Ending 2006 with a Sabbath experience ...

It was the final day of 2006: Sunday, Dec. 31.

I was at Fairhaven Ministries and it was strange being in a place where I didn't have to get up early on a Sunday morning to prepare for worship. I still found myself listening to a Don Golden/Rob Bell series called "The New Exodus." (It's a pre-Lenten series I'm planning to use at The Meadow.)

The night before, I dreamed about a community I've never worshipped with, yet I know exists: All Souls Church in Knoxville. The community was celebrating Holy Communion. I can normally discern why I dream certain things, but this time it is a puzzle. The only clue I have is that I was composing some Great Thanksgivings in my mind when I went to sleep. (I know, I know, that sounds strange ...)

Every weekend that I am at Ripshin I ponder the possibility of attending worship somewhere. Sometimes I think about going to the small Baptist church located across the lake from our cabin.

What is it that so strongly pulls me to corporate worship?

Even in the midst of a Sabbath, I find it difficult to shut down and just "be" ...

Grace and peace ...