Link #90
Greetings in the name of Jesus.
We regret that we've had some technical problems and as a result have fallen behind on the Bloor Central Link notifications. This week we are hoping to get the situation resolved.
It did seem important to get some kind of communication out today as the season of Lent begins tomorrow. In the 40 days leading up to Good Friday and Easter, Christians around the world take time to prepare themselves to meet the risen Jesus on Easter morning.
Some of you will know that the most traditional way to prepare is through fasting. There are many people who stopped reading when they saw that word "fasting". Even in Salvation Army tradition it was not something I grew up with. However, Karen and I would like to encourage you to take some time (hopefully today or tomorrow) to think about how you could introduce fasting to your life. Please note - I'm NOT talking about going without food for 40 days! It is important that fasting be slowly introduced to your life. Let me introduce you to a few thoughts.
The basic function of spiritual fasting (specifically Christian fasting) is to make more room in your life for God. You intentionally try to separate yourself from worldly attachements to draw closer to God. It is recognizing something in your life that you can do without and by so doing makes you more available to God. Some fast for a meal, or a day, or three to make them more available for prayer. Some fast from the internet, TV or sports for the same reason. Some fast from shopping or entertainment so they can use the money they save to give to God. A few years ago someone at the Church fasted from hockey - the time he normally spent watching hockey was spent reading his bible. I had a friend that one year fasted from samosas (something he normally enjoyed daily). Each time he felt prompted to go for a samosa during Lent he put aside $3 (the cost of his favourite samosas). On Easter Sunday he made a special offering to God of the money he'd saved on samosas.
This week Karen gave five questions for us to consider this week. Taking time during Lent to focus on such questions can offer some structure to focus on important issues. Inviting the Lord into these reflections can be powerful in preparing us for a very special Easter. Just to remind you of the questions....
What is it you most want?
What are you looking for in the years remaining to you?
What do you still want to do with yoru life?
What kind of person do you want to become before you die?
What kind of life do you want to live?
Blessings to all.