Personally, I spent more time listening to God (and talking less!), learned a few things about myself and even learned a bit about the people I work with (read the other posts and you will too!!). One of the neatest things that happened though was the sense of community through the 21 days. There was power in knowing none of us was doing this alone, that everyone was most likely being tempted in some way and that it wasn’t easy for anyone.

I was contacted by a guy in Michigan this past week who had read about the fast and in particular about me fasting as someone who had experienced eating disorders. He was attempting his first ‘post-eating disorder’ fast this weekend and wanted to connect with someone else who had ‘been there’. That sense of connectedness and community is powerful.

We need to remember that Jesus experienced all that we feel. We also need to remember that other people have too and when we open our hearts and our lives to those around us, the sense of community and the things that can be achieved are incredible! It’s that sense of community that supports, that changes lives and that impacts the world. The past 21 days we fasted together. I can’t wait to see what happens at Rivers Crossing as we work together to impact and change lives around the Kings Corridor and beyond!!

This week I traveled to Guatemala with Pastor Jeff to explore our future involvement in a church plant in La Limonada. It was a powerful couple of days and I am excited to say we will be continuing our relationship there. You'll hear more in the near future about our support and direct involvement in the community of faith that is ministering to the least, the last, and the lost.

As I crawled through windows into tiny ramshackle homes to pray for families who had little; I was reminded of one of the most powerful texts on fasting in the Bible. Isaiah 58 is an amazing reminder of why we fast. The Israelites were frustrated because God wasn't doing what they wanted Him to do after a time of fasting."Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?" they lament in verse 3. Trust me, you just need to read God's response through Isaiah in the verses that follow. Stop what you are doing and read it now: http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Isaiah+58.

If we have fasted and don't plan on doing anything for God's fame to spread in the King's Corridor and to the ends of the earth, we have fasted in vain. I pray that "you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

 It seems as though fasting was a pretty important thing throughout scripture.  Even Jesus in Matthew 6 gives us 3 big things to think about:  Giving to the needy, Prayer, and Fasting.  For me, I seem to be more prone to focus on the first two and totally negate that latter.  Simply because I love to eat, and I love to eat what I want…when I want.  Can anyone else relate? 

 Do you want to see breakthrough in your life?  I know I do.  The key to this is prayer accompanied with fasting.  One thing Im committing to this year is to practice the spiritual discipline of fasting more frequently throughout the year.  I want to see breakthroughs in my life, I want to see healings take place in our church, I want to see breakthroughs in the lives of the people of Rivers Crossing, I want to see breakthrough in this city.  And these things are available to us, but we must surrender fully to Jesus. 

Hope to see you on Sunday at Rivers Crossing as we celebrate the end of this fast together.  It will be a great day to invite your friends and family.  

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

It's interesting that when the fast is at it's most difficult time and we're nearing the end, we see how God works through His people when they fast. When Esther is about to go before the king with the possibility of being put to death what does she do? She calls God's people to fast. 

Would God and/or the King have honored the request of Esther to spare Mordecai's life hadn't she and the Jews fasted? I don't know, it is possible he would have but I do know that Esther waited until the end of the fast and until it was completed to go before the King's throne. She knew the power that comes with fasting and she knew God would honor her fast. 

Today I would have you ask yourself this... Is there anything in my life that God would have me pray and fast about before walking into the unknown? 

My prayer for myself and for you this last week of the fast is simply this:  That Jesus would intensify our dependence on him.  That we would be more and more hungry for the Lord and for His presence in our lives. 

Worship begins with knowing there is nothing on earth greater than our God.

I shared in my message on 1/3 that Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Are you using your time of fasting to draw near to God or to lose a couple of holiday pounds? Are you believing that the God of the universe exists and that he will reward you as you seek him or is the detoxification of your body going to be your only reward from your time of fasting?

The physical benefits of fasting are substantial (and supported by medical and nutritional experts), but that is not the purpose of our fast, merely a practical benefit. I would encourage you as you approach the midway point of our fast, renew your focus and ask God to increase your faith. I have been amazed in the first 10 days to see God stretching my faith. I am rejoicing over some truly miraculous moves of the spirit in my life during this time of fasting. The fast didn’t manipulate God to move or yank a magical spiritual string, but it certainly has grown my faith. That is reward in and of itself!

It is Day 9 of the fast and I want to encourage everyone to stay strong.  God is moving in an incredible way at Rivers Crossing during this season.  I just believe there is so much power when God’s people fast in a corporate way like we’re doing. 

My post will be a little different than the previous ones, but first I’ll just share that I’m doing the Daniel Fast along with my wife, Megan.  I was joking last week that before I became a musician, I worked at Baskin Robbins (mostly during the summers when I was in college).  It was at Baskin Robbins that I perfected the art of Ice Cream scooping, as well as creating the perfect smoothie.  I haven’t really needed those skills very much in my everyday life, until now.  I have been making protein smoothies every night now for the past week and I must say they are very delightful.  The perfect blend of fruit, ice, juice makes for a tasty treat when you’re sitting down to catch up on your DVR. 

Today I wanted to offer you kind folks some musical suggestions for this time of fasting.  Music does something in each and everyone of us.  It stirs the soul, it takes us back in time, and it certainly brings out emotions in us that we may have never thought we had.  Below I’ve posted a few links to some albums that are really ministering to me right now, and my prayer is maybe they would minister to you.  Some of the songs you may even recognize from our times of worship on Sunday morning at Rivers Crossing. 

Brian Johnson is a worship leader in Redding, CA.  This album is acoustic guitar, vocals, piano, and cello the whole way through and it is simply amazing.   Probably my favorite album right now. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-came-down/id346678793

Jesus Culture is a group also located in Redding, CA.  You’ll love this cd and may even recognize a few songs off of this album and previous Jesus Culture albums.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jesus-culture-consumed/id323912636

Aaron Keyes is a worship leader based out of GA.  His music is so good. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/not-guilty-anymore/id331284189

David Walker is a great friend of mine and mentored me before I moved to OH to be at Rivers Crossing.  His album is incredible.  You will recognize some of his songs (Better than I know, How He loves) from Rivers Crossing. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/closer-than-angels/id296430333

At this point I want to throw in a disclaimer. Everyone and everything I have heard and read is very clear that if you are actively suffering from any type of eating disorder, you should NOT fast. If you have medical problems, you should talk to your doctor before fasting in any way. With that being said, I want to take it another step.

Years ago I fasted many times under the guise of spiritual fasting, yet knew the eating disorder was the real driving force. It wasn’t that I was trying to fool anyone; I was simply not being honest with myself. I wanted to do it for the right reasons, but the old thoughts would always creep in, and of course, true to form typical to someone dealing with ED, I felt like a failure when this happened.

What’s different today? Today, I’ve dealt with the issues that led me to turn to ED and I’ve learned to trust God instead of the eating disorders. Today, I’m honest with myself & recognize when thoughts characteristic of ED begin to creep in. Today, I don’t beat myself up if I ‘mess up’ when fasting. Today, I realize that God is here, he knows my intentions & my heart, and he loves me through it all.

Here are some practical tips I have used when fasting:

• Be honest with yourself! Learn to recognize thoughts & patterns for what they are.
• Attempt a Daniel fast or eliminating only certain foods (e.g. sweets) first. Don’t attempt a water-only fast-it’s like setting yourself up for failure!
• Plan meals & snacks. The more intentional you are about what you will eat, the easier it is to stay on the plan.
• If you slip up, it’s not over. Try again and look at the progress you’ve made-focus on the positive!

One last thing…if you’re reading this and you’re not at the “post-ED stage” yet, don’t be discouraged! Though it may seem like forever, you can get there. I know…because I have!

1. What does my relationship with God look like today?

2. How does the Lord want my relationship with Him to look like at the end of both the fast (Jan. 31st) and at the end of 2010. 

Think about these 2 things and hopefully as we begin this new series (The Space Between) the Lord will begin to reveal not only how to get there but how to make 2010 the best year yet. 

• Sliced apples with natural peanut butter
• Air popped popcorn – place enough kernels to cover the bottom of a brown bag, fold the bag down from the top 3 times, and place in the microwave approx. 2 minutes.
• Trail mix – mix together raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, dried bananas, and any of your favorite nuts and fruits
• Hummus – use as a dip for vegetables
• Smoothies – mix together your favorite fruits (I like strawberries and bananas), natural fruit juice, and ice for a yummy treat!
• Corn Salsa – corn (fresh or frozen), tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, lime juice; this is great for dipping vegetables, or as a salad dressing
• Ants on a log – celery, natural peanut butter, raisins

  
I’m sure many of you have other great ideas, so post them here on our blog.  Share any good recipes you’ve discovered so far or more fun snack ideas.   As you go through the next 2 1/2 weeks, continue to seek God during those moments of temptation or weakness. He will pull you through!

Most importantly, don't forget that we fast for spiritual reasons.  Your fast is intended to make you more dependent and desperate for God.  Be smart about how you fast, but start leaning on Christ now and he will carry you through this fast.  Believe me, you won't regret it.  

One of the things that I was praying about was how much I wanted this fast to be a joint call with Farrah, my wife and partner in ministry for almost 14 years. Farrah has Hypoglycemia and is unable to do more than a couple of days of water only fasting for obvious reasons. She has fasted from various foods and beverages over the years but we have never done an extended fast together. I am really excited that she also feels called and is willing to accept the sacrifice of doing the Daniel Fast with me! I am confident that our relationship will deepen and as we share this journey together.  My prayer for you is that you find someone  (your spouse or a friend or a former Catalyst Group participant perhaps) and walk with them during the challenges, temptations (mmmm, Peanut M&M's are already calling my name:), and joys of this period of fasting. I look forward to the conversation and stories that will be shared the next 3 weeks on this blog. We are in this together!