I like naps. During fasts you need them. Win for me.
Physically speaking. Days 7 and 8 are when you normally start.....to regaining a little energy. I did feel a little better today but still needed one of those siestas around 2pm.
Sleep is still erratic. Couldn't fall asleep until 3 last night. Maybe this was by God's design because I was able to spend a lot of time thanking him.
4:00pm weight in 205.5 lbs
My tongue tastes like metal.
Pride is an interesting word. It can be a good or bad thing. Wikipedia says, Pride is either a high sense of one's personal status or ego or the specific mostly positive emotion that is a product of praise or independent self-reflection. We usually associate the first definition with the Biblical understanding.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive,
As far as the first definitions I think this is pretty true.
But the second definition is good too, isn't it? I am proud to be a child of God. There is nothing wrong with that is there?
The problem is we often use words differently that they did way back in Biblical times. Instead of saying, "I am proud to be a child of God.", they would express their thankfulness to be a child of God. e.g. the sentiment of Psalm 8. Maybe we should try to conform our vernacular accordingly. Maybe, we should simply say we are thankful for things instead of being 'proud' of them all the time. Why? You can say, "I'm so proud of my children" all too easily without any regard for the fact that God gave them to you in the first place. Saying you are so thankful for them makes it extremely difficult to forget God because, after all, who are you thankful to? I know it hard to change so If we do tell our children how proud we are of them lets just make sure we say it in the right WAY; with gratitude to our Father who blesses us with them.
Ben was right about pride. Its a tricky little stinker. I hope I don't become proud in the practice of my spiritual disciplines...... but thankful.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Day 6 -
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
This is a verse I constantly reflect upon. Its one of my mantras actually...especially while fasting. When the rubber hits the road there are simply some things more important than others. The eternal weight of glory IS beyond all comparison. Verse 16 is so true of the fasting experience. You become tired. Your body literally wastes away before your very eyes, yet you feel more at peace every day. You become more satisfied and content and confident with your relationship with God as one of his children. This is not because fasting and/or any spiritual discipline has earned this contentment. No, its almost as if you realize... "Why haven't I taken more time to solely focus on what he has been offering me all along?"
I talked to our high schoolers about fasting last night and was surprised that several had done extended fasts of up to seven days. I was quite excited and impressed until I found the longest of these coincided with the days before prom or during an illness. However, one of our teens is doing a Daniel fast...fruits and vegetables. I'm excited to see if he, like those exiled Israelites, experience any physical blessings from it.
.....Don't worry I'm not trying to get these young uns to do anything drastic while they are still in their physically formative years but I did want to impress upon them the gift they had been given. It is good for us to give up things for a time to reorient our priorities and facilitate our focus upon God's place of preeminence in our lives. I wanted to make it practical for them so I said, "For instance, you could give up your cell phone for a while." Only a few passed out.
Well life is good. God is good. I'm looking forward to day eight which is supposed to be a positive turning point regarding the physical experience of the fast. But its already been a blessing. Still doing water, although I did have a little piece of dentene? gum today. My breath was pretty raunchy. Sorry Shea if thats the reason you offered it. lol
10:30am 207lbs
This is a verse I constantly reflect upon. Its one of my mantras actually...especially while fasting. When the rubber hits the road there are simply some things more important than others. The eternal weight of glory IS beyond all comparison. Verse 16 is so true of the fasting experience. You become tired. Your body literally wastes away before your very eyes, yet you feel more at peace every day. You become more satisfied and content and confident with your relationship with God as one of his children. This is not because fasting and/or any spiritual discipline has earned this contentment. No, its almost as if you realize... "Why haven't I taken more time to solely focus on what he has been offering me all along?"
I talked to our high schoolers about fasting last night and was surprised that several had done extended fasts of up to seven days. I was quite excited and impressed until I found the longest of these coincided with the days before prom or during an illness. However, one of our teens is doing a Daniel fast...fruits and vegetables. I'm excited to see if he, like those exiled Israelites, experience any physical blessings from it.
.....Don't worry I'm not trying to get these young uns to do anything drastic while they are still in their physically formative years but I did want to impress upon them the gift they had been given. It is good for us to give up things for a time to reorient our priorities and facilitate our focus upon God's place of preeminence in our lives. I wanted to make it practical for them so I said, "For instance, you could give up your cell phone for a while." Only a few passed out.
Well life is good. God is good. I'm looking forward to day eight which is supposed to be a positive turning point regarding the physical experience of the fast. But its already been a blessing. Still doing water, although I did have a little piece of dentene? gum today. My breath was pretty raunchy. Sorry Shea if thats the reason you offered it. lol
10:30am 207lbs
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Day 5 - Time on my hands.
5:00am - another early wake up. Still trying to figure this out.
11:30am - Weigh in 209lbs they say you lose about 2lbs a day for the first week and 1 after that. Last 40 day with liquids I only lost a little over 20.
It is amazing how much time we have at our disposal. I am generally a busy person, citing all the usual statements busy people do like, "If there were only more hours in the day," or "time flies" or "Where did the time go?". Now that I seem to have 3 extra hours not dedicated to thinking about what am I going to eat, or cooking, or eating, and then dessert, and washing the dishes... Thoreau's quote, "Time is but a stream I go a-fishing in." Seems to make much more sense and put my busyness into a much better perspective.
Its nice not always needing to rush, and still accomplish your predetermined goals for the day. I guess I could schedule more activities or put more on my to do list but I think I will go fishing for a while. There are so many worthwhile activities in this life that I may never get to participate in or see or experience. But why would I worry about the things I can't do when I am able to appreciate the things I do.
One thing I have noticed about fasting is everything seems to slow down. I don't mean a fuzzy thought process. For some reason experiences seem to last longer. Maybe because I am not spending all my time thinking during one event what I have to do to get ready for the next one. Right now the only event that feels significant to me is eating and that is still 35 days off ...so why worry?
11:30am - Weigh in 209lbs they say you lose about 2lbs a day for the first week and 1 after that. Last 40 day with liquids I only lost a little over 20.
It is amazing how much time we have at our disposal. I am generally a busy person, citing all the usual statements busy people do like, "If there were only more hours in the day," or "time flies" or "Where did the time go?". Now that I seem to have 3 extra hours not dedicated to thinking about what am I going to eat, or cooking, or eating, and then dessert, and washing the dishes... Thoreau's quote, "Time is but a stream I go a-fishing in." Seems to make much more sense and put my busyness into a much better perspective.
Its nice not always needing to rush, and still accomplish your predetermined goals for the day. I guess I could schedule more activities or put more on my to do list but I think I will go fishing for a while. There are so many worthwhile activities in this life that I may never get to participate in or see or experience. But why would I worry about the things I can't do when I am able to appreciate the things I do.
One thing I have noticed about fasting is everything seems to slow down. I don't mean a fuzzy thought process. For some reason experiences seem to last longer. Maybe because I am not spending all my time thinking during one event what I have to do to get ready for the next one. Right now the only event that feels significant to me is eating and that is still 35 days off ...so why worry?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 4
The last 24 hours have been the hardest so far. I slept till 8:30am making up for yesterdays early rise. The hunger pains have been strong. Especially when my roommate is making his wonderful smelling Ghanian soup. I did good for the first 7 hours of my day. Stayed productive and focused. Since then I have been dragging. I am grateful for many of you who have been checking on me. Thanks for the texts and chatting with me online. I have been going through some temperature swings. Hot then cold. Sweating then chilled. Amazed I'm still going through some colon cleansing if you know what I mean. lol. On a good note my congestion has been clearing up. 1/10 of the way through. the fast, 9/10 seems a long way away. Well I guess thats why we are told not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough to keep our attention.
I am starting to look forward to my prayer time with God. Strange. But it doesn't seem quite the obligation it once felt like. More of a privilege.
Weight in: 211lbs. Must have had my jacket on those other times.
Be blessed today my friends.
Was given a very funny book yesterday by my friend Steven Rau. Stuff Christians like. Check it out if you like a little satire and sarcasm.
I am starting to look forward to my prayer time with God. Strange. But it doesn't seem quite the obligation it once felt like. More of a privilege.
Weight in: 211lbs. Must have had my jacket on those other times.
Be blessed today my friends.
Was given a very funny book yesterday by my friend Steven Rau. Stuff Christians like. Check it out if you like a little satire and sarcasm.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 3
11:00am 217.5lbs ~ must have on some heavier clothes because I know I can't weigh more.
Woke up at 4:00am. Don't know why. I prayed to get an early start although that's not exactly what I had in mind.
Lots of hunger pains today. Nothing bad, but the food smells good.
I find myself trying to find other things to replace the dining experience. I have so much more time on my hands. I went shopping today....a little too much.... I played a simple little video game today....a little too much. I got lots done...some dusting, fixed a chair, went to the recycling center, rotated the tires, polished my shoes, studied, memorized, scotch-guarded a jacket, organized, emailed, read, visited, called some folks, bible studied....and drank lots of water. Still looking for things to do.
Harnessing the energy and power God has given us is one of the great challenges to the Christian. Its so easy for that great reservoir to be wasted and dissipate via the thousand little spams of life that attach themselves to us. To utilize this energy to better love one another is what ought to monopolize our attention
Woke up at 4:00am. Don't know why. I prayed to get an early start although that's not exactly what I had in mind.
Lots of hunger pains today. Nothing bad, but the food smells good.
I find myself trying to find other things to replace the dining experience. I have so much more time on my hands. I went shopping today....a little too much.... I played a simple little video game today....a little too much. I got lots done...some dusting, fixed a chair, went to the recycling center, rotated the tires, polished my shoes, studied, memorized, scotch-guarded a jacket, organized, emailed, read, visited, called some folks, bible studied....and drank lots of water. Still looking for things to do.
Harnessing the energy and power God has given us is one of the great challenges to the Christian. Its so easy for that great reservoir to be wasted and dissipate via the thousand little spams of life that attach themselves to us. To utilize this energy to better love one another is what ought to monopolize our attention
The entire question of discipline, therefore, is how to apply the acts of will at our disposal in such a way that the proper course of action, which cannot always be realized by direct and untrained effort, will nevertheless be carried out when needed.
Dallas Willard
When routine is disrupted, when pleasures once enjoyed is removed, what will hasten to fill the void? I am discovering that it is not simply godliness for me ....but business. Godliness can be busy. But being busy is not necessarily godly. Discipline me Lord as I endeavor to fill every moment with holy intent of a thankful heart.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
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?
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?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
On your mark, get set,....
Well 2011 has been great so far. A lockin with the kids. A count down starting at forty five seconds (you have to love youth groups). Only one injury and one illness during the night. No trips to the emergency room. Par for the course.
Being with friends. Basking in the love of those you care about and who care about you is so much more important than having a few Doritos at 12:03am January 1st 2011. Don't you think?
I know both can be wonderful (especially when talking about cool Ranch) but its a lesson in contrast, thinking about the significance of each looking forward the next 40 days. Its a powerfully abstract image of priority. What am I going to recognize as valuable, vital, and important? Food, clothes, and shelter? Or Love, justice and mercy?
Lets be thankful for both..... and hold on to the Micah 6:8 things.
Today is a good day. The plan: Love you and God more this year.
12:01 am weigh in at 217.5 lbs. I think the scale weighs high by the way because I know I can't weight almost as much as my brother.
1:23 am was really excited to find out Rachel was going to do the fast with me as she ate her doughnut? Better late than never
2:11AM - also very excited to find out Isaac is going to participate in some way.
5:11pm - Still not hungry.
Nothing but water so far....but keeping those juice options open.
Being with friends. Basking in the love of those you care about and who care about you is so much more important than having a few Doritos at 12:03am January 1st 2011. Don't you think?
I know both can be wonderful (especially when talking about cool Ranch) but its a lesson in contrast, thinking about the significance of each looking forward the next 40 days. Its a powerfully abstract image of priority. What am I going to recognize as valuable, vital, and important? Food, clothes, and shelter? Or Love, justice and mercy?
Lets be thankful for both..... and hold on to the Micah 6:8 things.
Today is a good day. The plan: Love you and God more this year.
12:01 am weigh in at 217.5 lbs. I think the scale weighs high by the way because I know I can't weight almost as much as my brother.
1:23 am was really excited to find out Rachel was going to do the fast with me as she ate her doughnut? Better late than never
2:11AM - also very excited to find out Isaac is going to participate in some way.
5:11pm - Still not hungry.
Nothing but water so far....but keeping those juice options open.
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