Episode 12 – The Sacred Gift of Rest: Reclaiming the Sabbath

In a world built on hurry and hustle, God offers a different rhythm—one that restores our souls. Hosts Brian Myers and Jenn Stiles Williams are joined by Jim Cook, a trained spiritual director, to explore Sabbath as a gift rather than a burden. Jim shares how the book Sabbath has informed his understanding of holy rest, offering this acrostic: "Spirit Awareness Brings Blessings, Adding Truthful Holiness." The conversation moves from the ancient commands of Exodus to modern practices, exploring Sabbath through two anchors—creation rest (we are not machines) and Exodus freedom (we are not slaves). Discover what Sabbath is and isn't, practical ways to reclaim sacred time through family time, meditation, silence, and friendship, and the fruits of the Spirit that emerge when we honor God's rhythm. Jim closes with a beautiful haiku prayer: "May I honor time, the gift given for living as holy treasure." Show Notes 4:33 – Jim Cook introduces himself and shares how the book Sabbath shaped his spiritual life over 30+ years in the local church 8:10 – Reading Exodus 20:8-11 and Jim's Sabbath acrostic: Spirit Awareness Brings Blessings, Adding Truthful Holiness 11:03 – Two anchors of Sabbath: creation rest (we're not machines) and Exodus freedom (we're not slaves) 31:33 – What Sabbath is NOT—distinguishing between zoning out and true holy rest 32:28 – Practical Sabbath practices: family time, meditation, silence, labyrinth walking, and simple friendship 38:48 – Jim's closing haiku and the four-fold rhythm: cease, rest, delight, worship For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakentograce.org. Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.