Tag Archives: spirituality

affirmation, choices, Control, Enlightenment, journey, life, Rest, sabbath, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment, Uncategorized

What Is A Sabbath And Why Do I Need One?

The Bible commands us to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. The concept of the Sabbath, a day of rest and reflection, is deeply embedded in various religious traditions around the world. In the Abrahamic faiths, particularly Judaism and Christianity, the Sabbath holds immense importance and is an important part of the foundation that everything else is built upon. Today I want to talk about some of the reasons behind God’s establishment of the Sabbath and spend a little time thinking about the sabbath’s enduring relevance, especially in the hustle and bustle of the contemporary society we live in today!

Sabbath Commemorates Creation

One of the primary reasons God instituted the Sabbath is to commemorate the creation of the universe as described in the Book of Genesis. According to the Bible, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. By observing the Sabbath, believers are reminded of God’s creative power and the sanctity of all life. Rest is not a bad thing, it is a necessary thing. All of us should build rest into our lives. Rest allows time for the resetting of our mind, re-energizing of our body and revival of our spirit.

Sabbath Is A Time For Spiritual Renewal and Reflection

The Sabbath provides a designated time for individuals to disconnect from the demands of everyday life and focus on their spiritual well-being. It allows meaningful time for introspection, meditation, and a deeper connection with the Divine. This period of rest rejuvenates the soul and fosters a sense of inner peace. Our lives discover their greater meaning through the discipline of a sabbath.

Sabbath Helps To Build Community & Strengthen Family Bonds

The Sabbath encourages getting together for worship and growing family togetherness. It provides an opportunity for families and communities to gather, share meals, and engage in meaningful conversations and meaningful fellowship. This communal aspect strengthens social bonds and nurtures a sense of belonging, which all of God’s creation needs.

Sabbath Teaches Us To Resist The Tyranny of Work

In a world driven by productivity and materialism, the Sabbath serves as a counterbalance. It reminds individuals that their worth is not solely determined by their work or achievements. Taking a day of rest acknowledges the inherent value of each person and their need for spiritual and emotional nourishment. It is one of the greatest ways to take on and take out the attack of our ego.

Sabbath Promotes Physical And Mental Well-Being

Regular rest is crucial for physical health and mental well-being. The Sabbath encourages individuals to prioritize self-care, allowing them to recharge and face the challenges of the week ahead with renewed vigor. It is very possible to burn yourself out and then you are literally good for nothing.

Sabbath Encourages Us To Practice Gratitude

Observing the Sabbath fosters a sense of gratitude for the blessings in one’s life. It prompts individuals to reflect on the abundance they have received and acknowledge the source of their blessings. This gratitude cultivates a positive outlook and a deeper appreciation for life. The old Gospel hymn says to count your blessings and name them one by one…

Sabbath Sets a Moral and Ethical Standard

The Sabbath emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior and justice. It calls believers to reflect on their actions and consider how they can contribute to a more compassionate and just society. This moral reflection extends beyond the Sabbath, influencing daily conduct. It is amazing how just slowing down and getting quiet will allow the mind to find solutions that were there all along.

The establishment of the Sabbath by God carries profound spiritual, communal, and ethical significance. It serves as a timeless reminder of our connection to the divine, the importance of rest and reflection, and the value of human relationships. In a fast-paced world, the Sabbath stands as a bright light of tranquility and a continual source of spiritual nourishment, offering respite and renewal to all who take the time to observe it by putting it into practice.

Blogroll, change, Creativity, Enlightenment, Growing, life

Changing Your Change!

So I’m on the road today and I really have not had a chance to sit down and write anything on the blog, but I have a very unofficial goal of trying to post something everyday, so I figured I would pull out my phone and see if I had a little something in my heart I could pump out.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I spent the whole first half of my life trying to change myself in an attempt to live up to what I thought was everyone else’s expectations. The problem with trying to change ourselves, is that it will almost always leave us disappointed, because there is always going some way, shape or form that the world uses to try and convince us that we need to change ourselves.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” -James 1:17

The reality is that you are who you are and trying to change who you are will leave you disappointed and frustrated every time. A better way of doing life and working for meaningful change is to change your actions and reactions. When we work to change our actions and reactions, a more authentic version of who we really are begins to show up.

If you stop and think about it, I’m sure you can identify at least three actions that you need to change. You know these action are destructive and costing you more than you want to pay. When we talk about needing to change who we are, we are really distracting ourselves from giving attention to the actions and reactions that need to change in our life and living.

Identify your three actions to change, make a plan on how you will do it and get to work. The changing of your actions will not necessarily change you, but it will allow the real you to emerge and you and others will find that the real you is a true blessing and gift to this world…

Blogroll, Growing, mindfulness, Personal, Uncategorized

Tired Of Being Tired?

I hear people say it all the time: “I am so tired!” We live rushed and busy lives and still at the end of the day, we have all kinds of stuff that needs to be done. Almost everyone I talk to, could use some rest. What most of us fail to realize, is that there are different kinds of rest and rest is very necessary to our doing our best…

1. Sleep! Sometimes we just need to lay down, close our eyes and forget about everything. Our body needs sleep time to rest and rejuvenate physically, mentally and spiritually. Take the steps you need to take to get ready for this time, so you can get it’s maximum benefit.

2. Home Alone! There are times when you need to be home, all by yourself with nothing to do. This gives rest to all the different areas of your life by just allowing you some time to let your guard down.

3. Vacation! Everyone needs a little time away and a good vacation allows you that. A good vacation should allow you to vacate your normal everyday living for an option that contributes to your rest and rejuvenation.

4. Art Appreciation! We need to take time to enjoy a good book, moving music or creative works of self expression. It’s an extra benefit, if we can actually take time to be involved in creating something special from our own self expression.

5. Solitude! We need time away from all the “Noise, Noise, Noise!” It is absolutely amazing how spending just 5-10 minutes sitting in silence can work wonders in our life and living. Just a few minutes of solitude allows us to do a soft reset that makes a bigger difference than you realize.

6. Outside Time! This is one of my favorites. Just taking a few moments to go into nature for a walk or just to sit on a bench, while we feel the warmth of the sun or the energy of a gentle breeze. To hear the chatter of the squirrels or the sweet songs of the birds does something that words can’t explain.

7. Take A Break! You know the old saying: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!” Everyone needs time to break away from the normal and the mundane to experience whatever else it is that life has to offer and it is amazing the difference that a small break to enjoy a hot coffee or a cool drink, with some good conversation can make in helping us to be and do our best…