Monday 2 December 2013

fast sunday in a tent

i'm tired of making excuses for why America is failing in a million different ways. my heart hurts in this current situation where we could have humane immigration reform if Bohner would allow for a vote. i don't know what i can do but talk about this and fast with those who are fasting.  i think president uchtdorf is inspired when he said after his meeting with pres obama:

Latter-day Saints “of all people, should be cognizant of issues surrounding immigration. Look at our history; look at the pioneers who came here. It was not too long ago...The strength of the United States for all the nations around the world was always to be a melting pot where everyone can come together and then be an American.”
DJ, one of the core fasters on day 21 today, went to the hospital on saturday night and came back on sunday.
After being examined by the medical staff on duty at the fast tent, DJ Yoon was taken to the hospital yesterday and due to low sodium was placed on an IV and admitted. This morning doctors examined DJ and released him with the understanding that he can continue on the fast as long as his condition is constantly monitored and no more physical activity. Currently, DJ is in the tent resting and determined to continue fasting until medically determined that he should end his fast
solidarity fasters
i'm inspired by their determination and i believe that change can come.  that it is the morally right thing to do.

in mormondom we fast every first sunday of the month for 24 hours.  its a spiritual and a practical practice.  we donate the money we would have used on food to help those who are hungry and remember what it feels like to be without.

fasting has never really be my strongest suit.  i can get hangry and moody.  but i've also had profound spiritual experiences while fasting.  in fact, i believe that i've witness miracles in part because I/we wanted them so bad i?we fasted for them. they say that "prayer is a form of work" and is the way to demonstrate the submission of our will to God's.  fasting to me feels like real serious prayer.  it provides me an opportunity to put the will of my spirit over the will of my body.

i think that once we understand our real relationship with God (they are our parents and we are their children) prayer can become as instinctive and natural as talking to your best confidant, parent, and friend.  fasting helps me remember this relationship and is an incredible source of clarity.

i think fasting can force the hand of God, kinda.  in my view of God, we are deeply loved and known. the whole purpose of this life is for us to learn to be godly and loving.  it is what God wants, "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life."  so, i believe that when a group of people unite in a sacrifice like fasting and beg for intervention, God won't ignore us, or they'd cease to be God.

i had the fun honor of singing with Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul, & Mary last night in the tent.  he told of his experience singing on the mall in 1963 with Martin Luther King.  he said that as they sang, Blowing in the Wind and If I Had A Hammer, the large crowd sang along and sent up a sound that was unreal.  he said he thought it was because the lyrics resonated.  as they sang that day, Mary took Peter's hand and said "we are watching history be made".  he laughed and said little did we know.

may that same surprise be ours on the issue of immigration!  please, if you can join us in fasting and prayer.  there are now thousands of people fasting around the country.  with that much unity and love, hearts are going to have to soften.  And if you are able, come to a meeting at the tents in front of the Capitol building at 3rd and Jefferson SW.



Blowing in the Wind
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?

How many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

How many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?

How many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
How many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?

How many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind