Feeling burned out? Thinking of quitting? Wait! First take an intentional break. And to ensure you get a truly restorative one, determine what type of rest you need.
Rest
A Liturgy After Times of Intense Ministry
I'm concluding about eight weeks of intense ministry that came on the heels of a book launch by practicing what I preach—taking time to rest and rejuvenate. This prayer was born only after three days of vegging out, catching up on household chores, and sleeping long hours. In a quiet coffee shop, I was finally able to put words to my feelings.
Read a Book from Your Childhood
Read a book from your childhood. This self-care suggestion caught my eye because I’ve never seen this idea on any list before. So during my recent convalescence from Covid (yes, that dreaded virus finally caught up with me after three years), I reached for the “Barney Mysteries”—five books all starting with the letter R—by Enid Blyton.
RENEWed Day by Day
Three times a year the Member Care Team at the Christar Mobilization Center, U.S. hosts RENEW, a five-day retreat for workers on home assignment. I wrote some thoughts for Christar's blog about how this event gives workers the opportunity to be refreshed, heard, and encouraged.
A Better Word, Alive and Active
“Scripture in the trade language only hits the surface, but in the Biangai the message goes deep. If everyone hears this they will all repent,” the youth pastor exclaimed with a wide grin. My parents, missionaries in Papua New Guinea, had just tested a newly translated passage of the New Testament on some local believers.
In Search of Better Rest
I regularly speak about rest. The author of the New Testament letter of Hebrews also speaks about rest. But a thorough study of the text reveals that this is a different kind of rest than I typically speak of. Since Hebrews is all about presenting Jesus as superior to all else, I wonder if this rest is also better?
It Takes Work To Rest
One of the biggest barriers to overall health and well-being is lack of rest. We are all about work and duty and tasks and responsibilities; yet the dialog about rest and leisure and hobby and exercise is often lacking, or with some folks, nonexistent.
Garden Walk
This morning I walked with God in a beautiful garden. But Eden it was not. While speculator by human standards and usually quite vibrant, today this garden looked a bit tired, a bit worn down. A few stubborn weeds could be seen among the carefully manicured beds. Desperate plants seemed to beg for mercy from … Continue reading Garden Walk
Pondered Treasures 