What To Do on the Sabbath

If the Sabbath is a day of rest what are we supposed to do on it? What should this set apart day look like when we are pausing from so many of our regular activities? If we aren't working or "being productive" what can or should our day look like? I want to give some suggestions for Sabbath appropriate activities, because when I first started keeping this day set apart, I was forever wondering things like, should I be doing this? is this okay?

Note that these activities are suggestions. This is not a checklist of things to get done, but rather ideas for how you can enjoy the Sabbath day. Hopefully you are able to do a couple of things from the 'spiritual' category each week, but please don't feel pressured to try and do every single thing mentioned here each Sabbath. The beauty of the Sabbath is that it's not a day for being 'productive' or getting things done. It's the day when we are commanded to stop those other things and to rest and worship YHWH. If you "don't do anything" or get "nothing" done, it's more than okay.

Here are some ideas for how we can spend the Sabbath.

Spiritual things to do:

Listen to or sing worship songs

Read Scripture

Do a Bible study

Attend congregation

Listen to a teaching or sermon

Study with friends and family

Listen to an audio Bible

Speak a blessing over yourself and others

Spend time in prayer

Self care related activities:

Personal hygiene

Nap

Take a bath

Go for a walk

Sit outside

Stretch

Have a cup of tea

Relationships:

Have lunch or dinner with family

Call or visit an older relative

Sit and talk with your spouse, friends, or family

Caring for others:

Basic care of children, the sick, and the elderly

Basic care of animals

Necessary house cleaning (i.e. cleaning up a broken glass or pet's accident)

Fun things to do:

Enjoy the beach or the lake

Play a board game

Watch a movie

Read

These are ideas for how you can spend your time in Biblically permissible ways, not a conclusive list of all permissible activities on the Sabbath. Are you wondering about something not on the list? Familiarize yourself with Scripture's directions for the Sabbath. Then ask yourself some questions about that activity. Does this fit with keeping God's word? Would it be restful to do it? Would that cause someone else to work? Is it necessary to do this today?

The Sabbath is the day we are commanded to rest and worship. Those are the only things we need to accomplish. Give yourself permission to step back from the other things and enjoy the gift of rest and time with the Creator. We truly do well if that's what we accomplish on the Sabbath!

Related posts:
What Not To Do on the Sabbath
Fifteen Things Scripture Says About the Sabbath
How to Stop Working on Shabbat

Biblically Clean Marshmallows

Biblically clean marshmallows! First off, did you know that most brands of marshmallows are Biblically unclean? It's because they contain gelatin, which is made from pig, unless clearly specified as beef/bovine, fish, or certified kosher gelatin. Gelatin is one of those things that can sneak into foods you don't expect, not just jello and marshmallows, but fruit snacks and candy, and even some yogurts and sour cream.

The good news is that there are Biblically clean marshmallows! Here are some common brands.

Dandies are vegan and made without gelatin. I have not tried them but they are available pretty widely at many grocery stores.

Smashmallows come in a variety of flavors and are made with certified kosher bovine gelatin. They are available at Target and other major grocery stores.

Paskesz is probably the easiest brand to find, at least in my area. Kroger and Meijer often carry these. I find their texture to be reasonably similar to regular marshmallows.

Making homemade. This is obviously not a brand, but if you get beef gelatin you can make marshmallows using any recipe. Just substitute the beef gelatin for the regular pork kind equally. To make marshmallows you basically heat a large amount of sugar to a specific temperature, add gelatin, and mix for about 10 minutes. Lots of people have told me that if they can make them anyone can.

Here's a link to for kosher beef gelatin from Great Lakes Wellness.

Here's a recipe for Brown Sugar Marshmallows with Chocolate Swirl from Buttermilk by Sam!

If you're not familiar with Biblically clean eating, this blog has a lot of resources! Start with learning what Biblically clean eating is here.

Trader Joe's marshmallows are the most similar to regular marshmallows of all the brands I have tried. I am told they are only available seasonally so look for them in the summer months.

Related posts:
Biblically Clean Cookout Recipes
What is Biblically Clean Eating?
How To Eat Biblically Clean at Summer Cookouts

The Beginner's Guide to Shavuot

Taking part in the Creator's set apart time of Shavuot is an option for you, even if it's not something you have ever done before! The Biblical holidays were given to all believers, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, and they are a joy to take part in. I believe that the Creator communicates much to us through these special times, and that our faith will grow by participating in them. Here's how to get started.

What you need to know about Shavuot:

-It is a one day holiday that happens fifty days after First Fruits.

-It is considered a Sabbath and we are not to work on it.

-This holiday is sometimes called Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks.

-The phrase, "counting of the omer," regards the counting of the fifty days leading up to Shavuot after the holiday of First Fruits, which is shortly after Passover.

-Biblically, Shavuot happens at the time of the wheat harvest, and Scripture instructs two loaves of bread to be presented to YHWH as an offering. This is a visual reminder of YHWH's provision for his people.

-It is a time for feasting, rejoicing, worship, and celebration.

Spiritual significance of Shavuot:

-Shavuot is the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that happened in Acts 2. Believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit on a widescale that day.

-The giving of the Holy Spirit and the giving of the Torah (commandments or instructions of the Bible) - are both celebrated at this time.

-It is directly connected to the Messiah's resurrection, since the counting of the omer leading up to Shavuot starts on First Fruits - the day Yahusha rose from the grave.

-As the fourth Biblical holiday of the year, Shavuot can be viewed as the middle lamp of the menorah - the part connecting Heaven and earth. We see the written Torah and the Holy Spirit as Heaven coming to earth.

-The bringing of two loaves of bread is a reminder of YHWH's physical provision in our lives, as well as spiritual provision through the Holy Spirit. Shavuot reminds us that YHWH is the one who supplies our needs.

How to observe Shavuot:

-Take the day off from work, errands, homework, and household chores, so that you can rest and honor YHWH with your full attention.

-Take joy in worshiping YHWH, and studying the Bible. This is a great opportunity to go over the ten commandments with family, or to host a Bible study. Attend service at a congregation if possible.

-Invite the Holy Spirit into your mind, relationships, home, etc. Ask YHWH for a fresh outpouring and insight into how you can be a clean temple that is fit for his presence. Pray about if you need to change your thinking to be more align with the truth of Scripture, or if you have ungodly habits or addictions that need to be healed. You could also take inventory of your home and make sure the movies, books, decorations, etc. are honoring to the Living God.

-Consider being baptized in water. This can be symbolic of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or you can view it as rededicating yourself to the Messiah and following his ways.

-Have two loaves of bread. Scripture talks about presenting a wave offering of two loaves of bread. A day or two before Shavuot, make or purchase bread as a celebration of the physical and spiritual provision in your life. You could go with a regular loaf or try something intriguing from an artisan bakery. Whatever kind of bread you like is appropriate for this - it could be sourdough, brioche, focaccia, rye, or gluten-free if needed. 

-Enjoy a special meal. It doesn't have to be fancy or a lot of work! Invite friends to join you for a potluck. If you want to stick with the bread theme, a build-your-own sandwich bar or different types of bruschetta would be fabulous. Or slice up that bread and serve cheese board style, with fruits, dips, fresh veggies, and other relishes. Dairy products and honey are traditionally served at Shavuot, as reminders of the "land of milk and honey," and the richness and sweetness of the word of YHWH. Having ice cream sundaes for dinner would be extremely memorable for kids, or try one of these recipes for dessert.

There is some learning curve when you start to observe a new holiday, so give yourself grace about that. It takes time to get used to celebrating the feasts of the Creator and next year it will seem more natural and be even more fun! The Living God is honored by your efforts to take part in his set apart times!

More about the Biblical holiday of Shavuot:

Seven Ways to Celebrate Shavuot
Shavuot Scripture Reading List
Questions and Answers on Shavuot

Shavuot Surprise Gift Exchange Game

At Shavuot we celebrate the giving of both the Torah and instructions for living, and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Giving our own gift to someone else can be a fun way for believers to commemorate these significant gifts from the Creator. Note that giving gifts at any of the holidays is not a commandment; this is strictly optional and meant to be an enjoyable activity to make Shavuot special or memorable. It always brings out the laughs at our congregation!

Shavuot Surprise Gift Exchange Game

This is played similarly to white elephant or Yankee Swap gift exchanges. You can play this with your congregation, Bible study, family, or even coworkers if you'd like! Often gag gifts are given during white elephants. You could go that route if you wanted, but our congregation likes to give inexpensive gifts that are still nice. Set a dollar limit per gift and make sure everyone playing is aware of that. Setting the limit at $5 or $10 has worked well for us - no one expects the gifts to be amazing, and it takes the pressure off having to find something that a specific person will definitely like. The expense is low enough that it's not a financial stress for most people to participate.

Gift ideas:
Chocolate bar
Small plant
Refrigerator magnet with Bible verse
Handmade soap bar
Mug
Ingredients for a recipe
Handmade greeting cards
Framed Bible verse
Dried herbs
Homemade cookies, etc.
Bible book tabs
Kitchen towel
Stickers

To play the game:

Have each person bring their gift wrapped up. Place the wrapped items in the center of your group - on the floor or a table.

Assign numbers to each participant - we opt to draw them out of a hat. There should be the same number of gifts and participants. (If you're hosting, think about having an extra gift or two in case someone forgets or you have an unexpected visitor.)

The person with number one gets to choose one gift to open. The next person can opt to 'steal' that gift from them, or choose a new one to open. If a gift is stolen from player one, then they get to choose another gift to open. Once that round is settled, it's on to player three, and so on. A gift can only be stolen once per round. Once a gift is stolen three times it cannot be stolen again - so strategy is part of the fun!

Once everyone has a gift, player one can opt to steal from someone else or to keep the gift they have. Player one's decision is the final round.

This game would work well at any of the Biblical holidays, and can be easily modified as you see fit!

More on the Shavuot:
Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Biblical Holidays
Shavuot Provision: Celebrating Enough
DIY Shavuot Basket