An Invitation For You......

As I think about the new year I am excited about what God has in store - for me, for my family, for my faith family here in Chetek.  I hope the prospect of great things is exciting for you as well.  It's no secret that I am passionate about the development of authenticity and depth in my personal walk with God and that I desire the same for our body here at Faith in Chetek.  I am striving to make a bigger and better investment in my personal relationship with Christ and I am encouraging you to do the same.  How about this.... How about joining me one day a month in a fast.  We'll start small.  Let's eat dinner the night before our fast begins and we'll plan to break our fast with dinner the following night.  Essentially we will break from food for two meals (and from the snacking we do in between meals of course).  As we begin to experience a hungry sensation my hope and prayer is that we can begin to develop a deeper hunger for the things of God.  I would encourage you to take the time you would have spent eating physical food to feast upon the spiritual food that will energize your relationship with Christ.  Spend the time in prayer for yourself spiritually, for our church, for others, etc.  I will post a list of specific things relating to the church for you to consider each month if that will help.  Spend some time in God's Word as well.  I think this will be an enriching exercise for any who choose to participate.  The first day that I am setting aside for fasting is Tuesday, January 17.  It would be great if you would join me!  Below is a link to a message by Pastor James MacDonald in which he addresses the practice of fasting and it's benefits.  I would encourage you to listen to this message before Tuesday if you can.  Feel free to post a comment and let me know your thoughts and how this is having an impact on you.  I'll plan to do the same!

The Discipline of Fasting - part one  (There are three parts to this broadcast.  Listen to them all!)