Dear Friends,

   The sabbatical is half done, and I am quickly revising downwards my estimates for what all I could get done in this period.  The big good news for me is rest.  Here's a day by day count of week#4.

Monday, Dec. 22--I got various tasks done in the morning.  Hunter Powell called from England.  Great to hear from him.  I dropped off a Christmas gift to my pastor-friend Mike.  I had a final evaluation lunch with Bobby Jamieson, and read chapter 6 of Jonathan Leeman's manuscript--this chapter was on the practicalities of taking in and seeing out members--and then a pastoral meeting with another friend.  Dinner that night was at Fuddruckers with Connie, Annie, Dave & Nathan.  We are thankful for  the time we get together.  I went next door to talk to Matt simply because we hadn't had a chance to check in for a week or so, so we talked for about half an hour.  (It's convenient living next door!)  Then Connie, Nathan, Josh Coover & I played Rummy-cube, and we watched another installment of the BBC documentary "Monarchy".  Amazing the pace Elizabeth II keeps at 81!

Tuesday, Dec. 23--slept terribly & little last night because of coughing from cold drainage.  Quiet Time & various little tasks this morning.  Made reservations to go out to dinner with the Lawrence's tonight.  I checked out the new pulpit platform's height and angle.  Worked on a special idea for the elders teaching on Sunday evenings at CHBC in 2009.  Had a final evaluation lunch with Gustav Pritchard.  Worked on worship services for Feb-Apr. 2009.  The Lawrence's took us out to a nice dinner with just the four of us.  Wonderful time.  We get to do that with them maybe once a year!

Wednesday, Dec. 24--Worked on spring services--good time picking appropriate Scripture readings with the PA's helping, then had final year-end lunch with the Pastoral Assistants (and some final Christmas shopping).  Spent all afternoon trying to work on switching over to a new computer (with Paul Parisi).  Wonderful Christmas Eve service.  Michael preached a great message on angels, and Connie had a special gift to me of an instrumental trio performing "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" (one of my favorites).  Some of our staff neighbors came over afterwards for some informal time with amazing Christmas food (prepared by my wife).  Also celebrated Scott Croft's birthday.  Back to working on the computer later that night with Paul.  Still couldn't fix it.  Then early to bed for us.  We were tired.

Thursday, Dec. 25--Early up.  Elliptical (and watched a good artchitectural special on the Pompidou center in Paris).  Longish quiet time.  Good meditation on Philippians 2 & Luke 12.  Did some various tasks from my computer black out time yesterday.  And then, some wonderful hours with the family around the Christmas tree--gifts, talking with kids & my sister.  Cleaned up.  Planned for Spring services.  Had family & friends over for dinner about 4:30.  Good few hours again of fellowship and eatin.  read from Luke 12 before the meal and considered God's promsies and to whom they are made,

Friday, Dec. 26--QT.  Napped a lot.  Did evening services for the spring.  Chatted with Daniel Sheh.  Had some more of Connie's excellent corn chowder.  Finished working on the services.  Made family plans for this evening.  Napped again.  Put up books Charles Siler had kindly given me a few months ago.  Worked on my new computer again with Paul Parisi.  Concluded I simply need to mail the new computer back to him.  Reviewed Philip van Steenburgh's Core Seminar class on the history of evangelism.

Saturday, Dec. 27--Connie didn't feel well today, so we were at home for the day.  I napped some more, read some more, cleaned up.  I got a lot of email done (reaching back to Sept & Oct!).  Bobby and Kristen Jamieson moved in for a week or so.  I looked over the atonement servmons and gave some more thought to the book.  Prepared a sermon for Guilford Baptist in January.  We have our interns write a review of their own life in light of 2 books:  CJ's book on humility and Ed Welch's book, When People are Big & God is Small.  I read those papers for our next class of interns (coming in a couple of weeks).  In the study tonight, Bobby was working on his service leading for the morning and Philip on his Core Seminar.  And then Justin Leighty came by--always good to catch up with him.

Sunday, Dec. 28--Connie had the flu yesterday, and Nathan today.  I went to Philip's Core Seminar on the history of evangelism.  He did a good job.  Then the morning service.  Many of our folks out of town for the holidays.  Still, good singing, message, prayers, etc.  Lunch was finishing out some Christmas leftovers.  Greg Gilbert, Justin Leighty came and joined Connie & I to watch the 1999 Atomic Bomb Movie.  Amazing footage!  Nap time. Evening service.  Wonderful hymns.  Great fellowship.  Dinner.  Meet the Press netcast.  Bedtime.

So, here are the truths about my days.  Thank God for the rest.  Pray that I would be disciplined in getting done useful things.  There's half the Sabbatical.  I thank God for the rest I have been afforded during this time.

I should also make it clear how much I am enjoying this time.  Taking time to walk around the Hill Saturday morning, running errands to the bank & the dry cleaner's, thanking God for the beauty I see, for neighbors I care about.  I've appreciated being able to so easily take time to read Dave Powlison for my own soul's sake.  I've loved the flexibility in the schedule with my family.  I even enjoy the surprise of cleaning up my study and finding this little task and that.  So tomorrow, I look forward to having time to read a chapter of Jonathan's book (his last chapter) the same day he hands it to me.  To seeing Paul Passaro and Mike Law and having dinner with my sister at whatever time would be convenient for her.  There is a wonderful comibination of unhurriedness, flexibility and productivity that is truly refreshing for my soul.