Fasting

Richard Foster writes in his book A Celebration of Discipline, “In a culture where the landscape is dotted with shrines to the Golden Arches and an assortment of Pizza Temples, fasting seems out of place, out of step with the times. In fact, fasting has been in general disrepute both in and outside the church for many years. For example, in my research I could not find a single book published on the subject of Christian fasting from 1861 to 1954, a period of nearly one hundred years.”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16-18 "When you fast". It seems that Jesus is implying that this should be a part of our regular spiritual reality. I have not recieved significant teaching on this topic. It was just something that I deemed to be for the spooky and wierd people. I have to admit that fasting has not been a very regular part of my spiritual journey. When I have it has usually been more mechanical, not very focused or purposeful. I think most of us have seen it as very optional issue. The question that I'm asking myself is, "since when has obedience become optional?"

I am feeling deeply challenged in my spirit to take more serious look at fasting. Jesus warns us to not fast for external accolades or to show how spiritual we are, but out of obedience and out of our hunger for God and a hunger to see Him move.

This is so sad...

Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter Killed in Accident
5-year-old daughter Maria Sue struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle at home.
By Andree Farias, from press reports
posted 05/22/08


Maria Sue Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, died Wednesday evening from injuries sustained when a sports utility vehicle hit her in the driveway of the family's home near Franklin, Tennessee. She was 5.

The girl was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by one of her teenage brothers around 5:30 p.m., authorities said. The teen's identity was not released.

Laura McPherson, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol, told The Tennessean that the girl was airlifted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, where she was pronounced dead.

"It appears to be a terrible accident," McPherson said, adding that no charges are expected.

According to the Associated Press, several family members witnessed the accident, but the Tennessean report said only two children saw what happened. McPherson said the entire family was home at the time.

"I'm confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this," Gospel Music Association President John W. Styll told The Tennessean.

Maria was Steven and wife Mary Beth Chapman's third adopted daughter and sixth child overall, behind siblings Will Franklin, Caleb, Emily, Shaohannah, and Stevey Joy.

Their belief in adoption led the couple to found Shaohannah's Hope in 2000, an organization aimed at helping families facing the financial burden of adopting a child. So far, the charity has assisted thousands of families with grants, according to the nonprofit's Web site.

"My heart is just aching for them," said Velvet Kelm, Chapman's publicist.

"I don't know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension," Styll said.

In April, Chapman was inducted in the Music City Walk of Fame for more the 20 years in Christian music — a career that has spawned five Grammy awards, 54 Dove awards, 44 No. 1 singles, and more than 10 million albums sold.

"There may or may not be issues ahead for us," Mary Beth Chapman told Today's Christian in 2005 about her and her husband's future as adoptive parents. "But even if Shaoey turns 16 and says, 'I hate you, I'm going back to China,' I know God put Shaoey in our lives; God put Stevey Joy here, and God put Maria here. Whether it's all peaches-and-cream or it's miserable, this is God's work."

Sunday May 18, Sermon Recap: And When You Pray

Jesus talks in Matthew 6 about some of the externals of faith. Jesus says those who are a part of His Kingdom will give to the needy, they will pray and they will fast. Jesus doesn't give much options about these activities, particularly prayer. Jesus repeats the phrase, "And when you pray". Not "if" you pray, "when" you pray.

Bill Hybels in his book "Too Busy Not to Pray" gives these principles from Matthew 6:5-15.

1. Pray Secretly
2. Pray Sincerely
3. Pray Specifically

I have struggled in this area, my whole Christian life. I have waited for a breakthough in this area. Becoming a professional (Pastor) has only enhanced the problem because it is hard to differentiate betweeen work and my relationship with Christ. It is easy when you do "God" for a living to become the very thing Jesus is warning against. But my outer and upfront spitituality needs to flow out of a vibrate and intimate personal relationship with God through Christ, not the opposite. God help me be a "House of Prayer".

NHL Third Round

I know i'm late, but I had my predictions on the radio station.

Dallas over Detroit in six (you can tell I'm being honest)
Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in six.

But it looks like it's going to be a Detroit - Pittsburgh final. Both these teams have been destroying the competition.