Verse for the Week: “After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 (CSB)
Notice that Jesus went to pray after feeding the 5,000. I reckon if He needed time to recharge, we do too.
As you probably know, I’ve been in the Dominican Republic doing some teaching. They call me Professor Dan! Well, they don’t know me yet…
The Good Sabbath. Before our Marriage and Pastors/Administrators conferences, Andrew, Dawn and I took a mid-week sabbath. They took me up a mountain to hike to a waterfall, to the beach to chow down on some tasty shrimp, and out to a build site and seniors’ home that RMI is working on. This is a crazy beautiful country, and getting out to walk around and see it was refreshing.
The Bad. This is only bad because you may be jealous, and causing you to stumble would be bad. I’ll take that gamble. I’ve included a picture of the balcony off the suite I’m staying in at their house. I get to have my morning devotions out here, listen to the roosters (somehow a comforting sound to me), and watch parrots fly between the trees. It’s not quite Paul’s suffering in prison, somehow.
The Ugly Sabbath. There is nothing like a sick household to force you to take a break.
When I arrived, Andrew and Dawn’s three kids were passing a cold between them. Yesterday it got to Dawn. This morning Andrew got it in earnest. Thankfully God kept us healthy through the conferences. Now that the conferences are done and the house is full of tired people, I get an unplanned break to write to you and enjoy a final day with the parrots.
So, here’s my question for you: when did you last really stop? Jesus climbed a mountain to do it. A balcony with roosters works too. I hope you’re taking a sabbath this week!
I have more to say about the Young Adults, Marriage and Pastors/Administrators conferences, but I’m waiting on the pictures so you can see what I’m talking about. This week, it’s back to the grand state of New Mexico!
Be encouraged,
dan
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