Intermittent Fasting

Sunny, Thursday morning greetings to you in the name of God … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I shared some thoughts through a video with our Soup Tuesday group recently that I thought I’d share in this capacity as well.

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with fasting.  Specifically, I’ve been practicing “Intermittent Fasting” for about 2-1/2 months.  We all practice intermittent fasting to some degree, I suppose.  We stop eating at some point in the day and then don’t eat again until sometime after we wake up.  But I’ve been working to expand the time when I fast.  For quite a while, I was only eating during a 1-hour window each day.  Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a 4-hour window.  My motivation has been a desire to better control my diabetes.  There is some research that suggests fasting can improve the body’s ability to process carbohydrates when we do eat, too.  The physical results have been very good for me.

But I have also experienced spiritual benefits from this practice, too.  Not eating for large chunks of my waking day has forced me to think about how food can become an idol for me, something to do to fill a void in my heart … not just my stomach.  It has made me savor not just the food, but the fellowship that comes from preparing and eating meals with my family.  It has led me to prayer and reflection on my relationship with God, too.  “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray.  Bread (or more low-carb options!) once a day is enough.

It makes me wonder if time-restricted patterns with other things might be helpful, too?  In Lent, we often consider “giving something up.”  And abstaining from something for 40 days might provide great benefit for you.  But what if we explored things like eating that indulgent food just one small portion each day? Or screens for just 1-2 hours each day?  What’s great about fasting is we have to think about what we can and can’t do during that fast.  When I’m fasting from food, can I drink pop?  I’ve chosen not to, instead drinking other things like water, coffee or tea.  When you’re fasting from your phone, can you watch TV?  Maybe a better practice would be reading or writing a note to a loved one.  Can we fill some of that fasting time with more prayer and Bible reading?

I’m still working on these ideas, so take them with a grain of salt.  But I encourage you to explore a “time restricted” practice of some kind during these weeks of Lent.  It might lead to some positive transformation.  As always, I’d love to chat about any of this stuff.  Happy fasting!!

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Worship With Us!

There are lots of ways to worship with us these days.  You can show up in person Sundays at 8:30 (masks and physical distancing protocols will be followed).  You can worship with us live or recorded on Facebook.  You can join us on the radio, too. 

 

Community Dinner @ St. Ann’s Tonight (February 25)

Immanuel is hosting this month’s dinner at St. Ann’s.  Thanks to all who stepped up to volunteer.  Swing by St. Ann’s parking lot for a hot meal to go from 4:30-6:00 – and greet the Immanuel crew!

 

Frozen Meal Distribution March 4, 1-2pm

Catholic Charities is giving away free meals on March 4 at Immanuel’s parking lot in conjunction with the NAPS program.  You don’t have to be part of NAPS to qualify.  Anyone over 60 can get up to 30 meals.  There is just a simple, one-time form to complete.  Spread the word! 

Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements

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