Fasting? Isn't that legalistic?

But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.  Luke 5:35 

The disciples of John the Baptist OFTEN  fast and pray. (5:33)

The disciples of the Pharisees often fast and pray. (5:33).

A rabbi was held responsible for the actions of his disciples - why weren't Jesus' disciples fasting?

Jesus responds that the wedding party doesn't fast while the bridegroom is with them. Weddings were seven days of feasting at this time. There was no be no hard work done, no mourning - just feasting.  (5:34)

Jesus says there will be a day when He is no longer physically with his disciples - and THEN they will fast. That day continues to this day. (5:35)

Yes, Jesus addressed abuses of fasting (Matt 6:16). However, he gives instructions for private fasts (Matt 6:16) and  we see the early church fasting (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:5).

The word fasting, as used in the Scripture, refers to abstaining from food. Yes, fasting has been abused by religious legalism - but so has giving, praying, studying-  and we continue these disciplines. Jesus clearly states there will come a day when His disciples will fast. I wonder why more don't fast.

Via Google Images

Fasting focuses my appetites on His appetites. Fasting provides more time* in my day to seek His face. Fasting seems to clear the communication channels with God - the Word  comes alive, I sense His presence quickly....I suspect as rewards to obedience.  Hunger becomes a prayer prompt. When I fast I am focused....Fasting has added much to my life.

It is popular today to fast many things other than food. I've heard of TV fasts, technology fasts, Internet fasts, movie fasts, manicure fasts, sports fasts....some say abstaining from food is a MUST to be a Biblical fast. Personally? I think if God is calling you to abstain from one of the non-food items; you should. I think you should be aware of parading before men or thinking you are earning "heavenly gold stars" - in other words - treat it as a fast. I think God always blesses for obedience.  If you are bargaining with God - say you feel pressed to fast and yet you don't want to give up food and so you substitute one of these other fasts - you need to quit bargaining and obey.

I began fasting weekly for our children's future spouses 7.5 years ago; this continues and has expanded as a focus on immediate and extended family to this day. A Daniel Fast was the start of an incredible personal journey to freedom from food addiction. I've seen God move me through fasting. I've seen the power of God released to fulfill the purposes of God on earth. I continue a variety of fasts as Jesus leads. I currently wrestle with when a fast has become a lifestyle - as many of you know I've moved to a Vegan/Nutritarian eating style which is very close to a Daniel Fast.

The topic is far too big to discuss fully today. I always hesitate to discuss fasting publicly as I never want to be guilty of parading before men - but I am a teacher and here is a passage speaking on the topic.

Some do not fast as they worry it is unhealthy in their situation. If God is calling you to fast - maybe you can fast one meal...or maybe you can fast one food item (pregnancy, diabetic)...or maybe a Daniel Fast....if God is leading you to fast, He can reveal how to fast as well.

I first began to consider fasting when reading the chapters on this discipline in  Intimate Faith by Jan Winebrenner and Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.  The first is an easier read; the later is a meatier read.

Other books which have helped me understand the spiritual discipline of fasting and how to worship Jesus through it are:
God's Chosen Fast - Arthur Wallis
A Woman's Guide to Fasting - Lisa Neelson (PWOC gal! Woot, woot!)
The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast - Kristen Feola

If you are looking for one comprehensive book on fasting, I recommend, A Woman's Guide to Fasting. 

This is a helpful website for those participating in a Daniel Fast.

*Note fasting creates time for me because my family is at a stage where they can get their own breakfast and lunch and so I free up my time and focus if I'm not getting food for me at those meal times. I still cook dinner...and if you have a young family fasting is probably not going to magically create time for you. I could never understand HOW it created more time for me until recent years. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

TGIF - North

Today is the day.  This is the day we will find the bicycle that Nolan is needing.  He is on the edge of out-growing the standard consumer bikes.  This has become a tradition with all of the G-men.  While Krista went to work, we went looking.  We found a small bike shop in West Eugene.  Liked what we saw - liked it even better when they discounted it 10%.  Still went looking more.  We went to some other places in the midst of all of this looking.  Looked at Big 5 - just consumer bikes and they had none on display - only one or two in boxes in the back; no incentive to pursue that any further. 

Went to Sports Authority.  They had some bikes that could have been good, but the sales guy was much more interested in stocking bike helmets than talking to actual customers.  We walked out of there with not a hint of regret.  No customer service before the sale - most likely no customer service after the sale.

Breanne and Izaak met us at Olive Garden for lunch.  That was a nice way to break up the day.  Jamin recommended the Lasagna Fritta amongst other things.  It was very good.

Afterwards Nolan and I ducked out to do some more looking.  We found a place downtown - hard decision because it, too, was a good bike.  In the end, the variables between the bikes were even so it came down to something as mundane as the color.  Nolan liked the blue color.  We went back to the first store and the rest, as they say, is history.

Went for a run when we got back to the house.  Krista called as we were on our way back.  We did take a side trip down Dondea Street.  De'Etta's old home from many years ago just before we got married.  The street is different than I remember it. 

Met Krista at the house and decided to go for a walk - it turned into a long walk - about four miles.  Good exercise and good photos.  The trail is well-developed - meaning it is paved.  Many were out walking, roller skating (not roller blading), and biking.  The trail runs for a good 4 miles at least.  We only went 2 miles of it (RT 4 miles).  You could tell the trees were thinking about blooming, but they were not quite ready in this particular area.  There were scatterings of  trees in the midst of blooms, but it does not feel like old man Winter is completely ready to give it up for the year.

We caught the sun setting over the McKenzie River.  The river was definitely much higher than normal, but Krista said it had gone down quite a bit and was much slower than a couple of days ago.

A bit of the green that is so much part of the Oregon experience.

Afterward, De'Etta's parents and cousin came by.  We shared dinner together.  It was a fun conversation - though no photos, I forgot...

Ended the evening talking with Krista and Nolan for a time and then called it quits.  Good times.

By Grace
Michael
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We Made it!

Usually, I like to begin these sort of trips at about 0500, but Wednesday I got a call to "remind" me that I have a CT scan at 0915 Thursday - travel day.  I did not know about this at all. I have been waiting for this for about three months so re-scheduling was out of the question.  An 0500 start was just not going to happen.
Nolan and I headed to the Dr's office at 0850-ish.  On the way, I had to drink 32 oz of water.  The first 16 oz was easy - the second, ugh.  After arriving at the Dr's office they gave me another 16 oz bottle to drink - double ugh.  During the procedure, they shoot you up with contrasting fluid, a very weird experience.  I think it must be similar to hot flashes.  Really odd, but enough of that.

We hit the road around 1030 - well, we had to find a restroom to deal with some of the aforementioned water.  So, we hit the road at 1100.  Well, we had to stop again to deal with some more of that water so, we hit the road again at 1130 and drove a little.  Did I mention all of that water?  We hit the road again at about 1245.  This time we were OK to make good time.

The weather was mostly nice until we crossed over the Siskiyou pass into Oregon.  That is when we hit the rain.  It was pretty much right on cue.

Made it to Krista's at a little past 6PM.  Bre, Izaak and Dakota around 7PM.  We had dinner together and had fun talking.  Said farewell to them 'til later Friday.

It was odd seeing my daughter head home with some other man, but somehow it is OK.  I do enjoy seeing how much they love each other.

Dakota was enjoying the dessert

Andrew was chillin' while Leyla (the Pit Bull) maintained her passion for tug of war

It was a good evening for all.

By Grace!

Michael

©2014 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

TGIF

We were all so happy today was Friday. Another two weeks of Tapestry done this week. We'll soon be caught up with where we "should" be and can go back to a saner pace.

The house continues to feel insanely quiet with Nolan and Michael away.

I HAD to see people today...so we headed for town. Strangers are fine in a pinch. ::snort::  Our first stop with the Yuba County Library.  People keep telling us there is "Nothing in Yuba City," and "Nothing in Marysville," but we found several things today of interest to us in Mville.   We've previously  found Brock's in Yuba City. They make a mean frozen banana - which several of us opt for over dairy.

Today we discovered frozen yogurt in Marysville. They have sorbet. The kids are all for adding this stop to our Friday routine.

Yep - just like San Antonio....Friendly customer service....a GREAT military discount....$2.00 off PER ID card....Mine and Arielle's were .29 each. ::snort::  It was no surprise when Zander won the prize for the most expensive bowl of frozen yogurt....more toppings than frozen product. LOL 

The only problem with the place is its name...I just don't know. Arielle said we can call it whatever we want to call it.....but hearing my eight year old saying, "I love......." is just not right.

We also went by Walmart which is always good for social interaction. We met two Seasoned Citizen friends who were chasing each other on scooters. We thought it looked like great fun. I think I talked a civilian spouse and her daughter into at least visiting Saesabo, Japan where her husband works. We made an optometry appointment.  The kids talked with a giant cookie. Stacia seriously informed me, "It's really a person you can see skin if you look carefully." ::snort::

We ran by Papa Murphys and came home to veg out. Our men like the Big Murphy, but as only one of them are here, we compromised by purchasing  the smallest size we could....I thought he could eat the veggie with us. I think his goal is to finish this before the others return. 

Choosing Joy!

©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Following - Jesus calls a "Sinner"

After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me," and he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him... Luke 5:27-32

Tax collectors, in Jesus' day, were in a higher class than the average Jew. They had wealth and rank. Their job was to collect a set fee from local citizens and send it to Rome. They paid a fee to Rome for this privilege and they were allowed to add what they liked to the taxes for their personal support.  They would often sub-contract to worthless extortioners and hucksters. The toll booth was their office. Another well-known tax collector was Zacheus.

Tax collectors were despised by the general Jewish population. They were outcasts from Jewish religious life. Levi/Matthew was in the tax booth when Jesus came by. He may have been a sub-contractor - an  extortioner. He may have been the supervisor. Some facts in the passage lead me to think he was wealthy:

• he left everything when called to follow Jesus  - signifying he had possessions to leave (28)
• he threw a big reception (29)
• his reception hosted a great crowd of tax collectors and sinners (29)

And there's another thought - Levi KNEW he was a sinner; this was revealed to Peter when he met Jesus. Jesus calls both those who KNOW they are sinners, as well as those who think they're doing pretty good, and He lovingly transforms both into His image.  

Jesus says, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (32) Jesus calls sinners to a change of mind and a change of heart. Most Pharisees saw no need for either. Many today see no need of either. 

Jesus called Levi, the tax collector, the despised sinner to leave his wealth and follow Him. He called him to repentance. 

I observe again this call to follow once again: 

• He calls to relationship
• He calls to repentance
• He requires a radical commitment from me; because He has made a radical commitment to me
• He will transform my heart and mind
• He will change the way I am subsequently viewed by others

Levi - the hated tax collector, excluded from Jewish religious circles - becomes Matthew and enters into the Messiah's inner circle. 

Matthew - Rome's employee - writes the gospel of Matthew introducing Jesus to us as THE King and showing both Jesus and gentiles the way to the Kingdom of God. 

Repentant following of Jesus will have radical consequences in my life.

We want our lives to matter, to count. We want to leave a legacy. We want to do something great. 

Jesus calls us to follow Him. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yuuki Packed Her Bags

Bags were packed, snacks put together and then we walked into the living room and saw this. I think she was trying to camouflage herself with the bags. She was determined not to be left. 

Could you say no to this face? 

Michael started to move for the door and she intercepted....

She DID run outside and plant herself UNDER the car as they loaded bags.  Poor thing had quite a quandry when she realized four of us were staying home. 

We're trying to figure out why the house seems so quiet. Nolan really doesn't make much noise. Arielle and I have decided it's because Michael is a large presence in our home....he sort of fills it....

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Remembering Tohoku's Triple Tragedy

It was nearly three years ago that Jared was the oldest home when the Tohoku 9. earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear meltdown occurred. Today, he spoke at an event at ASU commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the catastrophe.  

We were talking as a family (and I'm sure that will be happening much more as the 11th approaches) and I wondered if that was the hardest day of Jared's life to date. Michael said he thought the days of recovery and clean up were harder when the reality of what we'd lived through hit with devastating clarity.

In any event I'm proud of Jared for speaking up and calling folks to remember. It's tough to speak about the hard days. Larissa speaks my love language. I got home from a busy day and found PICTURES of the event. Michael commented, "You are going to blog these aren't you?" ::grin::

I wish we could have been there. I'm thrilled Jamin and Larissa were there to share the day with Jared. It's enough to know what's going on and have such fun photos!

Jamin, Jared, Larissa

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...