Day 2 - Brushing your Teeth

I don't know if its human nature but most of us have a proclivity to see things pessimistically.  Fasting is a good example.  Although there are no scrumptious morsels for me to snack on during the day there are numerous advantages most people don't recognize....e.g. brushing your teeth.  Drinking water all day allows me to take time to swig a little Scope, swish it around and ...shazam.. I'm good to go.  3 minutes a day I wouldn't have had otherwise.

But, I am thankful for food.  More today than December 31st.  Not quite as hungry as I thought I would be but those Doritos still look pretty good.

In the past, day 2 of the fast has been the most difficult for me.   Especially in the morning.  A couple years ago when I got up early to go to the bathroom I got light headed and almost took a dive into the toilet.  No tipsiness troubles any other days.   Just day 2.  I didn't experience that this morning although I didn't want to get out of bed.  There was a distinct drop in my energy level which hopefully didn't put too many to sleep in the sermon this morning.  I don't know why day 2 is so hard.  Maybe the body just realizes, "Wait a second, something is different"

Other than a 10% reduction in energy level, the only real difference I have noticed is a more intent focus in my prayers today.  I started a couple years ago, trying to emulate my namesake in Daniel 6:10, where three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed.  At 7:00am, 11:20am, and 10:20pm for 10 minutes a pop, I tried to follow suit.  Emphasis on try. There were some good stretches, but I couldn't (or wouldn't) keep any consistency to the routine.  Seeing how often prayer and fasting are associated in the Bible I am hoping for a more committed prayer life.  I want to talk to God as if I were in his presence emotionally.  I want to urgently share with him my struggles that can only come when you know he hears, wants to listen, ease your pain, and delight in your joys.   I want to be excited about what he may reveal to me each moment.

I want to be convicted about my need to converse with God, so I can know that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.  Should I expect a voice from heaven, or a a few words face to face as if I were Moses?  No.  Although, that could be really cool.  I just want know he is listening and he could speak with me that way if he wanted,  and that he IS speaking through his word and creation.

Thanks Jon, JD, Rachel, Rick, and mom for your encouragement today.

3:00 pm 217 lbs.....and still looking healthy ...mom.

PS.  JJ, this subject line was for you.

I know some of you have started with the fast as well.  How's it going for you so far?