Finding Eden

God spoke through me this past weekend.

I've been listening to a Podcast (The Bible Project, if you're interested) in which the hosts have been speaking about the Sabbath, the number 7 as reflective of the Sabbath day, and the repetition of both in the Bible. The first time the Kingdom of God was recognized was within the Garden of Eden. During this time of bliss, we were in complete harmony with each other, with nature, and ultimately with God. It was there where work never exhausted our souls, and we never depended on our blood, sweat, and tears to ensure our survival. We depended only on God and never doubted that we had enough.

The Sabbath, a day of rest, existed even then, but it appeared to be more of a reminder of God's providence than a necessity. In a way, every day was Sabbath. The 7th day is a microcosm of the Kingdom of God, and now that we no longer live in the Garden of Eden, we need that reminder of God's promises more than ever. Plus, we need the rest.

Over and over, God reminds us to rest. There first was the weekly Sabbath, then as festivals and holy days were added to the Hebrew calendar, there were yearly Sabbaths, and Sabbaths which came every 7 years (all slaves were freed and debts forgiven as the ideal God wanted every day). Every time the number 7 comes up in the Bible (and I dare say elsewhere in our lives), God is reminding us of this:

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Hebrews 4:9-10

I can't put here all the times God told us to rest. We've been out of Eden so long we don't even realize how hard we toil, but God does, and He wants you to stop, be still, rest. However, we no longer live in Eden; we no longer live in the Kingdom of God... or do we? Where is the Kingdom of God? People throughout history have searched for the elusive Eden that used to be between the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates. If we found that place, would we find the Kingdom of God? Or maybe it's in the land of Israel, the promised land the Hebrews wondered the desert for forty years to find?

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:36-37

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

I need for you to understand this thing God has revealed to me. Eden is not here or there. Eden is wherever God is. Is it not with Him that we are provided for, in Him we rest with peace and joy, for Him that we raise one another up in love? The Kingdom of God is here, amongst us, and those who have faith and live in love live also in the Kingdom of God already. We have enough, and we are enough through God.

As you reflect on the Christmas season that's upon us, notice the "Christmas Spirit," as people call it. We should be living it daily. Can you imagine the dark corners of this world that would be illuminated with the light and joy we could spread? When Jesus walked on this Earth, He lived as a person already in the Kingdom of God. One day, there will be a new Heaven and Earth, and the whole of humanity will live without the storms and darkness we have now. Until then, live as if you already are in the New Heaven and Earth because the Kingdom of God resides wherever the King does, and that's here and now.

It is by Him, not our own toils, that we live and die. So, rest.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

God bless!





Sources other than the Bible:

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/513212/jewish/When-Is-the-Next-Jubilee-Year.htm

God on Warfare

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:8

As the author of Ecclesiastes says, there are times when love is appropriate and times when hate is appropriate. Cue the sound of screeching tires as we slam on brakes. What? I thought that love was always the answer. Then, he says there's a time for war and a time for peace. Why would a God of love ever want war and death?

That's what we'll be taking a moment to think about today. As always, let's go to His love letter (not hate and war letter, right) and seek a discussion with the Most High on this topic.

“You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms; -Jeremiah 51:20

Oh, well, ok Jeremiah, calm down.

And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; - Isaiah 19:2

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ - Deuteronomy 20:1-4

The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. - Exodus 15:3

What in tarnation? Oh, I guess I can't tell God to calm down.

There are many examples, especially in the Old Testament, where God called out Israelites to destroy entire cities and nations. We can agree that God hasn't called us believers to do such a thing in a long, long time. Ok, so maybe we can't all agree on that. There have been wars that Americans consider righteous (I assume other countries are similar in this regard). Let's say for example, World War II... at least we consider it righteous now. We were hesitant to enter the frontlines and joined late; many were heated over the fact we ever joined. The battles in Europe felt like a movie to so many in the mainland of U.S.A., divided by seas and lack of instant communications. Now, we can look back and say we're happy to have overthrown such an obviously evil overlord and the hell he inflicted.

Maybe we were supported by God for this decision, maybe we weren't. It was difficult to say in the moment, and it's not clear now because God can turn any bad thing into a good thing at His will.

Most of what God or His people say on the subject of war is that of condemnation and a message that He is working toward a world of peace forever more.

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. - Isaiah 25:8

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:18

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” -Romans 12:19

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? - Matthew 26:52-53

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. - Matthew 5:9

Wait, what about this?

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. - Luke 12:51

When drug addicts and alcoholics decide to change their lives and let go of drugs or alcohol, they usually go through a period of great division. They have to separate themselves from friends, sometimes family, many times their homes, in order to be successful in disengaging in the behaviors that those loved ones still encourage and perhaps in which still are enmeshed.

After Jesus there was a division. Friends and family were at odds because of this new radical Jewish movement that eventually separated into Christianity. At that point, there was a time for hate and war. That doesn't mean God wanted it. However, in a time of growth, there are growing pains because, in this case, many people fought change.

I believe, from what I've read, that God never wants war or hate or anything bad. Like a father, He would have us be at peace and joyful, but we've fought Him on that since the beginning when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Due to that, now there is sometimes a time for tears and bloodshed. Why? Because we chose to create a world where there are valleys of darkness to walk through in order to get to the mountaintop.

So, why would God ever order warfare and lead an army toward murder of others?

We chose to bring evil into the world, and because of that, we must fight against the spiritual powers of darkness. We can't win the fight alone. We have to push them back to where they came from so we can claim victory in a new reality without them. If we ever actually declare war, I believe God would want us to be darn certain He is asking for it. As His commandments clearly state to not murder, we MUST know first when He is making an exception.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. - James 4:1-2

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:11-12

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. - Revelation 12:7-11

As for some details concerning war, God shows us, if it is to be carried out, how it should be done. See Deuteronomy 20 for Rules of War. It explains that if anyone has unfinished business, is newly engaged, or is too afraid to fight, that they should go home. That rules out the draft. It specified to not cut down fruit trees, as "these trees are not the enemy, so don't make war against them." It also says a few messy things our civilian ears may have difficulty reading such as enslaving those cities who make peace with you and killing all of the people in others. This is so "they will not be able to teach you to sin against the Lord your God or to do any of the terrible things they do when they worship their gods." They were corrupt, murderous, and dark-minded people who God didn't want to tarnish His people. Are those specific people listed in these verses still the same people they were back in the day? No, much has changed, and so have God's children. We are not called to kill every living person now in war. It's good to understand context.

In conclusion, we brought evil into the world from the beginning and yearn to return to our Eden, full of peace and life. Step-by-step, God is bringing us back, but that means that sometimes He has, in the past, called us to seek war against other nations. Those instructions were for specific people in specific times, and they had meaning and purpose when they were ordered. Unless we KNOW that God is asking for us to disregard one of His commandments, we really shouldn't seek all out warfare. Defense is one thing. Offense is another. We are called to be peacemakers, to show the world what God's Kingdom will be like on Earth.

God bless!

God's Hygge

In Me, you may have peace, but in the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

If there's something that the world is in deep, desperate need of, it's peace. An Earth without war, sickness, division, abuse, and darkness of other kinds is coming. However, in the meantime, there's a kingdom of God that can live in and through you if you let it.

Sometimes, trends are just a mindless scrambling for something otherwise missing in our souls, but sometimes, they stumble into a lighter place, allowing people a glimpse of what can be with God.

Hue-gah - Danish word

Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down (2017, p. vi). - The Little Book of Hygge

Hygge is a semi-new trend, but it started with a Danish and Norwegian concept. No doubt this concept has always existed in some form throughout the world for ages now, but it's now been commercialized and deemed "in." It's a nice idea. Most people imagine fireplaces, fuzzy socks, a warm drink in hand, and family or a book to keep you company. It can be part of those things. It can also be part of a warm summer's evening, a dark front porch with the stars overhead, a crowded bus station, a DMV lobby, or just another day at work. Why? In reality, it exists within you, not in your environment. It's peace and joy.

Joy is not necessarily related to happiness, as it's defined by the Bible. This emotion and mindset settles into the marrow of your being as an ever present hope and solid rock on which to stand during the crashing waves of life. It's the knowledge that, no matter what else you may be feeling and experiencing at the moment, there is a true love that has prepared you for a home with many rooms.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. - James 1:2-3

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. - Psalm 47:1

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. - Ecclesiastes 9:7

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:8-9

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. - Psalm 27:6

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, - Romans 14:17

The kingdom of God resides in the Children of God and among them, in their fruits, in their peace and joy, and in the light of truth they spread with His Word. During our last blog post, we spoke about how making a change externally must begin with a change internally. This is what God is doing to heal the world. He brings His love and light-filled kingdom to our hearts first and, eventually, His kingdom will be on Earth.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. - Luke 17:20-21

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:15

Gratitude is a large part of hygge and the joy we find in God. We are surely thankful for all of God's blessings, including a warm, safe home to come back to, even if that home only exists as the kingdom thriving in our souls. It's good to take a moment to disconnect from the rat-race and connect with the moment you're in. You may hear God speaking. May you find God's hygge waiting for you.

Turn the Other Cheek: Rebellion Tips by Jesus

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil: If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also. And if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile with him, go two. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you . . . . Love your enemies, for if you love only those who love you, what merit is that? . . . Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:38-42, 46, 48)

Ah, the verses of peace, forgiveness....weakness? Of course Jesus supported whole-heartedly a life of forgiveness and love, but was He condoning abuse or being a doormat? Please, take another look at the context in which He spoke the above words.

Let's first look at turning the other cheek. In the times Jesus lived in, the Roman government ruled over several other peoples, including the Jews. If a Roman soldier gave orders that a Jew disobeyed, it was typical of the soldier to backhand him or her across the face. The slap became known as a symbol that they looked at the Jews as inferior. Since most people are right-handed, if they backhanded someone, their right hand would strike a right cheek. However, if a soldier was ready to strike an equal, he would usually punch, which would strike a person's left cheek. This practice of slapping was so pervasive that Jesus gave Jews advice on how to deal with it.

Don't fight them and don't meekly accept their behavior. Turn the cheek. It was a sign of passive defiance. It's saying, "I demand to be treated as an equal." It forces the soldier to either hit them as an equal (instead of as a superior) or at least take a moment to realize how they are treating another human being.

Next, what about handing over a coat when a person only sued you for the shirt off your back? Basically, that's a way of saying that if someone sued you for a great sum, voluntarily give them literally everything. Why on Earth would we do this?

An outer coat also served as a poor person's blanket, and it was illegal to take someone's coat overnight as they would be possibly exposed to the elements. It was inhumane. Also, by the way, if they had your shirt AND your coat, you were left naked. Nakedness was taboo in Judaism, and if creditor actually went through with causing a debtor to be naked just to repay his debt, it made the creditor look bad. It was a peaceful way to expose the evils of their greed and corruption. It flipped the humiliation to the other party as the debtor stood unashamed.

Now, concerning going two miles when you're forced to go only one: Roman soldiers had to travel many miles for various reasons, and to make that work without wearing out the soldiers carrying heavy equipment, they could force Jews, or any foreigner, to carry their backpacks and belongings for a mile, legally. A person being forced to do this had to stop whatever else they were doing and take time to walk a mile there and a mile back. However, Jesus is exhorting people to "go the extra" mile.

There's actually a good reason the soldiers needed help with carrying things, but Jesus didn't want the Jews to act like this was a pain to help. He wanted Jews to recognize that even in their protests, they were reflecting their God. He wanted them to go above and beyond. In this way, the soldiers saw they weren't going the extra mile because they were legally forced to but because they had genuine desire to assist others. Maybe in this way, the soldiers would see beyond their own pre-conceived prejudices and superiority complexes and see the good that came from God's people.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is a cycle that never really ends. Violence begets violence and vengeance begets vengeance. Yet, paying back evil with good is the way of God, and it's a form of glory and peaceful protest. I believe Jesus was saying that you should never stand for being abused or subjugated, but you should never react violently either. Your rebellion will be heard better when you stand above the cacophony of anger and revenge.


Sources other than Bible:

https://www.reenactingtheway.com/blog/turning-the-other-cheek-jesus-peaceful-plan-to-challenge-injustice
https://www.thorncrownjournal.com/timeofchrist/romans.html
https://www.cpj.ca/defiance-not-compliance-turning-other-cheek
https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=06-03-023-v
https://dustinfjames.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/if-someone-asks-for-your-cloak/
http://storage.cloversites.com/makinglifecountministriesinc/documents/What%20does%20going%20the%20Second%20Mile%20mean.pdf

Commandment Series: The Sixth

“You shall not murder." Exodus 20:13

On the surface, this seems like an easy one. I mean, sometimes you might get angry at others, but you'd never exactly kill anyone unless you're a psychopath... right?

Not so fast.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." Matthew 5:21-26

Um. So, is Jesus saying murder is equal to simply being angry and calling someone an idiot (the meaning of Raca in Aramaic "reqa")? Yes.

Why?

Here's the crux of the matter, and it's an important one because it may change how you interpret the Bible in many other places as well:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Although it matters whether you literally kill someone or not, it also matters equally whether you are harboring the beginnings of murder in your heart. Both the seed of faith and the seed of sin lie within our hearts. We cultivate it with our thoughts and the external influences we allow in our lives.

There's a good story attributed to the Cherokee tribe, and I'm sure you've heard it:

One evening, an elderly Cherokee brave told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, “my son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is good. It is joy, peace love, hope serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson though about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “the one that you feed.”

It's natural to occasionally become angry. In fact, I believe every feeling is natural and not evil in and of itself. It's whether you harbor it, whether you feed it, which determines whether you sin or not. I believe there's a fine reason for every emotion, but there's not a good reason for every emotion in every situation. If it's not righteous anger, which does NOT attach it itself to an individual but rather to the sin itself, it is heading toward sinfulness.

What is sinfulness, but the potential of harm toward others and ourselves?

God doesn't leave you to deal with your internal tempest alone. He gives many pointers throughout the Bible on how to not break his 6th commandment, how to starve the angry wolf within us.

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:26-31

Here's some advice on avoiding the feeding of anger. Don't let it sleep in your bed with you, so that it may grow and turn into something uglier as you feed it angry thoughts. Another good idea is get busy, give yourself something to do to divert your mind for awhile and give yourself the ability to give help where needed. Charity will calm an angry heart fast. Don't speak out of anger; when you open your mouth, let it be to build up others not tear them down. Speaking ill of others only breeds more anger within you and now within others.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19-20

Here, it is suggested that we close our mouth and open our ears. It may help to slow our anger if we hear the whole story and consider another's point of view.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." James 4:1-2

One sin begets another. Stop it at the source. What is anger but the sense of not getting what we feel entitled to, be that respect, time, material things, etc.? We are entitled to nothing but what God gives us. Be humble and understand that we may not get all things we want from this corrupt, crumbling world. We have better things in store for us than that anyway.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

Don't you love when another person gets angry that you're angry? Doesn't that calm you right down and bring a shared connection with one another? Haha. Fight fire with cooling water, not more fire. This is easier to say than do, but it's easier the more you practice it, believe me.


I'm sure if you look for it, you'll find even more advice on how to starve the wolf of anger within you. At first, the wolf will howl inside and pace in what it's not receiving. Keep going. The more you practice the above, the stronger you will become over it, and the weaker it will be become. This applies to more than just anger.

May you have peace today or as in Hebrew, "Shalom."

Commandment Series: The Fourth

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." Exodus 20:8

There's an epidemic in the world, especially in the United States, of sleep deprivation and stress. Since our early years as a nation, we've prided ourselves on being workaholics, pulling ourselves up with our bootstraps, and standing on our own no matter the costs.

Now, we wonder why heart disease is the number 1 killer of Americans.

Many nowadays speak about being always "too busy" as if they were bragging. If someone asks how we're doing, we say "fine." If someone asks what we've been up to, we answer "busy as always."

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

"And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake." Psalm 23:2-3

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

"The Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will give rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

How many times and ways does God have to tell you to be still (not incessantly busy) and rest for awhile before you'll listen?

It isn't a weakness to need rest, it is a gift given to us by God from the dawn of time.

"By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven." Genesis 2:2-4

Rest is good for you mentally, physically, and spiritually, and God set aside a whole day of it every week just for us. God never really needed to rest; he's omnipotent after all. However, he was setting a precedent for his creation.

Please look at what others say:

"The biological and chemical factors that trigger mental health issues also could influence heart disease. 'The head-heart connection should be on everyone’s radar,' said Barry Jacobs, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and director of "Behavioral Sciences at the Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program in Springfield, Pa. 'It’s not just being unhappy. It’s having biochemical changes that predispose people to have other health problems, including heart problems'" (American Heart Association)

"Our society is suffering from sleep deprivation and suffering the consequences with mental health issues (anxiety/depression/mood disorders), physical health issues (heart disease, diabetes, obesity), addictions, relationship problems." (CDC and WEBMD)

"There are data showing that working overtime is associated with problems such as high blood pressure, depression and obesity." In a 1960 study, 2% sample slept less than 6 hours per night. In 2004, that figure was up to 30%. (Psychology Today)

There's evidence that religious rituals are "conducive to better mental health... reduce anxiety and uncertainty." The Sabbath gives "freedom from mundane and practice concerns" centering on survival. The "Sabbath provides opportunities to rest from both physical and mental stresses." (Research Gate)

Rest = better health. Sabbath = rest. It doesn't get much simpler than that. So, why did God mandate this rest instead of leaving it as an option? Because we have a difficult time stopping, slowing down, and saying no. We have authority figures who can control us into not resting (i.e. bosses, parents when we are children, etc). Not to mention the fact that we ourselves are over others that need rest as well: other people, animals, even the plants in our backyard.

"At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus." Matthew 12:1-14

So, what is going on in the above verse? Everything needs rest, but humans should be top priority. First, when Jesus says that He is the "Lord of the Sabbath," He is essentially saying that He is master of that day. The only one who can be master of a commandment is the one who created it... He declared He was God (one of many times He did this).

When he mentions the temple bread, he is comparing his disciples breaking the sacredness of the Sabbath to David's men breaking the sacredness of the temple. Both sets of men had physical needs that outweighed, and therefore, were exceptions to the law. He brings up how the priests are the only ones allowed to do their job on the Sabbath (that's how they "desecrate" the temple) as the Pharisees would have agreed that they are allowed to do so. Jesus states "something greater than the temple is here." Again, declaring His mastery over the temple. The only one greater than the temple is... God.

He is basically saying that He's the one who made the laws, and they are acting as if they know better how to keep them. Then, He heals a man, not a man about to die from wounds or illness, not a man who can't wait until the next day for healing. He heals a man with a somewhat minor disfigurement because "it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

"It is not the greatness of the priests which justified their violation of the Fourth Commandment—it was the greatness of the temple, the greatness of the cause or the work in which the were engaged..Verse 7 strikes at the heart of the problem of His adversaries: they have focused on the mechanical, ritualistic, aspects of the Sabbath, and in so doing they have failed to meet its essence, which is mercy and compassion. They have lingered long over the letter of the Law, but they have missed its spirit." (Bible Org)

We were not made to observe the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made to heal us, refocus us, center us back onto the spiritual relationship with God after a long week of survival, to gather us from our corners of the world and bring the followers together for simple human interaction without pretense for commerce or goal-setting.

"Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

Why would you deny such a huge gift from God?

"Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. … And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Take up your pallet and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?” But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may befall you.” The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. And for this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” John 5:2, 5-18

They hated Jesus because He was repeatedly declaring Himself God and denouncing their ways. He didn't find the nit-picking rules that the Pharisees set up to be correct. Instead of just telling them to not follow those legalistic ways, He showed them by action how actually follow the Sabbath. Picking up pallets or plucking a single ear of corn was not breaking the God-given conditions of Sabbath . Mercy and compassion is following the Sabbath. Taking care of your physical needs is following the Sabbath. Gathering with others for worship and connection definitely is following the Sabbath.

So, how do we interpret what He means when He says that God the Father and Himself are working on the Sabbath? Well, you could take this many ways, and I encourage you to always ask God for guidance. However, the way I personally take it is that Jesus was saying God never needs rest. The Sabbath was made for the Creation not the Creator. However, Jesus wasn't actually breaking the Sabbath, either. He was breaking man-made rules, not God's laws. Yet, according to the Pharisee rules, God was breaking those man-made rules of Sabbath-keeping, and therefore, if we're using the Pharisee's viewpoint of "work", God is always working on the Sabbath.

There's a lot to be learned from Sabbath-keeping. You learn the world does not revolve around you, and it will continue spinning whether you're checking off lists or not. You learn how deep a need we all have for rest, peace, and communion. You learn to stop and smell the roses without worrying about how much their worth or where you might plant them next on your property. You learn how stopping the rat-race on a regular basis helps to re-center your life on God. You learn how to be child again, free from obligations and stress, at least for a day.

If you haven't ever observed the Sabbath before, it may be difficult at first. When a person's been spinning for awhile, they can be a bit dizzy when they step down from the ride. However, when you finally learn how to rest, truly rest, you learn a bit about God's promise for peace and restoration. It's like a glimpse of heaven here on earth.


Sabbath: you don't just want rest, you need it. Be still.




Sources other than Bible:
https://bible.org/seriespage/16-sabbath-controversy-gospels
http://www.theheartfoundation.org/heart-disease-facts/heart-disease-statistics/
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/StressManagement/HowDoesStressAffectYou/Stress-and-Heart-Health_UCM_437370_Article.jsp#.WWZcGdIUmHs
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250919744_The_Mental_Health_Benefits_and_Costs_of_Sabbath_Observance_Among_Orthodox_Jews
https://www.sabbathtruth.com/faq/advanced-topics/rest-in-god-keeping-the-sabbath-holy
https://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/toll-of-sleep-loss-in-america
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleepless-in-america/201001/are-we-really-getting-less-sleep-we-did-in-1975

Time to Rest

Rest. Be still. Peace. Be anxious for nothing.

Continually, the Bible calls for rest, but what does that mean to you?

At the start of Genesis, after the creation of the world, God set aside a specific day for rest. Let's look at the actual word used in Hebrew:

Shabath - to cease, desist, rest

"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested (Shabath) from all his work which God created and made." Genesis 2:3

This is the word used when speaking of the seventh day of the week when God rested and created the, you guessed it, Sabbath. It doesn't indicate rest due to weariness. That word in Hebrew is:

Nuach- rest, settle, soothed
Naphash - to be refreshed, to breathe

"Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease [shabath] from labor in order that your ox and your donkey may rest [nuach], and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh [naphash] themselves." Exodus 23:12

In a way, Shabath is a day to remember more is to come. The Shabath or Sabbath is like a taste of heaven. There is no toil there. We truly rest from all our work.

Wait, but what about the work? What is work?

"Six days you shall work, and the seventh day is Shabbat to the Lord your God. [On that day] you shall not do any work (Melacha)." Exodus 20:9

The Hebrew word for work here is Melacha:

Melacha - workmanship or creation

Now, what exactly workmanship or creation is could be debatable, right? I mean, if we're getting down to the nitty-gritty, we need to know what we shouldn't be doing. Orthodox Jews have a propensity to detail, using a fine tooth comb to determine the ins and outs of God's laws and commands. There are about 39 activities one is forbidden to do during the Sabbath, according to that denomination.

I'm going to be honest. I personally feel that is putting words in God's mouth. Observe it as you will, but having so many stipulations defeats the purpose.

God is, well, God and doesn't need rest after strenuous activity as humans do. However:

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

He knew what humans would need, and he specified that they should rest, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

As for what rest means to me, I've been observing the Sabbath (with off and on success) since my childhood, and there's a few things you'll realize once you get into the groove of it:

1) Today, you're a kid again. Six days out of my week, I'm on the go, and when I'm not, I'm thinking about what else I need to do. On Friday night to Saturday night (which is the day I celebrate the Sabbath), I'm not supposed to do work, so what's the point of thinking about it? Freedom, fun, and play!

2) It's an excuse to say no. You want me to what? Nope. I have to what? Nope. Ahhh. I'll just sit here and read, thanks.

3) It's an entire day built around meditation or mindfulness. The whole point of the day is to stop, look around, and feel blessed. You don't always get the chance on other days to just take a deep breath and smell the roses.

4) It's an entire day built around connection: connection to God, to family, to friends, to yourself. In busyness, it's easy to disconnect from you and your loved ones. Now, you don't have the excuse of checking another to-do off your list.

5) It's a day for gratefulness. Six days out of the week was made for pushing forward, hustling, creating, and building up the world around you. On the seventh day, you look around at your success and your blessings.

6) Sometimes, you'll feel lost in the complete freedom, especially at first. Our brain and bodies are normally in gear for driving forward, but on the Sabbath you are allowed to put yourself in neutral. It can be disorienting to separate yourself from the worldly, daily grind.

7) You'll be healthier. Humans were not made to keep going 24/7 365 days a year. We were made for rest and peace. Your mind will thank you, your heart will thank you, your soul will thank you.

I hope you get a chance to observe the Sabbath and enjoy the pause and rest in your life God set aside just for you.

What Are You Celebrating?

I have a confession. I've been overwhelmed the past few days. Instead of sugarplums, there's been visions of chores, errands, and bills dancing in my head. I want our house to feel homey this season, there to be lots of good food on the table, and plenty of presents for my daughter to bring smiles and laughter.

There's something about nature that makes me feel closer to God. I was driving to my parents' house in the country during an awe-inspiring sunset spread out above a glowing field. That was when it hit me: what are you celebrating? I've learned to recognize God's voice, though I'm not always good at listening. This time, it felt like a gut-punch.

Are you celebrating cleanliness, materialism, or how others think of you? Then, why are you stressing about it? Christmas for me is about God's grace, love, and blessings. His son was born in a lowly manger, lived in a poor carpenters home, and never accumulated many material things as His purpose was to teach others of God's love while on the road. Are you much better than Him?

This Christmas, let's celebrate the true meaning of Jesus' birth. Let's experience joy over the things we have and not the things we want. Let's spend the holiday getting closer to each other and not showing each other up.

What are you focusing on this Christmas? Whatever it is, I pray it is on God and the Prince of Peace.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”"Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

In Hebrew, one would say Shalom, peace be unto you this season.