1. Fasting increases our sense of humility and dependence on the Lord (for our hunger and physical weakness continually remind us how we are not really strong in ourselves but need the Lord). 2. Fasting allows us to give more attention to prayer (for we are not spending time on eating). 3. [Fasting] is a continual reminder that, just as we sacrifice some personal comfort to the Lord by not eating, so we must continually sacrifice all of ourselves to Him. 4. Fasting is a good exercise in self-discipline, for as we refrain from eating food, which we would ordinarily desire, it also strengthens our ability to refrain from sin, to which we might otherwise be tempted to yield. 5. Fasting also heightens spiritual and mental alertness and a sense of God’s presence as we focus less on the material things of this world (such as food) and as the energies of our body are freed from digesting and processing food. 6. Fasting expresses earnestness and urgency in our prayers: if we continued to fast, eventually we would die. Therefore, in a symbolic way, fasting says to God that we are prepared to lay down our lives that the situation be changed rather than that it continue.
Wayne Grudem

Forums

Forum Navigation
You need to log in to create posts and topics.

Something

Avatar
Forum Archives
1,544 Posts
#1 · September 24, 2003, 8:35 am

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

 
*** Splash ***
      
I was talking with a submariner (US Navy) many months ago who gave
me an interesting tidbit of information.  During a hurricane while
in a submarine, one will find gentle sailing below the surface of
the ocean.  A gentle rocking will be experienced which will decrease
to calmness with increasing depth.
How deep?
This is classified information, but the calmness is a reality.
 
The great currents that move within the oceanic depths will not be
apparent at the surface.  These currents involve vast amounts of
moving water, the sheer volume/mass of moving water holds an awesome
amount of power.  This power is completely unaffected by the froth
and splash at the surface.
 
And so it is with Spirituality.  The deeper one goes into Spiritual
reality, the deeper the calmness one experiences.  And the great
power of the deep currents will become evident.
 
Surface Froth involves the emotional thrashing that is so common in
what we know as the everyday world - the latest fads, politics,
corruption, scare science, religious doctrine, hatred, slanted news
reports, profit margins, even the Internet.
 
Calmness is almost impossible to define so it will be understood by
one caught in the storms of "Surface Froth".  It is a concept not
known to exist until one descends into the depths of reality.
 
Reality is unnerving to the novice.  The inflow of new concepts is
startling, frightening to say the least.  New information is so calm
when compared to the violence of "Surface Froth" that is often
ignored or fled from.  Being an unknown concept, it is very
frightening.
 
To one who has a modicum of awareness, this new concept of calmness
becomes such a wonder that a hungering and thirsting for more
becomes foremost in the live of the novice.  A grand awakening
follows and understanding expands explosively.
 
This is the place in reality that communication with those involved
in Surface Froth and Splash becomes difficult - ultimately
impossible.  Words do not exist to explain.
 
As the awakened person descends into calmness, he is often seen
as "having lost it".  In reality, he has a far better grasp of "it"
than does the splashy surface dweller.
 
The deep currents are permanent and most useful when made use of.
 
Surface Froth is temporary/transient.  Other that a brief show of
splash, it is not practical as a way of life.
 
Just something to think about.

*** That Is The Rest Of Victory *** 
 
There is nothing- no circumstance, no trouble, no testing- that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me,  no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is. That is the rest of victory.
Alan Redpath
 
 
*** My First Bike Ride ***  
 
When I first met Christ
It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, 
But it was a tandem bike,
And I noticed that Christ
Was in the back helping me pedal. 
 
I don't know just when it was that
He suggested we change places,  
But life has not been the same since.
 
When I had control, I knew the way,
It was rather boring, but predictable...
It was the shortest distance between two points.
 
But when He took the lead, 
He knew delightful long cuts, 
Up mountains, and through rocky  places, 
At breakneck speeds,
It was all I could do to hang  on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal"  
 
I worried and was anxious and  asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
And I started to learn to trust.
 
I forgot my boring life
And entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.
 
He took me to people with gifts that I needed.
Gifts of healing, acceptance,  and joy.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
They're extra baggage, too much  weight."
 
So I did, I gave them to the people we met,
And I found that in giving I  received,
And still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first,  In control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
But He knows bike secrets,
Knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
Knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
 
And I am learning to shut up
and pedal  in the strangest places,
And I'm beginning to enjoy the view
And the cool breeze on my face
With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
 
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says...
"Pedal."

Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
 

 
Necessary Legal Information
 
I do not mail idea-central  unsolicited. If you are receiving this newsletter from me it's because you have subscribed to this mailing list. If you receive this newsletter and are not a subscriber then someone, other than me, has forwarded it to you.
 
 

 

Click for thumbs down.0Click for thumbs up.0