It’s an honor to welcome Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith to the blog today! I recently read her book, Sacred Rest, and HIGHLY recommend it.
Her words below are incredibly powerful and needed. In fact, as I worked on this post, I realized that I needed to unplug after hitting the “Schedule” button. It’s easy to charge through life — to pursue and move and do — that we forget to simply be, isn’t it?
Will you join me in the worthy pursuit of rest today? Let’s allow the prayers in this post to renew our minds, bodies, and spirits…
What’s on your schedule for today? I don’t know you, but I’m willing to bet your calendar is brimming with appointments, school functions, church activities, sports events, and the unscheduled but always present daily responsibilities like cooking, making beds, and doing dishes.
Life can become busier than we find comfortable. It can take on a dangerous momentum, leading us away from God’s best and into a pit of fatigue, despair, and hopelessness.
Are you chronically tired, stressed, and feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities? Perhaps you need to consider taking a hard look at what’s depleting you. Could it be there is a Sabbath rest that still remains for those who love God? An understanding of rest that goes deeper than getting more hours of sleep or taking another vacation? A sacred rest to align your life with God’s best and bring restoration to every place of weakness.
For such a rest to happen, our level of trust must rise to the point we are able to surrender. Surrender our misconceived notion of control and our thoughts that every blessing must come by our own blood, sweat, and tears. Trusting in the finished work of Jesus and receiving His provisions as we lay ourselves down to rest.
It’s time we view rest as the gift it truly is, as something precious, holy, and sacred. It’s time we exchange our to-do list activities with a today list of experiences. Experience the unconditional love of the Father. Experience the joy of listening to your children’s laughter. Experience the hope of new life blooming in your yard. Experience the contentment of being known and fully accepted into the beloved.
See the physical, mental, and emotional strain of busyness as a call to prayer. Let your time of communion with God alleviate the stress and usher in His peace and rest.
Can you set aside one day, one evening, or even one hour to have no appointments or commitments? Of course you can, but the question is will you? Will you honor your body’s need for rest or will you continue to push yourself to the max?
When anxiety, fear, and turmoil rise, choose to enter into the secret place with God. Find a quiet place. A bedroom, bathroom, or even a closet can be a good option. Small rooms with minimal distractions are best, but God is willing to come wherever you are and meet with you.
Once you are alone, allow your body and mind to be still. You can lie down, kneel, or sit. Your positioning should be relaxed. Thoughts will try to pop up in your mental space, but resist the temptation to allow them to dwell there. Dwell on one word that brings you comfort. A few words I’ve found beneficial are ones that describe God, such as faithful, healer, deliverer, joy, redeemer, peace, restorer, powerful, love, truth, and grace.
Give yourself permission to do nothing on purpose. Sit on your porch and listen to the wind blowing through the trees, soak up the sun. Resist the voice saying you are wasting time. How can restoring your soul be a waste of time?
Don’t make a to-do list, write in your journal, or try in any way to record the moment. Just enjoy the moment. Being still and silent before God is often the most challenging part of resting. But, oh how we need it. We need those times when we decrease, and He increases.
Here are three prayers to pray for rest, renewal, and relaxation.
A Prayer For Rest
Jesus, I am tired. My mind is frazzled, my hands are full, and my emotions are reeling with all the things I have to do. Help me to come to you in the middle of the overwhelm. Remind me of your ever-present help in my times of need. Show me how to rest in You. Reveal to me both the beauty in the work and in the rest. Calm my anxious thoughts and encourage my heart with Your nearness. Instruct me in your ways. Bring productivity and contentment out of the peace and comfort I find. Settle me in Your truth and in Your love. Amen.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.
~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)
A Prayer For Renewal
Jesus, I am weary. I spend each day busy but feel I accomplish little. Help me to set healthy boundaries and prioritize by Your Holy Spirit. I have my to-do list, but what do You have for me today? Help me not to miss Your divine appointments. Set my focus on things above and keep my eyes on You. Reveal to me what I should hold on to, and what I need to let go. Empower and equip me for the work You have for me. Give me the lasting strength of abiding in You. Renew my mind, body, and spirit, Lord, and make me whole. Amen.
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
~ Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
A Prayer for Relaxation
Jesus, I am stressed. Help me to accept your invitation to come empty and receive the rest I need. Help me to willingly release my fear, my worries, my agenda, and my to-do list. Ease the tension and replenish my body. Silence the voices of doubt and speak Your words of truth. Remove the heaviness of my day and pour out abundantly into my life. Fill me with Your peace, joy, and love. Fill me until the overwhelm is consumed by Your grace, and my life reflects the beauty of resting in You. Amen.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
~ Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)
ABOUT SAUNDRA
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is an author, speaker, and board-certified internal medicine physician. She has an active medical practice in Alabama (near the Birmingham area). She received her B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Georgia and graduated with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Baker College and Davenport University in Michigan teaching courses on health, nutrition, and disease progression.
Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and a top 100 medical expert in Good Housekeeping Doctors’ Secrets. She has been featured in many media outlets including Women’s Day, Redbook, First For Women, MSNBC, and Prevention. She is the author of Set Free to Live and Come Empty (winner 2016 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and 2016 Illumination Award Gold medalist). Her newest release is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. She has shared her tips on merging faith and medicine with over 16,000 health care professionals to encourage the current and next generation of doctors to treat the whole person.
Learn more at: www.drdaltonsmith.com
ABOUT SACRED REST
Staying busy is easy. Staying well rested — now there’s a challenge.
How can you keep your energy, happiness, creativity, and relationships fresh and thriving in the midst of never-ending family demands, career pressures, and the stress of everyday life? In Sacred Rest, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine doctor, reveals why rest can no longer remain optional.
Dr. Dalton-Smith shares seven types of rest she has found lacking in the lives of those she encounters in her clinical practice and research-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, creative-and why a deficiency in any one of these types of rest can have unfavorable effects on your health, happiness, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Sacred Rest combines the science of rest, the spirituality of rest, the gifts of rest, and the resulting fruit of rest. It shows rest as something sacred, valuable, and worthy of our respect.
By combining scientific research with personal stories, spiritual insight, and practical next steps, Sacred Rest gives the weary permission to embrace rest, set boundaries, and seek sanctuary without any guilt, shame, or fear.
*blog post photos by Una Matison / CreativeMarket.com
**newsletter background photo by Twigy Posts
www.sarahforgrave.com
Description:
Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation, Study, and Rest. The Worship Interludes Podcast by Fred McKinnon features piano instrumentals designed for prayer, meditation, soaking worship, relaxation, study, and rest.
May 2019 Update | Spoken Word
5/2/2019
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May 2019 Update from Fred McKinnon Even thought the majority of the episodes of the Worship Interludes Podcast are exclusively instrumental music, I love the opportunity to speak and communicate to my listeners. Thank You, Patron Supporters! This month I’m saying THANK YOU to everyone who is listening. In addition, I’m asking for those who… The post May 2019 Update | Spoken Word appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:06:10
Deep Breaths | Piano Instrumental Interlude
4/30/2019
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“Deep Breaths” – Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking, and Relaxation Today’s piano instrumental interlude is called “Deep Breaths”. Taking time to slow down, breathe, and clear your mind is so vitally important in our hurried culture. Last week was a busy week for me so I decided to do my very best to… The post Deep Breaths | Piano Instrumental Interlude appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:07:52
Soaking in the Light | Piano Instrumental Music
4/23/2019
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“Soaking In the Light” – Solo Piano Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation, and Studying Episode #147 of the Worship Interludes Podcast This morning’s interlude started out with me powering up my home studio and recording software. I reached over with my right hand and plucked a note a few times to make sure… The post Soaking in the Light | Piano Instrumental Music appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:08:26
The Darkest Time | Good Friday to Easter Sunday
4/20/2019
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“The Darkest Time” – A Piano Instrumental for Good Friday and Easter Sunday I recorded this solo piano improvisation on Saturday morning, April 20, 2019. This is the “in-between” dark time during the traditional Holy Week. Yesterday was Good Friday and Christians remember that as being when Jesus was crucified. Today is the second day,… The post The Darkest Time | Good Friday to Easter Sunday appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:06:19
Choices | Piano Instrumental
4/16/2019
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“Choices” – Solo Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation, Studying, and Rest Every day we are faced with choices. We have the ability to make wise choices or poor choices. Some of our choices carry great consequences with ripples that can be felt throughout a lifetime. Other choices may seem entirely insignificant…. The post Choices | Piano Instrumental appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:06:50
Morning Light | Piano Instrumental Music
4/11/2019
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“Morning Light” – Piano Instrumental – Prayer Music, Meditation Music, Relaxation Music Title: Morning Light Composed and Performed by: Fred McKinnon From Episode #144 of the Worship Interludes Podcast If you enjoy my music, please consider joining my inner-circle of Patron supporters – for as little as $5/month, you can be a part of helping… The post Morning Light | Piano Instrumental Music appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:07:52
Abide With Me | Instrumental Music
4/9/2019
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“Abide With Me” – Instrumental for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, and Relaxation This interlude is a departure from most of my normal recorded piano instrumentals. In most cases I improvise and record the worship interlude in one take. This piece, “Abide With Me”, was actually created over two different days. appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:15:51
(Spoken Dialog) How You Can Support My Music | Episode 142, April 2, 2019
4/2/2019
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Become a Patron and Support My Music Dear Friends, In this special episode of the Worship Interludes Podcast, I’m sharing an opportunity with all listeners. For over two years, I have produced the “Worship Interludes Podcast” and made it available to the world, free of charge. It’s been my joy and honor to be able… The post (Spoken Dialog) How You Can Support My Music | Episode 142, April 2, 2019 appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:03:44
Lingering in Prayer | Instrumental Music
4/2/2019
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Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Rest, and Relaxation For Episode #141 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” I decided to change things up a bit and switch over to my “Keyscape” plugin for a different sound and texture. Today’s interlude was simple. I would take my prayer time to the keys. I often record after… The post Lingering in Prayer | Instrumental Music appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:12:58
Consider the Lilies | Piano Instrumental
3/26/2019
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“Consider the Lilies” | Piano Instrumental by Fred McKinnon Today’s episode #139 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” is specifically composed and recorded to help relieve anxiety and stress. Music has an amazing impact on our lives. Neuroscientists have done countless studies on specific types of music and its ability to relieve stress and anxiety. There… The post Consider the Lilies | Piano Instrumental appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:04:13
Pray As You Go | Solo Piano Instrumental Interlude
3/21/2019
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“Pray As You Go” – Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Relaxation, Soaking Worship, Study, and Rest The past week has been super busy for me. On top of a busier-than-normal week, I have been battling a little sickness the past 3 days which has further thrown my schedule into chaos. So today, the truth is,… The post Pray As You Go | Solo Piano Instrumental Interlude appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:04:01
Breaking of Dawn | Piano Instrumental
3/17/2019
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Piano Instrumentals for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation Today’s interlude was recoded early in the morning on Sunday, March 17, 2019. It’s called “Breaking of Dawn” because I could see the light peeking through my window shades as I began to record. I shared this image on my Instagram and personal Facebook page with a… The post Breaking of Dawn | Piano Instrumental appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:05:02
Blossoms | Solo Piano Improvisation
3/12/2019
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“Blossoms” – Solo Piano Improvisation for Prayer Music, Meditation Music, Relaxation, Studying, and Rest I live down in the deep South on a sunny little resort island called Saint Simons Island. It’s rarely very cold here but Spring is a beautiful season . Spring has finally arrived and you can see the evidence of this… The post Blossoms | Solo Piano Improvisation appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:06:30
Daily Disciplines | Piano Instrumental Music
3/7/2019
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Daily Disciplines – Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Study Music, Relaxation Music The Inspiration? When I publish a new composition as part of my “Worship Interludes Podcast” I usually tell you all about the inspiration behind the recording. Typically, it’s from a Scripture I read, a conversation I had, or some other… The post Daily Disciplines | Piano Instrumental Music appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:06:30
Holding My Hand | Piano Interlude
3/5/2019
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“Holding My Hand” – Solo Piano Instrumental by Fred McKinnon Today’s episode of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” comes from the past. A dear friend that I haven’t seen in many years visited me at my office on Saint Simons Island, Georgia yesterday. She told me that I’d sent her a piano composition many years ago… The post Holding My Hand | Piano Interlude appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:04:41
Into the Unknown | Solo Piano Interludes
2/28/2019
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“Into the Unknown” – Solo Piano Instrumental for Prayer, Worship, Meditation Today’s interlude came quickly. After my morning devotion I sat down and just started to play. I often have a verse, a prayer, or a conversation that inspires the music. In this case, I had nothing. I just decided to sit down and play…. The post Into the Unknown | Solo Piano Interludes appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:07:01
Consuming Fire | Solo Piano Music
2/26/2019
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“Consuming Fire” – Piano Solo for Prayer, Soaking Worship, Meditation One of the phrases that the Bible has used to describe God is “consuming fire”. In my devotion today this phrase was used and I was struck by the implications of the passage. In context, the Israelites, after wandering in wilderness for forty years, are… The post Consuming Fire | Solo Piano Music appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:08:52
Leaving It All Behind | Piano Interlude
2/21/2019
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“Leaving It All Behind” – Solo Piano Improvisation for Prayer, Worship, Reflection The inspiration for “Leaving It All Behind” came from a familiar story in the Holy Bible. I was reading this passage in Luke this week and something awakened me that I’d never quite seen before: (1) On one occasion, while the crowd was… The post Leaving It All Behind | Piano Interlude appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:07:59
No Greater Love | Piano Interlude
2/14/2019
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No Greater Love – Piano Interlude – Valentines Day, 2019 Happy Valentines Day. Today is a day where we celebrate love. Love for our spouses, sweethearts, children, and those around us. In this short interlude, I wanted to capture the essence of the greatest love ever known to mankind. The love of Jesus Christ to… The post No Greater Love | Piano Interlude appeared first on Fred McKinnon, Pianist, Composer.
Duration:00:05:10
tunein.com
I will be heading off in a week for some much needed R & R (Rest and Relaxation) and to spend some good quality family time camping. So I thought I would post some encouraging Scripture verses that will soothe the heart and mind and rejuvenate the soul!
Genesis 2: 2-3 “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”
Exodus 20:8-11“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Exodus 33:14“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Leviticus 25:4 “But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.”
Psalm 73:26“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 61:1-4b “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
Psalm 62:1-2 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Isaiah 40:28-31“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Hebrews 4: 9-11“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Hebrews 4:15-16“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Matthew 11:28-29“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Psalm 127:1-2 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Psalm 62:5“Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 116:7 “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
Mark 6:31“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
1 John 3:19“This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”
1 Peter 3:4 “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Psalm 131:2 “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.”
Proverbs 19:23” The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Philippians 4:12“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
John 14:27“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 16:33“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4: 6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
lynndove.com
Speak with Innkeeper Farley at the Lion’s Pride Inn.
Description
Every adventurer should rest when exhaustion sets in – and there is no finer place to get rest and relaxation than at the Lion’s Pride Inn!
My best friend, Innkeeper Farley, runs the Lion’s Pride. If you tell him I sent you, he may give you the special discounted rates on food and drink.
To find the Lion’s Pride Inn, travel south along the road from here — you can’t miss it!
Completion
Rest and relaxation for the tired and cold — that’s our motto! Please, take a seat by the fire and rest your weary bones.
Would you like to try a sampling of some of our fine food and drink?
Rewards
You will be able to choose one of these rewards:
You will receive: Gains Upon completion of this quest you will gain:
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The Wowhead Client is a little application we use to keep our database up to date, and to provide you with some nifty extra functionality on the website!
It serves 2 main purposes:
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It maintains a WoW addon called the Wowhead Looter, which collects data as you play the game!
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It uploads the collected data to Wowhead in order to keep the database up-to-date!
You can also use it to keep track of your completed quests, recipes, mounts, companion pets, and titles!
So, what are you waiting for? Download the client and get started.
www.wowhead.com
