Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Blessings in Brunei

I arrived to Brunei this Sunday evening. It has been very busy time, from morning til late evening distributing educational and health books with brother D.L. Meeting with different people from Europe, India, Philippines, Iran ect. The fasting week for moslem people will start next week and will last for 1 month. Their fasting tradition is like this they can eat before 6 am. and after 6 pm. And they break their fast with dates. And usually have social dinner time at buffee. Last night I was asked to present healthy fasting speech at toastmasters club for 7-9 minutes. I talked about different styles of fasting like for detoxing the body, spiritual matter. The reason can be seeking more clouser relationship with God and therefore abstaining from habits that debilitate the body.

 There were around 15 people and later on they evaluated the speech. I have many things to learn still. For example not making long pause and trying to keep eyecontact with people, aswell not looking at the sealing. Also if I want to convince people in somtehing I need to raise my voice and show my emotion. My voice need cultivation for sure.
    Ministers and teachers should give special attention to the cultivation of the voice. They should learn to speak, not in a nervous, hurried manner, but with a slow, distinct, clear utterance, preserving the music of the voice. {CT 239.3}
The Saviour's voice was a music to the ears of those who had been accustomed to the monotonous, spiritless preaching of the scribes and Pharisees. He spoke slowly and impressively, emphasizing those words to which He wished His hearers to give special heed. Old and young, ignorant and learned, could catch the full meaning of His words. This would have been impossible had He spoken in a hurried way and rushed sentence upon sentence without a pause. The people were very attentive to Him, and it was said of Him that He spoke not as the scribes and Pharisees, for His word was as of one who had authority. . . . {CT 240.1}

Next week we plan to do "fasting for cooking" demo for Faculty of Medicin staff and students.

The true fasting which should be recommended to all, is abstinence from every stimulating kind of food, and the proper use of wholesome, simple food, which God has provided in abundance. Men need to think less about what they shall eat and drink, of temporal food, and much more in regard to the food from heaven, that will give tone and vitality to the whole religious experience. {CD 90.1}
Through Esther the queen the Lord accomplished a mighty deliverance for His people. At a time when it seemed that no power could save them, Esther and the women associated with her, by fasting and prayer and prompt action, met the issue, and brought salvation to their people.{CC 245.2}