I am learning:
- I can do it!
- I can survive on less.
- I can overcome temptation.
- I'm less fond of salad than I was before.
- I feel closer to God.
- My prayers matter.
- I'm at peace about requests that are currently open ended.
- It's easier to fast when most of your friends and family are doing it.
- I feel closer to the church.
- I've discovered some interesting ways to do veggies.
- Caffeine has had a pretty serious grip on me.
- The scriptures are coming alive again.
- A headache is not the end of the world.
- Looking for ways to eat differently has been fun to do with my wife.
- I'm gaining a fresh respect for the church.
- I can loose 15 pounds.
- I've encountered a lot of resistance.
- I have a greater respect for Jesus.
- Water's really not too bad.
- I don't do this enough.
- Let's do this again.
What are you learning?
I have learned that the more I deny myself, the more God reveals Himself… it has been SO good.
Comment by Steve Murphy — January 30, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
I have re-learned a truth that Pastor Greg has reminded me not to deny. My family has started setting aside that which belongs to the God first and discovered His promise to exceed my needs is so amazing. Thank you Pastor Greg for teaching God’s word.
Comment by Taft Navarro — January 30, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
I’ve learned that fasting makes me think of God, every time I miss the things I’m fasting. That reminds me of who I really am, and that I belong to Him!
Comment by Michael Overcash — January 30, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
I fully expected to hear from God about some personal struggles (and have!)but what I did not expect, was for him to keep repeating the word ‘Hamas’ in my head (five days into the fast)at work. I ignored it until it got very loud,it kind of freaked me out! I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with that, so I started praying for Isreal and have been since. Sounds dumb, but I don’t think I’ve ever prayed for Isreal. It took me out of my “needs” and put me where God needed me!
Comment by Johanne Hussey — January 30, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
I woke up this morning. The fast was over, but I woke up really hungering and thirsting for God. I just was quiet for about an hour and a half meditating on the Lord and randomly praying for various things. It was really really good! I think it took me 21 days for the Lord to get me to be where he wanted me to be.
Comment by Jerry Miner — February 1, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
I am still processing all that I have learned thru the fast. I have felt more closer to our Church than ever, and want to do more and enjoy more with the gifts God has given me. I have had more personal struggles in my life in the past three years, than ever, and now more than ever, I need Christ and a Church that I feel close to and can grow with. Thank You Pastor Greg and all of the leaders for what you do each day for us. I love being a part of this journey.
Comment by Rebecca G. — February 2, 2009 @ 11:14 am
First off……….Hats off to our amazing Seacoast Pastoral staff and family!! My husband and I just did the fast and I am actually thinking of continuing until he completes a big project for work. I have really been enlightened by many things and so has my husband since fasting. As a stay at home mother, wife and aspiring businesswoman, to name a few, I got a huge sense of God telling me that it is “ok” to be a mom!! I am reminded of Pastor Shawn’s message a few months ago about being great at one thing, not a million. I often struggle with that whole idea of being “important” and receiving accolades from friends now instead of co-workers and employers. The Lord gently reminded me that it was simply “ok” to be a great mom to our 3 wonderful children and a great wife to an awesome husband.
Thank you Pastor Greg for being so transparent and real!! What a breath of fresh air!!
Shon Valdry
Comment by Shon Valdry — February 2, 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Dear Greg, My last long term forcast! The 10 things I have learned from this amazing fast!
Trust in experienced forcasters, that have taken the road less traveled. Listen well, they will guide you away from the pitfalls in lifes journey.
1) The fog is always temporary, it will always lift when the sun shines through (this too shall pass)!
2) Life consists of high amd low tides, but if the water is calm, you will always be able to navigate. God has become my personal GPS system, he has always been there to show me the way, I just never pluged him in untll recently!!!
3) Stand still, listen for the direction of the wind, it will softy carry you.
4) Wind shear, will always try to throw you off course, sand firm in your beleifs, it will always keep you steady.
5)Thunder & Lighting, I am a sinner!!! God will reveal my sins, I will ask forgiveness, thats what happens when someone really loves you!!!
6) Commitment to my course and relationship with God. It must be built on firm ground, not in quicksand!
7) The mirage that appears in relationships that are not pure or true, Surrounding myself with people that lift me up! not trying to tear me down!
9) The whirlwinds in lifes adventure. I always felt that I never had a safe or soft place to land! Always standing watch, always waiting for the next storm over the horizion. Wow, have I wasted a lot of time and energy!!! Trust in God, he is always with you, he will not let you fall, he will just carry you untill you get your land legs back!
10) No one promised me “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. However the colors I see now, I think are even more beautiful!!! It truely is the simple things in God’s creation, that makes this life very special! I tell the people I know and care about, that I love them! I thank God for allowing my feet to hit the ground every morning, a start to a new special day. I praise God, for the grace he has revealed to me. Most important, I am never alone!!!
I do understand that there will be stormy weather ahead. However, I have learned and obtained many tools that will help guide and sustain me in my life journey
Comment by Kimberly A. Spangler — February 4, 2009 @ 5:32 am
Thank you so much for encouraging the whole church to fast together. I think that’s why I had any degree of success. Plus, we always have potluck dinner before our small group study and it was a fun way to share how many ways there are to cook vegetables.
I agree with you, Pastor, that we don’t do this enough and I am ready and willing to try this again. Thank you.
Comment by Lynne Rock — February 4, 2009 @ 10:02 am
Pastor Greg,
I just have to share this piece of news because I am so excited! My aunt lives in Asheville. As a child she was raised in a Baptist church but turned her back on Jesus as an adult. She now attends a Unitarian church and lacking a better way to put it mixes and matches religions. Well…when she saw the article in the newspaper she called me and told me how wonderful and inspiring our church sounds. They are coming to visit next weekend and she can’t wait to visit our church and learn more about it. Thank God!! I love the way he works!
Comment by Candace Martin — February 13, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
Why not do this during Ramadan, as an expression of solidarity with your Muslim brothers and sisters? Fasting is not only about Jesus (your #18).
Comment by Davi S. — February 23, 2009 @ 5:18 pm