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From The Pastor

July 26, 2019 by Rev. John Hartman

From the Pastor

“A Space for Grace” 

As I write this, I am vacationing in North Carolina at Atlantic Beach. It has been a fun week so far connecting with friends, enjoying the sun and sand, eating good seafood, and playing some tennis. The other reward of this vacation has been that of rest. Have you ever wondered exactly how popular Starbucks coffee has gotten to be? Scientists say that one reason for the popularity of Starbucks is that America is operating on a huge sleep deficit. Americans are sleeping less than 7 hours a night. Many of us can not make it through our day without a jolt of java. This lack of sleep is reflected in higher accident rates, lowered effectiveness at work, shorter attention spans, and worst of all, – falling asleep in church! A lack of sleep can elevate our blood pressure and bring on heart attacks and strokes. Now that I’ve shared that alarming news, you really won’t be able to sleep! I don’t know much about the science of it all, but I do see the toll a lack of rest takes on our personal lives. Rest is one of our primal yearnings as human beings. How do we imagine heaven? “Lord, grant us eternal rest.” You may be thinking, “Now wait a minute, John. You don’t understand. I’m a very important person. I have lots of irons in the fire. I’m a mover and a shaker. People depend on me. How can I be successful if I take a rest and take a break from daily work and activities?” 

Friends, the Bible commands that we take a break, — take a Sabbath rest. “So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest . . .” Hebrews 4:9-11. So remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. In my over 25 years of ministry, not once have I heard a person on their deathbed say, “Gee, I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” What they do say are things like, “I wish I’d spent more time with my family…more time in prayer…” So find a pace that allows a space for grace. Shabbat shalom. Sabbath peace to you! 

Pastor John

Quote of the Week
“Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.” Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day.