1 July 2008

Today is a special day in many ways.

Army Forces Day

the beginning of 40days fast "beyond words"

A dear friend's birthday. He was the one who led me to Christ.

Inservio turn 1 year old today. God has been so faithful to us. Thank you Lord.

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This day is also special because it marks the also the begining of my 6 mth sabbatical.

This sabbatical came about after 1 year of planning, praying and seeking the Lord, relinguishing ministry slowly, completing all committed tasks, and making a conscious effort not to take on new commitments. I didnt wake up this morning and declare this is the day. lol

When i send our my sms announcing my sabbatical, only 3 replied, representing differnt type of response.

envy? - there is never an ideal time to take a break to have a KitKat

misunderstanding over what a sabbatical means - a person on sabbatical does not desire to leave church, unless he is excommunicated. If he wishes to leave church, he would have just left.

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Below is from Wikipedia

A sabbatical (from the Late Latin sabbaticus, from the Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbathon, i.e., Sabbath. ) is a rest from work, a hiatus. The concept of a sabbatical has a source in several places the Bible (Leviticus 25, for example), where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year. In the strict sense therefore, a sabbatical lasts a year. However, in recent times, a sabbatical has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual. In the modern sense, one takes a sabbatical typically to merely take a break from work or to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or traveling extensively for research. Some universities and other institutional employers of scientists, physicians, and/or academics offer a paid sabbatical as an employee benefit, called sabbatical leave. Some companies offer an unpaid sabbatical for people wanting to take career breaks - this is a growing trend in the UK, with 20% of companies having a career break policy, and 10% considering introducing one.

Sabbaticals are often taken by professors, pastors, cartoonists (e.g. Gary Larson and Bill Watterson), musicians (e.g. Cindy Wilson, Bobby McFerrin) and sportsmen (e.g. Alain Prost) and fund managers (e.g. Geoffrey Brianton). Academic sabbaticals typically follow every six years of full-time employment. The most common arrangement is for a half year at full pay, or a full year at half pay.

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the most encouraging response came from a young man who should be the only one qualified to voice displeasure but instead encourage me with prayer support.

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Last week, in Fri cell, we need to memorise each other verses. The verse i need to memorise was

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God... (John 14:1)

This verse really spoke to me so much, living word, rhema word of God, really felt as though God was speaking to me in an audible voice, when i read it. Exectly what i need for my sabbatical.