Pleasant Boundary Lines {The Grove – Limits}
“Lord, You have assigned my portion and my cup. You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me …” Psalm 16:6-7 Frankly, I am grieved at my lack of honoring limits. When faced with […]
We’re Taking a Sabbath
Did your soul exhale a bit at the thought? Ours too. If you missed it last year, or just want to bathe afresh in these truths, our Sabbath week posts included: We saw that the Creator has woven Sabbath into the very rhythms of nature. Remember the tusk of the narwhal? If you have no idea […]
The Battle of Rest
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4 The smell of paint thinner seems to seep from every pore of my skin. He doused me in it when I wrestled the bottle from him. There is nothing uglier than losing a loved […]
Velvet Ashes is Taking a Sabbath This Week!
Remember a few months ago when we discussed the idea and practice of Sabbath? We saw that the Creator has woven Sabbath into the very rhythms of nature. Remember the tusk of the narwhal? We talked about how to cultivate rest and play. We shared about our deep need for rest. We gave ideas for how leaders […]
Why is Sabbath So Hard?
“I have a disease… I am addicted to measurable productivity.” –Emily P. Freeman Does anyone else get twitchy when you try to force yourself to rest? Do you feel guilty? Self-indulgent? Bored? Does your to-do list buzz incessantly in your ear when you try to take a day off? Why is Sabbath so hard for us? […]
6 Ways to Make Sabbath a Reality for Ministry Leaders
Finding the middle place in the dim room between round tables draped in white, I push high heels into the carpet under a ceiling of twinkle lights and speak to women seated around china tea cups and glass plates of cookies. They’ve asked me to tell them about the Sabbath Society. I share about my […]
Like Dough, We Won’t Rise Without Rest
Consider the common dinner roll. The pivotal time in the life of a roll is the rising, when it is left alone, under a cloth, in a warm place away from drafts. The dough inhales while it rests, emerging from the cloth a grand thing indeed. Rest fortifies. Consider, too, the farmer’s land. Every few […]
Letter to Self
Today we are getting real with Letters to Self. Sometimes the person knowing exactly what you need to hear is…you! Here’s what happened when I sat down to do mine… Dear Me, I see you there standing in the high school conference auditorium. Your hands are lifted high in worship. The anticipation is beating in […]