values into more consistent action?

PRAY: That God would again stir your heart for others – that He would show you where and how you make a difference.

[These excerpts are from an outline handout, which we do not have the source for - The cover reads, "The Evergreen Community - Lent Prayer Guide"]

Lent – Day 29: Results

RESULTS

READ: Matthew 12:33-37

CONSIDER: What kind of  “fruit” has been coming out of your life recently? What are you rooted in?  What are you feeding yourself? Does the one have anything to do with the other?

PRAY: That God would help you do what leads to good results in your life.

[These excerpts are from an outline handout, which we do not have the source for - The cover reads, "The Evergreen Community - Lent Prayer Guide"]

Lent – Day 27: Criticism

READ: Mark 3:1-6

CONSIDER: Do you think you tend more towards criticism or encouragement?  Which is easier for you to engage in?  Which do you desire more or in your life?  What do you think your criticism might be saying about you?

PRAY: That God would help you control your tongue and that your words would build others up, not tear them down.

[These excerpts are from an outline handout, which we do not have the source for - The cover reads, "The Evergreen Community - Lent Prayer Guide"]