Two words: College Football. More specifically, University of Hawaiʻi football. I’ve been attending games since elementary school—my parents had season tickets, my mom worked at UH, and some of my fondest memories are sitting in the stands with them and my Uncle Dwight.

This week I’ve been pondering how to let Scripture reach more deeply into my soul. I wonder—what might happen if I set aside the chapter breaks, verse numbers, and headers, and simply read the text as a continuous story?

This week my resistance to Sabbath and Solitude didn’t come from busyness but from physical weakness—COVID. Lethargy, headaches, and congestion left me drained and unmotivated.

This week began with busyness. By last Wednesday I finally felt “back” to full health, and the rush of renewed energy led me to power through the day—so much so that I even forgot to stop for lunch.

This Sabbath morning I began, as I often do, by reviewing my memory verse flashcards. Six of them, in particular, continue to challenge me.

Lately, I’ve noticed a subtle shift in my Sabbath rhythm. Most days, my devotions begin at the dining room table—Bible open, verse cards spread out, commentary nearby.

This week felt like a sprint to Sabbath. It began with an urgent text at 7 p.m. on Sunday—one that unexpectedly reshaped much of my Monday morning. I was productive, yes, but also reminded of how often life calls us to release control.

This week’s Fasting rhythm was slightly altered—I moved my fast from Thursday to Friday to meet a friend for lunch. What seemed like a small shift turned out to be unexpectedly difficult.

This week I felt out of my normal rhythm on Sabbath. However, what I first labeled as resistance feels more like a stirring—a divine nudge rather than an obstacle.

This week, it took five days before I wrote my first journal entry. That’s unusual for me. When Sabbath morning finally arrived, I woke up later than usual.