tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047346872529008758.post832043272313230448..comments2024-01-01T03:38:13.643-05:00Comments on We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice In Christ: To Fast or Not to Fast, That is the QuestionJocelyn Christensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342635172904848811noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047346872529008758.post-78922512294711863832017-03-13T09:42:56.103-04:002017-03-13T09:42:56.103-04:00good topic for people of any age to consider...and...good topic for people of any age to consider...and share their experiences about. A principle of faith and obedience that helps conquer overcome our physical appetites and tune into our spiritual side...Great Grandma Linhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791149428495689835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047346872529008758.post-67503281471968155662017-03-12T18:01:28.663-04:002017-03-12T18:01:28.663-04:00That is really an awesome story of how you gained ...That is really an awesome story of how you gained a testimony of fasting and I appreciate your analogy of fasting muscles! I am going to have to use that terminology with my kids. Thank you, Sasha!!Jocelyn Christensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10342635172904848811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047346872529008758.post-81488625889389061582017-03-12T16:54:57.053-04:002017-03-12T16:54:57.053-04:00Wow--Scarlett really does look grown up!
Fasting ...Wow--Scarlett really does look grown up!<br /><br />Fasting is so hard. Like, every month. I've had 4 teenage boys and you would think fasting is the WORST thing that could ever be asked of them. But, as they've grown, and as I've born testimony of my experiences with fasting and prayer, and we've had Family Home Evening and Church lessons on it, and as we've had opportunities to fast together as a family for specific things, their testimonies of fasting have grown as well. Yes, there are some Fast Sundays where, after hearing them whine and cry and beg for food because they just "can't" fast, I take a deep breath and tell them that of course they have their agency. But 9 times out of 10 they choose to fast anyway. And then there are days (or even weeks) when I've seen one of them really in need of an answer or direction, or they have a friend they're concerned about, and they voluntarily fast on some regular day (or over the course of a few days) for their own purposes. <br /><br />I think in some ways, we have to develop "fasting muscles." They're like core muscles, that, if strong, kick in when we have weak muscles elsewhere. Just as core muscles help support back muscles, "fasting muscles" of faith do the hard work when the rest of our physical beings are weak from hunger.<br /><br />I gained an immediate testimony of fasting as soon as I turned eight. My parents had purchased a piano and I really wanted to take lessons but, I was already involved in dance lessons and my parents told me that they couldn't afford for me to do both. I would have to choose one over the other. At age eight I could not fathom how to make that choice. I had just been baptized and it was Fast Sunday and my inspired mother suggested that perhaps that be the first thing I fast over. <br /><br />That was the first thing I fasted over and I received a very clear answer (needed to be because I was eight!) that I should quit dancing and begin piano. I cannot even begin to list the ways that one decision has shaped me and shaped my life and blessed me, as well as others. I still have an appreciation for dance to this day, but that truly was not the course for me. And not only did I receive personal, blessed revelation regarding my talents and pursuits, I also received a testimony of fasting and prayer.Sashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16990034207231434260noreply@blogger.com