Rev. Dave's Raves

Joyful Times

2009-12-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come..." Jesus came to bring us joy. So, why don't we feel joyful all the time?

"We cannot make ourselves joyful," wrote Eugene Peterson.

“Joy cannot be commanded, purchased, or arranged. But there is something we can do. We can decide to live in response to the abundance of God and not under the dictatorship of our own poor needs." (A Long Obedience, quoted in the booklet, Jesus, The Light of the World.)

So, while we cannot push a "joy button" somewhere down in our souls, there is something we can do. I think we can break it down this way:

1. Make the choice – to praise God for everything. As Peterson puts it, "live in response to the abundance of God and not under the dictatorship of our own poor needs." Change the channel. Turn your thoughts away from worry, anger, bitterness, etc. to thoughts of praise for God’s loving care, mercy, unconditional love.

2. Be prepared. Expect the joy-busters.
You know what I’m talking about – the scowl or critical word that hits where it hurts. The door of opportunity that slams shut. The nagging worry that we’re not worthy of good things happening for us. Be aware of those grinches who have come to steal your joy. Don’t let them take you by surprise. Counter them with truth from God’s Word, like Philippians 1:6. "I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (NLT)

3. Take some time to serve others.
I find that it’s sometimes not enough to tell my mind to change channels. The oppressive thoughts come rushing back. I have to do something positive so I can begin to think something positive. You know the acronym for JOY - Jesus, Others, You. I find joy in being around other people, asking and thinking of their needs, trying to help where I can. I start feeling better. Sometimes, I walk away thinking, "I don’t have it so bad after all."

4. Do the things that bring you joy.
For me, it’s going for a bike ride or taking a walk on the beach. What brings you joy? Sprinkle those joy-producing activities into your schedule.

These are joyful times. They have to be. They’re the only times we have.

Muppets Cover Bohemian Rhapsody - Awesome Video

2009-11-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

I've always loved this song. After watching this Muppet video, I still do, barely. Enjoy.

Angus Crocker

2009-11-23T18:23:00.000-08:00

Angus Crocker was a Presbyterian minister I knew from occasional conversations at presbytery meetings and walks in the park - he and his wife, Cornelia, live a few blocks away. Angus was diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate cancer around Thanksgiving, 2005. He fought it with his faith in God, conventional and experimental treatments and he lived a full life.
On November 4, 2009, Angus passed away about 25 minutes after midnight, surrounded by family.This video is about his support group and his song, "Prostate Cancer Blues." It's sad, but uplifting.

It's Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T09:02:00.001-08:00

I am grateful to our military veterans and those serving now - for their great sacrifices for our freedom and those in other lands – and for justice. Here is a prayer – from Mark Roberts – for Veterans. Please pray, with me.

God of the ages,
We thank You for all who have served in the armed forces of this country.
We thank You for the freedom their sacrifice has earned and guarded for us. Help us to prize this freedom and use it well.
We ask You to bless all living veterans in a special way today, as well as the families of all veterans.
Comfort those who grieve for those who gave the last full measure of devotion.
Strengthen those who bear physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds.
Stand with those who provide care to them.
Move us to reach out to sisters and brothers who are veterans, or relatives of veterans, or who currently serve in the military.
We pray for the day when no one needs to serve in the military. Help us to live now in anticipation of that day, as people who long for peace, who pray for peace, and who seek to be peacemakers in this world.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

http://www.markdroberts.com/

Now We're Talking

2009-11-11T08:54:00.001-08:00

I received some great feedback from my message last Sunday. The message was about idolatry and I identified greed as one of our national idols. As evidence, I pointed to the fact that income for the top 0.01% of earners has grown more than 900% over the past 30 years. Each wage earner pulled in an average $35 million, higher than during the Dot-com bubble ($28 million). I added, for emphasis, "the average annual earnings of one of these would finance 841,000 preschool teachers, full-time, year-round."

I cited this stat as evidence that we are witnessing an erosion in values, quoting David Brooks (The Next Culture War): "Evidence of this shift in values is all around. Some of the signs are seemingly innocuous. States around the country began sponsoring lotteries: government-approved gambling that extracts its largest toll from the poor. Executives and hedge fund managers began bragging about compensation packages that would have been considered shameful a few decades before. Chain restaurants went into supersize mode, offering gigantic portions that would have been considered socially unacceptable to an earlier generation."

Two people saw my statements as bashing the rich, following the media's facile dumping on executive salaries. It was pointed out that there are some, maybe many, who make loads of money and give generously. One said, "If we are to believe that God looks at the heart, than it is not the money itself, nor the amount that makes one greedy. It is the sentiment of his heart." I agree. It is the "love of money," not money, that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

Today I read a Blog post on Beliefnet on Economics from a theological viewpoint. The writer, Michael Kruse, said, "Most theologians and church leaders I've encountered have considerable ambivalence, at best, and outright animus, at worst, toward the marketplace." His ten-part series looks at several economic issues: scarcity vs. abundance, supply and demand, positive vs. normative economics, opportunity costs and tradeoffs, markets and trade, division of labor, self-interest, wealth, utility, profit, face-to face community vs. commercial society, and capitalism. I recommend it. The articles go well beyond the typical (and my) Sunday morning treatment of topics related to money.

So…do you think I treated the wealthy fairly?

Is greed a problem in our nation? - in you?

I am thrilled that you're listening/reading. I appreciate your feedback. (Leave a comment below)

David Brooks (The Next Culture War)
Michael Kruse on Biblical (?) Economics
My Sermons

Are we chasing idols?

2009-11-08T08:11:00.001-08:00

David Brooks, Op-Ed Columnist, in The Next Culture War

David Brooks is suggesting that our nation has fallen prostrate to the idol of consumption, materialism, Mammon. He writes:

“Human nature, in no form of it, could ever bear prosperity,” John Adams wrote in a letter to Thomas Jefferson, warning against the coming corruption of his country.

Centuries ago, historians came up with a classic theory to explain the rise and decline of nations. The theory was that great nations start out tough-minded and energetic. Toughness and energy lead to wealth and power. Wealth and power lead to affluence and luxury. Affluence and luxury lead to decadence, corruption and decline.

Yet despite its amazing wealth, the United States has generally remained immune to this cycle. American living standards surpassed European living standards as early as 1740. But in the U.S., affluence did not lead to indulgence and decline.

That’s because despite the country’s notorious materialism, there has always been a countervailing stream of sound economic values. The early settlers believed in Calvinist restraint. The pioneers volunteered for brutal hardship during their treks out west. Waves of immigrant parents worked hard and practiced self-denial so their children could succeed. Government was limited and did not protect people from the consequences of their actions, thus enforcing discipline and restraint…

Over the past few years, however, there clearly has been an erosion in the country’s financial values.

Evidence of this shift in values is all around…in the three decades between 1950 and 1980, personal consumption was remarkably stable, amounting to about 62 percent of G.D.P. In the next three decades, it shot upward, reaching 70 percent of G.D.P. in 2008.

During this period, debt exploded. In 1960, Americans’ personal debt amounted to about 55 percent of national income. By 2007, Americans’ personal debt had surged to 133 percent of national income.

Now we’ve shifted from private debt to public debt. By 2019, federal debt will amount to an amazing 83 percent of G.D.P. By that year, interest payments alone on the federal debt will cost $803 billion.

If there is to be a correction, it will require a moral and cultural movement.

Read the article here: The Next Culture War

Are You Broke? Perpetually?

2009-10-29T19:10:00.001-07:00

If you answer yes, you probably avidly try to keep up with the Joneses, buy stuff you don't need, never plan ahead, pay more than you need to all the time, and blame your problems on outside forces.

So says this post on 10 Attributes of the Perpetually Broke. by Peter Anderson

Highly recommended.

Healthcare for all - Why?

2009-10-17T08:39:00.001-07:00

"For more than sixty years American presidents have tried to reform our health-care system, to no avail. In the same time period, all other developed nations have set up systems that insure all their citizens, that spend less per capita than we do, and that have better outcomes in almost all categories. Why are American still lagging behind? Ethicist Daniel Callahan diagnoses our problem in the most recent issue of Commonweal magazine and comes to this conclusion: we suffer from "the absence in this country of a solid common-good tradition." from LaVonne Neff

Great article: America’s Blind Spot - Health Care & the Common Good

By Daniel Callahan

The concept of the common good, ancient in origin, would seem on the face of it an ideal foundation for health-care reform.

A few excerpts:

One important difference is the absence in this country of a solid common-good tradition…

In their opposition to liberal reform efforts, conservatives invoke freedom, choice, and competition as their leading values. Liberals—and the Obama administration in particular—have no agreed-upon set of countervailing values…

The striking feature of conservative health-care thinking is its radical individualism. The idea of a common good is entirely absent…

Adam Smith is famous for his idea that, in a free market, an invisible hand shapes individual interests into common benefits. But he also believed that markets could not flourish without a strong underlying moral culture…

I have not painted a hopeful picture about the common good in American health care. That simply does not seem possible. An abiding suspicion of government, a belief in the free market as an engine of prosperity (and thus, by an illogical leap, as an engine of good health care), and the majority’s fear that they may lose the benefits they already have—all this leaves little room for an embrace of the common good.

This article is lengthy, but worth reading: http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php3?id_article=2659

What phrase annoys you most?

2009-10-12T22:21:00.001-07:00

October 7, 2009 by Marist Poll
The question is, which word or phrase bothered you the most?

Chances are it was “whatever.” In a recent Marist poll, nearly half of Americans –

- 47% – said they find “whatever” most annoying. The other sayings weren’t quite so loathed.

- 25% say they find “you know” most grating;

- 11% can’t stand “it is what it is”;

- 7% would like to ban “anyway” from all verbal exchanges; and

- 2% reported that they could do without hearing “at the end of the day.”

So…If you’re like, “whatever,” and someone gives you a mean look, just remember it is what it is – certain sayings rub people the wrong way, you know? Anyway, at the end of the day, who cares?

I’ve always hated, “it is what it is.” So, I just reply - "it ain't what it ain't."

I know that for some, the most annoying words are those spoken by the preacher after the 30 minute mark. J

What is your most annoying phrase? Leave a comment below.

I Need Help!

2009-10-06T16:15:00.001-07:00

Those may be the toughest words in the English language to speak out loud.

But, true Christian fellowship begins with those three words, "I need help."

I've seen church members gather around members in need, helping tirelessly and giving generously - it's deeply moving to see. Whether we are serving or being served, when we experience these moments of deep fellowship, we glory in the feeling of belonging to so loving a body.

But, those moments of fellowship can only happen when someone is willing to admit their need.

Addicts can recover from enslaving addictions, but only when they come to the place of desperation. Step one of the twelve steps is, "we admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable." There's help and hope if you can give up and agree with step one.

I am a stubborn individualist, self-sufficient to a fault. But, I've had my moments when I had no choice but to admit, "I need help!" I am typing today with the handicap of two fingers taped together. The doctor doesn't want me to pull out her stitches. A few nights ago, I fell going up the stairs. It was dark and I came to the next to last step and thought I was at the top. I tripped over the final step and fell onto an exercise bike, striking my hand against the only sharp part of it.

There was little blood or pain, but I became concerned when I looked deep into a hole in the fold of flesh between my index and middle fingers. My crashing fall awakened Carol, who came to my rescue. I knew I should go to the E.R. and debated whether I could drive myself the two miles to the hospital. I thought of a volunteer at church who cut a bloody gash in his head while working on our remodeling project. With blood trickling out the back of his head, he tidied up his work area and then drove himself to the hospital.

I thought I should easily be able to drive myself to the hospital, but I felt faint at the sight of my blood. I know, I know - I could never have a baby. I knew myself well enough to know I could drop to the floor at any moment from wimpiness.

Somehow, I uttered the words that come so hard, "I need help. I need you to drive me to the hospital."

They patched me up and I'm fine, but the experience taught me something. Carol was happy to come to my aid. She didn’t feel inconvenienced, even though I awoke her - even though I was completely self-absorbed. She seemed to come alive at the sight of my pathetic need. I felt closer to Carol and she felt closer to me. It was a bonding experience. Carol gets credit for her generous service to me. But, it could only happen when I was humbled enough to admit, "I need help."

Do you want to experience true fellowship in the church? Do you long to see the church gather around those in need, to serve selflessly, in unity, according to various gifts? It can happen, but only when you humble yourself to admit your own need. Try it. Just say it, "I need help."

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up the other;
but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NRSV

Change your life!

2009-09-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

Can listening to this sermon really change your life??
Probably not, but God can change you. This is the first of the series, "Better Together," 40 Days of Community.
Click the little play button below to listen. More sermons here.

The Attitude You Choose Makes All the Difference

2009-09-09T13:58:00.001-07:00

This awesome quote was passed along to me by Ruth-Ann Gilstrap.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

-Charles Swindoll

The Apostle Paul says it this way:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” - Philippians 4:8

The Purpose-Driven Job Hunter

2009-09-07T08:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Labor Day. This is a good day to give thanks to God for meaningful work - and work that pays. It's also a good day to remember those who are in great need of paid work. There's help and hope from the author of What Color is Your Parachute... Article: "Bolles began his own career as an engineer, but felt a call to ministry in the Episcopal Church. After budget cuts forced him out of a position at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, he began working with unemployed university chaplains. His insights began to take shape in loose-leaf notebooks, which blossomed into What Color Is Your Parachute? in 1970. At 82, Bolles has just released another bookâ€”The Job Hunter's Survival Guide: How to Find Hope and Rewarding Work, Even When "There Are No Jobs"â€”to encourage those who are out of work and help them rebuild their spiritual lives. The Purpose-Driven Job Hunter | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction Shared via AddThis

America is Singing!

2009-09-04T08:55:00.001-07:00

Wow - I didn't catch this trend…

Listen closely enough in America these days, and you just might hear the sounds of a choir...
Be it at a church...

...or a school.
Choral singing of every kind is enjoying a boom.
According to a recent survey from Chorus America, more than 32 million American adults now sing in choruses.
That's up from 23 million in 2003.
And don't forget the ten million children who sing.
All told, America is home to no fewer than 270,000 choral groups. One American household in five has at least one chorister in its midst. And their good works go far beyond the creation of beautiful music.
"When people get together to celebrate important events both in their community and in their nation, what do they do? They sing."
Knight Kiplinger, editor-in-chief of Kiplinger Publishing and a life-long chorus member.
"It is sociable, it's an artistic outlet, it's a relief from the stress and tensions from whatever we do for a living every day..."

The Osgood File, Sept. 3, 2009

http://www.westwoodone.com/osgood

We better fill that Choir Coordinator position!

http://www.petalumafirst.com/aboutus/openings.shtml#Choir

Correcting the 'Mistakes' of TNIV and Inclusive NIV, Translators Will Revise NIV in 2011 | Liveblog | Christianity Today

2009-09-01T18:46:00.001-07:00

Correcting the 'Mistakes' of TNIV and Inclusive NIV, Translators Will Revise NIV in 2011 | Liveblog | Christianity Today Shared via AddThis

Is Persecution a Problem for You?

2009-08-28T09:49:00.001-07:00

In what ways are you sharing your faith this week? We have many fears related to sharing our faith. The most extreme is persecution. Persecution is not just a problem for the first century church; it happens today. I've provided several links to news stories of persecution around the world below. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in fear because of their allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Persecution of Pakistani Christians must end, interfaith network says
Christians are Unsafe in Pakistan. Bishops of Pakistan

Is there an end?

Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy law, enacted by President General Zia-ul-Haq in1986 and later amended by the parliament in 2004, is one of the most stringent laws. The penalty includes a mandatory death sentence for defaming Prophet Mohammad and life imprisonment for desecrating the Holy Quran. According to official reports,to date, over 500 people have been charged for breaching the Blasphemy Law. Dawn.com traces the history of some of these cases that have been highlighted in the media since 1990.
Dawn.com/Is-there-an-end?

2006: amnesty international in asia & the pacific: Pakistan: Christian sentenced to death, lawyer threatened: Younis Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was sentenced to death for blasphemy by the Sessions Court in Lahore

2006: About 27 people were killed when Muslims protests in Nigeria and Libya against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) descended into violence.
Some 16 persons were killed by rioters, and 11 churches burnt,” he said.
dailytimes.com

Kenyans find bodies a week after church massacre
Last Sunday, I talked about how life can be difficult for us when we stand up for our faith. A great story of overcoming the obstacles like insults, false statements is Dr. Francis Collins. Here's a news story on Collins' confirmation as head of the National Institute for Health: NIH director speaks 'Language of God'

John Calvin is both remembered and revered. But, he is also still controversial. The French Reformer is credited and blamed for the doctrine of predestination, the doctrine of sin described as "total depravity," and the Protestant work ethic. If you have hung around Presbyterian churches, or America for that matter, you may have heard these terms. Some have argued that Calvin's ideas have contributed to the rise of capitalism and representative democracy in Europe and the United States.
Why should anyone care about John Calvin today?
More John Calvin on FPCP's our new Blog - PetalumaFirst

God and Dog

2009-08-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

This one was passed along by Don Brown. "God forgives, Dog wags his tail." Cute - and true.

Have you ever been mistreated because of your faith in Christ?

2009-08-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

We are blessed to live in a country that values freedom of religion. There are believers who routinely experience intolerance or recrimination for their religious beliefs and practices. Few of us have experienced the kind of resistance to faith that would qualify as "persecution."

So we might dismiss the last of Jesus' beatitudes as applying to believers in other places, not to us. But, Jesus' words are not only for those who have suffered injury or death for their faith. We are blessed, Jesus said, when we are insulted, slandered, prejudged, excluded or slandered because of our loyalty to Jesus Christ and the life to which God calls us.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:10-12

You may not have experienced persecution. But, have you ever been mistreated because of your faith in Christ? Insulted or falsely accused, even though you did the right thing? Excluded?

If you have, I would like to hear from you. If not, think about this? Why have you not experienced the harm that can come to so many Christians around the globe? I'd like to hear from you. Please respond by leaving a comment below. I would like to share your experiences in my Sunday message (Aug. 23). Take heart when you suffer setbacks. Know that God loves you and his blessing is on you. We experience God's loving smile in so many ways in the here and now. Better yet, great is your reward in heaven.

Links to News of Persecution:

Persecution of Pakistani Christians must end, interfaith network http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_113643_ENG_HTM.htm

Christians are Unsafe in Pakistan. Bishops of http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=1330

Flash Mob Dances to Pinball Wizard in SF

2009-08-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

I ran across this video of what appeared - at first - to be a spontaneous dance on Union Square. It was clearly well planned and a great tribute to Woodstock.

Blessed are the pure in heart

2009-08-10T21:29:00.001-07:00

Follow-up from the Sunday sermon, posted here

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Jesus is addressing the issue of motive. Why are you giving to the church? Why are you praying as you are? Why are you serving the poor?

Key question. It's not how much you do for others, but why?

Jesus is not saying to keep all your good works secret as much as he's saying watch your motives. And one great way to test your own motivation is to keep your good works completely secret.

Your Faith in Action assignment this week -

1. Serve…in secret

2. Pray Daily: Psalm 139:23-24 (see Prayer of Examen below)

A Prayer of Examen

An Examen of the Conscience

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

God, I pray these words of the psalmist with great hesitation.

They are devastatingly honest.

They lay things so bare.

They allow no room for negotiation or compromise.

I fear the scrutiny.

I dread the probe.

I resist the intrusion.

I know that you are all love and so I am entering nothing more than your scrutiny of love. And yet…

No! I refuse to allow my fears to keep me from your love.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Amen.

(Prayer by Richard Foster in Prayers from the Heart, p. 10. Quotations from Psalm 139:23, 24)

As the Ruin Falls

by C.S. Lewis

All this flashy rhetoric about loving you

I never had a selfless thought since I was born.

I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through.

I want God, you, all friends merely to serve my turn.

Peace, reassurance, pleasure are the goals I seek

I cannot crawl one inch outside my porper skin.

I talk of love - a scholar's parrot may talk Greek.

But, self-imprisioned, always end where I begin.

Only that now you have taught me (but how late) my lack.

I see the chasm; And everything you are was making my heart

Into a bridge by which I might get back

From exile, and grown man.

And now the bridge is breaking.

For this I bless you as the ruin falls. The pains

You give me are more precious than all other gains.

I talk of love - a scholar's parrot may talk Greek.

But, self-imprisioned, always end where I begin.

-CS Lewis, "As the Ruin Falls"

How He Loves Us - No kidding!

2009-08-07T13:22:00.001-07:00

Watch this everyday and believe it.

Meet Muscian Josh Garrells

2009-07-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

It's not pop music. And because it is Christian music does not mean his message is cliche. He's just plain interesting to listen to - his style and message. Great voice too. His name is Josh Garrells. I hope we hear and see more of him. You won't hear him on Klove, so go to his website and listen: joshgarrels.com Videos here: vimeo.com Just found out - he will be in CA in August. August 23rd 2009 - 6:00 PM Open Door - Walnut Creek Pres. Church, Walnut Creek, CA. Free. More here. Who wants to go with me?

"The Children's Song" - Josh Garrels from Josh Garrels on Vimeo.

A Charitable Chain Reaction - 07.27.09 - Sports Illustrated

2009-07-27T21:41:00.001-07:00

Another Sports Illustrated article on a Christian athlete - Ryan Nece, who discovered the joy of giving. Did you know he's Ronnie Lott's son? A Charitable Chain Reaction - 07.27.09 - SI Vault His website and Blog: www.ryannece.com

Tim Tebow goes to prison - great story

2009-07-27T21:38:00.001-07:00

Great cover story in Sports Illustrated about the gutsy U of FL QB & 2007 Heisman trophy winner, Tim Tebow. Tebow is an outspoken Christian and not a bad football player. You Gotta Love Tim Tebow - 07.27.09 - SI Vault

Guest Blogger David Coe on Fasting

2009-07-09T22:51:00.001-07:00

Here are David Coe’s reflections on his day of fasting:

Monday, July 6, 2009

8:00 Last meal was 6pm last night. 14 hours and not a bit hungry. This is going to be easy.

12:00 First hunger pang. Not much of a pang and it goes away. I usually skip breakfast so this is not surprising. Starting a 5 hour drive home from the mountains.

4:00 After 4 hours on the road I have my first major hunger pang. Does not go away. All of a sudden all I can think about is how hungry I am.

4:15 Still hungry. Getting a headache and I’m tired. I’m starting to worry about my ability to drive safely.

4:20 Aargh! Ran a red light. Shoot! Dilemma: do I stop and eat or do I keep on driving? I don’t want Pastor Dave to have my death on his conscience.

4:25 Yikes! Almost ran another red light. Why do they put lights out here in the middle of nowhere?

4:30 I am able to remember that there is only one more red light between here and home. I will be ready for it. I am impressed with my ability to reason out a plan to get home safely given my current state of mind.

4:35 The red light comes and goes smooth as can be. Nice. I pat myself on the back.

4:37 Oh no!! Another red light! I stop OK but I’m no longer impressed with reasoning skills.

4:40 I hear the news on the radio about Sara Palin quitting her job as Governor of Alaska. After several painstaking analytical attempts I decide that it’s a good thing that she is not our Vice President. I will double check this conclusion with me tomorrow.

5:00 Made it home. Obviously I decided to be stupid and to keep driving. Still hungry but its no worse than it was an hour ago. I decide to write up my notes from the last hour before I forget what happened.

5:10 Done with my notes but I can’t remember everything that happened. I remember thinking that being starved makes me funny but I can’t remember why. Kind of like how a couple of beers makes me think that I’m debonair. It’s good that I don’t have any responsibilities this evening.

Going to check Dave’s instructions on what I’m supposed to be doing while I’m fasting.

5:15 Checked out the tile job that Don White did in the bathroom while I was gone. Man is he good!

6:30 Finished a long conversation with Doreen getting caught up on the events of the last few days (I’ve been away since last Thursday). Great conversation. I thought that I was going to get a little prickly but I just couldn’t because she was so cute hiding her dinner from me and showing off her very cool new outfit for an upcoming wedding and her new hairdo.

6:45 Beyond hunger now. Starting to feel physically ill, like I might puke.

7:10 Watched Perpetuum Jazille doing an amazing acappella version of The Rain In Africa on YouTube (http://www.flixxy.com/perpetuum-jazzile-real-group-africa.htm) . Actually made me forget my hunger for about 4 minutes! The first part is extremely quiet if you decide to watch it.

7:30 I found the questions from Pastor Dave. Will respond when the day is done. I don’t feel sick anymore. Just very hungry. I’m thinking about going to bed very early in an attempt to bring this to an end.

7:55 Spent several minutes trying to meditate, read the Bible, and pray. See comments below.

8:10 Just read Dave and Coby’s fasting journals. They are both so positive and I am so negative. The only positive thing in my day so far is Doreen and the fact that I lived to tell the tale.

9:15 Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Good night. I hope.

9:20 Found it easy to meditate and pray while lying still in bed. Felt close to Jesus. Forgot about hunger while praying.

4:20 It’s a little after 4 in the morning. I have not slept at all. I have lain awake for 7 hours, checking the clock every few minutes. I’ve tried everything and I can’t get to sleep. It has been 34 hours since I’ve eaten or had anything to drink other than water and coffee. Now I can’t sleep. I feel horrible and I’m getting depressed. Time to get up and eat something. I will start with apple juice and crackers.

10:20 4 crackers, a glass of apple juice, reading the paper, and a sleeping pill was all it took. I fell asleep just fine at 5:30 and slept until Doreen woke me at 10:20. Just ate a bagle and I feel great. Kind of cleansed. If I ever do this again I will allow a cracker or two and some juice.

PS – I was right about Palin.

Responses to Pastor Dave’s questions.

What does it feel like to be hungry?

It hurts. I cannot focus. I am easily distracted. I cannot sleep.

What is your body saying to you?

Feed me. Why would you do such a thing?

Did you experience any spiritual benefit to fasting?

Don’t think so. I tried to meditate – all I could do was think about food. I tried to read the Bible – I just kept reading the same sentence over and over again.

How did it affect your praying?

At first I tried to pray and I couldn’t say a simple prayer. I would get distracted and start thinking about something totally unrelated to what I was praying about. The harder I tried to concentrate on a conversation with God the worse it got. Later, in bed, I found it easy to pray and felt close to Jesus – more so than normal

Did your experience of fasting change how you view people who are in great need?

Yes.

Doreen and I support Compassion, a group that helps disadvantaged young people with food, clothing, and education in a Christ based way. This experience will help me to more fully appreciate why we’re doing that. I also plan to become a regular contributor to the Kitchen, something we’ve never done.

Throughout the day I knew that I always had the option to break my fast which I ultimately did at 4:20 am when I couldn’t take it anymore. The thought of not having that ability is sort of terrifying. I cannot get my mind around the idea that millions of people have to live with that pain and fear with no way to stop it.

I have long been grateful for the bounty that I enjoy through the grace of God. I think that I now have a better understanding of my responsibility to share all that God has given to me.