I've been reading a little pamphlet called " Remember the Sabbath Day To keep It Holy"...guidelines to True Sabbath Observance.
Perhaps I can show some of its contents here.Isa.58:13-14 NEB
"If you cease to tread the sabbath underfoot, and keep my holy day free from your own affairs, if you call the sabbath a day of joy and the Lord's day a day to be honoured, if you honour it by not plying your trade, nor seeking your own interests or attending to your own affairs, THEN YOU SHALL FIND JOY IN THE LORD."

And from SOP:
2T704 "None should feel at liberty to spend sanctified time in an unprofitable manner. It is displeasing to God for Sabbathkeepers to sleep during much of the Sabbath. They dishonor their Creator, and by their example, say that the six days are too precious for them to spend in resting. They must make money, although it be by robbing themselves of needed sleep, which they make up by sleeping away holy time."

Isaiah 58:13-14 lists lists 3 things we are NOT to do if we are to be blessed.
"If thou...shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thy own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord."

"You should not rob God of one hour of holy time. Great blessings are promised to those who keep a high estimate upon the Sabbath and realize the obligations resting upon them in regard to its observance....

"Those who sanctified the Lord God in their hearts by a strictly devotional framee of mind, and who sought to improve the sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability , and to honour God by calling the Sabbath a delight- these the angels were specially blessing with light and health, AND special strength was given them." 2T 702,705

"The sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in God's purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more than any other , it is possible for us to live the life of Eden.
It was God's plan for the members of the family to be associated in work and study, inworship and recreation, the father as a priest of his household, and both father and mother as teachers and companions of their children. But the results of sin, having changed the conditions of life, to a grat degree prevent this association. Oftent eh father hardly sees the children throughout the week. He is almost wholly deprived of opportunity for companionship or instruction. But God's love has set a limit tot he demands of toll. Over the Sabbath He places His merciful hand. IN HIS OWN DAY HE PRESERVES FOR THE FAMILY OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNING WITH HIM, WITH NATURE, AND WITH ONE ANOTHER."Ed.250-1 (My EMPHASIS-LM)

I like that...The Sabbath brings us back to God and each other...kinda goes along with the 10 commandments, doesn't it? Love God, and love our neighbour!

As Christians we should be anxiously awaiting the opportunity to turn from the world and its care to the sanctuary of the 24 hours surrounded especially by God's blessings and enveloping love."

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The Sabbath was made for mankind!
Laurie

[This message has been edited by Laurie Mosher (edited July 26, 2001).]

Linda,

I appreciate your kind words; however, I must confess those are Laurie's words that he asked me to post in here... I wish I could take credit for them, but I can't. I'm not near the scholar that he is.

But, I am delighted that you can use them for this situation you have, and I'm praying that they will touch those involved who need them, and that they will be there to hear them.

Karen and Linda! "Confession is good for the soul". They're not my words either...I copied them from another wise scholar!
Laurie

Happy Sabbath everyone!
Sorry I didn't get here online yesterday. Our IPS was down until late last night, so was unable to get past my password to log on.

I like the note at the bottom of Thurs. lesson. "As Seventh-day Adventists, we should delight in the Sabbath or MORE IMPORTANTLY, in the Lord of the Sabbath."

And the Summary Friday:
...Not only will be able to call the Sabbath "a delight", but we will enjoy the other blessings that God promises for those who "turn thy foot away from the sabbath."

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Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy!
Laurie

[This message has been edited by Laurie Mosher (edited July 28, 2001).]

the Sabbath is not a day for us to glory in competitions like horse shows, soccer games, etc. It's great that we associate with all kinds of people, but people who go to these activities are denying God of the very opportunity he has given them to be different, testify for Him and His commandments and in this way glorify Him with their life.

Out here on the West Coast (I wouldn't like to take a poll on it) the number of people who go to restaurants after church is high. The lady of the house is resting this way, they say. I guess that would be a delight for her, but is it keeping the Sabbath holy? I see a correlation between desdain for EGW's writings and slack Sabbath observance.

I know just what you mean. The Sabbath is one of the blessings that we have on this earth in which we can fellowship and share our faith with others, but even more important it is a day to witness each time we enter our church.

If we do nothing in our lifetimes, the very fact we open our doors and walk into the Sanctuary is a testimony of Jesus for others to see.

Liane, the Zoo Mama