Back

My family and I recently got back from our vacation in Florida. Our time as a family was filled with fun, adventure, relaxation, and connection. I can’t tell you what a gift it was to put my phone away and “let go” of phone calls, emails, txts, and work. This Sabbath for our family allowed us to reflect and remember the love we share with one another and the love that God has for us.

Part of taking a Sabbath means that we need to prepare for rest (remember the Israelites who gathered extra food on the 6^th day while in the wilderness?) and that we are intentional in our rest. Too many of us in taking vacations or time away from the office, fail to set up good boundaries for our absence (such as getting extra work done ahead of time/making sure people know who to contact in our absence) and end up checking email or make a “quick call” to the office to handle that “urgent” issue. As this happens we may physically be out of the office, but our mind never stops working. When we fail to “let go” we are easily taken away from the moment in front of us (being with the family, kids, etc) and are mentally transported to some other moment that may seem important but has little to no connection to what is happening around us right now. As a result we become more and more defined by the production of our hands instead of one of God’s unique creations and end up missing some of the beautiful things God does before us everyday.

My family and I can’t stay in Florida forever (sorry kiddos) and need to get back to reality; a reality that includes phone calls, emails, and work. Yet as we’ve returned Misty and I have been intentional about finding ways in which we cannot only turn off our phones and emails, but also our brains from the work we find so important. In doing so we hope to create a rhythm of participating in Sabbath yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily all so we might stay connected to what matters most.

What are some things you do in order to “let go” of work and rest in what is important in life?

What practices have you found helpful when resting to keep your mind from wondering to work, etc?

What intentional boundaries do you create when taking time away to keep yourself from feeling the need to “work”?

Drive-In Church

Drive-In Christian Church is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Each week it gathers around 700 people to this old drive-in theater turned sanctuary. Church goers sing along with the choir, listen to a sermon (thanks to 88.5 fm), and participate in communion all while remaining in their car. At the close of each service "ushers" walk from car to car collecting offerings.

Those that drive-up for God say they like it because it is easier and more comfortable for their lifestyle. Some of the "perks" mentioned: you can dress however you would like, your dog is free to come, and you receive your very own communion packet.

After the final "Amen", all are invited to stick around for coffee and refreshments in the concession stand turned fellowship hall while others attendees are free to drive off (and are personally greeted by the pastor). Drive-In Christian Church has been making Sunday worship convenient, comfortable, and auto-accessible since 1953 (be sure to check out their videos).

What do you think of this approach to church? What elements are helpful to a healthy spiritual formation? What elements may be harmful?

Island Retreat

For the next 12 days my family and I are "getting away". Thanks to some friends from Chicago, we are staying at a condo on an island surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico (Don Pedro Island to be exact).

On the island we pack our days full of sun, relaxation (running, reading, playing), dolphin watching, lizard catching, and body surfing (rough, I know). The best part of this trip is that we completely "unplug"

...no cell phones, no internet, no distractions...

We have made this our family vacation for the last 3 years and have some of our best family memories (our kids love hanging out with Captain Red Beard). This island get-away is an opportunity for us to refresh ourselves, re-calibrate, and rest in what is most important: each other.

How do you refresh yourself? What do you do to keep your family connected in the midst of a busy life?