I love that much of what God requires of us, God models for us. We are called to be merciful, and reminded that God has shown us much mercy. We are called to be peacemakers, and reminded that Christ has made it possible for us to have peace with God. We are called to love, and reminded that our God is love and has so loved us. We follow a God that is worth following; we are blessed that our God shows us how to live, both to honor Him and for our greatest good.

Sabbath is a command modeled by God, in the beginning. Sabbath is often practiced by Jesus as He intentionally sets apart time for rest and renewal, and to connect and stay connected to God our Father. Sabbath is also a chance for us to stop, reflect, and give thanks to God for what He has done. The reality for most of us is that if we don’t practice Sabbath as a spiritual discipline, we miss out on its many blessings.

Vacations are wonderful, when you can get them. I’m probably on the beach right now as you read this. Thank God for vacations. However, Sabbath must be more than that. For your health and wellbeing God commands you to regularly practice Sabbath. Schedule time for your rest and renewal. Schedule time to connect and stay connected to God. Schedule time to stop, reflect, and give thanks to God for what He has done for you. I pray we all learn to Sabbath, and to Sabbath well.

This past Sunday, we welcomed Chris and Marlys back “home” from Macha, Zambia. A special thanks to Chris for agreeing to serve as our guest preacher, on his first week back in the States. I trust his sermon was challenging, inspiring, and as much of a blessing to you as Chris and Marlys are a blessing to all who know them. If you missed hearing Chris’ message, Where?, please be sure to check it out here on our website, or through our sermon podcast on Soundcloud, Google Play or iTunes.

This Sunday, I am very excited that the music will be led by our Gospel Choir, Tapestry, and that Pastor Lynda will be sharing the message with us. Pastor Lynda loves hymns, and this week she will be sharing some scriptural themes from my very favorite hymn, Come Thou Fount. As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please take time to read and pray through I Samuel 7:2-17 and Psalm 145, and ask God to “tune your heart” as you meet together with our church family.

And while you’ll be hearing God’s Word in the sanctuary, in Creation Kids, our children will be hearing from one of our missionaries and sons of HBIC, Zach Dalton, who has been serving in Bogota, Colombia. I love how God keeps using HBIC to serve our local and global communities with His love, grace, mercy, and compassion. We are so blessed to partner with God in this great work, and our children are especially blessed this summer as they spend time with brothers and sisters involved in God’s global work each week.