A few months ago I stopped drinking soda. This was more than just deciding not to drink 3 or 4 cans each day. There were serious physical side effects, as any of you who have tried are well aware. If you want to see if it should be “soda,” “coke,” or “pop,” then check out this map!

Then almost a month ago, Liz and I decided to do a “consumption fast.” I wrote about it elsewhere, and it looks like the fast will go on at least until July, when Shea and Diane want to go on vacation with us to California.

Friday, I was praying and I realized there was a third area that needed to be taken away for a time. I play a lot of poker, and I’m actually fairly good at it. It is thought that only about 30% of poker players in a casino will make money over time. Silas was born three months ago, and since then I’m up about $2700 including wins and loses. That’s 90 hours (playing about once a week), and you can do the math. (I should point out that I never play online, so I don’t need a poker filter like guys do with the porn).

At this point, I will not write why I think gambling is not a sin. I would add that the poker I play may not even be considered “gambling” in the traditional sense. I can make a case for either one of these if anyone actually cares to read that then let me know?

So ummm, I won’t be playing poker for a while. Not easy at all seeing as how it is my primary hobby, I study lots of books, I improve my game, and I love playing. Liz is keeping me accountable on this one.

Pattern?
Love pop, gone.
Love consuming, gone.
Love poker, gone.

Why am I telling you all this? I did a year of counseling with a Christian psychologist during seminary, and it was the best thing I ever did in terms of spiritual and emotional formation. Hey, it was cheap as a student, so why pay $125 an hour when I had to pay $12! And saying things out loud had a way of making me see what I am oblivious to. I guess this is one way of saying things out loud.

It’s been feeling like a wilderness of sorts. Three temptations, maybe? This isn’t some self-loathing woe is me pity party, but it’s that mirror experience of your heart that makes these times trying. I know that the gospel is for this life, here and now. I’m not sitting around waiting for the sweet bye and bye, and I’m not claiming some ascetic moral high ground. God seems to be asking me to trust him more, and maybe this is one way he can do that.

Questions:
Is it Biblical to talk about the Christian life without mentioning some sacrifice?
If everything in my life is perfect, and blessed and just the way I want it, how do I trust God?
How do you see fasting, and how has it affected your spiritual journey?
As a spiritual discipline the way Foster, Willard and others talk about it, how often do you think we should fast?
Many of you are giving up something for Lent, so what has that been like?
What would Jesus fast from if he were living in America?
What does it say that other religions fast as well?

Cheers.