I am re-reading Heschel's book on the Sabbath. I am finding the second time around to be even more saturating. Maybe I am starting to "get it." What ever there is to be "gotten!" This morning I am reflecting on these quotes:
"Observance of the seventh day is more than a technique of fulfilling a commandment. The Sabbath is the presence of God in the world, open to the soul of man. It is possible for the soul to respond in affection, to enter into fellowship with the consecrated day."
"When we celebrate the Sabbath we adore precisely something we do not see."
I am still walking through the meaning of Sabbath...I fear that all I have learned/experienced the last few months will be forgotten. I don't want what I am experiencing now to be a fad or trend...I know there is more, but the gravity of distraction is powerful at times. Remember the Sabbath to sanctify it (Exodus 20:8).
Sabbath Number Five - through the lens of photography
In my journey of discovering the beauty of Sabbath, a rejuvenating experience in creativity has occurred. Throughout the last few months, I have attempted to capture Sabbath through the eyes of a photographer. It has also led me to a new confidence and affirmation that I am a photographer, an artist. Matthew Fox writes “when we consider creativity, we are considering the most elemental and innermost and deeply spirited aspects of our beings.” To allow creativity has been challenging with the weight of the world, yet with the elements of Sabbath the imagination seems endless. It is a day for everything else to rest and limitless creativity to consume our souls. For me, Sabbath and art allows me to honor the child within and to connect with God in a way that is almost beyond words. That is why I love photography…capturing something without the obligations of words. Here are some photos I have taken and that demonstrate a few characteristics of Sabbath for me…enjoy!
Mary Oliver inspires Sabbath...Thank you Mary Oliver
Sleeping in the Forest
I thought the earth remembered me,
she took me back so tenderly,
arranging her dark skirts, her pockets
full of lichens and seeds.
I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed,
nothing between me and the white fire of the stars
but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths
among the branches of the perfect trees.
All night I heard the small kingdoms
breathing around me, the insects,
and the birds who do their work in the darkness.
All night I rose and fell, as if in water,
grappling with a luminous doom. By morning
I had vanished at least a dozen times
into something better.
from Sleeping In The Forest by Mary Oliver
© Mary Oliver
Sabbath Number Four- Humming Birds and Cuddle Time
Last weekend I ventured down to Portland to visit family for a night and pick up my in laws dog for company while my husband was out of town.
I woke up to an empty house, as everyone had gone to church and my intent was to start Sabbath off with a little solitude before being with family later. My in-laws back yard looks into a fantastic green forest. With a warm cup of coffee I sat down towards the view. I noticed that Sally and Jay had quite the set up of bird feeders hanging from a rope that connected from a tree to their house. I was amused by this as the free birds came and went for their proportion of seeds they could fly away with. Very peaceful. As I realized how satisfying this experience was, a lovely hummingbird came right up to the window, and I'm talkin' RIGHT up to the window. There was a feeder connected to the window and the bird must not have seen me. Oh it was amazing! The presence of one hummingbird was enough but I was fortunate to see 4 in the time that I sat in that lazy boy chair! In some peculiar way, I felt connected in those moments of watching those birds. Connected to God, connected to myself, and connected to creation. I felt as if it was an invitation into a day set apart from the other six.
Later in the day I was excited to spend some time with my niece. It was just the two of us as her parents went out for a movie. Alexis is around 19 months and a bundle of JOY! She is at the stage where I am content with just watching her as she discovers the world. Since our time in Mexico, her words and coordination have increased. I am thinking in the future that part of my Sabbath rhythm is to spend time with kids. There is nothing like their imagination and ability to experience the here and now. I mostly observed but one precious moment is when we had a tea party with her cool talking tea set. Oh the laughter and light hearted play that comes with being a child. I love knowing that my niece is a role model for me in how to play well. One last experience that is worth noting in regards to this day is when Alexis woke up from her nap. You can imagine that she is fairly active during play but this time I was blessed to participate in tender cuddles. I picked her up out of her crib and we sat in a chair for at least 20 minutes. The feeling is almost indescribable. The feeling of her soft breaths and the rhythm of rocking in the chair...that is a memory I hope to remember. Since I don't see Alexis every week, this was a special gift. It is those moments that feel set apart, uncommon to the day to day life. Even if that was my own child...I can imagine the gift is there for parents that see their kids day to day. I can imagine it is these moments that help parents set aside the fears and frustrations of raising a child and remember the goodness of God in the spaces between the challenges of being a parent.
BLESSED indeed
I woke up to an empty house, as everyone had gone to church and my intent was to start Sabbath off with a little solitude before being with family later. My in-laws back yard looks into a fantastic green forest. With a warm cup of coffee I sat down towards the view. I noticed that Sally and Jay had quite the set up of bird feeders hanging from a rope that connected from a tree to their house. I was amused by this as the free birds came and went for their proportion of seeds they could fly away with. Very peaceful. As I realized how satisfying this experience was, a lovely hummingbird came right up to the window, and I'm talkin' RIGHT up to the window. There was a feeder connected to the window and the bird must not have seen me. Oh it was amazing! The presence of one hummingbird was enough but I was fortunate to see 4 in the time that I sat in that lazy boy chair! In some peculiar way, I felt connected in those moments of watching those birds. Connected to God, connected to myself, and connected to creation. I felt as if it was an invitation into a day set apart from the other six.
Later in the day I was excited to spend some time with my niece. It was just the two of us as her parents went out for a movie. Alexis is around 19 months and a bundle of JOY! She is at the stage where I am content with just watching her as she discovers the world. Since our time in Mexico, her words and coordination have increased. I am thinking in the future that part of my Sabbath rhythm is to spend time with kids. There is nothing like their imagination and ability to experience the here and now. I mostly observed but one precious moment is when we had a tea party with her cool talking tea set. Oh the laughter and light hearted play that comes with being a child. I love knowing that my niece is a role model for me in how to play well. One last experience that is worth noting in regards to this day is when Alexis woke up from her nap. You can imagine that she is fairly active during play but this time I was blessed to participate in tender cuddles. I picked her up out of her crib and we sat in a chair for at least 20 minutes. The feeling is almost indescribable. The feeling of her soft breaths and the rhythm of rocking in the chair...that is a memory I hope to remember. Since I don't see Alexis every week, this was a special gift. It is those moments that feel set apart, uncommon to the day to day life. Even if that was my own child...I can imagine the gift is there for parents that see their kids day to day. I can imagine it is these moments that help parents set aside the fears and frustrations of raising a child and remember the goodness of God in the spaces between the challenges of being a parent.
BLESSED indeed
Sabbath Number Three- How to Sabbath while on "Vacation?"
It has been a few weeks since this particular Sabbath experience, but I will do my best to capture and share the words written in my journal while written on the beaches of Playa del Carmen! I attempted to be intentional in regards to Sabbath but I was confronted with the question, how do I Sabbath while on vacation? Shouldn't it some how seem easier to enter Sabbath due to the fewer distractions and relaxing warmth, ocean, and beach that invited me to play each day? I found myself wrestling with rest...crazy I know! Though this experience confirmed that the practice of Sabbath go beyond the concept of rest. There is a greater level of intentionality than napping and eating all day. So as I reflected, prayed, and read I was reminded of something Heschel wrote in regards to Sabbath. "To set apart one day a week for freedom, a day on which we would not use the instruments which have been so easily turned into weapons of destruction, a day for being with ourselves, a day of detachment from the vulgar, of independence of external obligations, a day on which we stop worshipping the idols of technical civilization, a day on which we use no money, a day of armistice in the economic struggle with our fellow men and the forces of nature..."
And so it was...I attempted to Sabbath with the intent of letting down my defenses, to lay down my weapons of destruction. I took on the day as believing that even my sin, the injustices of the world, grief, anxiety, and relational conflict needed to rest and be put aside. Why you may ask? In hopes for a "day of harmony and peace between man and man, peace within man, and peace with all things" (Heschel). It may an attempt to reclaim our authentic state, to participate life with gratitude and awe towards the goodness of God.
So practically this was difficult as I was challenged with my defensive thoughts towards the small frustrations that came up throughout the day. As I recognized I was hurt by something my husband said or the grief of poverty that swelled up in my throat, I simply prayed for God to help me lay these feelings aside...not out of avoidance...but affirming His sovereignty in all of this madness. Perhaps this is a practice that, with God's help, will be preparation for Eternity. who know?!
Here a few photos that I took while embracing this challenge to Sabbath while on vacation. When thinking about these pictures, more during the act of taking the photos, the word DELIGHT comes to mind!!! Yep that's right, I wrote it, delight! woohoo
Sabbath and lemons?
It has been awhile since I have written or transfered some of my Sabbath journals to this blog...though as I was researching for my upcoming project, I came across this video and knew I had to share. Pretty hilarious and creative! Enjoy
The Ten Commandments: No.3 Keep Holy The Sabbath Day from Global Mechanic on Vimeo.
Sabbath Number Two- Set Apart
What Sets This Day Apart
UnpluggedMake No Plans
Take Time To Observe
Interruptions
In another attempt to practice Sabbath, my husband and I wrestled throughout the day in desiring this day to be set apart from the others. We had somewhat planned a few days prior to allow Saturday to be the day we would engage with Sabbath. In our conversations in class, the concept of Holy-set apart has stuck with me. I spent Saturday constantly reminding myself and James what makes this day set apart? So first things first, we unplugged from our cell phones. Turning them off was refreshing...no obligations or interruptions, so we thought! We spent the day connecting with each other and ultimately with our Creator, with conversations and side by side activities. We decided that another way in which this day would be set apart would to have a "no plan" mentality. By turning off cell phones and allowing no obligations, time felt irrelevant. We got outside due to the beautiful weather and played tennis. I also found myself aware of the families and children playing around us in the park. Taking time to observe...another theme that I would like to incorporate into the rhythms of Sabbath. I watched children play with their imagination and wonder. Children are a gift and window to delight. As the day progressed, I found myself begin to think about all the obligations and things that needed to get done. I had to be intentional to tell myself that those things would have to wait until tomorrow. It is a commitment to protect the practices and rhythms of Sabbath. I began to realize this when our door bell rang. A man that has stopped by our house a few times had invited me to learn how to crochet and I had forgotten about my commitment. Henry is a man that is often misunderstood. I had to work through this misunderstanding myself as we welcomed him into our home. To be honest, I already know how to crochet...but God tugs on my heart when it comes to Henry. I spent an hour watching him crochet and tell stories about his abusive father that now rests in heaven. Henry also seems to have struggles mentally as he is slow in speaking his thoughts. Though this seemed to be an "interruption," Henry was apart of Sabbath. A perfect example of not judging a book by it's cover and allowing space for the unpredictable. I know that I miss so many opportunities and glimpses of God's character by my own biases and inability to let go of my comforts. Engaging with Sabbath is taking me outside of that comfort zone.
Heschel's thoughts on Sabbath and Eternity
"The law of the Sabbath tries to direct thebody and the mind to the dimension of the holy."
What is the Sabbath? Spirit in the form of time.With our bodies we belong to space; our spirit, our souls, soar to eternity, aspire to the holy. The Sabbath is an ascent to the summit."
"The seventh day is a reminder that God is our father, that time is life and the spirit our mate.
What is the Sabbath? Spirit in the form of time.With our bodies we belong to space; our spirit, our souls, soar to eternity, aspire to the holy. The Sabbath is an ascent to the summit."
"The seventh day is a reminder that God is our father, that time is life and the spirit our mate.
Sabbath Number One- Remembering
My first attempt in participating in Sabbath since the beginning of my class was this weekend. I have been thinking about two specific approaches towards the practices of Sabbath. The first is the consumer approach, which seems all too familiar. It seems too easy to add something new by reading the newest book, buying a new Bible, or even starting a new hobby that portrays itself as restful. I find myself thinking of the several new formalities that I would like to try in my attempt to practice Sabbath. The other approach is what my teacher Phil calls "meaningful connections." This entails incorporating what I already have and know towards potential practices of Sabbath. Essentially growing practices and rhythms I already have. With the second approach in mind, I have thought about this question proposed by Dan Allender in regards to Sabbath, "What would you do for a twenty-four-hour period of time if the only criteria was to pursue your deepest joy?" Here some things that come to mind and also are current rhythms I hope to grow in:
photography
music
relationships
nature
feasting with others
playing with children
So in my first attempt to engage with Sabbath, I focused connecting with the goodness of God through pursuing places/people/hobbies where I have experienced deep joy. In attempt to journal on this day of Sabbath, I made a creative video in which some of these things are displayed! Most of the photos are small windows in to how God has allowed me to see and experience the world. Which is one thing I love about photography and being able to potentially express the way I see the world!
Sabbath Morning Liturgy
To God who rested from all action on the seventh day
and ascended upon His throne of glory.
He vested the day of rest with beauty;
He called Sabbath a delight.
This is the song and the praise of the seventh day,
on which God rested from His work.
The seventh day itself is uttering praise.
A song of the Sabbath day:
"It is good to give thanks unto the Lord!"
Therefore, all the creatures of God bless Him.
The Sabbath teaches all being whom to praise.
Wendell Berry- A Timbered Choir
1979-VII
What if, in the high, restful sanctuary
That keeps the memory of Paradise,
We're followed by the drone of history
And greed's poisonous fumes still burn our eyes?
Disharmony recalls us to our work.
From Heavenly work of light and wind and leaf
We must turn back into the peopled dark
Of our unraveling century, the grief
Of waste, the agony of haste and noise.
It is a hard return from Sabbath rest
To lifework of the fields, yet we rejoice,
Returning, less condemned in being blessed
By vision of what human work can make:
A harmony between forest and field,
The world as it was given for love's sake,
The world by love and loving work revealed
As given to our children and our Maker.
In that healed harmony the world is used
But not destroyed, the Giver and the taker
Joined, the taker blessed, in the unabused
Gift that nurtures and protects. Then workday
And Sabbath live together in one place.
Though mortal, incomplete, that harmony
Is our one possibility of peace.
When field and woods agree, they make a rhyme
That stirs in distant memory the whole
First Sabbath's song that no largess of time
Or hope or sorrow wholly can recall.
But harmony of earth is Heaven-made,
Heaven-making, is promise and is prayer,
A little song to keep us unafraid,
An earthly music magnified in air.
What if, in the high, restful sanctuary
That keeps the memory of Paradise,
We're followed by the drone of history
And greed's poisonous fumes still burn our eyes?
Disharmony recalls us to our work.
From Heavenly work of light and wind and leaf
We must turn back into the peopled dark
Of our unraveling century, the grief
Of waste, the agony of haste and noise.
It is a hard return from Sabbath rest
To lifework of the fields, yet we rejoice,
Returning, less condemned in being blessed
By vision of what human work can make:
A harmony between forest and field,
The world as it was given for love's sake,
The world by love and loving work revealed
As given to our children and our Maker.
In that healed harmony the world is used
But not destroyed, the Giver and the taker
Joined, the taker blessed, in the unabused
Gift that nurtures and protects. Then workday
And Sabbath live together in one place.
Though mortal, incomplete, that harmony
Is our one possibility of peace.
When field and woods agree, they make a rhyme
That stirs in distant memory the whole
First Sabbath's song that no largess of time
Or hope or sorrow wholly can recall.
But harmony of earth is Heaven-made,
Heaven-making, is promise and is prayer,
A little song to keep us unafraid,
An earthly music magnified in air.
The Beginning
I am beginning a new journey in learning more about the practices of Sabbath. I am currently a student as Mars Hill Graduate School and believe it or not...they offer a spiritual formation class around Sabbath. I signed up for this class in hopes to learn practices for self care and connection with God. Right from the start of class, I was reminded of how Sabbath is the fourth commandment. This struck me because I am curious when this practice became an option in the culture I am apart of. I am looking forward to entering the time in which God declares holy.
