Pursue 21: Day 9

A Video Blog for Day Nine. 

P.S. Sorry about the goofy screen capture on the video!

Day 7: How's it going?

Hello All,

We are into Day 7 of our Pursue 21 church initiative.  How are things going?  I'm sure there have been moments of challenge. I want to encourage you to not only maintain your fast but to utilize the those moments when your are thinking "boy, I sure wish I could have a cookie" or something like that, to pause and pray. Invite God to lead your life. Say "Lord, I want what you want more than what I want!" 

Keep up the good work! AND remember there are a couple of great opportunities for you to Life Journal. Every Sunday morning at 9:15 AM in the Hospitality Room off the Foyer, and also Wednesdays at 6:30 AM at Theo's Coffee House. It's located at 199 w. 8th Street.  It's on the corner of 8th and Charnelton inside the Strand building.  We had a great time last week. Please join us!

Here's an invite!

More later.

VAN

DAY TWO: The Cool thing about Fasting

One of the coolest things about fasting is it reminds us how "the natural" is so connected to "the supernatural." I'll always remember line from Jack Hayford years ago.. "spirituality and practicality were never meant to be polar from one another."

Fasting is one spiritual activity that is so very practical. It's challenging and it feels bad sometimes, but somehow it works to change things in supernatural ways.

God really does work in the context of our very human lives. In fact, it's where He does his best work.

So continue on! It will be worth it!
More later.
VAN

Fasting Ideas: Non Food

Here's a few thoughts for things you can fast, other than food. Buckle your seat belts!

• Television
• Movies, entertainment
  Your morning newspaper
• Facebook, myspace
• Web Surfing
• Video games
• Your routine
• other thoughts???

The key is to offer something that would cause you to stop, think and pray each time you would normally do it. My youngest child said she was going to fast being mean to her siblings! We are working with her to help her catch the concept a little better!

More later.
VAN

What to fast: FOOD?

NEED SOME IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO FAST? Here's a few ideas from my mind to yours.

Partial Fast:
Here are a couple different partial fasts that you could participate in:

• Daniel Fast (here's the blog on that)
• Meats and Sweets (pretty self explanatory)
• Desserts and Sweets (oooh, this is a tough one)
• Carbonated Beverages/Coffee Drinks
• Sun-up to Sun-down Fast:
  From 6am to 5pm, you would abstain from everything except water.
• One Meal a Day Fast:
  Choose one meal and fast that meal each day of the 21-day fast.

Full Fast:
On this fast you abstain from everything except clear broth and 100% fruit or vegetable juices. Be sure to consult your doctor before going on this type of fast.

These are a few food ideas. Tomorrow I'll throw out some non-food ideas.

More later.

VAN

21 days straight?

A twenty one day fast. What does that mean to you? Does it mean you have to do something for twenty one days straight?

It might mean that for you, or it may mean that you will fast different things during this twenty one day period. We are cautious to not make this response to God a LAW or mere DUTY. We want you to be free to respond to God in the way he is leading you.

Remember whatever he calls you to do... do it! It's just better that way!
More later.
VAN

The Daniel Fast

Hello all,

As we prepare for 21 days of fasting, I wanted to give you some information and ideas on how you might fast during these days.

The Daniel fast comes from Daniel 10:2 "at that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice foods; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."

This fast does require a little prep in making sure you have the right kinds of foods in the house. For a list of foods click on the link below:

(click here for food list information)

There is also a little more backdrop into the Daniel fast at this link:

(background info)

I hope this is helpful!

More soon.

VAN

P.S. One favorite story I've heard regarding the Daniel fast was about a man who felt the Lord had asked him to do the fast for 2 years. He was from DC and was fasting for LIFE (against abortion). As he neared the end of year two, he was preparing himself for a juicy steak on January 1st. He had asked the Lord if he wanted him to continue that the Lord would give him a sign...the sign came. He was invited to a New Years Eve party by a friend who introduced him to another friend... that friends name...yep you guessed it... DANIEL FAST. Thus he began year three! OH MY!

Pursue 21

Over the next few days, I'll be blogging about some different types of fasts. This will help you prepare for this wonderful opportunity coming up on March 22nd.

These 21 days will be life changing for you and for our church family.

More soon.

VAN