Mstones 9.03.06 -- What, no Cornbread?"

i went to church last Sunday

So i could sing and pray

But something quite unusual
Happened on that day

Now church it started right on time
Just like it does without a doubt
And everything was all just fine
Except when it came time to let us out ....

....And the preacher he kept preaching
Long is the struggle, hard the fight
And i prayed, Father please forgive me
And then i stood up and with all my might
i sang..........

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
And i listened to what the preacher said


Now it's to the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat......... from "Church" -- Lyle Lovett

ok -- That is one great song. After listening to all 6 minutes of it few times, i really feel like i have been to church in the best most gospel type of way. Very worth the .99 download! And since a few of the Mflock were out of church on this Sunday before Labor's Rest -- maybe you should take a listen.

Church, music and food. And the Lord said," it was all very, very,very good!"

Now this Mreporter understands that there has been little discussion re importance of church lately in Mstone class. Think it was tad lively. Now it seems food and it's place in our spiritual life has been called into question?

Well, can somewhat in my open-minded best understand questioning need of large corporate worship. But suggesting abstention from food.

Just who is this trouble-maker bringing these very crazy ideas to Mrock Central -- for Pete's sake?

No fried chicken on Sunday -- scandously sacrilegious really!

Milestone 9.03.06

Yes, it was back to discipline this week. The Spiritual Disciplines that is.

Our very disciplined teacher asked all, "Why would one want to engage in Spiritual Disciplines?"

1. To place myself before God to be changed.
2. To liberate myself from slavery.
3. To enable myself to do things that i cannot accomplish through sheer effort or self will.

Participating in these Spiritual Disciplines have the ability to draw us into the abundant life. John 10:10

Ok -- will just come out and admit it. There are a lot of these disciplines that Pete has listed every week -- and lots of you have written them down. i just haven't happened to be one of those writing them down. That would require concentration, diligence and well, discipline.

There just seems like there are soooo many of these disciplines, and the teacher talks soooo quickly and i just always am hopeful they might appear on a handout one Sunday.

"There is a route to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and that route is Jesus himself," "For the Christian, heaven is not a goal; it is a destination. The goal is that Christ be formed in you." Richard Foster

Christ formed in us. That kind of sounds like it could be painful. Think Pete made some analogy to the catepillar. How the catepillar has to go through the very weird metamorphing chrysalis period before becomes the butterfly.

Don't know if the change process is painful -- am sure it gets a tad cramped in that small rent free flat. And do know that there is a lot of feasting going on before colorful slug-like creature goes into transform mode.

Once the whole process is done -- an amazing creature emerges.

In the dark, tight, uncomfortableness of that cocoon, after all the intensive changing, rearranging and renewing takes place --

What have you got? A butterfly!

A creature that was remade beautiful. Transformed from homely earthbound creature to one that can soar.

Flying....Great idea! Inquiring Mminds want to know......How to we MFly?

All the gathered glanced down at Spiritual Discipline handout and it said......

Fasting. just like that. big and bold -- except with out the period. i just liked the way it looked with period.

My neighboring seatmate Rick turned and mumbled under his breath something about wondering what was to eat? oh dear. Poor Rick is in need of little primer on fasting.

Pete's Primer on Fasting.

In our culture, the norm is to satisfy every craving at moment (or at least within 30 minutes) of onset of said desire.

What Fasts are not: diets or hunger strikes.
Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.

Centering on God is the Primary Reason. Luke 2:37 & Acts 13:2
* reminds us to center on God
* there is time created for focusing on God.

Fasting can reveal what controls us.
Remind us that we are sustained by God. Matt. 4:4 & John 4:32 -34

Class Fast Chat

Think many gathered had some type of reaction to this fasting idea.

Do without food? Does that mean water only or is juice ok? Coffee -- not my coffee? What if i give up everything but hamburgers and diet coke?

Laree made observation that doing without food might provoke an emotional response to that hunger. What ever trauma is lying there controlled under the surface might break through much easier. Whatever that emotion might be...sadness, anger?

To which sage Margaret replied, "Can't you just drink when those things come up?"

Well, as i sat there pondering away -- did she mean juice or something tad stronger? It became quite evident from class reaction that the liquid refreshment referred to was a juice or "drink" -- that had been fermented or aged little longer than Ocean Spray.

Now query for me at this point in transcription -- should i include a picture of such -- for am typing this within Mad city limits.

But Kirk never reads these things so think i will include this nice etching, line drawing type thing. Think this is very sensible compromise to my "city limits" dilemma.

"You can have food without life...
But can't have life without Me." think Pete said this.

Joe R. asked crowd, "Has anyone fasted?"

Stephanie told all that she had fasted during Lent on Mondays. She reminded us that Kirk had also fasted during Lent.

Types of Fasts

Normal -- no food, just water
Partial -- restriction of diet, but not abstention
Absolute -- no food or water
Group -- prepared people with one purpose

Matt asked, "what is the biblical/historical definition of fasting?" There are lots of examples of all types -- but seems that the traditional view is that of no food and just water to drink.

We know that Jesus fasted for 40 days -- and par usual He had strong views regarding fasting and about the heart of the fast-er and what lay deep within. "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear t men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." Matt 6:16

Good news is that Mstone Mfamily Mphysician MDr. Dan said that fasts are medically safe as long as you are taking in fluids.

For those interested in more information re fasting and prayer and such might want to look intohttp://www.billbright.com/howtofast.

Practical Suggestions

You want to make sure you don't have any health issues -- diabetes, pregnancy.

Our able teacher suggested that you start with a fast of 24 hours.

Though he said he had gone without food for 3 or 4 days or something like that. Good Grief, man are you part camel?

But you looks to be in fairly good health, so don't think it was to any of your harm.

In all honesty, no food -- only water. Think i feel like Joe R. who asked, "What are the benefits?"

Why fast? or could be titled -- guess this means i must think again.



Well, after church yesterday set out on bike -- for i am once again signed up for another tri-race before i sanely call it a summer.

As i was leaving Mad, here came fast Elizabeth on foot over RRtracks. Guess you and Jim have decided on another race too. Now she is fast.

i am not fast on bike. i just seem to think on bike. And thoughts eventually came around to this fasting thing. i just asked myself, "Self, what do you really think about it?"

Kept coming back to thought of no coffee or anything just water. No chips. i mean how would i be civil and not mental towards husband, children and friends?

No food, coffee or adult beverages? Just why was the thought of fasting -- abstention from all -- so disturbing?

Now guess i could do without the food for a while. But no coffee? No fruit of the vine type drinks. Could i do it? Just what was so uncomfortable?

Then it hit me,

Right as i was approaching Rutledge -- I need to be filled. Simple as that. I need to be constantly filled with something.

It was the thought of being completely, absolutely empty that was so terrifying. Why do i like food? It tastes good, gives me energy and fills me up.

Why to i crave caffeine? Because it is an Upper. It is a mood alter-er. i can do more, be more with it in my system. Same is true of other non-water types of emotive enhancers. Ice cream, Iced Cappuccino or something else poured over ice.

A normal fast would entail water and me. bummer.

Yes, here i would sit. Just me. No entertainment.

What would fill me up? What would take the edge off those hunger pains? What would alter me -- help me navigate life?

And guess more honestly -- there would be nothing to enhance my view of me. By being completely empty -- guess all the good and all the bad are pretty exposed. No way to cover, hide or ignore those things i've been trying to escape.

Oh my.

Guess that was whole point. And probably -- at least re me -- why i should ask God if i should fast. The only thing left to fill me up would be God.

Not food, drinks, exercise, extremely loud (albeit great) music or a pill. Just being filled with Him and seeing what He and only He feels like.

How novel and how scary. At least for me.

But maybe i should turn over a few rocks inside -- or let Him turn them over -- and show me what He wants thick-headed, caffeine loving me to learn.

Many thanks again, Pete. i think.

Prayer Requests and Annoucements

Savannah Angel's surgery went amazingly well. She was able to leave the hospital earlier than expected and everyone is very, very thankful.

i have been in moment-by-moment contact with Troy as to whether we will have Sunday School next week. It is Homecoming. There is only one service at 11 a.m. and there is lunch afterwards. FOOD! hurrah! Will be sure to forward any news re Milestone class status.

God Bless, Good Week and ...

"The moral of this story,
Children it is plain but true
God knows if a preacher preaches long enough
Even he'll get hungry too".... lyle lovett