Genesis 2:1-3 Jesus said “come to Me and I will give you rest”.

 Hebrews 4:1–11Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it…

Jesus said “come to Me and I will give you rest”. In Him we have  rest. The sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. In His birth, death and resurrection Jesus fulfilled all the Law and now we rest in His grace. We cease from earning God’s favor. We now live in peace with God. It is finished. Carla

Genesis 2:1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. NKJV)

The seven days of creation end with this description of God’s rest. The creation account of 1:1–2:3, where God works for six days and rests on the seventh, provides a theological rationale for the Sabbath observance. The command to observe the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8–11 is based directly on the pattern developed in this passage.

The Hebrew verb used here, shavath, means “cease” or “rest.” The English word “Sabbath” comes from the related Hebrew noun shabbath. The word implies that God’s work of creation was completed, so He stopped. God blessed the seventh day. Faithlife Study Bible

While mention is made of the heavens, the focus in the first chapter has been on the earth. Although the earth is not the physical center of the universe, it is the center of God’s great creative work. God did not rest because of fatigue, but because of His accomplishment. God is never weary (Isaiah 40:28, 29). The verb translated as rested is related to the word for Sabbath, which means “rest.” Many assume that the basic meaning of the Sabbath is worship, but this is not the case (Exodus 20:9–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–14). By God’s blessed inactivity on this seventh day, He showed that He was satisfied with the work He had done. God blessed the birds and fish (1:22), humans (1:28), and now the seventh day (Saturday). He sanctified it; He made it holy. Thus, from the beginning of time, God placed special value on a certain day of the week. The NKJV Study Bible

Exodus 20:8–11

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work…

Exodus 31:17

It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ”

Deuteronomy 4:19

And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. 

Deuteronomy 5:12–14

‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work…

We can learn from Jesus, who is, let’s be honest, often a PR-department's nightmare. In the middle of his busy schedule (healing, teaching, and caring), with a lot of people clamoring for his attention ("and the whole town gathered at the door"), he withdraws to a solitary place to pray, to be alone in the desert, to be at home in his skin.

His disciples, not understanding, and genuinely put out, hunt him down.

When they find him, they exclaim, "Jesus, what are you doing here... doing Nothing!? Do you want to be a good Messiah, or not? Get back down there! People are counting on you down there. What will people think? Jesus, we need to get you to a time-management seminar. You could accomplish so much more!" That’s all from the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel. And yes, let’s call it my “slightly loose” translation.

However: Listen to the literal translation, which will sound very familiar, especially to our modern ears, "Jesus, everyone is looking for you!"

We've all heard some variation of this show of displeasure. Implying, "You have some nerve, saying ‘No’."

This way of thinking preys on two temptations. One, it assumes that we derive our worth and value only (or primarily) from what we do, or produce. Therefore, we are motivated to be “indispensable”.

Two, we assume that rest (or Sabbath or withdrawing or savoring life in the present) is wasteful, and should inflame guilt. ("Shouldn't you be doing something worthwhile with your time?" we hear the inner-voice nag.)

Like I said, Jesus needs a spin-doctor.

Listen to his response: The disciples said, “Everyone is looking for you."

Jesus replied, "Then let us go somewhere else."

Here's the bottom line: For Jesus, withdrawing is not optional. It is intentional and essential.

Did Jesus quit his healing, teaching and caring? No.

Did Jesus quit bearing witness—being a place of grace and rebuilding? No.

Did Jesus quit lifting up marginalized people, saying no to social hierarchy? No.

But his caring was based on this: We give—we relate, care, listen, serve—wholeheartedly, if we are at home in our own skin. Sabbath Moments

Romans 5:1-2 Peace in these troubling times we live in!

 Romans 5:10–11

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation

Peace, blessed peace, not the peace that the world tries to give by force, but God’s peace. This peace is available to us in the good, the bad and even the evil of this world. It is the gift of God to those who trust in Him. By faith in the finished work of the Cross we are reconciled to God and can rest in His peace. Carla

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. NKJV

Peace here is not a subjective feeling of peace. Rather, this peace is the state of being at peace instead of at war. The hostility between God and the believer has ceased. The believer has been reconciled to God. To have access means “to approach,” as if by introduction into a king’s throne room. Believers have been granted admission to stand before God. Even though they were once rebels, they do not have to face His judgment. Instead they approach His throne in the realm of grace, or in the King’s favor. Rejoice means “to boast” and hope means “expectation.” Believers boast in the sure expectation of the glory of God. They are confident, for God Himself has placed the Holy Spirit in their hearts (verse 5). The NKJV Study Bible

Paul has argued extensively that salvation comes only through faith. He assumes that conclusion here, using it as the starting point to expound on the implications of being declared righteous by God. Paul uses this word for peace similarly to how it is used throughout the Old Testament to describe well-being, prosperity, safety from harm, and deliverance from enemies. This peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is the result of having been declared righteous by faith (Ephesians 2:14–17; Colossians 1:20). It also could refer to the believer’s subjective experience of peace with God. This grace in which we stand Indicates not only a past event, but also a present reality made possible by the work of Christ on the cross. We boast refers to expressing trust in God to do what He promised. Paul uses a similar phrase to describe Abraham’s response of faith to God’s promise (Romans 4:20). Faithlife Study Bible

1 Corinthians 15:1

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 

Ephesians 2:18

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Romans 3:28

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 

Ephesians 3:12

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 

We’ve missed the point if we don’t see that unplugging and refueling is a laboratory for forgiveness, which begins with self-forgiveness. An invitation to befriend our scattered and wounded self.

Yes. Grace, indeed, is WD40 for the soul.

And the permission to let go of the strange measurements we lug around for self-worth. Here’s the bottom line: When I lose sight of who I am (or where I am grounded), I forget to be here now. The gift of enough in the sacrament of the present. As long as I’m preoccupied with apprehension of where I need to arrive, I’m unable to pause, or care, or give, or weep, or mourn, or heal, or contribute, or laugh, or savor. Unable to stay informed. Unable to bear witness.

Tell me my friend; this week, where were you able to find replenishment?

Where were you able to find renewal?

Where were you able to feel the embrace-even if only a smidgen—of inner peace? Sabbath Moments

John 10:11-18 Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!

 John 3:16-17 for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that through him the world could be saved.

No one loves you more than God…NO ONE! Carla

John 10:11-18

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” NKJV)

Jesus fulfills the messianic role of the shepherd. This role in Ezekiel is depicted as fulfilled by God; Jesus makes the claim that He (as God in flesh) is the one fulfilling it. Evoking imagery of the young shepherd, David, risking his life to keep his sheep safe (1 Samuel 17:34–37). In addition to fulfilling God’s role with His people as shepherd, Jesus fulfills David’s role as their king. The  Father knows me this gives Jesus the authority to make the claims He does. I have other sheep alludes to the Gentiles and the ultimate universal scope of salvation via Christ’s atoning death. The flock includes all believers, both Jews and Gentiles. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 3:16), as opposed to the wicked thief who takes their lives. While life in verse 10 refers to eternal life, life here refers to physical life. Jesus laid down His physical life in order to give us eternal life. The hireling is a hired shepherd, a mercenary, who tends the flock for his own interest. When a hired shepherd sees a wolf coming he flees, not caring about the sheep.

The other sheep were not Jews in heathen lands, but Gentiles. The Jewish people had asked if Jesus would go and teach the Gentiles (7:35). Jesus now declared that He had sheep among the despised heathen. One flock anticipates the salvation of the Gentiles and the formation of the church, in which converted Jews and Gentiles would form one spiritual body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:16). As the good shepherd, Jesus had the power—that is, the authority—not only to voluntarily lay down His life for the sheep but also to take it up again. No one but God can do that. The NKJV Study Bible

1 Peter 2:25

For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Ezekiel 34:11–16

‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day…

John 11:52

and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs with His arm,

And carry them in His bosom,

And gently lead those who are with young.

“We are here to heal, not harm. We are here to love, not hate. We are here to create, not destroy.” (Anthony D. Williams)
Staying informed matters.
Bearing witness matters.
And we need to tell—and retell—the stories about those who did stand. And bear witness. 

Sister Mary Antona Ebo died November 2017, at the age of 93.

In 2013, I was honored to walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge and to stand with heroes, including Sr. Mary and John Lewis.

In 2013 I wrote, "Today I walked across a bridge. The sun shines down from a bleached blue sky. The air may by cool, but our spirits don't notice, as we stand and sing under the sign, Edmund Pettus Bridge. We are in Selma, Alabama on Bloody Sunday. And no, after today I will never be the same." Sabbath Moments

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 Life is a gift of a loving Father rest in His peace!

Psalm 34:14

Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

Love God above all and your neighbor as yourself. In these two commandments the law is fulfilled in His grace. Rest in the peace of God which is beyond human understanding. Carla

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 

12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. NKJV)

As in 2:24, the advice of the Preacher is to seize the day in the joy of God. Rejoice … Enjoy. Biblical faith is a call for joy, even when we live in a wicked world and under terrible stress; this is because we find true joy in the living God. The NKJV Study Bible

Faced with human limitations, people should enjoy life and be content with what they are give. Enjoyment of life is a gift of God. Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 37:3

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Here’s the deal: It’s easy to miss moments of enrichment—moments of nourishment and refreshment—when we are focused on what we think life “should” be.

Reading the Bible, God is real in small gifts and simple pleasures. God is present in the commonplace, the weak, the flawed, the compromised. The profane is not the antithesis of the sacred, but the bearer of it.

We are so bent on removing ourselves from the mundane (and certainly anything messy), that we miss miracles. And the gift of replenishment.

We do not rest in the solace that God is present, having nothing to do with our faith, or our effort to invest the moment with meaning.

So. We have a choice. We can live life as a gift to be embraced and explored and savored. Or, we can take the typical western worldview—treat everything like a test to be completed (and hopefully aced). Sabbath Moments

1 Peter 5:5-7 We walk humbly with God by placing our faith in Him and not in man.

John 3:17 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV)

God so loved the world that He created that He gave us His only begotten Son to die for our sins…no one loves you more than God…no one! We walk humbly with our God and in doing so we care about others and forgive quickly. Easy? No, but it is required in our faith in Him alone. Micah 6:8 Carla

1 Peter 5:5-7

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.”

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJV)

We need to present all our worries, anxieties, and problems to God in order to let Him handle them. The NKJV Study Bible

Speaking now to all believers, Peter draws on the Septuagint (ancient Greek Old Testament) version of Proverbs 3:34 to stress the importance of humility in the Christian community. The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to cultivate an attitude of humility. Peter urges his audience to be humble while they wait for God to honor their faithfulness in His timing. This call to humility reinforces the repeated call in the letter to endure various kinds of suffering for their faith by placing their trust in God’s plan.

Casting all your cares on him is likely drawing on Psalm 55:22, this line provides comfort to believers in the face of persecution and suffering. God not only will deliver believers from their troubles in the future, but He demonstrates His loving care in the present by hearing their prayers. Faithlife Study Bible

Proverbs 3:34

Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

Matthew 23:12

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the LORD,

And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

James 4:6

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

“We are here to heal, not harm. We are here to love, not hate. We are here to create, not destroy.” Anthony D. Williams

Staying informed matters.

Bearing witness matters.

And making sure our heart and soul are replenished and refreshed matters.

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters—refreshes others—will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11)

An affirmation of Charlie Parker’s reminder, “If it ain’t in you, it can’t come out of your horn.”

What moves and heals and stirs and replenishes the individual soul, can also move and heal the world. So. It’s paradigm shift time…  When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?

In reclaiming large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, we are able to then reflect it towards others. Sabbath Moments