Weight - 187.5lbs
Home stretch.... the plan is a couple days before the end to start consuming all types liquids to get my body more acclimated before eating. I don't want to have any significant ailments to deal with when I start the vision part of my journey.
Preached my "official" lesson on fasting yesterday. I hope it was received with open hearts. I have been staggered by how many people have never even tried it.
In the midst of the study I was amazed at how many things fasting was associated with....
1. prayer (obviously)
2. repentance
3. confession
4. grief/mourning
5. protection
6. guidance
7. worship
8. providence
9. preparation to persevere
Some amazing stuff. Really never had no idea until I just started looking at everything verse by verse.
So my challenge to the congregation was this......Maybe you have never tried it before.....but wouldn't you at least want to attempt to participate in something, that prophets (Moses, Elijah), kings (David, Jehosaphat), entire nations and cities (Israel, Ninevah), apostles and evangelists (Paul and Barnabus), and even Christ himself found important and maybe even necessary to practice? I can't believe they engaged in these things arbitrarily.
Have you ever tried it before? And made it a part of your life? I would never try to pray or study just one time and then give up just because it "didn't do anything for me". Maybe we need to reevaluate how and why we enter into this wonderful discipline God has given us?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Day 29
Weight - 189.5lbs
I read that often times when your body is in a fast it will try to heal old wounds. I don't know about that, but I do know that everyday something is achy. Not bad. Just sore. Today it is my gums. This could be because of all my tongue exercises a couple days ago but just in case I have started brushing and flossing again. Toughen em up. I am thankful that every other ache I have had passes before the new one starts. lol. He won't give us more than we can bear right?
I am so thankful for my future nephew. A lot of my prayers lately have been heading in that direction. For Levi, and Paul and Luci. My brother and sister in law are adopting. And the birth mom is supposed to be induced on Tuesday. I know they'd appreciate a quick prayer on their behalf if you already haven't.
I am thankful for our youth group. We had 18 teens in our class Wednesday night! That is a ton for us considering everyone else in the church on Wednesday constitutes less than 30. They are a good bunch of kids.
I am thankful for baby Hank, David, and Elly. God is truly good. And I am so excited for Jon and Jackie, Steven and Julie, Tony and Jessie, Aaron and Cindy who will be having their little ones in the next couple months.
I like that song Count you Blessings. It helps get me feeling great about another wonderful day today.
A good day.
I read that often times when your body is in a fast it will try to heal old wounds. I don't know about that, but I do know that everyday something is achy. Not bad. Just sore. Today it is my gums. This could be because of all my tongue exercises a couple days ago but just in case I have started brushing and flossing again. Toughen em up. I am thankful that every other ache I have had passes before the new one starts. lol. He won't give us more than we can bear right?
I am so thankful for my future nephew. A lot of my prayers lately have been heading in that direction. For Levi, and Paul and Luci. My brother and sister in law are adopting. And the birth mom is supposed to be induced on Tuesday. I know they'd appreciate a quick prayer on their behalf if you already haven't.
I am thankful for our youth group. We had 18 teens in our class Wednesday night! That is a ton for us considering everyone else in the church on Wednesday constitutes less than 30. They are a good bunch of kids.
I am thankful for baby Hank, David, and Elly. God is truly good. And I am so excited for Jon and Jackie, Steven and Julie, Tony and Jessie, Aaron and Cindy who will be having their little ones in the next couple months.
I like that song Count you Blessings. It helps get me feeling great about another wonderful day today.
A good day.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Day 28
I'm reading a book right now called The Beginner's Guide to Fasting. Pretty good. Straightforward advice. One of the things the author talks about is making sure you know why you are fasting. He talks a lot about knowing the purpose of your fast to help you stay focussed. I agree with this... to a point. I get a little wary when we talk about spiritual disciplines in terms of what they may accomplish, get, or provide. I think it is good to have a purpose for your fast but it misses a little of the intrinsic nature of fasting. For example, we study "to" show ourselves approved, "to" learn, "to" obtain knowledge. But we also study "because of" God's goodness, and the joy it brings us. We pray intercessory prayer and lift up requests "for" God to answer. But hopefully we also pray "because" we love sharing our hearts and listening for the will of God. Sometimes I call my mom to tell her something. Sometimes I call her because I miss her and just want to hear her voice.
I think fasting can be the same way... Its the difference ....sometimes...between talking on the phone and in person. Sometimes the phone is just fine. But sometimes you want a more intimate connection. I know this is an imperfect comparison but it does demonstrate why I am fasting.... Its not just to get "things" (guidance, inspiration, closer relationship with God) but also because of what I have already been "given" (guidance, inspiration, closer relationship with God).
Weight is still the same.
Funny story from yesterday....walking around with your fly open is embarrassing no matter what. Its a little less so though when you are wearing a second pair of pants under the first pair. lol. You gotta do what you gotta do to keep warm....
Hope you are all well.
I think fasting can be the same way... Its the difference ....sometimes...between talking on the phone and in person. Sometimes the phone is just fine. But sometimes you want a more intimate connection. I know this is an imperfect comparison but it does demonstrate why I am fasting.... Its not just to get "things" (guidance, inspiration, closer relationship with God) but also because of what I have already been "given" (guidance, inspiration, closer relationship with God).
Weight is still the same.
Funny story from yesterday....walking around with your fly open is embarrassing no matter what. Its a little less so though when you are wearing a second pair of pants under the first pair. lol. You gotta do what you gotta do to keep warm....
Hope you are all well.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Day 27
Having some weird feelings. I have become obsessed with my tongue. I don't know if its OCD or what but I keep pushing my tongue on the top of my mouth, the back of my teeth, chew on it, and think about moving it around my mouth. Its hard not to think about it. I was reading about OCD and it said sometimes OCD people have messed up serotonin levels. I don't know if my fast is throwing things off or if I am simply going through a phase but I tried doing a bunch of tongue exercises this morning to make it so tired I wouldn't think about it so much. .....it worked! Mostly!
Haven't weighed today but the last couple days have been the same.
I have realized I need to start drinking more. I think I was getting a little dehydrated.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Day 26
Two weeks to go.
Weight - 189.5lbs Pretty much haven't lost any weight in the last 4 or 5 days. Craziness.
I am thankful for a wonderful day today. Little pain, no hunger, good energy level.
Small Epiphany.........gratefulness is largely a choice we make. Sometimes not an easy choice but a choice nonetheless. It wouldn't make any sense for Paul to tell us to think about the true, noble, right, and lovely if it was completely out of our control to do so. Even when depressed we can recognize what these things are. If our heart doesn't recognize them emotionally they are recognizable spiritually.
The reason, I believe, he tells us to focus on the admirable is because our thoughts often bring our heart in tow. These two distinct entities exert incredible influence on one another. Not controlling necessarily but affecting.
I have quit thinking about food. .....much.....
No food is just part of my routine. I wish all the space now vacated (mental preoccupation) I could have filled with holiness. Much of it has. Maybe fasting is like spring cleaning. You clean up, move stuff around and only then........when your attention is appropriately focussed .....do you realize there are things you don't need and can get rid of. I don't know.
Hope you are all well!
Weight - 189.5lbs Pretty much haven't lost any weight in the last 4 or 5 days. Craziness.
I am thankful for a wonderful day today. Little pain, no hunger, good energy level.
Small Epiphany.........gratefulness is largely a choice we make. Sometimes not an easy choice but a choice nonetheless. It wouldn't make any sense for Paul to tell us to think about the true, noble, right, and lovely if it was completely out of our control to do so. Even when depressed we can recognize what these things are. If our heart doesn't recognize them emotionally they are recognizable spiritually.
The reason, I believe, he tells us to focus on the admirable is because our thoughts often bring our heart in tow. These two distinct entities exert incredible influence on one another. Not controlling necessarily but affecting.
I have quit thinking about food. .....much.....
No food is just part of my routine. I wish all the space now vacated (mental preoccupation) I could have filled with holiness. Much of it has. Maybe fasting is like spring cleaning. You clean up, move stuff around and only then........when your attention is appropriately focussed .....do you realize there are things you don't need and can get rid of. I don't know.
Hope you are all well!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Day 25
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New International Version)
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
It has been easy for me to think that since starting this fast I would be impervious to many of the temptations the devil would throw my way.
Along with an ever growing thankfulness, I also also wanted to foster a purity of thought that I have struggled to achieve (with any consistency) for some time. My weakest moments tend to be at night especially when I can't sleep. Last night I couldn't sleep. But this was nothing new. I had been dealing well with any unsavory thoughts and casting them out of my mind since the new year.
Well, the devil had another trick up his sleeve along with my dangerously expanding sense of security. When I don't feel good I have a tendency to let my guard down even further. The last several days I have struggled with what Peter Lemonjello would describe as "compulsive gambling". Makes walking around and sitting down quite uncomfortable. You get the drift.
Anyways, it was a battle last night. I hung in there but it was tough.
I'm going to try and not get caught off guard again.
I should have known better but Jesus didn't go out into the wilderness to avoid temptation.....rather to prepare to meet it.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 24
Weigh in - 189lbs. I guess I ought to mention I'm not very good about what I'm wearing while I'm weighing. Didn't feel like taking the shoes off today but hey its just a generality anyways.
I've been having some strange feelings lately. Does anyone ever feel loved and rejected at the same time? You know someone cares about you......just not enough to sacrifice for you? You know someone is fond of you....but they are just more fond of something else? It sucks. sorry.. It stinks.
I get these feelings all the time (at least once a year) with our church family. A family or college student will leave and go somewhere else saying they love our church but its not the right "fit". I completely understand the usual logic. It makes sense. I am never angry with anyone who leaves.....but its always disappointing and makes me sad because I know it likely means a loss of relationship. Many times it is best for various reasons to move on. I know we have to do what's best for our immediate family......
I guess what I have a hard time with is how many people come to a church looking for what "meets their needs" and not "what needs they can meet". I don't think this is most people but its a lot of people. Usually finding out what helps others is what would best meet our needs....we just don't always realize it. I love my family but I didn't get to choose them. I'm glad God made it that way. I think he made the church that way too. (I know we are a part of the big family of God I just think there is something special about your local church family).
What I love about my church is I feel needed. There are things I do, people I can help that utilize my unique skills and personality. They may not be extraordinary skills......but they are given me by God.....and I feel best when I can use them.
What needs does your church family have? Will you meet them? Or wait for them to meet yours?
I hope this didn't sound negative....It is just a reminder to myself for when I get discontented. I go through this thought process to remind myself I am the only one I can change and then only by the power of God. Why worry? Just try to love more. That's our call, what we were made to do. We have the best chance to demonstrate this when everything isn't going our way, not when it is.
I've been having some strange feelings lately. Does anyone ever feel loved and rejected at the same time? You know someone cares about you......just not enough to sacrifice for you? You know someone is fond of you....but they are just more fond of something else? It sucks. sorry.. It stinks.
I get these feelings all the time (at least once a year) with our church family. A family or college student will leave and go somewhere else saying they love our church but its not the right "fit". I completely understand the usual logic. It makes sense. I am never angry with anyone who leaves.....but its always disappointing and makes me sad because I know it likely means a loss of relationship. Many times it is best for various reasons to move on. I know we have to do what's best for our immediate family......
I guess what I have a hard time with is how many people come to a church looking for what "meets their needs" and not "what needs they can meet". I don't think this is most people but its a lot of people. Usually finding out what helps others is what would best meet our needs....we just don't always realize it. I love my family but I didn't get to choose them. I'm glad God made it that way. I think he made the church that way too. (I know we are a part of the big family of God I just think there is something special about your local church family).
What I love about my church is I feel needed. There are things I do, people I can help that utilize my unique skills and personality. They may not be extraordinary skills......but they are given me by God.....and I feel best when I can use them.
What needs does your church family have? Will you meet them? Or wait for them to meet yours?
I hope this didn't sound negative....It is just a reminder to myself for when I get discontented. I go through this thought process to remind myself I am the only one I can change and then only by the power of God. Why worry? Just try to love more. That's our call, what we were made to do. We have the best chance to demonstrate this when everything isn't going our way, not when it is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)