One of the churches I've been attending has challenged the congregation to pray and fast for 40 days. The dictionary defines fasting as abstaining from food, but I decided that wasn't what I should give up.Starting Monday, I won't read any fiction (other than the read-alouds at school). Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to finish the books I am reading and finish two review books.
There are a several non fiction books, such as Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Magnificent Obsession by Anne Graham Lotz that I'm looking forward to reading and sharing with you; as well as some books on science, history and some biographies.
You might be wondering how not reading a certain books can be considered fasting. Some of the articles about fasting on gotquestions.org were really helpful in explaining what I had already been thinking.
"Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast. ... Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. ... Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God." http://www.gotquestions.org/fasting-Christian.htmlHave you ever fasted? What have you given up?
That would drive me insane.Causal reading is all that keep me sane during the school year.
ReplyDelete:D Yeah, though I think sometimes I rely too much on fiction to relax me and transport me away from life's everyday stresses rather than rely on God. And maybe I'll not stay up so late reading and get some more sleep. :-)
DeleteHey friend! We are reading Crazy Love in small group! We can chat about it! Miss you!
ReplyDeleteThat would be a lot of fun! Miss you too!
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