DAY 12...I Believe, Part 2 - And Fasting
"Drinking whole milk is bad for you!" "You should drink whole milk instead of skim." "Don't eat butter!" "Butter has good qualities" -They
Who are "They" and what do "they" know? It seems like we put a lot of stock in what the nutrition community has to say. That's generally probably a good thing. But they're not always right about what we should and shouldn't put in our bodies. They try, but it always seems to change.
I wonder what the Church has been saying for the last 2000 or so years?
FInally, Part 3 of 3.
If you remember the story that we've been focusing on for the last few days, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why could we not cast it (the demon) out?” So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
We discussed prayer yesterday. So we'll focus more on fasting today. Why is fasting important? Fasting gives us an appreciation for food. I allows us to discipline our bodies and souls using something that is a necessity in our life. It produces self control and if done properly promotes a level of self denial.
It also gives us the ability to focus away from our wants and desires and on to God instead.
Who are "They" and what do "they" know? It seems like we put a lot of stock in what the nutrition community has to say. That's generally probably a good thing. But they're not always right about what we should and shouldn't put in our bodies. They try, but it always seems to change.
I wonder what the Church has been saying for the last 2000 or so years?
FInally, Part 3 of 3.
If you remember the story that we've been focusing on for the last few days, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why could we not cast it (the demon) out?” So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
We discussed prayer yesterday. So we'll focus more on fasting today. Why is fasting important? Fasting gives us an appreciation for food. I allows us to discipline our bodies and souls using something that is a necessity in our life. It produces self control and if done properly promotes a level of self denial.
It also gives us the ability to focus away from our wants and desires and on to God instead.
We are currently about almost two weeks into the great lenten fast. There are actually four fasting periods in the Orthodox Church.
1. Advent - 40 days leading to the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)
2. Great Lent - 40 days leading to Pascha
3. The Apostles Fast - Period between the second Monday after Pascha until June 29th (Sts. Peter and Paul)
4. Fast of the Panagia - August 1-14th
It is also suggested that we fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year.
If you keep all the fasts throughout the year, you may end up fasting more days than not. (Depending on the year).
Fasting has proven scientifically to have health and environmental benefits. Hmm, looks like the Church's health habits are time tested, scientifically approved.
There are different types of fasting. Fasting from certain foods like meat and dairy and then there is fasting from food all together.
Go a day or, better yet, go three days without eating anything. (if you are capable of this, consult a doctor if necessary). After you do that, you'll feel like you can accomplish anything.
This has been a lesson on fasting, but fasting, together with prayer and belief, all things are possible with God.
1. Advent - 40 days leading to the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)
2. Great Lent - 40 days leading to Pascha
3. The Apostles Fast - Period between the second Monday after Pascha until June 29th (Sts. Peter and Paul)
4. Fast of the Panagia - August 1-14th
It is also suggested that we fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year.
If you keep all the fasts throughout the year, you may end up fasting more days than not. (Depending on the year).
Fasting has proven scientifically to have health and environmental benefits. Hmm, looks like the Church's health habits are time tested, scientifically approved.
There are different types of fasting. Fasting from certain foods like meat and dairy and then there is fasting from food all together.
Go a day or, better yet, go three days without eating anything. (if you are capable of this, consult a doctor if necessary). After you do that, you'll feel like you can accomplish anything.
This has been a lesson on fasting, but fasting, together with prayer and belief, all things are possible with God.
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 2. Check out, "Rebooting the Brain" and "Fighting Smart"
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. Could I go a day without food? Could I go 3 days? 2. How does not eating help me focus on God?
Today's Tips: Reconnect with people when you have urges. Get up and write some more thank you notes.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.
