My 40 Day Fast

Today I am exhausted and it was one of the hardest days since the 1st three days.

Between the very hot weather and shopping at very crowded stores for school supplies and feeling tired and psychological hunger--I am pooped!

There must have been 10 times I wanted to eat. I could smell the food of others and it is so challenging to get past it and not give in--incredibly challenging actually.

People eating all around you can drive you crazy, If you have fasted before, you know exactly what I mean.

Then you think about the food you are going to eat after you are done with the fast. I have today planned the side dish and dessert I am taking to my mom's house for Thanksgiving. LOL!

I can feel I am going through a detox right now. Once my body gets through it, I should feel much better. The majority of detoxes only last about three days, thankfully.

I can barely keep my eyes open, I need to get myself to bed! Until tomorrow!

Posted by Mari at 11:49 PM 2 comments  

God is great? --all the time! All the time? --God is great!

I am actually enjoying my fasting journey!

Have you ever been on some kind of a journey like really looking at yourself and taking action to make the changes you need and then even though you can't see full results of your effort, you know the end result is going to be great, even life-changing. That is how I feel about this fast. I just can sense and feel some breakthroughs right around the corner.

I once heard:

How true that is! I already feel the changes within me starting to happen!

Today, was a very hot Saturday, around 105 degrees. (Yesterday - 120 degrees.) So, as soon as I got my worship and prayer in I went outside to spend time in my garden before the song came out strong. I love being in my garden, it always makes me feel close to God.

I put a pumpkin seed in a pot and then about 10 days later a little pumkin plant pops its little head out! You get a sense of awe and wonder at our Creator's handiwork!

Yes, it is all explained in science, but remember, the Bible is not a science book, yet it is scientifically accurate.

I wonder how can anyone deny there is a Creator when his signs and wonder are all around us: In the cry of a newborn infant, in the face of a sleeping baby, in the laughter of children, In the safety of your daddy's arms, in the comfort in your mother's hugs, in the letting go of your child on the first day of kindergarten, in the joy of true friendship, in the kindness of a stranger, in the romance of a wedding day, in the solace found in unconditional love, in the final goodbye of a loved one, in the knowing of eternal life in heaven at the end of this life on Earth.

His presence is everywhere, can you feel it?!

Posted by Mari at 10:59 PM 2 comments  

Yeah! 1 week (only about 5 weeks left--LOL)!

My body feels so much healthier! Even my skin feels softer.

I am thirsty, very, very thirsty, especially in the evening, so naturally I am drinking ALOT of water.

My fast is a water fast. About 2-3 times a day a put about 1-2 tbsp. of raw, organic, apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. And the rest of the time I drink pure water followed by more pure water!

I feel like some internal changes are going on with my body--good changes and I am so much more in tune with my body, my emotions, and such.

At one point today, I was so busy and dealing with so many things at the same time and all I wanted to do was come home and relax and eat a good meal--even though I wasn't really hungry.

Fasting reveals all our "emotional eating", and really helps you gain control of your flesh and when you really gain control of the flesh--that discipline spills out into all other areas of your life.

Everyone should fast just for that very reason!

Unfortunately, many people do not want to dethrown "king stomach"!!

Until tomorrow~!

Posted by Mari at 11:40 PM 2 comments  

Today was the best day yet! I had more energy and my moods were much balanced.

I think what happens is too many people give up on a fast because of detox and such and they never get to the "sweet spot" of fasting. The time where you just feel great and hopeful, you have this great energy and craving food is no longer a strong issue.

You see what happens is when you eat, then a lot of your body's energy is spent on masticating, digesting, and such. Then when you fast your body has more energy and no toxins (pesticides, fillers, chemicals, etc.) from food coming in and so now it can take this energy and "clean house" ---detoxify!

Unless you live in a bubble with perfectly clean air and water and 100% organic food and never breathing cleaning product chemicals and such, then you must detox on a regular basis, and fasting is THE BEST way!

Praying and getting in the word and worship always make a difference, but when you are fasting it is so much more powerful!

Remember:

When you pray, God gets your attention,
but when you pray and fast YOU get God's attention!

You can worship, get into your Bible, and pray during your regular meal times when you would normally be eating.

One thing that really helped me a lot today is spending more time in worship this morning. It just filled me up! You could have placed a delicious meal in front of me and I would not care to eat. In the late afternoon, I even went to get a few groceries and spent time in the kitchen doing the mom thing and nope--not one problem--no cravings!

One of my favorite songs is "How Great Is Our God" by Chris Tomlin

The words to this song are soo beautiful! In the video below you can watch Chris Tomlin singing this wonderful song! Take a few minutes and focus on the Name above all names, the One Worthy of our praise!

The lyrics are below the video so you can sing along! Oh, come on, let your heart sing with me, How great is our God!

Posted by Mari at 8:50 PM 3 comments  

Yeah! I have completed the fifth day of my fast! Only 35 more to go! Yikes! That sounds crazy~! LOL!

I am not hungry at all, but do continue to crave food, especially when I see people eating around me.

I used to think that maybe that is one reason Jesus went to the desert to fast for 40 days. But, no, after all, he was (and is) the Son of God and he could have at anytime changed some rocks into bread! He could have even made a big banquet appear out of nowhere if he wanted.



Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:1-4

Jesus, the Son of God, had not eaten in 40 days and was tempted as he was hungry in the flesh, BUT, he was filled with the spirit.

He knew that food has no eternal value. It goes in the stomach and is then digested and eliminated.

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? Matthew 15:17

But the word of God IS eternal.

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25

So today and for 40 days I will abstain from food and turn instead to feed my spirit with that which is eternal.

It has not been easy and it won't be easy, but I have a great example to follow!

Today, I had a little miracle happen that will benefit my business. The phone call came at just the perfect timing. I knew it was a "God Wink" to stay the course--the best is yet to come.

I truly believe that many do not ever reach their God-given potential in all areas of their life because they do not make use of the most power weapon we have been given in fasting!

Fasting cleans your body physically, but it also cleans you spiritually, emotionally, mentally, etc. And by fasting you destroy many hindrances that have kept you from many blessings in your life.

Lives are changed through fasting. Health is regained, finances blessed, and relationships restored.

Jesus Christ began his ministry here on Earth by fasting for 40 days. Had he been able to achieve what he needed to in his ministry and at the cross without fasting, he might have. But he knew that what he needed to do would only be possible by fasting.

I leave you with this thought:

If the Son of the Almighty himself needed to Fast to accomplish what he needed to accomplish here on Earth, how much more do we need to fast?

Posted by Mari at 10:19 PM 2 comments  

Today was the easiest of all the days so far!

I am now past the initial 3 days--which in any fast are always the hardest. If you can get past the first three days, you can rest assured that the worst is behind you.

My hunger is pretty much gone now as well, although I still crave food. I can smell food much better. You see when you fast your senses all get stronger and sharper--especially, your sense of smell, I think.

I can never get over how at a time when you are not eating any food you can smell all the food and all the meals being cooked around you so intensely. The irony.

In fact, my nose is telling me that my neighbor two doors down is baking cookies and my neighbor across the street is heating up a pizza --Just kidding, but seriously, as you continue a fast your sense of smell gets stronger.

I guess in that sense, dogs and fasters have something in common! LOL!

My moods were more balanced today as well. More at peace.

I am thirsty a lot. During a fast your body begins to rapidly detox. Your body then needs more water than usual to carry the toxins out of your body.

I feel stronger and a little more energetic today than the past few days, and I am focused on my goal. I am more in touch with my emotions, as well. Fasting does bring emotional clarity!

My desire to growing closer to Jesus Christ is growing as well! If you ever feel like you are in a spiritual rut-- FAST!

I am actually very excited about my fast and the experience I will have through this journey!!

Posted by Mari at 11:54 PM 2 comments  

Well, it is no wonder to me why so many give up on fasting! It is an incredibly hard challenge.

We tend to forget that the rewards however, are even more incredible!

Today, I have been cranky and tired and had a little headache for awhile--all signs that the fast is working (detox).

I have been soo hungry--thinking it is Monday and I haven't ate since Friday. Going grocery shopping was torture as I can't eat any of the foods.

Even making my son two sandwiches and pink lemonade was a battle of strength.

I have to remind myself why it is I am fasting--
(written on the very first post of this blog).

I am looking forward to day 5 when the hunger goes away.

The hunger only lasts for three to four days and then it becomes more of a psychological battle as we miss food and eating and the satisfaction it brings.

Interestingly, writing this journal on my fasting journey has helped in keeping me accountable. I DO NOT want to have to write a post saying that I gave up on this life-changing journey!

I know that is a reason I decided to write my experiences here--to keep me accountable and to encourage me to not give up! Writing my thoughts also helps so much.

Mostly though, I hope, in my own small way, I can help encourage someone to fast and draw closer to their savior, Jesus Christ by fasting. It would be such an honor to be used by God in such a way. God does not count on our ability, but our availabilty.

As I was putting away groceries and cleaning my kitchen after my children's dinner, I was so tempted to eat. I take those moments and say quick prayers--that always help!

Nevertheless, I was feeling worn down from the fast and then later, I got online to check my email and to write this post and I found an article that talks about Michele Bachmann (a U.S. congresswoman from Minnesota) asking for people to fast and pray to stop the misleading and dangerous healthcare reform that Obama is currently trying to pass no matter what.

You can read what I wrote about the article and the article itself here: http://revelationsoftruth.blogspot.com/2009/08/healthcare-reform-and-wicked-generation.html

What she said actually encouraged me to keep moving forward. I can only imagine what would happen if more people really fasted and prayed! The miracles that would rain upon this nation!

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 14

"Humble" in the verse above refers to fasting.

I do not think it is a coincidence, in this day and age that a government official (despite mocking and ridicule) has asked for fasting and prayer from the american people. And I also do not think it is a coincidence that I happened to read about her comments when I was feeling so defeated.

It was a reminder of the eternal value fasting has as opposed to the temporary value of eating.

It is a struggle, a challenge, and a sacrifice, but the rewards are immeasurable and incomparable!

I pray that anyone reading this, will humble themselves (fast) and pray and seek the face of God!

Until tomorrow, goodnight and God bless!

Posted by Mari at 11:19 PM 4 comments  

Today was actually harder than yesterday. I am hungry. My thirst has increased--as is typical with a fast.

On my fast I am drinking nothing but water (more, a lot more water, than usual), and obviously no food.

A couple of times throughout the day, I add raw, organic apple cider vinegar (about 1-2 tablespoons) to a glass of water. This helps speed up the cleansing and detox process. Plus, it helps me to not feel faint while fasting.

I realized today, just how deeply we are attached to food and eating. We eat food for everything!

On happy occasions, we celebrate with food and good meals.

On sad occasions, we feed ourselves and others, as a form of nurturing.

Meeting with family or friends usually involves food of some type.

Then of course, there is comfort food, such as a bowl of ice cream along with a good movie.

Through fasting and by denying yourself food, it almost feels unnatural, and yet freeing in a way, as you gain control of your flesh and not the other way around.

On to day three tomorrow!

Posted by Mari at 11:43 PM 4 comments  

Well, the 1st day of a Fast is always one of the hardest!

And today, Saturday, August 22, 2009, the 1st day of my 40 day fast was no exception!

It is almost midnight and I have completed the 1st day! Yeah!

I have been thirsty all day and had to remind myself on why I am doing this fast.

Surprisingly though, my will power has been stronger today than I expected.

Plus, I have been so busy all day that it helped to keep my mind off food.

I am tired and ready for bed. Goodnight!

Posted by Mari at 11:59 PM 0 comments  

Posted by Mari at 11:58 PM 4 comments