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.

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 (20 in 2018)

What is Fasting (inspired by Foster’s book)

Some rare variations in the Bible, but typically fasting is simply abstaining from all food and drinks except water. Like the other disciplines, fasting should center on God. Our primary reason to fast is to connect with Jesus. We will talk a little more about that at our next meeting.

For now, let’s look briefly at the key things Jesus can teach us about fasting:

Matthew 4:1-3

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil.2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

• Jesus fasted. Good reason for us to.
• Note a long time in solitude and fasting right before ministry.

Matthew 6:16-18

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

• When you fast…not a command, but…
• Fast in secret. Practically it is ok to let those who need to know know, but keep it underwraps from those who don’t have a specific reason to know.
• Fasting for the right reasons is rewarded by God.

Matthew 9:14-15

14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

(then goes on to talk about patches and wineskins)

• There is a right time to fast (note acts 13:2 and 14:23 couple examples of fasting in Acts)
• Again this is not a command, but there is a place for fasting. Think of it as an invitation from Jesus.

The good thing is, we don’t just have to understand fasting by talking about it. We get to do it this month, several times.

Before I get to this week’s challenge, let me share some practical tips with you about fasting:

• If possible, spend the time you normally eat in prayer/meditation
• Realize what your hunger is (not starving, just pattern of acid production in stomach…). Harness it as a reminder to focus your day and your dependence on God. Our memory verse this month can help.
• Drink plenty of water. Sipping it can help with hunger pains.
• Don’t “stock up” on food before. Eat smaller meals. Roles of raw fruits and veggies before/after a fast
• May feel cold easier, take a jacket
• Try to avoid sudden movements, like jumping up from a chair. Could feel light-headed.
• Medical concerns

This week’s challenge:

Starting fairly easy and are going to ramp up a little each week. To start, one day this week you are going to fast for 24 hours between two lunches.

• Meaning you will not eat after lunch one day until eating lunch the following day. So you will only be skipping dinner and breakfast.
• For this first fast, we are not going to do a traditional Biblical fast. You will be able to drink any liquids you want during this time. Such as fruit juice, coffee, and even milk. Just don’t start blending up food to drink.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart, 1981 p.27-28

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 11

First time facing the pull-up bar…

Hated it, avoided it, because it showed me something true about me…but I prefered my own story about myself.

Henri Nouwen: [||||| added] “In solitude I get rid of my scaffolding: no friends to talk with, no telephone calls to make, no meetings to attend, no music to entertain, no books to distract, just me—naked, vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, broken—nothing. ||||| It is this nothingness that I have to face in my solitude, a nothingness so dreadful that everything in me wants to run to my friends, my work, and my distractions so that I can forget my nothingness and make myself believe that I am worth something. ||||| But that is not all. As soon as I decide to stay in my solitude, confusing ideas, disturbing images, wild fantasies, and weird associations jump about in my mind like monkeys in a banana tree. Anger and greed begin to show their ugly faces. I give long, hostile speeches to my enemies and dream lustful dreams in which I am wealthy, influential, and very attractive—or poor, ugly, and in need of immediate consolation. ||||| Thus I try again to run from the dark abyss of my nothingness and restore my false self in all its vainglory.

The task is to persevere in my solitude, to stay in my cell until all my seductive visitors get tired of pounding on my door and leave me alone… ||||| The struggle is real because the danger is real. It is the danger of living the whole of our life as one long defense against the reality of our condition, one restless effort to convince ourselves of our virtuousness. Yet Jesus ‘did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).|||||

That is the struggle. It is the struggle to die to the false self. ||||| But this struggle is far, far beyond our own strength. Anyone who wants to fight his demons with his own weapons is a fool. The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Challenge: Spend 3-4 hours this week in solitude and silence. Go to a place you can be alone, whether in nature or indoors. No books, music, electronics…You are looking to let go of your false-self and surrender to Jesus

All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

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 10

Surprise support from people I didn’t know.

“Jake was always someone you could trust.”

Proverbs 27:2

“Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—

   a stranger, not your own lips”

Psalm 37:3-7a

“Trust in the Lord and do good.

   Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the Lord,

   and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

   Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

   and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord,

   and wait patiently for him to act.”

“One of the fruits of silence is the freedom to let God be our justifier. We don’t need to straighten others out. There is a story of a medieval monk who was being unjustly accused of certain offenses. One day he looked out his window and saw a dog biting and tearing on a rug that had been hung out to dry. As he watched, the Lord spoke to him saying, ‘That is what is happening to your reputation. But if you will trust me, I will care for you – reputation and all.’ Perhaps more than anything else, silence brings us to believe that God can care for us – ‘reputation and all.’” -Celebration of Discipline

Challenge: Go a whole day without trying to shape people’s impression of you with words. This includes no explaining your actions (typically an attempt to make sure people see us the way we want)

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Henri Nouwen, Letters to Marc about Jesus, 1998, p.84

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 09

Turn up the Radio

Shocked by my sister’s method to deal with noises in her mustang…

We are intimidated, even afraid to listen. Listening is something avoided because it would reveal things. It would require change.

But even a short daily time of listening to Jesus can bring a radical change in your life. Here’s what Henri Nouwen wrote in a letter to his nephew:

“Praying is first and foremost listening to Jesus, who dwells in the very depths of your heart. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t thrust himself upon you. His voice is an unassuming voice, very nearly a whisper, the voice of a gentle love. Whatever you do with your life, go on listening to the voice of Jesus in your heart. This listening must be an active and very attentive listening, for in our restless and noisy world Jesus’ loving voice is easily drowned out. You need to set aside some time every day for this active listening to Jesus, if only for 10 minutes. Ten minutes each day for Jesus alone can bring about a radical change in your life.

You’ll find that it isn’t easy to be still for 10 minutes at a time. You’ll discover straightaway that many other voices—voices that are very noisy and distracting, voices which are not God’s—demand your attention. But if you stick to your daily prayer time, then slowly but surely you’ll come to hear the gentle voice of love and will long more and more to listen to it.”

Challenge: (First note that the final week this month will have a challenge that will require 3-4 hours, you may need to schedule that time now).

This week’s challenge extends for every day the rest of the month: Spend 10 minutes listening to Jesus.

All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

John Ortberg, Life You’ve Always Wanted, 2002, p.82-83

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 08

Sunset Fatigue

Ortberg: Kill hurry or it will kill your spiritual life

Challenge: Cultivating slowing down by forcing yourself to not hurry in a specific way (such as always driving the speed limit/not pass anyone, or take the longest line, or chewing every bite 18 times…)

All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

John Ortberg, Life You’ve Always Wanted, 2002, p.82-83

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 08

Sunset Fatigue

Ortberg: Kill hurry or it will kill your spiritual life

Challenge: Cultivating slowing down by forcing yourself to not hurry in a specific way (such as always driving the speed limit/not pass anyone, or take the longest line, or chewing every bite 18 times…)

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 04

‘84 Celebrity

Discipline this month Simplicity

Simplicity fad

“Freedom from anxiety is characterized by three inner attitudes. If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety. This is the inward reality of simplicity. However, if what we have we believe we have gotten, and if what we have we believe we must hold onto, and if what we have is not available to others, then we will live in anxiety. Such persons will never know simplicity regardless of the outward contortions they may put themselves through in order to live “the simple life.”

(Foster, p. 88)

Challenge: Looking back at Foster’s quote, find something you, believe we have gotten, you must hold onto, and is not available to others. If you can’t figure one out, here’s the dead giveaway: something you have had anxiety about recently.

Take that thing, thank God for it as the gift from Him that it is, pray and ask God to take care of it and help you to trust Him to, and make it available to someone else this week.

Some examples: car, house, favorite hat…

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 07

Swimming Lessons

Remember swimming lessons as a kid?

All the kids holding the wall at the start, twisting to see the instructor towards the middle of the pool.

Things had to start somewhere, they had to get us letting go of the wall…floating…treading water.

To be free in the water you have start somewhere. To have the freedom of simplicity you have to let go of something.

Luke 12:32-34

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

James 2:20-22

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Challenge:

Pray and ask God what is something that has too great a hold in your heart. Then take a direct action against holding on to that.

• You may think you don’t have anything. Really spend some time praying.
• Hint: look for things you defend. May be a possession, may be a form of pride…
• On Wednesday we want to know both what has too great a hold in your heart and what contrary action you took.

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Richard Foster, Freedom of Simplicity, 1981

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 06

What’s something on your mind that you need? Probably assuming you will buy it?

Matthew 7:7-11

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Here’s what Richard Foster talks about trying for one week in his book Freedom of Simplicity…

So the challenge is to:

• Pick something you planned on purchasing
• Pray for it for a week
• If at the end of the week you haven’t received it, consider if you need it. If so, purchase it.
• If you receive it, then give the money you would have spent to the poor.

A word of caution, this is not a test of God:

Matthew 4:7

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

The yes or no does not prove God, but it should have an effect on you:

• Slow down impulse buy.
• Open door for God to provide
• If we do not receive it, leads to some good reflections
• If we do receive it, overflow with thankfulness and a new perspective on our Provider

>>If you think, ‘I don’t have anything I need to purchase.’ You can take an ulterior challenge of giving away five things to five individuals.

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.

Yuval Harari, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 2017

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 05 

Grandma’s Ring

Original air date 2-8-18

One of the keys to simplicity is satisfaction.

“We do not become satisfied by leading a peaceful and prosperous existence. Rather, we become satisfied when reality matches our expectations. The bad news is that as conditions improve, expectations balloon.” ―Yuval Noah Harari

Grandma’s wedding ring.

When “enough” is just a little more than you have, just a little more than you can handle, then you are light years away from simplicity.

Inward reality of satisfaction

Philippians 4:10-13

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

“The Christian Discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style…We deceive ourselves if we believe we can possess the inward reality without its having a profound effect on how we live.” –Richard Foster (p.79)

Two actions, you can pick one for your challenge.

1. Reject anything producing an addiction in you
2. Enjoy something without owning it

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Henri Nouwen, Letters to Marc About Jesus, 1987

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 04

Rose Colored Window

Henri Nouwen describing a worship service he was at while traveling in France:

“It was an extraordinary experience to be able to look from the high altar into the majestic Gothic nave (central high ceiling) and see the sunlight pouring through the beautiful rose window. During his sermon, the preacher pointed to that huge round window of stained glass and said, “It is a work of art made by human beings. But unless God’s sun shines through it we see nothing.” (p.39)

We are utterly dependant on God.

Foster even brings up that we need God’s help to have the desire to meditate and hear His voice.

This week I want you to pray for the desire to meditate, but also for God’s help in this week’s challenge. Your challenge is to teach someone else to meditate.

Challenge:

• With one or more people
• Pick one of the forms we have already done this month (putting yourself in a passage, focusing on something in nature…)
• Explain how, and then guide them through a joint time of meditating together
• When you finish, ask them to explain their experience and any insights they gained.
• Listen. Reflect on what they say.
• Do not respond with your insights unless directly asked to do so.

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 03

Put Yourself in the Story

Difference between study and meditation on Scripture.

Putting yourself in a story. John 7:1-13

7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want[a] to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not[b] going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Experiencing a truth. Matthew 7:11

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

“Always remember that we enter the story not as passive observers, but as active participants. Also remember that Christ is truly with us to teach us, to heal us, to forgive us.” (Foster, p.30)

>>Challenge: Experience a passage. Dwell on it for at least 15 minutes. Use either John 6:1-15

Or John 14:27