News report from WFAA-8, Dallas-Fort Worth
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Focused Fast
I found myself working a little more focused on this third day of the SNAP Challenge. It was an interesting phenomenon: I was literally on the edge of my seat with some really fascinating meetings pushing through the stomach grumbles. My eyes were glazing over and I covered up the audible verbosity of my stomach. It was not that was bored with the content, no way; it was the separation between meals with fewer calories at mealtime. All of this helped me focus on the content at hand.
Jesus invited his disciples to fast, but not to make a show of their fasting. He invited the disciples to stay focused on the job at hand of working in the world, not to wrinkle up our faces and wander around making sure everyone knows were are "suffering." Jesus says to stay focused on the fast and its purposes.
Stay focused on the SNAP Challenge, so that all may see that the work of faithful discipleship is seen and heard!
Please read the Guiding Scripture below to continue your SNAP Challenge.
You are invited to add your comments below or on these media:
First United Methodist Church, Dallas, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/FUMCDal
Crossroad Community Services, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ccsdallas
Guiding Scripture, as you continue the SNAP Challenge:
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18, NRSV).
Jesus invited his disciples to fast, but not to make a show of their fasting. He invited the disciples to stay focused on the job at hand of working in the world, not to wrinkle up our faces and wander around making sure everyone knows were are "suffering." Jesus says to stay focused on the fast and its purposes.
Stay focused on the SNAP Challenge, so that all may see that the work of faithful discipleship is seen and heard!
_______
Please read the Guiding Scripture below to continue your SNAP Challenge.
You are invited to add your comments below or on these media:
First United Methodist Church, Dallas, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/FUMCDal
Crossroad Community Services, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ccsdallas
_____________
Guiding Scripture, as you continue the SNAP Challenge:
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18, NRSV).
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Loaves and fish
The second day of the SNAP Challenge was a little easier to manage. I knew what to expect and I had a purpose: every time I sensed hunger (out of boredom or other wise) I pushed myself to remember a family who may pick up a week's worth of groceries from Crossroads Community Services. The families Crossroads serves are persons living and working on the poverty line. The groceries are supplemental to a family's weekly budgeted food items. People can do so much with so little....
It was supplemental groceries that fed a hillside of people following an itinerant preacher, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had withdrawn to a deserted place and the people followed. Concerned about what the people may eat, the disciples engaged Jesus; he turned to the crowd for what they had: five loaves and two fish. Jesus made it work! There was enough for all to partake and enough to sustain them in their work together.
As we continue this journey together, may you realize that even in scarcity, there is abundance. The SNAP Challenge is about reorienting ourselves to the Abundance.
Please read the Guiding Scripture below to continue your SNAP Challenge.
You are invited to add your comments below or on these media:
First United Methodist Church, Dallas, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/FUMCDal
Crossroad Community Services, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ccsdallas
Guiding Scripture, as you continue the SNAP Challenge:
“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. " (Matthew 14:13-21, NRSV).
It was supplemental groceries that fed a hillside of people following an itinerant preacher, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had withdrawn to a deserted place and the people followed. Concerned about what the people may eat, the disciples engaged Jesus; he turned to the crowd for what they had: five loaves and two fish. Jesus made it work! There was enough for all to partake and enough to sustain them in their work together.
As we continue this journey together, may you realize that even in scarcity, there is abundance. The SNAP Challenge is about reorienting ourselves to the Abundance.
_______
Please read the Guiding Scripture below to continue your SNAP Challenge.
You are invited to add your comments below or on these media:
First United Methodist Church, Dallas, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/FUMCDal
Crossroad Community Services, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ccsdallas
_____________
Guiding Scripture, as you continue the SNAP Challenge:
“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. " (Matthew 14:13-21, NRSV).
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