Rebekah's Insights

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For some time I have been reflecting on the Fourth Commandment...

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:8-11, RSV)

As Liam began to learn the Ten Commandments this year in school, I began to wonder how he would understand what I was teaching. Aside from the morning being largely devoted to Worship, there is little difference in our activities on Sunday compared to our activities the rest of the week. I kept telling myself how impossible it would be to do no (or at least very little) work on Sundays, i.e., the washer size here makes going a day without doing any laundry a problem for subsequent days, we have to cook if we're going to eat, etc.

Yesterday, however, it just so happened that I had very easy, basically heat and serve meals. As planned, after Worship and lunch we spent the afternoon out and about the farm on which we reside. Consequently, I did not get to any laundry (much to my chagrin today as I attempt to catch-up on yesterday's loads as well as today's) nor any other household tasks. After dinner, baths, and tucking the children into their beds, Will and I enjoyed an evening playing one of our favorite games, The Castle.

It truly WAS a day of rest! I awoke this morning with so much more energy--mental AND physical, that I think I may be hooked--on the possibility and value of a true DAY of Rest. I should not be surprised that the Lord knew what He was doing when He set aside the Sabbath, eh?

And he [Jesus] said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath." (Mark 2:27 & 28)

I think I will endeavor to facilitate this Day of Rest for this coming weekend. I can plan my menu with make-ahead or "heat-and-serve" meals, do an extra load of laundry a few days this week to eliminate the need to do it on Sunday, and try to accomplish any cleaning, etc. on the days prior to Sunday. I look forward to spending a day in worship of the Almighty God who made such a day for me and in enjoying the other wonderful treasures He has bestowed on my life.

And, perhaps Liam will be better able to understand the Fourth Commandment now as we attempt to walk through it, rather than only talk through it. I realize that not everyone has the same schedule we have with Will working Monday through Friday, so a Day of Rest may not be possible for everyone on a Sunday. I am also aware that others observe such a day on Saturday, believing it to be more true to observing on the seventh day of the week. But whenever it is observed, I am seeing the importance and blessing of truly setting the day aside--for remembering the sabbath and keeping it holy.

I happened upon this quote, which gave me pause for thought...

"We must determine to be limited and focus our affinities."

by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

O how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for those who fear Thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men!
Psalm 31:19

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Sometimes we yearn to say something, but find...

...that someone else has already said it with words so much better...

Gratitude

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace...

But Jesus, would You please...

by Nichole Nordeman

1 John 4:9 & 10

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the expiation [atonement] for our sins.

What Held You On The Cross?

I know You
I've seen You all my life
A figure on a crucifix
A death without a fight
You're hanging there
Upon a cross
Just by Your hands and feet
The picture's clear
But the story's incomplete

So what was it
That led You to that tree?
What made you lay Your body down
To save someone like me?
'Cause though it's true
I know that You
Were God inside a man
So I guess sometimes
It's hard to understand

What held You on the cross
When You could have walked away?
I see what You have done and I just have to say
What held You on the cross
Was more than just the nails
With all the pain and suffering
And all that You had lost
Your love for me could only be
What held You on the cross

You saw me
I guess You must have known
My life would be in darkness
So You and You alone
Would bear the stripes
The crown of thorns
And all humility
Lord, I see myself
But it's hard for me to see

What held You on the cross
When You could have walked away?
I see what You have done and I just have to say
What held You on the cross
Was more than just the nails
With all the pain and suffering
And all that You had lost
Your love for me could only be
What held You on the cross

I don't deserve Your mercy
Still You loved me just the same
You died for me and yet it's hard to know...

What held You on the cross
When You could have walked away?
I see what You have done and I just have to say
What held You on the cross
Was more than just the nails
With all the pain and suffering
And all that You had lost
Your love for me could only be
What held You on the cross

written by Micheal O'Brien & Regie Hamm

John 17:1-3

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

Passover Lamb

It is truly right and good, always and everywhere,
with our whole heart and mind and voice,
to praise You, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God,
and Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;
for He is the true Paschal Lamb,
who at the feast of the Passover
paid for us the debt of Adam's sin,
and by His blood delivered Your faithful people.

This is the night, when You brought our fathers,
the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt,
and led them through the Red Sea on dry land...

How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God,
is Your mercy and loving-kindness to us,
that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son.

How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight,
and sin is washed away.
It restores innocence to the fallen,
and joy to those who mourn.
It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord.

How blessed is this night,
when earth and heaven are joined
and man is reconciled to God.

(excerpted from the Book of Common Prayer)