Thinking about the Sabbath

[DuckieLady]

@FluffyYellowDuck

Back to Bunyan; I do love his old hymn, 'He who would valiant be',

He who would valiant be
'gainst all disaster,
let him in constancy
follow the Master.
There's no discouragement
shall make him once relent
his first avowed intent
to be a pilgrim.

2 Who so beset him round
with dismal stories,
do but themselves confound—
his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might,
though he with giants fight;
he will make good his right
to be a pilgrim.

3 Since, Lord, Thou dost defend
us with Thy Spirit,
we know we at the end
shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, flee away!
I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day
to be a pilgrim.

Do you know if this is one of the ones he wrote in prison? It's a lovely poem. I wonder if he wrote it during a time of feeling discouraged. I remember reading about his time of imprisonment in "Chief Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" but it's been so long I can't remember it all.

I still chuckle at his paranoia over a game of cat on the sabbath. (Tip cat) ... Almost like baseball but instead of a ball a smaller stick. Man, if the Christians of his time saw us today they would be horrified. Like I said, I love the reading the contrasts between today and the historical accounts.

"But one day (amongst all the sermons our parson made) his subject was, to treat of the Sabbath day, and of the evil of breaking that, either with labour, sports or otherwise. (Now, I was, notwithstanding my religion, one that took much delight in all manner of vice, and especially that was the day that I did solace myself therewith): wherefore I fell in my conscience under his sermon, thinking and believing that he made that sermon on purpose to show me my evil doing. And at that time I felt what guilt was, though never before, that I can remember; but then I was, for the present, greatly loaden therewith, and so went home when the sermon was ended, with a great burthen upon my spirit.

This, for that instant did benumb the sinews of my best delights, and did imbitter my former pleasures to me; but hold, it lasted not, for before I had well dined, the trouble began to go off my mind, and my heart returned to its old course: but oh! how glad was I, that this trouble was gone from me, and that the fire was put out, that I might sin again without control! Wherefore, when I had satisfied nature with my food, I shook the sermon out of my mind, and to my old custom of sports and gaming, I returned with great delight.

But the same day, as I was in the midst of a game of Cat, and having struck it one blow from the hole, just as I was about to strike it the second time, a voice did suddenly dart from heaven into my soul, which said, Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell? At this I was put to an exceeding maze; wherefore leaving my cat upon the ground, I looked up to heaven, and was, as if I had, with the eyes of my understanding, seen the Lord Jesus looking down upon me, as being very hotly displeased with me, and as if He did severely threaten me with some grievous punishment for these and other ungodly practices."

 

[farouk]

Do you know if this is one of the ones he wrote in prison? It's a lovely poem. I wonder if he wrote it during a time of feeling discouraged. I remember reading about his time of imprisonment in "Chief Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" but it's been so long I can't remember it all.

I still chuckle at his paranoia over a game of cat on the sabbath. (Tip cat) ... Almost like baseball but instead of a ball a smaller stick. Man, if the Christians of his time saw us today they would be horrified. Like I said, I love the reading the contrasts between today and the historical accounts.

"But one day (amongst all the sermons our parson made) his subject was, to treat of the Sabbath day, and of the evil of breaking that, either with labour, sports or otherwise. (Now, I was, notwithstanding my religion, one that took much delight in all manner of vice, and especially that was the day that I did solace myself therewith): wherefore I fell in my conscience under his sermon, thinking and believing that he made that sermon on purpose to show me my evil doing. And at that time I felt what guilt was, though never before, that I can remember; but then I was, for the present, greatly loaden therewith, and so went home when the sermon was ended, with a great burthen upon my spirit.

This, for that instant did benumb the sinews of my best delights, and did imbitter my former pleasures to me; but hold, it lasted not, for before I had well dined, the trouble began to go off my mind, and my heart returned to its old course: but oh! how glad was I, that this trouble was gone from me, and that the fire was put out, that I might sin again without control! Wherefore, when I had satisfied nature with my food, I shook the sermon out of my mind, and to my old custom of sports and gaming, I returned with great delight.

But the same day, as I was in the midst of a game of Cat, and having struck it one blow from the hole, just as I was about to strike it the second time, a voice did suddenly dart from heaven into my soul, which said, Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell? At this I was put to an exceeding maze; wherefore leaving my cat upon the ground, I looked up to heaven, and was, as if I had, with the eyes of my understanding, seen the Lord Jesus looking down upon me, as being very hotly displeased with me, and as if He did severely threaten me with some grievous punishment for these and other ungodly practices."

@FluffyYellowDuck Bunyan did spend time in prison; not sure of the chronology.

 

[WaterSong]

Great topic fluffy. Love the ducky picture. I had a friend who had a baby duck when we were in high school. She named him, Pepsi.

I think the observation taken from that book you read makes sense. Work schedule being what it is today and being married and when at home with hubby doesn't permit the old way of doing things as much. However, once upon a time I observed the Sabbath as is described in scripture and per the Hebrew calendar of days.
Starting at sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. One day, Sabbath day. I made my own schedule then. I'd turn off the telephones, unplug the TV, and all electrical appliances but the fridge of course. And I'd fast that day, drinking only water, and just relax and spend time with the Lord. Read the Bible, meditate, pray, take long walks outside and speak not a word.
I'd take a long bath at the start of Sabbath, my form of the traditional Mikvah. And also on Saturday just as sunset was about to occur, to close the Sabbath.

It takes time to slip into the peace of such a spiritual routine but once you do, tune out the world's voices that try to keep your attention, it is an amazing feeling. And I slept like a baby.

After things changed in my life and I couldn't do that any longer, the returning daily routine felt like putting on a coat of chaos in stereo.
Fascinating how being absent from all that occupies our attention in the world for a regular routine lets us to realize how much of our mind was occupied by noise. And when we let ourselves be absent from that, shut it out, for a full day it becomes really emotional.
I let my emotions go with it. I wept quite a bit the first weeks I entered into Sabbath rest. I felt it was a cleansing.
Then, after a time, it became more and more something my entire self craved. I couldn't wait till Friday. TGIF had a whole new meaning.
Entering into the peace of God, leaving the worldly noise behind.

As is written, let no one judge you for observing Sabbath. God made the Sabbath for us. Feel blessed for such an awesomely rewarding gift. And the critics? Close 'em out. They don't know what they're missing. If you do, you will fast realize criticism means nothing. It's your relationship with God. Yours! Don't ever let any critic steer you away from what God created for you. One day those critics may find their way there and then they'll see what they were missing. It's never too late as long as you're on this side of the grass.

 

[mjrhealth]

One day those critics may find their way there and then they'll see what they were missing.

We found our rest in Christ, some never will....

Heb 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

 

[GerhardEbersoehn]

Christianity sprang and grew from eye-witness faith in Truth; now at its sure end it famishes from I-witness pomp and prank.

 

[WaterSong]

We found our rest in Christ, some never will....

Heb 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Sabbath is yet another way to truly feel the comfort in our rest in Christ. I believe we have that as indwelt Christians. However, living the Sabbath rest period, entering into that as a ritual of sorts, in a personal spiritual relationship with God, only deepens the awareness of being in Christ.
At least that was my experience. It was like stepping out of a cold shower where there are darts being shot at me head to toe, the chaos of the world and what occupied my attentions all week, and into the largest thickest warm comforter naked as a babe, and having it wrap itself fully around me so that my entire being felt the universe say, as I let out a deep breath and released the worlds hold, welcome home.

 

[DuckieLady]

Great topic fluffy. Love the ducky picture. I had a friend who had a baby duck when we were in high school. She named him, Pepsi.

I think the observation taken from that book you read makes sense. Work schedule being what it is today and being married and when at home with hubby doesn't permit the old way of doing things as much. However, once upon a time I observed the Sabbath as is described in scripture and per the Hebrew calendar of days.
Starting at sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. One day, Sabbath day. I made my own schedule then. I'd turn off the telephones, unplug the TV, and all electrical appliances but the fridge of course. And I'd fast that day, drinking only water, and just relax and spend time with the Lord. Read the Bible, meditate, pray, take long walks outside and speak not a word.
I'd take a long bath at the start of Sabbath, my form of the traditional Mikvah. And also on Saturday just as sunset was about to occur, to close the Sabbath.

It takes time to slip into the peace of such a spiritual routine but once you do, tune out the world's voices that try to keep your attention, it is an amazing feeling. And I slept like a baby.

After things changed in my life and I couldn't do that any longer, the returning daily routine felt like putting on a coat of chaos in stereo.
Fascinating how being absent from all that occupies our attention in the world for a regular routine lets us to realize how much of our mind was occupied by noise. And when we let ourselves be absent from that, shut it out, for a full day it becomes really emotional.
I let my emotions go with it. I wept quite a bit the first weeks I entered into Sabbath rest. I felt it was a cleansing.
Then, after a time, it became more and more something my entire self craved. I couldn't wait till Friday. TGIF had a whole new meaning.
Entering into the peace of God, leaving the worldly noise behind.

As is written, let no one judge you for observing Sabbath. God made the Sabbath for us. Feel blessed for such an awesomely rewarding gift. And the critics? Close 'em out. They don't know what they're missing. If you do, you will fast realize criticism means nothing. It's your relationship with God. Yours! Don't ever let any critic steer you away from what God created for you. One day those critics may find their way there and then they'll see what they were missing. It's never too late as long as you're on this side of the grass.

Pepsi is too cute of name. I love the sound of your Sabbath routine. I've had the television unplugged for about two years now and switched to a flip phone- and a while ago I took a year off the internet and all of it. (Besides my flip phone.) So I KNOOOOW what you mean by shutting out the noise and how much comes up, it's like running the water to clear the pipes. All the muck comes out first and it's filthy disgusting water you wouldn't wash your socks in, but eventually it runs out crystal clear.

But I was thinking today about just closing the laptop and putting it away. I still have that. I think I will next week. I used to clean the night before, stop everything for the day, and spend time with God. Reading or studying or praise or whatever. To be honest I wasn't always good about it and spent a lot of time trying to figure out "Okay, now what do I do..."

I will always remember hearing a story from a Rabbi, who said the true test of confidence was being alone without anything else, and seeing how long you can be alone by yourself without feeling claustrophobic - paraphrasing there.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I needed it.

Some of us are so high strung and ADHD I think we need it. I need it. That's me.

 

[WaterSong]

Pepsi is too cute of name. I love the sound of your Sabbath routine. I've had the television unplugged for about two years now and switched to a flip phone- and a while ago I took a year off the internet and all of it. (Besides my flip phone.) So I KNOOOOW what you mean by shutting out the noise and how much comes up, it's like running the water to clear the pipes. All the muck comes out first and it's filthy disgusting water you wouldn't wash your socks in, but eventually it runs out crystal clear.

But I was thinking today about just closing the laptop and putting it away. I still have that. I think I will next week. I used to clean the night before, stop everything for the day, and spend time with God. Reading or studying or praise or whatever. To be honest I wasn't always good about it and spent a lot of time trying to figure out "Okay, now what do I do..."

I will always remember hearing a story from a Rabbi, who said the true test of confidence was being alone without anything else, and seeing how long you can be alone by yourself without feeling claustrophobic - paraphrasing there.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I needed it.

Some of us are so high strung and ADHD I think we need it. I need it. That's me.

Well said, about flushing the pipes till there is clean water. That is a great analogy.
We don't realize how much noise occupies our mind until there is only quiet.
I know what you mean about wondering what to do next. But that's just a part of being occupied in the world all those other days. We have to have something to do in order to get somewhere else. Go to work to make a living. Make a living to pay bills. Pay bills to be free of portional debt until the next month. Budget the rest till next paycheck.

It's like what plagued me for the longest. I'd hear a song on the TV or radio in the car and then a part of the lyrics would loop in my head throughout the day. Sometimes for days. When I would try to practice to enter the Sabbath before my life's schedule permitted and to ready myself for that quiet period especially. Even when trying to get to sleep. It was like something was working to insure I could never still my mind.
But then one day, I noticed I could enter into silence, not even talking to people, nor running thoughts in my head, a little more every day.
Then when I got to the point of being able to enter Sabbath rest as I wanted, for that full day, it was easier to enter into the quiet. Not for the full day at first but gradually over time it turned out I could enter the silence all day.
Then I'd just follow the leading of what I call, that little voice. Hubby says I should consider it the holy spirit speaking, as Jesus promised would happen.
I believe he's right because every time I try to do things my way, because sometimes that voice is direct, sometimes it is a distant whisper making a suggestion I sometimes hear in parts, without exception I always regret it. Whereas conversely, when I listen to that little voice and follow its lead without exception everything turns out perfectly. No regrets.

I'd turn to candle making during Sabbath rest. Before I would make the candles , because lights were unplugged, during free time in the work week so as to have them ready for Sabbath.

When I ran low one month I thought, I'll just let it go and see how things work out. Sure enough, I followed where I felt led and started making the candles, beeswax candles. Much healthier to burn than petroleum paraffin.
Then I would notice during the week I'd feel led to think of pure essential oils to add to the candles. Like, I'd be online shopping for something. And though it didn't relate to what I was shopping for there would be this little window at the site that would have a header, you might like these....And there were pure essential oils.
I never shopped for the beeswax or candle making supplies online. I always bought those at the local craft shop so there was no search history related to candles at that shopping site.

It was great. I can compare it to being in a quiet place with my best friend and our just having a good time together. It is a relationship after all. The best relationships are those that have an open communication.

 

[GerhardEbersoehn]

yes, again :

Christianity sprang and grew from eye-witness faith in Truth; now at its sure end it famishes from I-witness pomp and prank.

 

[kcnalp]

Sabbath commands were ONLY for Israel!

 

[mjrhealth]

Sabbath is yet another way to truly feel the comfort in our rest in Christ. I believe we have that as indwelt Christians. However, living the Sabbath rest period, entering into that as a ritual of sorts, in a personal spiritual relationship with God, only deepens the awareness of being in Christ.
At least that was my experience. It was like stepping out of a cold shower where there are darts being shot at me head to toe, the chaos of the world and what occupied my attentions all week, and into the largest thickest warm comforter naked as a babe, and having it wrap itself fully around me so that my entire being felt the universe say, as I let out a deep breath and released the worlds hold, welcome home.

Just mowed the lawn today. went and sat on the fresh lawn in the shade, and rested and thought on Him, thats all it takes. But im glad you found a place, but we must be careful it doesnt become a "religious" thing we do, I found out very early in this walk, that He is "always" with me, so i learned to talk to Him walking down the street, while im working, driving the car, and the best time on the train even the bus when there is nothing to interrupt me, God is faithful, and we serve the "living" Jesus.

God bless

 

[WaterSong]

Just mowed the lawn today. went and sat on the fresh lawn in the shade, and rested and thought on Him, thats all it takes. But im glad you found a place, but we must be careful it doesnt become a "religious" thing we do, I found out very early in this walk, that He is "always" with me, so i learned to talk to Him walking down the street, while im working, driving the car, and the best time on the train even the bus when there is nothing to interrupt me, God is faithful, and we serve the "living" Jesus.

God bless

I think each persons experience in Christ is unique to them and for them as a gift of God to them in this relationship.

Thank you. And may God bless you and yours as well.

 

[GerhardEbersoehn]

Sabbath commands were ONLY for Israel!

Sure they were, for the Israel OF GOD. Sure, "the Seventh Day Sabbath OF THE LORD GOD" was a Commandment OF GOD for ONLY the Israel OF GOD-- because "THERE IS NO OTHER GOD."

who's YOUR god? Forget it, it's conspicuous; he's starving on I-witness.

 

[Brakelite]

Sabbath commands were ONLY for Israel!

Anything and everything that God gave to Israel was to be shared. They were to be a showcase of God's love and grace to the nations round a bout. And if anyone choose to join Israel they came under the same protective care and solicitation of the Father.
The Sabbath was a sign and example of that love. A blessing to be gratefully received with thankfulness. And now as Christians we have been grafted into the root of them tree, we become a part of God's chosen priesthood and inherit all the blessings promised to Israel. We are not a different church than that which dwelt in the wilderness. Same Leader. Same Savior. Same God. Same Lawgiver. The only difference is the cross which replaced the sanctuary service. What makes individuals exceptions that they can reject a Commandment that the transgression of which required the blood of Christ?

 

[mjrhealth]

Anything and everything that God gave to Israel was to be shared. They were to be a showcase of God's love and grace to the nations round a bout. And if anyone choose to join Israel they came under the same protective care and solicitation of the Father.
The Sabbath was a sign and example of that love. A blessing to be gratefully received with thankfulness. And now as Christians we have been grafted into the root of them tree, we become a part of God's chosen priesthood and inherit all the blessings promised to Israel. We are not a different church than that which dwelt in the wilderness. Same Leader. Same Savior. Same God. Same Lawgiver. The only difference is the cross which replaced the sanctuary service. What makes individuals exceptions that they can reject a Commandment that the transgression of which required the blood of Christ?

Share, the law,The law is not of faith, it is by the works of mens hands, even keeping the sabbath is something you have to work at and so therefore profane since it was never a covenant given to you, and men reject grace for the law, and tell me thats a good thing.

 

[mailmandan]

Sabbath commands were ONLY for Israel!

Sabbath keeping with all it's rules and regulations was part of a covenant with Israel (Exodus 16:23, 29; 31:12-18; 35:1-3; Leviticus 19:30; 23:2-3, 32; Numbers 15:32-36; 28:1-10; 29:39-40; I Chronicles. 23:30-31; II Chronicles 31:2-4; Isaiah 1:13; Amos 8:5; Nehemiah 10:31) that is not binding on the Church/the body of Christ in the New Testament. (Colossians 2:16-17)

God's Word makes it clear that sabbath observance was a sign between God and Israel: "The Israelites are to observe the sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested." (Exodus 31:16-17)

In Deuteronomy 5:15, Moses gives the reason the sabbath was given to the nation Israel: "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the sabbath day."

 

[Ferris Bueller]

What makes individuals exceptions that they can reject a Commandment that the transgression of which required the blood of Christ?

The exception is the believer is already in covenant rest with God through Christ. And it's not a rejection of the Mosaic Sabbath(s). Christ is the fulfillment of the Mosaic Sabbath.

As has been shared, the Sabbath was a sign command (circumcision was the other sign command). When an Israelite kept the Mosaic Sabbath it was an outward sign that they were in covenant with God and have been given rest from the enemies they were oppressed by in Egypt. And so it is with the believer. People look at those who walk in the Spirit and can see they are at rest in Christ from the oppression of sin that once enslaved them. And so we uphold the command to enter into Sabbath rest that way. The new way. The way that makes the old way obsolete and unneeded now. Which is why it has been laid aside. Not broken. Not trampled on in a breaking of that old way. Just not needed anymore to draw close to God in Sabbath rest. God even calling it 'fulfilled' by the believer in Christ.

 

[farouk]

Pepsi is too cute of name. I love the sound of your Sabbath routine. I've had the television unplugged for about two years now and switched to a flip phone- and a while ago I took a year off the internet and all of it. (Besides my flip phone.) So I KNOOOOW what you mean by shutting out the noise and how much comes up, it's like running the water to clear the pipes. All the muck comes out first and it's filthy disgusting water you wouldn't wash your socks in, but eventually it runs out crystal clear.

But I was thinking today about just closing the laptop and putting it away. I still have that. I think I will next week. I used to clean the night before, stop everything for the day, and spend time with God. Reading or studying or praise or whatever. To be honest I wasn't always good about it and spent a lot of time trying to figure out "Okay, now what do I do..."

I will always remember hearing a story from a Rabbi, who said the true test of confidence was being alone without anything else, and seeing how long you can be alone by yourself without feeling claustrophobic - paraphrasing there.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I needed it.

Some of us are so high strung and ADHD I think we need it. I need it. That's me.

@FluffyYellowDuck Goes to prove the sheer power and benefit of prayer and the Scriptures (if by God's grace the believer in the Lord Jesus indeed uses them...)

 

[farouk]

Pepsi is too cute of name. I love the sound of your Sabbath routine. I've had the television unplugged for about two years now and switched to a flip phone- and a while ago I took a year off the internet and all of it. (Besides my flip phone.) So I KNOOOOW what you mean by shutting out the noise and how much comes up, it's like running the water to clear the pipes. All the muck comes out first and it's filthy disgusting water you wouldn't wash your socks in, but eventually it runs out crystal clear.

But I was thinking today about just closing the laptop and putting it away. I still have that. I think I will next week. I used to clean the night before, stop everything for the day, and spend time with God. Reading or studying or praise or whatever. To be honest I wasn't always good about it and spent a lot of time trying to figure out "Okay, now what do I do..."

I will always remember hearing a story from a Rabbi, who said the true test of confidence was being alone without anything else, and seeing how long you can be alone by yourself without feeling claustrophobic - paraphrasing there.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I needed it.

Some of us are so high strung and ADHD I think we need it. I need it. That's me.

@FluffyYellowDuck I know also how you feel about TV.....a reminder that spending time prayerfully in the Word is so much more profitable...

 

[DuckieLady]

@FluffyYellowDuck I know also how you feel about TV.....a reminder that spending time prayerfully in the Word is so much more profitable...

Two movies from my youth encouraged my young impressionable brain to engage in witchcraft. One of them was Practical Magic, because I'm a romantic and really wanted love, and the other was The Craft because I was also angry. Well, that all turned on me eventually and I suffered for it. I think we have to be careful what we let our kids see. So I partly shut it off because of my own.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6

The biggest reason though is I remembered one of my teachers explaining to me the difference between a seven-year-old child's brain with television and without. The seven-year-old without has the potential of learning seven languages.

I noticed that my youngest had similar characteristics of Einstein Syndrome (basically she started reading at two- and she can memorize all of the flags of the world, will speak to me in Chinese, will write in Chinese, Thai, Hebrew, and so on.. and will spend hours studying different languages, pretty good at math, but with speech delay. (For her it was more an issue of conversation.) Similar characteristics of autism except it is not autism.

I read the book Reset Your Child's Brain by Victoria L. Dunckley, M.D, put her on probiotics, got a Bluetooth speaker to stream to, and started turning everything off. Practicing speech therapy. Now I have an enormous craft supply and lots activities, and my kids get excited to hear the radio. Her speech has improve significantly and she is doing much better. I can tell she's growing out of it now.

I tried to turn the television back on, but once you've had it off and you're no longer desensitized, you realize how awful it is and going back is so uncomfortable. Every once in a while I'll watch some documentaries on YouTube or a couple old British shows while crocheting but I can do without.