Fasting. Wow! What an experience. I have to say that I experienced my first, true, fast this week. Now before any of you get up in arms saying that as a United Methodist preacher that is a shame, allow me to explain. I have "fasted" before. I have given things up. I have gone without food or certain types of food. I believed I was doing the right thing. I thought I was "fasting" the way it was supposed to be done. But my most recent experience taught me something - I have a lot to learn and experience about fasting. The leadership of the church made a voluntary call to members to be in a time of prayer and fasting for 24 hours. It was not an accountable fast. People could choose to participate in prayer and/or fasting as they wanted. The reason for the call to a time of prayer and fasting was started by the concern over the finances of the church. Like many non-profits, we are hurting financially. So the leadership asked the church to spend 24 hours sacrificing and ...