Taking a Sabbath day- well, it is one of the Ten Commandments

What comes to mind when you think of Sabbath?  Is it the picture above, a quaint town, a little family walking to church on a Sunday?


or do you think of something more ethereal?  A quiet pond, a serene, beautiful garden, a mountain breeze, the only sound being the wind in the trees?

I confess that I struggle with taking a Sabbath day.  No problem going to church.  I highly value the local church and the community that emerges from a local church body.  (I could write about what I think of the idea that attending a local church is unnecessary but I get a little fired up about that discussion.)

I decided to "take a Sabbath" one Saturday not long ago. Okay, what did that mean?  I needed to know what a Sabbath day was in order to TAKE IT.

A book that greatly helped my understanding of Sabbath and rest is Marva Dawn's Keeping the Sabbath Wholly.
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Sabbath-Wholly-Embracing-Feasting/dp/0802804578/ref=la_B000AP7OJK_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370810776&sr=1-1

There are many good books on Sabbath, rest and other such disciplines or practices.  My two big "takeaways" from Dawn's book were:
1. Taking a Sabbath is like saying to God, "I am not indispensable. I can take a day off work, not send email, and do nothing one day and the universe will continue on it's course." When we say we cannot rest or take any time off, we are being rather arrogant that somehow whatever we do is more important than what others do. We are also not trusting God to manage without us.
2. This relates to the pictures below.  Although she wrote that she was an introvert, a very studious person and spent a lot of time alone, after her Sabbath, she often had people over for a celebration dinner on Sunday nights.  I liked that idea.  I felt like that was something I could appreciate. She did not slave over a big meal but it was just a time to enjoy friends and celebrate the Lord together.  I don't know who those women are in the picture but I thought that picture represented my thoughts.




Just to report on how I did on my Sabbath day.  I really did shut down work that day....until after dinner. Confession!  I had a lovely morning, drinking coffee, watching the squirrels in the yard, talking to my husband.  I took a long walk along the trail.  I had a Google Hangout with my son and his family as well as a great call with another son.  Even texted my daughter!  Then I read in the hammock, not a book I'd have to really think about or take notes in but an Alexander McCall Smith book.  If you've not read The Ladies Number 1 Detective Agency, you're missing some genuine fun entertainment!

Then after a simple dinner, I rushed to the computer to make notes of thoughts from the day and actually sent emails.  I redeemed myself by watching a Fred Astaire and Rita Heyworth movie with Tom later that night.

My grade for this Sabbath:  B.

Spiritual advantages to being an extrovert aka Apostle Peter

I might be wrong about this but it seems there are a lot more introverts writing on the internet about their lives and what life is like in such an "extroverted world."  Some seem to write a lot, especially on Facebook.   I read a book about how introverts feel marginalized and uncomfortable in evangelical US churches:
http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6949088-introverts-in-the-church-finding-our-place-in-an-extroverted-culture
Just to make clear: If I have ever made an introvert feel uncomfortable at church (and I must have), I would like to apologize for that right now.

The author of the above mentioned book made some good points in his discussion although I admit I start feeling a little defensive with some things that are said or written about people like me in relation to our walk with the Lord and our place in the world. I have watched a Youtube regarding the introverted/extroverted issue and the very well- known author and speaker said some rather unkind things about extroverts.

One thing I do not want to do is WHINE. I could do that, you know. I could whine about how very sincere, contemplative-types have told me in all seriousness that I need to GET MY ACT TOGETHER and get out there in the woods or somewhere and BE SILENT.  I have been told that I cannot possibly hear from God because I am too talkative.

But, hey, who's whining?

We have all heard the sermons about the Apostle Peter.  He is the "sanguine"  person.  He impulsively spoke before he thought.  (Maybe speaking the words was part of the process of his thinking? Ever consider that?) Granted, the denial of the Lord incident was pretty bad. And I've felt similar remorse about things said.
So he was the sanguine personality:
http://www.sodahead.com/living/what-personality-type-are-you-choleric-melancholy-sanguine-or-phlegmatic/question-522727/;
or he was  "the HIGH I" on DISC scale, high influence or inducement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment.

We know he impulsively spoke and did things. Yet he was the leader of the church.  He was the first to get up and make that amazing speech right after Pentecost.  Acts 2: 14 ff

But Peter, [o]taking his stand with (S)the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, (T)for it is only the [p]third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

Think about it.....He had a lot of courage and chutzpah to stand up and make that speech.  I doubt if he spent hours studying, writing, agonizing over that sermon.  He just did it.  God inspired him; the Holy Spirit had certainly entered his life and gave him supernatural power.  But it was the extrovert Peter who got up, taking his stand with the eleven and raised his voice.

Was this a spiritually formative experience?  Can spiritual formation take place at a crowded Jewish feast day or a hot, loud, chaotic city?

You are likely wondering about the picture of the pugs.  First of all, let it be known that  I have a real affinity for pugs.  And strangely enough, they find me....in Germany, France, San Francisco, Los Angeles and along the Highline Canal Trail in Denver.

Meet Scooby and Honeybun (above).

What are they doing in this particular post?

A couple weeks ago, as I walked along the trail, listening to a book, I glanced ahead and noticed coming in my direction these two pugs and their owner.  As you know, we extroverts have never met a stranger and are just not afraid to greet people or pugs.

I said to the woman, "May I greet your pugs?"  She smiled and said, "Of course."  I introduced myself, asked her name and then the names of the pugs.  (Probably good to ask in that order.)  The pugs loved me. I think they know a fan when they come upon one.

I noticed that their owner had a stack of worn index cards in her hand and, lo and behold, they were Bible verses. I asked her about the verses and found out that I had stumbled upon a woman with a Doctor of Ministries who has a counseling and spiritual direction practice.  She is a Chaplain at the hospital and was on staff at a church. She is also mentoring a student at Denver Seminary who is studying spiritual formation.  We had a short but encouraging conversation.

Now if I was not an extrovert, I might have missed out on that divine moment and meeting. Who knows if I've not met an new friend as well as someone who might encourage me in my spiritual journey?

An extroverts responses to a fun buzzfeed: "Unmistakable signs that you are an introvert"

Although I connect with a few of these....http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/31-unmistakable-signs-that-youre-an-introvert

Here are an extrovert's comments:

 

1. This is your inner monologue during after-work drinks: I hate people.

I have an inner dialogue all the time.  I don't think I've ever said that....

2. You know that canceling plans is like winning the lottery, especially when someone else does it.

I have also thought canceling something was winning the lottery especially for evening events.

3. You’ve mastered the art of turning a day at home, doing nothing, into SOMETHING WONDERFUL.

There is nothing like a good snowstorm and being stuck at home alone. Yes, I say that in all honesty.  Now, to be stuck at home for a few days, that is a different story.

4. People often ask, “What are you thinking about?” because they haven’t heard you speak in a while.

Okay, so this is not OFTEN said to me. But it has been said to me!

5. Meeting new people? Please, you already have more than enough friends.

I have NEVER said this. Ever.  However, my husband said these exact words to me.

6. If anyone ever throws you a “fun” surprise party, this is your reaction: "I don't think I can forgive you for this."

No way.  "Surprises ARE FUN."  (I think that is a quote from the Bible.)

7. You don’t hate parties, it’s just that you don’t LOVE being around a ton of people.

Actually, I have often felt this way at a party.  I don't like crowds. I can get silent and withdrawn in a crowd  I would NEVER go to a loud music concert. 

8. And you’re ready to leave shortly after arriving.

I have thought this although I am often with someone who is more likely to say this.

9. You’ve never said this before: The more the merrier.

Okay, I say it about once a week.

10. Agreeing to a lot of nights out in a row isn’t fun. AT All.

I've heard this a lot and have I've said it myself. (Not often.)   I LIKE coming home from a busy trip.

11.When you’ve been around people for too long, there comes a moment when you realize you need to be alone OR ELSE.

Hey, introverts, this has happened to me too.  Rarely but it has happened.  And I've been the "OR ELSE" before....ha ha.

12.On the weekends, this is your daily battle: Are you going to get dressed today?

Just weekends only?   I can beat that.

13. You wear headphones for a reason, and it’s so that people will (hopefully) not talk to you.

Guilty.....on airplanes and even in the kitchen if it's a good book recorded book.

14. The idea of working from home, all by yourself, fills you with a kind of happiness that’s borderline giddy.

I am so thankful that I work at home.....flexibility, wear workout clothes all day, get things DONE.

15. Because being an introvert means you’re a really great listener.

I really, really, REALLY have worked at becoming a good listener. And I've had some positive feedback on that.  I have known introverts who can "let loose" with the words and absolutely not let another person get a word in edgewise. Extroverts KNOW they need to button up so if they are self-aware, they try.  I think introverts can be so unfamiliar with "being talkative territory" that they fall into it and cannot get out.  I've been with them and it's not pretty.