It Has Begun!

I spent all day on Memorial Day in the office working to take care of all those last minute things I needed to. I then came in on Tuesday morning, to take care of the last, last minute things I didn't get done on Monday. Then finally about 3 p.m. my car was on I-85 heading east.
I arrived late at Rodanthe and unloaded the car. Then I went to bed.
Wednesday dawned beautifully! No clouds, a nice breeze. I sat and read awhile, and then decided to drive up to Kill Devil Hills to see the new Star Trek movie. Following the movie, I went over to the Wright Brothers National Monument and park.
I always love going there. As a pilot, there is something special about standing in the same spot that Orville and Wilbur did and imagining what it was like 110 years ago. I have resolved to return via plane in the near future.


Tuesday

Wednesday

Two Week Countdown

I am just two weeks away from beginning my three month sabbatical break. I am rushing around trying to get eveything set for my departure. At the top of my list is getting around to some of our homebound members. I want to make sure they know I'll be gone for three months. I will miss them, but I don't want them to think I have forgotten about them.
We also are in the middle of a major restructuring of our leadership, and I want to make sure things are moving forward toward implementation before I leave. I hope to have all the necessary parts in place by my leadership meeting on May 19th.
I will begin my break with some time by myself at my parent's home on Hatteras Island. This will help me make the break from ministry time to sabbath time. I will read some, do a lot of writing, and do some sailing.
This break is an incredible gift of my congregation and the Clergy Renewal Grant of the Lilly Endowment.

Surprising what you find when you google.

I was looking for a picture to go along with the word "sabbath." I will not tell you what I found, but I think it is very funny what pops up on the first hundred google images when you use the keyword "sabbath."

It Soon Begins

There is a natural order to life. We have night and day; we have summer, spring, winter, fall; we have six days of work, and one day of rest. There is a natural rhythm to ministry and Sabbath. Jesus recognized this. We read in Mark 6:31 "He said to [the disciples], "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat."

Jesus was very involved in the lives of people. He healed, taught, and ministered to multitudes of people. However, he recognized the importance of rest and solitude. He regularly withdrew to deserted places to pray. This energized him for the work that awaited his return. He modeled this rhythm and called the disciples to it as well.

This summer I am beginning a time of rest and renewal. I am withdrawing from day to day ministry in order to spend time in the presence of the Lord. I am looking forward to this season of sabbath and all that it will do for my spiritual, mental, and physical health. It will renew and refresh me for when I return to pick up the mantle of ministry once again.

I encourage everyone to make time for rest. Develop a rhythm of ministry and Sabbath. Withdraw regularly from the world in order to renew in the presence of the Lord. This is one way that we can truly be followers of Jesus.

Grace and peace to you all.

Pastor Lee