Day 11-21- Daniel Fast

What's My Assignment Now?

Well today, is the last of the fast and I'm going to keep it short. This is a beginning to a whole new outlook in my life. I purposedly did not post for the second half of the fast so that I could force myself to go into a quiet place. A zone that I much needed. I realized I was so focused on what food, I would try. The true 'substance' of the fast was being masked.  In a zone I was forced into a quiet path; which helped me to focus on my walk with God. I'm very thankful for this experience. With the many distractions and temptations; I stayed obedient and stepped across these obstacles with grace.

Besides, learning how to be cautious of what goes into my body; I have become cautious of what goes into my mind. I can recognize the moment of a negative thought creeping into my mindset and quickly I shift that thought out. I begin to pray and go into the arms of my Lord; a place allowing me to overcome any obstacle as long as I focus on him.

"His leading is only for those who are already committed to as He may choose. To such it may be said: "God is able to speak loud enough to make a willing soul hear." "

-Lewis Sperry Chafer

Now willing, in submission to God's will; I'm moving forward into a transition stage. I hope to maintain these tools as I reflect on the strengths I've achieved along this walk. I know that each day brings a new assignment. But, walking in tuned helps to accomplish the task with 'power and grace'.

If you can give yourself a challenge, today- do so; you'll never know your true 'power' potential until you try.

Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,

where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the

end of them he was hungry… Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about

him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised

him. – Luke 4:1-2, 14-15, NIV

Stay tune to Creatively Saving for future posts.

Day 11-Daniel Fast

This is going to be short and sweet. I've entered into a zone of meditation. It's that quiet place you retreat to when you are in deep concentration. I've learned sometimes, silence is not a sign of trouble. Silence can be a sign of STRENGTH. Silence is needed in order for clarity and resolution to come through. Be Blessed everyone! 

The Parable of the Sower

⁴ And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: ⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Luke 8: 4-8

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ¹⁵ But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.-Luke 8: 11-15 New Kings James Version

Day 10

We are at the half-way point!!!! A round of applause to us all!!! I just tried a smoothie. I took strawberries, pineapples, ginger and threw them in the blender! It was actually very good! My kids are pretty good guineau pigs. They smiled and gave me the approval! So I will definately have to make some again. Today's topic- "Unwavering Faith".

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in fath, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."- James1: 5-8

Wow! I read this passage and said to myself. "How many times do we ask God for something and he reveals it to us- and we question him when he answers?" The reason we question is because we have not come to the point of true submission to what God has for us.

I know there are times I struggle with this very thing. Recently, I made the decision to become a full time freelance graphic designer and illustrator. I have been commissioned on and off throughout the year to complete various projects. But, when my work from home position of seven years was eliminated; I felt angry. I went through a mixture of emotions. But, secretly I was asking God to use me in a way that I could use my talents to bring joy to many! I ASKED him to give me the ability to remain flexible to stay at home with my children and to be able to still have a source of income to provide for my household needs. When he answered with my position being eliminated; I went through various emotions that paralyzed me with fear. God answered me in his way. NOT in the way I expected. It wasn't until I came to the point of 'true submission' that I realized that I was in a better place. My body was giving me signs of being stress free. I would get a knock on my door here and there giving me leads to new projects.

You have to BELIEVE that you are BLESSED, you will PROSPER, you are FAVORED! "I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me!"- Phillipians 4:13

Everyone- BE BLESSED! and continue to BELIEVE that you can accomplish all through Christ who will strenghthen you!

Day 9 meals
Breakfast: Cream of wheat w/ Strawberries and raisins
Lunch: Whole Grain Corn tacos, w/ Veggie Sausage Patties, Sliced Yellow Peppers, Raw Spinach, with Salsa
Dinner: Cabbage Stir Fry with mixed veggies- red peppers, zucchini, grean beans - over brown rice
Snacks: Apple, cashew, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds

Day 9-Daniel Fast

The end of Day 8 ended well, especially when my youngest asked; "Why are you guys not eating any candy?" "Are you on a diet?" My husband and I smiled. We began to explain how we are making a choice not to eat some foods and focus on the foods that are natural and really good for us. We want to take the time out to choose the foods we NEED more than we WANT.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." -Romans 8:5-6, NKJV

Wow! Day 9 and I feel like I have a control over the NEED of something versus the WANT of something. As our family is having the conversation of 'new habits' of eating. My son says, "I feel bad for you." From a 7year old's perspective; I guess it would seem sad. Not having something that you WANT when you WANT IT--may seem unfair. But, this was a perfect opportunity to teach them that though we THINK we WANT something we may not actually really NEED it. My husband explained, "Things taste different. You don't even miss the sugary things you thought you needed".

It's the vitamins and minerals of natural foods we eat which gives us strength and health. And with the 'word of God' - it sustains me. I can't but help think about what is going on right now in our world. The NEED for a brand new car. The NEED for a high-paying job. The NEED for name brand clothes. These NEEDS have buried the truth. And the truth is that we can have sustenance with the basic necessities of life. But, we need to purge the belief systems of WANTING and really see the true NEEDs in our life! Be blessed everyone!

Day 8 Meals
Breakfast: Apples, Raisins w/ bowl of Cream of Wheat
Lunch: Homemade Butternut Squash and Carrot, Cabbage, Celery, w/ wheat penne
Dinner: Wheat Penne Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce w/ crushed tomatoes, Garlic with a Spring Mix and Spinach Salad w/ yellow peppers, carrots, dried Cranberries
Snacks: Cashews, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Cranberries- trial mix, Organic Popcorn

Day 7 and 8- Daniel Fast

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. - James 5:16, NKJV

Thank You for one week and now we are on the second week of the fast. Im still feeling very energized. There were many little distractions throughout the week but, were quickly controled with a short and powerful prayer as I called on the name JESUS! I felt the energy flow through me. I moved forward. I see the shift in the mind and cautiously watch the words I speak. I know I am able. I am speaking life into my home and onto my children. And as I do this, my focus is on the scripture...

"The tongue has the power of life and death..."- Proverbs 18:21NIV

You ever notice that there are days you feel that drag you down but, a person may come along and speak life into you. They encourage you in a way that they don't even know. Be encourage as you go about your day. Doesn't matter what your battle is! You will prevail if you speak life into yourself. The more you speak POSITIVELY the more positive surrounds you; building a wall of steel that eventually can not be penetrated with mud. Be Blessed!

Day 6 Meals
Breakfast--- Apple, homemade seasoned potatoes w/ sliced red peppers
Snack---Apple
Lunch---Homemade squash Soup with carrots, celery, cabbage, with wheat penne served w/ side of veggie chips
Dinner---More Homemade Soup

Day 7 Meals
Breakfast---Bowl of Cream of Wheat topped with Strawberries, Blueberries, and Sliced Apples
Lunch--- Oven Roasted Potatoes with sliced red peppers
Dinner---White Corn Taco Shells filled with Garden Veggie Patties mixed with Grilled Chicken Pattie- sliced and topped with Spinach, tomatoes, yellow peppers
Snack--Organic Popcorn, Veggie Chips, Green Ginger Tea

Day 6- Daniel Fast

I am going to keep this really short.
I woke up bright and early for a walk. I met my lovely dear friend, Mrs. Linda. I couldn't help but feel so energetic this morning! I really enjoy these walks because they always leave me feeling so alive and wanting more. We can go an hour or more at times walking and I never realize where the time goes. 5 miles later, my legs are telling me to slow down! Day 6! Now we are in a routine. It feels good! I feel as if a weight has been lifted from me- I didn't even realize that I was feeling that heavy. I made a squash soup and got to to share it with my lovely sister Mrs. Nadia! I ended my day with a massage to keep me in my zone. Now, it's off to bed to snuggle up to my bear! Good night all!!!

Day 5 Meals
Breakfast... sliced apples, cup of herbal tea w/ fresh lemons
Snack: Veggie n white corn tortilla chips, with a pear
Lunch: Sweet potatoes, with cinnamon n ginger

Dinner Ezekial bread w/ veggie pattie, topped with spinach, tomatoes

Day 5- Daniel Fast

We'll we are on Day 5 of the fast. I spent today going to the store to stock up on some fruits and vegetables. I also like to take that opportunity to come up with some ideas for meals during my trip to the store. Todays' revelation- We are a society of 'Fillers"! Every label I read, made me realize that there is to many fillers and not enough of the "good stuff"! So I started to think about how we are paying more for less. And that made me think about the "veils" we wear each day. Sometimes we wear our veils when we are dealing with religion. We want to see only what makes us feel comfortable. We wear veils on the job. Because, to unveil ourselves may mean that we are left vulnerable to judgement. When Christ walked this earth, he had to walk in truth. Today, I was forced to look at the details of what is going into my body. I want only the "truth" to fill me not the "preservatives", or "fillers". Trust that today he will fill you with only the natural truth.

"But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
2 Corinthians 3:14-17

Be blessed Everyone!!!!

Day 4 Meals
Breakfast Kamut Puff Cereal with unsweetened soy milk and blueberries (not so good)
Lunch Leftover Brown rice, mixed veggies with a grilled veggie pattie.
Snack Cashews mixed with Sesame seeds and Dried Cranberries
Dinner Whole wheat pasta with veggies, sweet potatoes sprinkled with cinnamon.