Close to our Savior, our
brother
feeling the yoke, the weight
He carried
the cross He bore, for me,
for you
walking yoked with him, as
were His first disciples
feeling His strength, His
suffering, His courage
the Word made flesh, walking
this journey
guiding us, walking here with
us
Closer to Christ, in this
Lenten season
feeling Him with us along
the way
marching, as His apostles, His
witnesses
out into the world, His
messengers
His light closer to them,
the outcasts
those who need His love
those like you and me
edited January 18, 2014
Closer to Christ – v2
February 21, 2009
Closer to Christ
based on email Partners in Ministry message
2/20/09 from Bishop Peter Weaver
“TIME AND FASTING.
As we begin Lent, I would once
again commend to you the wonderful spiritual discipline of fasting. John Wesley
considered it one of the six primary "means of Grace." But I was surprised
to read TIME magazine’s cover story (Feb. 23) on "How Faith Can Heal"
commending fasting also. "One of the staples of both traditional wellness
protocols and traditional religious rituals is the cleansing fast, which is
said to purge toxins... Done right, these fasts may lead to a state of clarity
and even euphoria." Dr. Catherine Gordon of Children's Hospital Boston is
quoted about the positive changes that occur in the body and brain (and I would
add, spirit) during a "short-term fast." The "Wesley fast"
consists of not eating from after dinner on one day to just before dinner on
the next day... giving up two meals over a twenty four hour period. If you have
any questions about your health you should check with your doctor first. It can
be tough at first, but the members of the congregations I served and I found it
to be a great blessing whether used just during Lent, or year around as Wesley
did.
There are other
forms of fasting, such as foregoing things we think we "can't do
without" like television or shopping for non-necessities. The time saved
or the money saved can then be put to extra time for meditation or supporting
special mission projects. It becomes a plus, not really a minus. Fasting
centers us in the Spirit, confirming that strength that is greater than our
appetites. It is an exercise in "God's will, not mine be done." What
may seem at first to be "denial" becomes "affirmation," and
that which at first seems to be "depriving" becomes a fullness of
cleansing and clarity. Try it yourself, and commend it to your congregation.
Whatever spiritual
disciplines you undertake during Lent, I pray that they will draw you closer to Christ, the Cross, and
New Life!”
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poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 27,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
