One of the Jones!: Dec 10, 2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Rain (Rob Bell)....Nooma

...In my weakness...He is strong....

Recently I decided that I had to take some pro-active steps to get closer to God....

As much as I love my babies, anyone knows it is difficult to spend any time with anything but them...

They get up at 6am, and Gracie usually doesn't go to sleep until 10 at night...by that time...I am pretty tired.

Therefore I haven't been happy with the amount of time I have spent in prayer and devotions

or with the level of my walk with God for some time now, and so I decided that after TEN years of not fasting at all, that God was leading me to do a three day water fast...

...I dove in with both feet...what else are you supposed to do...

First day...pretty good...except that I ended up taking tylenol for a terrible migraine that I have been fighting off all week...and everyday so far I have ended up having a cup of coffee to stave off the headaches from Caffeine withdrawal...probably not the best thing for my tummy, but I didn't want to have to take more tylenol, and dealing with toddlers with a headache...not fun. I also didn't get more then half an hour to spend in prayer....I had appointments all day...so in reflection, it probably would have been best to wait a day to start...

Yesterday, I felt really good...till I had to cook supper for the kids...then the rest of the night, I felt pretty crumby...Detoxification sucks. However, I did get a good portion of the afternoon to study, when the kids were napping....and wonder of wonders? Gracie fell asleep at 8 pm...barely EVER happens....

This morning, I felt pretty weak...which is normal for a water fast...and I considered going back onto fruit...but I am going to try and tough it out...it is only one more day...

Of course the challenge isn't really the fast....it is keeping up an attitude of prayer, worship and spirtitual growth after wards... not always so easy...

I really want to see change happen in all of my family this year... and especially in my own life.

I really struggled with sharing this....God likes us to keep our fasts in private... (Mathew 6:16-18)

I also know not everyone is comfortable with the concept of fasting...

However.... I would really like to offer everyone a challenge as the New Year approaches...

for each of us who are Christians to examine our lives, and see how we can get "more serious" with God.... This could be the year of Revival ....and what a wonderful thing that would be!

I am not saying anyone has to go to the extreme of water fasting by the way....unless you want to, or you feel called...One fast is not better then another....There are all kinds of ways we can fast and focus in on God...

Juice fast....Fasting TV, ..(a big one for a lot of people) chocolate.... Whatever you feel you may idolize, or interferes in the time you spend with God.....

The idea is to separate yourself and get time away from the world, and time with God. You will be amazed at the things he reveals to you!

(By the way if you do water or juice fasting...make sure you do it properly...breaking a fast the wrong way can actually be dangerous...and certain people should probably avoid it...ie..diabetics, and pregnant or nursing mothers.)

Wishing Everyone a Spirit filled Christmas Holiday and continued growth in the New Year....

(As a side benefit...I have lost 11 lbs so far... :) I could do to lose the weight...however it usually isn't permanent... :)