Here’s a video (in Spanish, but subtitled) about God and ordinary life. All of us pretty much live lives marked by everyday-ness. Perhaps you feel like you live an ordinary life. Saint Josemaría speaks to ordinary life and how God is there leading us toward holiness.
A beautiful story of renewal and sacrifice. Sara wants to be a part of God’s renewal in her neighborhood. May we desire the same.
UMC.org has a short article on what the UMC says about fasting. I’m not sure that fasting for spiritual reasons is practiced much among United Methodist laity. I’m not sure it is practiced much among the clergy either. Here is a section from UMC.org:
Fasting has been a part of Methodism from it’s early beginnings. John Wesley considered fasting an important part of a Christian’s life and he personally fasted weekly. To Wesley, fasting was an important way to express sorrow for sin and penitence for overindulgence in eating and drinking. He believed it allowed more time for prayer and was more meaningful if combined with giving to the poor. Wesley did advise caution against extreme fasting and against fasting for those in fragile health.
via What does The United Methodist Church say about fasting? – UMC.org.
If your health permits I do recommend fasting for a few reasons: 1) It is biblical, 2) it is part of a Wesleyan tradition, 3) it is part of our Christian tradition, and 4) it teaches us to say no to our desires. I’m sure I could come up with a few more reasons.
Wesley practiced fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. Later in life he just fasted on Fridays. Whatever day you choose, make sure to keep in mind that the fast is “unto the Lord.” Fasting is not some merit badge. If we fast for any other reason than to seek God then our fast is misguided.
For most of us, food is readily available. Fasting can be a powerful practice within a culture that focuses on the fulfillment (even immediate fulfillment) of desires, nutritional or otherwise.
There is a UK project called the BigBible Project. The hope is to get more people to integrate the bible into their lives. It sounds like a wonderful project.
N. T. Wright is a supporter of the project. He he even had an hour question and answer session online! I think this is pretty cool. You can listen or watch the interaction. Here are some of the questions (there were 27 in all):
1. Why is Lent important and why is Mark important this Year?
2. How did you choose the language for your NT translation?
3. How can we use the Big Read to help and engage with those who are exploring Christian faith for the first time after the course has finished? Continue reading
For those of you using the YouVersion bible app (or website), there is a Lenten reading plan from N. T. Wright! This is simply awesome. I highly recommend YouVersion both for their breadth of bible versions and especially for the reading plans. If you have a smartphone (Android or IPhone based) this is a great way to integrate the bible into your life. If you don’t have a smart phone, you can have YouVersion send you the reading via email! Enjoy!
Lent for Everyone is a devotional created and written by N.T. (Tom) Wright. For each day of Lent, there is a reading chosen from the Gospel of Matthew, plus a reflection by Wright. These readings have grown out of a project encouraging Lent reading in Northern England. This is the second in a three-volume series based on the Revised Common Lectionary of the Church of England.
via Reading Plans – YouVersion.com.
Over the past month or so I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to deny myself during Lent. In the past, I’ve given up chocolate, pizza, pop (soda), or other things I’ve enjoyed. This year it has been a difficult decision. I haven’t been eating that much chocolate. I stopped drinking soda (pop) over the summer. I’ve slowed down on the pizza intake. So, what should I give up?
Well, there really was only one thing left and it is going to be difficult to give up. I’ve posted before about my love of McDonald’s Sweet Tea. It is the nectar of heaven and I’ve realized after much thought that it is the only thing that would be a real sacrifice (as far as food and beverages go).
Continue reading
Andres Segovia was one of the best classical guitarists of all times. One of his students wrote an interesting article about how Segovia practiced:
This is what he taught me and told me was his method. Practice in setsof fifteen minutes, divided into two sets of seven to eight minutes with ashort break between. At the end of each fifteen minutes, take a 3 minutebreak, stand up, get a glass of water, stretch, etc. but be sure to take amoment to focus your eyes on something far away to relax your eyes from the close work of the page and the fret board and to clear your mind. Startagain and do three fifteen minute sets, totaling 45 minutes of intensepractice. This time at the end of the third set take a real break ofabout fifteen minutes. Repeat this 3-set practice routine for a total of five times. At that point you will have spent around five and a half hours.
via Classical Guitar – Segovia’s Advice About Practicing | Eric Henderson Blog.
Five and a half hours of practice? On top of this, he would do the same routine in the afternoon, and I believe also in the evening. I wonder if the reason why I don’t play better, is because I don’t spend much time practicing. I really don’t have fifteen or so hours to practice a day. Some days, I don’t practice at all. I’m sure that if I spent even one hour a day in practice I’d play guitar much, much, better. Practice transforms me and my ability to play. Continue reading
Here’s a prayer from St. Francis of Assisi. I hope one day to truly pray this from my heart:
Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God,
grant us in our misery [the grace]
to do for You alone
what we know You want us to do,
and always
to desire what pleases You.
From St. Francis of Assisi
How Virtue Drives Out Vice
1. Where there is charity (love) and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance.
2. Where there is patience and humility,
there is neither anger nor disturbance.
3. Where there is poverty with joy,
there is neither covetousness nor avarice (greed).
4. Where there is inner peace and meditation,
there is neither anxiousness nor dissipation.
5. Where there is fear of the Lord to guard the house (cf. Lk 11:21),
there the enemy cannot gain entry.
6. Where there is mercy and discernment,
there is neither excess nor hardness of heart.