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