this adventure with the Most High: daniel fast

Showing posts with label daniel fast. Show all posts

Thursday, February 3, 2011

nearing day 40 of my fast {and chocolate}

I have purposefully avoided blogging too often about my fast these past four weeks, so as not to seem...whatever. But as I enter the final 7 days I wanted to take a moment to share how He has faithfully rained down and what He has taught in the process.

photo credit - HDC Photography

Fasting affects things. Not in the sense that fasting manipulates our God into action. That would be ridiculous. But fasting, combined with the intentional seeking of His will, affects--probably my own wayward heart. When we lay down things of the flesh in pursuit of the ultimate Bread, He fills. He rains.

He has specific plans for His children. He is Father. When He designed you and me, He did so with purpose. And He desires that we know those plans through intimacy with Him. As we His children look up to Him for direction, pressing into Him for wisdom, He bends down and answers.

He makes hearts tender. He has been transforming mine. He has given me clearer vision to see and understand those next to me. He has knit a deeper love for my man and my kids in the quiet places of my own heart. And He has stirred an unexplainable longing for those I do not even personally know, but am blessed to minister to.

He may impress upon you to do something seemingly crazy-radical. My advice? Just do it. Walls may fall down.

He is bound to His promises. If He said it, then it will come to pass. By His very nature He is bound by His words. When He speaks a promise, our victory in the waiting comes in believing with fervency that one day that thing will happen.

(Most of all) HE IS GRACE. He is grace. There have been days that I have not been as purposeful, where I did not set aside that specific time to pray in the afternoon. (GASP!) But our God remembers we are dust. He sees us perfectly and responds to the ultimate desire of our heart to honor Him.

Lastly, chocolate must be a gift from Him. Yes, it's true. I am looking forward to that handful of M&M's. I may even put them on top of a huge, cheesy slice of pizza.

If He leads you to do something that seems odd or insane in the eyes of the world, run fast after Him. He is always working, friend. Always. Faith leads to great reward in Him.

Bringing it home...

Has He ever led you to do something that may have sounded crazy in human terms? If you followed through, what was the result?

Friday, January 14, 2011

chasing love...to Suffolk, VA

Yesterday's post definitely stirred up some comments--both on the blog and in my everyday life. I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine that caused me to go one step further in my pondering of food.

Yes. Our bodies are the Lord's temple (how graciously cool is that?!) so I think it obvious that we respect that temple and fill it with healthy things. However, everyone is in process. Everyone. Including me. Including you.

In whatever convictions He lays on our individual hearts, we must allow love to be our guide. We are under grace, not Law.

photo credit - flickr photo by pink sherbet photography

"If your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:15-17)

May love for our brothers and sisters
be our ultimate drive.

So speaking of love for my sisters, I get to go share with some lovely women in Suffolk, VA today for a women's conference. If you are in the Suffolk area and want something encouraging and invigorating to do with your girlfriends, then come on out! I would love to meet you!

Here are the details...

Southside Baptist Church
917 Carolina Road

Suffolk, VA

Friday night, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday morning, 8:30 - noon

Tickets are $12 and include Saturday breakfast.

Come and let Him renew your heart!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

ponder with me the topic of food

Food. It's absolutely everywhere. Bodies are fueled by it. Celebrations revolve around it. Hurts find comfort in it. Mouths drool for it.

This Daniel Fast has me thinking a lot about what I usually put into my body. Wait wait wait. I'm not going to get all legalistic on you, nor am I going to march with picket signs banning sugar in schools. I'm just pondering. So bear with me.

He gave us each one body. Just one. And once sealed with His Spirit, He declares it to be His temple. So I'm thinking the best thing is to take care of it. Right? Feed it mostly healthy God-foods and strengthen it a bit. Not rocket science.

photo credit - flickr by cayusa

"But chocolate makes my mouth water and rich cheesy sauces taste so good on pasta." All true and all mulled over in my own thought life at some point in the last 12 days.

Hmm. But what if there really is good, better, and best--with the choices we make having effects on the body and mind. See. We're just thinking. So thankful for His amazing grace! And for the word "moderation."

On the food-note, this was last night's dinner. Very tasty, with a kick!

Moroccan Couscous

1 box quick cooking whole wheat couscous
1 lb. peeled and cubed acorn (or butternut) squash
1/2 c. diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
Olive oil
1 tsp. ground ginger
3 tsp. curry powder
1-15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1-15 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained
1/3 c. golden raisins
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
Vegetable stock or water
Salt to taste

In large stock pot, saute the onion and garlic over MH heat in 1-2 T olive oil until softening. Add squash, ginger, and curry (and more olive oil if needed). Saute for approximately 5 more minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, raisins, and cinnamon. Add enough veg. stock or water to make a thick stew. Cook until squash softens, approximately 10-12 minutes. Serve over the cooked couscous.

Bringing it home...

Ponder this with me. What are your thoughts when it comes to food choices? Do they matter?

How do you think the American church, as a whole, sees food? {just to stereotype for a moment}

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

fav Christmas gift {on the lighter side}

Aren't these the most precious things you have ever seen? I mean really. The colors and workmanship.

I received them in the mail from one of my favorite friends over Christmas. I called her and left a message saying, "I absolutely want to love the present you made for me.

But I have no clue what they are. Call me."

I'm crazy, I know.

Her out of town travels meant she didn't receive my message. So I took matters into my own hands. I carried my beautiful new gift to a ladies night and polled my dear Bible study friends.

The conclusions varied. One thought sure they were to be threaded through your belt as a type of belt-purse. Another was certain that they hung around your wrist to safely carry keys and a cellphone while hands were full of packages or groceries. I personally liked my first assessment which had something to do with earrings slash ear warmers of sorts.

But a few days later I caught up with my sweet friend via email. It turns out...

Drum roll please...

They are...

SLIPPERS! We laughed. And I love them!

Bringing it home...

Do you have any funny Christmas gift stories? I would love to hear.

If not, what was your favorite Christmas gift?

Daniel Fast-ers...

Practically speaking, how are you being purposeful in prayer?

Remember with me that this is not a time of dieting, rather a time of communing with and humbling ourselves before our Lord. Feasting on Him and His foods.

I am just so excited to walk this journey beside you! I am already thrilled by the God-stories you have to share.

Monday, January 3, 2011

laying stones

I forget much. To the level of embarrassing. In fact, I usually give approximates when it comes to the exact birth weights of my children. Can we say pathetic?

But considering how often God instructs His people to purposefully "remember" tells me that I may not be completely alone.

So today I am linking up with Katie Orr over at Do Not Depart to lay some stones of remembrance for 2010. Things that God did in my own heart, home, and ministry for which He deserves all the praise.

original photo courtesy of catherine hadler

Heart...

God continues to break my own heart-chains that had suffocated for years. Lies. Expectations. Supposed rights. He is freeing me to truly love--truly love. And He is patient with my process.

Home...

My six-year-old asked Jesus "into her heart." So precious. Now she wants to know whether or not every establishment we enter and every person we meet is Christian. It's priceless.

My four-year-old followed suit, under his sister's slight pressure, to also ask Jesus into his heart. We are still clarifying the basics of said decision.

The Lord continues to redeem our marriage. We serve a very big God who heals and transforms those places where it appears the enemy has won. (I love you, babe, and am blessed to do this life-thing with you.)

So I stand on this promise, "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Ministry...

I finished the majority of my first book and sent the proposal to a handful of publishers. Now I wait on and believe Him for the harvest.

Though I have been graced with various teaching opportunities over the years, this was the first year I was the speaker at a women's conference. Like, "the" speaker. Yikes. More conferences and venues are now booked for 2011. The Lord is truly opening doors for the calling that He placed on my heart years ago. He wows me.

And some personal randoms...

We stopped using diapers. The baby of the family is no longer a baby. Thankful for three healthy children.

I cooked my first Christmas turkey. (Yes, I'm thirty-five-years-old.) Thankful that He always provides.

Bringing it home...

What about you? What stones of remembrance for 2010 do you want to lay?

Daniel Fast-ers...

To hunger pangs I say, "Lord I hunger more for You!"

Looking forward to praying with each of you individually as we start this venture. If you haven't already, please email me at Lara@LaraWilliams.org if you want to share accountability and encouragement as we walk this road.

Friday, December 31, 2010

leaving regrets at the throne

Leave any 2010 regrets at the throne. Tomorrow is a new year, a fresh start. Let's press into the One who made us, sustains us, protects us, heals us, and loves us relentlessly.

Blessings to you and yours!

Bringing it home...

What are your hopes and prayers for the coming year?

Daniel Fast-ers...

If you are beginning the year with a spiritual fast, then here are two quick things to think about before we turn to the January calendar tomorrow.

Determine your purpose. Remember, fasting is NOT dieting. Fasting is abstaining from foods with a spiritual purpose. Get alone with the Lord and ask Him for wisdom. Then write down your purpose(s).

Plan some meals. If you are joining me on the Daniel fast, then check out this website for some tips on foods to eat and foods to avoid.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

actually believing

It does not matter what it is, if He calls us to something--anything--then we can believe Him to both equip us and bless us as we take those faith-steps towards obedience.

Friends, we have an active, moving, powerful, unique, mighty, unwavering God. He filled His Word with accounts of how He works in the lives of those who believe Him.

I don't know what He is calling you towards in this coming year, but He thinks good thoughts towards you--thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Let's get into His Word allowing it to simmer in our hearts. Then, let's be radical followers who actually believe what He says. Who run the race of faith with endurance. No other life of victory exists on this planet.

I honestly love and pray for you, friend. Thanks for doing this life-thing beside me.

Bringing it home...

To what is He calling you in this coming year? Are you standing on the sidelines, walking, or running towards His call?

And if (only if) He is leading you towards beginning 2011 with the Daniel fast, then I would love to hear from you personally.

Please email me at Lara@LaraWilliams.org so we can encourage one another on the journey. Faith begets faith.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

the "why" from the Word

I like to be liked. I do. So posts like yesterday's post make me a little uncomfortable as I enter into the realm of "odd." In fact I ended my evening last night by asking my man if he thought I was odd. He lovingly said "yes."

So here I am. The odd girl who is about to partake of a 40-day Daniel fast. Trying to lay down the world's approval and settle back in to that audience of One.

Today I want to tell you more about what He showed me from the book of Daniel as I sought him about this crazy fasting thing. Quite a bit fell from the pages, so I am going to bullet-list it for simplicity sake.

Daniel 1:8-9, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies. And God brought him into the favor of those ruling over him.

Granted, we do not serve a king in this country, but Daniel's heart goal is what draws me--not to be defiled, stained, or polluted by the world. God then blessed him and brought him into the favor of those over him.

On this side of Christ, we are under grace. Food itself does not defile. But our world is defiled. And one way to set ourselves apart from this world is to abstain from some of its delicacies. In this case, for me, I'm following Daniel's lead and setting aside certain food and drink.

Daniel 1:11-16, Daniel and his three friends asked the steward over them if they could simply eat vegetables and drink water rather than partake of the king's rich foods and drink. The steward agreed to a 10-day trial. After 10 days they appeared better than all the other men who had eaten of the king's foods. So he took away their king's portions and gave them only vegetables. It appears they did this for at least the three years of king's training that they were under (see 1:5).

The word translated "vegetables" actually means "something sown." This is what I call "God-foods." Foods grown from the ground, free of manipulation. In my personal fast I will limit myself to eating those things that grow from the ground--fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts. God-foods.

Daniel 1:17-21, God blessed their setting apart. He gave them knowledge and skill and understanding so that they were 10 times "better" than all who served before the king.

I'm not trying to be some wise-guru of sorts, but wow. I want my King to find me worthy of His best. Worthy of a taste of His knowledge and understanding. It appears that setting ourselves apart from the world at large sets us up for His pouring out, both for our good and for the glory due His name.

Daniel 10, just read the entire chapter. It is now approximately 60 years later. 60 years! Daniel sets out again, humbling himself before the Lord and seeking understanding. For three full weeks he eats the same way that he ate in chapter one while communing with God in prayer. And he was visited by an angelic being with a heavenly message.

OK, so I am not expecting to be visited by an angel. I am certain I would completely freak out. But the thing that hit me here is that God moved towards Daniel as he set himself towards prayer. He communed with the God of the universe, humbling himself and seeking understanding, and the Most High responded. That. is. amazing.

Daniel 10:12-14, This is where it gets crazy. The "angel" explains that on the first day that Daniel began praying during his fast, this angel was sent. But that the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him for 21 days. So Michael, one of God's chief princes, came to help him get past.

Did you catch that?! Daniel set himself apart to humble himself and pray for understanding and an angel was sent to him. BUT, the angel had to war in the heavenly realm against evil forces of darkness. Take a breath.

Is this not crazy?! Paul tells us of these principalities of darkness in Ephesians 6 but to think that our prayers can call down heavenly beings to war against those strongholds kinda blows me away.

So those are some things that He showed me from His word. A time of humbling, a time of setting apart from the world at large, a time of seeking His face and His understanding, a time of warring against strongholds. All for His ultimate glory and, graciously, for our good.