Fasting: What is it?
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Fasting: What is it?

Fasting:  What is it?

The idea of fasting is not new to me.  However, over the past couple of weeks, a lot of my quiet times and discussions, as well as different things I have read elsewhere, have all revolved around fasting.  So, I decided to pay closer attention to this prompting, and take the time to look into what fasting is all about and how I can incorporate it into my life.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when Brad brought up the idea of participating in a fast.  I had often thought I would like to give it a try, but really didn’t know much about it.  And, in order for me to really get into anything, I first need to understand as much as I can about it.

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Who determines this answer - The World or God?
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I should be…

Should?

So many times I think I would like to be the creative type. You know this person. The one who can MacGyver a piece of twine, a few berries, and a candle into the most beautiful holiday tablescape you can imagine. Sometimes I can pull something off, but let’s just say I’ll never have my own Etsy shop…

Yet, every time I see a post about someone’s craft store or a new little creation that somebody made, I feel this pull. Like, I should be able to do that, right? Or, maybe if I worked a lot harder I could get that skill?

When I was younger, I would have said, ‘Absolutely!’ But, now that I am a little older, (and hopefully a bit wiser), I now realize that I don’t think that’s how God made me.

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Let Go Let God
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Let Go – Let God

Let go and let God.  I know it’s a saying that can be overused.  But, it’s a pretty important thing to remember.  If we truly have faith and believe that God’s got this and He is in control, then why would we need to hang on?  If we do it for show, and just say that God is in control, but try to be a puppet master behind the scenes, then that’s really all it is – a show.  Deep down we know it definitely wasn’t us.

We aren’t strong enough, or – let’s face it – smart enough to solve problems the way God can.  Way too many times I find myself getting in God’s way trying to control and guide a situation.  I wonder how many times my trying and my attempt at controlling something actually causes more work for God in the end…  (If you have kids, you know how that one usually turns out.)

How frustrated should God be with me?  I can just see Him shaking His head, with a sort of half-smile and a bit of sadness in His eyes, because this was supposed to be the time I actually submitted…

If I were Him, I would have put me in a time-out years ago… I thank Him every day for His patience.

Turns out, I have a really hard time letting go.

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Freedom Series: Guilt & Shame

(If you missed the previous posts from my Freedom Series, be sure to go back and catch up!  To read, Freedom from Burdens, click here. For Freedom from Sin and Death click here. And, for Freedom from Worldly Priorities, click here.)

When Brad and I were first studying the Bible, one of my biggest struggles was understanding how God could give me Freedom from my Guilt and Shame.  I had a really hard time wrapping my brain around how He could find me worthy of His grace and forgiveness.

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Freedom Series: Sin and Death

Sin and Death

When I started thinking about this series, one of the freedoms that stood out to me first was the Freedom from Sin and Death.  (If you missed yesterday’s post on Freedom from Burden, be sure to check it out, here…)  Prior to becoming a Disciple, I had a general idea of what that meant. But, after studying more and digging deeper into the Bible, I realized I knew very little.  And, I definitely was not thanking God enough for the amazing gift He gave to us…

Beginning in Sunday School, we are taught about Heaven, and the wonderful place it is.  We are taught that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, was crucified, and died for our sins.  Then, he rose from the dead and now is with his Father, God, in Heaven.  And, if we believe in Him, we can go there, too.

If you asked a random person on the street, I’d bet you’d get a similar recant of the information, without a lot of differences.

But, just because we know what happened doesn’t mean we know what it really means to us.

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