Search Results for: fasting

Lenten Break: Fasting from Oboedire

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Steve Harper

Hello! Today we observe Ash Wednesday and begin our journey through Lent. I have decided to “fast” from writing on Oboedire during Lent. This includes the suspension of all three weekly postings.  I will resume writing on Saturday, April 19, … Continue reading →

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Desert Wisdom: Fasting (4)

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Steve Harper

Bunge treats a third reason for fasting: the spiritual purpose (p. 94). Citing Evagrius again, he points out that fasting makes the soul like a high-flying eagle—a soaring soul that rises above the lethargy of gluttony.  Like a cleaned mirror, … Continue reading →

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Desert Wisdom: Fasting (3)

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Steve Harper

Bunge examines briefly a second reason for fasting—its practical significance (p. 93). He uses a quotation from Evagrius, which essentially says that a full stomach will make us dull and drowsy, and thus unmoved to pray—whereas  a “famished stomach” will … Continue reading →

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Desert Wisdom: Fasting (2)

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Steve Harper

Once we have the historical grasp of fasting in place, Bunge says we must turn to understanding the purposes of fasting.  He selects three, and we’ll use this week’s post plus the next two to explore them…. First, we fast … Continue reading →

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Desert Wisdom: Fasting (1)

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Steve Harper

Bunge moves from examining the times for prayer to the theme of fasting and prayer—an often-combined emphasis in early Christianity—a combination noted in the Bible itself.  We will spend several blogs on this connection. As with prayer, Jesus and the … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Overwhelmed

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Steve Harper

One of the greatest dangers in life is to feel overwhelmed. Many of us have felt that way during the pandemic. But even before it, we found it easy to feel overwhelmed in a world of enormous challenges, and in … Continue reading →

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Here and Now: The Pace of Grace

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Steve Harper

​Having laid our foundation for here-and-now living in Scripture and tradition, the rest of this series will be more topical in nature.  And I can think of no better segway than to look at the pace of grace. Living in … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Acedia

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Steve Harper

Today, I am writing a “note to self.”  You are welcome to read it.  And as they say, ” If the shoe fits…..  _______________________________ Christianity was barely off the ground when soul-drain began to take its effect.  Paul called it … Continue reading →

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Practicing the Better: Anna

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Steve Harper

​Anna the prophetess was also in the temple when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord.  She joined Simeon in praising God for Jesus (Luke 2:36-38).  Luke’s reference to Anna is brief, but it is enough to know she … Continue reading →

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Practicing the Better: Sabbath #4

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Steve Harper

​The restoration sabbath also includes the re-establishment of rhythm–the pace of grace we noted a few posts back.  It is the rhythm of engagement and abstinence, working and resting. Dallas Willard took the principle I gleaned from Susan Muto and … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: The Purpose of the Spiritual Life

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Steve Harper

Earlier today, I read a comment from one of my mentors, who said that the purpose of the spiritual life is not to change the world, but to change ourselves. At first, that sounded very self-referent and another “me-and-Jesus” accommodation … Continue reading →

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Benedict’s Rule: Proper Nourishment

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Steve Harper

Chapters 39-41 in the Rule deal with the eating habits of the monks. The life of the monastery revolves around prayer and work.  Both require energy and health.  The energy comes from eating and drinking proper amounts.  Health comes from … Continue reading →

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Desert Wisdom: All For Love

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Steve Harper

Book Thirteen of The Desert Fathers explores the theme of hospitality. Saying 2 leads us to a very important place with respect to the keeping of spiritual disciplines.  When Cassian and his friends came from Palestine to Egypt, a hermit … Continue reading →

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Desert Wisdom: Discretion

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Steve Harper

We move into Book Ten of The Desert Fathers, which is the longest book (chapter) of all.  It is entitled, “Discretion.” The book begins with this saying,  Anthony said, “Some wear out their bodies by fasting; but because they have … Continue reading →

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Listenings: The Sacred “And”

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Steve Harper

I would like to know who first tried to divide the Gospel into “personal” and “social.”  It is one of the worst things ever done to the Christian faith.  Salvation means “wholeness,” and any division of the Gospel into parts … Continue reading →

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The Holy Gospel: February 27, 2011 (Year A)

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Steve Harper

Read:  Matthew 6:24-34 Meditation:  “Singularity” A read through the sections of the Sermon on the Mount reveals that a lot of it can be summarized under one theme:  singularity.  Whether we are praying, fasting, or dealing with the world’s goods, … Continue reading →

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