sabbath is comin'

“Sabbath is the holy time where we feast, play, dance, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk and watch creation in its fullness. Few people are willing to enter the Sabbath and sanctify it, to make it holy, because a full day of delight and joy is more than most people can bear in a lifetime, let alone a week.”

Dan Allendar


What do you think of when you think of keeping the Sabbath? Sitting around all day praying? Have you ever thought of it as a time to feast, play, dance, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk and watch creation in its fullness? What about napping, going to an art museum or concert, making love, holding a baby or playing with your dog? What brings smile to your face? What makes your heart skip a beat? When do you feel most alive?


Think on these questions and enjoy planning your Sabbath day.


Grace and peace,
Deb

push

Have you ever sensed that God has given you a vision of what He might have in store for you? You can see bits and pieces but not the whole. You wonder what it is that you are to be doing…what is your part in making the vision come to be.
I am in such a place in my life. I sense there is something coming but I can’t quite see the whole. I’ve been asking questions like, “God….what do you want me to do?”, or “What is the next step?” I’ve stressed over making the ‘right’ decisions or trying to make the pieces fit together.
The other day while I was journaling about this, I remembered the story of Sarah and Abraham. God had promised them a child (she, at least, knew what she was waiting for). But, she couldn’t see HOW it would come about. She was too old to conceive. They had been waiting for a very long time and she had no idea when it would happen. As she tried to put her pieces together, she came up with the plan which was to have Hagar sleep with Abraham in order to have a child. Maybe that’s what God had in mind! Sarah pushed into the vision, the promise and found a way, her way to make it happen. What a hot mess that turned out to be.
I have been trying to discern what God is leading me towards. I have some clues but nothing definitive. I think, in some ways, I am like Sarah. I am trying to figure out how God will do what seems out of reach for me. I work on all the angles and then realize I am looking for my Hagar. I am trying to make it happen.
I don’t want to do this. I want to trust what God has laid on my heart and then wait and watch to see how He will bring it about. It doesn’t mean that I won’t move when He says move but it does mean that I will wait for Him to set the pace. No pushing, no straining to figure things out. If it is what He wants, then I know I will see it when He brings it into focus.
What dreams or visions has He given to you? What is it like in the waiting? Are you pushing….or observing? Consider spending some time with God today paying attention to what He might be showing you and how you might be responding to it.

Grace and peace,
Deb

beauty

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
Elizabeth Kubler Ross

I love this quote. Isn't it true? How many of us find it easy to shine when all is going well? But, when the tough times of life close in and it feels dark all around, do we still shine...or does the light go out? I think that depends on what your source of light is.

Consider some times in the recent past when life has been tough. Do you think others have been able to see The Light shining in and through you?

Grace and peace,
Deb

fresh start

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose for this thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down."
Mary Pickford

Do you ever feel like not trying anymore? You try and try and try and feel as if it will never work. Just put your 'thing' in the blank. "I am so sick of always _______________ and having it always______________________." Or - "I've done _______________so many times and nothing changes."

The easier thing would be to stop trying. But, that is 'staying down'and that is not what God has for us.

I love the reminder that we can have a fresh start at any moment....if we choose it.

Grace and peace,
Deb

sacred

"She is turning her life into something sacred;
each breath a new birth,
each moment a new chance.
She bows her head,
gathers her dreams
from a pure, deep stream
and stretches her arms toward the sky."

unknown

Are you allowing God to turn your life into something sacred, with all of its difficulties, its failures, its joy and its beauty? I just spent this past weekend with 25 courageous women who were willing to go deep with each other about sensitive issues. They were able to begin to unpack some things in their lives that are painful. What may be hard for them to recognize right now is that they are well on their way to turning their lives into something sacred, seeing how God can take some of most difficult things they have been through and redeem it.

What do you need to offer up to God? What pain? What unrealized dreams? What frustrations? What unforgiveness? These things are the fertile soil from which God brings beautiful things. May you allow yourself to be real in front of God and watch Him turn your life into something sacred.

Grace and peace,
Deb

sabbath

no post today ~ enjoy your sabbath

your 'idea' of God