I admit to not having finished this book yet, but it does not matter. This book has been dog-eared and underlined throughout. And I want to share some of the gems that have delightfully blindsided me. Shelly Miller, thanks for listening to the arrows and understanding 'writ'.
"And because God is a gentleman - not pushy, showy, or fickle with his presence - he courts desire from beneath the layers we create for protection" (53).
"May I propose that our lives are a series of love letters to our Creator? A continual conversation that started the day we took our first breath. Sabbath is a special time He anticipates because He loves you" (55).
"With each passing week, I practice Sabbath, and peace replaces unrest. The words of Isaiah become my comfort, 'Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength' (Isaiah 30:15 NLT). Along with restoration, I experience what the Jews refer to as the neshamah yeteirah, an extra soul that comes to dwell with us on Sabbath but departs once the week begins" (60).
"Sabbath isn't another rung on a spiritual ladder we climb toward achieving smiles from heaven. No, it isn't what we do at all. God invites you to rest because he loves who you are. When you abide with Him in Sabbath, an unshakable confidence shines from the inside out, enticing others toward the gift of rest as well" (81).
"What if making a choice to rest is the new way of evangelism? Can you imagine the surprised looks on the faces of friends and strangers when we respond to the question 'How are you?' with 'I'm rested.'" (89)
"When was the last time you chose to 'waste time' by doing something pleasurable without guilt?" (93).
"The key to successful rest periods is preparing for him to come. Walk toward Sabbath instead of away from it. Make meal plans, shop, and run errands ahead of time and find yourself anticipating the joy of an extended period sans household duties" (94).
"We are never stuck in our circumstances; we are stuck when a mindset keeps us trapped in small perspective. A forced Sabbath is a ruthless grace, pulling us out of danger in order to move forward at a slower pace" (102).
This one was the clincher for me to really be attentive about Sabbath. "When we think of Jesus, we think of him as doing things - praying, casting out demons, speaking to crowds, feeding throngs of hungry people, healing the sick. But he also disappeared a lot. He withdrew to a mountain, the wilderness, and even paddled out in the middle of a body of water to be alone and to pray (Mark 1:34) (114).
"When we build a rhythm of rest, it is a sign of hope for a weary world" (123).
"God gave Noah a rainbow, Moses some bread, and He gave me an arrow. What is the sign he is giving you?" (124).
"Body, mind, and soul more easily enter true rest when we understand then accept our worthiness based on who we are, not on what we do" (129).
"Selah. It's a curious word mentioned seventy-four times in the Bible. Scholars aren't unified about the definition, but most agree that Selah means 'pause and think about that'" (137).
"...I love myself in watching people give themselves permission to playfully rest. Perspective is lifted and joy fuels my pen. Engulfed in wonder, this kind of solitude is a prescription of healing loneliness" (142).
"When was the last time you engaged in something for the sheer joy of being with God?" (144).
"An allowance for unbridled joy through playdates with God on Sabbath can provide the same result as quiet, meditative retreat. Extravagant wastefulness with time might prove the most productive thing you choose for yourself" (145).
Again, this book is a gift given to someone who was listening to the Holy Spirit. Shelly Miller, thanks for listening to the arrows and understanding 'writ'.
"And because God is a gentleman - not pushy, showy, or fickle with his presence - he courts desire from beneath the layers we create for protection" (53).
"May I propose that our lives are a series of love letters to our Creator? A continual conversation that started the day we took our first breath. Sabbath is a special time He anticipates because He loves you" (55).
"With each passing week, I practice Sabbath, and peace replaces unrest. The words of Isaiah become my comfort, 'Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength' (Isaiah 30:15 NLT). Along with restoration, I experience what the Jews refer to as the neshamah yeteirah, an extra soul that comes to dwell with us on Sabbath but departs once the week begins" (60).
"Sabbath isn't another rung on a spiritual ladder we climb toward achieving smiles from heaven. No, it isn't what we do at all. God invites you to rest because he loves who you are. When you abide with Him in Sabbath, an unshakable confidence shines from the inside out, enticing others toward the gift of rest as well" (81).
"What if making a choice to rest is the new way of evangelism? Can you imagine the surprised looks on the faces of friends and strangers when we respond to the question 'How are you?' with 'I'm rested.'" (89)
"When was the last time you chose to 'waste time' by doing something pleasurable without guilt?" (93).
"The key to successful rest periods is preparing for him to come. Walk toward Sabbath instead of away from it. Make meal plans, shop, and run errands ahead of time and find yourself anticipating the joy of an extended period sans household duties" (94).
"We are never stuck in our circumstances; we are stuck when a mindset keeps us trapped in small perspective. A forced Sabbath is a ruthless grace, pulling us out of danger in order to move forward at a slower pace" (102).
This one was the clincher for me to really be attentive about Sabbath. "When we think of Jesus, we think of him as doing things - praying, casting out demons, speaking to crowds, feeding throngs of hungry people, healing the sick. But he also disappeared a lot. He withdrew to a mountain, the wilderness, and even paddled out in the middle of a body of water to be alone and to pray (Mark 1:34) (114).
"When we build a rhythm of rest, it is a sign of hope for a weary world" (123).
"God gave Noah a rainbow, Moses some bread, and He gave me an arrow. What is the sign he is giving you?" (124).
"Body, mind, and soul more easily enter true rest when we understand then accept our worthiness based on who we are, not on what we do" (129).
"Selah. It's a curious word mentioned seventy-four times in the Bible. Scholars aren't unified about the definition, but most agree that Selah means 'pause and think about that'" (137).
"...I love myself in watching people give themselves permission to playfully rest. Perspective is lifted and joy fuels my pen. Engulfed in wonder, this kind of solitude is a prescription of healing loneliness" (142).
"When was the last time you engaged in something for the sheer joy of being with God?" (144).
"An allowance for unbridled joy through playdates with God on Sabbath can provide the same result as quiet, meditative retreat. Extravagant wastefulness with time might prove the most productive thing you choose for yourself" (145).
Again, this book is a gift given to someone who was listening to the Holy Spirit. Shelly Miller, thanks for listening to the arrows and understanding 'writ'.
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