How To Take A Vacation
Mark 6: 30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

Webster defines the word vacation as: 1. “leisure time away from work; devoted to rest or pleasure. 2. “a period of absence from work for recreation”. “Recreation” - The act of recreating, or the state of being recreated; refreshment of the strength and spirits after toil; amusement; diversion; sport; pastime.

I. Signs of the need for a vacation:

A. Decision-making becomes difficult (both major and minor kinds).

B. Excessive daydreaming or fantasizing about "getting away from it all."

C. The use of medications just to cope on a daily basis.

D. Thoughts trail off while speaking or writing.

E. Excessive worrying about everything.

F. Sudden outbursts of temper and hostility
G. Paranoid ideas and mistrust of friends and family.

H. Forgetfulness regarding appointments, deadlines, dates.

I. Frequent feelings of defeat and inadequacy.

J. Change in your normal behavior.

II. Personal Characteristics That Brought You To The Crisis

A. Plans day unrealistically

B. First to arrive, last to leave work

C. Always in a hurry

D. Makes no plan for relaxation or recreation

E. Feels guilty about doing anything other than work

F. Sees unforeseen problem as a setback or disaster

G. Is always thinking about several other things when working/Can’t

remain focused.


III. Making Vacations Happen

A. Make vacations a part of your annual planning.

B. Budget in vacations well in advance.

C. Be realistic about your venue.

D. Make a vacation long enough to get past the threshold of relaxation.

E. Plan a vacation that will work best for your family.

F. Don’t over plan your vacation.

G. Leave you cell phone, laptop and beeper at home. (Yes, really!)

H. Plan ahead so that when you leave your job, you leave your work.

I. Learn how to vacation.

J. Take Jesus on vacation with you. (Not your job, and there is a difference)

K. Show this to your mate and ask them to grade you on it! (I just added this at the last moment.)


Closing: Ex. 20: 8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.