Call the Lord's Day Honorable

If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable. — Isaiah 58:13

We found out this week that Kirk's high school buddies Ian and Pete lost their dad last month.

The memorial service will be next month.

His dad was 92, and Kirk has great memories of hanging out at Ian's house when his dad would come home from work and hang out with the boys even after putting in really long days as a doctor.

Pete was Gary's surgeon at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

Last night we had a fun evening with some of Kirk's other high school friends.

Brian is in town and had us over for steaks and shrimp with Steve, Tim and Mike.

Steve cooked the steaks and shrimp to perfection on the barbecue.

Kirk brought a bottle of Turley that went great with the steak and shrimp.

We sat around the pool overlooking the beach, watching the sun set.

It was the perfect way to spend the evening before the Sabbath.

Joy in God's House of Prayer

All who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. — Isaiah 56:6-7

Yesterday we worshiped at the service in our church courtyard

Today I went for swim at the Y.

Our church held a jazz service down at Waterfront Park. 

Then Kirk and I went for a 2-mile walk around the neighborhood.

A beautiful day!

Praise the Lord. 

Blessed Is the One Who Keeps the Sabbath

Blessed is the one who does this the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil. — Isaiah 56:2

Today our choir will return to sing for our church service for the first time in months.

The congregation will still be in the courtyard.

So the music will be piped out for them to hear.

And the service will be available online on Sunday.

On Thursday we'll record our Easter service.

We are trying to hold the Sabbath fast, whether we celebrate it on Saturday or Sunday.

His Words Had Authority

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. — Luke 4:31-32

Jesus taught with authority.

After all, He was and is the Son of God.

He is the Word and the Light of the World.

The people were amazed at his teaching.

Because the words Jesus said had authority.

Help me to read your word, Lord, and to hear them and put them into practice.

A Day of Rest

Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave. — I Kings 8:56

Torrey Pines State Park and Beach

God has given us times to rest. That's really hard for me. I want to get up and move around and do something.

Anything other than rest.

But God rested, too. And He asks us to take a Sabbath day of rest each week.

And when we're healing, God gives us the space and the extra time we need to rest and recover. 

Last night we had a chance to rest and relax with friends over dinner.

Today the rain has stopped and the birds are singing outside our window. The world is at rest.

Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him; do not fret. — Psalm 37:37