These first three days of the Daniel Fast have been rough to say the least. I haven't really struggled with the food aspect of things, but the emotional and spiritual side of the fast. It seems that everything that could have been thrown at me has been. Communication breakdowns at work and with friends, working long hours due to the break down, and things Satan has tried to whisper into my heart. I am completely exhausted and it is only Wednesday. Where I have struggled with food is usually when I feel this way I drown my sorrows in dark chocolate, peanut butter and caramel macchiatos and for some reason beans, rice and guacamole just don't have the same effect. :P So instead of junk food, I have been cranking the worship music. Singing at the top of my lungs: "My heart is free! No chains on me!" "All my fountains are in You!" "Waiting here for You/With our hands lifted high in praise/And it's You we adore/Singing Alleluia" "I am alive cause You are alive/And Jesus your presence is changing my life."
I wish I could say that my attitude has been amazingly transformed since I started this new habit of junking out on music, but not exactly. I still want chocolate, I'm still an emotional wreck, but I also want more of Jesus. Much more. I feel this fast is going to be a time of deepening my relationship with Him. Taking it to the next level. Embracing whatever that looks like.
I was challenged today as I read Daniel 1 and jotted down some thoughts.
Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."
Other versions say he resolved, made up his mind not to defile himself. Not only was he determined not to defile himself, but also to keep God first in his life, even though his life had dramatically changed. He was determined to follow, honor, please and serve God no what what happened in his life. So no matter what is going on in my life, communication break downs or long hours, I am determined to follow God.
As I struggled this morning two songs played on the radio that spoke to me:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Forever
Yesterday we celebrated with some amazing friends we have known for many years. Denis and Mary Goodwin renewed their vows and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years! That is a long time. I was amazed and almost in tears as they stood up in front of over 100 of their family and friends, expressing their love for one another. They shared about their good times and the hard times that drew them closer to each other and closer to God. Their faith in 
God is at the very core of their marriage. Everything they do flows around their central faith. They purposed to do things together. If one of them didn't like the activity, they found a way to like it. Now, after knowing each other for 55 years, they like everything they do together. They have gone on adventures together. This couple travels so much. To Israel, a cruise in Panama, they are going on a Russian cruise, all over the US and beyond. They love people. That was evident in the amount of people that showed up and the places they had met them. From being next door neighbors to their ski club, hiking group, Church, Crimson Bridge, and various other ministries they serve in. I have been so blessed to have grown up around these two amazing people. They have watched me grow up, have prayed over my life and spoken words of wisdom into my heart.
My life is filled with inspirational marriages. Papa David and Mima Janet will have their 50th this October, Gram Carol and Grandpa Chuck would have been married 50 years last June, my parents have been married 27 years and the list could go on. Among the friends in my community and the friends we caught up with at the pa
rty there are marriages that are so strong in God and they are so in love with each other. In this day where marriage is viewed as disposable it is refreshing to see people who live by the "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part" vows said at the alter. It fills my heart with joy as I look at the cloud of witnesses I have before me. It gives me hope as I patiently wait for my future man.
God is at the very core of their marriage. Everything they do flows around their central faith. They purposed to do things together. If one of them didn't like the activity, they found a way to like it. Now, after knowing each other for 55 years, they like everything they do together. They have gone on adventures together. This couple travels so much. To Israel, a cruise in Panama, they are going on a Russian cruise, all over the US and beyond. They love people. That was evident in the amount of people that showed up and the places they had met them. From being next door neighbors to their ski club, hiking group, Church, Crimson Bridge, and various other ministries they serve in. I have been so blessed to have grown up around these two amazing people. They have watched me grow up, have prayed over my life and spoken words of wisdom into my heart.
My life is filled with inspirational marriages. Papa David and Mima Janet will have their 50th this October, Gram Carol and Grandpa Chuck would have been married 50 years last June, my parents have been married 27 years and the list could go on. Among the friends in my community and the friends we caught up with at the pa
rty there are marriages that are so strong in God and they are so in love with each other. In this day where marriage is viewed as disposable it is refreshing to see people who live by the "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part" vows said at the alter. It fills my heart with joy as I look at the cloud of witnesses I have before me. It gives me hope as I patiently wait for my future man.
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