I feel like I should add a post to the last post about taking a day of rest. I wanted to add a personal note to it and say that for me, personally, it is not an easy thing to do.
As a family we take Mondays as a time to be together since Saturdays and Sundays are busy for Paul. I love our Mondays together. They've turned into our "hike and picnic" day, which is great. We usually end up at home around 1 or 2 in the afternoon and literally everyone takes a nap...except me. With Paul home and the kids resting my first urge is to find an excuse to race out of the house. Sometimes I go for a bike ride, but other times I go shopping. And I don't think that those are inherently bad things, but I like the idea of my mind being at peace in the moment and not always jumping to the next need or want. I think God would like that of me too. He wants us to find peace and contentment in Him.
So, I wanted to share that just to say that I'm not trying to judge or condemn others for where they are in their walk with God. Where I am right now is trying to live in the moment more and be at peace with the now.
Which also makes me feel like I should say something else. The things I share here about diet and lifestyle happen to be really good for MY heart at this time, but obviously might not be where you are. I share them because I do think that people and societies think similarly and that if I'm considering certain things that chances are God is leading other people to move in that direction as well. If gardening and eating organic doesn't fill you with awe for God that is OK. Maybe it's quilting, or running or sailing. The Holy Spirit is guiding us in many areas of our life.
We went to the Pepperdine Lectureships this week. I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces and hearing some good lessons. There was even a class on environmentalism from God's perspective. It really made me joyful to listen to the lesson, and I'm sure you'll be reading about it more later on. I feel renewed and filled with thankfulness for where we are in life.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Our Garden
Our garden is progressing.
We have planted: corn, zucchini, squash, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, and two kinds of tomatoes.
We dug out a large plot for the garden, but didn't use all the space. The other day we saw two quail happily settling into the soft earth to rest or lay a nest. We quickly opened the window and yelled at them. I felt bad and I hope they didn't wander to far, but didn't think we would co-exist well when it was time to water the garden.
Olivia helped me plant some of my seeds. She didn't love the muddy feet, but was willing to tolerate it, unlike her sister.
These pictures are old because now the garden is actually growing. A little bit of everything has popped out, but it looks like the corn is what has taken off the most.
Practice the Sabbath
J. Matthew Sleeth, MD is the author of "Serve God Save the Planet."
He was here in town a month or so ago. I missed most of his discussion but heard the question and answer time. So, when I heard someone ask, "So, what is the most important thing we should do to protect the planet?" I was pleasantly surprised by his answer. I was expecting any one of the hundreds of different pieces of advice we hear on the news, on the internet or in magazines. But it wasn't any of those. It was even better. Can you guess what his advice was?
Keep the Sabbath. Take a day of rest. Do you remember back when almost everything closed on Sundays? I'm old enough to remember. Only 7-11's were open. People didn't go shopping Sunday afternoon. People didn't go out to eat (ok, that's before my time). Families and friends hung out and above all RESTED. We don't know how to rest well these days and it seems like there is always something better we have to go do or buy.
If you go back to the original commandment it is really fun to look at. It is rooted in God's justice and love for ALL people and creation. Everything gets to rest. From the most important to the least important: the kings, their servants, the foreigners, the animals-they all had to rest. Everything and Everyone got a day to BE and not take advantage or be taken advantage of.
Today we still have servants and aliens. They're the ones with the minimum wage jobs. If I have to shop or eat out and decide to forgo my Sabbath, then they MUST forgo theirs. Obviously, if I choose to rest one day then a lot of energy is being saved. My car rests, I spend less money, I consume less food, and I think those things are good for my body and soul. But, for God, I also think it's about justice, and that is very good for my soul.
He was here in town a month or so ago. I missed most of his discussion but heard the question and answer time. So, when I heard someone ask, "So, what is the most important thing we should do to protect the planet?" I was pleasantly surprised by his answer. I was expecting any one of the hundreds of different pieces of advice we hear on the news, on the internet or in magazines. But it wasn't any of those. It was even better. Can you guess what his advice was?
Keep the Sabbath. Take a day of rest. Do you remember back when almost everything closed on Sundays? I'm old enough to remember. Only 7-11's were open. People didn't go shopping Sunday afternoon. People didn't go out to eat (ok, that's before my time). Families and friends hung out and above all RESTED. We don't know how to rest well these days and it seems like there is always something better we have to go do or buy.
If you go back to the original commandment it is really fun to look at. It is rooted in God's justice and love for ALL people and creation. Everything gets to rest. From the most important to the least important: the kings, their servants, the foreigners, the animals-they all had to rest. Everything and Everyone got a day to BE and not take advantage or be taken advantage of.
Today we still have servants and aliens. They're the ones with the minimum wage jobs. If I have to shop or eat out and decide to forgo my Sabbath, then they MUST forgo theirs. Obviously, if I choose to rest one day then a lot of energy is being saved. My car rests, I spend less money, I consume less food, and I think those things are good for my body and soul. But, for God, I also think it's about justice, and that is very good for my soul.
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