September Series: Rest So far in this series, we have focused on physical rest—why our bodies need it and how we can intentionally make room for Sabbath. But have you ever stopped working physically while your mind continued working overtime? Your body may be lying in bed while your thoughts race through tomorrow’s responsibilities. You may be sitting quietly while replaying a difficult conversation, anticipating what could go wrong, or trying to solve a problem that has no i

During our recent trip to the Oregon coast, Kendall and I visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Of all the wonderful creatures we saw, I was particularly taken with the jellyfish and the sea otters. I could have watched them for hours, though for quite different reasons. The jellyfish moved with a gentle rhythm, their delicate bodies opening and relaxing as they drifted and pulsed through the water. Jellyfish are carried by currents, but they also propel themselves by contractin

September Series: Rest On Labor Day, we celebrate our labor by taking the day off. I like that arrangement, but perhaps we should call it No-Labor Day—a day to set aside our work and receive the gift of rest, guilt-free. This month, I am beginning a new series simply called Rest. We will explore physical Sabbath, rest for our souls, and how we can rest in God’s presence even while facing difficult or unresolved circumstances. But first, we need to give ourselves permission to