Things I am learning

Well, look at this, I am actually working the blog and it has only taken me 3 weeks to get over the fear :)

It has come to my mind over and over again that "obedience is better than sacrifice." To me this is the Lord encouraging me to view life through the spectrum of obedience as is an act of submission rather than sacrifice which is ritualistic and legalistic...which can lead to man pleasing. I think it is more natural to go the sacrifice route as it is more predictable because it is connected to man's responses where as obedience is difficult to quantify.

I can see that I am waxing eloquence today so let me break it down...anything we do in life should be born out of a place of obedience not done to perform to show how sacrificial we are,

The other thing is I have been praying for fresh anointing on Bill and my life and ministry...whenever I go to the Word of God I am pointed to wisdom and understanding and knowledge. This is to be searched for as a treasure better than gold. We are encouraged to seek wisdom not gold but that wisdom has a benefit of wealth. So, all that to say that wisdom and obedience can lead to annointing, and authority and blessing.

God bless you and keep up the good fasting.
Lisa :)
ps missing chocolate...I wonder if it would even taste good at this point...it would probably be disgusting, right?

Can I tell you something?


I AM sooo missing chewing gum
and Vitamin Water at this moment.
Whew! So glad to get that off my chest.
Thank you.


That is all.

The Work He Has Done

During this fast, I have been reminded constantly of the following Scripture passages: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 and Galatians 6:10-20.

If you haven't been struggling, you are very fortunate. Yes, there have been struggles for me: satisfy that sweet tooth, the need for caffeine, or purchase some type of 'junk food' snack.

Like the struggle for certain foods, there are life struggles too. Although the daily grind happens and the 'ups and downs' of life will continue until my very end, these passages describe how I felt during my quiet times and as well as how I felt in general during the last couple weeks.

Even before that, in the autumn and winter seasons I knew that God was working in me to get rid of dross from my checkered past. Yes, I am a witness, but I haven't been a strong witness lately.

I am very glad that 2008 is over and very grateful now for the new year. God will reveal much for all of us in 2009. As we go through this fast, as a way of denying ourselves, I feel as though we are in a transition for 'refreshing.'

I look forward to hearing about God's revelations for you as we go through this fast. He will continue to mold all of us in His image.

I'm really surprised that the fasting hasn't been tougher. I know that it is not *me* doing the work. As long as I am obedient to God and His Word, He will take care of everything. This fasting exercise has helped to focus on Him and comprehend a little more about His greatness. It is so good to know that each day comes new blessings, new revelations and new beginnings, and I am learning more about His peace.

Therefore, I am a new creation in Him. And, if I can be a new creation, then I know that you are a new creation too! Just my 2 cents.

Day 12 Observations

Today is day 12 of my Daniel Fast, and it’s been a struggle so far. Well, maybe not yesterday and so far today it’s not. But last week, my physical body suffered and this week, my spiritual body has suffered. I’ve been battling all kinds of distractions which keep me from worshiping the Lord. If it’s not work related issues, it’s financial problems. If it’s not that, then it’s feelings of being totally overwhelmed and incompetent. I’m not trying to be a total bummer here, but I’m just trying to share what I’ve been going through lately. I never thought it would be easy, but the part I thought I’d have the most difficulty with, the food, seems to be fairly good so far. Although, I’m looking forward to a big plate of sausage and eggs with gravy and biscuits!

As far as those “issues” are concerned, I just look at them as more ways God can work miracles in my life. There is an answer to every problem and I pray the Holy Spirit will guide me through the problems and show me how to reach the solutions. I feel at peace this morning because I know that God will provide. I will not let those distractions get between my and my Lord! How’s that for being positive!

Staying Connected to the Purpose of the Fast

If there's anyone out there like me who is sometimes having trouble not letting everyday life swallow up the holiness and "set apart" character of this fast, here's something very small that you can do to help you stay connected. Every time before you eat something, say a quick prayer along the following lines: "Heavenly Father, I consecrate my body to You as Your temple that You indwell. I commit to honor and glorify You in my body not only in my eating but in how I treat it and how I allow others to treat it. I ask You to use this fast to reveal Yourself to me in a deeper way and to help me grow more connected to You, as a branch is connected to the vine and receives life from that vine. I ask You to bless the food that I am eating and to use it to make my body healthier and stronger. In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you do this, you'll be reminding yourself several times a day that you're setting your normal eating patterns aside to pursue God, and it will help orient your mindset on the fast as a fast and not just as a modified healthy way to eat for a few weeks.

Did anyone say dessert?

A great friend and her husband swore that this dessert is quite good for vegetarians, Daniel fast participants, and any person with a sweet tooth. I made it tonight and it came out pretty good for a first time attempt. Here is the original recipe.

Kheir (Rice Pudding)

Cardamom
Cinnamon stick
Black peppercorns (just a few)
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup cashews
2 cups boiling water
1 cup white basmati rice
2 1/8 cups soy milk

Add spices, raisins, and cashews to 2 cups of boiling water, then add the rice. Cook on medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Then add 2 cups soy milk and a sweetener such as rice syrup if desired. Some like their kheir without any sweetener. As the mixture cooks, the rice will fall apart. Make sure the mixture is creamy without being too thick. Add 1/8 cup soy milk to think out.

As I was making this rice pudding, I added more soy milk as I like it more creamier and approx. 1/3 cup of raisins, instead of 1/4 cup. Totally yum! For the next batch, I'm thinking about adding nutmeg.

Happy dessert making!

From the 7-Day Detox Miracle book

On the lighter side....

So, these past few days for me have been extraordinarily SIMPLE. So much so that I've actually said it out loud to a few people and thought that I'm going to have to "intensify" this so I sacrifice something. Remind me never to say things out loud like that, or think them for that matter, when I am only 5 days into a 21 day fast. Seriously who voices those things and doesn't expect "repercussions"? (I spelled that wrong, didn't it?) Then last night came....dinner at Matchbox. Then off to the Wizards game. It was a vendor event and we order those mini-burgers. You know, the ones the restaurant is most noted for. The ones that I've never had my three previous trips to this fine establishment. But not this time, everyone wanted those cute, buttery, juicy burgers. I had to sit there and watch as everyone else enjoyed them IMMENSELY and then continued to order pizza with gooey cheese and big chunks of chicken! (Sigh!) Me, I lamented the fact that I couldn't order anything I wanted and settled for a salad sans cheese or meat with only oil and vinegar. (Sorry for the intense description, I probably could have spared the details...) So after the game, I went home and made guacamole and ate it like it was going out of style! So much for begin spiritually on point! HA HA...