Category Archives: spiritual disciplines

Piper on Fasting

Posted on by under books, fasting, quotes, spiritual disciplines

Yesterday, I posted a reflection on the coming season of Lent. I specifically shared some thoughts on fasting as I had re-read Richard Foster’s brief comments in his book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. I quoted his quoting of John Wesley on fasting:

Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it.

I have been browsing over some more thoughts in John Piper’s classic work on fasting, A Hunger for God. Many will be aware of his memorable words in Desiring God: ‘God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.’ Not many words like them!

But here are a couple of other quotes just to ponder about the purpose of both food and fasting: Continue reading →

Lent Is Upon Us

Posted on by under fasting, Lent, spiritual disciplines

Next Wednesday, 22 February, the season of Lent will begin.

What is Lent?

First off, I think evangelicals have learned a little bit to not overreact against the more ‘traditional’ or ‘liturgical’ church context (though I would argue we all have our traditions and liturgies). And so there is a healthy respect for the church traditions that have been handed down to us through the centuries. One of them is the season of Lent – a time to prayerfully and even sacrificially reflect upon the work of Christ, specifically his death moving into his resurrection. During this time as well, many appreciate fasting of all different types, if not also taking up other spiritual disciplines.

But that is another ‘bad’ word, right? Disciplines. Sounds harsh. Sounds legalistic. Sounds so religious. Continue reading →