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those' whose baptism may not have been by an outward and visible sign, such as our fellow believers in society of Friends or the Salvation Army, there has nevertheless been an inward commitment, a grace received and a conscious acceptance of the death-ressurection principle as one that will govern their entire lives. pp15

In an article entitled 'Fifteen Pounds Too Much' (originally written for and published in New Covenant magazine, USA), Michael Harper tells how he went on a diet before visiting the States, where he knew that with typically generous American hospitality, he was almost bound to put on extra pounds. He began to digest endless grapefruits and eggs and, to his amazement, the pounds simply fell off him. Not only was that very encouraging, but he discovered other things too. He found, after the initial struggle, that he was being set free from a craving for food. He was 'in charge' and no longer a slave to the dictates of his stomach. He felt fitter than he had been for

years, more mentally alert, more able to cope with temptations. He had more concentration in prayer and found he needed less sleep. At the same time he felt less tired than he had for a long while. He developed a keener ability to taste things and several 'small weaknesses and conditions' began to disappear.

With a clearer mind he was able to speak and preach more effectively and fasting, which he had previously tried to practise with some difficulty, became much easier He felt so good that he determined that the fifteen pounds would not go back on - American visit or no. And
didn't! pp 83-84

Let us then, id this check-up, reflect on the ways in which we have or have not used our spiritual breathing apparatus.

Have we breathed in the Spirit of Love, to breathe out love upon those whom we contact day by day?

Have we breathed in the Spirit of Peace, to breathe out peace in the midst of stressful situations and conflict?

Have we breathed in the Spirit of Joy, to bring a light touch to relieve heaviness, to bring laughter into tense situations, to bring hope to those in sorrow, to brighten the lives of those we meet and to sweeten our obedience?

Have we breathed in the Spirit of Truth, to breathe out integrity and to speak the disturbing and uncomfortable word in the face of spiritual complacency? Twice Jeremiah links 'not having any breath' with falsehood (Jer 10: 14; 51:17).
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Job 31:7 'if mine heart walked after mine eyes' 98