More questions for your Pillars reading and discussions!
Chapter 25 Feasting to Famine to Fasting
I love my childhood church. I really hope that comes through in this book. Of course it wasn’t perfect but it was good. I was loved and safe and welcomed and I don’t know a better way to grow up. I’ve heard similar stories from other kids who grew up in this community. And still, to this day, I am well loved by this body. What a gift.
How do you think about your childhood spiritual community? I know my experience isn’t everyone’s, I know there is pain. I pray for healing in those spaces.
Have you thought much about the women in the story of Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac? I’ve often wondered if Abraham told Sarah anything when they came back. Or did she maybe notice and sense something significant had happened?
Chapter 26 Failed Fast
Do you fast? That’s kind of a personal question, right? If you do, why? What motivates you? If you don’t, why not? Have you tried other fasts - outside your tradition? Have they been encouraging or challenging, both perhaps?
How can you bless people outside your faith tradition when they are fasting?
Chapter 27 Night of Power
In this chapter my “Santa” friend leaves me a surprise gift. Have you been surprised by an unexpected thoughtfulness from an unexpected source? Have you been that source? I think we should consider how to uniquely encourage our friends of other faiths.
What else struck you?
I have thought more about fasting this year, especially Ramadan and Lent. They matched up this year, at least on our Eastern church calendar. I have kept Lent myself sometimes before that, and it was good. Ramadan used to be just a time for me to be sure have extra snacks available for the little kids and not to eat outside. This year I was in the midst of a college course about the world of Islam, so I was thinking about it even more constantly than usual. This year I didn't keep Lent, and I can't really fast from food (health). But I set myself a five-times-a-day prayer schedule, and I loved it. I look forward to that becoming a yearly part of my life.
For the first time ever someone thought I was Muslim, and I had to come tell you. :-) Yesterday I was sitting with my neighbour at their big holiday. When she went off to pray one of her Muslim but not practicing friends offered to watch my stuff too, if I wanted to go with her.