Desert Disciplines: You can't have one without the other(s) (Week 2--Intro)

What is fasting all about, and why in the world someone would even think of doing it?  We'll start with that question this week, and move on, in the weeks to follow, to each of the other desert disciplines.

But the very first order of business is to grab hold of one essential truth:  the three desert disciplines work together.  By all means, dive headlong into each one.  But don't forget about the others, or you'll end up spiritually off-balance...

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Desert Disciplines (Week 1, Devotion 3)

           “So when you give to the needy…”

           “And when you pray…”

           “When you fast…”      (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16)

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What to Leave Behind? (Week 1, Devotion 2)

          Search me, god, and know my heart;

          Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

          See if there is any offensive way in me,

            and lead me in the way everlasting.    

                                             (Psalm 139:23-24)

Let’s say you’ll lay down some comforts as you embark on the desert journey of Lent...     (TO READ FURTHER, CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW)

Traveling Light (Week 1, Devotion 1)

           “The son of man has no place to lay his head.”   (Luke 9:58)

           "Sell your possessions and give to the poor,

             and you will have treasure in heaven.

               Then come, follow me."   (Matthew 19:21)

Following Jesus takes commitment. Although I gain everything by following the One who is the Lord of the universe, I must be ready to lose some things as well. Traveling into the desert means packing light...

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Into the Desert! (Week 1, Introduction)

Why would anyone in their right mind venture out into the desert?

It’s true that deserts are starkly beautiful. But they are also forbidding. The sun swelters in the sky, the grit of sand scratches everything, wild animals prowl around and there’s nowhere to hide.


But Jesus made a habit of spending time in the desert...     
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