Sorry, its been a long weekend. The kids has a 4 day weekend, thank you Martin Luther King Jr and parent teacher conferences.
I had to make some adjustments to my fasting. At the end of day 7, I started to experience some heavy cramping in my side. From there I started getting really nauseous. The next day my kid got the stomach flu. I think I got some of what he had. So I have made friends with the Daniel fast.
Tomorrow, Ill be back in full force with a new blog.
God bless
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
day 6
I dig new stuff. I like the fact that this new thing has been sitting on a shelf somewhere waiting for me to discover it. Sitting patiently until I acquire it.
I dig learning new stuff too. All of this wisdom out there just waiting to be learned. I wasn't particularly fond of learning as a kid in school. I just wasn't interested. Nothing had triggered my desire to learn. I can remember the first time I became thrilled with learning. I was in high school, hoping to God that 3 oclock would come. The teacher caught me spacing out and asked me a question concerning the subject she was discussing. Like a miracle I knew the answer and received acclaim from the other students. I was estatic from the feeling of being right. From that point on I was dead set on being right as often as possible.
So I started studying. And the more I studied the more I realized I liked it.
All of that was said to say, I learned something new today, and I liked it very much.
Alrighty- keep after it!
I dig learning new stuff too. All of this wisdom out there just waiting to be learned. I wasn't particularly fond of learning as a kid in school. I just wasn't interested. Nothing had triggered my desire to learn. I can remember the first time I became thrilled with learning. I was in high school, hoping to God that 3 oclock would come. The teacher caught me spacing out and asked me a question concerning the subject she was discussing. Like a miracle I knew the answer and received acclaim from the other students. I was estatic from the feeling of being right. From that point on I was dead set on being right as often as possible.
So I started studying. And the more I studied the more I realized I liked it.
All of that was said to say, I learned something new today, and I liked it very much.
Alrighty- keep after it!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
5 alive
Temptation. Today has been a day of temptation.
But I wont give in. I wont give up.
Hang in there folks. If your body is hungry, your spirit is open.
But I wont give in. I wont give up.
Hang in there folks. If your body is hungry, your spirit is open.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
4, 4, give me more
Reading List: Bible
The Year of Living Biblically
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Man I am tired today. I don't know whats up. My body has been screaming for a nap. Of course I am a huge fan of sleep. I dig it, I love to curl up with a blanket and zone out. Especially in the winter. But today surpasses all of that. I am flat out tired. I'm sure it is a symptom of the fast. I may be in bed before the kids tonight.
Well it seems I am getting past the major hunger pains. There is the occasional growl, but other than that I am through the intro stage. However I do get the frequent craving for something really greasy. Weird I know. My mouth feels gross. I have to brush all the time. It has this coating from the detoxing. I am not a big fan of this side effect.
On the upside, I am feeling impassioned about my work. I have been getting all kinds of ideas and creative inspiration. I have to keep a notebook going so I don't forget anything. I love creativity, I thrive on it. As I recall from other fasts, substituting prayer for food just opens the floodgates. I think it clears your mind. Then the wheels start turning. Next week we have a staff brainstorming meeting. I am ready to bring the lightning!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Day 3
Reading List: The Revolutionary Communicator
Book of John
Day three. You know it hasn't been terrible. Ill tell you though I forgot how weird it is to not eat. The world revolves around food. Meetings have food. TV runs non-stop food advertisements. Everywhere you drive has eating establishments waving their fare at you. My wife even tried to watch the Food Network while I was in the room with her yesterday. It's everywhere. Sometimes I think our lives are a little outta balance.
Today I took my lunch time and snuck into our little catholic chapel. All alone just me and Jesus. I walked and prayed. Read the Bible. Worshipped. After about 30 minutes a song came on through my head phones. "Everything" by Lifehouse. I was floored. I love this song, I have for a while. But today while I was all alone in this stained glass room it was more than a song, It was the cry of my heart. I felt as if the author was reading my most personal thoughts as he penned his song. I felt like if I had prayed my inner most thought or sang along with the music they would be the same.
He says it the way I feel it, and Ill leave it at that.
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place
where I find peace again.
You are the strength,
that keeps me walking.
You are the hope,
that keeps me trusting.
You are the light
to my soul.
You are my purpose...
you're everything.
How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
You calm the storms,
and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands,
you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart,
and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in?
Take me deeper now?
How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
Cause you're all I want,
You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want
your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want
you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
you're all I need,
you're everything, everything.
And How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Book of John
Day three. You know it hasn't been terrible. Ill tell you though I forgot how weird it is to not eat. The world revolves around food. Meetings have food. TV runs non-stop food advertisements. Everywhere you drive has eating establishments waving their fare at you. My wife even tried to watch the Food Network while I was in the room with her yesterday. It's everywhere. Sometimes I think our lives are a little outta balance.
Today I took my lunch time and snuck into our little catholic chapel. All alone just me and Jesus. I walked and prayed. Read the Bible. Worshipped. After about 30 minutes a song came on through my head phones. "Everything" by Lifehouse. I was floored. I love this song, I have for a while. But today while I was all alone in this stained glass room it was more than a song, It was the cry of my heart. I felt as if the author was reading my most personal thoughts as he penned his song. I felt like if I had prayed my inner most thought or sang along with the music they would be the same.
He says it the way I feel it, and Ill leave it at that.
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place
where I find peace again.
You are the strength,
that keeps me walking.
You are the hope,
that keeps me trusting.
You are the light
to my soul.
You are my purpose...
you're everything.
How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
You calm the storms,
and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands,
you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart,
and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in?
Take me deeper now?
How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
Cause you're all I want,
You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want
your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want
you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
you're all I need,
you're everything, everything.
And How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
How can I stand here with you
and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be
any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Day Two
Reading List: The Revolutionary Communicator
John chapters 1-2
Alright, I am head long into day two. Feeling pretty good. Of course I am feeling the hunger. It has been about 45 hours since I have had anything to eat, but it isn't so bad. I haven't had any major pains, just some grumbles.
Yesterday I managed to force down two full 32 oz. bottles of water. I am already through my first for today. Usually I could drink water all day, but it is more of a challenge when there isn't food accompanying it.
I pretty much crashed last night. I skipped my normal Sunday afternoon nap hoping that I could go to sleep early and avoid the temptation of the kitchen. Yeah, it worked.
Last night I was praying and reading my Bible while the worship team sang. I came across a scripture that inspired me. Isaiah 58 refers to a fast as a time for man to afflict his soul. AFFLICT HIS SOUL! That is intense. Most people who know me, know that I love Rocky! Stallone is one bad son of a gun in all six of the movies. I would say some of the training he does in those movies may fall into the category of afflicting his soul. He seems to almost enjoy the pain. I am purposing to go after this fast in the same fashion. Bring on the hurt. Don't get me wrong, I am not some sick sort of masochist, rather I just desire the pay off from 'afflicting my soul' to the fullest extent that I can. My buddy always used to tell me. "Success is your willingness to bear pain!" So bring it on. With every grumble of my stomach I am reminded that, as Jesus once quoted, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
If you are on this journey with me. Be encouraged, you can make it. Stay strong and capitalize on this time you have with God!
John chapters 1-2
Alright, I am head long into day two. Feeling pretty good. Of course I am feeling the hunger. It has been about 45 hours since I have had anything to eat, but it isn't so bad. I haven't had any major pains, just some grumbles.
Yesterday I managed to force down two full 32 oz. bottles of water. I am already through my first for today. Usually I could drink water all day, but it is more of a challenge when there isn't food accompanying it.
I pretty much crashed last night. I skipped my normal Sunday afternoon nap hoping that I could go to sleep early and avoid the temptation of the kitchen. Yeah, it worked.
Last night I was praying and reading my Bible while the worship team sang. I came across a scripture that inspired me. Isaiah 58 refers to a fast as a time for man to afflict his soul. AFFLICT HIS SOUL! That is intense. Most people who know me, know that I love Rocky! Stallone is one bad son of a gun in all six of the movies. I would say some of the training he does in those movies may fall into the category of afflicting his soul. He seems to almost enjoy the pain. I am purposing to go after this fast in the same fashion. Bring on the hurt. Don't get me wrong, I am not some sick sort of masochist, rather I just desire the pay off from 'afflicting my soul' to the fullest extent that I can. My buddy always used to tell me. "Success is your willingness to bear pain!" So bring it on. With every grumble of my stomach I am reminded that, as Jesus once quoted, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
If you are on this journey with me. Be encouraged, you can make it. Stay strong and capitalize on this time you have with God!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Day one
And we're off.
This is day one.
I want to do this the right way. The last time I entered into an extended fast I didn't really have a plan. I just knew I wanted to prove to myself and God that I could do it. So I stepped out there. 40 days later I emerged a different individual. I learned a lot in that experience. For example; Have a blueprint!
No builder would ever attempt to erect a home for someone without following a set of plans. The prints tell you where you are going. They provide insight. They keep you to your course. So before I began this fast I sat down and wrote up a set of blueprints for my next 21 days.
#1 Why in the world would anyone want to do such a thing. This morning at 10:30, as my stomach was letting me know that last nights dinner was gone, I was thinking that very thought.
The benefits are wide and varied. Everything from detoxing to focus. I came up with four reasons of why I would resist my nature to eat for the next three weeks. First, self discipline! For the coming days I will tell my body who is in control. I will not heed its whining. Second, I want to purify my life. I have some attitudes and habits that I can't wait to see removed from my world. Third, I am endeavoring to drive into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus. Finally, I have some dreams inside of me and I am spending some dedicated time praying about those things.
#2 How do I plan to make this happen. Fasting is two fold. First, Not eating. No food, no sustenance, no calories. I plan on carrying around my water bottle and feasting on its contents exclusively. In addition to that, I will control the intake of other things into my life. TV gets minimized to the bare essentials, and the Wii and I will part ways for the most part. Secondly, fasting is about what you do put in. I have prepared a fasting survival pack. Three books that I want to feed my soul with, of course the Bible, and my Zune(mp3 player) loaded up with David Crowder and Frontline. Its time to nourish the spirit while I starve the body. Lastly, I plan on kicking up the amount of time I dedicate each day to prayer.
Ok so hows it going. Smooth sailing so far. Of course as I type that last line my stomach growled. Spiritually I am excited about what is to come. Physically, outside of a few tummy grumbles, not much to report.
In about 3 hours I am heading to the Church to lead a prayer and worship service. My prayer is on this first day of our fast, that God will touch each one who is choosing to live sacrificially!
Check back tomorrow for a new post.
This is day one.
I want to do this the right way. The last time I entered into an extended fast I didn't really have a plan. I just knew I wanted to prove to myself and God that I could do it. So I stepped out there. 40 days later I emerged a different individual. I learned a lot in that experience. For example; Have a blueprint!
No builder would ever attempt to erect a home for someone without following a set of plans. The prints tell you where you are going. They provide insight. They keep you to your course. So before I began this fast I sat down and wrote up a set of blueprints for my next 21 days.
#1 Why in the world would anyone want to do such a thing. This morning at 10:30, as my stomach was letting me know that last nights dinner was gone, I was thinking that very thought.
The benefits are wide and varied. Everything from detoxing to focus. I came up with four reasons of why I would resist my nature to eat for the next three weeks. First, self discipline! For the coming days I will tell my body who is in control. I will not heed its whining. Second, I want to purify my life. I have some attitudes and habits that I can't wait to see removed from my world. Third, I am endeavoring to drive into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus. Finally, I have some dreams inside of me and I am spending some dedicated time praying about those things.
#2 How do I plan to make this happen. Fasting is two fold. First, Not eating. No food, no sustenance, no calories. I plan on carrying around my water bottle and feasting on its contents exclusively. In addition to that, I will control the intake of other things into my life. TV gets minimized to the bare essentials, and the Wii and I will part ways for the most part. Secondly, fasting is about what you do put in. I have prepared a fasting survival pack. Three books that I want to feed my soul with, of course the Bible, and my Zune(mp3 player) loaded up with David Crowder and Frontline. Its time to nourish the spirit while I starve the body. Lastly, I plan on kicking up the amount of time I dedicate each day to prayer.
Ok so hows it going. Smooth sailing so far. Of course as I type that last line my stomach growled. Spiritually I am excited about what is to come. Physically, outside of a few tummy grumbles, not much to report.
In about 3 hours I am heading to the Church to lead a prayer and worship service. My prayer is on this first day of our fast, that God will touch each one who is choosing to live sacrificially!
Check back tomorrow for a new post.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Negative one
Today is day negative one, or one day before our Church, and I myself begin our 21 day fast. We are asking the church to participate a corporate "Daniel" fast. Of course they are welcome to participate to any extent they are able. Some will choose to abstain from food all together, myself included.
On the day before we embark on the journey I find myself antsy and ready to begin, but all things in due time. Perhaps I am just ready to see what God will do over the course of the next 3 weeks. A couple of weeks ago I went on an overnight hike with a handful of friends of mine. We hiked a trail that I had never been on before. I found myself intensely curious of what was around each new bend in the trail. Would it be an easy level section of trail, or a calf-burning ascent? Whichever it was I was hungry for the new scenery. Hungry to move deeper into the woods.
I feel this fast has the potential to be the same. New things around each corner. Some difficult and some not so. However all of it for the purpose of driving on deeper into my relationship with God.
One of the goals I have within this time is to keep an online blog/journal of my experiences. No holds barred. I don't want to glamorize it for any readers. I want to produce a pure truthful account of my next 21 days. Ups and downs, easy and hard, you are invited to walk it all with me.
Ok here we go.
On the day before we embark on the journey I find myself antsy and ready to begin, but all things in due time. Perhaps I am just ready to see what God will do over the course of the next 3 weeks. A couple of weeks ago I went on an overnight hike with a handful of friends of mine. We hiked a trail that I had never been on before. I found myself intensely curious of what was around each new bend in the trail. Would it be an easy level section of trail, or a calf-burning ascent? Whichever it was I was hungry for the new scenery. Hungry to move deeper into the woods.
I feel this fast has the potential to be the same. New things around each corner. Some difficult and some not so. However all of it for the purpose of driving on deeper into my relationship with God.
One of the goals I have within this time is to keep an online blog/journal of my experiences. No holds barred. I don't want to glamorize it for any readers. I want to produce a pure truthful account of my next 21 days. Ups and downs, easy and hard, you are invited to walk it all with me.
Ok here we go.
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