Matthew 6:16 - "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get."(NLT)

Fasting is a pretty common spiritual discipline, but it's not always what we fast as how and why we fast that matters. Fasting is giving something up to honor God and focus in on an important matter in prayer. By giving up something that matters to us, we place our attention on other things that matter.

Yet some people fast to show others what "good Christians" they are. Fasting is not meant to do just to do it. You should have a reason for fasting. Putting on a show doesn't impress God. So, when you make the decision to fast, be sure that you are fasting for the right reasons.

I heard once that the Superbowl was a more celebrated holiday in the United States than Christmas. That's a pretty astounding assertion, and one that doesn't exactly sit well with most Christians. However, while the idea of more people celebrating a football game than the birth of Jesus may not be ideal, it shouldn't prevent us from having a little fun on Superbowl Sunday.

Even so, there are some Christian groups that "get in the game" on Superbowl Sunday. Some churches opt to have their own Superbowl parties, showing that Christians aren't all boring fuddy-duddies. Even Athletes in Action has their own breakfast where every year they honor one player with the Bart Starr Award for outstanding character and leadership at "home, on the field, and in the community." The 2011 award went to Drew Brees.

So, like many people, Christian or not, go and enjoy Superbowl Sunday. Have a party, enjoy the game, and spend some time in fellowship with one another.

For many of you in the Midwest, you may have been enjoying the snow days after what has been dubbed everything from "Snowmageddon" to "Snowpocolypse." These are the days when no one heads to school, because the weather dictates it. But how do you use those snow days? Are they good days to be productive at home, catching up on homework and Bible reading? Do you spend more time in reflection? Or are they days spent online and playing video games and vegging out? Or...all of the above?

Psalm 119:160 - "The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever."(NLT)

God tells us the truth, so how can we possibly lie? Yet we do it all the time. We lie to one another. We lie to ourselves, and sometimes we even try to lie to God. I never understand lying to God, because it's not like we could actually pull one over on Him. Lying itself comes down to making ourselves feel better, but in the end it never really does.

Telling the truth isn't always easy. Sometimes it requires that we see things in ourselves that we don't like. Other times it's hard for us to deal with how the truth will make others feel. Yet we know we are lying, and we know we are going against God in our deceptions.

Try this week to be a little more truthful. If it's uncomfortable, find a way to be tactful or softer. As we practice truthfulness and honesty, we will get better at it over time.