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Greetings and salutations, reader,
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As Erin takes us into the next installment of our blog series, Resting in the Rhythms of Grace, we want to take this opportunity to invite you to our Oct 16 Restoration Service. We'll be using Psalm 121 as part of our Worship Gathering to help us find a bit of "restoration" in our union with Christ.
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Also, an important note to parents: THIS Sunday, Oct 9, Erin will be concluding our series on The Imago Dei with a sermon entitled "Desexualizing the Imago Dei." His sermon will touch on various sexual issues of our current day, ranging from sex outside of marriage to LGBTQ topics. If you want to use this as a springboard to further conversations with your child, feel free to have them attend with you. But if your child isn't quite ready for this PG-13 sermon, we encourage you to have them attend Kids Creek or create a different plan for them.
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Quarterly/Annual Rhythms
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In the past few years, there has been a musical technique that has become quite popular in many of the worship songs sung in churches worldwide. After singing a verse, which leads into a chorus, then a different verse followed by the same refrain; the song transitions into what is known as "the bridge."
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The bridge is musically different from both the verse and chorus, yet seems to tie the whole song together. In these popular worship songs, the bridge builds to a crescendo, leading to the high point of the song, before the volume, instruments, and intensity are suddenly pulled back as the congregation reflectively returns to the chorus.
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Songwriters keep employing this "crescendo/withdrawal" technique because it seems to work. The method takes singers and listeners on an emotional journey that draws everyone in.
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But imagine for a moment a song that builds in intensity – lyrically, musically, and emotionally – yet never has the "release." It never pulls back. It just STAYS LOUD AND KEEPS BEING LOUD, NEVER TO RETURN BACK TO A NORMAL VOLUME!!!!! (If you just covered your ears while reading that, I don't blame you...)
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Turning Down Life's Volume
While a heavy metal fan or punk rocker might enjoy every song cranked to eleven, most people find they need a musical breather in a song. Yet, many Jesus-followers live day to day with a constant crescendo in their schedules, mind, and emotions, rarely finding the "withdrawal" they need in life to truly find rest in their union with Christ.
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Now, I realize you sleep each night (probably not enough, though). You probably take a break by watching the latest episode from a Disney+ or Hulu series. You might even employ one of the daily or weekly rhythms we talked about in this series. But are you intentionally finding ways to pull back and strip things down after an intense "bridge"?
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I think this is why so many people have fond memories of Christmas. Sure, they like the trees, decorations, food, and presents. But for some, it is the only time all year they pull back, which creates the fond memories and feelings.
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So here are a couple ideas of things you can employ one-to-four times per year to "withdraw," so your heart can find rest and be drawn to the Father once again.
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Retreat
Last week, I mentioned the idea of taking a half-day retreat each month. This week, I want to suggest taking a longer retreat once or twice a year. Go away for a full day or preferably two or three days. You can go to a hotel, rent an Airbnb, borrow a friend's home who is gone on vacation, book a cabin at a state park, or head to a place like the Wilderness Fellowship prayer cabins. (You can do a retreat at home, but for most people, going somewhere else is way more refreshing.)
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When you head out to your retreat location, take only your Bible, a notebook, a reading book, some comfy clothes, some music (both for worship and for background), some yummy food (if you're not fasting), and maybe a one-person game (like solitaire). Stay away from your phone, TV, tablet, and computer, if possible. Pick a book of the Bible or a theme for the retreat (the book you take with you should fit the "theme" for your day or two away). Then alternate sessions of Bible reading, prayer, journaling, silence, eating, napping, hiking, reading, playing solitaire, and such.
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For most people, this is really hard the first one or two times they try to do a retreat. Be patient with yourself as you learn this new rhythm. After a time, you will come to cherish these retreats. When I first began doing monthly and annual retreats, I didn't know what to do after two or three hours. Years later, I now find two or three days barely long enough!
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But keep in mind, when you "withdraw" on a spiritual retreat, the goal is rest and connection with God. If you come out of it with some sort of personal goal or life direction, great! But the priority is Jesus, not a to-do list.
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Holidays
Earlier, I mentioned some people love Christmas, not just for the cultural aspects of the holiday, but because it is the only chance they get all year for a day or two away from school or work.
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Let me encourage you to use holidays strategically.
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- Let Christmas be a quieter time of worship.
- Allow Easter to be a weekend of connection with God and family.
- Take advantage of our 21 Days of Prayer each January or the 40 days of Lent each winter/spring to find rest and reconnection with God through strategic fasting (from food, social media, electronics, TV, or whatever else keeps demanding your time, mind, and heart.)
The reason Christmas and other holidays are often special is they only come once a year. If Christmas or Lent were every day, you'd get sick of the holiday eventually. So use these special holidays and seasons intentionally as an excuse to rest and connect with your Creator.
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Serving
The last idea I'm going to throw out is to do a quarterly or annual service trip. You might...
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This rhythm is even more enjoyable when done with others, so take along your family or recruit your Growth Group to serve with you!
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The Community Table
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Calling all women to meet at the Riverwood building Monday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of conversation, community, and connection at The Table. Snacks and drinks will be provided!
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Riverwood 101
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If you have an interest in becoming a Riverwood Partner (aka member) please send us an email at [email protected].
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Food Pantry
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This Tuesday, the mobile food pantry will be at the Waverly Civic Center to serve those in our community. To volunteer, sign up here. Also, if you know anyone who would benefit from using the food pantry, please spread the word.
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New Apparel Online Store
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New t-shirts arrived and are on our Resource Table if you need one, just grab your size! We also have an online store here if you would like to purchase a Riverwood hoodie, long sleeve, or zip up shirt. (Samples are hanging up in the Riverwood lobby.)
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