JourneyOnline
By Lynne M. Baab
InterVarsity Press, 2006
Reviewed by Bevan Lobley, who was keen to push his spirituality to a deeper level and look into the idea of fasting even though he loves his food.
I found I went into reading this book with a little fear and trepidation – wanting and yet not wanting to hear what it said about fasting.
What I came out with was a different understanding of fasting and a belief that I could actually do this to a certain extent.
If you are unsure about fasting and yet interested in finding out more about what it actually is and how you could go about it, then I think this book would be helpful to you.
Ms Baab uses real examples of people’s lives to help us see her points and she expands the idea of fasting – not just giving up all food for a period of time.
Her main emphasis is not on giving up something but what we replace that time with.
Therefore fasting is as much about praying as it is about giving up something.
She pushes the envelope by saying giving up things that we are hooked on (chocolate, etc.) is a way of fasting; giving up things that take a lot of our time (TV, shopping, etc.) is a way of fasting.
Yet it always goes back to spending time with God and building a deeper and firmer relationship.
I found the book well set out, sometimes a bit repetitive, however very readable.
Within the chapters there were little icons with quotes underneath them and they were very wise and gave you much to think about as well.
Fasting: Spiritual freedom beyond our appetites has changed my thinking and pushed me to give fasting a real go.
