Try Something New

Tonight we tried something completely new. Black Bean Burgers. Very Interesting and honestly not too bad. I would have never tried it if I hadn't been partaking in the Daniel Fast. Why would I? But because I"m tired of eating the same thing I stretched myself and tried something new.

Which is a reminder about Faith. Sometime we should step out of our comfort zone and try something different. Stretch our faith and do something new. That's the way faith grows. That's the way we expand our horizons.

The Daniel fast causes me to try something new, and hopefully inspire my faith to try something different as well.

Pastor Kevin

Thank the Lord for What you have

Last night it happened. For the first time since the begining of my Daniel fast I thought I really would like some meat. Another Baked Potoato just didn't seem to cut it and to be honest I'm kind of tired of Salad honestly between you and me I want a hamburger. That doesn't sound spiritual but it's true.

Which causes me to think and understand this I should be thankful for what I have to eat. Thank you Lord for this food bless and nourish it to my body in Jesus name amen. That's the standard prayer at the Ward house. How many times are we really thankful for the food we have, the blessing of good food, and the nourishment it brings.

I have a good friend who is struggling now to keep food down. He's lost tons of weight and down to 122 pounds. He would be so grateful for food now. I look at the people on TV in Haiti and think they would be so thankful for any food right now. Maybe the Daniel fast should be a reminder to all of us. Thank you Lord for this food.

Just a thought.

Pastor Kevin

Raise Your Expectations

Great day at church yesterday. There was such an expectation of what God is doing in our church. I preached on tithing and almost everyone still came back Sunday night.

Expectations are lifted in a season of tithing. What are your expectations for the new year. What are your expectations for you, your family, and your church. Fasting will inspire you to lift them up a notch and inspire you to better things. So go ahead and dream so new dreams. Raise your expectations that's what tithing does.

Powerful Fasting Scripture

Sorry I missed blogging yesterday. I hope your fasting season is going well. Look at it this way we're almost 1/3 of the way through. I hope you will keep dedicating your fast to God, praying for miracles, setting aside time to pray, and trusting God for Good things.

Last night Tammie read me a powerful scripture from the Message version of John 6 verse 27 states; Don't wast your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.

What a powerful scripture for our 21 day fast. I'm praying for food that will last in 2010.

Praying for you and you pray for me.

Pastor Kevin

I'm definatly more sensitive.

This morning I went to breakfast with some men from the church. We went to the normal breakfast place and when I walked through the door the smell was incredible. Ham, Sausage, Bacon, and Eggs ( I don't even like eggs) and it all smelled so good. I've never noticed how good it smells before. Apparently fasting makes my nose more sensitive to great smells.

Which leads me to another thing. How fasting can help us be more sensitive to other things as well. More sensitive to God's voice, more sensitive to promptings, more sensitive to hearing the needs of others. That's just what fasting does it makes us more sensitive.

So keep going. Stay sensitive and believe that God is doing something great.

I'm praying for you, and you pray for me.

Pastor Kevin

Daniels Day

Welcome to day number four. I have transitioned my fast from an absolute fast to a Daniel fast. I'm sensing the Lord speaking to my and endeavoring to stay sensitive to his voice. I hope you are still doing well.

I have been encouraged as I continue to hear bits and snipits of things people are fasting and dedicating to God. Everything from Tobacco products to eating out.

I know God will honor your fast. Keeping it short today so.......
Until tomorrow.
I'm praying for you and you pray for me.

Pastor Kevin

Where did it all begin

Hey Guys I hope your fast is going well. Hunger pains have kind of passed for me and I just feel like there's a pit in the middle of my stomach. Don't forget to drink plenty of water. I spice mine up with lemon juice and some sweetener. It makes it more bearable.

I read the third chapter of John with you today and was drawn to verse 6 where the bible states, flesh gives birth to flesh and spirit gives birth to spirit. I believe that is what we are doing at Central Assembly. That is the purpose of this fast to give birth to something spiritual. You don't earn God's blessing by Fasting, but I do believe you can give birth to something spiritual significant for the rest of the year in your life.

Continue on. I'm praying for you and you pray for me.

Pastor Kevin

I'm Hungry

Day 2 of our 21 day fast and I have an admission I'm HUNGRY.

Today I woke up with Mathew 5:6 on my heart which states "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness for they shall be filled." HUNGER is a unique thing. I woke up this morning with my stomach saying there's something going on here, and my head saying where is the caffeine, and my body kind of in a daze.

That's one of the purposes of fasting. I'm supposed to be reminded that just in the same way that I may be hungry now I'm supposed to be just as HUNGRY for the things of God, just as hungry for righteousness, and aware of his presence and absence in my life.

Rarely am I ever HUNGRY. I eat by the clock, don't go to long between meals, and throw a few snacks in between. But today's a different story. I'm reminded of what it feels like to be hungry and how I need to feel about God.

I'm praying for you and I hope you're praying for me.

Pastor Kevin

Going Through the Motions

Welcome to day number one of our 21 day fast. Day number one is one of the most difficult days. Why? Because I'm so used to doing things out of habit. Whether it's drinking a diet coke, reaching in the candy jar, or heading down to Sonic I can do any or all those things without thinking. Now I'm telling myself to stop and think about what I do when they normally come second nature to me. Which obviously brings me to the question I ask myself. How many other times do I simply do things without thinking about the cost? Do I respond in anger to other people, do I make decisions without praying, or do I sit for hours and watch a T.V. show and never consider how I'm using my time? One of the purposes' of fasting is saying, "I don't want to go through the motions I want to think about what I do with my life.

I'm praying for you, you pray for me.
Pastor

Fear is a natural feeling when you take on something new. Even though I've fasted for 21 days before I still find myself worried about a number of different things. Will I have enough strength, will I make it, what about caffeine headaches.

Again the basics of fasting are dedicating your fast to God, and believing he will bless your efforts. Remember to not just make this about food. Set aside extra time to read the bible, do your devotions, and of course pray.

I believe God will smile on us over the next 21 days. I'll be praying for you and you pray for me.

Pastor Kevin