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RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages During Church Services?

 
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RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/3/2008 6:40:19 PM   
tombombadil

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

quote:

How about if we just go to church and not care what the other person is doing and focus on our worship.


Focussing on my worship would mean I wouldn't bring water into the sanctuary...or soda or whatever other than a spirit ready to worship.

What

you

do


is


between


you

and

God.


All I am suggesting is that you challenge what you believe. As I said before this isn't about church rules or what you should be doing...its a challenge to question why you are in church and the spiritual importance of fasting.


You wouldn't and by what you are saying is you don't care if someone else does.
Post #: 226
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/3/2008 7:20:13 PM   
SonInMe1

 

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quote:

You wouldn't and by what you are saying is you don't care if someone else does.


As I have stated before it doesn't matter to me if you carry in a ten course meal, it won't distract me from the reason why I am there.

I can't help to think its not a distraction to yourself though.

Covaan_Meshuga....

I would like to say you have challenged me to think a little on this because I find the way you worship interesting. Something I would have never considered doing.

Now what I am going to say might be disturbing, esspecially my comparison, but its not meant to be judgemental. Its meant to illuminate my position a little more.

To me, all the eating and drinking is a carnal act. It would be the same as having an orgy in church....to me. I am NOT saying you are sinning, so to speak. I am saying to me the comparison is to that kind of degree.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 227
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/3/2008 10:39:56 PM   
Covaan_Meshuga


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
We also have glassed rooms, its hard to explain I guess, at the back of the sanctuary, for mothers with young babies....Like I said, its not a disturbance issue. Its a personal one. Individual.
Oh, I understand. I wrote out of turn on that issue and was too harsh. It's merely a difference of opinion. It's just that I have seen the children grow so much in their understanding and wisdom by remaining in the main service, so I am prejudiced.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Covaan_Meshuga....

Now what I am going to say might be disturbing, esspecially my comparison, but its not meant to be judgemental. Its meant to illuminate my position a little more.

To me, all the eating and drinking is a carnal act. It would be the same as having an orgy in church....to me. I am NOT saying you are sinning, so to speak. I am saying to me the comparison is to that kind of degree.

SonInMe, I cannot profess to understand your position on this, but that is your position. No problem. We may be having a misunderstanding because of the way i wrote, too. Let me give you an example of eating and drinking in the service by telling you about today, which was an extremely typical Sabbath. I brought my Constant Comment tea, half made, with my bottle of agave (a sweetener). After I had gone about and had some social time with the ones who were there so far, I went back and finished making my tea, bringing it to my seat on the second row in a two-cup closed container. I also had a banana to eat, should I have needed it. I didn't, so it stayed in my attache case, where I would normally have also kept my lunch.

The woman across the aisle from me had a closed two-cup bottle of water, but I never saw her drink of it. She probably did, but I didn't notice.

As is my habit, I gave bottles of cold water to the worship team and to the speaker. I had a couple more bottles of water on ice, should anyone need them, and left them in my attache case. They asked me to sing with them, so I did, and brought my tea up to where we sang. I did not notice if anyone else had food or drinks while we worshiped, but I am sure several people did.

That is what it is like during the service. Nothing more.

Then after the service, we get together and have lunch, everyone eating together. I happened to come home, because I was very tired, but the people who stayed ate, drank, studied, went to classes, talked, etc., until this evening, when they had dinner followed by another service after dark.

That is all I intended -- no orgy there! I think maybe I made it sound like we were sitting around gorging ourselves the whole time, and that was not the case. We simply set the Sabbath apart as a day of community worshiping, studying, and being community. That's all. To fast on Sabbath would be unacceptable, exceept as in the case of Yom Kippur, when it falls on a Sabbath (as it did this year).

_____________________________

Abiyah
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
A tree's fruit is obvious; you have to look harder for the worm hole.
G-d has only one natural Son; EVERYONE else is adopted.
Post #: 228
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/4/2008 7:57:09 PM   
SonInMe1

 

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I really like the form of your service. Its more....for a lack of a better word...homey. It is exactly like a large family spending the entire day in the Lord.

Wonderful.

I think you can see though its outside of what most christians would cosider a day at church. While your point is valid and certainly welcome...I have learned from your posts....its somewhat outside of the box.

Not everyone's service is all day long. Even Jesus worried about feeding those who had listened to Him all day. A few minutes a week is what most of us spend in corporate worship and for those few minutes, barring medical reasons, complete focus, to me, is warrented.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 229
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/4/2008 8:26:33 PM   
Covaan_Meshuga


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I understand. If I only had an hour or so, that would probably be what I would desire also.

The thing is that there are also classes throughout the week (except on Sundays and Fridays) when we sit a tables with our texts, handouts, etc. and are taught by a teacher. I am only attending one class this year, because I had to drop two classes when my life started spinning out of control . I bring my ever-present tea to my single class. Ask the lady across the table from me. I spilled it on her handout two weeks ago! There is a certain danger to having drinks in the worship place and in the classroom.

But then about three years ago, someone spilled coffee on my brand new Bible at such a class. Not to worry -- that Bible proved too big, and I bought another -- an itty-bitty one that I must wear glasses to read! So no real loss.

_____________________________

Abiyah
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
A tree's fruit is obvious; you have to look harder for the worm hole.
G-d has only one natural Son; EVERYONE else is adopted.
Post #: 230
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/6/2008 4:47:20 PM   
HorizonsLeader


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From: Summerfield, NC
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I think a drink assists with focus. I personally see no difference between chewing gum and sippin on a soda. What do I know? I am one of those 'emergent types' who goes to a church that meets in a deli. Drinks are commonplace there... in fact we give out coffee for free.
Post #: 231
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 10:59:47 AM   
JazTek

 

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I also bring in bottle of water with me...I don't see any harm in it...

It's the people that don't put their kids in daycare or age appropriate bible class(not the newborns, the ones 3-8 yrs old.) that usually cause the most distraction as they are trying to discipline them....

_____________________________

--------------------------------------------------------
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"...
Post #: 232
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 11:08:01 AM   
zoebob


Posts: 8878
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From: land of limbo
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Moderator's Nudge::

The topic of discussion in this thread is whether drinking beverages in church is OK. If you want to discuss who should be in the worship service or other aspects of the church service please start a new thread.

Do not send me PM's about this.
Do not discuss this in the public forums.
If you have any other questions please contact community@salemwebnetwork.com

Zoebob

_____________________________

L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
Post #: 233
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 11:24:48 AM   
ClintonPI

 

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This thread title reminded me of something that happened a few weeks ago. I was parked outside a church and was able to observe the arrival of the congregation. Every one of them arrived with a cup of coffee, but not a single one of them carried a Bible in. It was both disheartening and surprising to see.
Post #: 234
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 11:28:48 AM   
JimboFletch


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quote:

ORIGINAL: ClintonPI

This thread title reminded me of something that happened a few weeks ago. I was parked outside a church and was able to observe the arrival of the congregation. Every one of them arrived with a cup of coffee, but not a single one of them carried a Bible in. It was both disheartening and surprising to see.

That never happens at my Baptist church. Nearly everyone arrives carrying just their Bible. Coffee and donuts are available in nearly every Bible study class.
Post #: 235
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 12:39:04 PM   
Covaan_Meshuga


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Clinton!

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I arrive with two 2-cup covered cups of Constant Comment tea (usually already sweetened), my lunch, six bottles of water, my siddur, my cell phone (turned to buzz, not ring), my siddur...

And an itty-bitty whole Bible that is so small that I need my glasses to read it. That could be very offensive to some, because they don't see it. It is covered in red fabric and attached by Velcro to the outside of my red purse, because my purse is too small to carry more than my siddur inside.

Some have even criticized me for carrying an itty-bitty whole Bible that requires glasses, asking me if I am ashamed of the Bible. Nice.

But really, don't be so quick to judge those people going in their churches with their coffee and no visible Bibles. You did not likely see all of them, and you have no idea who had Bibles in their purses, pockets, attache cases, etc. Furthermore, the church, like the church I work for, may provide the Bibles for the congregation.

_____________________________

Abiyah
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
A tree's fruit is obvious; you have to look harder for the worm hole.
G-d has only one natural Son; EVERYONE else is adopted.
Post #: 236
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 12:41:39 PM   
HorizonsLeader


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From: Summerfield, NC
Status: offline
I used to not bring my Bible to church. I had good reason though. My translation did not match up and left me confused as all get out! Now that I know what translation my pastor uses, I bring my Bible every week (for highlighting and note taking purposes usually)...

Back in New Testament days the people did not have their own Bible. The only time they heard the word was when they entered into the temple. I wonder if anyone watched outside to be critical of everyone without a scroll in their hands. hmm
Post #: 237
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 1:31:57 PM   
SavedByGraceMD

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga



Some have even criticized me for carrying an itty-bitty whole Bible that requires glasses, asking me if I am ashamed of the Bible. Nice.



That was cute.
Well are you ashamed of the bible?HMMMMPH? JJ. But seriously, are you. JJ.

SonInMe1,
I understand your point that when we go to church, whether it is a 1/2 hour, and hour or 2 in my case, we should be going with complete devotion and willingness to give the Lord our complete attention.

What I don't understand is how a bottle of water pertains to ones attention to the Lord. He did create us to need food and water after all. As long as the person is not drawing attention to him or her, what is the problem. Like you said it is between them and God how they give their time. You say it doesn't bother you, but are you being honest about that. It all comes down to ones own personal preferences, and if they feel it doesn't hinder their worship, then why should you. In the end God will judge their hearts.

Just so you know, I do agree with you on this, but what others do is not up to me. I don't take drinks into church out of respect for God and for the church itself, but that is just me. If I saw someone next to me with a bag of burger king and a soda, I would think that was disrespectful, but I am not that mans judge.

_____________________________

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Post #: 238
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 1:47:35 PM   
Covaan_Meshuga


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
Some have even criticized me for carrying an itty-bitty whole Bible that requires glasses, asking me if I am ashamed of the Bible. Nice.

That was cute.
Well are you ashamed of the bible?HMMMMPH? JJ. But seriously, are you. JJ.

I THINK you're kidding. I HOPE you're kidding. You are -- right?

Waaaaallll, just in case you aren't, I carry a small Bible because I like to take it to work, so I need a small one that can attach to the outside of my small purse, that will cling using just Velcro. This little Bible has become my main reading-Bible, so I have become attached. My most recent Bible before this one, which I still have and LOVE, requires a fairly large attache case to carry it around -- one of those loose-leaf jobs. Simply put, I went from one extreme to another.

_____________________________

Abiyah
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
A tree's fruit is obvious; you have to look harder for the worm hole.
G-d has only one natural Son; EVERYONE else is adopted.
Post #: 239
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 2:00:14 PM   
SavedByGraceMD

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga

quote:

ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
Some have even criticized me for carrying an itty-bitty whole Bible that requires glasses, asking me if I am ashamed of the Bible. Nice.

That was cute.
Well are you ashamed of the bible?HMMMMPH? JJ. But seriously, are you. JJ.

I THINK you're kidding. I HOPE you're kidding. You are -- right?

Waaaaallll, just in case you aren't, I carry a small Bible because I like to take it to work, so I need a small one that can attach to the outside of my small purse, that will cling using just Velcro. This little Bible has become my main reading-Bible, so I have become attached. My most recent Bible before this one, which I still have and LOVE, requires a fairly large attache case to carry it around -- one of those loose-leaf jobs. Simply put, I went from one extreme to another.

Of course I was kidding. I am thinking of buying a small bible I can carry around also, but don't know if my eyes can handle the small print. I have been having trouble with my eyes lately.

Anyway, I wouldn't care if your bible was a inch by an inch, or 3 feet by 3 feet, big or small, as long as you are able to read it, go for it. But I would say that the more places we could carry it the better. May God bless you and shine His face upon you. Take care.

_____________________________

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Post #: 240
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 4:25:59 PM   
Rahab77

 

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At our small church there are only about fifteen active members.

Most Sunday mornings the kitchen way........ in the back.... of the Church, is open for coffee, and fresh fruit.

Ususally a Church member will bring a cup of coffee to greet a visitor, as they enter the lobby, only after having walked through the heart of the church , to reach the lobby.

Most of the members stand around in the kitchen area sipping coffee and chatting, a few will head out to the lobby, to talk with guests, enjoying a piece of fresh fruit.

But I never witnessed any member eating or snacking or drinking in the sanctuary.
Post #: 241
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 8:31:29 PM   
SonInMe1

 

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quote:

What I don't understand is how a bottle of water pertains to ones attention to the Lord.


Must be my adoption is making me more and more jewish...I will answer your question with a question...



What are the spiritual implications of a fast? Is there importance, spiritually, to giving up the carnal to focus on God?

Your answer is in that answer.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 242
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/13/2008 8:42:41 PM   
ClintonPI

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga

Clinton!

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I arrive with two 2-cup covered cups of Constant Comment tea (usually already sweetened), my lunch, six bottles of water, my siddur, my cell phone (turned to buzz, not ring), my siddur...

And an itty-bitty whole Bible that is so small that I need my glasses to read it. That could be very offensive to some, because they don't see it. It is covered in red fabric and attached by Velcro to the outside of my red purse, because my purse is too small to carry more than my siddur inside.

Some have even criticized me for carrying an itty-bitty whole Bible that requires glasses, asking me if I am ashamed of the Bible. Nice.

But really, don't be so quick to judge those people going in their churches with their coffee and no visible Bibles. You did not likely see all of them, and you have no idea who had Bibles in their purses, pockets, attache cases, etc. Furthermore, the church, like the church I work for, may provide the Bibles for the congregation.


Howdy, CM!

Yeah, I myself have several pocket-sized Bibles. Very handy, but I agree; the older I get the harder they are to read.

Actually, I did get to watch every person enter the church; I was conducting an investigation there and had the opportunity to monitor everyone arriving and entering the church, so unless they're all using pocket Bibles...

But lest I bring down a scolding upon my head by the admins for changing the topic...

So, church seems to make you a very thirsty person. What is Constant Comment tea?
Post #: 243
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/14/2008 1:55:50 AM   
Covaan_Meshuga


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
...But I would say that the more places we could carry it the better. May God bless you and shine His face upon you. Take care.


Ah, you're sweet. I hope you can nail down those eye problems. A small Bible is great.

Actually, you reminded me that I also have the whole Bible. in a three-volume set, that is actually about 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches, and each one is covered in a wine-colored fabric with zippers! I forgot about that set, but it is KJV, and I prefer NASB. Ha-ha-ha!
_____________________________

Clinton --

Constant Comment tea makes ya talk a lot!

No, it is a particularly delicious tea made by Bigalow -- the best cinnamon-orange tea in the world and nicely fragrant. Our services are quite long, but also, I have an illness that makes me have to be hydrated often, or I have problems.

I used to take my Constant Comment with honey, which was very nice, but now, I use agave to sweeten it. This tea is especially nice served with toasted bagels and cream cheese.

But really, about the Bibleless congregation, I would think they didn't need their Bibles because the church provided a certain translation. Of course, I can think of several other reasons as well. I went to my place of worship tonight, and not one person brought a Bible, because we were all taking a class that uses a text book.

< Message edited by Covaan_Meshuga -- 5/14/2008 2:01:56 AM >


_____________________________

Abiyah
Why does He keep quoting Torah? Doesn't He know He's about to abolish it?
A tree's fruit is obvious; you have to look harder for the worm hole.
G-d has only one natural Son; EVERYONE else is adopted.
Post #: 244
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/14/2008 4:55:42 AM   
McFatty


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I'd say since the original church's primary reason for scheduled meeting was to take the Lord's Supper (which included liquid), I don't think there's a biblical problem with it. If a church imposes rules against it, I simply wouldn't attend that one. I don't like unnecessary impositions like that, no matter where I am.

_____________________________

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
Post #: 245
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/14/2008 9:55:03 AM   
SonInMe1

 

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My position on this was never about church rules...just something between you and God and to challenge people to see if they can give up some comfort for a few minutes a week ( we are a comfort driven society ) to worhsip God.

No rules. No laws. No judgement. Just something to consider.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 246
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/14/2008 7:47:17 PM   
SavedByGraceMD

 

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Joined: 2/13/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

quote:

What I don't understand is how a bottle of water pertains to ones attention to the Lord.


Must be my adoption is making me more and more jewish...I will answer your question with a question...



What are the spiritual implications of a fast? Is there importance, spiritually, to giving up the carnal to focus on God?

Your answer is in that answer.

Maybe I am missing the correlation in fasting and going to church. Are we supposed to fast when we go to church.

I do agree with you as I have already said, that we should be willing to give up the carnal to focus on God when we are at church. But are we required to. Drinking isn't necessarily carnal, but a necessity for the human body.

_____________________________

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Post #: 247
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/15/2008 8:44:18 AM   
SonInMe1

 

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A flesh need. I don't think the Spirit drinks water...maybe living water.

We worship comfort in america and the west above all else and I think...even...above God.

I love water. I drink a lot. My blood pressure pills make me...expell the excess...a lot so I understand thirst. ( I was on a fat free, sugar free, salt free diet for a while and its amazing when you cut those things out, how you are not thirsty at all )

I just think I can go an hour a week without a water bottle in my face. To me, it would seem disrespectful if I couldn't control my flesh for one hour a week. Its almost as if God is an inconvienence to our day that we can't set aside the flesh for 60 minutes.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 248
RE: Is It Okay To Drink Water and Other Beverages Durin... - 5/15/2008 11:37:09 AM   
SavedByGraceMD

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

A flesh need. I don't think the Spirit drinks water...maybe living water.

We worship comfort in america and the west above all else and I think...even...above God.

I love water. I drink a lot. My blood pressure pills make me...expell the excess...a lot so I understand thirst. ( I was on a fat free, sugar free, salt free diet for a while and its amazing when you cut those things out, how you are not thirsty at all )

I just think I can go an hour a week without a water bottle in my face. To me, it would seem disrespectful if I couldn't control my flesh for one hour a week. Its almost as if God is an inconvienence to our day that we can't set aside the flesh for 60 minutes.

Good points, and I do agree.

Water is not a need of the soul, but of the flesh, but it is an essential need God created us to have.

We can of course go much longer than one hour without water, so it is not a desperate have to have at this very moment need. I agree that we are creatures who love our comfort. Especially here in America where we think we just cannot do without this or that.

So SonInMe1, I do agree with you. We should be able to set aside our comfort and our flesh when we are worshiping the Lord

_____________________________

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.