"The Practice of Remembering" (Casey Tygrett)

TITLE: The Practice of Remembering: Uncovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life
AUTHOR: Casey Tygrett
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (216 pages).
 

"Memories light the corners of my mind," so sings Barbra Streisand in one of the most cherished classics of the modern age, "The Way We Were." As author Casey Tygrett writes, "Without memory, there is no formation," that we are "memory-made people," and that without memories, "we cannot become." We are who we are by learning and remembering. Whether it is writing a memoir or penning a journal, our acts of recalling something are crucial aspects of being. Using the various aspects of "experiences, memories, stories, and scripts," Tygrett guides us through an amazing journey of the practice of remembering. 

He helps us explore the four movements of remembering: 

1. Like shells that possess incredible memories, we first bring forth these shells;
2. Honest engagement with the implications;
3. Create stories out of these implications;
4. Explore how God is molding us through these.

All these can be sparked with one prompt: "I remember the moment when ________."

"Wounded Pastors" (Carol Howard Merritt and James Fenimore)

TITLE: Wounded Pastors: Navigating Burnout, Finding Healing, and Discerning the Future of Your Ministry
AUTHOR: Carol Howard Merritt and James Fenimore
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2024, (190 pages).

Saying pastoral ministry is not easy is an understatement. Many enter the call to full-time ministry at some level of social and economic disadvantage. Well-remunerated pastors are few. Many struggle even to make ends meet. Having written about wounded Christians in all walks of life, there is one group of people that the authors have left out: The clergy. This book is the answer to the many criticisms about excluding the clergy in the woundedness category. From burnout to blatant hurts, healing is a necessary process, and some of us might say, even more so for the clerical vocation. Frequently, those in the ministry of helping others need help themselves. It is widely expected that pastors have to comfort others in their times of grief. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said the other way around. Who comforts them when they are grieved? In some congregations, expectations of pastoral perfection can even lead to unrealistic assumptions that pastors with special calling will automatically experience God's comfort. What if God is using ordinary people to help the hurting pastors? What if we recognize that not everyone is like the Bible heroes of old, like Moses, Joshua, David, etc, where God was their personal Comforter, Deliverer, and Saviour? God can use supernatural means to help, but we should not restrict God from using ordinary people via ordinary means. This book is one ordinary way in which pastors can find a way to heal from their wounds. Written in three parts, authors James Fenimore and Carol Howard write about this process.

"Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest" (Ruth Haley Barton)

TITLE: Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again
AUTHOR: Ruth Haley Barton
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2022, (264 pages).
 

Anxious. Busy. Exhausted. Fatigued. Stressed. These are typical of a modern lifestyle almost everywhere we go. In many societies, work has become less of a blessing and more of a chore. As people continue to complain about incomes not keeping up with inflation rates, the work somehow continues to pile up. Some people claim that they need more than 24 hours a day and 8 days a week just to get everything done. Sometimes, that sentiment meant turning a weekend into an extended weekday, only to compound the level of exhaustion and stress. The Bible has laid out for us a pattern of work and rest. In Genesis, we learn that God created the world in six days and intentionally rested on the seventh. He also gave Israel the Ten Commandments, with the Fourth Commandment firmly about taking a sabbatical rest one day every week. It is not a suggestion. It is a clear commandment. As we become more liberal in our interpretation of the ancient laws, we often overlook these commandments in favour of convenience. As author and retreat leader Ruth Haley Barton says, we all need a wake-up call to let the Sabbath remain an essential part of all our lives. One of the best ways is to incorporate a routine, a regular system, or as author Ruth Haly Barton puts it, a rhythm of work and rest. Right from the beginning, she highlights the challenges of modern busyness affecting our way of life using her own life as an example. Confessing that it was the sabbath that saved her sanity, she puts forth several fundamental principles of sabbath keeping before giving us an outline of how to embrace the work-rest rhythm. The three principles are:

"40 Questions about Pastoral Ministry" (Phil A. Newton)

TITLE: 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry (40 Questions Series)
AUTHOR: Phil A. Newton
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2021, (336 pages).

What is a pastor? What do pastors do? What does it take to remain spiritually healthy? How could pastors lead the Church? How do pastors handle conflict? What do pastors do when expectations clash? What about discouragement? How do pastors conduct marriages, funerals, and other landmark rituals? Why should pastors aim for long pastorates? These questions and many more are covered in this comprehensive volume of advice for pastors present and future, young and old. Written in an easy to reference Question-and-Answer format, author and pastor Phil Newton shares from his over 40 years of pastoral experience about what a pastor is, what it takes to develop a pastor's health, some key practices, the ministry of preaching, Church leadership, and many more matters related to the pastoral ministry. Burdened for the pastoral ministry, Newton shares his conviction that any pastoral ministry must stem from the foundation of God's Word, with appropriate reflection theologically, and applied contextually to the modern Church environment. He writes this book even as he deals with chemotherapy challenges. The questions mainly provide a framework for issues commonly faced by pastors. In five sections, he gives answers to 40 of the most important questions with regard to pastoral ministry.

"Beyond Burnout" (Amy O’Hana)

TITLE: Beyond Burnout: What to Do When Your Work Isn’t Working for You
AUTHOR: Amy O’Hana
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2020, (208 pages).

Even in the most enjoyable jobs we do, once we over-exert ourselves, we experience exhaustion leading to burnout. What then can we do about that? How do we sustain our energy levels without wearing ourselves out? As one who has experienced what burnout means, even writing a dissertation about it, there is much to learn from Amy O'Hana. In order to keep us all on the same page, she begins with a description of what burnout is. Externally, it means physical and mental exhaustion. Internally, it involves questions surrounding "meaning, fulfillment, and passion." For Christian ministry workers, the expectations are higher because of the desire to want to please God (and people!). Realizing a wide variety of material and resources in the market that prescribe solutions to burnout, O'Hana wants to help us begin a conversation about the things that really matter to us. Generally speaking, the three types of burnout are physical exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, and loss of meaning. Most people would have a combination of the three that change at different stages of our life experiences. Before we spiral out of control into a crash-and-burn scenario, it is important to take heed by being self-aware and to take steps toward self-care. This is different from selfishness or ego-centric behaviours. It is about caring for the caregiver in us, that we may continue to serve and help others. As the saying goes, "too much of a good thing is not good." For all our good intentions, we can become lost in the busyness of good works. We need a way to be rested. Otherwise, we will become entangled in an unhealthy cycle of "performance, disconnection, and renewed fervor" to do more. We are to remember that we are human beings, not human doings. Through a five-step intentional process, O'Hana teaches us to grow beyond burnout toward spiritual connection with God.

"Subversive Sabbath" (A. J. Swoboda)

TITLE: Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World
AUTHOR: A.J. Swoboda
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2018, (256 pages).

We are a restless people living in a restless world surrounding by restless activities. This is an understatement. In fact, a widely accepted answer to the question of "How are you today?" is the word "Busy." Many would nod in agreement as if being constantly busy is a good problem to have. On the flip side, not being busy could even be viewed as taboo. Christians have also been caught up in this whirlwind of constant activity. Forgetting the commandment of the Sabbath, they are non-stop at work. As a result, many have trouble learning how to rest, substituting leisure and entertainment for true rest. The truth is, we are restless creatures needing to find true rest in God alone. Author A.J. Swoboda is spot on when it comes to identifying the true human need amid all the frantic happenings. The solution is simple: For one 24-hour cycle each week, stop what we ordinarily do over the week, and rest in God alone. It brings benefits not only to self but also to our neighbours and creation at large. How? This is what this book is about.

The author begins the book with a personal story of how a lottery windfall that was initially received as a godsend ended up breaking the family apart. It was a tragic case of how a family was unable to steward such a gift. This is not an uncommon theme among lottery winners. Some even wished they had never won anything in the first place. This is one example of how mankind fail to steward the gift of Sabbath; choosing to abuse the time of rest in exchange for more commerce; more activities; more work; more busyness. For Swoboda, he admits that "even thinking and writing about Sabbath has the power to heal the soul." If that is so, what about those who actually practices it? There is something very precious about such an ordinary day as a rest day. Like hidden treasure that lies in our ordinary backyard, the first thing we ought to take note is the way it helps us arrest the tyranny of a 24x7 time rush. Systematically, the author leads the reader through the basics of Sabbath, beginning with what it means for us. He addresses the biblical description of the Jewish practice of Sabbath, which urges us to remember the history, the significance of tradition, that we will not forget the great mercies of God. We are reminded of the example of God leading the way to teach us how to rest. We can even have sabbatical reflections over work. One may ask: Isn't that an oxymoron? He gives us a clue about what he means by pondering about how we will have jobs in the new Jerusalem. Work would essentially be perfect worship, and will not be seen in the same way as earthly work as we know now. How does that happen? In a nutshell, a proper understanding and practice of the Sabbath will give us a healthy framework to view work. We learn that work is not the ultimate but work itself in its true essence points us toward the Sovereign Lord. Plus, there are benefits in terms of health as well. Apart from the obvious benefits from overwork, regular rest promotes healthy lifestyles. Put it simply, the Sabbath shows us that it is ok to say NO to things that threaten to derail our rest. We learn that life is not simply about production efficiency or process expediency. It is much more than simply making a living. Once we learn how to deal with the Sabbath ourselves, we are ready to help others.

"A Brief History of Sunday" (Justo L. González)

TITLE: A Brief History of Sunday: From the New Testament to the New Creation
AUTHOR: Justo L. González
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2017, (176 pages).

He has written about the history of the Church. He has also written about the way we interpret history, how history is essentially being re-written through re-interpretation. Now, the renowned historian has decided to focus on the topic of Sunday. He differentiates it from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) or the way the Seventh Day Adventists treat Sundays. There is no historical warrant to call Sunday as the Sabbath Day. Simply put, author and professor Justo L. González prefers to call it a "gift." Covering the periods from the first century to the modern practice of Sundays, the author painstakingly avoids describing the positions of either for or against Sabbatarianism, the practice of justifying Sundays as Sabbath days. For that, he points us to books by Samuele Bacchiocchi (for) and Willy Rordorf (against), which are formidable resources that argue for their respective positions. This book is about the history of this seventh day, also known as the Lord's Day in Christian circles. It is not about the Sabbath. Neither is it about the rituals of religious activities. Optimistically, González sees Sunday as pointing us to the "eighth day," the time in the future where we will rest, see, love, and praise.

"Rhythms of Rest" (Shelly Miller)

TITLE: Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World
AUTHOR: Shelly Miller
PUBLISHER: Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2016, (224 pages).

A lot have already been written about the Sabbath but the need far outstrips the supply. What is the Sabbath? What makes this book unique compared to the other books? For author Shelly Miller, the first thing with regard to taking a rest is her mantra: "I Don't Do Guilt." There is no need to be guilty about taking a day off per week, or to rest where needed. Sabbath rest is about receiving a gift and not an excuse for guilt. While the world teaches us to rely on ourselves and our own abilities, taking a rest is in effect an acknowledgement that things will take care of themselves even as we rest. It requires surrender and deep trust. The way forward is not simply an obligation to force a weekly sabbath but to joyfully discover rhythms in which we can rest well. Sabbath is a gift. It is a reflection of God's creativity. It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to others that rest is not only possible, it is beneficial. Miller goes beyond simply taking a break. Sabbath is a time in which we commune with God in an intentional space. It is an invitation to intimate conversation, unhurried by the hustle and bustle of the world. It is a way in which we say to the world: "You shall have no hold on me."

While the benefits are many, there are also myths and deceptions that threaten to derail our pursuit of Sabbath rest. That is why Miller spends time dispelling myths like doing Church as a form of Sabbath. She writes:

"The Radical Pursuit of Rest" (John Koessler)

TITLE: The Radical Pursuit of Rest: Escaping the Productivity Trap
AUTHOR: John Koessler
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2016, (176 pages).

Is the title of this book an oxymoron? How can an active pursuit in itself be restful in the first place? It's like mixing a bottle of restlessness into a bowl called rest. Which will prevail? According to the author, this book about the "radical pursuit" is not so much about activities and techniques but the meaning of rest is "radical" in itself. In other words, to the perennially busy and constantly preoccupied individual, arriving at the restful disposition is already a radical position in itself. For our day and age, it most certainly require us to be "radical" in our pursuit of rest simply because we have lost the art of rest. The author uses nine chapters to explore the range of rest and restlessness. Beginning with faith, he notices how even the Sunday church services are nowhere near the rest that worship requires. Stuck in the hamster wheel of seeking success, Christian activities are full of advice giving, non-stop working, and wearing soldiering ahead just to do religious stuff. Rest needs to be found and the path to reach that state is not through work but divine rest. The way forward is to depend on the one who knows how best to rest: God. God rests because it is the rest of completion and contentment over the day's work. Remember how God says each day is "good?" Rest is a place where God is present. Rest is dependent not on what we have or not done, but completely on what Christ had done at the cross. Probing the notion of Sundays as that supposedly "day of rest," Koessler laments at the lack of uniformity in the practice of the Lord's Day. Far too often, it has been filled with all kinds of activities. Obviously, with the lack of practicing rest on a Sunday, no wonder the rest of the week is packed with lots of restlessness.

"Mudhouse Sabbath" (Lauren Winner)

TITLE: Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline - Study Edition
AUTHOR: Lauren Winner
PUBLISHER: Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2015, (224 pages).

Christianity have roots in Judaism. They read the Torah or Pentateuch. They celebrate the Tehillim, (songs of praise), also known as Psalms.  Like the Proverbs and Jobs, the Psalms are part of the wisdom writings called the Ketuvim. As a convert to evangelical Christianity, the author often reflects back on her Jewish upbringing and fondly cherishes the rituals, the rules, and the meaning behind the Jewish spiritual practices. Out of that fond reflection comes the writing of this book which gives her a chance to revisit the riches of the Old Testament practices and how many of them can be appreciated in our modern world. In this updated edition, Winner adds in a greater awareness of pursuing God's justice in this world on top of just enjoying our spiritual life. She helps us reflect on how fasting can be related to caring for the poor, and how Sabbath keeping is to be integrated into the whole week by virtue of Sabbath not being at the beginning or end of the week, but the middle. She weaves into this book her own personal journey through experiencing her mum's passing, her broken marriage, a little older and wiser too. Having moved from Virginia to North Carolina, she has also moved from outside coffee shops to having coffee at home instead. In a way, this book is about moving from one place to another, in particular from Judaism to Christianity, and in the process trying to make sense of the commonality between the two. Perhaps, it is to expand the common space of understanding and to help those of us without a Jewish background to better appreciate the practices of Sabbath keeping and other important rituals. It helps us to go beyond the outer display of religiosity toward an inner appreciation of the essence of Jewish spirituality. The "study edition" format is about a twelfth chapter scattered throughout the other eleven in the form of study questions. For me, reading through this book is like eavesdropping the author's appreciation of her Jewish heritage from a Christian perspective.

"Finding Spiritual Whitespace" (Bonnie Gray)

TITLE: Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest
AUTHOR: Bonnie Gray
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2014, (272 pages).

We are all busy. We all have our own things to do. Packed calenders, filled schedules, you name it, we are all stretched to maximize all of our time and to minimize wastage. We have become so proficient in filling up all of our spaces but often paying a heavy price: We do not know how to rest. As Sabbath beckons each week, sometimes, we wonder whether we are able to find a place and means to rest. We need help. we need a way to recuperate from the madness of busyness. In the words of Bonnie Gray, we need to find "spiritual whitespace" which is her way of saying "we need to find a place to rest."

Bonnie Gray has personally heard stories and experienced her own trauma about needing to find spaces to rest when the demands are high and the energy levels are low. With a constant drive to get things done, she allowed the demands of work to dominate, resulting in severe post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Rather than a book that talks about rest from an expert, this book is about one person's journey of recovery from PTSD to restfulness. It comes out of a deep search for newer places of rest. It invites readers to come alongside and share the search process. It is a spiritual journey that breaks new ground for the author and hopefully for readers. More importantly, it reminds us that just because there is a blank space or empty schedule does not mean we need to straightaway fill it up. Some things are meant to be cherished as blank spaces so that it can spur creativity and beauty, not cluttering with work or accumulating stuff. Five "whitespaces" of rest are described.

"Christ in the Sabbath" (Rich Robinson)

TITLE: Christ in the Sabbath
AUTHOR: Rich Robinson
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014, (272 pages).

What is the Sabbath? What are the differences between shavat, shabbat, and "shabbat shabbaton?" What is the Old Testament understanding of Sabbath and what is the purpose of the Sabbath? Rich Robinson looks at all of these in a survey of Sabbath according to the Bible. For senior researcher and Scholar-in-Residence for Jews for Jesus, Dr Robinson, the essence of the Sabbath is about the "condition characterizing life in Eden." It is a gift. It comes with a purpose. It is a place where one enjoys life with God. For Israel in the Old Testament, Sabbath keeping is more about cultivating trust in a God who provides, imitating God, and to share God's goodness with neighbours. Robinson highlights the many messages of the Sabbath through the Old Testament, the New Testament, as well as the inter-testament times. He studies the complex situation of war, and how Jews grapple with rest and needing to keep security for the people. Even then, different groups observe the Sabbath rather differently. For some, self-defense is permitted on the Sabbath. For others, the conviction to stop work and war even on the Sabbath had lead to massacres of their people by enemies. With so much confusion with the different Jewish groups, in comes Jesus in the New Testament, who teaches and preaches the Word of God in wisdom and with authority. Without being tied by the Jewish rules for the Sabbath, Jesus shines a new perspective on the meaning of the Sabbath.  Sabbath for Jesus is about restoration of God's reign on earth. It is about glimpsing the Divine. It is about replacing the erroneous human interpretations with God's interpretation. It is about preservation of life that God intended, that the Sabbath frees us, not enslaves us. While the gospels highlight the Sabbath as surrounding the life and ministry of Jesus, Acts and the letters focus on the proclamation of the gospel. The book of Hebrews show the future glory where Jews and Gentiles come together in worship on the Sabbath. Chapter 7 is a brief history of biblical rest which describes Sabbath as a eye to a future glory.

The last few chapters touch on the meaning of Sabbath for the Jews, and compares the Sabbath with Sundays. Robinson describes the relevance of the Sabbath for Christians today to give some guidance on what we are to do with the Sabbath. He touches on some theological debates surrounding the many interpretations of the Sabbath by theologians through the centuries. Robinson points out three broad views before asserting his own five principles, that claim the New Covenant superceding Mosaic laws.

1. Sabbath keeping is not just ceremonial
2. Sabbath keeping includes a moral component
3. While many laws are time-bound or culture-specific, the Sabbath is also people-specific
4. Many of the moral laws already precede the Mosaic laws
5. Like several other Mosaic laws, Sabbath is no longer binding on the Christian.

Robinson thus believes that the Saturday Sabbath is no longer binding. Sundays are not replacement days for Sabbath but a day in which people can meet and worship together. It is not a mandated law for Christians to have Sunday worship. He believes that the principles of the Sabbath is more relevant for now. He urges us to have regular Sabbath keeping according to the rhythms that God had intended for us. It is meant to cultivate meaningful relationships in our busy world. It is an opportunity to do all the good we can once a week in reaction to the six days a week we work for our own needs. Finally, Robinson concludes that the Sabbath is a way to look back with thanks and to look forward with hope.

Sabbath keeping is a much cherished and observed tradition in Jewish culture. As a general survey, this book covers many ground. It gives us a good overview of the history of the Sabbath among various groups. What it lacks for in depth, it makes up for it in breadth of coverage. I especially appreciate the clear manner in which the different viewpoints of the Sabbath were laid out. Unfortunately, I feel that more need to be said, especially on the interpretation of the New Covenant over the keeping of the Mosaic laws. This alone can mean many more volumes need to be published. I recognize that this book is meant more for the layperson for which it will suffice for the most part. For others who want to know more, Abraham Heschel's book on the Sabbath remains a primary reference point. For those interested to know more about the different views, try reading John Donato's "Perspectives on the Sabbath: Four Views." A more recent book by Walter Brueggemann deserves a look too. You can read my review here.


Overall, this book is a reasonable read but if you are not a New Covenant believer, you may find it the history more acceptable than the theological orientation Robinson points to.


Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Moody Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Sabbath as Resistance" (Walter Brueggemann)

TITLE: Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
AUTHOR: Walter Brueggemann
PUBLISHER: Lousville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014, (124 pages).

You have probably heard about impatient societies or situations in which people simply cannot wait. With many symbols all around us that promote speed and efficiency, our fast-paced culture supported by fast-food industry is helping all of us race one another constantly in the search for meaning and accomplishments. Even Christians are not immune to this state of busyness and rush. Thankfully, there are perceptive people such as Walter Brueggemann who offers their acute awareness of contemporary culture that is combined with their grasp of biblical truth. Old Testament Professor and renowned author of books like "The Prophetic Imagination," and "Truth Speaks to Power," contributes yet another counter-cultural take on resisting the ways of the world. Expanding upon the topic first published as a series of Bible studies at "The Thoughtful Christian" website, Brueggemann has expanded the teaching into a book that aims to resist the worldliness by saying "NO to the culture of now." Riding on a provocative title, this book is deeply necessary to bringing back sanity back in an increasingly restless world. Brueggemann joins a chorus of prophetic voices in speaking against the restlessness, the frantic busyness, and the aimlessness of the world. He shares with theologian Marva Dawn and Michael Fishbane on the Jewish wisdom practices about keeping the Sabbath. He acknowledges the classic book on Sabbath by Abraham Heschel, calling it a "magisterial book." He then mines the Old Testament passages, focusing particularly on the Ten Commandments, to draw out elements of what it means to practise the Sabbath as resistance and provides an alternative lifestyle to a world that is quickly becoming breathless due to over-exertion, over-activity, and overwhelming anxiety.

Firstly, it means recognizing the Fourth Commandment as the "crucial bridge" that connects the rest of the commandments. The first commandment concerns God, and out of this flows the rest of the motivation to honour and please God. It is God who had freed Israel from slavery. It is God who had provided the people with freedom and liberty. Even as Exodus describes the toilsome labours and pains that the Israelites had to endure, there is that sense of God mindful of the very things that hem the people down: Forced labour. Brueggemann says it well:  "At the taproot of this divine commitment to relationship (covenant) rather than commodity (bricks) is the capacity and willingness of this God to rest." On an on, Brueggemann reminds us how we have tried to commodotize life as a whole, enslaving ourselves into a regimen of production, and non-stop achieving. Such efforts are effectively slavery of the modern kind.

Secondly, based on Exodus 20:12-17, Brueggemann expands his reflection on how work has caused much anxiety. The culture around us often promotes the worship of human deeds and goods, and as far as the Christian is concerned, leads dangerously to the elevation of idolatry. Keeping the Sabbath reacts against this trend by being a testimony against the insecurities of doing and achieving, toward the reality of being and resting.

Thirdly, knowing the nature of human beings, we are reminded that Sabbath as Resistance also mean some form of "coercion" to respect the rhythms and patterns of creation. Only then, one can be able to rest and be free from anxiety. Once we discipline ourselves to respect the seasons, and to rest during rest periods, and work during work periods, we will be truly free. Fighting against a culture of "acquisitiveness" has two main motivations: Honouring the covenant with God, and cultivating the community we live among.

Fourthly, Brueggemann traces the passage from a mixed culture to an exclusive culture. At the time of the Exodus, Israel has no identifiable culture (Exodus 12:38). At Sinai, the giving of the commandments sparked off a new beginning, the Mosaic covenant as identity. Leviticus reminds Israel about cultic purity and cleansing rituals, to drive home the holiness of God. Looking at Isaiah 56:3-8, we learn of how keeping the Sabbath broadens the identity through neighbourliness, that anyone willing to keep Sabbath will be a part of this exclusive community.

Fifth, Brueggemann probes Amos 8:4-8 to look at what Scriptures had to say about multitasking. As a social critic himself, the prophet Amos attacks the consumerism of the age and the endless self-indulgent culture. This comes across through multitasking of all things in order to consume and gratify oneself more. Instead of rest, one becomes more restless. Instead of honouring God, one grows deeper into idolatry.

Sixth, Brueggemann ends with a description of the Tenth Commandment, saying that it is unlike the rest of the commandments. This last commandment is a warning against covetousness. It involves a "posture" as well as "practice." It is the anti-thesis of neighbourliness. Without the protection of Sabbath keeping, one will covet other things, and the possessions of others.

So What?

Reading this book reminds me once again how relevant Sabbath keeping is for our world. On and on, we hear of an always-on, 24x7, and constant availability of anything to keep us running, working, and coveting. In Sabbath keeping, we have this ancient practice to discipline ourselves, to help us acknowledge that we are not super-people. We are not robots who can work non-stop. We need to rest regularly. We need to take a break frequently. We need to keep the Sabbath religiously, simply because we do not create ourselves. God has created us and it is best to follow the "manufacturer's manual."

Brueggemann has written a concise book about keeping Sabbath, and this is clearly written for laypeople. More could have been written about how technology and the digital addiction can be addressed. Our current era has a problem of a new kind of idolatry. The Internet, the smartphone, the digital waves around us, all threaten to overwhelm us more and more. How do we resist such temptations? What are the ways in which we can practise Sabbath keeping in an Internet era? Is there anything the Christian community can practise together to resist these wireless intrusions? Maybe, Brueggemann is already aware of the many resources and literature out there that have spoken on such topics. That said, at least, he could have pointed readers to resources that he know about. If I have any critique, I would say that this book is way too brief for a topic that can be expanded upon more.

I highly recommend this book for two reasons. First, it is staunchly biblical and sees Sabbath keeping with a big picture perspective. Instead of letting just a few verses lock the author in, the author is able to allow biblical theology to guide the reading and understanding of the Sabbath. Second, we all need it. We are in a modern quicksand of anxiety, restlessness, and impatience. By keeping a regular Sabbath, we will learn to be more sane, and more importantly, to guide our next generation to do the same. The modern ideology of busyness and non-stop work only leads us toward idolatry of activities, achievements, and acquisitions. Sabbath keeping helps us resist that.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.


conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Sabbath in the Suburbs" (MaryAnn McKibben Dana)

TITLE: Sabbath in the Suburbs: A Family's Experiment with Holy Time (The Young Clergy Women Project)
AUTHOR: MaryAnn McKibben Dana
PUBLISHER: St Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2013, (144 pages).


What do you do on the Sabbath? This question itself is easily asked but not easily answered. It can also be easily planned but not easily executed. Tell that to the author and her family. As young parents, with both holding on full-time jobs, observing a 24-hour Sabbath day of doing nothing seems crazy in a oft-called 7/24 world. Just think of it. For anyone already complaining about not enough time to do all they ever wanted to do, slicing off 24 hours per week just to do nothing is absurd, even unproductive. Yet, it is the very busyness and frantic lifestyle that drives the family not just to observe the Sabbath, but to want to redeem their lives from the busyness of life. The author declares right from the start that Sabbath is not just about stopping from work, it is about freedom from work. What does it take to move from a hurried and harried week toward an unhurried and casual Sabbath day? The whole book is a testament to the gradual appreciation of the ancient practice of Sabbath for modern times.

The Danas learn quickly that keeping the Sabbath is no easy matter. Wiring the Sabbath mentality into the whole family is even more challenging. Chronicling 12 months of intentional Sabbath observance, the family begins with deciding exactly which common day to keep the Sabbath. With some flexibility to set the day, they then work on the actual things that they can do and not do.  In doing so, they learn to simplify meals. It means trying not to change things, working on self-improvement, or anything that is considered "productive" over the other six days. It means being more casual about activities. It means timeless moments. They call it "Sabbathly" which is to do things in the manner of Sabbath. It is caring and yet remaining care-free. It is taking a break from the routine. It is a focus on delight.

Reflecting on Scripture, it is about learning to count our days; bringing things back to balance; appreciating the creation of God; doing things slowly; and many more.

So What?

This book is a practical look at how one family battles the pressures and frenetic pace of life with the ancient practice of Sabbath. Done with a light-hearted touch, it carries an essential message for us to observe the Sabbath more faithfully and fully. Instead of rushing to tie up loose ends, push the family to do more and more, for one day a week, do not simply do less. Either do nothing or do something else completely different from the other six days. It is an experiment that invites the experience. The first few chapters will be appreciated by most of us familiar things crazy and busy. Readers will easily identify with the struggles of the demands on a young family. In fact, things do not seem to turn out right initially. For instance, the struggles with what exactly can and cannot be done, which in itself can be quite a challenging exercise for the newbie. On top of that, with heavy work demands (the author is a pastor), it can be tough to carve out a chunk of 24 hours just to do nothing. After all, the family needs to be fed, and household chores still need to be done.

Halfway through the book, it is a pleasant surprise to see that not only the author's family gets used to the Sabbath routines each week, they actually look forward to it. I think this is the biggest value in reading this book. For Sabbath is something often talked about in religious circles but seldom practiced. One reason why people shy away from keeping Sabbath is because of erroneous paradigms in the first place. For instance, some may think keeping Sabbath amounts to religious legalism. Others may suppose that Sabbath keeping is too ancient for any modern practical usage. This is precisely the point why we need Sabbath keeping. Let me offer five thoughts on the Sabbath.

First, Sabbath is about coming back to recognizing God knows best. If God has set forth an example for us to follow, we better follow it well. By resting on the Seventh Day himself, God has shown us what it means to work and to enjoy the fruits of our work. In fact, God has on a daily basis looks back at the day of creation and says it is good. On the Sabbath Day, God actually says "very good."

Second, it is about freedom. The Fourth Commandment is essentially about freedom from slavery. The author recognizes this quite early in the book. Our modern world is stuck on progress and productivity so much that we have become enslaved by it. Too much of a "good" thing is not necessarily good. Sabbath is that opportunity to become more aware and more appreciative of what we had done.

Third, it is about trust and restoration. Just taking a day off per week is a demonstration of trust that we are not masters of the universe. God is. Can we by rushing through another day save the world? Probably not.

Four, the author's observation of "observing scarcity" is something worth pondering more about. Our modern world is more comfortable with progress, with greater possessions, with faster and better advances. We have unconsciously become more electronic like rather than human like. The price of progress is high. When keeping the Sabbath, we can learn to limit ourselves to the bare essentials. There is no need to rush or to grow at any cost. We grow at the speed of love. We move at the speed of care. We travel at the speed of trust.

Finally, what the author has shown is that keeping the Sabbath is possible. It is possible all twelve months of the year, once a week, and every week. If you want to know more about the ups and downs, and the candid but wise sharing of this family's experiment, you need to read this book!

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Chalice Press and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"God in my Everything" (Ken Shigematsu)

TITLE: God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God
AUTHOR: Ken Shigematsu
PUBLISHER:  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013, (256 pages).

Can we escape from the world without escaping from life? In a world where everything seems so busy, so frantic, and so crazy, is it really possible to find peace and solace in a noisy and sometimes cruel world? What can modern people learn from the ancients? Surely, their times are different from our times, right? This book begins with an impromptu fill-in for one of his preaching colleagues. Without much time to prepare, the author decides to speak about the rhythm of life. It is a rhythm of life that seems to be taking refuges away from the world, and at the same time still close to the heartbeat of the world we live in. This is only possible when God is in our everything, so says the author, the  lead pastor of a flourishing Church in Vancouver, BC. Using the Greek word "trellis" as a way (or rule) to hone his idea of a rhythmic support system, Shigematsu proposes five key ideas: Rules; Roots; Relate; Restore; Reach Out.

1) Rules
Beginning with a description of his pilgrimage in Glendalough, Ireland, Shigematsu shares how he is intrigued by the Celtic monks like St Kevin, St Patrick, Bridget of Kildare, and others, who contrary to what many people think, built monasteries close to settlements so that they can share Christ's hospitality with whoever that comes by. Instead of a perceived solitary monastic life, they are actually very intentional about a community, about sharing and caring for people amid their devotional lifestyle. Shigematsu leaves the place with a renewed sense of how prayer informs practice, and how practice reforms prayer. One of the things that he feels more compelled to grow in is the idea of "Bushido," a set of rules and practices that lead to growth in "wisdom, fortitude, loyalty, compassion, and service." Just like the 12th Century St Benedict, who helps spread the idea of monasticism within a community setting. The idea is that when God is in our everything, "the world becomes our monastery." Shigematsu goes on to show that following a set of rules is not necessarily a bad thing, even though rules and regulations are more despised nowadays. It is biblical. It is not about "trying" but about "training." In other words, spiritual discipline is very much a part of the Christian life. He also argues for a "centered" life more than a "balanced" perspective, something that resonates with my philosophy too. Yet, the author is quick to point out that such a rhythm is not rigid but flexible. He reflects on the biblical character Daniel, who is able to adopt a pattern of prayer and work, with God as his center.

2) Roots
The three key "roots" are Sabbath; prayer; and sacred reading. Firstly, one finds a "Sabbath" time for body and soul. For the Sabbath is a gift of one day in seven where we can live truly free especially when the week is fully busy. While keeping the Sabbath does not necessarily mean we be more successful on the other six days, it leads to greater trust in God. What then do we do? Do something that we do not normally do during the week. Secondly, one also lets prayer be the bridge between God and person, cultivating friendship with God. Contrary to what many people think about prayer being something less than work, prayer is actually the very essence of work, for true work is about relationships. Shigematsu shares some tips with regards to the Lord's Prayer, ACTS, Psalms, and seasons of prayer. Thirdly, one grows strong roots based on God's Word through sacred reading. Meditate on the Word. Memorize the Word. Visualize Scripture.

3) Relate

In a social media world where technology and gadgets seem to help more people connect, it may seem strange even to read about people feeling disconnected in a highly connected social media world. Research has shown that close relationships play a big role in psychological well-being. What more about spiritual well-being? Spiritual friendship is not about drawing attention to one another. It is about helping one another grow closer to God. Spiritual friends can also be called upon to help one draw boundaries in matters of sex and purity. For our characters are formed within the crucible of family. This is not just about the spiritual family, but the very family that we live with.

4) Restore

Learning to take care of our spiritual lives also means addressing the needs of our physical bodies. In doing so, we not only learn to take care of our physical health, we are re-invigorated in our perspective of the resurrected body in Christ. Eat well. Sleep well. Exercise well. Play well. Think well, especially with regards to money and our use of money. Let giving and generosity outweigh any desire for selfish accumulation and devotion to Mammon. Being restored means becoming more and more conscious of eternity.

5) Reach Out

It is common to come across people who simply hated Mondays. It takes a fresh perspective to see Mondays not from the eyes of mundane work, but from the mind of God whose mercies are new every morning. In prayer, work is sanctified. In prayer, we discern life. In prayer, our life as a ripple, can be used to make an impact in the communities we live in. Serving our communities is a calling for the servant of God. Reaching out is about praying for people; being present for people; and sharing the gospel like a four-sided pyramid: life, deed, sign, and word. Life is about our testimony of living. Deeds is about works of love in action. Sign is about letting the world know of God's power at work in us. Word is about proclamation of the gospel.

So what?

This is a very comprehensive book on Christian living, covering many important aspects of the spiritual life. Through stories and keen observations of life in a city, Ken Shigematsu is able to weave in spiritual practices of the ancient world with the contemporary needs of the world. Having gone through personal struggles of frantic living, relationship challenges, as well as ministry work as a pastor, Shigematsu has put into words the sermons that he has given for his own congregation. I have heard him speak before, and so am able to mentally visualize his voice through the words in this book. It is very much a personal story by the author, given passionately and yet having a gentle demeanor about it all. I appreciate the very comprehensive aspect of his treatment of the rhythms of life, so reminiscent of Mark Buchanan's book on "Spiritual Rhythm" or Wayne Mueller's work on Sabbath. Let me offer three thoughts about the book.

First, I think it is an apt corrective for a world addicted to freedom of choice. The idea of rules and regulations can often rile the modern man so used to freedom and free speech. People are put off when it comes to anyone preachy or giving words of advice. Yet, disliking something does not necessarily mean we do not need that, just like a sick child disliking bitter medicine. If we do not drink it, we may become worse off. Thus, Shigematsu's teaching about "Bushido" is highly relevant for our modern Western society.

Second, structures are helpful. Despite the culture's dislike of structures and institutionalized religion, we cannot do away with structures. The words of Jesus with regards to Sabbath is appropriate here. Know that the Sabbath is made for men and not men for the Sabbath. Thus, structures are made for humans and not humans for structures. That is why the better way is to redeem institutions and structures, instead of throwing them out altogether.

Third, spirituality is more relational than what some people think. This contrasts with some versions of spiritualities that tend to be self-centered; focused on nothingness; or simply energy consumption. No. Christian spirituality is basically about living relationships. The spiritual practices mentioned in this book have a strong sense of communal living and community responsibility. Whether it is Sabbath time with God; coffee time with people; prayer for and with people; or accountability sessions with trusted friends; spirituality is less of something private and confidential, but more of something connecting and communicating.

I love this book!

Rating:  5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Zondervan and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Review: "Work Matters"

TITLE: Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work
AUTHOR: Tom Nelson
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011, (213 pages).

The dichotomy between work and faith continues to be a challenge for many. Pious Christians go to Church each Sunday to worship and to rest from work. When Monday comes, how does that act of faith influence the rest of the week? Sadly, many people throughout the world struggle to make the connection. Often, people see weekends as a needed break from dreary work. This book attempts to provide some answers to two big questions:

• Is our faith making a difference in our work?
• Is our work making any difference in the world?

The core conviction of the book is: "Work matters. A lot." Using Os Guinness descriptions of primary calling (to Christ) and secondary calling (to our work), Nelson deals the various aspects of this particular calling. We are created by God with work in mind. Through work, we continue to the productivity in the world. We steward what is given to us. Through work, we worship God.

Unfortunately, sin and the fall of man has disrupted the nature of work. Thus, work can be painful, discouraging, distorted. Some of us work too hard (workaholic). Others work too little (sloth).  For Christians, they differentiate secular work from sacred work, leading to a dualism that is unhealthy. Nelson introduces the idea of the gospel lived out in our work. When redeemed, work is not just satisfying, it transforms self and others. Nelson makes this poignant observation that if the future is bright and glorious, surely present work is more meaningful and purposeful. The key is to grasp the way our present work fits with the future vision.

"I believe Jesus' parable of the talents not only encourages us to gospel readiness, but also encourages us to more seamlessly connect our Sunday faith with our Monday work." (70)

Book Review: "Sabbath" (Dan B. Allender)

Note: This review is simultaneously published at Yapdates.blogspot.com

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TITLE: SABBATH
AUTHOR: Dan B. Allender
PUBLISHER: Nashvile, TN: Thomas-Nelson, 2009, (214pp)

If there is one phrase to sum up this book, it will be four words: "Let There Be Delight." Some books on the Sabbath tend to focus more on it being a commandment to obey, lest there be consequences. Others deal with the Fourth Commandment as a command to rest and follow a list of don'ts. Not Allender. In this book, the author advocates something that is along the lines of play and delight. He builds his house of delight using the four 'Sabbath Pillars':

1. Sensual Glory;
2. Holy time;
3. Communal feast
4. Play day.

He then fills this house with three kinds of 'purposing' about how 'sabbath play' looks like. It is about three major shifts. Firstly, it is a shift from a life of dividing loyalties, to one of peaceful unity. Secondly, it is an abandonment of a life of destitution, to embrace one of abundance. Thirdly, it is to exchange despair for joy. All of these purposes are ways in which delight can be achieved.

In Allender's final part, he deals with 'Sabbath Performance,' with some practical applications on what a house of delight looks like. There are rituals and symbols to represent Sabbath keeping. Inwardly, there are ways to practice the Sabbath through personal meditation and silence. Outwardly, there are ways to practice Sabbath through maintaining justice in Jubilee and freedom from being enslaved to our everyday society of non-stop work and restlessness. 

My Comments
Allender makes a strong convincing case about seeing Sabbath as a delight, rather than merely a commandment to obey. It turns one from simply following a set of do's and don'ts to a life of willing celebration in enjoying God's special day what what it is.

My favourite part of the book is Part I, where Allender describes the four pillars of delightful play.  The obvious alliteration techniques in his book helps reading flow. I like the way the author builds his case for delight. This is a needful corrective in a world where the days of the week are seen as a laundry list of to-do's and not-to-do's.  Toward the end, Allender is to be commended for opening the reader's awareness to see the wider world where justice is needed. He helps to remind readers about the dangers of being trapped unwittingly in the cycle of non-stop work and restlessness. Most importantly, he teaches us that keeping the Fourth Commandment is not a chore but a delight. This point alone is worth the price of the book.

Having said that, there are weaknesses in the book. Firstly, it is written more for a Western cultural mindset. Theologically, the creation is not limited to the West. Ancient practices should be able to apply to all cultures. Secondly, some parts of the Sabbath practice appear disjointed. For example, in the practicing of Sabbath in terms of Sabbath Justice, when Allender describes the plight of the Karen people, it appears anti-climactic, just to say "There is no need to ask 'What Can I Do?'"  While I appreciate his argument for using Sabbath dreaming to establish empathy, such abandonment of the 'What Can I Do' question can sometimes let the casual reader off the hook too easily. The problem with many in the Western evangelical world is not aggressive empathy, but excessive apathy.

Finally, with regards to delight, whose perspective are we looking from? This is where I register my strongest critique. There is a danger that readers use Allender's thesis as a justification toward self-fulfillment and narcissistic concerns. Sabbath practices is not simply freedom to delight for delight's sake. It is freedom to delight in anything for Christ's sake. As a metaphor, I like to adapt Martin Luther's thesis about Christian liberty for the Sabbath.

A Christian freely delights in all things, dutifully.
A Christian freely limits all things, delightfully. Whatever the Christian chooses to do, it is to Christ he delights.

In summary, this book is a fresh look at Sabbath as delight, and an excellent resource for modern readers to understand the ancient commandment to keep the Sabbath.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.


conrade

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."