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Dear brothers &
sisters in Christ,
How is it with
your Soul?
Has the Advent and
Christmas left you filled with the awe of what
God has so marvelously done for us?
Do you desire to
continue the journey begun at Bethlehem?
If so, you can
sign on to continue the
journey by discovering the Holy Habits of
the Spiritual Disciplines that have enriched the
lives of the great saints of the church for over
2000 years.
We’ll begin the
New Year by experiencing these Holy Habits in
worship and in our individual and corporate
lives.
On January 2, to
22, many of us will begin the 21 Day Daniel
Fast. This is a partial fast. Daniel only ate
fruits and vegetables during his fast. You can
learn more about the Daniel fast by going on
line @ www.danielfast.com or pick up the purple
pamphlet in the church narthex.
The first thing
you must decide when making a decision to fast
is,
“What is the reason I am fasting?
A.
To establish a deeper relationship with God.
B.
To hear more clearly what God is trying
to tell me.
C.
To intercede for family members; for
physical, emotional and spiritual healings
D.
For discernment as to God’s future plans
for your life and the life of your church.
We are calling
this Fast for the future leadership of Newburg
UMC. The Church Council and I have written to
the Bishop asking that Newburg might be
considered for a pastoral change in July 2012.
Therefore, it is important that we Fast and pray
for God’s will in this matter. So, we are asking
you to join us in this Fast!
The second thing
that you need to ask yourself is:
“What am I fasting from?”
Each person has to
make that decision for themselves. If the Daniel
Fast is too restrictive, try just removing
breads from your diet, or just meats, etc. Just
find something that you like...enjoy...and eat
every day so you would really miss it; and give
it up! That way when you are confronted with
your physical need and you say “No” to the
physical, you are saying “Yes” to your spirit
and you’ll spend that time with God.
Which bring me to
another very
important point:
There is great spiritual benefit in fasting only if your fasting is coupled
with prayer. Fasting alone
will be a meaningless sacrifice unless we also
pray during the time of your fast.
When we sincerely seek God and spend much time in prayer as we fast, we will
realize the benefits of God’s movement in our
lives and the life of our church.
So, I am asking
you to take part in the 21 Day Daniel Fast
beginning January 2 to January 22 to seek God’s
will for Newburg UMC and her pastoral
leadership.
Fasting at the
beginning of the year tells God that you have
put Him first in your life and provides the way
for His leadership in your life throughout the
year.
If you would like
to join us on this FAST, call me and I will give
you a journal on prayer & fasting to accompany
you on your journey. This is a private
discipline, so you need not make a public
commitment; only a private one where those who
are fasting will encourage and pray for each
other and our Church.
In His love,
Pastor Peggy
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