Yeah, I’m posting two days in one…you gotta problem with that?
I’ve been both inspired & PROVOKED by the efforts of a couple of dear friends to embrace the Sabbath and engage with family. My wife and I have extremely busy lives SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY…that’s right, MONDAY for us actually begins on Sunday. All the more reason for us to be intentional on the days we choose to unplug.
With that in mind, we’re modifying how we do LIFE on Saturdays and beginning to treat it as a Sabbath. I’d be the FIRST to admit that it’s not easy, and we barely have a couple of consistent Saturdays where we’ve actually Sabbath(ed)!!! I mean, just yesterday there was a TON of basketball & football games being televised and there were SEVERAL occasions I was tempted to call, email, and tweet!!!
In those moments, I reminded myself of the scripture, “What does it profit a man to TWEET the whole world and lose his soul?” Ok, maybe that’s not a passage from the Bible…the point is it’s not EASY to unplug. We’re making the adjustments NOW, so we can offer our best to the areas where we’re most passionate.
Quick shout out to Jarrett & Jeanne Stevens for reminding me of what’s really important…be sure to check out the AMAZING work their launching in the Windy City!
Day 5 of Seven
Matthew 6
Verse 31-34
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
James 4
Verse 13-17
Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit–14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Day 6 of Seven
Psalm 37
Verses 1-6
“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
Chapter 55
Verse 22
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 62
Verses 1-2
“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”
Verses 5-8
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”
Verses11-12
“Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.”
Proverbs 16
Verses 1-3
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
James 5
Verses 6-11
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Filed under: Action Speaks, Life, church plant
