The urge to give up a fast or some other deeper commitment comes early. It’s because we are soft. The enemy punches quickly to see if we can be pushed back into mediocrity. The earliest part of the spiritual commitment is the easiest place. For me, when it comes to a fast, or a modifiedContinue reading “The urge to give up”
Tag Archives: fasting
I hate fasting
There. I said it. People used to think I actually liked it. But it’s been so long since I’ve walked in intentional fasting, or a modified fast like this one for Lent, I now remember why I have let this practice slip. I hate fasting. When I step into this discipline with purpose there isContinue reading “I hate fasting”
An invitation to dialogue here
One of the challenges for Lent this year is “giving up” social media. I need to break myself of this addiction in my life. However, I will still be blogging. And I tie my blog to my Twitter and Facebook accounts so more people have an opportunity to see what I post. I also realizeContinue reading “An invitation to dialogue here”
The WHY of Fasting
There are a lot of reasons to fast and pray. What is needed most is to remember to add in “AND PRAY.” We don’t fast to “diet.” Sometimes it is necessary to fast to specifically ask something of God. Those are not always successful. We have expectations of what should “come out” of the process, and whenContinue reading “The WHY of Fasting”
The engine for 2015
As I looked ahead this past week to 2015 and went through some good questions that help set up the next part of my journey, the one thing that kept showing up was the deep need for fasting and prayer. The engine to drive all that lies before me in 2015 is fasting and prayer. TheContinue reading “The engine for 2015”
Fasting and Loosing Chains
6 “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? 7 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 them,Continue reading “Fasting and Loosing Chains”
Beans and Rice… and Prayer… and Saving Money
I continue to be challenged in prayer. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to pray more, and I found out God seems to be always talking. (I may need to look into that correlation.) One of the challenges for me is to fast regularly. My wife and I have decided to fast once a week. ThisContinue reading “Beans and Rice… and Prayer… and Saving Money”
The Freedom of Form
27Then he said, “The Sabbath was created for humans; humans weren’t created for the Sabbath. 28 This is why the Human One[b] is Lord even over the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28, CEB) As western Christians who happen to be evangelical… Pentecostal… Charismatic… cutting edge… emergent… umm… I know I’m forgetting some label… (We struggle with forms.Continue reading “The Freedom of Form”
The Spirit, Forms, Ritual, and New Things
I was in Mark 2 for my preaching text this past Sunday. The subject was new wine and new wineskins. When the Kingdom of God is bursting on the scene, we need to be able to move with what the Kingdom is doing. I was able to walk through vv. 1-17, but didn’t get toContinue reading “The Spirit, Forms, Ritual, and New Things”
It May Not Be the “Form” That is Dead
In my particular tribe of Christianity, “cutting edge” is the deal. If the “form” is dead… change the form. That may not be it. It may be US. Jesus encountered opposition from the religious leaders in Mark 2 over “forms.” Jesus doesn’t toss out the forms. He recognizes how the religious leader weren’t understanding theContinue reading “It May Not Be the “Form” That is Dead”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 