I am reading a book called Sabbath by Dan B. Allender.   Here’s what the book flap says…

Sabbath Rest is not an option; it is a commandment.  But Dan Allender says we’ve lost the true meaning of the day.  The Sabbath, when experienced as God intended,  should be the best day of our life; it is an invitation to delight.  “Sabbath is the holy time where we feast, play, dance, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk and watch creation in its fullness,” he tell us.  “Few people are willing to enter the Sabbath and sanctify it, to make it holy, because a full day of delight and joy is more than most people can bear in a lifetime, let alone a week.”

I’m half way through the book and it is very intriguing:

“We are not to work on the Sabbath because it takes us out of the play of joy.  It is as bizarre as making love to your spouse, but getting out of bed during the process to cut your lawn or wash dishes.  Such an offense would do far more than spoil the mood; it would be a direct assault on the integrity of joy, announcing that a mundane chore is more pleasurable than sexual joy with your spouse.”

See what I mean!

“I know the Unknown God,” said the little priest, with an unconcious grandeur of certitude that stood up like a granite tower. “I know his name; it is Satan. The True God was made flesh and dwelt among us.  And I say to you, wherever you find men ruled merely by mystery, it is the mystery of iniquity.  If the devil tells you something is too fearful to look at, look at it.  If he says something too terrible to hear, hear it.  If you think some truth unbearable, bear it.  I entreat you to end this nightmare now and here.”

From The Purple Wig – The Innocence and Wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton.

This book has 24 mystery short stories involving Father Brown a Roman Catholic Priest.  The mysteries are wonderfully written and you find yourself admiring the wisdom and humility of Father Brown and his knack for solving crimes and mysteries. 

Here’s a quote from the back cover of the book…

“For to hear Father Brown tell it, crime is a manifestation of sin: the criminal must be caught, but he or she must also be saved; the culprit has to be locked up, but the spirit must be freed.”

Good stuff!  I highly recommend this book.

You may want to consider adding it to your list for this upcoming event:

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