Discipline is Transferable

Have you ever notice that once you get it together in one area of your life especially one that you have been struggling with, other areas begin to fall into place?  Well, I have.  There is a definite connection between my eating, spending, exercising, and devotional life.  When all 4 are in place, I am functioning at maximum efficiency, at the top of my game.  I feel like Pinky and the Brain--give me a little space and time and I could take over the world!  But when I go down that slippery slope of laziness or poor prioritizing, they all fall off--lack of exercise allows me to eat a little more which usually involves unplanned meals and take out, which means take out and restaurants, which means higher calorie intakes and without exercise, weight gain.  It also means higher food costs and a dent in the budget and if it is not put in check, I'm buying an outfit here and there to hide the bulge.  Or how about burning the candle at both ends so I have poor, sloppy, or hit and run devotions.  When this happens I notice I eat more.  It's like my spirit is craving sustenance: word, worship, prayer, journalling, and it is not getting enough so I'm hungry.  And what do I do when I am hungry, EAT!  I feed the wrong thing.  It's ugly, people, ugly.  

I've heard it said the human beings are created with 2 empty spaces: hearts/spirits and stomachs (maybe we can add heads, too but I need to think through that one before I write on it... :-) and so often the heart is hungry but we feed our stomachs instead. So I am going to take the opportunity during the Daniel Fast to focus on feeding the hunger in my spirit first and my stomach second.  I admit--I am a FOODIE!!! I often live to eat.  For 21 days, I will eat to live and satisfy my spiritual cravings for God.  And since discipline is transferable, I am going to restart my gym habit and keep a log of everything I spend.  Based on what I know about me and the how my eating, exercising, spending, and spiritual disciplines are connected, I might as well maximize the moment and move theses areas of my life in the same disciplined direction while I've got some momentum going.  

What areas of your life are connected? How can you maximize this moment in your life through this fast? I'm a little nervous about this 21 day journey but excited.  I am expecting great things!

Getting Ready for the Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast is quickly approaching and if you haven’t started your preparation, I encourage you to do so.  Since repentance is a part of fasting, allow me to clear the air with a confession: (1) I have a problem with sugar and need to be delivered.  Yet I feel like Augustine, who when he was struggling with becoming a Christian and living a celibate life (SAINT Augustine had a concubine for years prior to his conversion) he is quoted as praying, “Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.”  Hello, somebody!! My sentiments exactly (about the fast that is, the rest is for another blog J!) and (2) my primary food groups have lately become meat, starch, and fat. I need a change, want a change, and it looks like a change is coming! 

I have learned that I have to be prepared for change so that it sticks. I’ve heard that it takes 21 days to create a habit…hmmmm…I think this fast is just what some of us need to break some bad habits and create some good ones.  I don’t want to do 21 days of sacrifice lusting after cheeseburgers, French fries, and snicker bars but to do it in a way that all of these things take their proper place in my post-fast life…Turn to your neighbor and say, “Moderation!”  Yeah, chances are slim to none that I will become a vegan but chances are great that I can adopt healthier eating habits, try some new things, and lean on God more than food when stressed. 

So, here are some things I’m doing to help me plan for the fast, focus myself, and  guard against temptation:

(1) Begin to list my personal prayer requests in the areas of spiritual, financial, direction, and overcoming breakthrough.  I want to pray and fast with purpose which means I need to be specific about what I am seeking God for

(2) Get me kitchen ready

 FOOD TIPS/SUGGESTIONS:  Feel free to use what works for you but this is what is helping me.  I am

Ø Stocking up on nuts and dried fruit for snacks I can carry in my bag wherever I go and won’t go bad.  I don’t want to get caught hungry with no options.  Costco has these freeze dried apples and pears.  1 ½ pears and 1 ½ apples in each snack pack.  20 packs for $12.69 and DELICIOUS.  Great sugar taste with no added sugar, as a matter of fact no added nothing-just pure, light airy, crispy fruit.  Tried it out on 2 independent tasters—2 thumbs up!

Ø Smart balance peanut butter has no added sugar, smooth texture, and slightly less sweet than regular.  Gonna spread it on whole wheat matzos or rice cakes to get some protein

Ø Stocked up on a lot of frozen veggies to steam and toss in a homemade vinaigrette.  Will post recipes if they turn out to be any good.

Ø I like French fries and potato chips A LOT.  Alternative—slice potatoes and/or sweet potatoes drizzle with just a bit of olive oil (1/2 tsp), spread out on baking sheet, season to taste and bake until they are as crispy as you like.  Baked not fried chips! Also a great way to cook asparagus (drizzle with a little lemon juice)

Ø Breakfast smoothies—blend fruit of your choice with ice in blender, simple, tasty, and filling.  Add wheat germ or oatmeal, not instant to add some bulk.  Want it creamy but know you can’t have dairy? Try adding a little rice milk or unsweetened coconut milk.  I’m perfecting the St. Clair Special which is a combination of coconut or rice milk (need to decide), banana, shredded coconut, strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple.  Buy big bag of frozen berries instead of fresh.  Lasts longer and cheaper. Got mine from Costco.  

Ø Wheat or whole grain pasta with marinara sauce (check for one without sugar) gonna add some veggies to the sauce

Ø Experimenting with beans and bean salads/bean and pasta salads

 Hope this helps! Holla back, it’s a blog, and let me know how you are doing.  I am excited about sharing these 21 days with you!

The Daniel Fast

The Daniel Fast

September 1-21, 2009

The Call to Fast

As we prepare for our Fall Revival (September 23-25), our church is being called to a special season of fasting and prayer from September 1-21, 2009.

The scriptural basis for this fast is Daniel 10: 2-3, wherein the prophet declares, “At that time I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks. I had eaten no rich food, no meat or wine had entered my mouth, and I had not anointed myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

According to the word of God, Daniel received a spiritual breakthrough shortly after this period of fasting. Daniel had prayed with such fervor and perseverance that spiritual warfare had broken out in heavenly places as the enemy sought to deny Daniel his request. Daniel was given the assurance that the power of the enemy would be defeated and victory would come to the servant of the Lord.

During this twenty-one day period, we will be praying that we will receive breakthrough in our church and in our personal lives as well. We will continue our prayer emphasis that we will receive:

• Spiritual breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of individual and congregational worship of and relationship with God
• Financial breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of financial abundance and overflow and gives us wise and judicious management of our resources to match our increase
• Direction breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of clarity in our decision-making
• Overcoming breakthroughs that allow us to cross over into a new dimension of power and victory over certain things with which we struggle.

During this time of prayer and fasting, we will seek God in eager expectation of visible manifestations of breakthrough in our midst. We stand in faith believing that our Revival theme, “It’s Breakthrough Time!” will become a reality.

The Daniel Fast basically consists of a diet of vegetables, fruits, 100% vegetable and fruit juices (that do not contain artificial sweeteners), grains, nuts, tofu, whole wheat pastas, and water (distilled, filtered, and carbonated). Soy products and veggie burgers/patties are acceptable, but all meat (poultry, beef, pork), dairy, sugar, caffeine, and alcoholic products as well as sodas, energy drinks, tea, and coffee are to be avoided. Fried and processed foods are also to be avoided. Persons are encouraged to read labels before consuming pre-packaged food.

We recognize that fasting is a lifestyle into which we must grow. When one considers the radical change of diet and lifestyle that the Daniel Fast will involve, even for 21 days, we have chosen to make fish optional. If you choose to eat fish, we ask that in the spirit of the sacrifices that a number of persons will be making, you limit your intake of fish to no more than twice a week. We also ask that if you choose the fish option you adhere to Leviticus 11: 9-10 and abstain from shellfish, catfish, and other fish or seafood that is a scavenger or does not have fins and scales.

A Word of Caution:

Persons who have certain dietary restrictions are encouraged to consult their physician before beginning the Daniel or any other food fast. In the event that a competent and certified physician advises against our participation in the Daniel Fast you are asked to seek God’s direction regarding the sacrifice that is appropriate for you so that you can too can reach a new dimension of spiritual breakthrough and so that you can be in agreement with your brothers and sisters in Christ who are participating in the Daniel Fast.

Daniel Food List

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast:

• All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon.
• All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
• All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
• All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
• All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, french beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
• All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
• Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
• Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.
• The Fish Option: Limit their intake of fish to no more than twice a week. Abstain from shellfish, catfish, and any other fish or seafood that is a scavenger or does not have fins and scales.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast:

• All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry.
• All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
• All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast:

• All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
• All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives..
• All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips

Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

A Note on Fasting

Since ancient times, fasting (abstaining from all foods, certain kinds of food, and various liquids) has been a spiritual discipline that believers have practiced for strengthening their relationship with God, direction in decision making, power to break certain habits or to resist the attack of the enemy, healing for the body and mind, adoption of healthier lifestyles, and as a support and aid in prayer when certain request are being laid before the Lord.

Prayer and fasting go together as a hand inside of a glove. Abstinence from food can be viewed as a diet. What gives a fast its distinctiveness is its spiritual focus, which deepens of one’s relationship with God. Even if one is seeking something in particular from the Lord, one should still become closer to the Lord during a fast. Thus, a spiritual fast is always accompanied by increased prayer, meditation, reading/study of the word of God, and worship. Therefore during this season we are encouraged not only to pray consistently individually and with our regular prayer partners, but also to attend our Tuesday night prayer service.