prayer and fasting

prayer and fasting, a photo by james veltmeyer on Flickr.

I have been convicted lately of praying and fasting.

My understanding of prayer from the Bible is that prayer doesn’t change God, prayer changes me. (I do know that God answers prayer, I don’t doubt that and I do pray, each day)

I think because of this understanding I have never thought Praying and Fasting was a very good idea.
I use to joke that I was into Praying and Eating! That way I get the best of both worlds!

I have since been rebuked.

After talking to other Christians and reading a bit about it I decided to fast recently in one lunch time.

I found the chapter on Fasting from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, practices that transform us, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun was excellent.

I really like this quote, “Fasting is an opportunity to lay down an appetite – an appetite for food, for media, for shopping. This act of self-denial may not seem huge – it’s just a meal or a trip to the mall – but it brings us face to face with the hunger at the core of our being. Fasting exposes how we try to keep empty hunger at bay and gain a sense of well-being by devouring creature comforts. Through self-denial we begin to recognize what controls us. Our small denials of the self show us just how little taste we actually have for sacrifice or time with God.”

Reflections from coaches. Part 3

darren lehmann, a photo by james veltmeyer on Flickr.

Does a coach really make a difference?

When I look at professional sporting teams that played for their country I use to wonder if a coach really made a difference to a team.
They are a group of players that are the best at what they do

Recently looking at the Australian cricket team, I would say Yes, a coach does make a difference.

The turn around since Darren Lehman took over as coach is remarkable.

The decision to dump Arthur came fresh after Australia's limp showing in the Champions Trophy - the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage - and a 4-0 Test series thrashing at the hands of India.
This was 16 days before the Ashes Tour in England

But Lehman wasn't a lucky pick.
He was the coach of Australia A.
He turned around QLD cricket in one season.

I think there can be a comparison in ministry.
There are people who get the best out of the people God places around them.

They grow people
They grow ministry
They grow those around them

Are you a person that makes a difference?