After experiencing the brokenness of our world, human beings put systems in place hoping for some sense of rest.  Like children who are victims of abuse, or perhaps children of alcoholics or drug addicts.  Exhausted by the continual chaos, the child becomes a perfectionist. ... [More]

I have been following the television show on Fox called Glee.  It is an over the top comedy/drama about a high school Glee Club in which a Spanish teacher gathers a racially diverse group of misfits, jocks, cheerleaders, dorks, etc., and he forms a dynamic Glee Club.  Most... [More]

Wednesday lunch/afternoon—Read Isaiah 58:14 “…then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Why have we fasted?... [More]

Wednesday morning — Read Isaiah 58:13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure,... [More]

Tuesday evening — Read Isaiah 58:12 12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. If you have kept up with the fast to this point perhaps... [More]

Tuesday lunch/afternoon — Read Isaiah 58:11 “And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” The imagery in... [More]

Tuesday morning — Read Isaiah 58:9-10 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’  If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you pour yourself out for... [More]

Monday evening — Read Isaiah 58:7-8 7 Is it [the fast the Lord chooses] not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth... [More]

Monday lunch/afternoon — Read Isaiah 58:6 6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed1 go free, and to break every yoke?” Two years ago almost to the date, we fasted like this at... [More]

Monday morning — Read Isaiah 58:3-5 3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. 4 Behold, you fast only to... [More]