Sabbath

2013–07–11 Big Year - Sabath

• movement of going slow

• difficult when reading to kids, not wanting to skip certain parts (ie. go fast… not prepared to go slow)

• opinion on technology… they can be used to cement relationships, but often ists more of a divisive thing (not engaging), sts - people said in a conversation, even if not receiving a call, people felt less intimacy (possibility of interruption)

• some people have cracked down on it in church… (using phone)

• Use of Tech - frame it in terms of an addiction - to map this area, to know what is going wrong, computer fatigue (is it the same

Hare to guard the sacredness of the concept… always left over things to do….

Need to plan more diligently… structures in place… - Nathan took Ally out for a romantic escape - rule “no use of technology”

• Appropriate… use of technology - (restful use of technology - was that restful and restoring my soul? TV - watching a movie can be really good)
• Silence vs. Stimulating (being sensitive to one another and needs)
• Amy, start the day by saying, “I don’t need to do any of these things”, but as a need arrives, you can respond to it if it is restful. Also, not having anything booked in is good - plod around days - won’t feel guilty if I put a load of washing on in a relaxed, ‘have to do it’ way". Attitude towards work. Don’t mind stopping - or being interrupted. A posture - perspective - towards the day. Intentionality.
• Work out a way that God can be more part of the focus for the day - not just ‘rest’
• Good chapter on Sabbath - Isaiah - “don’t just do what pleases you, but do what pleases me.”
• God to rest - didn’t need to, but had a purpose in enjoying His creation.

Martin- - Screen free day on Sundays (not entirely successful) - like to watch an evening TV show… flowed into more screen time… Muddier - What we’re trying to achieve in our restfulness… the idea of mindfulness - very conscious, response to what you see, hear and sensing… what shuts down when you’re on a computer. - Be more connected with nature, creation or people. - Guided meditation resources…. developing own meditation approaches, focus… introducing edifying thoughts when your relaxing…. About the ‘I am’ statements of Jesus or characteristics of God (extended meditation) - dynamic of going to church, dynamic that you’re busy.

• Ally - George McDonald: paster more depressed on Sundays, should relieve them of the burden of Sundays,… walking first thing in the morning… watch the waking face of morning… can’t go along with it…

Monks - ’Stop doing list Cheerleaders - slow in a good way…. Activest - plan for ideal Sabbath

Good to have an ideas tree - rather than a full ‘plan’…