“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest. . . . ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.” Leviticus 23:3
“Whatever of our God claims from us, He returns again, enriched, transfigured, with His own glory. . . .
“The Sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in God’s purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more than on any other, it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. It was God’s plan for the members of the family to associated in work and study, in worship and recreation, the father as priest of his household, and both father and mother as teachers and companions of their children. But the results of sin, having changed the conditions of life, to a great degree prevent this association. Often the father hardly sees the faces of his children throughout the week. He is almost wholly deprived of opportunity for companionship or instruction. But God’s love has set a limit to the demands of toil. Over the Sabbath He places His merciful hand. In His own day He preserves for the family opportunity for communion with Him, with nature, and with one another.
“Since the Sabbath is the memorial of creative power, it is the day above all others when we should acquaint ourselves with God through His works. . . . . Happy the father and mother who can teach their children God’s written Word with illustration’s from the open pages of the book of nature; who can gather under the green trees, and in the fresh, pure air, to study the Word and to sing the praise of the Father above.
“By such associations parents may bind their children to their hearts, and thus to God, by ties that can never be broken.
“The Sabbath should be made so interesting to our families that its weekly return will be hailed with joy.”
Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White for June 23
P.S. The teenage days of our sons, were piled with school, sports, band, gymnastics, football or basketball. Friday night, the T.V. was shut off, the radio was shut off, and the quietness resulted in Roger raking a bath and going to bed early. The next morning, he checked his watch and breakfast and said, “I slept 13 hours.”
I had to laugh, and reflect on his need, and realization, he could actually sleep for 13 hours, he needed the rest. Being a sabbath keeper, with Friday sundown beginning our Sabbath, brought in a time of family, sitting by the fireplace, and daddy reading what we called ‘the red books.” He had worked all week, he was tired, and he looked forward to putting classical records on the turntable. We grew up reading, with classical music in the background, way before they found, this kind of music promotes learning. Mom took time to read The Denver Post. Janet and I had Sabbath School Lessons to read and study. Franklin might take his clarinet out to play us a song. Cindy was happy to have us read to her from a book on Bible Stories. Her favorite story was Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot.
Saturday was church from 9:30-12:00 and many times, the food had been prepared ahead of time, so we had company, family and friends. Eating and meeting was also a part of other social engagements at our house, for fund raisers for the Church School. Socialization is part of being in a community. . .a bigger family. . .more responsiblities. . .that promote the best for our communities.
Covid had isolated us, prevented us from conversation, and we need it, we want it, and we like it. And centering our thoughts on why we take time to WORSHIP. . .the God, who supplies all our NEEDS…I didn’t say WANTS. . .this family time. . . .is so precious. . .I really miss it. . . .when I choose to do something else…I still need quiet time. . .with Him.
The Red Horse War Against Gods Government understood by the parables of Jesus 