Have you ever fasted before? I don't mean fasted watching TV for a couple of days or gone without a couple of meals...I mean a total water fast for an extended amount of days? No? Me either.
Until a few weeks ago, fasting had never entered my mind...and then all of the sudden, there it was. For some reason (known only to God), fasting has come to my mind several times over the last few weeks. You can only think on things for a certain amount of time before you have to make a decision to do them or not. While I many not have any idea (at this point) as to the reason behind the fast, all I know is that I am supposed to do it.
So, as of Monday morning, I am officially on a fast. I do not know how many days I will fast; just as I knew to begin, I am trusting that I will also know when to stop. Usually, when someone goes on some type of restriction, whether diet or otherwise, they seem to crave the restricted item even more. However, when the restriction is something you have been graced to do instead of something you just made up your mind to do, the grace takes over and you don't experience those cravings.
I'm quite amazed at how the thought of food is not remotely appealing; while I'm still dealing with the feelin of gastic juices (also known as "hunger pains" to most of us), they typically do not last very long before receding back into the depths.
Instead of writing a wordy blog post each day, I will use this one post & update it each day as to remain as stress free as possible.
Day 1 - 1/28
Everyday should be like today! I literally only felt 'hunger pains' twice - which was unexpected since most of the blogs and forums I've read said that Day 1 was often very trying.
Day 2 - 1/29
Today, the gastric juices decided to rear their ugly heads a good portion of the day...which resulted in my drinking over 4 pints of water...and of course, also made me visit the bathroom no less than 7 times. I got a dull headache in both sinuses & had some sinus issues and sneezing while at work as well as intense mouth pain - not like tooth pain, but it felt like actual pressure in my cheek and jaw bones. I ended up getting very tired and worn out by the end of the work day so I came home and actually laid down for a couple of hours. Then, at 9:30, it was like I had been recharged and felt much better...thank goodness!
Day 3 - 1/30
More gastric lovliness...hoping this ends soon. Today, the headache developed on the left side & once again, continued throughout the day. As with yesterday, I felt the need to rest when I got home from work, but this is perfectly normal as your body is using the majority of it's daily budget of energy to cleanse & regenerate cells and organs.
Side note: I'm so thankful that I live alone and have a peaceful home that allows me to relax and rest. The fact that my cats surround me most of the time just adds to the peacefulness...just think about how much of their day is spent sleeping. I love my furry babies!
Day 4 - 1/31
Today has not been very fun...the entire right side of my head has pounded most of the day and became very tired around 4pm and could not wait to get home. I laid down and ended up sleeping for 3 hours, only to awake with the same headache I'd had all day. I'm hoping this is a good sign that whatever has caused me sinus headache issues in the last few years is being wiped away and expelled from my body...but only time will tell. Last night, I got a very cool revelation on grace that I had never really seen before; I plan to do a seperate blog post on that soon. Even after my 3 hour nap, I'm pretty sleepy, so it's off to bed I go.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
The Harbinger
Rarely do I come across something that rivets me to my very core; however, the words of Jonathan Cahn have done just that. Yesterday, a friend on Facebook posted a video of Jonathan Cahn speaking at an Inaugural Prayer Breakfast. My friend gave this admonishment:
Whatever you do, watch this!!! Will you get offended? or will you get chills up your spine?. Will you scoff, and laugh? or will you get fired up? Will you get angry that they invited this man to speak at the Inaugural prayer this week, or will you listen and take it to heart?
Since this is a friend is a believer, I decided to watch all 35 minutes of the video and man, was I in for a treat! Jonathan Cahn is a messianic Rabbi and speaks truth from the Word of God unlike anyone else I've ever encountered. He is an excellent story teller (like Jesus and His parables), but even more importantly, he brings out undeniable truth.
After calling my mother to tell her about the video, she reminded me of a brief conversation we'd had over Christmas about a book called The Harbingers...by Jonathan Cahn (which I only vaguely remembered). After purchasing the e-book last night, I proceeded to spend the NEXT 6 HOURS reading it from cover to cover! I finished the book this morning at 6am & have been on an inspiried high ever since.
All I can say is...READ IT! While the book is written as a ficitonal story the truthes contained within its pages cannot be denied. My heart and mind are a flurry of activity and inspiration today! My hope is that more people find the truth and use it to affect change in our nation.
In the city of Sodom, God only needed to find 10 people who had a heart for Him...just 10 people who did not go along with the status quo of sin...10 people who would help show others the truth of His Word, but the city was destroyed because those 10 people could not be found.
In the story of Noah, imagine how history would have been different if Noah would not have had a heart for the things of God above all else. Would we even be here today if it weren't for the faithful heart of Noah? Noah's family were the only people left on the planet because they heeded the warning of the Lord, chose truth over sin and followed God's way of esacpe in the form of the ark.
It is ludicrous to think that we, the United States of America, are above the rules of good and evil. Where there is evil and sin, judgement follows; but where there is truth and light, safety and abundance can flow. We have been living under the safety and abundance of God's mercy for many years simply due to the prayers and dedications of our fore fathers. But, the further away those prayers and dedications get in our history, the more we see that light and truth have been replaced with evil, sin and now, judgement.
We, as the body of Christ, have a responsibility to bring light back into our darkened land. Just as Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh, who was headed toward the path of God's judgement, God sent them an alarm, a horn, someone who was not eloquent of speech, but someone who preached the truth. God sent Jonah to give the city one last chance to avoid His wrath and judgement...his words were not flowery, they were not politically correct, they offended many who heard them, but in his words were Truth. John 8:32 says "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” And that is exactly what happened! Jonah was sent to spread the Word of truth, the city heard the truth and allowed that truth to affect change, then they were set free from judgement....until. That small 5 letter word can dramatically change the course of a person or a nation. Nineveh had repented before the Lord and had enjoyed His favor and protection until they forgot what got them in trouble in the first place...sin. Once they allowed sin back into their daily lives, they hardened their hearts against the very One who saved them from destruction. The veil of protection was once again lifted and they were destroyed.
I have heard this verse used my entire life, but after reading The Harbinger, I have a new understanding and hope in this verse. We have the answer to the test...it's open book! We have the answer to avoiding judgement and the collapse of our nation; we have the answer to every single one of our nation's problems right here in this verse!
Today, I discovered a speech given by President George Washington on October 3, 1789 proclaiming the first Thanksgiving "Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness'."
Herein lies our nation's key to extinguish the judgement that has been set in motion. George Washington, along with the House and Congress, proclaimed a public day of thanksgiving and prayer for all people of our great nation to humbly come before the Almight God and thank Him for allowing them to be safe and happy. Thanksgiving is not about turkey, it's about humbly bowing before God with a heart of thankfulness for how He has kept us and our nation. We must allow the shallow thoughts of our current society to continue! We must rise up with renewed faith and conviction to fight for truth and truth alone! Only truth can set us free!
Whatever you do, watch this!!! Will you get offended? or will you get chills up your spine?. Will you scoff, and laugh? or will you get fired up? Will you get angry that they invited this man to speak at the Inaugural prayer this week, or will you listen and take it to heart?
Since this is a friend is a believer, I decided to watch all 35 minutes of the video and man, was I in for a treat! Jonathan Cahn is a messianic Rabbi and speaks truth from the Word of God unlike anyone else I've ever encountered. He is an excellent story teller (like Jesus and His parables), but even more importantly, he brings out undeniable truth.
After calling my mother to tell her about the video, she reminded me of a brief conversation we'd had over Christmas about a book called The Harbingers...by Jonathan Cahn (which I only vaguely remembered). After purchasing the e-book last night, I proceeded to spend the NEXT 6 HOURS reading it from cover to cover! I finished the book this morning at 6am & have been on an inspiried high ever since.
All I can say is...READ IT! While the book is written as a ficitonal story the truthes contained within its pages cannot be denied. My heart and mind are a flurry of activity and inspiration today! My hope is that more people find the truth and use it to affect change in our nation.
In the city of Sodom, God only needed to find 10 people who had a heart for Him...just 10 people who did not go along with the status quo of sin...10 people who would help show others the truth of His Word, but the city was destroyed because those 10 people could not be found.
In the story of Noah, imagine how history would have been different if Noah would not have had a heart for the things of God above all else. Would we even be here today if it weren't for the faithful heart of Noah? Noah's family were the only people left on the planet because they heeded the warning of the Lord, chose truth over sin and followed God's way of esacpe in the form of the ark.
It is ludicrous to think that we, the United States of America, are above the rules of good and evil. Where there is evil and sin, judgement follows; but where there is truth and light, safety and abundance can flow. We have been living under the safety and abundance of God's mercy for many years simply due to the prayers and dedications of our fore fathers. But, the further away those prayers and dedications get in our history, the more we see that light and truth have been replaced with evil, sin and now, judgement.
We, as the body of Christ, have a responsibility to bring light back into our darkened land. Just as Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh, who was headed toward the path of God's judgement, God sent them an alarm, a horn, someone who was not eloquent of speech, but someone who preached the truth. God sent Jonah to give the city one last chance to avoid His wrath and judgement...his words were not flowery, they were not politically correct, they offended many who heard them, but in his words were Truth. John 8:32 says "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” And that is exactly what happened! Jonah was sent to spread the Word of truth, the city heard the truth and allowed that truth to affect change, then they were set free from judgement....until. That small 5 letter word can dramatically change the course of a person or a nation. Nineveh had repented before the Lord and had enjoyed His favor and protection until they forgot what got them in trouble in the first place...sin. Once they allowed sin back into their daily lives, they hardened their hearts against the very One who saved them from destruction. The veil of protection was once again lifted and they were destroyed.
2 Chronicles 7:14
New King James Version (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
I have heard this verse used my entire life, but after reading The Harbinger, I have a new understanding and hope in this verse. We have the answer to the test...it's open book! We have the answer to avoiding judgement and the collapse of our nation; we have the answer to every single one of our nation's problems right here in this verse!
Today, I discovered a speech given by President George Washington on October 3, 1789 proclaiming the first Thanksgiving "Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness'."
Herein lies our nation's key to extinguish the judgement that has been set in motion. George Washington, along with the House and Congress, proclaimed a public day of thanksgiving and prayer for all people of our great nation to humbly come before the Almight God and thank Him for allowing them to be safe and happy. Thanksgiving is not about turkey, it's about humbly bowing before God with a heart of thankfulness for how He has kept us and our nation. We must allow the shallow thoughts of our current society to continue! We must rise up with renewed faith and conviction to fight for truth and truth alone! Only truth can set us free!
Monday, January 14, 2013
S'morola!
I love granola. It's not yet a problem, but it soon might be :) Today, I decided to try something new...S'more Granola, or as I like to call it S'morola! While most of my improvising was due to lack of ingredients, I think I've stumbled onto something fabulous! I've scoured the internet & have not found anyone else who has tried what I did today...and man, are they missing out!
I took my normal granola recipe & made some yummy changes...here's the recipe:
Preheat oven to 350.
I usually mix all wet ingredients first & then pour them onto the oats; it distributes more evenly.
1/3 c. oil
1/3 c. maple syrup
1-2 T. brown sugar
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. almond extract
1 t. water
pinch of salt
2 c. oats
Spread onto baking sheet in a single layer. Depending on your oven, bake for 15-20 min, stirring 1/2 way through baking. I usually set a timer for 8 min, stir & bake another 8 min. Cool completely.
1/2 c. each of white, semi-sweet & milk chocolate chips
1/2 - 1 c. roasted mini marshmallows
To make roasted mini marshmallows, place mini marshmallows on a silpat lined baking sheet (like cookie dough ready for baking). Make sure to leave sufficient room as you do not want them to melt together if you can help it. Put baking sheet under the broiler until marshmallows are sufficiently brown on the top & allow to cool completely. Yield: approx. 6 cups
Mix freshly baked granola, chocolate chips & roasted marshmallows thoroughly & place in mason jars...or just shovel into your gourd! Now for the good stuff...feel free to drool :0)
I took my normal granola recipe & made some yummy changes...here's the recipe:
Preheat oven to 350.
I usually mix all wet ingredients first & then pour them onto the oats; it distributes more evenly.
1/3 c. oil
1/3 c. maple syrup
1-2 T. brown sugar
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. almond extract
1 t. water
pinch of salt
2 c. oats
Spread onto baking sheet in a single layer. Depending on your oven, bake for 15-20 min, stirring 1/2 way through baking. I usually set a timer for 8 min, stir & bake another 8 min. Cool completely.
1/2 c. each of white, semi-sweet & milk chocolate chips
1/2 - 1 c. roasted mini marshmallows
To make roasted mini marshmallows, place mini marshmallows on a silpat lined baking sheet (like cookie dough ready for baking). Make sure to leave sufficient room as you do not want them to melt together if you can help it. Put baking sheet under the broiler until marshmallows are sufficiently brown on the top & allow to cool completely. Yield: approx. 6 cups
Mix freshly baked granola, chocolate chips & roasted marshmallows thoroughly & place in mason jars...or just shovel into your gourd! Now for the good stuff...feel free to drool :0)
Freshly baked granola
Triple chocolate = magic!
Roasted mini marshmallows...inspired!
Finished product...sooooo yummy!!!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Year, New Me, New Venture
If these last 10 days are any indication of the upcoming year, I'm in for a super fun & very busy ride!
As of the 5th I now have a new business...Things of Strings! (check it out!)
I've been crocheting & knitting for years & have always just given items away, but after knitting up a cute little cabled headband/ear warmer & posting it on Facebook...I had 2 orders, a name & a new Facebook page for my new venture! Let's just say that it's great to have friends who give you a helpful "push" at just the right time. I've knit more in the last 6 days then in the last month & I love every stitch! So, without further adieu...I give you some of my work this week!
As of the 5th I now have a new business...Things of Strings! (check it out!)
I've been crocheting & knitting for years & have always just given items away, but after knitting up a cute little cabled headband/ear warmer & posting it on Facebook...I had 2 orders, a name & a new Facebook page for my new venture! Let's just say that it's great to have friends who give you a helpful "push" at just the right time. I've knit more in the last 6 days then in the last month & I love every stitch! So, without further adieu...I give you some of my work this week!
All hearts mug cozy
Cabled headband/ear warmer
Super soft cotton sleep masks
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Cozy tea = happy me
I've recently discovered something about myself...I'm a slow tea drinker :( I cannot seem to finish a cup of perfectly brewed tea without it going friggidly cold...insert problem solving skills here! When I get cold, I put on a hoodie or get at afghan so I figured the same would work for my chilly tea mug.
After scouring the internet looking for the perfect mug cozy pattern, I finally landed on this little beauty! My favorite tea mug is a little larger than this pattern is written for so I supplemented with a couple of rows of single crochet & it turned out to be both adorable & very toasty!
After scouring the internet looking for the perfect mug cozy pattern, I finally landed on this little beauty! My favorite tea mug is a little larger than this pattern is written for so I supplemented with a couple of rows of single crochet & it turned out to be both adorable & very toasty!
No more chilly tea!
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