featherfall

servantheartedman:

Breaking a fast, it seems to me, requires greater discipline than fasting.
When fasting, we turn-off the spigot
and just don’t let-in the forsaken element of our diet.
(incidentally, I found this easier for the total fast, than the limited fast.)

Just don’t eat (Insert item here).
Period.
Don’t eat food…
Don’t eat chocolate…
The ever popular: ‘Don’t eat brussle sprouts’
Don’t eat meat, or sweet things or coffee….whatever

But then the fasting comes to an end;
and It’s like the pent-up demand, for all the accrued calories,
just reared-up like a bear on it’s hind legs and demanded my complicity.
A week later and there is not a biscuit safe from this ravenous mouth.

I resolve here to fast regularly. A regular spiritual discipline.
To continue to practice saying “no” the this beast my soul rides.
This ship has a captain.
The wayward currents won’t drag me out to the sea
of unbridled lust for that Oreo; 
That siren song that calls me to the rocks of indiscipline.

I know my redeemer lives and I resolve to practice discipline, in order to be familiar with denying other base desires that vie for my complicity.

And I know it isn’t me who is strong, 
but I recognize that it is me who yields to God or self,
moment-by-moment.
God, help me to exercise listening to you, and denying myself.

Fasting never impressed God, but it showed me the clear line
between desire and commitment to any decision. 

And I pray in response, asking that God help me to answer for this;
this awakening to how easy it actually is to resist (or give into) sin.

• Reblogged from servantheartedman

youmakemewannabebrave:

romansfive8:

I watched as they gathered around, tea in hand and all wrapped up in blankets, comfy on the couches. Chit chat happened and I felt welcomed, it was very lovely. And then it was time to leave and I witnessed as honest responses were exchanged in return to concerned questions. Rawness, that’s what I loved about it. This was community and I felt so blessed to have been a part of it, even if it were only one night. I asked her, how often do you do this? A few times each week was the response. 

I want this, a community of people who want to gather, who want to spend every other night with each other. Who don’t just want to meet up once a month because they see it more important than that. I’ve been wanting this for so long, a community of people who care, because we are called as brothers and sisters in Christ. A community of people who will just exchange texts on a daily basis, asking for prayer, requesting prayer points, sharing encouraging stories and small joys. 

I find my non christian friends more willing to meet up, more willing to give up time. But it’s not the same. I found myself struggling with this all of last year, and it has continued this year - 

I want to pray for this. 
Will you pray with me? 

This. all of this. Praying for this. 

Perfect <3 and I prayed for this for myself, a while ago. It’s real in my life now :)

• Reblogged from onextendedvacation
• Source: onextendedvacation