Matthew 6:16-18 is our focus passage for the week:
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
What do you think about this passage?
Do you fast? How and when? (Anonymity would be very acceptable here, in light of the passage.)
Is fasting simply about food? If not, then what other things are appropriate to stay away from for periods of time? Sex? (See 1 Corinthians 7) Why?
What else do you want to talk about this week? What’s on your heart or mind?
About Me
- Allen
- Mitchell, Indiana, United States
- I love my family, and I enjoy what I do. I am in my 18th year with the Mitchell Church of Christ. I am an endurance athlete. The parallels between endurance athletics and ministry are remarkable. They are mutually beneficial.
The Holy Trinity
My favorite Icon (see link below for more information)
51 comments:
I am a rule guy, a true legalist at heart. So I am imposing two rules this week.
1. Anoniminity should not be utilized unless a deeply personal situation is being disclosed. Initials should also be accompanied by a written-out first name. If you want to criticze someone/something, then man up (/woman, to be P.C.) and sign your name (thanks to Gino, for the courage a couple weeks ago).
2. Posts must contain at least one pertinent point. I would like to see some posts regarding the actual text. Last week less than 10% (roughly) of the posts dealt with the passage in Matthew.
Thank you, and have a good week.
Who was that?? Oh... Sounds like a smart kid. His mom must be smart. (I was going to say the following even before Lester weighed in.) I am quite ok with the way the blog has been going. I think anonymity is fine, unless it is of a critical spirit directed toward an individual or a group. I will be the judge of what crosses a line and act appropriately. Less than 1 percent of posts thus far have met that criteria. Don’t forget: I did delete two posts last week.
Have you read the description of this blog? Go read it; we’ll wait. Go ahead. We are trying to discern the voice of God amongst all the posts, even amongst the trivial and the critical. I enjoy hearing simple things about what people are doing, and I enjoy sharing those things about me. I am a little reluctant to do it, but from everything I read about a preacher’s ethos it is important for me to do so.
As for the critical remarks toward me and the church: along time ago I heard someone say, “Always listen for the voice of God in criticism.” It may or may not be there, but it’s worth a thought. There is a reason why people say what they say and why they say it. Is it valid or invalid?
How ‘bout those Colts???!!!!
I received the following from Jillena Rose (former member who now lives in Michigan):
The war came to my door in the form of a student named Elijah this week. He's been home from Iraq less than four months and is trying to get his life back together by going to school. Putting his life back together is turning out to be a big challenge. He stood at my door for an hour telling about his experiences in battle: friends dying in his arms, people he had to kill, young children fighting for the opposition. I was frozen to my chair. The bottom line is this: he is so eaten up with guilt and terror from what he witnessed and the things he was ordered to do, he literally cannot stand to live with himself. And he is so convinced of his own ugliness that he perceives others are repulsed by him as well. He believes, and is afraid that as soon as someone connects him with the military (through his haircut of physical demeanor, for instance) that they are repulsed by what he has done. Elijah is looking for help, and his friends are working to support him. I pray he will make it.
I'm passing this along because I think that if Elijah is in my town, he is in yours,too. Please pray for the soldiers that are returning broken and in desperate need of Christ and people who can demonstrate His kind of love and support. Elijah works hard to hide what he is going through--I expect others do, too. I know this is not a new story. It happens everytime we send people into the horrors of war. But this is our generation; and it is our turn to support the soldiers and help them heal. Please pray for Elijah and keep an eye out for him in your town.
Jillena Rose
I ran the Out Run Diabetes 5K last Saturday morning. Boy, was it cold! The wind was blowing about 20 miles an hour, and the air temperature was around 13 degrees. Anyway, I ran it a little faster than I thought I would/could: 25:19. I have run long and slow for so long that I have hardly any speed. My plan now is to get on the road and race. I want to get back up to speed, with a view of running marathons faster. My ultimate running goal is to run the Boston Marathon. It is not easy to qualify for! At least not for me. I hope to be in Boston sometime during my 50th year.
Oh! And wasn't it cool to hear Tony Dungy proclaim his faith (again)? He characterized his coaching techniques as the "Lord's way."
I heard someone else say, clearly commenting on Dungy's comment, that Tony starts each season saying something to this effect: "Listen to me carefully gentlemen because this is as loud as I will ever talk." Wow! A coach who doesn't scream, use profanity, pitch fits, pout, or do any of the others things so often seen. Who says "nice guys finish last"?
Dungy is a class act. No doubt about that and I think his character is evident in the players. You can tell those guys totally respect him and would do anything within their power for that man. Manning was very gracious in victory when he could have been very haughty after everything that has been said about him.
Allen, the results are posted on the web for the race. I can give you the link if you would like. Looks like 55 finished.
The Boston Marathon is a great goal. I too have that as a goal to obtain. Have been close. Actually last Marathon, I missed qualifying by less than a minute!! Previously, knee surgery while on pace to qualify. Maybe we can go together.
Now, as not to upset Lester. ( Ha ha) on to fasting.
Fasting is really very interesting to me and maybe because of the scripture referenced, but it seems some thing that is not very prominent today. As a child, I remember our church holding a period of fasting as a congregation and they made a big deal of it. Rather odd now it seems as I read this scripture. A couple of years ago, our little Saturday group, did some fasting and I found it to be very rewarding.
RR
Since we have been talking about prayer, I found this today and wanted to pass it along.
On this Saturday, he wasn't Coach Gibbs, the man who led the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl titles. He wasn't the NASCAR owner who celebrated Cup championships with Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. He was simply Pat's husband, J.D.'s dad and grandfather to Jackson, Miller, Jason and Taylor.
And on this Saturday, on the eve before the biggest game in football, the Super Bowl couldn't be farther from his mind. Gibbs and his family are facing a different kind of battle. Four weeks ago, his grandson Taylor, 2, was diagnosed with leukemia. Taylor, who recently started a three-year treatment plan, is the youngest son of Melissa and J.D., Gibbs' oldest son, who oversees Joe Gibbs Racing.
Despite his tremendous faith in God, Gibbs is haunted by that helpless feeling many of us share when we hear that a grandchild, mother, husband or friend faces a life-threatening disease. Gibbs painstakingly speaks of the effect the ordeal is having on the entire family, including his wife Pat, who valiantly overcame brain surgery in 1979.
"She was in tears last night," Gibbs said.
After handing me a prayer card with Taylor's precious face shining from one side, I could understand why. Taylor's resemblance to his grandfather is uncanny.
The pleas on the other side of the card put everything in perspective:
That Taylor would take his medicine. He takes quite a few each day and like any child he doesn't like it.
For Taylor's mood swings due to the medicines. It's rough on him and Melissa. That Melissa would get him to eat a well-balanced diet.
For Taylor's physical comfort as his little body deals with all the medicines and chemo.
His energy level — he feels fatigued most of the time.
For Jackson (9), Miller (7) and Jason (4) as they adjust to all the changes and adjust to Taylor needing so much more of J.D. and Melissa's attention.
Complete healing.
It doesn't matter if you root for — or against — the Redskins, cheer for Tony Stewart or Denny Hamlin, or couldn't care about racing at all. Taylor and his family — and any family dealing with a crisis — can use the support of all of us. So I'm passing this prayer card along from me to you.
RR
I don't know, but have thought that fasting may be a way of clearing our minds of our basic needs and focusing on something more important. When Jesus fasted and prayed he got off to himself to fast and pray and focus on His Father in Matt 4. Satan tempted him with three things and the very first one was His hunger. Satan knew He had a real need making it a soft, vulnerable spot. 'Turn these stones to bread' he said. He also knew Jesus had the power to do it. Jesus' reply to the offer was, 'It is written that you shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'. Jesus didn't allow Satan to enter him even when true needs were addressed. Jesus did this alone without fanfare, unlike the Pharisees who wanted to draw attention to all their religious and pious acts. Jesus came to show us how God is and the humility comes to mind first. For the sake of others, He went off alone in privacy to seek God. God sustained Him. He trusted God and in obedience he resisted the temptations given to him by Satan in the wilderness. We are in a kind of wilderness every day with Satan on every side tempting us with all kinds of things that appeal to our real needs and our pride and our desire for recognition. God has shown us a greater example of quiet obedience and help with the right choices we do make in His behalf. He sent angels to minister to Jesus after Satan left him in the wilderness. He is our BREAD OF LIFE, and we should live as Christians by every word that proceeded from His mouth. He will feed, nourish and protect us if we obey Him with trust in our hearts that His way is best. I can remember in childhood being really hungry but God always provided for us in a loving mother who had the tenacity and the imagination to provide for her children on very little. I learned so much from her while she struggled to provide for us in her cheerful attitude. She whistled while she worked to cook for us whatever meager items she could find but we were always fed something and we were grateful for it. It wasn't always what we wanted but it was food for the body and she did it with so little. Have a wonderful and blessed day everyone and yes, 'How about those Colts'. I love you all. Sherron
I've never been really good at fasting, and that has probably discouraged me from trying/doing it more than I have.
I do think it is an important part of our walk with christ, it strips us down out of our comforts of food and materialistic needs and makes us realize our need for christ.
I think fasting can be more than just not eating. I think you can fast from tv, sports, sex, or anything else that takes your thoughts away from christ.
The church I went to in Indy had a monthly fasting day. I think it was the first tuesday of every month and they encouraged the entire congregation to fast during lunch and pray for the church and seek the Lord's strenth. Then they encouraged everyone who fasted to tithe the money they would have spent on lunch that day and they used to for their food pantry. I thought it was a nice way of encouraging the church in fasting as well as raising support for the needy.
Hey Allen, a little encouragement for you my friend. A preacher was preaching in church one day and there was a few critics in his church, and he opened up with this saying, I am here to teach and to tell you the truth, if anyone here has a problem with what God has instilled in my heart to preach, then that is between God and you. I am here as a preacher, and as long as I am on this pulpit, my job is to teach you the word of God. If what I tell you offends you in anyway, again that is between you and God because I am here to spread the message that God had told me to preach. I cannot nor will I allow man/woman or child to change my path that God had placed my feet on, so if there is anyone out there that has a problem with me, it is not me that you are having problems with, but it is he that sent me that you have problem with. Jesus died, for speaking the truth and in truth, it was the church (truth) that killed Jesus. So Allen, do not let the critics take what God placed in your heart to preach and turn it around to make you think otherwise because you will no longer be teaching from God standpoint but from man standpoint. God sent you here to preach his word, and if people have a problem with how God is using you, that is between God and them. Please don't change the way you are but be the man that God has made you. Jesus had critics and no matter what you preach, you are going to always have critics.
From your brother in Christ and your friend. Gino Hunter
Some of us don't know too much about fasting (me). I would appreciate a few people explaining how they do it, step by step. And I am curious as to what prompts you to decide to fast.
When I lived in Pittsburgh, fasting for lent was a much talked about and practiced thing and not only for catholics, tho there is a large catholic population there. It was rather catchy and I participated myself. Alot of people gave up red meat or candy. But as the conversations surrounded the workplace and such, I understood that what you give up should mean something to you, meanning something sacrificed,something that would hurt.
I must be honest
here, the only thing that meant that much to me was cigarettes. I gave up cigarettes for lent at least three years running. How I was able to do it for that period of time and not any other is a strange thing. I know many christians who think how can you smoke and consider yourself a christian. That is easily answered....there are so many more important personal tweaks that are spiritually harmful and damaging that need worked on. Let me give a few examples....I would rather smoke than be a gossiper, I would rather smoke than hate my neighbor...and in saying this I do however realize my body is a temple and that I should not smoke. I think about it a lot (quitting) but I don't talk about it a lot. I would love to be smoke free, its the journey to that point thats hard to do. Any one have any encouraging words? Negative comments are not welcome.
Annette
Annette,
Your addiction to cigarettes is like my addiction to food. I over indulge in sweets its definatly not healthy so there's no difference in our addictions. There is support groups for us over eaters but I wonder if there are any support groups for smokers who want to quit? Maybe there are other people in the church that smoke and want to quit? Maybe as a church we could offer a support group? Would something like that be helpful? Just a thought!
Thanks Erin for your kind understanding and great suggestions. I feel like I am the big purple thumb that stands out, maybe there are others, I hadn't noticed. Lets see what response we get to your suggestions.
Annette
Annette, I come from a family of smokers, so I definitely don't judge you. I did hear the other day about a med called "chantix" that is supposed to suppress cravings. A lady told me that it helped enormously. Maybe you could talk to your doctor about it.
Donna
Marjorie Thompson in Soul Feast (77) says this:
Some of our suspicions about fasting may simply be a rationale to cover deeper anxieties. In a land where food is so abundant that we can both glorify and trivialize it, we have developed a horror of being without it. Advertisements bombard us with images of food. The underlying message seems to be, “Eat! Food is good, and good for you. You should never be hungry. But if you are, the remedy is no farther than your friendly pizza delivery service!” Like the noise we have become accustomed to, or the frenetic busyness of our schedules, food is taken for granted as a constant in our lives. The very idea on intentionally being without it for even a day may threaten some of the unconscious assumptions on which our lives are built.
This is precisely why fasting remains so relevant for people of faith today. In a more tangible, visceral way than any other spiritual discipline, fasting reveals our excessive attachments and the assumptions that lie behind them. Food is necessary to life, but we have made it more necessary than God. How often have we neglected to remember God’s presence when we would never consider neglecting to eat! Fasting brings us face to face with how we put the material world ahead of its Spiritual Source.
Here are some thoughts about fasting from Adele Ahlberg Calhoun in her excellent book Spiritual Disciplines Handbook - Practices That Transform Us.
Fasting
Desire: to let go of an appetite in order to seek God on matters of deep concern for other, myself and the world.
Definition: A fast is the self-denial of normal necessities in order to intentionally attend to God in prayer. Bringing attachments and cravings to the surface opens a place for prayer. This physical awareness of emptiness is the reminder to turn to Jesus who alone can satisfy.
Practice Includes:
abstaining from food, drink, shopping, desserts, chocolate and so on intentionally to be with God.
Abstaining from media: TV, radio, music, e-mail, cell phones, and computer games to allow space for listening to the voice of Jesus.
Abstaining from habits or comforts: elevators, reading and sports in order to give God undivided attention.
Observing fast days and seasons of the church year.
Addressing excessive attachments or appetites and the entitlements behind them, and partnering with God for changed habits.
Repenting and waiting on God.
Seeking strength to persevere, obey and serve.
Overcoming addictions, compulsions, whims and cravings.
(Some suggested) Spiritual Exercises
Fast one meal a week. Spend mealtime in prayer. When you feel hungry, with Jesus in the wilderness and feed on the bread of heaven. Talk to Jesus about what his self-denial means to you.
For a period of one week, fast from media, sports, shopping, reading or use of the computer. Dedicate the time you now have to God. What feelings arise in you? What thoughts interrupt your prayer?
Make two lists: one of needs, the other of wants. Ask God to show you where to fast from some of your wants. Offer to God the time you spend hankering after your wants.
Abstain from purchasing morning coffee or daily sodas or evening videos. Offer the money or time to God.
Allen, I loved the articles about fasting and feel that it is not just food that we can fast from. It might surprise us the difference between wants and true needs when we step back from something. Annette, I can relate to your smoking problem even though I have never smoked. My dad was a chain smoker and never was able to quit. Bill smoked for many years and has been smoke free now for more than a decade and is now finally at the point that he has no desire for it. He stopped and started many times. I have read that nicotine is more addictive that hard drugs and I really believe it. Noone should be judged for smoking any more than we should be for any habit that takes hold of us. I fight daily the desire to overeat and some days I lose the battle and some days I win. I think we all have empty spots that we want to fill with something. I think fasting gives us a chance to fill the emptiness with God and takes us back to where He wants us to be, near Him, in close contact and not a distance away with something else less important in between us and Him. We are all here to help one another in this family, the church. Our true help comes through the Lord and he will give us the strength to do anything far above what we can imagine. I need to remind myself every day to let Him take control. We are all on a journey to Heaven and there are bumps and potholes in that road that get in our way and give us problems. But, we have a powerful Leveler for those bumps and a great highway crew in the church that helps us along and clears and repairs the road to our destiny. (The forecasted snow today made me think of highways and road crews, forgive me) God bless you all today. I love reading all your comments. Love, Sherron
I am still having trouble tying everthing I've read here together on fasting. I understand what is being said but its not coming together into one big picture, into a level of understanding. Maybe I just need a one on one.
I'm changing subjects here, stay with me as I try to say whats on my heart. I just really love it when God has put something on my heart, a change to be made or an area to be worked on and then Allen brings it up. It makes me feel such a oneness with my church family. Such a feeling of togetherness in our quest to follow God, a strength in harmony, a collectiveness that goes so deep to be a mighty power that we have as a body of followers. We are linked together with mighty chains that are strong and cannot be broken. Before an abrasive spot can wear on an area of that chain, hense making it weak, a Ryan or a Sherron(and many others) lays a lubricant of understanding (or peace making) that stops the wear and we slide on by it and remain strong. There is such a beauty in this and I cannot help but picture God looking down on us and saying "YES!! My little group is getting it!"
In saying all this, I want to bring up the respect factor. I feel so much respect for my church family. Something Allen said about reverense for God really made me take a closer look. Some time ago God laid a desire on my heart to dress better at church. It will probably take me a while but I am working toward that goal. This is between me and God right? Then isn't it incredible that Allen brings it up at Sunday evening service? To me this is a reinforcement that I did hear God correctly and that I am on the right track. This doesn't mean God has placed this desire on everyone else at church. Even though I really don't feel comfortable wearing jeans at church I was glad I could since (with my growing body) this is all I have to wear that fits me. The fact is, I am not a clothes person, meaning if I was I would have more, lol. If clothes is something you value, go for it...I would rather have mulch for my flowers. To each his own so to say.
Back to respect. The respect I have for others at church is a reverence for God in its own way. It is a deeper bond than I have ever felt before and it is always expanding.
This isn't exactly what I wanted to say but its close enough.
I love you all, Annette
Annette (and others), I think fasting is ultimately about spiritual formation. Fasting reminds us of our utter dependence upon God for life, which should lead to worship. The following passage in Isaiah is one of my favorites. It shows that fasting is to be formative, not simply some ritual. God is challenging the thought that fasting is a means of manipulation, pointing out that fasting is really about transformation, which shows up in compassion, service, and justice. These things then bring glory to God.
Isaiah 58:1-10
"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,' they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
Did you see the Neat Article in tonight’s paper about Noni Baer? It was great!
Good morning all!
Here is a little story I shared with Allen and Gary a few weeks ago, actually prior to realizing that "fasting" was going to come up;
Here it is. I wanted to share this with you as a proud papa.
Bret went to church last weekend and spent most of the weekend with a couple of her friends. At church, the minister talked about fasting and sacrifices aimed at the adults. These three girls decided to do what they termed "fasting" until the 21st of this month. What they decided to do was to give up something they like during that period. One gave up all chocolate, one salad (her favorite food) and Bret decided to give up all candy. Last night she had a struggle with this after her basketball game but held firm. Later we asked her what fasting meant to her and why you did it. She said that when you had a desire or wanted what it was you gave up, instead of thinking about that, you would think about God and should pray. The desire for the item would be replaced with thinking about God.
I was pretty impressed.
I honestly was ashamed of myself as much as I was proud or her. It shamed me to think these 3 little 10 year old girls had that deep of an understanding, love and commitment for God that they were willing to put into action and I as an adult who should be setting the example did not. When I say Bret struggled, she had played a ballgame and was hungry afterwards as we stayed to watch one of her friends play. Of course concession stands aim at the kids and what they can sell; CANDY! She was tough and did not give in.
Annette, keep posting. I love to read your posts as well as Sherron's. I keep thinking about the idea of having the heart of a servant when I read the posts of both of you.
allen..the Isaiah passage was very humbling to me. I tried fasting for a few weeks. If I had been successful I would probably be sending this anonymously, but I went about it totally wrong. First of all I needed to decide on a day to fast. Wednesday seemed the most "convenient" for me,so that is the day I chose.Smack dab in the middle of the work week.Saturday and Sunday would just be "too inconvenient".I came to work every Wed. without breakfast, but I had my juice.I would pray and think of God on my drive to work.At noon I could devote the time I would normally spend eating to reading and meditating. Conveniently, I didn't even have to think about dinner because we would go to WEM ( by that time I was starved and found it hard to wait). How noble of me , I was putting God before my stomach! Somehow this practice has fallen by the wayside(it was months ago). When I read Isaiah 58 I see why. I was "fasting" for my own benefit(maybe I could grow closer to God). I see now that we grow closer to God through service to others. God's heart is with the poor, hungry and mistreated. Thanks ,Allen ,for sharing that with us.
Oh what a beautiful story Ryan, thanks so much for sharing it with us. Can you imagine the angels in heaven cheering section bringing the house down on that one? I'm sure Jesus got a big kick out of it too. Here Bret and the other girls, with their understanding of it, acted upon it and I am striving for deeper understanding on the subject. How we change as we age. I remember back when I fasted, mid twenties, and the only understanding I had was what a wonderful way to show God you are serious about Him. And here is Neva sharing that she didn't quite get it either. I think it is never wrong to act upon something for the right reasons, I think God honors this. Whether its blessings or lessons, you always get something out of it.
Speaking of getting something out of actions, I had two wonderful experiences this week. First I went to help make sandwiches for the homeless, and the reason I went was because this is something very close to my heart and even though I had to work that night and couldn't go to Louisville, I wanted to have my hands in it in some way. While there I had a wonderful time, I always love to be around Noble, he is so utterly refreshing to me. I got to talk to Michele about another subject that is close to my heart, which is helping the single parents. I got to meet Joni and get to know her a little better and I must say I kept getting a picture of the joys of motherhood through her. I also got to meet another couple for the first time. A total enjoyable hour I would have missed out on if I hadn't gone.
The second experience was on a day when I went to help my dad eat. I never know what to expect when I go. Sometimes its wonderful and sometimes its so very sad. On this day he had a visitor, a daughter of a fellow who used to be his roommate. She was sharing stories of what has happened since her father left there. He had a tractor accident while running away from home.....he snubed his kids by saying he gave as a gift 150 thousand (yes I said thousand) dollars to a woman who used him and stole(is that a word?) his money, so hense it cannot be made to be paid back...and many more antics of her stubborn fiesty old dad. She was a true comical story teller and I had the best entertainment I'd had in ages.
I loved the article about Noni. I've had the great honor of knowing her for many years, and I never knew most of that stuff. As with Noni, there was just so much to talk about, I guess we never got around to those things.
Have a great day everyone, Annette
When I read the story about Noni, I kept thinking that this is what should be the result of the small groups. We shouldn't have to learn about her life by reading it in the paper! This also is the kind of stuff Gary's Sunday evening topic is covering. So many more like this in our family. Pretty neat.
Great stories Annette, I enjoyed that. Odd how the simple things can and do bring us pleasure.
Monday night I didn't go to L-ville, nor did Bret. Darci went this time and I am not sure yet how it impacted her. Bret wanted to go and we told her "no" for a couple reasons but one was because it was so cold. She immediately shot back to Rhonna that was a bad excuse because these people had to live in this year 'round so that was not very good to not want to go spend a couple hours out side with them. Oops!!
Neva, when I read your post, I thought of what I call "God in a box". I think we do that way too often. We keep God in a box until we can fit him in. Just like fasting. We don't say, ok I am fasting tomorrow. We get out our calendar or planner and go, "Hmmm, when do I have time for God that is not too disurptive to me?" If we can't fit him in until next week that is ok. Too often we fit him in on the second Tuesday of next week.
Lester??? Where are you man?
RR
Back by popular demand...
One part of the passage really stuck out to me: "they have received their reward in full" (speaking about the "hypocrites"). Any thoughts on where Jesus is going with this?
LESTER!!!
my thought is that Christ is talking temporal to eternal.
for these hypocrites, their reward is the temporal recognition and gratification they recieve eternal. God has no value in the showmanship. His value is what is internal. For the others their reward is the eternal reward. So I think it comes to three words;
temporal, internal and eternal.
RR
You are cracking me up Lester!!
I really love it that you are a "meat and potatoes man", this says a lot about you. I am that way too, however I so enjoy the other type conversations on here. I used to hate suffering through the songs at church so we could get to the meat and potatoes. Until Gary came and showed me how to turn it into a time of worship. Now I find some very deep worship time during the singing. I hope you continue to post because its so nice getting to know you better.
I think you are right Ryan about doing this in our small groups, so how do we do this?
Annette
I think it is very hard to describe what fasting will do in your life and for your relationship with God until it is done by you personally. Go experience God in one of the ways that he meant us to know him. Jesus did this esp when something very important was coming up. How often do we fast when major events or decisions are being made? How much do we really rely on God? If we fasted more often I just wonder what we would look like as christians. I can't help but think that we would look and live more like christ. Lester I took that just like it says. I want my rewards in Heaven! Jamie Young
Hey, we had a great class tonight! One of the things some of the members decided was to give up (fast) something between now and Sunday after worship. One is giving up all processed sweets; another is giving up coffee.
Why? To use the cravings to remind us to focus on God, essentially. Do you want to join in? Post anonymously and tell us what you are going to give up for the next few days.
Hey, 19 years ago today was ONE of my most memorable and best days of my life. Lester Allen Burris was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Happy Birthday, Son!
Other days that rank up there also: my baptism, my wedding day, births of Luke, Rebecca, and Benjamin.
Now, back to this sermon on fasting...
HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY, LESTER!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESTER (Incredible Hulk --Regenaration store name)for those who do not know, I had Lester tie my tie for me Sunday in church because I do not know how to tie a tie. Well I was going to give up using the computer for a few days but if I do that, then I won't know what is happening in the blog and we don't want that to happen now do we, so I will be fasting sodas (pop to Annette) and (swallowing hard)chocolate. We are having a buy ten books for a dollar sale down at the store so drop on by. Also if you get yourself a pair of pants or jeans you can walk away with a free belt. If you know someone who can't afford to spend a lot of money on clothing, jewelry or furniture, regenaration is the place to go. I should go into advertisement should I?
Gino Hunter
I think you just did, but that's good! ReGeneration is the place to go, so go buy some things!
Happy 19th birthday, Lester! We always enjoy having you and the other grandkids drop by to see us. The eye is still quite swollen and dark colored, but by the time you see it, it should be better. The stitches may come out tomorrow.
Grandma and Grandpa Burris.
Happy B-Day Lester!!
Last night your dad said he was afraid you were taking over his blog! Now you are screwing up the metrics because your birthday is not a topic.
RR
Happy Birthday Lester. Don't go into the green on Ryan he was just kidding.
Nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Burris posting, we would like to see you on here some more.
Now down to business. Class was very good last night as Allen said. We had a large turnout which is always nice.
One thing that was brought up was that this passage is about doing things in secret... but only to your Father, who is unseen;...so I did some checking up on this and found
2 Cor 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Which is what Ryan brought up in an earlier post. Makes me think some of the quietest among us might be the most holy. I will use this as another reason not to judge.
Annette
Good job, Annette! I had not considered those two passages together before now. They work well together. Thanks!
And I think there is a connection sometimes between quietness and holiness, though I have to be careful with that idea. Boasting and calling attention to oneself is definitely not holy, which is what our passage about fasting is about.
We are considering have a “40 Days of Focus” that would end on Easter Sunday. During those 40 days we are thinking of inviting people to pray for other people, to commit to a service activity of some kind (of their choosing), and, in the spirit of fasting, give up something for that 40 day period. The point? Greater discipline and focus on God. Any thoughts or ideas?
Just saw this and thought was pretty true.
It's a good thing the weather keeps changing. Because if it didn't 90% of the American population wouldn't know how to start a conversation. --Will Rogers
I really like the idea of the "40 days of Focus" and the options we'd have during the 40 days!
With apologies to my beloved son, I am going to take a temporary fast from talking about fasting.
The headline reads: The Brain Scan That Can Read People's Intentions. Now, that’s an interesting thing to think about. It reminds me of the old Gilligan’s Island episode where the islanders found some seeds that allow all of them to read each other’s minds. There are many times in my life where I wish people could read my mind to see my intentions. There are times in my life where I try to help someone, but it ends up offending, mostly it seems, because my intentions are miscommunicated and/or misread. Of course there are other times when I would not want anyone to see my intentions/thoughts because they are embarrassing or even evil. What we all need to realize, however, is that nothing is hidden from God. I believe Hebrews 4:13 puts it like this:
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hey all you weather fans/geeks, are you hearing that we MIGHT finally get a decent snow on Monday? My fear is that the system may track north and give us ice or rain; we’ll just have to keep watching it.
I really like watching Jesse Walker on Terre Haute’s Channel 2, because he shares more information than anyone else about what might happen, even days in advance. I recently ran into some additional cool sources of information regarding weather. On WAVE 3's (Louisville) Weather website they have some weather blogs. In those blogs the weather guys go into a lot more detail about what they think the possibilities of weather are, and they share details about the different computer models they use to help them forecast. I like to read Belski’s Blog first. He is a little more “optimistic” about snow. Then as a corrective, I read Tom Wills’ blog. He is a usually pretty pessimistic (and often right). Warning: all this is only for weather geeks like me. The rest of you need not bother. Seriously! Ha ha
Here are the latest statistics on our blog:
Site Summary
Visits Total: 6,750
Average per Day: 70
Average Visit Length: 4:23
This Week: 489
If there are 70 hits per day you should be seeing 30 new blogs per day, what's up people? tw
what is the average # of posts per topic? what topics seem to get the most hits?
RR
last night after playing basketball with the fellows at the church, I came home to fix me a bowl of cereal and the first thing I notice, that my bag of heath bars are gone. If anyone {Annette} knows where my heath bar went too, please call me at 555-2345 cause they are goooooooooone and I would like to have them back the day before my fasting day end {knowing they are safe and ready to be eating the day after fasting would be a wonderful thought to have on my mind}. One more thing before I go, I don't know the fellow who was covering me last night during the game but I would like to thank him personally for not running me up and down the court last night because if he had, I believe 911 would have been called. So thank you for looking out for this young 40 year old guy and not taking advantage of me. From Gino Hunter
Oh, Lester, Lester. I am so proud to call you my cousin-in-law. Man, you're really getting old...
I thought that some of you may enjoy taking a look at this website that inspired a friend of mine to embark upon a 40-day fast. Check out the Do Something link. Be forewarned:: This is a ministry run by Gen-Xers. http://www.starvingjesus.com/
"40 Days of Focus"? I think the historic Christian Church has been doing it for centuries and calling it LENT! I was wondering when we'd get around to it. I think it's an excellent idea! Now, I have to figure out what to give up. I have so many bad habits...
Donna
Indeed, Donna. I think Lent would cause a lot of people to think lint, which might lead to navel gazing.
Plus, we are going to move off the Lenten calendar by a week, avoid ashes, and just make it understandable and accessible for all.
Jean, that is a great website. Everyone should check out starvingjesus.com...it'll make you think.
> > Subject: Christian One Liners!!
>
> Don't let your worries get the
> best of you; remember, Moses started
> out as a basket case.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Some people are kind, polite, and
> sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Many folks want to serve God,
> but only as advisors.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> It is easier to preach ten sermons
> than it is to live one.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> The good Lord didn't create anything
> without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> When you get to your wit's end,
> you'll find God lives there.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> People are funny; they want the front
> of the bus, the middle of the road, and
> the back of the church.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Opportunity may knock once, but temptation
> bangs on your front door forever.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Quit griping about your church;
> if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> If the church wants a better pastor,
> it only needs to pray for the one it has.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> God Himself does not propose to judge
> a man until he is dead. So why should you?
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Some minds are like concrete
> thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Peace starts with a smile.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> I don't know why some people
> change churches; what difference does
> it make which one you stay home from?
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> A lot of church members who are singing
> "Standing on the Promises"
> are just sitting on the premises.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> We were called to be witnesses,
> not lawyers or judges.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Be ye fishers of men. You catch
> them - He'll clean them.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Coincidence is when God
> chooses to remain anonymous.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Don't put a question mark
> where God put a period.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Don't wait for 6 strong men
> to take you to church.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Forbidden fruits create many jams.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> God doesn't call the qualified,
> He qualifies the called.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> God grades on the cross, not the curve.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> God loves everyone, but probably prefers
> "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> God promises a safe landing,
> not a calm passage.
>
> *+! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> He who angers you, controls you! < BR>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> Prayer:
>
> Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> The task ahead of us is never as
> great as the Power behind us.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> The Will of God never takes you to
> where the Grace of God will not protect you.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> We don't change the message,
> the message changes us.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> You can tell how big a person is
> by what it takes to discourage him.
>
> *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
>
> The best mathematical equation
> I have ever seen:
> 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
>
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