Fasting Day One

1/1/10 - We start our 2 year fast. Why? We are fasting for spiritual and physical cleansing, to strengthen our spirit man, and weaken our flesh. We are fasting to see the abundant life that is ours in Jesus Christ. Last year we didn't see that abundant life in our physical bodies. Both Becky and I were tired and unable to do what we wanted because we both felt lousy. It really impacted my ability to minister to others. I hope and pray that by getting back to a more biblical diet, one step at a time, that we will feel better. When considering this fast I thought of the scripture that talks about not eating "the Kings food" . Daniel would not eat the rich food of the Babylonians, and his guards worried for his health. But Daniel ended up much healthier than they:

Dan 1:8

¶

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Dan 1:15

And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

We are also hoping that we will feel better after getting all the junk out of our bodies and strengthening our spiritual disciplines through fasting, prayer, worship and bible reading. I expect by the end of this that we will have lost some significant weight was well.

We decided to fast as a family. But since the kids are barely old enough for this, we decided to make it easier for them. Becky and I are going to do an "elimination" diet for the next two years. Week one we are going to eat nothing but organic brown rice and water. Then each week after, we will add one organic item to our diet. Pretty simple. For the kids we made it easier, for week one, the kids are having Brown Rice, Water, Milk, and a piece of fruit every day. That is going to be hard enough for them :) After week one, the kids will be able to have anything organic at home, and we arent going to restrict what they can come up with at Church or other people's houses. But we are going to buy nothing but organic for our house for this two year fast.

The other, and probably most important aspect of our fast is our spiritual disciplines. I have always been pretty good about having my morning time of prayer, worship, meditation, and bible reading. Most days I get it done, and I really enjoy it. Becky has been hit or miss, and the Kids haven't done much at all. For these two years we are all going to have a morning time of prayer, worship, meditation, and bible reading. We are also going to be more diligent about having our evening family devotions where we read a book, read the bible, then worship and pray together.

So, how did Day One go? It went pretty well. We were worried about our youngest, who is a picky eater, but she gobbled up rice cereal for breakfast and did well for lunch and dinner too. The other kids did really well to. We had a good morning devotional time, and a good family time in the evening. Becky got a headache, which she normally does when she fasts. I also got a headache and my digestive system was complaining a bit. But this is all pretty normal with fasting, and since both Becky and I have fasted plenty of times, nothing unexpected here. Normally we juice fast or I like to water fast. The brown rice fast is a little different. I think Juice fast is actually a bit easier because of the variety of juices you can have.

I really enjoyed having Becky and the kids with me when I did my morning devotionals. I am already seeing fruit in their spirtual lives from the whole thing.

Now for day 2 ! I just finished my morning rice and water, and devotionals, going to try for a nap shortly!