On The Web
The last couple decades have seen a resurgence of interest in Sabbath. Theologians, pastors, Bible scholars, cultural critics, journalists, doctors, and so many more are pleading with us to slow down, to actually live our lives while we are alive, and to pattern our days and weeks and lives after ancient rhythms established to foster our good and the world’s good. Even some of the original architects of social media are now calling for a new relationship with digital technology that includes periodic fasting from use.
With so much great content out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to even begin to look. I won’t claim that I’ve found all of the best stuff. But what I’ve included here is the stuff I resonate with, and the authors and speakers I respect and have learned much from. I hope you connect with this stuff as much as I have. With all the resistance in our world to living slowly and with intention, we need all the help we can get.
You’ll find good help here.
Books I’ve found helpful.
The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Perhaps no book has had a more significant impact on contemporary Sabbath practice or appreciation than Heschel’s magisterial classic. I’ve read it many, many times. I can still remember my first reading. Every sentence made my heart explode with longing for what he described. Do your self a favor and buy this book, if you haven’t already.
Sabbath as Resistance, by Walter Brueggemann
This contemporary classic has also informed my understanding of Sabbath, especially concerning the Bible’s teaching on Sabbath. With deep and perceptive analysis, Brueggemann shows how Sabbath has always been an act of resistance against acquisitiveness, exclusion, anxiety, and all manner of injustices that are as relevant today as ever. Buy it here.
Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, by Ruth Haley Barton
Ruth Haley Barton cares about your soul. And if you are a ministry leader, chances are pretty good your soul is hurting and exhausted. This book draws on her decades of wisdom gained from her time as a pastor, and as the leader of the Transforming Center that seeks to enrich the soul of leaders. Buy it here.
Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Easily the best book I’ve read in a decade, Braiding Sweetgrass is not about Sabbath, but the vision she presents in the book resonates deeply with my own vision of the world, and how I believe Sabbath can help bring that vision about. Kimmerer blends her three essential sensibilities—as a botanist, a poet, and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation—into a bounty of beauty and wisdom. This book could change your life. Buy it here.
Becoming Friends of Time, by John Swinton
Swinton brings his experience as a dementia chaplain and a practical theologian to bear on the topic of discipleship refracted through the lens of disability in this beautiful, remarkable book. His chapters on time forever changed my understanding of it, and his reflections on the terrors contained within the banal term “normal” have made a deep impact. This isn’t a book on Sabbath directly, but it’s a beautiful Sabbath-adjacent book. Buy it here.
Living the Sabbath, by Norman Wirzba
This is the book that started it all for me. Shortly after encountering Sabbath for the first time, I stumbled upon this book in a local bookstore. Despite the too-obvious cover design, I bought it and it changed my life. Wirzba was the first person to connect eating practices to Sabbath living/discipleship for me, which has informed my work in significant ways. Buy it here.
A Boxful of Poetry, edited by James Crews
Reading and writing poetry is a deeply Sabbath-infused practice. Poetry slows us down, invites us to see the world from another’s unique perspective, engenders empathy, invites deep feeling. James Crews’ award-winning boxset of three anthologies is my favorite collection of poems. Accessible and playful and earnest, these poems will instill peace, kindness, love, and delight. Buy it here.
Poetry of Presence, edited by Phillis Cole-Dai and Ruby R. Wilson
Another remarkable anthology of accessible poems, Poetry of Presence does exactly what it’s title suggests: it ushers you into the present moment. It also introduces you to dozens of living poets whose work you will want to seek further. Climb under a blanket before the fireplace on a Sabbath with this book and a cup of hot tea. Buy it here.
Sabbath-Adjacent Websites
Among the gazillion websites out there, these are a few I have found that invite me to the kind of living that resonates with Sabbath rhythms and Sabbath values. These websites invite reflection on slowing down the pace of our lives, changing our relationships with technology, cultivating gratitude, and simply having fun. If you know of other websites you think would be helpful to list here, send me an email through the Contact page!
A Hundred Falling Veils, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Rosemerry is one of my favorite living poets. She writes and publishes a poem every day. Her poetry apprentices me to courage, vulnerability, joy, play, holy sorrow, and so much more. Sign up to receive her daily poem to have a daily dose of Sabbath in your inbox, or pick up one of her many collections to read on Sabbath. Start with All The Honey or The Unfolding.
A Network of Grateful Living, www.grateful.org
Inspired by Br. David Steindl-Rast’s teachings, grateful.org is a repository of wisdom and practical insight on how to cultivate gratitude in your life, whether it holds grief or joy, lament or connection. They offer classes, links to articles and poetry about grateful living, and more.
Rising Day Ministries
An ecumenical organization that seeks to “inspire Sabbath delight, God’s peace, and new life in Christ for the whole of people’s lives.” Offering a blog, virtual teachings, and annual events, find inspiration for Sabbath living here.
Tech Shabbats with Tiffany Shlain
Artist, filmmaker, and author of 24/6, Tiffany’s website offers lots of helpful tips and advice on how to disconnect from the tentacles of technology once a week to live a freer, happier, more present life.
Cathrine Price on Fun and Screen/Life Balance
Two of Price’s books are worth checking out: The Power of Fun and How to Break Up with Your Phone. You can sign up for her “How to Feel Alive” newsletter, watch her TEDx talk on fun, and check out her resources page for lots of helpful guides to scrolling less and living more!
Friends of Silence Newsletter
Mariah and I have been receiving the FOS newsletter for years. Every few months we get a small pamphlet in the mail filled with reflective quotes from poets and authors and a brief reflection from the editor. It’s a favorite Sabbath activity to sit and read the newsletter to each other.
