SILVER SPRING, Md.— A report into lay person engagement in the Adventist Church has noted a dramatic increase in activity over the last 12 months.
Data from church members around the world told a story of huge commitment to lay activities, with many saying that they were especially likely to engage in them on Sabbath.
“I never miss the opportunity to do my honest part as a layperson on Sabbath afternoon,” said 27-year-old Adventist, Pere Zoso from Columbia, Maryland. “I can honesy say that every time I prioritize lay work, I emerge feeling rested and refreshed.”
Asked what advice he had for fellow Adventists that may be struggling to get to grips with this form of ministry, Zoso had some simple advice: “When the opportunity arises just keep your head down, preferably on a pillow. If you’re still awake, count sheep.”
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The 27-year-old Adventist, “Pere Zoso,” sounds a bit “lazy” doesn’t he? But how would he have enough energy to stay up “miming the night away” to Del Delker tunes and bottles of Martinelli’s sparkling cider on Saturday night, if he doesn’t catch up on his sleep with lay activities on Sabbath?
Valid question:)
This dude looks like the guy who recently got kicked out to the living room sofa, after trying to kiss his wife following a romantic Friday night session of Bible study and haystacks. Dude can’t win!
No, this is not the guy who quoted the Song of Solomon to his wife (the one with the perpetual headache)–and found out that it didn’t help her headache. He doesn’t look anything like him: http://BarelyAdventist.com/adventists-attempts-at-seducing-wife-with-song-of-solomon-ends-with-night-on-couch/
No, you were probably thinking of the dude who was planning to get to church late, after announcements. There’s a little resemblance, but not much — and this guy doesn’t have a dog sleeping on top of his head: http://barelyadventist.com/adventists-worldwide-planning-to-get-to-church-right-after-announcements/
There’s a reason he needs a nap
“When the opportunity arises to do ministry on Sabbath afternoons, just put your head on the pillow and count sheep.” That reminds me of my slogan about exercise and fitness: “If you ever get the urge to exercise, just lie down until the urge passes.”
Or just eat a carton of Little Debbie’s snack cakes and think about how many days it would take to burn off those empty calories by running non-stop on the treadmill. You will quickly sink down in defeat, and simply call for another carton of Little Debbie’s.
Just thinking about exercise makes me sweat!
Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the Sabbath is the day of rest. Rest = sleep.
Okay; just don’t sleep in church. “Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.” (Acts 20:9)
What are the odds that the saturday we know and its cycle of appearance every 7 days is the the offspring of the original saturday. What if you decide to work tuesday to sunday and rest on mondays. It still follows the example of pattern from creation.
When I become President, I’m gonna have a comfy sofa installed in the Oval Office. Every old grandma needs a long afternoon nap.
That is a lot better than what your husband did in the Oval Office! But maybe it depends on what the meaning of “is” is.
When the nominating committee called me years ago and asked me to serve as Lay Activities director, I gladly accepted. However, I resigned immediately when the G.C. changed the title to Personal Ministries director.
Sleeping on the Sabbath is actually a protective measure against sin. Studies have shown that SDAs who snooze soundly on Friday nights and Sabbath afternoons are less likely to engage in book sales and political campaigning during those sacred times.
Ben, remember to turn in the Tithe from your Sabbath book sales and campaign events.
Well, I believe in saving time. I wear my pajamas under my suit, so I can quickly hit the sack as soon as I get home from church. That’s why my suits always look so baggy.
My pastor once fought the urge to snooze on Sabbath, and went to preach at the insane asylum on Sabbath afternoon. He preached about The Three Great Questions, starting with “We are we all here?” One of the inmates/patients piped up, “Because we ain’t all there.”
I must be going insane. I meant to say that he started with: “Why are we all here?” And one of the inmates/patients piped up, “Because we ain’t all there.”
Stuff like that happens to the best of us. Stay rested up!
Last Sabbath I woke up from my nap and found an anniversary card from my wife. She’s been saying our marriage is on the rocks, but I was hoping things would improve on our anniversary. My hopes were dashed when I read her card: “To whom it may concern. . . .”
I love that slogan from Jack Frost: “If you ever get the urge to exercise, just lie down until the urge passes.”
This doctor is a trauma surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He explains how he felt when he saw the wounded police officers coming in on stretchers after the sniper’s senseless attack on July 7:
The same Dr. Williams was moved to tears when he saw the memorial at the Dallas police station today. http://www.CBSnews.com/news/dallas-police-shooting-parkland-surgeon-doctor-brian-williams-alexander-eastman/
It is important to try to find the good in our brethren. Rabbi Levi Yitzhak once saw a fellow Jew smoking a cigarette during the Sabbath. Approaching the man, Rabbi Levi Yitzhak said, “You are smoking probably because you don’t know that it’s Sabbath?”
When the man told him that he was aware of which day it was, Rabbi Yitzhak responded, “You probably didn’t know that it’s forbidden to smoke on Sabbath?”
When the man admitted he was aware that smoking was forbidden on Sabbath, Rabbi Yitzhak responded, “You are smoking probably because you think it is good for your health?”
When the man admitted he wasn’t smoking for health reasons, Rabbi Yitzhak looked up to the heavens and cried out, “Oh God, see how beautiful and honest your people are! Even when they commit a sin, they don’t make it worse by lying about it!”
One of the letters from the acronym, NEWSTART is “R”-R=Rest. “Rest it shall be”,
3 Corinthians 4:10