We've successfully navigated beyond the half-way mark. I'd like to say it is getting easier, but it isn't. More tolerable, yes; easier, no. The headaches are back with a vengeance. Especially today. I did manage to make it through the entire day with no emails from restaurants...so that was a plus. HOWEVER....tonight was the first student bible study at school. And they brought all the 'fixins' for tacos. It was just wrong...all that taco meat and cheese and flour tortillas. I enjoyed watching everyone enjoy their tacos (he says with just a hint of sarcasm). One of the students is a fellow Elevator and she is DanielFasting also - so we comiserated with one another before and after bible study. Then, on the way home I had to stop at HT for some chips to go with my salsa (no, not seltzer, salsa!).
Tonight at dinner we (we being Tonya) experimented a bit based loosely on a suggestion from another Elevator. Lettuce, spinach, corn, black beans, crushed tortilla chips and a lime/cilantro dressing. It was pretty good. It went nicely with my salsa (people like to....OK, I'll stop)
Today was John 11. Great chapter - lots of applicable things here. The verse that has made me think the most is the end of verse 44. Just after Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus says, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." I have to admit that I pimped this off of Larry Brey, but the question just floored me. What grave clothes are you still wearing? The story of Lazarus shows Jesus' power over death, his ability to resurrect us. Just like he did all of us who have confessed that we believe in him. Yet I can't help but think about all the "stuff" I continue to drag behind me from my past...hate, guilt, pride, anger, etc...my grave clothes. It's so simple. TAKE THEM OFF! He has released me from ALL of it by dying in my place. Hallelujah!
There are like 10 more things I could write about here, but I just have to point to the back and forth in verses 11-14. It's borderline comical. I can almost picture Jesus whispering under his breath, "Lazarus is dead, (you moron!)..."
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
DanielFast - Day 10
So, my wife thought it would be funny to forward an email containing pictures of food from Macaroni Grill...including a coupon for free desert. She's just sooo funny! Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Breakfast and lunch were, well, you know. For dinner we sampled the black bean soup with polenta. It was quite good! Had me some more chips and salsa as well. Yummy.
We're rapidly nearing the half-way point. (It's actually tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, not that I'm counting the seconds or anything) It's been a humbling and challenging experience. I can't imagine completely abstaining from food during a real fast.
Today we read John 10. In verse 10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Lord Jesus, whether I'm materially rich or poor, I pray for the full life that you have promised to those who seek you.
Breakfast and lunch were, well, you know. For dinner we sampled the black bean soup with polenta. It was quite good! Had me some more chips and salsa as well. Yummy.
We're rapidly nearing the half-way point. (It's actually tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, not that I'm counting the seconds or anything) It's been a humbling and challenging experience. I can't imagine completely abstaining from food during a real fast.
Today we read John 10. In verse 10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Lord Jesus, whether I'm materially rich or poor, I pray for the full life that you have promised to those who seek you.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
DanielFast - Day 9
The cravings....I feel like a crack addict or something. So many times today I was tempted to reward myself with a diet Pepsi. Especially after receiving coupons via email from Lone Star Steakhouse and Qdoba today. I just have to laugh.
Tonya came through again today. I was really busy all day and my Kashi cereal for breakfast and PBnJ for lunch didn't go very far. I came home to a fresh bowl of homemade salsa (people like to say salsa!). Major dopamine release. It's the best salsa in the world!
Today was John 9. The entire chapter speaks to spiritual blindness. I like verse 3. It's very comforting to be reminded that God is in control of everything.
Tonya came through again today. I was really busy all day and my Kashi cereal for breakfast and PBnJ for lunch didn't go very far. I came home to a fresh bowl of homemade salsa (people like to say salsa!). Major dopamine release. It's the best salsa in the world!
Today was John 9. The entire chapter speaks to spiritual blindness. I like verse 3. It's very comforting to be reminded that God is in control of everything.
Monday, August 25, 2008
DanielFast - Day 8
Today has been the most difficult day, by far. I find that interesting given that the Elevation blog world is lit up with posts and twitter about the weekend. Maybe we're on to something here....maybe satan doesn't like it...so he taunts me with 24 million fast food restaurants to and from work...and an office full of diet pepsi...and a stocked vending machine begging for the mountain of change in my office...and ads on TV every 1.5 minutes for pizza or steak or pretty much everything except tofu stir-fry...and maybe I say GET THEE BEHIND ME! You're blocking my view of Jesus.
Today's menu did have a new item. Breakfast and lunch were similar to days past, but at dinner we ventured down the road of tofu. My only experience with tofu is the Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Deborah molds the tofu into the shape of a turkey and serves it on Thanksgiving. So, you could say I had some preconceived ideas about how it was going to taste. All things considered, it wasn't too bad. It really doesn't taste like anything, but the consistency was a bit....different. I'm grateful to have a wife that is supporting this effort. She's made it infinitely easier than it could have been.
Today was John 8. The first part of the chapter is John's recording of the woman accused of adultery. (In the flesh, I really wish we knew what Jesus wrote in the sand) Verse 11 gives me hope. Lord Jesus, you are my hope.
Today's menu did have a new item. Breakfast and lunch were similar to days past, but at dinner we ventured down the road of tofu. My only experience with tofu is the Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Deborah molds the tofu into the shape of a turkey and serves it on Thanksgiving. So, you could say I had some preconceived ideas about how it was going to taste. All things considered, it wasn't too bad. It really doesn't taste like anything, but the consistency was a bit....different. I'm grateful to have a wife that is supporting this effort. She's made it infinitely easier than it could have been.
Today was John 8. The first part of the chapter is John's recording of the woman accused of adultery. (In the flesh, I really wish we knew what Jesus wrote in the sand) Verse 11 gives me hope. Lord Jesus, you are my hope.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
DanielFast Days 5-7
Nothing remarkably exciting in terms of food over the past few days. Pretty much more of the same. I did have to break the fast a bit on Friday and Saturday as I was in Hilton Head, SC at a conference (3 of my meals were included in the registration). I did the best I could to maintain it, but with permission from Tonya I did have to deviate here and there. I'm back at it again today.
More important than any of that is the news I just received from my small group leader ... 400+ salvations today! Praise God! Certainly none of these people got saved as a result of any of our individual or collective efforts over the past week. But God has definitely heard the cry of our heart for Charlotte and responded in a big way today. Hallelujah!
Sidenote: During a very creative, artistic display during the service, the worship band sang this...live! Bass drum and all! It was awesome!
More important than any of that is the news I just received from my small group leader ... 400+ salvations today! Praise God! Certainly none of these people got saved as a result of any of our individual or collective efforts over the past week. But God has definitely heard the cry of our heart for Charlotte and responded in a big way today. Hallelujah!
Sidenote: During a very creative, artistic display during the service, the worship band sang this...live! Bass drum and all! It was awesome!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
DanielFast - Day 4
It's definitely getting easier...with the exception of 2 things. First: I am desperate for a glass of tea or a diet Pepsi . Just something with flavor. Ugh! That's one of my rewards after I lecture: come back to my office and crack open a freezing cold diet Pepsi. Now: a plastic cup full of room temperature water. Second: I want something sweet! I can't remember ever going this long without sugar. I am having serious withdrawal. I am craving it!
Today's menu:
Breakfast: oatmeal with apple stuff and cinnamon; OJ; water
Lunch: all natural PB-n-J, banana, water
Dinner: Salad with homemade dressing and croutons, spaghetti with homemade "sauce", homemade whole wheat bread with pesto (sans parmessan); water
Today was John 4. Verse 48 is Jesus' response to a man who is begging Jesus to come and heal his son. Jesus says, "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders...you will never believe." Makes me wonder how many times I've asked God to prove himself to me despite all I've read and seen and experienced, despite His grace and mercy. Lord Jesus, we praise you for your word and for the miraculous healings that you are still doing in all of us.
Today's menu:
Breakfast: oatmeal with apple stuff and cinnamon; OJ; water
Lunch: all natural PB-n-J, banana, water
Dinner: Salad with homemade dressing and croutons, spaghetti with homemade "sauce", homemade whole wheat bread with pesto (sans parmessan); water
Today was John 4. Verse 48 is Jesus' response to a man who is begging Jesus to come and heal his son. Jesus says, "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders...you will never believe." Makes me wonder how many times I've asked God to prove himself to me despite all I've read and seen and experienced, despite His grace and mercy. Lord Jesus, we praise you for your word and for the miraculous healings that you are still doing in all of us.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
DanielFast - Day 3
Tonya went to the store today to pick up some items for the fast and returned to tell me some cool stories. One of the items she was looking for was vegetable stock to make some beans or soup or something. All brands, all sizes...gone! Natural peanut butter...gone! Elevators are shuttin' the place down! There are so many DanielFasters running around the Charlotte area that they can't keep the shelves stocked. Praise God! What an honor it is to be part of a church that gets it.
Today's menu:
Breakfast: more oatmeal, this time I put some natural applesauce stuff on it, helped a lot; OJ
Lunch: Natural PB-n-J on homemade bread; pink lady apple; water
Snack: leftover chips-n-salsa
Dinner: rice and beans and polenta; water
Today we read out of John 3. The verse that sticks out to me is verse 30. John the Baptist is responding to people telling him that Jesus is becoming more popular than he is. John says, "He must become greater; I must become less." Wow! There is a lot packed into that one sentence. You could pattern your entire life after that one sentence. Lord Jesus, help me to live a life whose focus is to make you famous.
Today's menu:
Breakfast: more oatmeal, this time I put some natural applesauce stuff on it, helped a lot; OJ
Lunch: Natural PB-n-J on homemade bread; pink lady apple; water
Snack: leftover chips-n-salsa
Dinner: rice and beans and polenta; water
Today we read out of John 3. The verse that sticks out to me is verse 30. John the Baptist is responding to people telling him that Jesus is becoming more popular than he is. John says, "He must become greater; I must become less." Wow! There is a lot packed into that one sentence. You could pattern your entire life after that one sentence. Lord Jesus, help me to live a life whose focus is to make you famous.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
DanielFast - Day 2
Today was a bit more challenging. The caffeine headache officially set in yesterday...although I've had worse during previous stretches of going caffeine free. Plus, I was so busy at work that I didn't have time to eat all of my already limited amount of food at lunch. So, I came home ravenous. Enter my superhero wife. Homemade salsa (people like to say salsa!), organic white corn chips and homemade whole wheat tortillas. I walked in the door and it was on! Between Caleb and I we consumed half of the bag of chips before "dinner" even got started. Talk about comfort food. :) OK, so here's the food rundown for Day 2.
Breakfast: same oatmeal as yesterday plus some raisins (didn't help much) and more OJ
Lunch: leftover pasta and tomatoes from the night before; water
Dinner: chips, salsa, whole wheat tortillas, homemade refried beans (out of dried pintos); water
Today we read John 2. A few things stood out to me today. In verse 4 Jesus is replying to Mary after she tells Him that they are out of wine at the wedding. He says, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." This reminded me of God's timing. I may be doing exactly what God wants me to do, but if I'm doing it at the wrong time (i.e. rushing in when God tells me to wait) it most likely won't turn out the way God intended. The other verse that stands out is Jesus telling of his death and resurrection 3 years before it happens in verse 19. "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days." No one knew what he was talking about at the time, but John goes on a few verses later to describe how after the resurrection the disciples remembered Jesus saying this and it increased their faith. That's just cool! Jesus knew the impact of this one statement 3 years before it actually had an impact. It makes me think of all the limitations I put on God and how, at times, I try to keep him at arms length instead of just putting it ALL on the table and letting Him use it for His glory. Lord Jesus, help me to reach and recognize my tipping point - for your glory.
Breakfast: same oatmeal as yesterday plus some raisins (didn't help much) and more OJ
Lunch: leftover pasta and tomatoes from the night before; water
Dinner: chips, salsa, whole wheat tortillas, homemade refried beans (out of dried pintos); water
Today we read John 2. A few things stood out to me today. In verse 4 Jesus is replying to Mary after she tells Him that they are out of wine at the wedding. He says, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." This reminded me of God's timing. I may be doing exactly what God wants me to do, but if I'm doing it at the wrong time (i.e. rushing in when God tells me to wait) it most likely won't turn out the way God intended. The other verse that stands out is Jesus telling of his death and resurrection 3 years before it happens in verse 19. "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days." No one knew what he was talking about at the time, but John goes on a few verses later to describe how after the resurrection the disciples remembered Jesus saying this and it increased their faith. That's just cool! Jesus knew the impact of this one statement 3 years before it actually had an impact. It makes me think of all the limitations I put on God and how, at times, I try to keep him at arms length instead of just putting it ALL on the table and letting Him use it for His glory. Lord Jesus, help me to reach and recognize my tipping point - for your glory.
Monday, August 18, 2008
DanielFast - Day 1b
We've just completed our first 24 hours. I think I lost 18 pounds. Here's a rundown of what I enjoyed at my meals today:
Breakfast: steel cut oatmeal (prepared with water) "enhanced" with honey and cinnamon; 100% juice OJ (no sugar added)
Lunch: natural peanut butter on homemade yeastless (i.e. unleavened) whole wheat bread "enhanced" with honey and a banana; pink lady apple; water
Dinner: whole wheat pasta with diced tomatoes, salad with homemade whole wheat croutons and homemade dressing, green beans, homemade whole wheat bruschetta; water
Overall, today hasn't been too bad. I'm going to have to experiment a bit with the oatmeal to make it a bit more tolerable. Also, putting a banana on a sandwich 5 hours before you eat it - bad idea. Probably the hardest thing today was not raiding my stash of granola bars or the refrigerator full of diet Pepsi in my office.
As I mentioned below, we're reading the book of John corporately as we fast and move through the new sermon series. Today was John 1. My favorite verse and prayer out of this chapter is from John 1:51 ... "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Lord Jesus, I pray that the heavens would open over Charlotte!
Breakfast: steel cut oatmeal (prepared with water) "enhanced" with honey and cinnamon; 100% juice OJ (no sugar added)
Lunch: natural peanut butter on homemade yeastless (i.e. unleavened) whole wheat bread "enhanced" with honey and a banana; pink lady apple; water
Dinner: whole wheat pasta with diced tomatoes, salad with homemade whole wheat croutons and homemade dressing, green beans, homemade whole wheat bruschetta; water
Overall, today hasn't been too bad. I'm going to have to experiment a bit with the oatmeal to make it a bit more tolerable. Also, putting a banana on a sandwich 5 hours before you eat it - bad idea. Probably the hardest thing today was not raiding my stash of granola bars or the refrigerator full of diet Pepsi in my office.
As I mentioned below, we're reading the book of John corporately as we fast and move through the new sermon series. Today was John 1. My favorite verse and prayer out of this chapter is from John 1:51 ... "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Lord Jesus, I pray that the heavens would open over Charlotte!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
DanielFast - Day 1
The What
Tonya and I will begin participating in the DanielFast at Elevation tonight. The short version of the story is: we don't get to eat anything "American." No meat, dairy, caffeine, or products with added sugar. While I have made significant progress in improving my overall diet from my twice daily Taco Bell runs of years ago, I'm far from being voted mayor of Boulder, CO. So, this is going to be tough...which I guess is the point.
The Why
We're entering into a new season at church and we're anticipating that God is going to move mightily. (There have been so many miraculous things happen at this church...the salvations, the attendance, the baptisms, a new campus in uptown Charlotte...its just hard to imagine with my finite mind how much more HE could possibly do. I can't wait to witness it...) In order to prepare ourselves for our part in what is about to happen, the church is entering into this time of corporate study, prayer and "fasting." The new series for which we are all preparing starts next Sunday and concludes September 8th. I'll try to keep everyone updated with the happenings at church and all the crazy stuff I'm about to eat over the next 3 weeks. Who knows...maybe I'll look like this when it's over.
Tonya and I will begin participating in the DanielFast at Elevation tonight. The short version of the story is: we don't get to eat anything "American." No meat, dairy, caffeine, or products with added sugar. While I have made significant progress in improving my overall diet from my twice daily Taco Bell runs of years ago, I'm far from being voted mayor of Boulder, CO. So, this is going to be tough...which I guess is the point.
The Why
We're entering into a new season at church and we're anticipating that God is going to move mightily. (There have been so many miraculous things happen at this church...the salvations, the attendance, the baptisms, a new campus in uptown Charlotte...its just hard to imagine with my finite mind how much more HE could possibly do. I can't wait to witness it...) In order to prepare ourselves for our part in what is about to happen, the church is entering into this time of corporate study, prayer and "fasting." The new series for which we are all preparing starts next Sunday and concludes September 8th. I'll try to keep everyone updated with the happenings at church and all the crazy stuff I'm about to eat over the next 3 weeks. Who knows...maybe I'll look like this when it's over.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Classic Scene Friday
What's amazing about this is that I distinctly remember seeing this live the first time it was played on TV in 1985...and I remember the names of 90% of the artists who performed. Great...now I'm depressed. :)
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