Jul. 16, 2007 - Sabbath Delights
Canadagirl, and an anonymous person, asked me to share how I keep the Sabbath.
First I would like to say, this is something that is very dear to my family and we observe the Sabbath because we have felt and believe this is what the Lord wants for our family.
In Genesis 1:14, God sets into motion time so that we may observe His calendar with unity and certainty. Here in the creation story, God establishes the first week, constituting six day to work and the seventh is set apart to rest. God, Himself modeled for us how to observe the Sabbath in the very first story of the Bible, the story of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). Biblically the Sabbath appears to be a special day which God’s people were always to observe. It is reaffirmed before the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai (Exodus 16:23) and is prophesied to be the established practice when the Messiah returns (Isaiah 66:22-23).
The Sabbath is a time of joy and celebration, a delight where we enjoy family, loved ones and even strangers. It starts with enjoying a great meal on Friday evening and blessing one another. The Sabbath is to be a time of spiritual and physical rest and refreshment. On this day we are to turn away from common worldly activities and focus more on spiritual pursuits. Here we find the Sabbath rest and peace. These traditions among the Jewish peoples have moved them to call the Sabbath “a taste of the days of Messiah.”
Observing the Sabbath requires a change in mind and attitude. It did not happen over night for me, it's been a learning experience of two years in the making. It takes planning and praying. The most important principle is to remember that the Sabbath is to be a delight (Isaiah 58:13-14)! Our way of keeping the Sabbath may be different from others. That might be because we are always learning and someone seems to always have a neat idea. If you understand the traditions are for teaching children, the Jewish people can really offer great ways to celebrate the Sabbath. They have been keeping the Sabbath and training their children to do so for thousands of years.
As the Sabbath approaches we always have a very special meal; it's the best dinner of the week. We have a nice table all set with my best dishes, and tablecloth, freshly cut flowers and candles. DD, is the one who always sets it, for she likes folding the napkins in a different way every week. I believe it’s important to build these memories of observance, because one day she will have her own house to take care of. She needs to learn the importance of giving God her very best. This also has brought us together as a family. When my house is clean and I have a lovely set table and a delicious meal, I'm giving my family the best I have to offer. Why do we clean the house and cook a nice meal for company but not for our families?
I think ahead throughout the week and plan on my meals for whole weekend. We always make sure we have a clean house, because I cannot really rest if my house is messy and we want it welcoming for visitors.
I used to think of the Sabbath as a burden, legalistic and a boring day, Once I learned the true beauty of the Sabbath my mind and thoughts were totally changed. I look forward to it every week. It's a day where I do no work (no dishes, cooking, laundry, and etc). It's a day of rest, fellowship, family time, reading, visiting family and friends (blogging), lots of good food. It's a day we gather together as a family and read and study God's word, pray, bless each other, and think on good things. We sometimes play games, or listen to uplifting music. I can't say one bad thing about the Sabbath it's truly a delight. Wow! God set one day apart from all others to meet with us!
Christians everywhere seem to be recognizing the joy of keeping the Sabbath. Here is a very good link. Nancy from Far Above Rubies has described very well some of the traditional Jewish traditions and also offer options for mothers of small children. For the Sabbath is to be a delight!
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Post A Comment!
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Jul. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by sharity |
That sounds like a very special time for your family. Thank you for sharing. This may be a silly question but do you go to church on Saturday or Sunday?
Blessings!
Sharity |
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Jul. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by MiryClay |
I just told Tamara over at traininghearts that I had been reading and enjoying the book of the Biblical Holidays that you had let me borrow. I don't get to read a lot at a time, but was able to read quite a bit the other day. I had read on the Sabbath, b/c I always wondered how today's churches moved it to Sunday. I found that info. interesting! Thanks for sharing this with us. You all will have such precious memories!
Blessings,
Lori |
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Jul. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Canadagirl |
Thank you sooooooooo much for sharing. I am going to be starting in the observing of the Sabbath. I have Robin's books but I HAVE to sit down and read them. I look forward to it. The Lord is GOOD and knows what we need.
God Bless my SSiC ((hug))
In Him<><
-Mary |
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Jul. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by garringer9 |
| Thank you so much for sharing! This is somethng I have been thinking about and reading but you put it into very liveable terms. You have been a blessing! Lori |
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Jul. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by FollowingTheAncientPaths |
It's great to hear about your family Shabbat. :) I'm glad to have found that my "friends" feature works again! I've missed reading about my friends here.
Blessings |
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Jul. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Training Hearts |
| This is beautiful and really I am excited to start our journey of learning this more. I plan to take it very slowly since I've undergone far too many life disturbances lately...but I know that His timing will guide us in our learning experience. (Usually I am the person who jumps into something I want all at once but this time, I want to take my time and savor the learning process.) |
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Jul. 18, 2007 - Shalom |
| Posted by PlainJane |
| Thanks for sharing about your Shabbat "K"! I agree, it's a learning process, something we have been learning for a while and still have a ways to go. Old habits & traditions die hard. This year we are going to do a more purposeful (vs.our usual hit & miss) study of the Biblical holidays and Shabbat using Robin's book + The GrapeVine Studies' "Biblical Feasts and Holy Days". We will probably start very soon so that we have much of the Fall Holy Days already studied before they arrive. I can hardly wait. Blessings to You and Yours. |
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Jul. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by ThreeLittleLadies |
Thanks for posting this. It is neat how you practice your sabbath.
Carol |
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About Me
This Blog is about my life and the different adventures that I experience being a wife, homeschooling mother, homemaker, friend, and daughter of the king of the Universe. I am a follower of Yeshua (Jesus' name in Hebrew) He was born a Jew and lived as a Jew on this earth. It's because of him, and his incredible love towards me, that my ashes were turned into beauty.
I'm a native of Brazil. I have been married to my DH, for 22 years. We met while he was there on a Mission's trip. We have one wonderful 13 years DD.
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