I need something annoying to wake me up.   jackalopekid

Dec 2009 28

fast22

Posted In Church,Life Stuff,deepness

w_no-food

Well, this blog post isn’t about “fast” in the sense of doing something quickly. It’s that other one that scares me a little bit. It’s the one that means me giving up something that will help me spiritually, help me focus on what God is saying, keep my ears open and help me with all the other life stuff, too. I did this the first 3 weeks of 2009 and God totally transformed my life and gave me direction and am going to try it for the first three weeks in 2010. There is something about fasting when you do it because YOU want to and not just because everyone else is. YOU have to want to. Now, I’m not saying there is a formula to hearing from God and that you have to fast to hear from God. But what I am saying is that God has laid this on my heart and to start off each year with a fast. I believe that God honors sacrifice. There is something about first fruits that Jesus loved. He talks about doing it with everything: money, time, harvest, sacrifice. It was always the first and best for Him. He also says in Matthew 6:16-18:

16″When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

–Notice it’s “When you fast…“, not “If you fast“. So yeah, I feel it’s a good thing to do. God will direct you in all this.

So now you ask, “What does this exactly mean for you, Adam?” Well, I’m doing the daniel fast with the exception of I’m still eating grilled chicken and grilled fish. Last year I didn’t eat any meat at all and almost jumped out a window. Oh, and I’m off of twitter and facebook for three weeks. Yep, you heard me. I feel this is the right thing to do. I do have to blog a couple of times a week because of prior obligations, but I won’t be replying to comments much and my time online will decrease significantly. This is the opening my ears to God part. If my computer is in front of me the whole time, I can’t do that very well. But, I will have tons of time to read. So, what are some books you can recommend?

  • nice man. we can do this!
  • Dude you've inspired me!...I'm gnna get on this fast too..I think it definitely is needed...there's some things I might keep not sure yet...coffee is hard to give up lol.

    o and books:
    -agree w/the above anything Donald Miller..i ordered his new one can't wait! (I highly recommend Blue Like Jazz by him)
    -Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
    -o and Francis Chan but you already know that!
  • Amber
    Already said but yup: Anything by Donald Miller.
  • awesome. thats def my next book
  • @michele225
    You will be in good company, my friend. Our church does a 21 day corporate fast to start the new year. I myself have so many changes going on and need His direction in my life and am trusting the Lord to move in and through my life during this time. (Not that He doesn't already but you know what I mean.)

    Hmmm... good books...
    Christian Fiction: The Shack by William P. Young; if you like a thriller...The Oath by Peretti, also heard that Ted Dekker's book are good as well.
    Christian Non-Fiction: Honor's Reward: How to Attract God's Favor and Blessing by John Bevere; Fearless by Max Lucado (newly released so I haven't read it yet but I love his writings)
  • sounds like good stuff. I'll pick em up
  • Here's the must read book for you:

    Humility by Andrew Murray

    It's an oldie but a goodie, cheap but priceless, short but amazing. It'll rock your world. It did mine.

    -Marshall Jones Jr.
  • cool man. i'll def pick it up. thanks
  • Makeda
    I've done the Daniel's fast before, good stuff. The books that have been recommended all sound solid. I'll add Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg if you haven't read it yet and Donald Miller's new book.
  • cool. really wanted Donald's new book. Gonna have to get it
  • I'm doing a 21-day Daniel fast with my church in January too! I'm really looking forward to it! If you are looking for some good books, then here are three that I would recomend...

    The Monkey and the Fish by Dave Gibbons
    The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley
    Scouting the Divine by Margaret Feinberg

    I did group blogging projects on these at my site in the last six months if you want to check out some other's perspectives on them before deciding. Let me know if you pick any of them. I'd love to hear what you think...
  • cool man. i'll def have to get em. Scouting the Divine must be a good one
  • I have done the Daniel Fast before, it is tough but good.

    I find the best books to read during these times are anything by Nouwin.
    The Way of the Heart is a must.
  • Yeah, I second that anything by Nouwen rocks! "Return of the Prodigal" and "In The Name of Jesus" are my favs.
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  • i will def read. thanks man
  • Just read "Bo's Cafe". It was a quick read, but had some great food for thought on how we as Christ-followers don't need to hide behind masks of perfection. We can be real with each other...in fact, if we want to grow and mature at all, we HAVE to!
  • i'll pick it up. thanks
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  • Wow Adam that's some intense stuff bro! Just looked at it, and I see why you almost jumped out the window. I've been thinking about doing some fasting but have been too scared to pull the trigger. We will see, I guess.

    As far as books go, my vote is always for Crazy Love for anyone that asks. Also Scouting the Divine. Both are solid.
  • read Crazy Love and loved it. gotta read Scouting the Divine. thanks
  • Dave H
    One good book I'm currently reading is "The Answer to How is Yes: Acting On What Matters" by Peter Block. It's a little bit "heady" or "dense", but not as tough to read as a Steven Covey book.

    Another one I recently read and appreciated, on a more spiritual level, was "He Loves Me! Learning to Live in the Father's Affection" It challenged my perspective of God and His love. One example: His take on the story of the Prodigal Son was radically different (and eye-opening!) from anything else I'd ever heard/read/seen. Just after I read that section, one of our Pastors taught on the same passage and titled his sermon "The Prodigal Father" - using the definition of "prodigal" from the dictionary: "recklessly extravagant, lavish", and applying it to the Father's love in the story.
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