Image: Veeterzy / Unsplash I’ve always loved trees. I love their look, their shade, the sound of wind in their leaves, and the taste of every fruit they produce. As a grade-schooler, I first planted trees with my father and grandfather. I’ve been planting them ever since. Once, as I was training to become a… Continue reading What Trees Teach Us about Life, Death, and Resurrection
Author: guest
Sabbath Box: What if You Could Get a Rest?
Pastoral ministry is hard work. How would you like a resource that could lighten your workload and help teach your church the importance of Sabbath. Well, look no further than the Sabbath Box. Imagine having one week out of every month, where much of the work of ministry planning has already been done for you.… Continue reading Sabbath Box: What if You Could Get a Rest?
Keeping the Sabbath Saved My Marriage, My Ministry, and Probably My Life
by A.J. Swoboda (Blessed Earth Pacific Northwest Director) Nearly 10 years ago, as a college pastor at the University of Oregon, I toiled nearly 80 hours a week doing the “work of the Lord.” No boundaries. No rhythms. No intention. No rest. Every crisis was my crisis. Every complaint was my problem. Everything and everyone came to me. The long… Continue reading Keeping the Sabbath Saved My Marriage, My Ministry, and Probably My Life
New Resource: The Subversive Sabbath by A.J. Swoboda
I have the pleasure of announcing a new book by my friend and colleague, Dr. A.J. Swoboda. A. J. directs our Blessed Earth operations in the Pacific Northwest. His book is called Subversive Sabbath. For those of you have read my last book, 24/6, (and for those who haven’t), I highly recommend that you get ahold of… Continue reading New Resource: The Subversive Sabbath by A.J. Swoboda
Do the headlines scare you? They shouldn’t, and here’s why.
by Matthew Sleeth We live in a culture of fear. In fact, fear is a hot commodity. It sells. The folks who have the most to gain from fear just happen to be the ones who market it. This may be individuals, but often it’s the media. Nancy and I don’t have television at home,… Continue reading Do the headlines scare you? They shouldn’t, and here’s why.
Playing Hooky Can Be a Good Thing
by Nancy Sleeth, Managing Director of Blessed Earth For a long time, a visit to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest has been near the top of Matthew’s bucket list. Named after the WWI veteran who wrote the beloved poem “Trees,” it is one of the largest contiguous tracts of old growth forest in the Eastern… Continue reading Playing Hooky Can Be a Good Thing
A Sabbath From the Headlines
On July 31, I made a decision: For the coming month, I would Sabbath from checking the news. About a year ago, when the elections were heating up, I fell into the habit of checking three news sources each morning. One of the sources was on the conservative end of the spectrum, one liberal, and… Continue reading A Sabbath From the Headlines
Sabbath in a Technological World – Andy Crouch
When Sabbath Came to Church
Dr. Guy Brewer, Director, North Carolina Sabbath Living Initiative (Guy offers this reflection on the Sabbath Living retreat held on Memorial Day weekend for pastors and clergy of AME Zion Beaufort District and UMC Sound District in North Carolina.) “Everybody in church was your momma. It didn’t matter where you sat or who you were… Continue reading When Sabbath Came to Church
24/6 is Now an Audiobook!
Blessed Earth is pleased to announce that thanks to Two Words Publishing 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life is now available in audio format. You can learn more or purchase a copy on their website.