So, here I am, less than 20 hours to go on the fast. It has been a journey. I am not sure what I learned, but I think I know more about myself and more about the character of God. He wants me to finish strong, for me, not for Him. He wants me to have perseverance and be mindful of what I eat, for my best interests. I spent a fair amount of time screaming, "Who am I doing this for, You or me?" I still get don't get that, but as someone said to be when I asked, "yes". So I imagine that this is not the end, but a segue into the next level of Rosa.
A few weeks ago, I did a 5K for the 40th anniversary of Lake Red Rock. It was a beautiful morning, a bit of a breeze and a little misty to cool us off. The route was partly trails and bridges, very level, it was a nice experience. But the route needed to repeat itself to get the full mileage in and where it repeated and ended was a huge, straight up hill. Being tired, a bit muddy, and ready to be done, it was miserable. Especially knowing I had to do it again. And when you get to the middle of the hill and your body says "NO", what are you going to do, you can't stop, you can't turn around, you just have to climb the stupid hill. But once you get up the hill, you think, "That wasn't so bad...." I have a feeling that this fast will be similar to the 5K, there was no turning back, quitting doesn't solve anything, and when it is over, I will think, "That wasn't so bad...." I am a better person for having persevered and I did it for me and Him. Probably more for me. He loves me regardless of me.
I'll see you all at the potluck!!
Rosa
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
AT THE CROSS
As the 21 day fast comes to an end I find myself at the Cross.
It has been a ride. . . . praising the Lord in the kitchen after a friend shares a new recipe that has flavor:) I usually smell like garlic!! To failing in a Thunder storm as I lick the beaters after making "chocolate" Thunder Cake with Joel and Ana. For those of you that are restraining yourself from chocolate - it is not as delicious when you cheat - STAY STRONG!
I am very thankful to have community in fasting!! It has been helpful to process all the questions and a blessing that we can share with eachother. When the first few days were behind me the Lord called me to surrender more than food and it became a very intimate journey that I could only travel with HIM. Surrendering guilt for how I fasted was the first followed by many others.
Wanting to end strong Tonight and weary of chopping vegetables I decided to check the blog finding the song Joy posted "At the Cross". Whether you were led to fast or not I pray this day you will take the time to play "At The Cross" remembering how much Jesus loves YOU!!!
Love and Prayers, Lissa
Friday, June 19, 2009
Fasting and other stuff
Hello friends,
I also am engaging the fast (sort of). I keep reminding myself that it is not what I'm NOT doing that is of most importance, it is what I AM doing.
I was at the Willow Creek arts conference last week and attended breakouts that had to do with developing/nourishing the soul. One of the things said that caught my attention was that the reason most western Christians don't get fasting is because we don't fully comprehend the interconnection of the soul and physical body. We are "embodied" souls. I've been mulling that over and have read several Psalms in a new light - especially Psalm 63 -my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You in a dry weary land... You satisfy me with the richest of foods. hmm, I think David got it - he certainly understood soul hunger. I can't say I've ever allowed my physical hunger to be a reflection of my soul's longing to be in His presence.
Summer break has been a blur thus far for me. First we were off to Tulsa OK for my nephew's wedding. Then I did phase 2 of Christ Life, then the Arts conference last week. I'm ready to slow down!! The boys are having a great summer: swimming pool, friends in the neighborhood playing flashlight tag at night, sports. Ben is getting more and more independent. He is planning to do some detasseling. Bruce and I need a weekend away this summer sometime! We lost our alone time in the evenings and we really miss it.
Wishing you all a great summer!
Gina
I also am engaging the fast (sort of). I keep reminding myself that it is not what I'm NOT doing that is of most importance, it is what I AM doing.
I was at the Willow Creek arts conference last week and attended breakouts that had to do with developing/nourishing the soul. One of the things said that caught my attention was that the reason most western Christians don't get fasting is because we don't fully comprehend the interconnection of the soul and physical body. We are "embodied" souls. I've been mulling that over and have read several Psalms in a new light - especially Psalm 63 -my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You in a dry weary land... You satisfy me with the richest of foods. hmm, I think David got it - he certainly understood soul hunger. I can't say I've ever allowed my physical hunger to be a reflection of my soul's longing to be in His presence.
Summer break has been a blur thus far for me. First we were off to Tulsa OK for my nephew's wedding. Then I did phase 2 of Christ Life, then the Arts conference last week. I'm ready to slow down!! The boys are having a great summer: swimming pool, friends in the neighborhood playing flashlight tag at night, sports. Ben is getting more and more independent. He is planning to do some detasseling. Bruce and I need a weekend away this summer sometime! We lost our alone time in the evenings and we really miss it.
Wishing you all a great summer!
Gina
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
fasting
When I considered the idea of a Daniel fast the first thought that crossed my mind was "Sweet, I could lose a little weight too" I knew that I was not in the right mind or spiritual place for that type of fast. But I still wanted to engage the fast somehow. As I have stated before I am an information junkie. CNN at home, in the car, on the internet, you name it. I love to hear all angles of all the news. The political pundits became my friends from July to November last year. So I realized that was an area that I was hearing the world and not taking the opportunity to hear what the Lord had to speak to me. Now I listen to 107.1 in the car going to work and when I get to an area where the signal gets bad I just turn off the radio and sit in the silence or I pray, usually both. This has become a nice time of peace and reflection.
To all of you who are doing the Daniel fast I pray for you and the mysteries God is revealing to you. I am excited to see what the next couple of weeks brings for each of us personally and our church. It is an awesome time of anticipation and expectation for where God is leading us next. Hang on to your hat. I think we need to be ready for a wonderful ride. :)
Regarding our summer, it is full of baseball, tennis, camp, reading group, swimming lessons, trombone lessons, etc. We have agreed as a family to hold a couple of times each week "sacred." We have movie night (or Guitar Hero) on Friday night and Family Fun on Sunday afternoons. We have gone to the lake a couple of times, went to see a movie, went to Jersey Freeze. It is has been fun to figure out unique, inexpensive ideas. If any body has any suggestions I would love to hear them.
Take care and stay cool!
joy
To all of you who are doing the Daniel fast I pray for you and the mysteries God is revealing to you. I am excited to see what the next couple of weeks brings for each of us personally and our church. It is an awesome time of anticipation and expectation for where God is leading us next. Hang on to your hat. I think we need to be ready for a wonderful ride. :)
Regarding our summer, it is full of baseball, tennis, camp, reading group, swimming lessons, trombone lessons, etc. We have agreed as a family to hold a couple of times each week "sacred." We have movie night (or Guitar Hero) on Friday night and Family Fun on Sunday afternoons. We have gone to the lake a couple of times, went to see a movie, went to Jersey Freeze. It is has been fun to figure out unique, inexpensive ideas. If any body has any suggestions I would love to hear them.
Take care and stay cool!
joy
Monday, June 8, 2009
fasting too
Dear friends,
I've been struggling with what to blog, but enjoy reading each of your posts...
Rosa, your post struck a cord with me. I am fasting (not completely), but enough that it's already a struggle. And I fear that I will start strong and then fail to persevere. And today I was reminded of what Roger said about the first 3 days being really tough. But I know that I can do this. I remember last year when Avery went many days with only an ice chip every 4 hours. Surely I can fast - still allowing myself water, coffee, vegetables and some fresh fruit. To take Rosa's phrase, "I am willing to deny myself to risk letting God that close." So when I find myself hungry or craving, I'm taking the opportunity to stop and pray. I've been so entrenched in children's Bible stories that I had Daniel in the lions den. But it was so amazing this week to think about how young Daniel was. The stand he took. The strength and wisdom God brought to him. And I want that - the inner strength and understanding that only God can bring. So 1 day over and 20 to go :)
Trish VZ
I've been struggling with what to blog, but enjoy reading each of your posts...
Rosa, your post struck a cord with me. I am fasting (not completely), but enough that it's already a struggle. And I fear that I will start strong and then fail to persevere. And today I was reminded of what Roger said about the first 3 days being really tough. But I know that I can do this. I remember last year when Avery went many days with only an ice chip every 4 hours. Surely I can fast - still allowing myself water, coffee, vegetables and some fresh fruit. To take Rosa's phrase, "I am willing to deny myself to risk letting God that close." So when I find myself hungry or craving, I'm taking the opportunity to stop and pray. I've been so entrenched in children's Bible stories that I had Daniel in the lions den. But it was so amazing this week to think about how young Daniel was. The stand he took. The strength and wisdom God brought to him. And I want that - the inner strength and understanding that only God can bring. So 1 day over and 20 to go :)
Trish VZ
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