Sacred Gifts

I had the opportunity to go to the BYU museum yesterday with Michael and Pamela and look at the art of three artists. Carl Bloch, Hoffman and Schwarz. The paintings were inspirational. The artists were gifted and the experience was spiritual...at least as spiritual as anything can be with two kids who are determined to distract you and prevent you from feeling the spirit. I had seen many of the paintings in the Ensign over the years. There were two that stood out to me. I don't think I had ever seen them before

The first one is an image of Christ in a red robe and a crown of thorns on his head. There is a Roman soldier next to him. The soldier is deriding him while seemingly applying pressure onto the crown. There are a couple of fresh streaks of blood starting down Jesus' forehead. Christ is looking at the painter/observer with a look that seems to ask if we will do the same thing. I suppose the only way any of us can do that is by how we treat others, his teachings, his commandments or his servants. It occurred to me that I have a lot to do personally to avoid treating him like the Romans did that day.

The second one was a painting of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane praying very, very fervently. There is a winged angel behind Him. I looked closely at His hands wondering if the painter had included the beginning of the bleeding He did that night. Though I did not see it, I assume that even before the bleeding started, the agony and difficulty of his task (for my sins alone) would require sustaining. I am glad the angel was already there even before the bleeding started. The angel is winged which does not strike me as doctrinal, but wings can be a symbol of grace and strength. Even though I don't believe angels have wings ala birds, for this particular painting, it did not seem out of place to me.

We were only there for about 30 minutes, but it was time well spent. We each donated a few cents from my wallet and by so doing were allowed to choose one print of any of the paintings. I chose the one in the garden, Michael chose the one with the Roman soldier and Pamela chose a print of the annunciation of the nativity to the angels, also a good painting. I have been trying to reflect on the pictures on a regular basis. I have covenanted to always remember Him; the pictures are helping. I put Michael's on the mirror in the front room and I have put mine in my car. I am trying to decide where to put it without being obnoxious but without hiding it either, for my sake.

Hurry up and Fast

I have no problem fasting. For some abstaining from food and drink or perhaps just food can be difficult. I routinely skip lunch and I don't even notice. When I take the opportunity to fast for two meals at the beginning of each month, I am somewhat hungry, but not uncomfortable. I consider myself lucky in that regard. However, it got me thinking about fasting and the reasons and the blessings and what the scriptures say etc. I decided this would be a good thing to investigate myself.

What do the scriptures say?
I was feeling weak at the beginning of a fast recently so I decided to see if I truly needed to abstain from water. Not because I have a particular hard time abstaining from water, but if it is unnecessary, perhaps I could reap some physical benefits. None of the prophets had a sermon recorded specifically on how to fast so, as always, we have to go by their examples. Moses fasted 40 days wherein "he did neither eat bread, nor drink water." I will assume the lord quickened him as he was in his presence. (Exodus 34:28) When Queen Ester had to go plead before the king on behalf of the house of Israel, she asked the Jews to fast for her and "neither eat nor drink three days." (Esther 4:16) I have never done a three day fast, but the result was very positive so obviously it worked. I would imagine that those who participated suffered considerably. Other that those two examples, the only thing ever mentioned is that fasting took place. Even the gospels only mention Christ's abstinence from food...though he was in the desert.

What does science say?
There have been many studies regarding fasting for health. What it seems to boil down to is fasting is very good for you. The following articles are all pretty positive about fasting:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-intermittent-fasting-might-help-you-live-longer-healthier-life

http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/the-benefits-of-occasional-fasting-20121116

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-green-effective-fasting-benfits,0,2843882.story

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting/#axzz2mNubBHuu

A commenter in the first article did point out that there are major physiological differences between men and women and perhaps more gender specific studies are needed. I would agree with that. My wife seems to struggle with the occasional religious fast and for all her complaints about being pregnant or nursing, she likes that she does not have to fast.

My recent experiences
As I said, I recently fasted for religious reasons. I went without food and water. I had snacks and dessert somewhat late into previous evening then I skipped breakfast and lunch. We ate dinner at about 5:30 that evening so I went without food and water for about 19 hours. I always get thirsty. It is the worst in the morning. When I wake up I have major cotton mouth. I have also learned not to brush my teeth. Somehow when I brush my teeth while I am fasting, my breath is worse. Between 2:00 and 3:00 my stomach started to grumble some but I didn't feel that hungry. After a few minutes of that, it subsided and then I didn't feel hungry. Even while I cooked turkey chili, I never felt uncomfortable.

Today I fasted lunch but I was drinking plenty of water. I ate 2 Costco sausages and 2 eggs for breakfast and then I didn't eat again until I had some mixed nuts while Sarah was finishing dinner. I don't remember feeling hungry prior to getting home and then I felt very hungry. I was hungrier at the end of the lunch-only food fast than I did yesterday while doing a food and water fast. I think I will experiment more prior to settling on the possible reasons.

My hypothesis
I am not a very good writer. As I read articles and blogs they have a certain flow to them. Mine do not. Yet. I think I will figure this out as I continue to blog. Nevertheless, here is what I believe. What is a blog if not an arena to express my beliefs? Fasting is very healthy physically. Fasting is tremendously healthy for spirituality. Fasting without giving to the poor and the needy is just a diet. I have heard that fasting without prayer is a diet, but the donating to the poor is even more crucial. Spiritual fasting should exclude water. Fasting for physical reasons can go either way. Next month I am going to fast a full 24 hours. I will continue 'fasting' lunch regularly while drinking a lot of water. Finally from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 17:

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said...bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?... 21 ...this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.