August 3, 2007
A couple of weeks ago, I preached a sermon in which I mentioned how we used to celebrate the “Sabbath” in the 1950’s: no shopping, no work, some ambiguity about what would be “appropriate” play. We pretty much settled in on the concept that there would be no organized sports, but some backyard baseball was fine. No poker, but Old Maid was fine. The best part of those Sundays was simply sitting around on the front porch or in the back yard and talking with family and friends.
After that service, I started thinking about the Bloys Camp Meeting in the Davis Mountains of far west Texas. For over four decades this has been part vacation and part continuing education for me. It occurred to me that part of the appeal of Camp Meeting is that it is pure Sabbath: Bible study at 9 in the morning, then preaching services at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 8 p.m. (I confess that I don’t always make them all. Listening to a sermon at 3 in the afternoon is pretty tough no matter who is preaching!) The rest of the time is devoted to eating great cowboy cooking served under outdoor pavilions, and sitting around and talking with friends and relatives. The smell of the wood cook fires permeates the atmosphere at all times, constantly priming the appetite for the next meal.
Several staff members now have joined the Bloys family. We try to keep our porch conversations confined to things other than work in order to preserve the feeling of Sabbath (full disclosure: occasionally we slip into work mode, and probably will this year with the rising tide of enthusiasm over the work of the Building Committee). It has been a special thing for me to share the beauty of the Davis Mountains and unique flavor of Camp Meeting with Christ Church friends.
You are going to hear some great sermons the next couple of weeks, but when you look up there and see me missing, just know that I am experiencing Sabbath!
