Day 40!

Day 40

Here I am, day 40.  This experience has been nothing like I thought it would be.  So what have I learned from this fast?

First, I have learned that on the days I sought God’s will, those days were the easiest.  I had no hunger, no cravings, and no weak moments of the flesh.  On days I hurried God, I hurt. I was hungry. I craved everything. I was weak.  To wit, God is my strength when I cannot.

Second, I have learned a fast is a microcosm of life.  There are good days and bad days, but when the day is through God still loves me the same no matter how bad I stumble and fall or how successful my day was.  I can’t be good enough to earn God’s love or bad enough to lose God’s love.

Third, I have learned that to reach the Goals I have set, will require much more of me seeking Gods strength and me being willing to accept the pace God wants me to reach these goals.

Lastly, I have learned even though a fast should be private endeavor, I have had my most success because I had to lean on God more so I wouldn’t fail publicly.  I had accountability for my action not only to God, but to the people I talked to my fast about.  It generated talk about why I was doing and allowed me to share with people about God.

My three goals I set will remain private, but I will share this. I am going to keep given God my first fruits of each day. I am going to give God 10% of my month by fasting the first 3 days of each month.  God has blessed me during these last 40 days.  I believe I have grown as a Christian.  I know I am closer to God.  Will trouble still come my way?  Yes, but as Meshack and the boys found out, the hotter the fire the closer God will be to you.  Things will happen that will bind me, as they were. Whether it be my own sins or actions of others, but it will happen.  When it does, I know God will be in the fire with me, strengthen me and guiding me.

I have enjoyed my time with this blog.  I know it is hard to read because I just type as I think things.  Thank you for those who have prayed for me.

Remember no matter how bad it gets, we are blessed. Fill your body with water, fill your soul with the living water and watch out for “l”!

Day 39

Day 39

Wow! What a struggle yesterday was!  I think because the end is near, I craved everything yesterday.  My stomach growled all day. Note to self, don’t watch the food network on days like yesterday. It is not good motivation! 

Other than a few cravings, it was a good day.  Some of the goals I set are getting easier to maintain. I still have much work to do to achieve them, but progress is being made.

While doing my Bible study this morning, I had two big revelations. First, the word “in” is used an awful lot in Ephesians. Second, I realized there are two words in the Bible that are awesome. What are they? “but God” How many times in the Bible should we as human race been destroyed by our own wickedness, but God didn’t.  I deserve Hell, but God sent his only begotten son. I can’t do enough to earn Gods love, but I can’t do enough to lose God’s love.  I have stumbled and fallen so many times during this fast, but God has picked me up and set me back on the path.  I don’t know it there are more beautiful words in the Bible.  How much different would the world be, if God treated me like I treated others. Nobody is writing about “but Gus”.  The world wouldn’t have lasted long if God was like me. 

God love what is on the inside. Our outward actions don’t really matter.  I know lots of people who are nice on the outside but mean on the inside.  Outward appearance can be faked.  A heart for God cannot. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after they sinned.  God knew what they did and where they were.  How much grace and mercy do I show people who offend me?  What if God showed me the same amount of grace and mercy?  I would be in Hell right now.

I am beginning to believe I am trying to do too much in the world. Maybe I need to do less to do more.

My prayer, Lord let me show those around me the same grace and mercy as you have shown me. Amen.

Day 38

Day 38

Three days to go and I had a great Monday.  Tuesday is going to be a long day, but I am prepared. I made a tasty concoction last evening for lunch today.  I have discovered on the days I don’t each much protein, I struggle. I have been trying to increase my protein intake and reduce my fast carbohydrate intake.  Looking back on my last rough spot, I didn’t eat much protein at all and I made the mistake of eating too much of a good thing. Fluid intake is much better and I didn’t have quite as many slips.  So I am pumped for the next 3, let’s see what happens!

On Thursdays, the coaches at my school get together at 6 AM and have a Bible study.  We are studying Ephesians this time.  As I am reading Eph 2:1-10 it hits me like a ton of bricks.  I now know why vampire and zombie movie and TV shows are such a hit.  They are an analogy of us.  The living dead, sounds a lot like an oxymoron. Without Christ in our lives, we are zombies. We are walking around dead. God created us with different parts, a physical part and a spiritual part.  Death is the separation of these two parts.  Adam and Eve died twice.  They had the spiritual death from sin and then a physical death.  God in human form, Christ, died because he had a physical body, but his spirit rejoined his body after resurrection. 

I am going to look around for zombies today. Unlike movies, I am going to try to kill zombies not with a shot gun, but with Gods word. Salvation is just that, saving people from death. I have said it before, eternal life begins not at death but when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. I do believe we may have some zombie Christians.  We get the fire insurance and then go sit on a log.  I got saved at 13 and haven’t done what I should have for the lord. I know when I die I am going to heaven, but with what to show? We do things in life for 2 reasons: 1 because we have to, 2 because we enjoy it.  I love to coach. I have coached many seasons with out getting paid.  Do I enjoy working for the Lord?  Or do I serve Him because I have to?

Day 37

Day 37

Please pardon my appearance this morning, I am a little “skint” up and bruised from the weekend.  I had a great start to the week last week and hit a slick spot and down I went.  I fell in all three areas of my fast since last Thursday.  I over ate, I dehydrated my soul, and wore a hole in the couch. The great thing is God still loves me!   I have, counting today, 4 days to finish strong. 

 I was reading my devotion for today and the verse was short and simple, Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  Yeah, yeah I’ve read it before. What am I going to get from this?  Wait a minute, in John 3: 16 He gave his ONLY begotten son. How can Jesus be both ONLY and FIRSTBORN?  This confused me greatly. Then I read on. Christ came to us as God’s only son. He bled, died and arose.  When Christ arose, he arose as the first born.  Why the firstborn? Jesus death and resurrection allow me to become a CHILD of God. I say I am a child of God, which means I am a brother to Jesus.  If Jesus is the heir to the throne of God, that means I am an heir as well.  Think about that. I am not a lowly peasant, a servant yes, but not lowly.  I am a child of God. Wait, doesn’t that mean I have even a bigger responsibility?  Yes!  I am no longer a part of this world. I am a stranger in a strange land. Jesus suffered and died for me to gain His inheritance.  Is it to much to ask for me to take up his yoke? He tells me it is easy.  What am I afraid of, change? Is it to much to ask to read God’s word, so I might know Him better? I mean really, what has God ever ask me to do that He hasn’t already provided for, nothing?

I have heard it said, “Do something for 30 days and it becomes a habit.”  Well I have been at this fast thing for almost 40 days and while easier, still far from habit.  I want to make drinking of the living waters a daily habit.  If I need 64 oz of water a day to stay physically hydrated, maybe I need 64 verses to stay spiritually hydrated.  Staying spiritually hydrated will help me have the strength to continue to work on my goals I set for this fast and all other goals God has revealed to me during the fast.  Though I may stumble and fall, I have the grace of God to pick me up, dust me off, and set me on the path.

My prayer, Lord thank you for loving me when I am battered and bruised. Thank you for making a way for me to become one of your children Amen

Day 31

Day 32

8 days to go!  This may have been the best 3 days of a week I have had on the fast.  In addition to loosing more weight, I have had very few hunger pains or cravings.  The stumbles have been few. 

In the devotion this morning, it talked about trusting in God.  There have been many days during this fast, when I have been weak and relied on my and failed. When I have been weak and relied on God, I have succeeded.  What does that tell me?  Quite relying on me and rely on God.  Simple huh! Why is it so hard to take everything to the Lord in prayer?  Why can’t I just take everything I want to do through God?  Sometime I feel like I am not moving because I am waiting on God.  If I would just take my actions through God I would be working for Him until He directs me in a different direction.  If I work through God, He will remove the obstacles before me. 

With 8 days left, I look where I was and where I am.  I am closer to God than I have been in a long time. I am making an effort to thank God for all of the little blessing He gives every day. I am making an effort to spend time with God everyday.  I want to have a relationship with God. I want to walk with Him daily. The best way to know Gods will is to be close to Him in walk and in talk.

A gentleman told me that a fast should be in private. That is probably true, but I have had more success this time on a longer fast because I know people are looking.  I want my actions to serve the Lord, and if having a public fast is a way, then that is what I will do.

Day 31

Day 31  1 Month!!!!!!

For those of you that don’t know, we serve an awesome God!!  Yesterday I went way of the fast topic to discuss Mr. Turner, The Bible Man.  Through all of the prayers and Christians taking actions, he will get to continue coming to the schools in Jackson County to share with our children.  I don’t believe this fight is over. The FFRF is not one to duck its tail and run.  They will be back, but so will we.  The FFRF hasn’t read the book; they don’t know they are on the loosing side.

Alright enough of the soapbox. What would be my answer if Jesus ask me “Who do you say I am?”  I have the church answer, but who is Jesus to me?  If there is one thing I have learned during this fast, it is that I know about Jesus, but I’m not sure how well I know Jesus.  Do I know Him like I know George Washington, facts and stories or do I know Him as I know my best friend?  We are told to draw close to God and God will draw close to you.  God isn’t hiding I just don’t seek Him as I should.  How much time do I waste on worldly things when I could be doing “Wordly” things?

I have drawn closer to God during the last 30 days.  I am not near enough. I don’t want 2 shadows; I want to be so close there is only one shadow on the ground.  This won’t happen over night, but it will be my daily goal to continue to develop a relationship with God.  I do agree with one thing with FFRF, I do believe need to be free from religion and have a relationship. Religion is ritual and habit, a relationship is new fresh and ever changing. That is what I want.

Day 30

Day 30

30 down and 10 to go. I had a good week, save the weekend.  I let life get in the way.  It got busy and I just jumped in and went with the flow instead of staying the course. 

In doing my Bible study this morning, Mathew 19:24, the author was talking about money.  I know the purpose of this study was to help me focus on relying on God instead of worldly wealth, but that isn’t what I got out of it.  

We are fortunate to live in an area where we don’t have to hide God.  We have in all areas of our school system access to God.  A gentleman has been coming to the schools in our area for over 30 years using Bible stories to teach not only about God, but good moral values.  Through the years there have been complaints, but no student has ever been forced to attend. It is a free assembly and the kids love to go.  Now the Freedom From Religion Foundation has come to our area and is trying to have “The Bible Man” removed from our schools.  With our nation in the state it is in, we need more people like him coming to our schools and exposing the next generation of leaders to God and moral values.  It breaks my heart knowing that for the foreseeable future he will not be able to come and speak.  The songs he sings, the good news he brings will be sorely missed.

I believe this is a direct application of Mathew 19:24. As a nation we have become so blessed by God we think we no longer need Him.  We no longer read Gods word to see the consequences of straying from God.  I remember asking my mom while growing up, Mom why did Israel keep straying from God?  Now I know.  They, as we, believe they have the power to stand alone and face the world.  I’m no Bible scholar, but I do know what kept happing to Israel and I am afraid the same fate is waiting on America. 

There are many people in our area upset and mad about the Bible Man situation. Many of us up in arms as it were.  When ask about the situation, The Bible Man gave yet another reason, taught us another lesson with his answer.  Don’t fight it, just pray pray, pray!!!  Thank you for reminding us all what we need to do in all situations.  I am thankful for a man like Mr. Turner that lives his faith.

As I enter the last ten days, I am going to follow Mr. Turner’s advice and pray, pray, pray!!

Day 27

Day 27

What an awesome week!  7 days ago I wrote I was going to focus on the blessing of God instead of the daily failures. Guess what? Best week of fast yet.  Have there been stumbles and set backs, yes, but those stumbles and set backs allowed more opportunities to talk to God to ask for  strength and the one thing I have the hardest time asking for…..help. 

Being a teacher, the end of the month is always tight money wise.  It was touch and go a couple of days as the groceries began to wane. Then I begin to find all of these new recipes that have the items I have in the pantry.  Now here we are, 3 days before payday, and I have a plethora of options.

Here is the plan for the next 13 days.  Increase my portion size…of Gods Word and decrease my portion size of food.  I want my soul to grow and my belly to shrink!  Changing habits is hard. I want to change my love for food into a love for Gods Word. My body is big enough, my soul needs growth.  Mathew 4:3-4 tells us that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.  I want to feed on the word of God and drink from the living waters. 

I am so fortunate to work with a group of coaches that are Christians.  Once a week we meet at 6 am to have a Bible study.  Just knowing that I can turn to anyone of these guys when I struggle and have a bad day makes each day easier.  These men are helping me to desire the Word of God more.  They are strong in Bible knowledge and that makes me want to know more.  We all need people who are strong in God to be in our lives for our bad days.  I am blessed I get to work and coach with mine.

My prayer is a praise, Lord thank you for the people in my life that prop me up on bad days. Thank you for increasing my hunger for your Word Amen

Day 25

Day 25

Man God is good!!!!!  It is amazing how much easier it has been this last 5 days.  Have there been temptations, faltering and cravings? Most definitely, but when the food cravings come, I turned to God. When I faltered, I turned to God. When I was tempted, I turned to God.  You know what, all went away.  Now have any of these things been world shattering, no, but they have just proved all I need is God. 

In my devotion this morning the author asked me to ask these three questions:

1.      How can I become more rooted in God?

2.      What are three things I can do to increase my knowledge of Him and His ways?

3.      What time am I willing to set aside for the sole purpose of studying the Word of God so I can become firmly established in the truth?

This fast is teaching me to be more obedient and to lean on God.  I have talked about the storms of life in the past.  If I can fully answer and follow these 3 questions, when the big storms of life occur I will be able, through Gods strength, be able to withstand them. 

I have 15 days left on the actual fast, but a life time left to deepen my roots in God.  I know I must continue to drink from Gods Word to nourish my soul.  A diet is a short term solution to a long term problem.  Yes I have lost weight on this fast, but if I go back to my old ways, it will all come back.  I must strive to continue to build my mind, body and soul for the Lord’s glory long after day 40.  I do believe I have begun life’s journey

Day 23

Day 23:

Much better today.  Storms last night made me think of all of the storms I have lived through in my life.  Just as last night when I was not sure which way the storm would travel, I have been unsure of the path the storm in my life would take me.  I didn’t know what kind of lasting damage it would inflict.  But looking back on them, not a single bad thing lasted, only the post storm blessings God granted.  I honestly can not think of a bad instance in my life that God has not turned into a positive. However, when a storm rolls in, I am shackled to my fear.  I forget God has already given us the victory; we just have to be willing to receive it. 

The Children of Israel were brought out of bondage, witnessed many miracles, yet were afraid to enter the promise land God had given them.  10 of the spies said the land is everything God promised, but the people are giants. 2 of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, said we can do this; God has given them over to us. All we have to do is go collect our reward.  What did they do? They wandered around in a desert for 40 years instead of living in the promise land.

I have a slavery mentality.  I don’t believe I should have the promised things of God.  I am not good enough. I haven’t done enough for the Lord the gain the gifts.  If God gave me what I deserve, what I earned, I would be in hell at this moment.  We have not because we ask not.  God’s grace cannot be earned by earthly works, but given as freely as Christ blood fell from the cross.

I can do All things through Christ who strengthens me! Not some things. Not just the things I think I can do, but ALL things.  Where does this strength come from?  From quenching the thirst of the Spirit with Gods words.  For every cup of liquid you put into your physical body, feed your spirit with a verse from the word of God. 

Lord, give me the thirst that can only be quenched by your Word. Amen

Day 21

Day 21

Hello!  I made it to day 21.  The last 10 days have been really hard.  I have faltered in all three areas, mind, body and spirit, but the good news is the Lord allowed me to wake up this morning and have a chance to make the next 20 days the best 20 days.  I am through the hard part of the fast, so I think the food temptations will subside. This will let me focus on renewing my efforts on my spiritual and mental growth.

As I have looked back over my blogs, I have notice a trend. I whine ……. A lot!  I get so focused on the negative; completely overlook all of the positive.  So days 21-40 all positive. Am I going to falter again, absolutely, but instead of landing on hard rocks I’m going to land on a trampoline and bounce back even better! (How’s that for being positive)

I have been a water drinker for the last four years. I haven’t had a caffeinated beverage in four years. Just water.  I know I need lots of water to keep my body hydrated to perform at the level it needs to.  While reading my devotion this morning, I realized I have been starving my spiritual body of the Living water it needs.  What if I gave my physical body as much water as I give my spiritual body?  I wouldn’t make it a week.  How can I expect my relationship with God to grow, if I never water it?  I’m just glad God’s love it like an aloe plant.  You can neglect an aloe plant for long periods of time, and it will live on. Are we not told in John 7:37 If anyone thirsts let him come to Me and drink.  I don’t drink from the Word of God, I sip.  My goal this week it to guzzle!

Please forgive me for this next quote. Dr Phil says married couple when having problems should not turn the outside world for help but turn to each other.  How often do I have a problem with my relationship with God and seek answers elsewhere. I am dusting off my 5 stones and going to increase my time with God this week.  I bet by day 28 I will be better off.

I am looking forward to the next 20 days.  I will face the pitfalls and snares with the grace that Gods gives me. 

Day 16

Day 16

Wow how to start?  I’ll start with the bad and end with the good.  

If a gold medal is given for stumbling and falling, I make Michael Phelps look like…..well me.  It has been a rough several days.  I have had multiple failures in all 3 areas of the fast, mind, body and soul. 

Days 13 – 15 are always the hardest for me.  I, on several occasions, have “snuck” non fast foods.  The cravings got strong and I caved in.  It was never a lot of food, just a bite here and a bite there, but none the less, cheating.   I would like to say it tasted bitter in my mouth, but it was good.  This happened to me when I did the 21 day fast last year. It made me realize that we do the same with God.  We commit a little sin here, a little sin there and before we know it we are miles away from God.  Some of these “little sins” no one ever knows about but you and God.  Are these little moments of hidden pleasure really worth the distance WE move from God? Ask any parent of a toddler, it doesn’t take long for a nice outfit to be ruined with just a small snack. 

I did manage to get up and get my 30 min in this morning.  I had a great quite time with God as I ran.  It allowed me to focus on what I wanted to do this week: the steps I need to take to move closer to my goals. A conservation I had yesterday at church with a dear friend helped me focus on just taking it step by step, not looking at day 40 but focusing on the short term.  I told her I am trying to do this fast as public as I can to force me to be accountable.  So when I fail lots of people are going to see it.  Failing publicly is a major fear of mine and scares me to death.  But if I fail publicly then I will get up and succeed publicly.  I keep asking the Lord to be glorified in my failures. 

Spiritually I have been all over the road.  I have struggled with my daily devotion, partially because I lost my book for a couple of days and partially because I just did find a way to study Gods word.  I found an excuse.  As a coach, I hate excuses!  Cant and wont give the same results.  I have always had a soft spot for those kids that just can’t do something and have never had much compassion for those that have the ability and just won’t do it.  Wait isn’t that me?  I have the ability to study Gods word, I just choose not to.  How does that make God feel when I put the world before the Word?  I just thank God that he has more compassing for me that I do for my athletes.  Bro Shannon made a comment yesterday that hit home.  The Devil always pays in counterfeit money.  That rich reward looming in front of us that the world says is important is not real.  It is only a mirage to turn our eyes from God until we reach the point of eternal separation. 

Even though I didn’t blog it, one of the devotions from this past week talked about always entering the house of God with something. Now I try to tithe regularly, but what about the weeks I don’t get paid.  What do I bring to Gods house?  This really hit home.  I find myself going to church for something instead of bringing something.  What more do I need?  I have been blessed beyond measure.  I am going to make a point from now on to bring to Gods house not take from.  How is this going to work….I have no idea?  I will figure that out as I go.  I have several ideas, but not sure yet.

Here is my prayer; Lord let me feed on your Word so I can better serve you Amen

Day 12

Day 12

Wow what a crazy last 3 days!!!  I have been struggling to keep everything afloat, but I believe I have righted the ship.

Running has been a myth since Monday.  It has been raining and now has turned cold.  Although this afternoon looks promising for a good long run.

I have stumbled several times on my fast.  Last night for example, I was cleaning in the kitchen and as I walked by the pizza rolls just popped one in my mouth.  I have always been a grazer, and I just did it without thinking.

That made me stops in my tracks and realizes how many things we do in our daily lives that we never even think about. We hurt people and most of the time don’t mean to and furthermore never realize we do it.  How many times a day do we hurt God’s feelings and not realize it. In reading today’s devotion, Col 3:1-2 says to set our mind on things above.  If we have our mind on things above, then those little hurtful things we do will be more obvious to us. 

I have let the world run me this week. My bible time has dropped off. My quite time has been almost nonexistent and will power for staying true to the fast has wavered.  I am going to set my mind on higher things starting today. Will I stumble and fall yet again? Probably. But I will get up, ask for forgiveness, refocus my resolve and continue to grow.  Sometimes we learn more in failure that we do in success.  Hard lessons are always remembered.

My prayer today: Lord let me set my mind on higher things. Amen

Day 9

Day 8 was an epic fail!  I faltered in the flesh and in the spirit.  I took two steps away from God instead of 1 step closer.  I know there will be days like day 8 and if I dwell on my failures, then day 8 will spill over to day 9, 10 etc. I am going to focus on making day 9 a great day.  Through the Lords grace and power, I will put day 8 behind me. I will feed the spirit today. I will gather my 5 stones and fight the defeat that Satin is trying to convince me I am in.  I am a child of God.  If I accept this defeat, then I am rejecting the victory won at the cross.  We all fall short of Gods glory, but thank God he forgives us, picks us up and helps us back on the path of righteousness.   I have asked for forgiveness and will start this day anew.

Day 9 Devotion Judges 6:13

Hello day 9!  I awoke feeling broken and defeated. I wallowed in self pity while showering and getting dressed. I made it to my area where I have my quite time and opened my devotion for today.  It was all about overcoming defeat.  The children of Israel had fallen away from God. They were being over run by anybody that wanted what they had. Gideon answers the call.  I’m not sure I have ever read this full chapter (6) of Judges.  This may have been written about Israel, but it might as well have used my name.

As always it seems, when God called Gideon he answered but he wanted a sign to make sure.  Why is it so hard to realize that we have won?  All of these bumps in the road we call problems are not worth the time we fret over them.  We are children of God.  He gave us victory over the world when Jesus died.  We are starving to death in the middle of a buffet. We are just too scared to reach out and take what God has provided.

Today I am going to eat of the bounty God provided.  I will fill my soul on His word.

My prayer for today.  Lord, forgive me for rejecting the power you gave me at the cross. Let me drink deeply from the living waters so that I might walk in victory instead of defeat. Amen

Day 7!!

Welcome to day 7!! Still hanging in there.  Yesterday was tougher just because it was a long day.  Upside, I am down to 230 this morning.  I have an exciting day ahead.  Jr high girls play for the county championship at 10 (Go Eagles) Then Buck has a rec league game at 12:30, but the exciting part is I am having burger and fries for supper!!!!!!!!  Now hold on, it is going to be a homemade veggie burger and herb roasted sweet potato fries with a homemade dipping sauce.  I also plan to attempt my first ever smoothie. That could get scary. 

I had and awesome run this morning. I listened to the first book of Daniel this morning during my run. It gave me some good insight on fasting and motivation to keep going.

Daniel and his buddies were brought in to Babylon, given new Babylonian names, and instructed to eat the Kings food. Daniel stood on his faith and asked to eat pulse and drink water for a trial period. At the end of the trial they were the best looking ones of the groups, the wisest ones of the group.  Isn’t that just like the world we live in.  We are children of God brought into this world, given worldly names, and fed on worldly food. Can we (I) stand on my faith and put Gods will first?

Day 7 Devotion - Joshua 1:9

Today’s devotion was on fear.  How many times do we get scared in life from some problem and we ask God to take it away.  God tells us he has already made a provision for this problem.  I tell my kids I coach all the time, practice aren’t supposed to be fun, but games are.  You work hard in practice, going longer than you will play or run; so that when the game or the meet arrives, you are prepared.  God does the same with us.  He prepares us for life.  If you said Gus go run in the Boston Marathon, I would fail. Who am I kidding if you said Gus go run a 5k, I would fail.  I have not prepared for either. You can’t just roll out of bed and say Hey I am going to do…… We must be prepared. Whatever problem you have been blessed with, just stay the coarse God is preparing your reward.

My prayer for the day, Lord grant me the strength to serve You even under the names and labels the world puts on my Amen

Day 6

So an early day and a late night equals running a day behind on my blog post. So lesson learned, add another 10 min to my day and I will get it done.

My running is coming along. The weather has been great so I have been going to the gorge and running my teams cross country trails.  During my runs, I am trying to focus my mind on the things of God. While running the memory of salvation came to mind. 

I still remember the Sunday morning when I made the walk down to the front of the church. I had gotten saved two weeks before at church camp. It took two weeks to make it down front because I got stung by a bee upon arriving home and my foot swelled up to about twice its normal size.  That may have been the longest church service I have ever been to. When Mrs. Buford played the first note of the song I shot out of my pew and made a bee line to the front (no pun intended….well maybe) I could not wait to be baptized. I was 11 and I had just gotten my address in the Kingdom of Heaven!!!!

It has been 33 years and I still haven’t moved in.  Luke 17:20-21 tells us the Kingdom of Heaven is within us.  Now don’t get me wrong, I visit my address, I just never seem to stay.  I’m just like the children of Israel; I was set free from the bondage of my sins only to wander around in the desert just outside the promise land.

This fast is part of my journey to live in the Kingdom of Heaven, to live with in Gods power and grace.  I have made the first steps with the 3 goals I have set for this fast. I am making progress towards each one. Just think where I would be, the kind of person I would be, the kind of Christian I would be, if I had moved in at age 11. Oh the time lost with God. Now am I saying that I would have had no problems in my life? Absolutely not! That is one of the biggest lies Satin puts out there to make us feel defeated when something bad happens in our lives. I think we can all agree Jesus was a pretty good guy and He know God better than I do, and he was killed. So just because we live in the Kingdom of Heaven we still abide in the world. There will be failures, but praise God we have His power and grace to help see us through

My prayer: Lord let me reside daily in the Kingdom of Heaven that you have placed inside of me. Amen

Day 5

Day 5: 

I want able to get my run in at the gorge yesterday, but I did get a good 30 min in today.  If I didn’t hurt so much I would feel good!  

1^st set back of the fast yesterday, I left my lunch and snacks at home.  I had my regular breakfast at home, Fiber one and almond milk, I has an apple for my 10 o’clock snack ( I left it at school the day before)  then lunch rolls around.  I ate ½ a chicken finger  and 6 tater wedges I figured better to each a little something that get a headache the last part of the day.  Then I came home….oooo not good. I ate my lunch I had fixed for that day, my snack I had fixed for that day  all while fixing supper. Then I ate supper. On an unrelated note, I gained 3 lbs. 

I stumbled and fell, but I got up with more resolve to be better organized with my lunch and snacks. 

Day 5 Devotion

"Our battles are not of the physical world but spritual"

Worldly problems must be solved through the Word! What does Gods Word say about our problem?  The world will cause fearful thoughts to enter our minds. The world will tell us we are no good, we are defeated. The world will tell us we are a failure.  For every situation, God has an answer to the lies the world tells us! Great, but where are the answers? How do I find them?  Easy, with the oldest of ways……Goggle. I don’t know the Bible well enough to know where to start to look, but I googled the problem in the Bible and I will find scripture to begin with.  As I do this study, I struggle to find strength. Yesterday, I goggled and found my 5 stones. I now have them to use when I falter.

One of my main struggles in this fast is keeping my focus, controlling my thoughts during my quite time. All the stuff from my upcoming day just screams for my attention.  I am trying to give God the first fruits of each day. I want them to be pure.  If during these 40 days I can purify my quite time, I believe God will help me keep my thoughts captive during the day.

As I continue, I want to be able to compare every thought that comes through my head to Gods Word. When a problem comes into my life, I am going to ask 3 Questions: 1) What does the Word say about the probem? 2) What does the world say about the problem? 3) What will I say about the problem?

Our thoughts control our actions. Pure thoughts = Pure Actions. Paul tells us in Phil 4:5 to meditate on pure and noble things. Media promotes anything but pure and noble things.  Everything we are bombarded with from radio, TV, magazines and the internet is a challenge to deal with.  All those things are the “l” that gets us out of the Word.

My prayer for the day: Lord, help me keep only pure thoughts in my head and heart Amen.

Day 4

Welcome to day 4.  Lots of things happening today.  First day back to school with my students, first afternoon run in the gorge and first big step on goal 1.

No I didnt run this morning yes I know I am a big sissy!  I did however give the first part of my day to God.  It was harder to do that today than yesterday.  Lots of worldly thoughts kept running in my head during my quite time, most of them ever bit as loud as I normaly am. 

Day 4 Devotion 5 Smooth Stones Samuel 17:39-40

How many times have I used this story of David and Golith as a pregame speech.  I have always coached as small rural school and we always seem to play a larger school for a championship.  I like to use this story, because in basketball you have 5 players and one of them must step up and help us beat our "Golith"

In all my years I have never looked at the five stones a verses from the Bible to use in my daily life to slay my Goliths.  The world armor is to heavy and slows me down.  All I need is 5 verses from Gods Word to defend myself against what the world brings against me.  I will search Gods word to find my 5 verses of encouragement and faith.  When the world attacks and I feel weak and on the verge of being defeated, I will get out my 5 stones and recite them, Yes out loud, I feel quite confident over the next seveal weeks, I will be saying them often. 

Can these 5 stones be used to help me reach my 3 goals?  hmmmm Only if fatih in God is apart of reaching my goals.  What I have to remember is I can do all things THROUGH Christ, not with Him or occasionally when it gets to dificult for me.

My prayer for the day: Lord give me wisdom to find 5 stones in Your Word to use against the world so that I might defend my heart from the attacks of the world.

Day 3

Good morning!  Wow is it cold outside.. No I did not do my morning walk. the wind yesterday gave me a wretched headache so no cold for me this morning. 

What is the most important meal of the day? According to the experts, breakfast.  Breakfast gives you your energy for the day and just give you a good kickstart.  What is the first thing you put into your mind in the mornings?  I have talked about giving 1st fruits each day so I have decieded the first thing that I put into my mind will be Gods word.  When I woke up, instead of running, I just had 30 min of quite time, where I read a short passage from Psalms. It was about cleansing my heart.  Each day I will ask God for a factory reset on my heart. As babies, we have the purest heart we will ever have. No worldly influence, just Gods perfected plan.  Then we grow and the world begins to tarnish our hearts.  We develop a tough skin and a calloused  (?) heart to keep us from getting hurt. If being hurt by the world allows me to hear God and to draw closer, then so be it. I want a cleansed heart to start my day.

Day 3 Devotion: Mark 10: 41-52

This is the story of the blind beggar that cries out to Jesus to be healed.  I have read/heard this story countless times and I always hear the part about Bartimaeus recieving his sight.  As I read it today, I noticed 2 things; first the crowd kept telling him to be quite as he called out to Jesus and second he threw his beggar cloak to the ground and went to Jesus.

The world has us convinced that our problems are not worth taking them to Jesus. Bartimaeus could have just ask Jesus for food, water, or money, but he had faith that this man named Jesus could restore his sight. The crowd was trying to quiten him, but he refused to stop calling to Jesus.  The crowd in my life is not external, but internal.  The voices of pride, of fear of intellect cry out to be quite, dont call on Jesus. You can handle this yourself or this problem isnt big enough or important enough for Jesus. How many times has the voice said what have you done to earn Jesus helping you?  So many times I listen to them and stay silent.  I am going to cry out to Jesus for the smallest problem to the largest problem.  He is in control.

What is the big deal about the beggar tossing asside his beggars cloak? Everything!  His cloak was his idenity, his literal meal ticket.  Without that cloak, he could not beg for food water and money.  His faith was so great he rose up, threw aside his cloak and went to Jesus.  Nowhere in the passage does it say Jesus prayed for him or touched him. Jesus said his faith healed him.  All of the problems in my life are readily solveable if I can only have the faith of a blind beggar

My prayer for day 3; Lord cleanse my heart so that I may draw closer to you and drown out the voices of the world Amen 

Day 2

Ok so I am a little late on todays blog!!

Day 1 was a success!! No cravings or hunar AND I lost 4 lbs!! You wouldnt think NOT eating like a fattening hog cause you to lose weight.

As I did my 30 min this morning, I used that time to talk to God. I tried to focus my mind on God and talk with him about my 3 goals. As I talked I began to realize I am no more mature as a christian than I was at age 13 when I was saved. I still feed on the manna. I am 44 and still a baby in Christ. I have not grown. All of my 3 goals would not be goals if I would have matured in Christ.  I guess I became sastisfied with my fire insurance and have sat still for the last 30 years.  I hope as I do my fast and study I will be able to move from the manna to the meat of God's word.

From Day 2 Devotion in John 17:16-18, Jesus has sanctifed us. Great what does that even mean? Jesus set us apart for a Holy purpose.  I believe anybody who is searching for the meaning of life is not walking close to God.  He gave us our purpose.  We are in this world but not of this world. We are strangers in a strange land.  That all sounds great and good things to say in church, but do I stand with the world or apart from it? Can a lost person tell any difference between me and them? 

People always know when I am around. I have been told I am loud.  In face when my daughter looses me in Walmart she just tells her mom just listen we will hear dad.  Do I have that loud of a voice for Christ? Do non christians know when I am a christian when I'm in a room? 

My prayer is; Lord show me an area that I can seperate myself from the world. Help me remove the l and live in the word  Amen

Day 1

Happy New Years!!!

Well here we are, Day 1.  I am both nervous and excited.  If you are looking for great writtings or deep insites, you are probabaly at the wrong blog.  I am just going to write things as they come in my head.  Thats the way I talk, so that is how I will write. Also you can expect a lot of spelling errors!!! Lets see where this jouney takes us.

I had a good walk this morning and was able to get finished just as the rain set in.  I did get my goal of 30 min of walking with 2x 1 min of jogging. My focus, however, was not where it needed to be. I could not get my mind out of the physical world and into the spritual.  I will do better tomorrow in the cold!!

Came in house and drank my warm water and lemon juice mixture.....just cant see why that has not been more popular!  Ate my 1/2 cup of Fiber One Cereal with 1 Cup of almond milk which btw is pretty dang good!

As I begin my fast, I want to learn how to write my prayers. I know this sound simple, but for a first timer I am stuggling.  One thing I have learned is I can talk a lot faster than I write.  Why do I even want to write my prayers down?  I think it is a good way of documenting my walk with God during the next 40 days.  I belive it will show how I am growing spirtually.

Day 1 Devotion "First Fruits" Ezekiel 44:30.

So I read the first 2 lines of this devotional and it slaps me in the face.  We in modern times tend to think of first fruits as our tithes. God doesnt need our money. The first fruit God wants is us. Here is my opening prayer for day 1. Lord, today I give You the first of me. I will put You first in my life Amen.  So simple but so hard.  My priorites and not where they should be.  The devil is a sneaky fellow. He has found the simplist way to steer us away from God.....the letter l.  Thats right the letter l. See look how small it is, really not very noticable at all. He can just slide it right in our lives and we never even notice until one day we look up and BAM we are far away from God.  How did this happen? How did I drift away from God?  The letter l.  Dont believe me just look.  We are in the Word walking with God then we get slipped the l. We are so busy in our daily routine we just never notice it. Word + l = World. See we went from being in the Word to in the World.  The Devil likes to keep us busy, yeah we tithe when we think about it. When was the last time we gave the first fruit of ourselves?  I must, during the next 40 days repriortize what is important in my life and live accordianly. Can this be done in 40 days? According to the Bible, God can change the world in 40 days !! Just ask Noah.

I hope each of you have a blessed 2012 and lets give the first fruits God really wants this year