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Show Pastor stresses importance of taking vacations By PASTOR WENDELL A. SILVESTER Christian Center Farmington Let me say that I believe people need to take vacations. The need to see new places, new faces and relax from the day-to-day routine is good for the individual and the family. In the Old Testament we find the Lord gave specific instructions to Israel that they were to take the seventh day to rest (Exodus 20:8-11). Exodus 25 speaks of a Sabbath of rest. This was the seventh year when the land, the cattle, and the men were to rest. It then speaks of the year of jubilee or the fiftieth year, the Sabbath of seven Sabbaths. Sab-baths. This was the year of releasing releas-ing the prisoners, the returning of the land to the former owners and the year of rest and jubilee. Those who believe in the Lord God, Jehovah of the Old Testament, would find that a time of rest from work would be approved by God, Webster's definition of vacation is: (1) freedom from any activity; rest; respite; intermission (2) a period of rest and freedom from work, study, etc; time of recreation; usually a specific interval in a year. I believe that ministers and laypeople need to take vacations to rest and be renewed for service of the Lord. To take a vacation from religion, meaning the way of life in Christ, is not necessary, but to take a vacation from your home congregation con-gregation is necessary. A person on vacation should honor both the Lord and the day of worship by attending a church in the area where they are vacationing. Hebrews 10:25 (Amplified) "Not-forsaking "Not-forsaking or neglecting to assemble together (as believers), as is the habit of some people, but admo nishing-waming, urging, and encouraging-one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. Jesus spent time alone. He took His disciples out and spent time with them. We find Paul spent time in the desert Their time away from the local body was not away from their religion, but a continuation of their religion. As we vacation, let it be continuation of our beliefs and way of life in the Lord. |