Sabbatical Reflections

Northeast Christian Church granted me a Sabbatical, a very kind gift, during July.  I am grateful for the ability to pause.  I thought I'd have a hard time disconnecting from deadlines, emails and meetings but I didn't. I thought I'd have a hard time feeling that I needed to achieve something but I didn't. Why? Because deep down, I know that if Jesus needed times of solitude, I do as well. As a side note, it was very insightful that on my sabbatical, I learned that in addition to churches, businesses (especially outside the United States) are offering sabbaticals to their employees after 10 years of service.

As I prepared for sabbatical, my main goal was to rest. I do carry heavy burdens. I do feel weary at times.  I held onto Matthew 11:28-30.  "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls..." 

"Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength." Charles Spurgeon

My goals for Sabbatical: 

1. Rest, relax, renew: I went on vacation with Wally, took walks in my neighborhood and with friends, went hiking at Natural Bridge, played pickleball, floated in the pool, reconnected with good friends over coffee, and spent time with my immediate and extended family. Honestly, there were days I felt lonely because I was just with myself but I am still learning the blessing/balance of freedom and structure. 

2. Learn a new skill (or at least try!): I took a few golf lessons and played golf with co-workes and Wally/Max. Let's just say I've got a long way to go but it's at least a start. 

3.  Desert days -uninterrupted time in silence, prayer and study: I spent quiet time at a cabin in LaGrange where I practiced centering prayer and spent time studying 1 Timothy. These desert days anchored my soul or the next season of ministry at Northeast Christian.

I am grateful to God for this time!

Good Friday

It is tempting to hide in the crowd in our attempt to be in the world but not of it. But I don't want to be quiet at the cross and find courage at the empty tomb. I want to be all in from darkness to light.

Those who wept as he took his last breath were there to rejoice when he took his first steps towards the right hand of the Father. It will cost you everything

Time, Talent & Treasure

 Read Mt 22:15-22; Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26

 In these passages we see that Jesus gives place for human government and honor to God. We are reminded that it is God who claims us, who made us in his own image. I believe there are three specific ways we can give Honor to God: our time, our talent and our treasure. 

Time: Are we using our time to grow in intimacy with God and in love for neighbor - even when its's inconvenient? 

Talent: Are we using our gifts and talents to serve those in our home, city, workplace and church - even when it's inconvenient?

Treasure: Are we giving our treasures, our money to serve the poor, the marginalized and the forgotten - even when we want to keep it for ourselves? 

Pray: Jesus, you are not asking me to do anything that you have not already done. Thank you for making your way to the cross to offer your body as a living sacrifice. 

A Steward

 Read Mt 21:28-22:14

We have been told that we live in an "ownership society" and are reminded again and again that we "only live once" and so we should "look out for number one." And when someone, first century rabbi or twenty-first century friend, reminds us that we are called not to be owners but stewards, not to hoard but to share, not to live primarily for gain but for love, we may, just like the folks in today's passage, feel rather offended.

How are you stewarding what God has given you? Are you using your resources to unleash the love of Jesus to help those in need? The shift from ownership to stewardship is not easy but is a hallmark of following Jesus. 

Prayer: Jesus, give me the courage to love others sacrificially by being a good steward. 

-Tomara

By Whose Authority

 Read Mt 21:23-27

Jesus is making his way to the cross. 

Today, we will sit at the feet of Jesus and marvel at the way He handled the aggressive questioning of the religious elite. "By whose authority do you do these things?" ...a little bit about "authority" at the time of Jesus... It was universally accepted among Rabbis at the time that authoritative teaching required previous authorization. Everyone was wondering who authorized Jesus to teach. He knew the intentions of these Jewish leaders. And he was refusing to play their game.

Here we see a great example of the wisdom of Jesus. We are no longer given "veto power" over the things He teaches. What He says is what is true. What he requires is what we must do. Where he leads is where we are to follow!

Pray: Help me to obey you! You are the authority in my life.

Overturning Tables

 Read Mt 21:12-13

I love the Jesus who welcomes children but the Jesus who overturns tables can make us uncomfortable at times. Why? He's confronting sin. And, it's uncomfortable when Jesus calls out our sin. Here we see Jesus confronting oppression, the love of money and fruitless rituals. 

And now, Jesus turns and looks at us, His current temples that house his Spirit. And, what does He see? Is the room that used to occupy prayer now filled with technology and busyness? Is His Word covered up with your own plans instead of God's plans?

Pray: Jesus, please overturn the tables in my life that are not honoring and glorifying you. Help me make prayer and worship a priority!

Palm Sunday

 Read Mt 21:1-17

 Today we read about an entrance that far exceeds the entrance of a president, a coach, an athlete or a movie star.

Against the backdrop of the suffering that is to come, we see the entrance of the King of kings and the Lord of lords as He moves toward the cross. Jesus Christ enters Jerusalem in order to die. The crowd is welcoming, and shouts of Hosanna ring much kinder than the shouts of Crucify Him that would come later. 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for coming to save us from our sin! Thank you for bringing light to darkness, peace to violence and life to death. Your faithfulness amazes me!