[This is part 2 of a message I gave at the Creekside Women’s Retreat. Here’s part 1. Please also read my disclaimer in part 1!]
God didn’t intend for us to be “busy” in the way that most of us are busy - which is really just a socially acceptable word for “over-committed”. (You might even call it a four-letter-word?) :)
God instituted for us a day of rest, called “sabbath”. Established at creation, God set the example for us. He did His work in six days, and rested on day seven.
Why did God rest? Does He get tired? No. Does He get weary? No. Does He get burned out? No.
Genesis 2:1-2 tells us:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”
God rested because He was finished. And if you look back through the account of creation, you’ll notice that every time He created something, He said “That’s good!” And after He finished His work of creation, He said “That’s very good!”
God found utter satisfaction in the work He had accomplished.
Work isn’t what makes us weary. There was work in the garden of Eden: plants to tend, animals to name. No, work isn’t what makes us weary. So if work isn’t what makes us weary, what does?
Let me identify it as what I’ve heard called “inner machinery”. This inner machinery is a need to prove ourselves; it’s the emotional and psychological work we do inside of telling ourselves that we must measure up, we must prove to ourselves that we matter, that we’re not just wasted space. That inner machinery is like a car going 60 miles an hour. It doesn’t stop immediately, and it takes practice to make it stop effectively. And that machinery, that keeps on running, is what makes us weary.
More tomorrow...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
About Sabbath (Sabbath, Part 1)
[Disclaimer: While I cling pretty hard to the idea that there is “nothing new under the sun”, my inner English teacher is ever nervous about committing plagiarism. The ideas I present here are nothing new, and not my own, but principles I have learned from minds more brilliant than mine. I am still learning, I do not pretend to have it all together nor to know all there is to know. My hope is that you will read this for what it is - an amalgamation of things I’ve learned, and that you will understand my deep gratitude to those who have walked this path before me and now turn back to teach and lead others.]
Today I was honored to share about a theme God has been teaching me over several challenging years: sabbath. It hasn’t been easy to learn, and I feel that the learning curve has been ever so steep!
I shared my thoughts on sabbath at the first Creekside Women’s Retreat, and before it was time for me to speak, I noticed that every song we sang, every person who shared their own testimony throughout the morning all said something that lined up exactly with what was on my heart to share. I love when God does that. I sat in the front row, raring to go because I was so excited, and at the same time, compressing the feelings because I thought I might cry. God is just that amazing.
But God also has a sense of humor that I think we forget to give Him credit for. And just as He was in my learning, my writing, and my teaching, He was in my preparation. And so, God - yes, I’m pointing my finger at Him - made off with the last page of my notes. That is, of course, the only page that had specific, numbered bullet points, which I was then required to recall from memory (and of which I didn’t do such a good job).
But my prayer from the very beginning was that God could cut through my lack of eloquence and instead bring forth truth that would be useful to others. So I confessed to the ladies, as I was halfway through page 5, that page 6 was suddenly noticed missing. They were a very gracious bunch, and I promptly decided that God could still speak if He chose to do so, with or without my notes.
So, all that to say that I knew my material would make for a decent set of blog posts, and I promised the ladies that I would post the missing parts later... I’m going to attempt to post the written version of what I said, for those of you that weren’t present, so this is basically the full-meal-deal (if you could call it that!) So, let’s roll, shall we?
I’ve been the Kids Pastor at Creekside for 4 1/2 years. I love what I do - there’s incredible value in pointing kids to a God that loves them more than I ever could, and leading the team of adults and young adults that help them know this God.
This position has existed in many different seasons, and while I won’t go into history now, I’ve reflected and noticed that one theme in my life remains: I’m busy.
Are you busy, too? I know you are, because you’ve told me. Before the retreat started this morning, I had 8 conversations with people who all said - in various forms - that they’re busy. You tell me you’re busy, both in words and actions, and I believe you because more than ever before, we are simply a busy society.
Everyone is busy. Culture says that busyness is equal to meaning. If you’re not busy, you’re not accomplishing, achieving, and certainly not succeeding. Whereas one used to be defined by a social role - mother, father, daughter, son, husband, wife - we are now defined by what we achieve, or worse, what our kids achieve. (And that is another topic for another day!)
We are so busy that even our days off are filled with chores and to-do items. Maybe you rolled your eyes when I said “days off” because you haven’t had one of those since your oldest was born 8 years ago?
But is all this busyness really the best way? Is this God’s intention for our lives?
More tomorrow...
Today I was honored to share about a theme God has been teaching me over several challenging years: sabbath. It hasn’t been easy to learn, and I feel that the learning curve has been ever so steep!
I shared my thoughts on sabbath at the first Creekside Women’s Retreat, and before it was time for me to speak, I noticed that every song we sang, every person who shared their own testimony throughout the morning all said something that lined up exactly with what was on my heart to share. I love when God does that. I sat in the front row, raring to go because I was so excited, and at the same time, compressing the feelings because I thought I might cry. God is just that amazing.
But God also has a sense of humor that I think we forget to give Him credit for. And just as He was in my learning, my writing, and my teaching, He was in my preparation. And so, God - yes, I’m pointing my finger at Him - made off with the last page of my notes. That is, of course, the only page that had specific, numbered bullet points, which I was then required to recall from memory (and of which I didn’t do such a good job).
But my prayer from the very beginning was that God could cut through my lack of eloquence and instead bring forth truth that would be useful to others. So I confessed to the ladies, as I was halfway through page 5, that page 6 was suddenly noticed missing. They were a very gracious bunch, and I promptly decided that God could still speak if He chose to do so, with or without my notes.
So, all that to say that I knew my material would make for a decent set of blog posts, and I promised the ladies that I would post the missing parts later... I’m going to attempt to post the written version of what I said, for those of you that weren’t present, so this is basically the full-meal-deal (if you could call it that!) So, let’s roll, shall we?
I’ve been the Kids Pastor at Creekside for 4 1/2 years. I love what I do - there’s incredible value in pointing kids to a God that loves them more than I ever could, and leading the team of adults and young adults that help them know this God.
This position has existed in many different seasons, and while I won’t go into history now, I’ve reflected and noticed that one theme in my life remains: I’m busy.
Are you busy, too? I know you are, because you’ve told me. Before the retreat started this morning, I had 8 conversations with people who all said - in various forms - that they’re busy. You tell me you’re busy, both in words and actions, and I believe you because more than ever before, we are simply a busy society.
Everyone is busy. Culture says that busyness is equal to meaning. If you’re not busy, you’re not accomplishing, achieving, and certainly not succeeding. Whereas one used to be defined by a social role - mother, father, daughter, son, husband, wife - we are now defined by what we achieve, or worse, what our kids achieve. (And that is another topic for another day!)
We are so busy that even our days off are filled with chores and to-do items. Maybe you rolled your eyes when I said “days off” because you haven’t had one of those since your oldest was born 8 years ago?
But is all this busyness really the best way? Is this God’s intention for our lives?
More tomorrow...
Friday, May 13, 2011
on sabbath
a common theme in my life: learning how to rest.
i joke about being "high strung and tightly wound". i'm not sure those are completely accurate, but as my own worst critic, and with a tendency to overreact, i don't hesitate to apply some hyperbole in my self-description.
but hand-in-hand with these characteristics, i've struggled to learn how to rest - i mean, really rest.
it's not enough to get extra sleep. sleep solves physical tiredness. but when you push yourself hard, always trying to prove yourself, trying to cross off items on your mile-long to-do list, you reach a different kind of tiredness. it's called weariness. it's a lack of real rest - the kind of rest that restores.
God has led me on a journey over the past few years in learning to rest. tomorrow, i have the great privilege to share what i have learned at Creekside's women's retreat. i'm praying that my journey will be useful, and that what i've learned can, perhaps, shorten the learning curve for others. i'll post more tomorrow.
i joke about being "high strung and tightly wound". i'm not sure those are completely accurate, but as my own worst critic, and with a tendency to overreact, i don't hesitate to apply some hyperbole in my self-description.
but hand-in-hand with these characteristics, i've struggled to learn how to rest - i mean, really rest.
it's not enough to get extra sleep. sleep solves physical tiredness. but when you push yourself hard, always trying to prove yourself, trying to cross off items on your mile-long to-do list, you reach a different kind of tiredness. it's called weariness. it's a lack of real rest - the kind of rest that restores.
God has led me on a journey over the past few years in learning to rest. tomorrow, i have the great privilege to share what i have learned at Creekside's women's retreat. i'm praying that my journey will be useful, and that what i've learned can, perhaps, shorten the learning curve for others. i'll post more tomorrow.
what i read: experiencing God, by henry blackaby
i set a lofty goal for myself this month - there were 5 books i needed to read, not including two fiction books i've also been working through. this week, i finished up blackaby's "Experiencing God", which was the second book i've crossed off my may reading list.
what i loved: as much as i love hearing the philosophy behind a principle or ideology, sometimes i just need to be told how to do it. blackaby has nicely paired theology with practicality, including several reflection questions throughout each chapter, as well as several exercises one can do to help them draw nearer to God. blackaby's theology is spot on, and he clearly speaks from a lifetime of devoted service and personal relationship with God.
what i didn't love: each chapter could have been more succinct. some of the illustrations were powerful, others seemed redundant.
overall: i'd highly recommend this book. i borrowed it this time around, but have since ordered a copy for my library. i know i'll go back to it, especially for those spiritual exercises.
what i loved: as much as i love hearing the philosophy behind a principle or ideology, sometimes i just need to be told how to do it. blackaby has nicely paired theology with practicality, including several reflection questions throughout each chapter, as well as several exercises one can do to help them draw nearer to God. blackaby's theology is spot on, and he clearly speaks from a lifetime of devoted service and personal relationship with God.
what i didn't love: each chapter could have been more succinct. some of the illustrations were powerful, others seemed redundant.
overall: i'd highly recommend this book. i borrowed it this time around, but have since ordered a copy for my library. i know i'll go back to it, especially for those spiritual exercises.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
in one week...
i'll be posting (hopefully) from santa ana, california, participating in a "leadership journey" which includes 3 days of learning in both training and observing a handful of churches with groundbreaking ministry and leadership models. and bonus, i'm going to disneyland!
Monday, May 09, 2011
what i read: leading on empty by wayne cordeiro
first book completed on my ambitious may reading list (7ish books!) - "leading on empty" by wayne cordeiro. this was an excellent and easy read. (there's alot to be said for well-spaced pages - you cruise through the book and feel like you're making incredible progress.)
while written for leaders who have burnt out or are going down in flames, it was a useful read for me. i'm a fairly extreme personality - high highs and low lows - so when i'm under-rested, depending too much on my own strength, or trying to hard to live up to other people's standards, i tend to become very unreasonable.
it's probably good that i read this now - while i'm in something of a "high high". i was able to apply a few things to my routine immediately, which will help prevent me from hitting those low lows.
what i liked: cordeiro is vulnerable. he tells his story with an honesty that reminded me that i'm not alone. he also included a few chapters on his own personal spiritual care routine, which keeps him grounded - this was helpful to me, as i've been considering establishing an intention routine.
what i disliked: n/a - also, i finished it a few days ago, so i'm not sure i can recall any complaints. :)
while written for leaders who have burnt out or are going down in flames, it was a useful read for me. i'm a fairly extreme personality - high highs and low lows - so when i'm under-rested, depending too much on my own strength, or trying to hard to live up to other people's standards, i tend to become very unreasonable.
it's probably good that i read this now - while i'm in something of a "high high". i was able to apply a few things to my routine immediately, which will help prevent me from hitting those low lows.
what i liked: cordeiro is vulnerable. he tells his story with an honesty that reminded me that i'm not alone. he also included a few chapters on his own personal spiritual care routine, which keeps him grounded - this was helpful to me, as i've been considering establishing an intention routine.
what i disliked: n/a - also, i finished it a few days ago, so i'm not sure i can recall any complaints. :)
Saturday, May 07, 2011
waiting to be a mother...
the question i get the most when meeting new people, especially at our church, is "do you have kids?" and those that already realize that we don't have kids will ask instead "are you planning to have kids?"
we're becoming increasingly comfortable talking about this, so today i'm sharing out loud. we've been trying to have a baby for about four years, and are considered medically infertile. (the why is another topic for another day)
mother's day bears for me a slight sting, but i work hard to avoid the "woe is me" attitude. my God is a big God, and He is journeying with us down this path for a very good reason. i just don't know what that is yet. (inside information that suggests it's for character development.)
i don't want to be pitied. i want to be encouraged. i definitely don't want advice - trust me, we're past the advice stage. you don't have any advice that our doctors haven't already pointed out as being not-applicable to us. (sorry, but it's true!) but i do crave your prayers - mostly for God's guidance in the direction of our family.
so there it is. mother's day is an annual reminder that i am in waiting, and i'm at peace with that. it gives me more time to just appreciate the wonderful mothers i know, including my own.
we're becoming increasingly comfortable talking about this, so today i'm sharing out loud. we've been trying to have a baby for about four years, and are considered medically infertile. (the why is another topic for another day)
mother's day bears for me a slight sting, but i work hard to avoid the "woe is me" attitude. my God is a big God, and He is journeying with us down this path for a very good reason. i just don't know what that is yet. (inside information that suggests it's for character development.)
i don't want to be pitied. i want to be encouraged. i definitely don't want advice - trust me, we're past the advice stage. you don't have any advice that our doctors haven't already pointed out as being not-applicable to us. (sorry, but it's true!) but i do crave your prayers - mostly for God's guidance in the direction of our family.
so there it is. mother's day is an annual reminder that i am in waiting, and i'm at peace with that. it gives me more time to just appreciate the wonderful mothers i know, including my own.
Monday, May 02, 2011
on the death of osama bin laden
many are celebrating today after the news last night from our president that osama bin laden has been killed. while i understand their relief, that his deceptive ways and murderous plots have died with him, i am confused by their celebration.
it has taken me some contemplation to find the words, so be patient with me while i try to explain. whenever i'm unsure as to how i feel about any given issue, i go back to scripture - i start with "what i know"...
so now that i've gone back to "what i know", "how i feel" is this: the Gospel is that Jesus, the perfect Son of God, died to save us from the death penalty for our sins, and not just mine and yours, but everyone's: hitler, hussein, bin laden. so, without knowing what occurred in bin laden's last few hours, what went through his mind and his heart in those last few moments, i can't say for sure where he'll end up... but unless he genuinely sought forgiveness from Jesus, then it's true that he will spend an eternity in hell. some would argue that he deserves it, because they see him as a "bad person" in comparison to themselves, the "good people" that they are. but that is not God's standard. God's standard is "that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
some might say he did it to himself. this would be true. it is only by our own rejection of the Gospel that we spend eternity in hell. but would Jesus be so flippant? i don't think so. Jesus is the epitome of compassionate - it's the only way that he could have died for our sins when he, himself had done nothing wrong.
and so today, i am saddened for bin laden. and instead of focusing on his death, i am choosing to pray for the safety of our troops in the middle east, praying that there will not be a successor to follow bin laden, but instead that his organization will disband. please pray with me.
it has taken me some contemplation to find the words, so be patient with me while i try to explain. whenever i'm unsure as to how i feel about any given issue, i go back to scripture - i start with "what i know"...
- Romans 5:8 says: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
so now that i've gone back to "what i know", "how i feel" is this: the Gospel is that Jesus, the perfect Son of God, died to save us from the death penalty for our sins, and not just mine and yours, but everyone's: hitler, hussein, bin laden. so, without knowing what occurred in bin laden's last few hours, what went through his mind and his heart in those last few moments, i can't say for sure where he'll end up... but unless he genuinely sought forgiveness from Jesus, then it's true that he will spend an eternity in hell. some would argue that he deserves it, because they see him as a "bad person" in comparison to themselves, the "good people" that they are. but that is not God's standard. God's standard is "that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
some might say he did it to himself. this would be true. it is only by our own rejection of the Gospel that we spend eternity in hell. but would Jesus be so flippant? i don't think so. Jesus is the epitome of compassionate - it's the only way that he could have died for our sins when he, himself had done nothing wrong.
and so today, i am saddened for bin laden. and instead of focusing on his death, i am choosing to pray for the safety of our troops in the middle east, praying that there will not be a successor to follow bin laden, but instead that his organization will disband. please pray with me.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
March AND April in review
behind, as always.
march, in review:
april, in review:
march, in review:
- adopted a dog! he's SUCH a doll. also kinda crazy. we've actually decided the right term for him is "enthusiastic".
- photographed the classical concert for Choir of the Sound
- started dog training because he's a maniac.
- made some serious progress on the quarterly goals i set in january at creekside.
- decided to start memorizing scripture along with our breakfast club kids to earn points for the big summer "b.c. bash". loving this challenge!
- reading: diana gabaldon's "voyager", blackaby's "experiencing God", maxwell's "developing leaders around you", "spiritual leadership" by oswald sanders, and "leading at the highest level" by ken blanchard. (a few of those have been in progress for a few months)
april, in review:
- it's official! i finished my last class! the 3 year program that has taken me 10 years to complete is done.
- my application for ordination is complete, and will be in the mail soon (followed by a big exam this Summer and an interview this fall).
- went to my favorite ministry conference a few weeks ago, getting to meet a leader in the kidmin field who has impacted my ministry the most. love coming away with new ideas and feeling recharged.
- repo'd a pool table - bet you'd never guess "repo agent" was part of my job description. (neither did i.)
- went rollerskating for an all-church skate night. bad idea. the last time i rollerskated, i was 5. i'm pretty sure i was awesome at it then. i'm not now. one lap around the rink, i'd fallen twice and i was done!
- had our first Good Friday service at church - such a beautiful remembrance.
- celebrated our 3rd Easter at the new campus, with a record attendance of nearly 600. such an exciting day!
- finishing up dog training (or "doggy brainwashing" as we've called it). wish i thought it was helping. selective obedience only, dontchya know.
- finally got rid of all the (s)crap we've had leftover from tearing down the patio "awning" and taking out the "fireplace" and chimney. two ambitious dump runs made possible by a good friend with some spare time on his hands.
- matt is patching up the hole in the wall from the fireplace, now that we've decided we don't need to install a new one.
- heading tonight to jet city improv to celebrate a friend's birthday.
- reading: gabaldon's "drums of autumn", "leading on empty" by wayne cordiero, blackaby's "experiencing God" and "spiritual leadership" by oswald sanders (yes, still)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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