God modeled the necessity of Sabbath rest from the beginning of creation (Genesis 2:3). He commanded his people to set aside and honor the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). To honor the Sabbath is to honor God. It puts him in his rightful place as Lord and Creator of us all. Honoring the Sabbath also teaches us to put this life and all its demands in its rightful place as the servant of God and his people rather than allowing it to be our master.

The Sabbath is more than a day of the week. Sabbath rest is a principle of living that is for any time and any day. It is our tithe of time we give to God. It is when we turn our attention solely to him in worship and thanksgiving.

Rest and Be Thankful retreat ministry is committed to helping believers find their own Sabbath rest by teaching, promoting the study of good retreat and spiritual discipline books and materials, and by offering spiritual direction for individuals.

Joan Tyvoll is president and founder of Rest and Be Thankful, a non-profit Christian ministry with federal tax-exempt status.

 Faith Coaching For the Growing Christian

We called them FAT disciples when I was a young Christian. There was no offense intended - the term stood for a person who was Faithful, Available, and Teachable to God. It was, and still is, a good thing to be.

Is that what you long for today?

In order to be obedient to God and his call on our lives, we have to listen for his voice, and then follow his plan and will for us as best we can. Sometimes we need help doing that.

Christians have always seen the need for someone to come alongside them as they walked with God. They looked for the blessing of having someone to model Christ for them, to love them, pray with them, and hold them accountable as they grow in Christ-likeness.

Over the centuries this helping relationship has been called by many names: spiritual director, discipler, spiritual guide, or soul friend. The terms that might speak to us best here in the 21st century are Faith Coach or Mentor.

A Faith Coach can help us recognize the movement of God in our lives, and can be a listener, sometimes a teacher, an objective question asker, a soul friend.

You are someone who could benefit from having a Faith Coach
...If you are serious about growing in your walk with God
...If you feel spiritually dry or seem to be stuck
...If you see the need for an accountability partner
...If you would like to learn more about the classic spiritual disciplines
...If you are in transition or flux
...If it seems the noise of your world is drowning out the voice of God

Contact Joan Tyvoll at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like more information about the Faith Coaching relationship, fees and appointment availability.