Finding Rest in a Restless World Mental Spiritual

“Finding Rest in a Restless World: Mental, Spiritual, and Physical Health for the Professional Church Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper Worker” Rev. Cliff Bira Assistant to the President Senior Pastor Congregation Ministries / Ministry Support Holy Cross, Flushing Michigan District, LCMS

Finding Rest in a Restless World I) Five reasons why Sabbath is essential: • • • God’s Creative Rest (Gen. 2: 2 -3) God’s Command (Ex. 20: 8 -11; 31: 12 -17) Building bricks without straw vs. God’s provision (Ex. 16) It helps us to “Remember”! (Duet. 8) It just makes sense!

Finding Rest in a Restless World II) Four (maybe more) lies we tell ourselves: “I’m just living out God’s call on my ‘whole life’. ” “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done…. or done right. ” “My value is based on my production. ” “I’m providing a good example for God’s people of ‘total commitment’ to God and His kingdom. ” • “Idle hands are the devil’s tools” • •

Finding Rest in a Restless World II) Four (maybe more) lies we tell ourselves: • “There just aren’t enough hours in a day. ” • “The work of God’s Kingdom has a sense of urgency about it that drives me to do more and more. ” • “The Old Testament Sabbath has been superseded by the Lord Jesus, so, as Luther explains, it’s not about rest, but about worship. ” • “I’d rather burn out than rust out for Jesus!”

Finding Rest in a Restless World III) Four tools to help keep your light bright without burning out: • A. “Six days you shall WORK…” i. iii. iv. v. Plan your work Work your plan Plan for interruptions Exercise the brain and the body Get some sleep/daily Sabbath

Finding Rest in a Restless World III) Four tools to help keep your light bright without burning out: • B. Define and guard your weekly SABBATH i. Time with God ii. Do what you enjoy iii. Renew redemptive relationships

Finding Rest in a Restless World III) Four tools to help keep your light bright without burning out: • C. Half or full day of prayer…every six weeks…or so i. Extended time with God ii. iv. v. Practice being quiet Reflect on God’s activity Regain “perspective” and “balance” “Stop and get directions”

Finding Rest in a Restless World III) Four tools to help keep your light bright without burning out: • D. Life as a “symphony”

Finding Rest in a Restless World IV) Potential Resources • A. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, by Marva Dawn • B. www. navigators. org i. “Tyranny of the Urgent”, Charles E. Hummel ii. “How to Spend a Day in Prayer”, Lorne C. Sanny • C. www. CPH. org i. Devotional materials ii. Daily lectionary

Finding Rest in a Restless World IV) Potential Resources • D. Getting Things Done, David Allen • E. Holding Up the Prophet’s Hand, Bruce M. Hartung

Questions?