Friday Fast

This Friday is the day that we remember what Jesus did for the entire human race in a single act of humility. Why do we call it GOOD Friday? Because of Sunday.

As I did last Sunday, I want to invite you to fast with me on Friday as we reflect and renew. I encourage you to fast from food (as medical conditions allow) from sunup to sundown.

And as you fast, to use the time that you would normally use to eat to Reflect . . . read one (or all) the stories of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection (Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke 22-24; John 18-20) and ask God to reveal in new ways what Jesus did for you.

And Renew . . . pray that you will understand more and more - and walk in - what it means to follow Jesus. That you will give ALL. That you will be immersed in the pool. That you will give yourself to others and give all you have back to God. That you will live at the 'speed of love.'

How's the Daniel Fast?

I know that many of you have joined me Daniel Fasting during this lenten season (see this post and this post if you're not sure what I'm talking about - and this post and this post for my Daniel Fast Dilemma) . . .

So, how's it going?

I know that I had told you that I was completely giving up sodas & fast food even though I had previously all but shunned them for my marathon training - but I do feel better physically without all the sugar and grease! And I'm saving money!

But the most powerful part of the fast for me has been giving up my computer in the evenings at 9pm. I've found myself getting more sleep as there's no nights blogging at midnight! Which means I'm up earlier with more time to spend reading my Bible and praying! That's a home run!
And I've been having more time for my kids and Cindy at night! Another home run!
It's been so good that starting this week I'm gonna move it back to 8pm!

So, how have you seen God use the fast in your life?

And one more challenge . . . I'm gonna ask ALL of you - whether you're doing the Daniel Fast or not - to completely fast from ALL food with me (as you medical conditions allow) from sun up to sun down on Good Friday. If you're doing the Daniel fast this will be a great way to end. And if you're not, it will be a great way to join with us.

I'm gonna ask that we would use that day to focus on 'Christ in us and through us.' More info will be coming. . . .

Daniel Fast Dilemma - Part II

Thanks for all your great comments, suggestions and confessions to my Daniel Fast Dilemma post! All of them touched on my struggle.

As I've thought about it, here's what I believe Jesus would tell me about the pizza.

'John, you're focusing on the wrong thing. I'm more concerned about what goes into your soul, then what goes into your mouth.' Ouch.

Jesus was continually chiding the 'religious people' for cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside was filthy. And the point of our Daniel Fast is to focus on Jesus and his vision for our lives. Just the conversation about the pizza at my house brought attention to why we were doing it. . . . And from God's perspective, that was probably the point.

Yes, when we're fasting it kind of defeats the point if there are not some things that we give up. But there are always going to be 'grey' areas. And I think that grey areas are good, because they force us to listen for the Spirit's guidance and then be willing (or not) to follow Jesus as He speaks and live in His blessing.

May HE increase in your life!

And oh yeah, I ate the pizza!

Daniel Fast Dilemma

I didn't see it coming.
When Cindy ordered pizza last night it didn't dawn on me.
Then as I was about to eat my first piece, one of my kids asked, 'Dad, is pizza fast food?' (My kids are helping hold me accountable to my Daniel Fast!)

Is pizza fast food? What do you think?

Daniel Fast

On Sunday I encouraged you to join me on a 6-week+ Daniel Fast, beginning this Wednesday and ending on Easter.

The idea of a Daniel fast comes from the Old Testament book of Daniel chapter 1 - where Daniel, a Jew who was deported to Babylon and chosen for the King's Palace Program, resolved not to defile himself by eating the Palace's royal food and wine. Instead Daniel chose to eat only vegetables and drink only water. (I encourage you to read the passage.)

The physical (& spiritual) principle that we are seeking to follow here is to seek to put things into our body (& life) that most reflect the vision for our life that honors God. Daniel was making a statement with his 'fast' that he was going to follow God.

There are all kinds of different fasts (the Bible does not say that you have to do a fast 'this' way or 'that' way . . . and a 'Daniel Fast' can take many different applications as well . . . some people hold to just vegetables and water).

What I'm asking you to do is join me in fasting from something(s) that you are doing to your body that is unhealthy. Maybe it's from sodas, or fast food, or tobacco, or junk food, or etc, or all of the above!

The purpose is two fold: 1) To move towards God's vision for our physical health. For many this is first step of making the statement that you want to honor God with your health.
2) As we have the desire for that thing(s) - to allow it to remind us to pray for God's vision for every area of our life. A fast is ultimately about helping us focus on and pursue God. And in these days I am asking that together we pursue God's heart for our lives. That we repent where we are not following Him and ask Him to show us how to seek Him in the different areas we have been talking about.


So, I ask you to be praying between now and Wednesday, and then share with me (& us) what God is telling you. What are you fasting from?

What questions or thoughts do you have?

Cross Training

The last few months as I've been preparing for the Austin Half-marathon, my cousin and trainer, has had me 'cross-training.'

I run every other day. I do a 'maintenance run' one day (4-4.5 miles) then two days later I run 'intervals' (not my favorite . . . 40 minutes total . . . jog 10 minutes, then for the next 20 minutes alternate between 2 minutes sprinting and one minute jogging, then end with 10 minutes jogging). Two days later I do a maintenance run; then two days after that I do a 'long run', increasing a mile each week. Then I start over.

It was explained to me how all these workouts have their different purposes to prepare me (I won't go into the messy details).

I've been talking about having a vision of following Jesus in a multiplying way, and if that is going to happen there are many ways we 'cross train' in getting there.

There are many different 'spiritual practices' that help us to mature in different ways. To this point I've talked a lot about reading God's Truth because it is basic and vital.
But we also moved towards God by exercising spiritually in other ways. Here's a few of them:

- Times of reflection and prayer - we need this daily to not just read, but meditate and respond to God

- Journaling - for me it's an awesome way to express myself to God and to record what He is telling me

- Hanging out with other believers - don't think this is a 'spiritual practice'? Read Acts 2

- Fasting - Yeah, I know I hate not eating too! But I find peace in the midst of it. And don't put it in a box. Fasting is simply giving up something that we depend on so that we can focus deeper on God.

- Confession - not only does James say that it brings healing (James 5:16), but confession creates a covenant to follow God (I did a whole post on this, click here to check it out)

- Celebration - didn't know God was into that? The Bible says that all of heaven celebrates when one persons life is changed for eternity! When we celebrate Him it renews our heart!

- Giving - pay for person in line behind you at Whataburger and watch what it does to your desire to serve others.

This is just the beginning of the list! Don't limit your growth. Find new ways to seek God and take others with you.

Which of these would you expand on, or what have you found to help you grow more like Jesus, let us know?