BlakeAtwood.com

Friend and co-worker and sometimes preacher Kelly Clark talked about the fourth commandment at our TXT3 worship service tonight, and since you’ve read the title, you can probably recall what that commandment commands, but, if you’re still not with us, here it is, from the source (Exodus 20:8):

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

We used a few videos that get to the heart of this rather strange command:

Yeah, it’s that simple, but actually making it a part of your life? I still don’t know what it means for me. I’ve “worked” on Sundays for a long time now, but the Sabbath doesn’t have to be a Sunday. I’ve tried (um, not really) to make Fridays a Sabbath, a day of rest, but I still get lost “going my own way” (see Isaiah 58:13-14), resting, but not exactly making it a day of spiritual rest and renewal. But at least now I’m thinking about doing so.

Kelly gave a few suggestions on the reality of remembering the Sabbath: if your job requires constant mental focus, go do something active; if your work is physically demanding, do something for your mind. If you’re always logged on (and I don’t think he was pointing at me when he said this), then log off for a day. Disconnect. The internets will still exist tomorrow.

But really, it’s different for everyone. So I have two questions for you.

Do you consciously observe a “Sabbath?”
If so, how does that look in your life?

…the promised update isn’t coming today, but, there’s this, a nephew that cracks me up. I just wish the cameraman wouldn’t have been laughing so hysterically and going all Bourne Identity with the cinematography.

I’m starting to write more, as in things that other people may actually want to read. This is a good step. More news on that front to come, hopefully, in the next week or so.

In coming to grips with the need to make writing a habit, I’m to the place in my life where I can start blogging more regularly, sharing both personal stories as well as the things I find in life or on the internet that amuse, startle, or confound me.

I desired this post to be more of a personal update; however, it’s not going to be because I spent roughly the last two or three hours updating this website. Ironically, you wouldn’t be able to tell just looking at it, but there was a lot of backend work that needed to be done. It took a mysql upgrade, some gzipping of exported wordpress posts, and some prayer. But things seem back to normal, and I needed to get this site up to par if I’m going to make more use of it.

Speaking of backend work, a co-worker and myself have a weekly habit of eating at the Catfish Parlour (be sure to go on Tuesdays for the corn fritters and any day for the leg lamp). They have incredibly bad jokes on all of their receipts, which, college-educated as we are, are often able to deduce. Today’s had us stumped: What happened when the butcher fell into the meat grinder?

Aside from being a horrendous image (that made me think of Steve Buscemi), we just didn’t get it and had to ask for the answer: He got a little behind in his work…

Additionally, since this is turning into a funny post, I saw this a few weeks back. I’m glad to see the Muppets are staying with the times:

Finally, don’t watch this if you’re easily offended by bad takes of hymns or spiritual songs. Otherwise, in my research (no, really) at the church today I ran across this gem:

So, apparently today was funnier than I gave it credit for.

Tomorrow, words from the heart, or as close as I can get to there.

A buddy of mine, @rothenflue on Twitter and eleven72 guy, made this with his kids. It’s getting me prepped to go see Avatar.