It's Just The 1st Day....

Today is the first day of our all church Daniel Fast, well, it is actually the second day but many of us chose to start today since yesterday was the Super Bowl :-(

I have to admit...I am not doing very well on my first day. Honestly, I'm in a grouchy mood...lack of caffeine probably or because I know how hard it can be.

We had our first 21 day fast last year and I was excited about it. I had to learn a lot about what was involved in the Daniel Fast...it was truly a learning experience.

No meat, white flour or rice, fried foods, caffeine, carbonated beverages, food containing preservatives or additives, refined sugar, margarine, shortening, high fat...just...whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, water, 100% fruit or vegetables juices.

This time...maybe, my grouchiness is because I know what is involved with the commitment to the Daniel Fast. The sacrifice this year will be more of a true sacrifice.

Last year...I was faithful until the very last day, which included the week that I was in Atlanta sitting by my son's bedside after his near fatal car wreck. I refused to stray even the tiniest bit from guidelines of the fast.

I think, that last year that my view was out of focus with what we were doing. I spent so much time trying to figure out how to feed my family, buy groceries, eat out and what to drink since I'm a Diet Dr. Pepper addict and was a water hater. My focus wasn't as much on prayer, growing in my relationship with Jesus Christ as it should have been.

I am praying that this year...my focus will be on the true sacrifice and that is the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for me on the cross. I desire to grow closer to him, dig deeper into His word, get more intimate with Him and watch what He wants to do in my life, my family, our church and in our community.

As a church our emphasis for 2009 is this:

Financial miracles(s)
An outpouring of God's Spirit
Salvations
The return of the Prodigals

As a church, 3 years ago, we have bought 72 acres of land to build a new church and we wanted to land paid off before beginning this project. We feel that the Lord is calling us to move "north" (which is where our land is located...north of our current location).

Deuteronomy 2:2-3 "You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north."

Insanity is doing the same things you have always done, and expecting different results! If we want to see changes, then we have to change!

This is for every person, family, church, community, city, state and our country. It is time for us to change! It is time to turn north!

We are looking for financial miracles as a church and as individuals. We have so many who are hurting financially in our current economy and job situations.

We can never get enough of the outpouring of God's Spirit on us...individually or as a church.

We should never stop longing and desiring for souls to come to Christ through salvation.

The last one is so dear to my heart...The Return of the Prodigals! I am praying and believing that this is the year that Brandon returns to Jesus Christ, submits to His calling on his life and will be used in a powerful way to reach so many others who are hurting, searching for satisfaction, something to fill the void in their lives and for those who have gotten so far off track. Brandon can be a living testimony that you can never be too far gone that Jesus Christ can't still reach you, even in the deepest, darkest pit this world and satan has pulled them in.

1/2 down and 20 1/2 to go!!! ;-)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!