Amen, brother …

… My Faith: What I learned from my 46-day beer-only fast – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

The experience proved that the origin story of monks fasting on doppelbock was not only possible, but probable. It left me with the realization that the monks must have been keenly aware of their own humanity and imperfections. In order to refocus on God, they engaged this annual practice not only to endure sacrifice, but to stress and rediscover their own shortcomings in an effort to continually refine themselves.