Exodus 16:1-3, 11-18

In a place of food scarcity, what “feeds” the Israelite’s grumbling?  How does God respond to their complaints?  How does God’s provision of manna shed light on the Kingdom of God in relationship to food and hunger?  What might God say about our unequal distribution of food and our extremes of food scarcity and over-indulgence?  What do you think God would want us to do?

If you suddenly had no access to food, what would you miss most?  How would you feel about eating the same food every day for weeks and weeks?  The people of Israel were grateful for the manna initially, but got tired of it quickly.  How can you remain grateful for God’s provision even if the provision isn’t exactly what you wanted?

Genesis 1:11-13, 26-30

One of God’s first creative acts was to ensure a sustainable food supply.  What does this act tell you about God?   The first humans seem to be vegan or at least vegetarian (meat is not officially on the menu until Genesis 9 after the account of Noah and the flood.)  Does this surprise you?  Why do you think God did not include meat in their diet initially?  Meat is restricted to certain animals in the Old Testament Law, but by the time of the early church in the New Testament, there are few Biblical restrictions on diet.  Why do you think God and the Bible have become so lax about defining a healthy diet for humans?  Does it matter what we put into our mouths?  Why or why not?

For thought…  The definition of a “balanced” diet in the US is a complicated mixture of science, politics and economics.  Every 5 years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) updates the definition of a healthy diet.  In the past 50 years, the definition has evolved  from the Four Basic Food Groups to the Food Pyramid to My Plate (2010).  When the standards are set, the various food industries lobby hard to ensure that their products remain prominent.  The National Dairy Council has been very successful at keeping milk and milk products prominent as the primary source of calcium–currently the USDA recommends 3 cups of milk and dairy products daily for adults.  Yet recent studies (Journal of Nutrition, December 2012) have documented a direct link between high levels of milk intake with prostate cancer.  Where do you get your nutrition information?  How do you decide what is “healthy” for your diet?

For further thought…  Seeds are basic to the production of food.  In our current production system, seeds have become patented property of a few large agricultural corporations.  Known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), these seed promise great yield, yet GMOs cannot reproduce themselves, forcing farmers to purchase new seed from the seed companies every year.  Do you think God has an opinion about GMOs?  If so, try to articulate it in a few sentences.

Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 22:9

What is God’s relationship to those who are hungry?  What does God promise to those who are generous with their food?  What do you think “blessing” from God includes?

When you hear the word “godliness”, what normally comes to your mind?   If godliness is the quality of being like God, then providing food for  the hungry is a very godly act.  What are some other acts of God you can start to emulate?

How is your “fast” going?  Are you eating differently?  Are you cooking more?  If you’ve found a nutritious and affordable recipe, consider posting it on our new “recipe” page.

Psalm 104:1-35

This Psalm recounts God’s ongoing involvement in Creation.  What is God’s role in the nourishment of creation and food production?

Water is a theme of Psalm 104.  Without water, there is little or no food.  Globally, drought and starvation go hand in hand.  The Midwest is in the midst of a drought right now and food prices (and hunger) have spiked as a result.  We’ve all enjoyed a winter without shoveling snow, but we need the moisture.

Saying a table grace is a tradition recognizing God’s involvement in the provision of food.  How often do you “say grace”?  Starting today, take a moment at the start of your meals to remember God’s part in making your food.  And pray for rain/snow so we’ll have plants to cultivate (Psalm 104:13-14)

Isaiah 32:1-8

This passage contrasts the noble man (the just) with the fool (the unjust).  What is the attitude of the fool toward those who are hungry and thirsty?  How does he justify his attitude? What lies do you imagine him saying about the poor in relationship to hunger?  What is one thing you could do this weekend to be “like a stream of water in the desert” for someone who is hungry or thirsty?

There will not be a post on Sunday, February 17.  Sundays during Lent are considered “Feast Days” and not part of the 40 day period of fasting.  However, do not use this as an excuse to break the budget.  Instead, consider using Sundays to break bread with others from your faith community.  Watch for the next post on Monday, February 18.

Also, consider posting a comment to share your experience thus far.  Early next week, we’ll also add a page to this blog so you can share recipes that are healthy, affordable (and easy).

Luke 3:2-11

John the Baptist identifies sharing food as fruit produced “in keeping with repentance.” This implies that not sharing food is indicative of a lifestyle outside of relationship with God.  When was the last time you shared food with someone who had none?  If you cannot remember (or if it was a long time ago) what is one thing you could do today to start?

Doing the same thing on a methodical basis quickly turns into a habit.  We often think of Lent as a time to break a bad habit by “giving up something”.  But Lent can also be a great opportunity to start a good habit.  If you want sharing food to become a part of your spiritual disciplines, make a commitment to start today.  Fill in the blank…  “Today, I will ____________.”

Isaiah 58:5-7

Who do you think “the hungry” are in this passage?  Who are “the hungry” in your community?  How does one go about sharing their food?  What organizations in your community have a mission to distribute food to the hungry?  How could you support their efforts?

During the months of February and March, Kimball Avenue Church will be contributing a portion of the Sunday offerings GROWING POWER, BREAD FOR THE WORLD and OXFAM.  Check out what they are doing locally, nationally and globally to reduce hunger and increase food independence.  And meet the Herman family in California who is following a similar fast during Lent and blogging about their experience.

Today is Valentine’s Day, often celebrated by eating out and giving candy. These activities are usually out of reach for those who feed themselves and their families on a SNAP budget.  How could you express your love this year without the food factor?

Ash Wednesday
By Jim Burklo

On my forehead,
A sign of the cross,
Smudged in ash from the fire
That burned down the McMansion of my hubris,
And, with it,
The money I should have given away,
The television I used to numb my senses,
The carpet I should have been called on,
The doors I should have opened to others,
The envelopes I should have used
To send letters of love,
The wise books I shelved prominently
So that others would think I had read them,
The blank places in my photo albums
Where my darker moments should have been remembered,
The calendars where visits with the people who needed me most
Should have been scheduled,
The couch of my complacency,
The lounge-chair of my laziness,
The shirts I stuffed with my pride,
The moccasins I should have traded with others
So we could have walked miles in them.

On my forehead,
A sign of the crossroad
Where I can turn from the way of ruin
To the way of life.

Each year, our church embarks on a 40 day corporate fast to fulfill God’s call to “true fasting”.  This year, we are limited our food budgets to share our food with the hungry.  It’s called, “Fasting For Feasting.”  Check it out and read the entire “Lenten Compact” at http://www.compact2013.wordpress.com or the church web site at http://www.kimballavenuechurch.org.

Observe Lent; Remember Good Friday; Celebrate Easter

Matthew 4:1-4

After 40 days of fasting, Jesus was hungry.  Our bodies need food for growth, maintenance and survival.  Yet, food can easily become an idol. Have you ever become so preoccupied or distracted by food that you lost your spiritual focus?  If so, when?  Why do you think food has the power to preoccupy us?  How does “living by every word that comes from the mouth of God” challenge your current relationship to food?

How are you feeling about eating on $63.35 per week through Lent?  How does it compare with your current food budget?  What do you think will be the most challenging?  Most rewarding?  What changes you do anticipate making in your food intake or food budget?  If you are one of the 47.5 million people in the US that receive SNAP benefits or you currently spend less than $63.35, what challenges and choices do you already face on a weekly basis?