Week 4-September 15, 2007-Sabbath

Scripture Readings

Day 1 Psalm 11, Luke 4:1-13
Day 2 Psalm 12, Luke 4:14-15
Day 3 Psalm 13, Luke 4:16-30
Day 1 Psalm 14, Luke 4:31-37
Day 1 Psalm 15, Luke 4:38-44

Practice 3: Sabbath

This week is a break from the eight practices mentioned previously, but the practice this week was central to early Methodism-sabbath. Sabbath is the practice of giving one 24 hour a week to the Lord. For Jews, the period has historically been from sundown Friday, till sundown Saturday. It is a time for family and friends with no work. It is a time for worship and renewal. Jesus got into trouble for healing on the sabbath (which was against Jewish law) but he never repealed the practice and thought it was central to the Jewish faith. It was also important in early Methodism. Breaking the sabbath regularly got one expelled from the Methodist movement. Practicing sabbath was a test of faith in a time when most people worked 6 full days a week and many 7. Am I willing to trust God to provide for me?

I find it to be one of the most difficult of Christian practices. For some reason I find it hard to rest on the seventh day, even though God was able to do so after making all creation.

This week, try to make a space for a full 24 hour period of time for worship, friends, and family. Blessings, Jack

Faith through fasting

I had a thought about fasting the other day that I wanted to share. I remember feeling very hungry by Wednesday night, but I noticed that I was not worried or anxious about not having food. Of course not, because I knew that, the next morning, I would eat again. I’ve never been truly in need of food, because it has always been available. I was relating that to how I feel when money is tight. I sometimes worry (or panic even), wondering if/how I’ll have enough to meet my needs, when in actuality, I’ve never gone without something I’ve needed (or at least I cannot remember such a time). If only I had the same faith when I am broke as I did when I was hungry. God provides. If I am suffering, relief is coming. I just don’t know how or when most of the time. But should I ever doubt the Lord’s faithfulness? Of course not. He is good and loving and perfect. He does not break his promises, and He promises to meet our needs. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness.

Having another go at it

Decided to try fasting again. I had a bowl of cereal this morning, and my goal is to make it until tomorrow morning without eating anything else. I'm hungry...

So much for good habits

My efforts last week were less then stellar. Some may even call them "pathetic." I read the scriptures, but I did them all this past weekend. I didn't even try to fast. I did take communion, but I almost didn't do that. I don't know why. It was a bad week in many ways. Anyhow, I just wanted to share in order to stay accountable.

I fall down. I get back up. Jesus still loves me.

C2

Week 3-September 15, 2007-Weekly Communion

Scripture Readings

Day 1 Psalm 6, Luke 3:1-6
Day 2 Psalm 7, Luke 3:7-20
Day 3 Psalm 8, Luke 3:21-22
Day 1 Psalm 9, Luke 3:23-38
Day 1 Psalm 10, repeat one of the above passages from Luke

Practice 3: Weekly Communion
One of the earliest practices of the Christian Church was communion-the taking of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. For some communion has been a reminder of Jesus. In some traditions communion is thought to be the actual body and blood of Christ. No matter what the thought, the practice of taking communion has been important in almost all Christian traditions. The founders of the Methodist tradition emphasized communion at least weekly and preferably 2 or 3 times per week. For them, communion was a means of grace-a unique way that the Sprint interacted with people. To miss regular communion was to miss one of the best opportunities for connecting with God. At our present church, communion is offered at one of the Sunday worship services each week. If your church doesn't have communion this Sunday, try to find one that does, even if it means worshiping in another congregation this Sunday or asking your pastor for it, or finding a midweek location for communion. Blessings this week, Jack

Good habits

I really don't have too much to say after 1 week, but I wanted to post something to get in the habit. I read the recommended scriptures this week which, I'll admit, was a lot more Bible reading than I had done in a while. I'm hoping that the recommended readings each week will lead to a more consistent reading of the Bible for me. I also attempted to fast this past Wednesday. I had a bowl of cereal early in the morning and didn't eat anything again until about 9 o'clock that night. It wasn't very hard, although my stomach started growling around the time I usually eat lunch. One thing I did notice though was that whenever I felt at all like eating something, it made me think about God. I guess that is the point. It was also a good exercise in not indulging my every whim.

I'm interested in reading any one else's experience.

Week 2- September 9, 2007

Welcome to week 2.

Here are some suggested Scripture readings for the week:

Day 1, Psalm 1, Luke 2:1-7
Day 2, Psalm 2, Luke 2:8-20
Day 3, Psalm 3, Luke 2:21-38
Day 4, Psalm 4, Luke 2:39-40
Day 5, Psalm 5, Luke 2:41-52

Methodist Practice: Weekly Worship
It has always been part of the Christian practice to worship weekly with a community of other followers of Christ. One of the mantras in our culture is that one can be a Christian without attending worship or being part of a church. This may be true for the short term, but not the long. I don't know a single person who has remained a disciple of Jesus without being part of a worshiping community of other Christians.
One of the struggles in our rich culture is that so often people are gone on a weekend from their local place of worship for vacation or work. One important commitment to make to the Christian life is to be in worship once a week, even when on vacation, whenever possible. It takes extra work, but it will pay off in our life of faith.
Blessings this week, Jack