A Sabbath Sabbatical

My dad, Dr. Betters, recently offered me the opportunity to take a break from preaching every week. He offered it because I am trying to tie up the loose ends I have with the ordination process and my master thesis. It was a struggle for me, but after some prayer and godly advice I took the offer. Besides, when all of this is over (ordination etc), I will have my entire life to preach! Praise the Lord! In the mean time I will miss it!

This morning, I had a rare opportunity to just be still and know. It came as a surprise. My wife, Laura, was singing on worship team this morning. We decided that I would take the kids to church since she had to be in early. Well, after I prepared the kids, I began to walk out the door and realized that my wife had taken our family car with the child seats and that I would be unable to get to GRPC. I immediatly made a few phone calls and before I knew it, my son and I were sitting together in my home office worshipping live with GRPC! I think I sang louder than I normally do! I was by myself...but with everyone in spirit. Be still and know...

I listened intently to Dr. Betters' message and was just blown away in the Word. I needed this. I needed to Be still and Know. I needed to be fed and re-energized...I need to hear God's Word preached and proclaimed without distraction. I am finding that Pastors need to look hard for these kinds of experiences. We need a Sabbath too! Sunday's are usually work for most men and women in the ministry. We end up going a long time before we realize that we need to have the tank filled again. This morning, my tank was filled up to overflowing.

Am I advocating staying home and watching the broadcast on the internet rather than being among the "assembly of ourselves"? Absolutely not. The only thing that would have been better is if I could have been in the pews, in the building, resting in God's Word. God had other plans and worked just as mightily through them. Brothers and sisters, we have a great Church. God has blessed us. Let's take what we heard this morning, those seven principles and apply them to our lives immediately. Let's not just listen to God's Word, let's DO God's Word. "In the same way, faith by itself if not accompanied by action is dead." Let your faith move you into action this week.

I can't wait to get back to preaching. In the mean time I will enjoy this mini-sabbatical from preaching as I find rest on the Lord's Day each week. Keep your eyes fixed on Him!

Grace and Peace.