Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 24

Know the Rules Before You Break the Rules

Film classes

This month we are going to be talking about Sabbath. A lot of nuance to how important is it, how do you do it, is a command for Christians…

But it is one of the ten commandments (same list as don’t commit adultery and don’t murder). And before we get very far in our discussion of sabbath, I want you to start by just experiencing it.

Here’s the command

Exodus 20:8-11

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth,the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

• You (and family you have direct authority over), do no work on one full day this week. That means no job, and it means no chores.
• Furthermore, typical Jewish practice we will get into later was to honor the sabbath by not doing any commerce either. So don’t buy anything that day.
• So this will take a touch of planning (for instance what are you going to have for dinner)
• Rest, enjoy what God has given you, spend time with loved ones…

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 15

Outhouse on Rocks

Freshman debate

Looking for research to fit my argument

Those of us who are trying to put the Bible into practice often approach the Bible like I did debate research. We are looking for something that fits. We probably already have a change we want to make…

But submission is not like that. This week we are going to be talking about submitting to the Bible.

Not how Jesus describes approaching His words:

Matthew 7:24-27

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Idea of building on the rock takes me back to one afternoon in Mexico. Two of Peluche’s brothers were digging an outhouse in front of their mom’s house. In the rock…

You build in rock because you have to.

Challenge: Read Matthew 5-7 this week and submit to one of Jesus’ commands.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 14

Limits of Submission

1st Peter 2:13-23

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,

   and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Acts 4:8-20

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,

   which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Titus 2:9-12

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

“The limits of the Discipline of submission are at the points at which it becomes destructive. It then becomes a denial of the law of love as taught by Jesus and is an affront to genuine biblical submission (Matt. 5, 6, and 7 and especially 22:37-39). [Foster, p.120]

Matthew 22:37-40

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Challenge:

Don’t have to take any action this week!!

But you do have to spend time thinking on a time (after you became a Christian) when you submitted to something that you should not have. Don’t come and say you could not think of one unless you spend a full 30 minutes trying to think on one.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 13

Fathers and Mothers

1st Corinthians 4:14-21

14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Spiritual father/mother is:

Rare

Someone you imitate

Who loves you with authority: to both correct and encourage. Worthy of submission (with rare exceptions. Ultimate submission always to Christ)

How do you get one:

• Pay attention to people who are further along.
• Do some trial runs of advice seeking and submission
• Get around them regularly. Then see what develops
  • You could ask to be mentored in a specific area, or find a way to work alongside them.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 12

Potatoes and Hot Dogs

Forced out of picky eater

“…Jesus calls us to self-denial without self-hatred. Self-denial is simply a way of coming to understand that we do not have to have our own way. Our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want.” (Foster, p.113)

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Challenge: 7 times this week when you and another person face a decision, get them to pick what to do.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 19

The baby

The man in the city

The woman on the mountain

My experience on a mountain overlooking Monterrey.

“Much of our Bible reading is fragmentary and sporadic…Consider taking a major book of the Bible, like Genesis or Jeremiah, and read it straight through. Notice the structure and flow of the book. Note areas of difficulty and return to them later. Jot down thoughts and impressions.”

Challenge: Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John in one sitting. Jot down your thoughts and impressions. Bring your paper with you to our next meeting.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 18

Philippians 1:9-11

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Study others

Potential pitfalls of judgement and depression we will get to, but first:

“We should become attentive to the ordinary relationships we encounter throughout the day: at home, work, school. We notice the things that control people. Remember, we are not trying to condemn or judge anyone; we are only trying to learn. If we do find a judging spirit emerging within ourselves, we observe that and learn.” (Foster, p.74-75)

• Foster notes paying attention to people’s self-justification.
• Noticing the heart condition of the guy I didn’t like at Frisbee (only saw after I started praying for him)
• Noticing a guy’s eyes when a pretty girl walks by.

Potential pitfalls:

1. Judgemental attitude
2. Can be depressing and self-defeating

Challenge:

One day this week pray Philippians 1:9-11 over your day and ask God to help you study others. Write study on your hand. Fold a piece of paper and put it with a pen in your pocket. Throughout the day do your best to study the people you interact with. Write out your insights.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 17

High School buddies on I-70 west…

There is a huge difference between studying the Bible and reading it devotionally. Foster says, “In the study of Scripture a high priority is placed upon interpretation: what it means. In the devotional reading of Scripture a high priority is placed upon application: what it means for me. All too often people rush to the application stage and bypass the interpretation stage: they want to know what it means for them before they know what it means! Also, we are not seeking spiritual ecstasy in study; in fact, ecstasy can be a hindrance. When we study a book of the BIble we are seeking to be controlled by the intent of the author. We are determined to hear what he is saying, not what we want him to say. We want life-transforming truth, not just good feelings. We are willing to pay the price of barren day after barren day until the meaning is clear. This process revolutionizes our lives.” (Foster, p.69)

Challenge. Study John 3:1-21

• What does it mean? (not what does it mean for me)
• What is the author saying?
• What is the Life-transforming truth?

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 16

Four Steps of Study

(Foster, p. 64-65) Four Steps of Study:

1. Repetition
2. Concentration
3. Comprehension
4. Reflection

Challenge:

Read an entire book of the New Testament each day this week. Bonus, do it for the whole month.

Describe my experience in Mexico

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 15 (23 in 2018)

This week our challenge is going to be a 36 hour fast…

Want you to be thinking in preparation for our month on fasting to end about how you want fasting to continue in your life, if at all.

Why? Well in the first podcast this month we talked about Jesus’ encouraging words about fasting, not a command but more of an invitation. I want to touch on what I think will be at the heart of a decision to totally leave fasting (something I have often done): self-indulgence.

Here’s two passages to look at:

Warning

Matthew 23:25

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Does fasting actually help you as a discipline (may not be worthwhile for you to continue compared to other disciplines)

Colossians 2:22-23

22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Possibility of longer fasts

With 36 hour

• Once a month
• Once a week

My experience stops here. I’m going to lean heavily on Richard Foster’s thoughts for these next two options.

3-7 days

“Three to seven days is a good time period and will probably have a substantial impact on the course of your life.” (Foster, 58)

Over 7 days

Talk to someone who has experience before you proceed.

“The first three days are usually, the most difficult in terms of physical discomfort and hunger pains. The body is beginning to rid itself of the toxins that have built up over years of poor eating habits, and it is not a comfortable process. This is the reason for the coating on the tongue and bad breath. Do not be disturbed by these symptoms; rather be grateful for the increased health and well-being that will result. You may experience headaches during this time, especially if you are an avid coffee or tea drinker. Those are mild withdrawal symptoms that will pass though they may be very unpleasant for a time.

By the fourth day the hunger pains are beginning to subside though you will have feelings of weakness and occasional dizziness. The dizziness is only temporary and caused by sudden changes in position. Move more slowly and you will have no difficulty. The weakness can come to the point where the simplest task takes great effort. Rest is the best remedy. Many find this the most difficult period of the fast.

By the sixth or seventh day you will begin to feel stronger and more alert. Hunger pains will continue to diminish until by the ninth or tenth day they are only a minor irritation. The body will have eliminated the bulk of toxins and you will feel good. Your sense of concentration will be sharpened and you will feel as if you could continue fasting indefinitely. Physically this is the most enjoyable part of the fast.

Anywhere between twenty-one and forty days or longer, depending on the individual, hunger pains will return. This is the first stage of starvation and the pains signal that the body has used up its reserves and is beginning to draw on the living tissue. The fast should be broken at this time…

Before commencing an extended fast, some are tempted to eat a good deal to “stock up.” That is most unwise; in fact, slightly lighter than normal meals are best for the day or two before a fast. You would also be well advised to abstain from coffee or tea three days before beginning a longer fast. If the last meal in the stomach is fresh fruits and vegetables, you should have no difficulty with constipation.

An extended fast should be broken with fruit or vegetable juice, with small amounts taken at first. Remember that the stomach has shrunk considerably and the entire digestive system has gone into a kind of hibernation. By the second day you should be able to eat fruit and then milk or yogurt. Next you can eat fresh salads and cooked vegetables. Avoid all salad dressing, grease, and starch. Extreme care should be taken not to overeat. It is good during this time to consider future diet and eating habits to see if you need to be more disciplined and in control of your appetite.

Although the physical aspects of fasting intrigue us, we must never forget that the major work of scriptural fasting is in the realm of the spirit. What goes on spiritually is much more important than what is happening bodily. You will be engaging in spiritual warfare that will necessitate using all the weapons of Ephesians 6. One of the most critical periods spiritually is at the end of the fast when we have a natural tendency to relax. But I do not want to leave the impression that all fasting is a heavy spiritual struggle—I have not found it so. It is also “…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17).

Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in any other way. It is a means of God’s grace and blessing that should not be neglected any longer.”

(Foster, 59-60)

Challenge:

Fast for 36 hours (from time you go to bed through an entire day and break your fast after waking the following day). Water only during the fast.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Elizabeth O’Conner, Search for Silence, 1971

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 14 (22 in 2018)

Mentioned last week we were going to be continuing on with more potential benefits of fasting. Today we are going to cover five in an overview:

1. Group fasts. Bond and empower. Way to show extra concern when there is nothing you can do to help the situation directly.
2. Guidance
   1. Acts 13:2-3 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
   2. Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
3. Power
   1. Ester 4:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
4. Vacation from certain temptation
   1. Marina
5. Insight
   1. Quote below

Once a week for two years…

“1. I felt it a great accomplishment to go a whole day without food. Congratulated myself on the fact that I found it so easy….

2. Began to see that the above was hardly the goal of fasting. Was helped in this by beginning to feel hunger….
3. Began to relate the food fast to other areas of my life where I was more compulsive…. I did not have to have a seat on the bus to be contented, or to be cool in the summer and warm when it was cold.

4.… Reflected more on Christ’s suffering and the suffering of those who are hungry and have hungry babies….  

5. Six months after beginning the fast discipline, I began to see why a two-year period has been suggested. The experience changes along the way. Hunger on fast days became acute, and the temptation to eat stronger. For the first time I was using the day to find God’s will for my life. Began to think about what it meant to surrender one’s life.
6. I now know that prayer and fasting must be intricately bound together. There is no other way, and yet that way is not yet combined in me.”

(Quoted in Foster p. 58; from O’Conner, p. 103-104)

All five of these things, group bonding, guidance, power, vacation from certain temptations, and insight are great. But don’t get so focused on them we forget to keep God as the center of our fast.

This week’s challenge:

Same duration (skip a dinner and lunch), but this time only water (no juice).

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 13 (21 in 2018)

Next couple of podcasts we are going to be talking about benefits that can come from fasting.

But Out of the gate, gotta emphasize: we must center our fasting on Jesus.

“If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Physical benefits, success in prayer, the enduing with power, spiritual insights–these must never replace God as the center of our fasting.”

(Foster, p.55)

Today we are going to be talking about how fasting can help us understand ourselves better.

One reason is that under that stress what’s inside comes out. Like a tube of toothpaste getting squeezed. You find out what is inside.

• So on a fast when you say something cruel, or have a temper, or get overwhelmed…
• Fasting reveals things that control us
  • Obviously there can be some basics like a caffeine dependency
  • But at a deeper level, it shows when some of our comforts are taken away, what is beneath the surface of us.
• This training ground gives us insights on things to work on.

So as you fast, take note of what you are doing and what you are feeling. Come back and share with us the insights you find.

This week’s challenge is the same duration as last week: we are going to fast between one lunch and another (so you skip dinner and breakfast). Obviously you cannot eat during this fast, but this time you are more limited in what you can drink as well. Only water and fruit juice. You will feel hunger this time and you will potentially have a caffeine withdrawal headache.

A possible tip on the caffeine if it worries you: go off caffeine two days in advance so you are fighting the withdrawal while you are hungry.