Day 4- Daniel Fast

Ok. I finally got the buzzing voice out of my ear. And now it's day 4 of the fast, I find myself in a mode of feeling content.

Content: ready to accept something: willing to accept a situation or comply with a proposed course of action.

"Willing".... How many of us are willing when a challenge is proposed to us to accept and surrender to the task? I mean in the days prior to the fast, I found myself excited. I kept thinking of various recipes I could try. Then the voices of "unbelief" crept in - trying to steal my joy. Then a sense of empowerement took over.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phillippians 4:13)When you reach the moment of "willingness" - your spirit becomes still. You've taken that breath of fresh air and you in a relaxed state. Some might call it - 'Your in a zone'.

"I believe firmly, that the moment our hearts are emptied of PRIDE and SELFISHNESS and AMBITION and SELF SEEKING, and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Ghost will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit, and ambition and self seeking, and pleasure of the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God; and I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him when he is FULL already with something else. Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we out to pray Him to empty us." - D.L. Moody

How powerful is that? This journey for me thus far; makes me think of how we carry so much 'clutter' that we are not even aware we are already FULL. We have indigestion and are walking around looking for a quick fix- a pill to mask the signs that tell us we need to take a course of action. We need to get rid of our 'clutter' and fill ourselves with nourishment.

"As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness; 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make this paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." - Luke 3: 4-6

There is definately a shift occuring. So much; that even my children are involved. I've always told my boys that they should drink plenty of water. Eat their vegetables. The usual, "Hey, put that candy down! Grab an apple!" I get why they look at me with crazed eyes. Thinking to themselves that they only mimick the actions of their parents. Interestingly, the house is now  full of fruits and natural snacks. My husband and I will tease them and say, "Your eating mom and dad out of house and home". But Im tickled, when I have to replensh my bin with plenty of more fruits and vegetables. I don't mind that they are eating of  'good fruit'.

And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. _Genesis 1:12

Well today, I'm focused on removing the clutter and replenishing with my soul with powerful antioxidants. How are you refueling your mind, body, and soul?
Until next time!

Day 3 Meals
Breakfast: bowl of cream of wheat, topped with apples and strawberries, sprinkled with cinnamon
Snack: Slice of Ezekiel Bread (who knew) topped with organic peanut butter, and sliced strawberries
Lunch: Leftover pasta/ with chunky pasta sauce with fresh, diced tomatoes and a garden salad with cherry tomatoes, carrots, cuccumbers topped with  olive oil and vinegar and black pepper
Snack: Mixed of corn tortilla chips/veggie chips
Dinner: Jasmine Brown rice, with vegetable medley- zucchini, brocolli, carrots, red peppers, sweet corn....with a veggie, grilled pattie.

Day 3- Daniel Fast

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very

hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So

Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a

mustard seed, you will say to this mountain,

ʻMove from here to there,ʼ and it will move; and

nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and

fasting. - Matthew 17:18-21, NKJV

This is definately one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. I have always been curious of the POWER that Jesus had to be able to maintain such a graceful composure. To utter the words  in Matthew 17: verse 17 ...."O Faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me."

Jesus was approcahed with a child who suffered from epilepsy and was possessed by a demon. Now, Im not sure if during that era maybe the crowd saw the disease of epilepsy as demonic. But, let's focus on the calmness of Christ. He utters the word "Bring him here to me." And speaks HEALING over the child. In amazement the disciples questions why they were not able to have that power. Jesus breaks it all down to 'BELIEF'.

Amazing how simple, and graceful life can be when answers are given. But, being in the midst of maybe a choice,  or trial there is much confusion and chaos. You may even physically feel heavy with the burden.

Im starting to see the difference of being caught up in the every day chores of life and really taking the moment to inhale and take in the essence that you are surrounded by. It's a sense of RELIEF.

It's the third day of the fast, and Im just now seeing the POWER of grace. I'm still craving that piece of chocolate. Instead of it dancing in my head; it stares at me in a game daring me. But, I empower myself by walking away from the confrontation with Mr. Chocolate -because I know that God is in control. I BELIEVE that I am capable of walking on this journey with him. After all, I've literally packed my bags and I have my ticket. I've boarded the plane and I'm already buckled in. I'm not going anywhere until I get to my destination! I have gotten rid of the 'unbelief' that was trying to distract my focus. The importance of the process is really to find a connection to God that will take you to the path you are destined to be in.

"...Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2: 10  The most important phrase... 'FEAR NOT'

In preparing for this fast; I kept asking myself- 'WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?' While fear and unbelief may try to pull for my attention. I know that what goes into my body should be nutritious and sustaining. Prior to this fast, I wanted to grab a hold of my 'WANTS', chocolate, cookies etc...
I would tell myself, 'you deserve it. enjoy'. That's fine, but, when you overindulge and you start to regret the choice of that 'want' and then you begin to ask, "WAS IT WORTH IT?"

I don't know about you but, I still feel like 'Why not?' There is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself - just as long as you are not being greedy. Understanding the repercussion of your choices makes a difference in the final outcome. I have made a choice to say NO to my 'WANTS' so that I can quiet myself to listen to my actual 'NEED'. I've placed myself on paused during the fast. My body felt sluggish and heavy prior. Now, although, a bit cranky; I don't have any feeling of heaviness. I wonder if we stop and ask ourselves - WHAT ARE WE WORTH? How many would take the challenge to actually INVEST in their body to remove the heaviness. We are only given ONE life. Make the best of it! Until tomorrow- Enjoy!

Day 2 Meals
Breakfast- Bowl of mixed fresh strawberries, blueberries, 2 veggie sausages-
Snack- apple, veggie chips & corn tortilla chip mixed
Lunch- leftover cornmeal with cabbage and pepper stir fry
Snack- whole cashews, dried cranberries, sesame seed trail mix
Dinner- whole wheat linguine, fresh pasta sauce with diced tomatoes and fresh garlic
with a spinach, romaine salad mixed w/ pears, dried cranberries, carrots, cucumbers topped with a tsp of olive oil and vinegar.
Light Snack- veggie chips and water

Day 2 Daniel Fast- The Power of Sugar

We'll Good Morning All! As the day 1 closed; I began to battle the voice of "doubt" in my head. "Really- 21 days?". "What were you thinking?" "This is impossible." You recognize that voice? My excitement started to drizzle while I watched my son eat his chicken tenders for dinner and I kept dreaming of a piece of chocolate cake dancing in my head.

 2:57am in the morning I wake up with my stomach telling me "Just make yourself a sandwhich and calm this rattling" Anxiety started to creep in along with fear. I couldn't let them invade me. I heard a voice inside me say; even louder say, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO RESCUES ME" Rescue?

The original scripture is " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phillippians 4: 13

I felt rescued with the voice of the Holy Spirit reminding me that I am capable of doing anything as long as I remain focused on him. Just yesterday; I had a conversation with my sister on "discerning the voice of God" Yesterday, I spoke on remaining focus and keeping the distractions out of the way of your path. There isn't one individual on this earth that will not come across distractions. But, the power that lies in you; must remain focused. It was confirmation while these voices began to battle in my mind that the only voice I was concerned was the one reminding me of where I came from.

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:" -Phillipians 4: 18

I couldn't help think about what goes on with other individuals' NEED versus WANTS. Last night I felt I needed some sugar to calm me because, as a routine after dinner I have trained my mind that chocolate is the answer! But, I woke up just fine this morning, Im breathing. Therefore, there wasn't much of a NEED there. It was a WANT. Instead of chocolate, a sweet orange satisfied the sweet tooth and a prayer to be content pushed me through the night.

"For with God NOTHING will be Impossible" - Luke 1: 37

The reason for this fast for me is to discipline my mind. I have to remind myself where I am going by remembering where I came from. Sometimes we drown ourselves to what lies ahead; forgetting that what you have learned in the past only strengthens you for the task ahead. Everyone have a great day! Stay tuned for upcoming discussions on the Power of natural vitamins and minerals! Coming Soon!

Day 1-
Breakfast: bowl of cream of wheat, topped with strawberries, blueberries
Snack: sliced apples, corn tortilla chips, with a chunky salsa
Lunch: garden salad, lemon water
Snack: cashew, sesame, dried cranberry trial mix
Dinner: roasted garlic with corn meal with cabbage, red pepper, green pepper, ginger stir fry
Snack: mini seedless clementine, corn tortilla chips

Day 1-- Daniel Fast

So, today is our first day of the fast. I'm not sure how everyone else feels but, I'm very excited! I woke up in prayer reading Genesis and then still meditating on the verse from Joshua 1:9 " ... Be strong and of good courage; ...." Interestingly enough; I started to  think about everytime you are ready to make a change or take a step;  something seems to go wrong. I call that- DISTRACTIONS. Then your left there pondering IF, SHOULD I, MAYBE NOT and so forth. We'll, Im staying focused... thinking about those who are successful in life --they don't waist time on the road pondering IF, SHOULD I, MAYBE NOT. They keep moving.
That's empowering yourself to achieve what may seem like the impossible.

In the inbox I got 1Corinthians 3:19-20 "For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." 

I had to break this one down and meditate on it. Then the connection was made. When I approached this fast; I made a decision that I wanted to clear out the clutter in my mind, body and soul. If Im focused on what God has planned for me I am not concerned about the "craftiness" of others. I am empowering myself by focusing on what truly matters in life. For me at this moment; it's a deeper walk with God, it's growing my business, and spending quality time with my family. If I spend time getting distracted; I loose valuable time in trying to make these things become a possiblity. What are your distractions in life? Are you focused on the "craftiness"  of others or the ways of the "world" we live in. Or, are you going to make a decision to empower yourself by staying focus on the plan that God has for you - in your life.  Ultimately, we are responsible for our own actions. Let me know your thoughts.

Challenge Yourself

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."   - Joshua 1: 9

Well, it's a New Year; and I've decided to give myself a challenge. I've challenged myself to a fast- to eat like a vegetarian for 21 days.  I've decided to take this period of time to use as a way to reflect and connect for what God has planned for me in this New Year. I'm on many new ventures this year and I'm trying to clear my path from any distractions. I will be posting my progress. And in the meantime; challenge yourself this year. You'll never know what you might get out of the experience. Stay tuned.

Make A Wish

Making a Wish on this New Years Eve....

That 2012 will flourish. I have a tradition of reflecting on the year as it comes to a close like many others do. I usually take my journal and begin to write my gratitudes of the closing year. Then I look ahead to what the year coming in will bring. This year Im starting the New Year with some new friends FAITH, HOPE, and POSSIBLITY. Im praying for a NEW mindset. Im TRUSTING that GOD has me in the palm of his hand. I just need to BELIEVE! How befitting that the very first post of this blog is on the eve of a brand new year! Check back here with me while I share my journey and creative tips.
A HAPPY and
BLESSED NEW YEAR!