By James Lamkin

          A rare thing happened to me while riding the bus from Santiago, Spain, to the Finisterre ("The End of the Earth") on the seacoast. I got motion sickness.

          Perhaps it was the twisting and turning as we made our way along the 80 miles of jutting coastline fingers.

          Perhaps it was something I ate.

          Perhaps it was something else.

          Perhaps it was that I had not traveled more than 3 miles an hour in 38 days.

          Since I had set foot on the Camino de Santiago 500 miles earlier, I had not been in a car, on a bicycle, or in a plane. Not on a train, or escalator, elevator, horse, or bus. I had not been on or in anything with a motor. Since I walk at the typical speed that most humans walk, about 3 miles an hour, it seemed to me that the bus was flying.

          I never knew how quickly life moved until I slowed down for a prolonged time.

          Some students of the human mind believe it is wired to run at 3 miles an hour. Ever had a problem you were working on, or an issue you had to think through, and you took a walk to ponder it? Then, during the walking, the answer came!

          Studies are showing that multi-tasking is a lie. We really only can do one thing at a time...though we may be attempting otherwise. And by struggling to do many things at once we diminish the quality and eventually the satisfaction.

          Somewhere along the line we began to equate being busy with being important. Our institutions help us with this. "How are you doing," we are asked? "Busy...crazy busy," we answer.

          If you were relaxed, calm, focused, and serene...you'd be thought of as insignificant or in a coma. It is almost that we have to prove our worth to ourselves by our measures of productivity and the speed at which we do it; and then stay busy to keep on proving it.

          Henri Nouwen, the monk/writer, had to deal with this when he lived in a community that cared for adults with severe mental retardation. By cultural standards, how much are these persons, also made in the image of God, worth?

          The notion of Sabbath is an antidote for this self and societal deception. It is sacred anti-information: you are not how much you produce. You are not how much you sell. You are not how many things you try to do at once. You worth is not measured by your speed.

          Here is what you are: You are beloved by God.

          And regardless of how fast or slow you travel today, that truth always will be true. Thank God.

       Volunteers from our congregation are needed for the 2012 Interfaith Partnership Habitat for Humanity build. In addition to Northside Drive, this year's partnership includes Ahavath Achim Synagogue, All Saints Church, Congregation B'nai Torah, Greater Springfield Baptist Church, North Springs UMC, Peachtree Christian Church, St. Anne's Episcopal, Trinity Presbyterian, Wieuca Baptist Church, Second Ponce Baptist Church and 1st Congregational UCC.

       Northside Drive will provide workers for five Saturdays beginning September 29. On Saturday, October 6, Northside Drive will be the "lead" congregation. We will furnish most of the workers for the day (16) and provide lunch. Each construction worker and food volunteer will play an important role in making a family's dream of owning a home come true.

       This year's house will be located at 440 Westmeath Drive, SW, Atlanta, 30310. The home owner is Tammelia Barkley. Living with Tammelia will be her children, Elijah (11) and Elysia (4) as well as her brother, James. Tammelia has been a clerk at Publix for the past six years.

       Volunteer sign-up for both construction workers and food preparers will begin this Sunday, September 9. Please consider participating in this very important mission work.

       This project is possible because of our congregation's commitment to Habitat Atlanta's mission of providing affordable quality homes and support services that promote successful home ownership. Your donations of food, funds, time, energy and hard work are greatly appreciated.

       For more information, please contact Beth Laxton at 404-351-2324 (work), 404-216-0868 (cell) or via email at laxton2125@charter.net.

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Northside Drive Baptist Church Work Days

Day 1 - September 29 (6 Volunteers)

Build exterior and interior walls in warehouse

Clear crawlspace; Set floor joists and lay floor decking

Sheath wall panels and install exterior walls

Install interior walls

Tie walls together, straighten and brace

Install front porch deck, columns, and beams

Day 2 - October 6 (16 Volunteers)

Prep and install roof trusses; Install windows and trim packages

Install interior framing - wind bracing, deadwood, and attic stairs

Deck and felt roof; Install sub-fascia, barge rafters and drip edge

Build side porch and ramp

Install exterior trim, set-up for siding and begin siding

Day 3 - October 13 (2 Volunteers)

Shingle roof

Insulate walls and ceiling

Continue siding and begin caulking

Days 4 & 5 are not workdays for NDBC

Day 6 - November 3 (6 Volunteers)

Touch up exterior painting

Finish soffit and fascia; Finish interior painting

Install doorknobs and bathroom hardware

Install porch and ramp railings

Day 7 - November 10 (6 Volunteers)

Dedication Day

Clean house interior; Touch up interior painting

Rake and clear lot; Landscape

To sign-up for a work day, please contact Beth Laxton at

laxton2125@charter.net or 404-216-0868.