Had a pretty early start this morning coming in for small group at 6:30. Usually, I wake up, get dressed, and sneak out quietly so all the girls can stay asleep. Today however everyone was already awake at 5:45. It was not looking like a good morning. Follow that with some other issues going on, and I immediately went into some slight frustration, mixed with anger, mixed with fatigue. Tired of the ridiculous...
But that isn't the attitude God has for me. I've really been working on that these last 20 days (by the way, I am at the halfway mark!). I'm prone to being negative, pessimistic, and while sometimes it has benefits, it isn't a way to go about to day life. So despite the rough start, I am choosing to let that stuff go, give it to God, and have myself a good day filled with a good attitude. Will I have to deal with all these issues, yes. But for today, I am choosing to follow God and have a good attitude. After all, He chose me first.
John 15:16 NIV
16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
19 down, 21 to go
Oops, looks like I forgot to blog last week. Maybe because there was so much spiritual attack, maybe because it was such a busy week. Either way, or for whatever reason, I'm back blogging again today.
Many people are joining in with our church over the next 21 days to fast and pray for our church. I'm excited and was enjoyably surprised about all the people who are going to be fasting. It is a pretty exciting time.
The last few days have been pretty incredible. I am starting to feel amazing, still a little low on energy having no meat, but I am pretty enthusiastic in my attitude. I've dropped 10 lbs since I peaked in weight preparing for a fundraiser and it's nice to have all my pants fit again, and my gut not push out my t-shirts.
What has God been up to? Some pretty incredible stuff. Last night we challenged students to examine what sins are in their life, and where the devil may have possibly gotten a foothold. Lots of students were very honest with themselves in reflecting on the things they need to remove from their life. God is still moving.
It seems that many people who are starting to fast today have chosen a Daniel fast, and many people were under the impression that I was doing one as well. NOPE! I did not want whole grains to be part of my meal, plus having 2 little kids around the house makes it difficult to be super meticulous about not having sugar or processed foods. So fruit, veggies, and liquids work fine for me. Could I liquefy a cheeseburger and drink it, yes, I could. Have I done that, no, and I won't. People often times get overly legalistic about following something so rigid. Really, this time is about me consecrating (to set apart) myself to God. That's all.
Psalm 50:5
"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
Many people are joining in with our church over the next 21 days to fast and pray for our church. I'm excited and was enjoyably surprised about all the people who are going to be fasting. It is a pretty exciting time.
The last few days have been pretty incredible. I am starting to feel amazing, still a little low on energy having no meat, but I am pretty enthusiastic in my attitude. I've dropped 10 lbs since I peaked in weight preparing for a fundraiser and it's nice to have all my pants fit again, and my gut not push out my t-shirts.
What has God been up to? Some pretty incredible stuff. Last night we challenged students to examine what sins are in their life, and where the devil may have possibly gotten a foothold. Lots of students were very honest with themselves in reflecting on the things they need to remove from their life. God is still moving.
It seems that many people who are starting to fast today have chosen a Daniel fast, and many people were under the impression that I was doing one as well. NOPE! I did not want whole grains to be part of my meal, plus having 2 little kids around the house makes it difficult to be super meticulous about not having sugar or processed foods. So fruit, veggies, and liquids work fine for me. Could I liquefy a cheeseburger and drink it, yes, I could. Have I done that, no, and I won't. People often times get overly legalistic about following something so rigid. Really, this time is about me consecrating (to set apart) myself to God. That's all.
Psalm 50:5
"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
Monday, March 1, 2010
Day 13
It has been a few days since I last blogged so I felt like I needed to post today. Had a really great time last night in God's presence. I've been struggling(a good struggle) with a few life paradigms in church and as a Christian and what I believe is important and what I see in mainstream living. God helped clarify for me the things I've been wrestling with. So that's all good.
I thought a good thing to do today was to check back on day one, what my goals are for this fast, and see how things are progressing. Here is the link for that post; or scroll to the bottom to see it. My numbers below reference the numbers from the first post. http://pastorsean18.blogspot.com/2010/02/starting-fast-and-blog-about-it.html
1. I've had several great journaling sessions where God just deposited some great insight and wisdom into my life. I've had several worship times where God's presence just consumed everything around me. Those have been incredible times. God has also used my physical hunger as a way to give me a parallel hunger for reading the Bible even more. I've started reading from beginning to end (which was one of my goals for 2010 http://pastorsean18.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/2010-personal-goals/ )
2. We have seen multiple salvation's, increase in attendance, great altar time, and increased participation in worship. It has been awesome!
3. Church building remodel has started. Church wide 21 day fast starts in a week.
4. God gave me some great wisdom on my daughters, spent a good time last night worshiping and dancing with them, then ended with reading them Bible stories until bed. Still praying for my brother for God's mercy and grace.
5. Haven't made new friends, but out birth class has some people who may be non-believers; and they are all very nice people. We'll see what happens...
So that's the update. Even though I am at the point where I smell all meat and pasta and I am hungry all the time, I have lost 6 pounds. This coincides with our Speed the Light weight loss sponsorships fundraiser. Jesus is good.
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
I thought a good thing to do today was to check back on day one, what my goals are for this fast, and see how things are progressing. Here is the link for that post; or scroll to the bottom to see it. My numbers below reference the numbers from the first post. http://pastorsean18.blogspot.com/2010/02/starting-fast-and-blog-about-it.html
1. I've had several great journaling sessions where God just deposited some great insight and wisdom into my life. I've had several worship times where God's presence just consumed everything around me. Those have been incredible times. God has also used my physical hunger as a way to give me a parallel hunger for reading the Bible even more. I've started reading from beginning to end (which was one of my goals for 2010 http://pastorsean18.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/2010-personal-goals/ )
2. We have seen multiple salvation's, increase in attendance, great altar time, and increased participation in worship. It has been awesome!
3. Church building remodel has started. Church wide 21 day fast starts in a week.
4. God gave me some great wisdom on my daughters, spent a good time last night worshiping and dancing with them, then ended with reading them Bible stories until bed. Still praying for my brother for God's mercy and grace.
5. Haven't made new friends, but out birth class has some people who may be non-believers; and they are all very nice people. We'll see what happens...
So that's the update. Even though I am at the point where I smell all meat and pasta and I am hungry all the time, I have lost 6 pounds. This coincides with our Speed the Light weight loss sponsorships fundraiser. Jesus is good.
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Week 2 Blues
Wow, was yesterday a terrible day. As awesome as week one went, I probably should have been expecting some sort of spiritual battle/resistance on the way. It hit yesterday. Doing my first day of liquids only proved to be quite difficult. I wanted to eat food all day, and I wanted to quit fasting in general. Then, I was so hungry I really couldn't drink what I know I needed to be drinking; physically I just didn't have it in me to drink anything. Also, I have a cold, so that was fun. Oh yeah, we also had the lowest turnout of students to a small group in something like a year... Good times. Almost forgot, Amanda's blood pressure was through the roof and she had to spend about 3 hours from 9-12 at night in Labor and Delivery.
The incredible thing through it all, is that God did sustain me. I stayed up until past 12am so I could eat before bed and had some potato soup. I'm also marinating green beans in chicken broth for lunch today, so that's hopefully exciting. Had some good prayer time also yesterday, but it seems like most of it was "God help me", "God kill me" and other phrases like that. Well, God helped me and didn't kill me and I'm appreciative for that today. I'm spending the next hour or so reading in Genesis, and expecting to hear from God. Remember, if you have any prayer needs please email me at sean@cccsac.org and I will add them to my time.
Phil 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus".
The incredible thing through it all, is that God did sustain me. I stayed up until past 12am so I could eat before bed and had some potato soup. I'm also marinating green beans in chicken broth for lunch today, so that's hopefully exciting. Had some good prayer time also yesterday, but it seems like most of it was "God help me", "God kill me" and other phrases like that. Well, God helped me and didn't kill me and I'm appreciative for that today. I'm spending the next hour or so reading in Genesis, and expecting to hear from God. Remember, if you have any prayer needs please email me at sean@cccsac.org and I will add them to my time.
Phil 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus".
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
1 Week down
Today is the start of week 2, and since I will be at the office all day, and doing small group with students tonight at home, I will be doing my first day of liquid only. Started off the morning with a protein shake (Gross powder and milk), and plan on drinking at least another 80oz of water today. Will post later about the day... later!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Day 7
Not craving meat and pasta as bad anymore, and my body feels pretty fresh today. I also just realized again a potato is a vegetable, so I can still have something that is empty of nutrition and filled with carbs. However, I have come to realize that vegetarians, vegans, and fruitarians are totally insane. Nothing I eat fills me up at all. Nutritional lettuce tastes like dirt. I am excited about trying spaghetti squash with tomato sauce. I'm hoping my brain will think I am eating pasta...we'll see.
Been reading about the life of David again in the Old Testament. The guy sure blew it over and over through his entire life, but showed exactly how we need to be when we mess up. God's heart is that we should turn back to Him each time we mess up, not run farther away.
2Samuel 7:28-29 "28 O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever".
Been reading about the life of David again in the Old Testament. The guy sure blew it over and over through his entire life, but showed exactly how we need to be when we mess up. God's heart is that we should turn back to Him each time we mess up, not run farther away.
2Samuel 7:28-29 "28 O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever".
Monday, February 22, 2010
I wish every day could be Sunday night
The last 2 Sundays with students have been so awesome, I got home last night already wanting to preach and see God move again today with students. I was so wired I couldn't sleep, so I laid in bed and read my Bible app on my iphone. This worked out perfectly, because I basically had the sermon for the next week downloaded into my brain, now I just need to type it out.
I think the most incredible thing about the fast so far after 5 1/2 days is how sensitive I've become to God. Last night during worship it was so easy to feel God's presence. Everywhere I go, it's so easy to hear His voice. When I spend my daily time with God, I get more out of everything that I do. The drawbacks of being tired and low on energy and craving garbage food mean nothing compared to the closeness the food sacrifices have brought. If the first week has been this great, I cannot even imagine what God will continue to do as I get deeper in. Looking forward to a great week.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding".
I think the most incredible thing about the fast so far after 5 1/2 days is how sensitive I've become to God. Last night during worship it was so easy to feel God's presence. Everywhere I go, it's so easy to hear His voice. When I spend my daily time with God, I get more out of everything that I do. The drawbacks of being tired and low on energy and craving garbage food mean nothing compared to the closeness the food sacrifices have brought. If the first week has been this great, I cannot even imagine what God will continue to do as I get deeper in. Looking forward to a great week.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding".
Sunday, February 21, 2010
First Student Gathering of the Fast
Tonight was pretty special. Without a live band, facilitating worship with teenagers can be tough. Tonight, kids were jumping, shouting, and going all out crazy for God. It is exciting to see students excited about Jesus. I even had a great time of worship, to a CD!!! Just goes to show that if people go after God, he will make His presence felt.
Also had a solid altar time, and it was exciting to watch our adult volunteers praying with teens. Jesus is good, and if things continue this well I may never eat anything but fruit and veggies again :P (Probably not).
Praise all goes to God for all the great results we have seen the last two weeks.
Revelation 7:12
"12saying:'Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
Also had a solid altar time, and it was exciting to watch our adult volunteers praying with teens. Jesus is good, and if things continue this well I may never eat anything but fruit and veggies again :P (Probably not).
Praise all goes to God for all the great results we have seen the last two weeks.
Revelation 7:12
"12saying:'Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
Saturday, February 20, 2010
4 Days Complete
You know God is doing something when I can go and visit family for a day or two and have everything go smoothly. Glad God was at work this weekend with my family. Prayed a lot the last day or so for my brother and expecting God to do a miracle :) Also, was spending time with God and got a shift in the structure of my fast. Going to go all 40 days with fruits and veggies, with sporadic 1 day liquid fasts through out. The last few weeks would have really been a strain on Amanda and the kids; and if I cannot lead my family effectively then I can't lead others effectively.
First church service tomorrow and first youth gathering tomorrow night since I started fasting. Had a really exciting expectation building time praying and preparing for this week. Hopefully we'll see people get excited for Jesus and really go all out crazy during the music time. If people can shout and scream and jump at sporting events or concerts, we should be able to blow the roof off the building for God. We'll see what happens but I know God will be there. Praying especially for new students who don't know God again, and for God to touch people's lives.
Acts 2:46-47 "46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved". NLT
First church service tomorrow and first youth gathering tomorrow night since I started fasting. Had a really exciting expectation building time praying and preparing for this week. Hopefully we'll see people get excited for Jesus and really go all out crazy during the music time. If people can shout and scream and jump at sporting events or concerts, we should be able to blow the roof off the building for God. We'll see what happens but I know God will be there. Praying especially for new students who don't know God again, and for God to touch people's lives.
Acts 2:46-47 "46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved". NLT
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Morning 2!
Got a solid 4 hours of sleep last night, and though tired, feeling good. Apparently in the middle of the night (or shortly after I fell asleep) Amanda was having some painful Braxton-Hicks contractions. She asked me to pray for her, which I do not remember doing at all. But she said immediately when I put my hand on her tummy the pain started to go away. How awesome is God! Even in our sleep, when we don't remember we were praying, He is faithful to answer and take care of us. So that was an exciting report I got from Amanda when she thanked me for praying a prayer I didn't remember praying (Got all that?).
Started off the fast yesterday a little foolishly by not getting enough fluids. Started today off with 10oz of liquid and some blueberries and things are going much better. Somehow, I gained 2 pounds in the last day. Odd. I have a Banana and a nectarine packed for lunch today, and am excited about filming for our youth videos tonight that will air Sunday. God is good, enjoy today!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Never stop praying" NLT
Started off the fast yesterday a little foolishly by not getting enough fluids. Started today off with 10oz of liquid and some blueberries and things are going much better. Somehow, I gained 2 pounds in the last day. Odd. I have a Banana and a nectarine packed for lunch today, and am excited about filming for our youth videos tonight that will air Sunday. God is good, enjoy today!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Never stop praying" NLT
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
18 hours in
18 hours since I had my last real carb. I already have wanted to quit twice. I am already smelling food other people are eating... I forgot how hard this was going to be. Please pray for me
Starting the fast, and the blog about it
I am starting this new blog so that I can track all the awesome things that God does during my 40 day, 2 part fast. The way the fast works for me is for the first 19 days I will eat only fruit and veggies (yuck) and the final 21 days will be liquids only. Last year I fasted doing liquids only for 26 days and it was a powerful and exciting time to see all the things God did in my life. The purpose of the blog is to continually bring glory to God during this time and to share what God is doing in my life through it. There are several purposes to this fast, in that I want to see God move in the following ways:
1. I want to go deeper in knowing who God is, what God desires from my life, and just in hearing His voice more clearly each day.
2. To see God breakthrough powerfully even more in our Student Ministry. For non-believers to be drawn in, give their lives to God, and start walking with Him. For christian students to have a deeper hunger for God's presence. For God to move supernaturally in prophecy, miracles, healings, and the outpouring and infilling of His Holy Spirit.
3. For breakthrough in our church, Cornerstone Community Church, relationally, spiritually, and financially.
4. To see God at work more in my family. First with my little girls and wife to all fall more in love with God each day. Secondly, to see non-christian family members drawn to God. Thirdly, that God would do a miracle in the life of Ryan, my brother. Finally, that God would pour out his blessings, mercy, and grace on every member of my family.
5. Finally, for God to bring some new non-believer friends in to my life so that I can demonstrate living on mission through having meaningful relationships with people who do not yet know God personally.
That is just the tip of the iceberg for what I am expecting God to do during this fasting time and beyond. Future posts will consist of insight into the prayer times I have, bible insights I have, or whatever else goes on. Hope this encourages anyone who chooses to read and follow for the next 40 days.
John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease" KJV
1. I want to go deeper in knowing who God is, what God desires from my life, and just in hearing His voice more clearly each day.
2. To see God breakthrough powerfully even more in our Student Ministry. For non-believers to be drawn in, give their lives to God, and start walking with Him. For christian students to have a deeper hunger for God's presence. For God to move supernaturally in prophecy, miracles, healings, and the outpouring and infilling of His Holy Spirit.
3. For breakthrough in our church, Cornerstone Community Church, relationally, spiritually, and financially.
4. To see God at work more in my family. First with my little girls and wife to all fall more in love with God each day. Secondly, to see non-christian family members drawn to God. Thirdly, that God would do a miracle in the life of Ryan, my brother. Finally, that God would pour out his blessings, mercy, and grace on every member of my family.
5. Finally, for God to bring some new non-believer friends in to my life so that I can demonstrate living on mission through having meaningful relationships with people who do not yet know God personally.
That is just the tip of the iceberg for what I am expecting God to do during this fasting time and beyond. Future posts will consist of insight into the prayer times I have, bible insights I have, or whatever else goes on. Hope this encourages anyone who chooses to read and follow for the next 40 days.
John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease" KJV
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