Day 6

At church today Pastor Ivan said many things that really resonated with me but there was one line that hit me most. "If reading brings breath, meditation brings depth." How often do I stop to really meditate on the Word of God? I read my Bible every day but do I really chew on the Word and take it apart? I do my Bible study before driving my bus but do I really meditate on it? I take the easy way most times, never really contemplating what God meant unless it is something that grabs me. Maybe I need to do more meditating and less going through the motions. So tomorrow I will take a portion of the scripture piece I'm reading and do more than just read or "study" it, I will try to meditate on it and see what God has to say.

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Psalm 77:12


Tonight we saw our little granddaughter, Peyton be dedicated. Wow! I thought back to the time of the Israelites, when they brought their sons to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord. Dedicating a child is telling God, "you have given us this child and now we are returning her to you, to do what you wish with her." Think how hard that would be if we didn't totally put faith and trust in God. I love little Peyton so much and God loves her more. "Thanks God for loving that little person so much that you gave your life for her, even before she was conceived you loved her like no other. Thanks for loving me with that same kind of love."

Psalm 139:13-18
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!



As for prayer. I think it has to be the same as yesterday. That I can work on that letter. I think I will try to do it tomorrow evening. Pray that it comes out honoring God even if she balks at it.

Day 5

Ok so...today was hard. I wanted to eat all day! We went to Brainerd to see Patrick's parents and mom always has such good food around. Isaac came with and I have been wanting to take him to lunch for some one on one so he and I went to Perkins and he ordered a blt and fries, looked very yummy.

God strengthens us in our weakness and He makes me strong. I kept thinking how disappointing it would be if I failed and how strong God can make me if I put myself in His capable hands. Thanks God for your faithfulness, help me to be faithful back!

I also have a confession to make. I have been writing this letter to send to someone close to me, it is a salvation letter. I've been writing it for about 2 weeks and I have been putting off finishing it and sending it off. This person is new age and very strong in their opinions. If I offend her I will hear about it, so I put it off.

Here is something you can pray about. Pray that I finish that letter and send it off, thanks!

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Day 4

Day 4 - In the Bible David took a census of the people. Now God was not against the taking of census and even commanded it in the book of Numbers.
The problem is that David had the wrong motives for the census, he wanted to survey his kingdom, which at the time was peaceful in order to glory in it's size and potential for military strength. God wanted him to rely on Him and His divine help. In the end David comes to realize his sin and repent but still had to suffer the consequences of his actions.

I bring this up because there is a right way and a wrong way to do most anything, especially in matters of faith and there is a right way and a wrong way to fast . If I fast to bring glory to myself, my motives are wrong. Jesus warned about the way the Pharisee's fasted, bringing glory not to God but to themselves by their outward actions. God said to fast in private. Which brings me to this blog. The question is, it it wrong to blog about this fast? Should I have done it in private? Why am I fasting? For my glorification or God's. I love the Lord with all my heart He is my #1 :) I am also human and prone to sin so I have to be careful. I have to make sure that I am fasting for the right reasons. My #1 desire is to become closer to my #1.

And the reason for this blog? It is for me a prayer tool. I seek your prayers. So if I seek your prayers I should let you know what I need prayers for. I will have a prayer request every day I write on this blog and I ask you to pray.

Please pray for me and Patrick as we take this journey together. Pray for humility, pray for our marriage that we may grow closer to each other and closer to God, pray for God's intervention if our motives become laced with anything that does not honor Him. Thanks!

Father God, in everything I do may I bring glory to you. My desire is to be humble before your throne. I desire to know you and your will for me. I pray for Patrick as he continues with what he started 4 years ago. May this year be a year of insight and growth in his relationship with you.

In Jesus Name and for His glory,
Amen

Day 3

I'm writing this early because I have a extracurricular trip tonight and won't be home until late.

Today is harder. I'm hungry and my breath smells. Patrick says it's because all the toxins in my body are being released. It won't last but for the time being I have to stand far away from people when I talk to them. :)

I don't really mind "hard" if it weren't hard where would the sacrifice be?
Christ suffered much for my salvation, I think I can handle this, which doesn't even come close to what He did for me.

I think fasting allows a person to really pursue God. My mind is constantly centered on God because of the constant reminder that I'm not eating. Because it's difficult I become dependent on Him to see me through, just as Jesus was dependent on His Father when He went to the desert.

"Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But he answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:1-4).

"Father God, help me to know you and follow you more closely. May your will for me be the one I follow, may your word be instilled in my heart."

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Day 1

HaHa...so funny. Yesterday I ate so much food I was busting at the seams! I was like a prisoner eating my last meal. How ridiculous that I am so attached to food.

Today began my first day of fasting. I started my morning as I usually do reading my Bible and doing my Bible study. I asked God to strengthen me and to help me rely on Him for nourishment.

I drank 100% vegetable juice and orange juice all day. I found that I had to dilute the juice with water or I get an upset stomach, too much acid! I wasn't really hungry all day but I looked forward to a serving of rice and vegetables for dinner.

I got to sit for my grandchild, Peyton today. I do this every Weds so that my daughter Sarah could go to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). I drove bus afterwards and when I got home I promptly yelled at my kids because the kitchen was messy. Thinking that's not what Jesus would have done.

"Father God, Forgive me my anger. Help me to be more like you. Give me the "vision" to see what it is you would like me to learn from this fast, thank you for your love, even when I am not lovable" In Jesus' Name, Amen

My husband Patrick has been fasting the 40 days before Easter for 4 years. His fasting has consisted of juices only, no solids. This year I have decided to join him in a slightly modified fast. I will begin on Wednesday February 17th. I will have juices for breakfast and lunch and throughout my day but have a light dinner/no meat at dinner time. I intend to write about my day, what God is doing and how I am feeling physically, spiritually and mentally. I don't really expect this to be easy but I do expect God to work in it and in me. Through fasting, prayer and desire my intentions for this fast is to grow closer to God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hoping I don't get crabby or irritated as can tend to happen during a fast. If I do bear with me, and forgive me when I fall short. Thank you friends and family for supporting in this, it is truly appreciated!