Well this is the week… On April 8, “your’s truly” turns 70. And for the past several years I’ve run the number of miles of my age the week of my birthday. This year, because of travel and speaking engagements that’s going to be very difficult… SO THIS IS THE WEEK! I began this morning… My plan is to run 12 miles a day for 5 days (6 in the morning – 6 in the afternoon/evening) and then on Saturday 10 miles (5 in the morning – 5 in the evening)… 70 miles this week for my 70th birthday. If you feel nudged… pray for this ol’ prof and friend! I’ll probably celebrate my progress with some posts along the way! Onward to 70 miles this week!!! Oh the pic?… My life verse from the Bible.
Coffee With The Lord
The Best Way To Start the Day- Coffee With The Lord
Author Archives: lrbartel
Reflection on “Lent” – Fasting that makes a difference
Lent, 40 days leading up to Good Friday and Easter, is kept as a time a spiritual preparation, self-denial, and selfless service. It is not too much to say that Lent and fasting are linked together. In fact, my friend, Alicia Britt Chole, has written a wonderful little devotional and prayer guide that many are using during Lent entitled 40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger. A Different Kind of Fast. I recommend it highly!
This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read and reflected on a great Old Testament passage in which the Lord Himself speaks to the issue of the kind of fasting that He desires! It prompted me to write this principle in the margin of my Bible: “True fasting is not simply what you deny yourself of, it’s what you devote yourself to!”
The passage? Isaiah 58:6-12
“This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply. Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.” (From the New Living Translation)
Don’t know about you, but during Lent I want to do the kind of “fasting” that makes a difference – the kind that accomplishes what God desires! Help me Lord!
Feeling weak and incapable of facing life’s challenges? God’s word can help!
Growing up I remember the “Charlie Atlas” ads… Always showing the “before” – a weakling that everybody pushed around and took advantage of; and the “after” – a muscle-bound, chiseled, hunk of a man that no one would dare push around.
What do you do when you feel weak and incapable of dealing with the challenges you’re facing? Well one bit advice might be to fill you mind and heart with the truths about God found in the last part of Psalm 18! Read and reflect on this when you feel weak! …
“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? — the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip… You equipped me with strength for the battle! … The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation!” (From Psalm 18:31–50 ESV)
There! That ought to make you feel better! He will strengthen you, help you, and fight for you when you feel weak and incapable! He is on your side!
Coffee With The Lord 