Gurus Session #1: I Can’t Keep the Sabbath

A new word was introduced to me at the Gurus conference; Sabbath.  Apparently, it’s a day when I’m supposed to rest.  I don’t have time for this “Sabbath day.”  Oh wait, you say God blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy?  I might give it a try.

Nancy Beach, of the Slingshot Group, kicked off the Gurus of Tech conference with a wonderful talk on the Sabbath and how the tech folks must seriously consider its importance in our lives.  The title of the talk; “I Can’t Keep the Sabbath, I’m Too Busy Working It.”  Ain’t that the truth?!?

If you’re anything like me, then you’re 5′-11″ with brown hair, brown eyes, love slow walks in the rain…oops, I meant to say if you are anything like me, you know how hard it is to keep a Sabbath day.  Nancy showed how we can do it and why we must do it.

Below are bullet points I recorded from her talk.  I believe them to be accurate – it’s hard to write down what she said while I was also listening to what she was saying.  I’ve also added a bit of my interpretation of what she was saying.

• The Sabbath is sacred.
• It’s a commandment (Ex 20, Deu 5:15).
• It gives freedom and release from slavery specifically noted in Deu 5:15.
• God says little about the Sabbath, which leaves it up to us as to how to keep it.
• Westerners are seen by some as “ones who spin around, lacking direction” and it’s a great view of how we are “on” 24/7.
• We boast of lack of sleep and how much we do but this leads to hardheartedness.
• Our attitude towards the ministries in which we work is important.  Without a Sabbath, it will become negative.
• The Sabbath doesn’t have to be on Sunday.  It could be any day or any 24-hour period.
• Key to keeping the Sabbath is intentionality.
• His joy is within us (Mark 6:30-31 – “Come with me…and get some rest!”)
• Commit to it.
• Find a way to make it work in your life.
• How do you want to look back on your life? (I don’t remember if she said it or I thought it)

The Two Guidelines for the Sabbath (I think she got these from a book but I’m not sure. #memoryfail)

1.     Cease striving, controlling, worrying, and decision-making.
2.     Embrace that which gives life;

• Delight in life
• Worship (consider attending another church for a mid-week service)
• Reflect
• Rest
• Play

Over the course of the next week or so, I’ll post up more notes from the Gurus of Tech conference.

Before I end this, let me say thanks to…

• Todd Elliott and Mankin Media for putting on the Gurus conference.
• All the session speakers and breakout leaders.
• Steve L. for coming up to me at the Culvers Restaurant and introducing himself.  I had a great time hanging out with you and your worship leader whose name I don’t know because he always had his name tag turned around.  You might not be brought into the sound booth on a golden throne, carried by ushers, but I can promise you’ll be rewarded when you get to the other side.
• Brian Gowing for your time and friendship.  You are a blessing to the church.
• Brad Zimmerman for stepping up to lead a breakout session.  You are a blessing to all the Lone Ranger techs out there.
• Bill Swaringim of CTLN for setting up the dinner at Portillos. You are blessing the body of techies!
• Van Metschke for talking shop and being real.  You are a blessing to those above you and those below you.
• Mike Sessler for talking shop and for coming to these conferences. You are a blessing to sound techs new and old.

And thank you, McGuru, for your inspiration…I only ask you stay away from my console’s “SELF DESTRUCT” button.