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.
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