Sabbath Rest isn't just for Sunday anymore!

Dear Family of God and Love and Pilgrims on our Journey,

Tonight's walk was uneventful and peaceful. Our town seems to have taken up walking and I have never seen so many people out at our Sabbath Pilgrimage time. I'm beginning to think that the Sabbath isn't just for Sunday any more. This was even more apparent when I found peace again on our walk and my body, mind, and spirit felt amazingly good and whole. Keeping this in mind, how many of you have taken time for your personal Sabbath  and rest time? This isn't just taking time away from work and getting into busy, this is when we all need to get into a state of being at rest and being connected to God and all that God has created. That connection includes YOU! Yes You! No Exceptions! Nada! or should I say that includes US, Yes Us, No Exceptions! Nada!  If you haven't already done so, PRESS THE RESET BUTTON NOW AND You and I  WILL BE ABLE TO REST. Remember when I talked about making every day holy?  I'm reminding us to continue to do this. For some of us we are approaching the end of  Epiphanytide and heading into Lent. This ending and beginning requires great care of oneself, and it is a good time to start preparing oneself for this new season which is in 16 days! No kidding! Preparing our self for change is important not just in regards to our calendars it is important so that we don't let situations take hold of us like vice-grips and emotional and spiritual prisons. Prayer Walking, taking time for daily Sabbath Rest and pilgrimage ( not just on Sundays), and exercise for the next 2 weeks will help us get ourselves prepared for change and give us an uplifted spirit. At our retreat this weekend we had a Sabbath Box where we wrote down all of our concerns, worries, and anything else that was bothering us and placed them in a box for a whole weekend and not look at them and leave them to God. You know what? It worked. I suggest that we do the same at church and one day over the weekend. At church let us put our cell phones into an envelope with our names on them along with the concerns on our hearts and minds prior to the service and give them to the ushers and place them in a basket. At the beginning of the service maybe your minister can pray over the basket and have the basket placed in the office. You will get your cell phone back after the service. Let's give it a try! Clergy friends are you with me?

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This week we pray for :
We pray for the the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation especially Red Shirt Table and the Two Bulls family. Here's more info about why we are praying. More Info on this  (click.)
South Sudan, Syria, and all other dangerous places of the world.
For those who need extra sources of courage to be able to tell their stories and speak truth to power.
For the newly grieving and those who continue to grieve.
The mentally ill, memory challenged, learning disabled, and differently abled.
Those affected by weather that has gone haywire all over the world, in our country, and England where there is flooding. We pray for rain in all drought affected areas of the world.
For an end to all discrimination of  all our family members no matter who they are. All Means All!
For sane governance at the state level in our country. May all leaders be lead to respect the dignity of every human being and to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You O God.
For an end to the violence against Women and Girls. More information please click.Saving Grace Video. (click)
For strong interfaith and multi-faith leadership who speak truth to power and walk in the ways of justice and peace and show love to all.
To be able to rest and reset.
For all those who have any illness and those who battle chronic, autoimmune,and orphan illnesses, 
Safety for those who are on missionary trips in dangerous countries.
For those having surgery and awaiting test results.
For those who have trouble letting go and letting God.
That we may honor our bodies, minds, and spirits.
You may add your prayer list. thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances.
Those discerning calls to holy orders, vocations, and new life opportunities.
Preparing for change whether it be seasonal, personal, or New Seasons our Faiths bring us.
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Lord God may we take time to rest as we prepare for change. May we embrace these changes with your help acknowledging that you are our ship's captain and steering us on the right paths, even when the waves are choppy. 
Give us grace to embrace change as a time for newness with out fear but with courageous and radical love.

May we become risk takers and spread the Gospel message of  love, light, and salvation to all people. May we show the Gospel message not only in words but deeds. May we walk the walk and talk the talk for you and with you O, God.

May we be risk takers when you give us new challenges and new duties that may appear to be crazy to others. 

Prepare our hearts, hands, feet, and minds for change daily and may we rest in the knowledge that you Our Awesome and Amazing God are leaving the light on for us and directing our feet on the path that you have set for us on our journey with you. Amen.
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Good night dear family,  I love you! Take time to rest, relax, refresh, and renew your bodies, minds, and spirits.

Love and peace of mind, with thanks to God for you this day and always.

Sara

Tonight's Music Sampler

God is Speaking - Mandisa

Freedom Song- Mandisa

Be Still and Know - Steven Curtis Chapman