practical sabbath keeping

So, this happened.

2 weeks ago. Which feels like 2 years ago, and at the same time 2 second ago. Apparently, he broke the space-time continuum (which may explain his sleeping habits).

To answer some FAQs::

1) I’m sleeping fine, though Rachel isn’t

2) We are treasuring almost every moment, but it’s hard work, too, you know?

3) I cannot carry a tune in the ocean (if I could even lift the ocean–which I can’t in case you wondered) but the boy seems to like my dulcid tones.  Who knew?

4) As cute as you think he is, Rachel and i think he’s waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cuter.

Given his arrival, I am re-thinking the blog thing a bit, particularly how many times this thing will update. I’ve decided to only do two posts a week so that a) I have time for other things (like learning new lullabyes, because while I love David Lamotte, and the boy seems too as well, I need a new tune, pronto!) and b) I think extra time in between posts will help promote a bit more time to reflect and interact on particular posts, questions, topics than 3 a week.  I’ll talk more about this and my reasoning Friday.

For now, though simply gaze at the wonder of my  baby boy.  Born like so many other bay boys and girls, one of Gods very own, that we are lucky/blessed/crazy enough to be stewards of.

Shalom,

Ben

This is the first in what will become a regular “feature” f the blog…quote of the week.  I’ll give a quote (maybe with some context) and then leave it for your reflection.

This first one is a bit long as it is cribbed from an earlier blog attempt.  but I love the quote so much I thought I’d share again.  Enjoy!

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One of my favorite thinkers, pastors, writers of all time was St. Augustine, featured in the folowing pic:

Sure, he was somewhat heavy with the guilt and a bit long winded–but he was a man WAY ahead of his time.  (Which is saying something for a guy who died right around the time the Roman Empire fell.)

He just has so many great quotes about life, love, and our relationship to God. To wit:

“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are..”

“Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.”

“Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee.”

My favorite though is this one:

“Love, and do what you will.”

When I first heard it I was flummoxed. Flabbergasted.  And maybe other “f” words as well.  What did that even mean?  It seemed like a justification for doing whatever we want, because, hey, you say you love,  and heck, maybe even what you love is God, so, yeah,  that lets you do whatever you want!

The friend who shared the quote with me, smiled when I expressed this concern.

“Ben–, look at it the other way.  If we love  in the way God desires us to love, what we will…”

“Is to live how God wants us to live,” I said filling in the blank.  ”Oh,” I added, profoundly.

The idea has stuck with me and strikes me as a pretty good summation of what sabbath keeping may be  about as well–loving God and others in such a way that everything we do–consciously and unconsciously– is about dwelling in God’s presence

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Share any thoughts or even your favorite quotes below!

The last three years, our Youth at FPC, Concord, have gotten together with youth from Quail Hollow Presbyterian and other youth groups in the Charlotte area to wacth movies. but not just ANY movies.  Movies we made ourselves.

The films have been based on biblical stories–Judges, the parables, stuff like that.  they have been dramatic in scope, big with special effects and humor, and yet also profound displays of creativity, nunaced views of who god is and how God works, and just plain old-fashioned fun.

The bets part for me is that my role has usually been to 1) generate the kernel of an idea 2) gather smart, talented adults and youth to tell them the idea and 3) get the heck out of the way and 4) marvel at the results. Done, done, done, and done.

The latest video tells a simple story–a family, a fight, a realization, and a reconciliation.  Pretty normal stuff, and in all honesty, what pretty much the whole bible is about I think.  You’ll notice (I hope) themes of creation, disobedience and sin, redemption, and forgiveness.  Enjoy!

Daily Bible

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A Prayer for Young People…

Amidst…

Care free days

Piles of homework…

The warm feeling of friendship…

The cold haunting of betrayal…

Inviting presence of family and home…

Pressures to perform and live up to expectations…

Self-confidence  in the face of bullying…

Fear that what “they” say about you is true…

Your standing up for what you believe…

Your standing aside as someone else is hurt…

Your voice proclaiming love and acceptance…

Your cries of “stupid!” and other insults…

Exploring every possibility the future might hold…

Wondering where the heck you are going to end up…

Always know…

You are a Child of God…

You are loved by God…

You are forgiven by God…

You are made new by God…

And so you can …

Meet the challenges…

Withstand temptation…

Connect with others…

Be the change you wish to see…

Let go of your past regret…

Grab hold of the present…

Live with hope…

And be at peace.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

(Note: This was written one week ago, on  January 23, 2012)

It’s raining this morning.

Tornadoes are once again on the horizon in the southeast, including in my home state of Alabama, which was rocked not even a year ago by massive storms of wind and lighting.

There is a leak in our shower and every time Rachel gets up and moves I wonder if her water is going to break.

And I find myself thinking, amidst all those images of water, “baptism.”

Honestly, it started Sunday–when the other Associate Pastor mentioned she would be teaching some of the children about baptism.  I did not think much of it then, but it was like the word, and the images and thought it carries, burrowed itself under my sub-conscious.  And this morning, in the shower of all places, it came pouring out.

I thought of the red steps at the church where I grew up, where I first saw so many baptisms and where I, much to y brother’s aggravation, I answered the questions meant for the parents. (Yes, Jesus is my Lord and savior.  Yes, I will raise that child in the faith.)

I thought of the silver basin in the marble font at First pres. Concord–and how that water is always so warm and so clear.

I even began thinking about the baptism of my own son which I guess will happen 2-3 months in the future.  Visions of the “Lion King’s” opening scene swirling in my head.

Conventional baptisms those.  There’s also the baptism of tears–when sorrow or joy or both in equal measure wash over and something inside you changes deeply. There’s a baptism of no water, of dry mouth and trembling hands, and a dawning recognition that a fresh start is needed. There is, of course, the baptism of fire, the moment when you get thrown in the deep end and discover within a presence guiding and directing you and that was there all along, you just hadn’t ever noticed before.

Baptism, the Presbyterian tradition affirms is an outward sign of an inward reality–a seal of God’s presence with us no matter what, a sign that we belong to God before we could even ask for such acceptance, that we, like the water, are directed by God to fill, whirl, splash, and nurture.

As storms brew, and rain falls, as things leak and anxiety ratchets up, I find that to be helpful.

(Yes, Jesus is My Lord and Savior.  Yes, I will raise that child in the faith.)

P.S. the tile of this post is taken from the tile of a song by David Lamotte.  It’s a good song/poem and he is a wonderful artist you should check out if you have not already.  That is all.

I think this is the 3rd (or maybe it’s the 4th? 7th? 23rd?) time I have tried starting a blog.

Every attempt has begun the same way–with a good bit of excitement, but a sort of hazy idea about what the overall purpose of this little corner of the internets would be.  Thus, each attempt has really been more whimper than bang

And yet…here we are again.  Why?

There are a number of reasons, really, and pretty much the majority of them are meaningful only to me.  The ones that may have relvance beyond my own brain though are:

1) I feel like I have finally struck upon a pretty good purpose–it fits me, my style of writing, and my schedule (as ti stands right now).   Basically I want this site to be  place where through words, pictures, videos, and other creative efforts good conversations can be had, reflective thoughts shared, and the presence of God in our lives enjoyed.  Enjoyment of God–that’s the only agenda.  In my mind this is what sabbath keeping is about–and the reason for this blog’s name.

2) God seems to be into second chances–and 3rd, and 4th and 7th, and 23rd chances.  So, this space is a way of expressing some thanks for that and making the most of the opportunity.

So two reasons for starting and now, two hopes for the ball to continue to (as they say) roll:

I pray, first, that in the days and weeks ahead what will be expressed here will offer, amid the clutter of life, a deep breath, that allows us all to know we are God’s child, precious in God’s sight.

And second, I pray for you to lend your voice and ideas, and creativity as well.  The way this space is going to work best i believe is if I am talking to more people than just myself.  In a very real way, I am trying to think of this not as “my” blog but the blog of all who might read and interact within this space.

I plan to update this space three times  a week (M, W, F).  Some posts will be short, some will be long(er or ish).  Some will include questions, some advice, some  statements.  Some will be pictures, or videos, or art, or words, or word.  Just depends what the Spirit’s inspiration is that day.

When you leave  a comment feel free to offer any or all of the above, but do so in a  way that respects and values others.

With that out of the way…let’s get this thing started…