Rest

Did you know that there is an entire biblical doctrine of Rest?

I was first introduced to the topic last year at Bethel in my class on the Pentateuch, but recently reminded of the doctrine as I'm studying Hebrews.

It starts with the command to honor the Sabbath or "Shabbat" in Hebrew. The Shabbat fascinates me, and I may write more on it later, but for now I'll settle for recommending Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner--an intriguing description of Hebrew ritual for deeper and more meaningful worship.

The author of Hebrews alludes to the doctrine again in Hebrews 3-4:14. I've been picking out some really cool stuff about Shabbat in these verses. Particularly about Jesus Christ providing us eternal spiritual Shabbat--contrasted with the temporary Shabbat of the earthly promised land, Joshua, and the law.

But another convicting aspect of the Doctrine of Rest for me, is the frequent reference to God's voice in Hebrews.

3:7 "So as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts...'"

3:16 "As has just been said; 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'"

4:7 "...'This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'"

"Word" and "Spoke" are frequently used as well in the passage. But, you get the point. I'm convicted because I know how quickly my life gets filled with the noise of work, friends, family, and stuff. And I also know how easy it is to hear those voices louder than the voice of God...if I am not careful.

The final irony is that I'm confused when this happens--why am I not feeling the Shabbat of God. The author of Hebrews alludes to the voice of God being foundational for rest. In order to have peace, we must listen.



"The Rest" by Pablo Picasso

A New Mother's Day

Shout out to Doris Heidtbrink! A woman who has lived her love for people, who ALWAYS shows compassion and grace, who shows humility in her honesty, and who quite possibly is the only other individual quite as loud as I am. I LOVE YOU, MOM!



So Mother's Day has taken a new meaning this year to me for two reasons.

We'll start with the first big news--my oldest sister, Amanda (clear left) is expecting the first official child of my siblings around Halloween of this year. Officially putting me in the running for SWEETEST FREAKING AUNT EVER!!! There really is no "running"...I will win.

Additionally, I've been challenged recently to embrace my calling as a woman. Being a woman can often be challenging, confusing, frustrating and oppressive.

However, it can also mean reflecting some of the most unique and powerful attributes of the Creator...including the power to create. I hope to blog more on this later, but for now I am going to end with a HUZZAH to the women I love and feel are extraordinary, who are creating beauty in all parts of the world.

Today was my grandpa's last day as senior pastor at Polk Baptist Church. Amidst the cursed, uncontrollable Burke woman tears (I mean every blasted one of us from grandma to aunts to grand-daughters), he finished 62 years of pastoral ministry with a sermon in 1 John on loving one another.

I'm going to brag for a moment and state that I possibly had THE coolest grandpa in the entire world.

Last night I was studying Hebrews and ran across a passage that he had shown me when I was 15. At 15, I asked about whether or not individuals could "lose" their salvation. And my grandpa took the time to explain to me--in my youthful ignorance--the main premises of Soteriology (no joke). He didn't dumb it down, he used technical terms and gave me outlines of the philosophy behind prevailing views.

Which brings us to cool factor number one: who takes the time to explain Soteriology to a 15 year old?! My grandpa, that's who. And as a result I experienced the living Truth that EVERY one can understand their faith on a deeper level...never insult the capacity of the human heart and mind based on external factors (gender, age, etc.).

Then! And this is what blows my mind. I remember him focusing on Hebrews 10:24, 25:

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love, and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

He explained (to a fascinated and totally mold-able pre-teen) that my actions in loving community would far surpass any theological conclusions I came to. That in the end, theology is just theology--and God is God over it all. But, my call is to encourage and be active.

As my grandpa concludes a long journey of ministry, I consider my own. I hope I have the wisdom to continue his legacy and love others more than my own mind. May our doctrines, our theologies, and our comprehension not rob the cross of its glory. May we stir one another to love. May we stir one another to good works. Let us not neglect meeting together. But, let us encourage one another!

2 (posts) in 1 (week)

This week has been kind of crazy at work. And I got phished on facebook, which was remotely embarrassing, but also amazing for my social life. EVERYONE was thinking of me and talking to me. I recommend its many benefits, except I did have my password changed. And had to go through a dang lot of hoops to start a new husker email and finally re-gain access to my account to change the password. AND I'M TAKING FACEBOOK BACK, EVIL FORCES OF COMPUTER DOOM!

This post is getting kind of weird. So, I'll just wrap it up with a quotation from Mark Twain, “Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates”.

So...

true.