My Daniel Fast Recap

At 12 am this morning I completed my 21 day Daniel Fast *30 second praise break*. For this fast I asked God to endow me with more self-control. For those of you who aren't familiar with it I will explain what it entails. On the fast, which started on the 16th of January, I was not supposed to consume any sweets, carbonized liquid, fried foods, white bread, caffeine, white sugar, junk food, shellfish, or pork. I looked at that list and was confused at what I was supposed to eat instead. Looking back, it really wasn't very hard to find alternate food selections. The first week only consisted of not eating the foods previously listed, the second week however limited our eating to only two meals a day, and the third week limited our eating to only one meal a day (Hay Dios Mio!).

Fasting Tip: Go into with a couple of friends so that you can have accountability partners.

The first week was interesting to say the least. I love sweets so that is where my struggle came in. We were instructed to read through the entire book of Acts, and I have to say that I fell in love with the book. I turned off my TV and limited my time on facebook, twitter, etc. The extra time spent in The Word and talking to God in the first week set the foundation for the rest of the fast. Adding my own personal touches on the fast I decided that I would spend limited time around my friends so that I could be focused.

Fasting Tip: Start slow and gradually work up to a more advanced fast. If you're just starting out and set the bar too high, you will only be disappointed. 

Week two came before I knew it and I definitely felt the absence of  the third meal. My self-control was tested and then some! We were allowed to eat snacks but for the most part I tried to stick to just the two meals. In this week we were instructed to read through the books of Ephesians and Galatians. These books were the perfect substitute for TV and the internet Once, again I found myself loving these books. The 13 Letters are AMAZING! Paul is my Hero (umm after Jesus, David, Solomon, Jacob/Isreal, and Bathsheba).

Fasting Tip: It's okay to look at how others fast for a reference ONLY. You have to do what is right for you. 

Week three rolled around and I felt that I was prepared to drop my meals down to one. I decided that I would eat at 4:30 every day because it would keep me full for the rest of the night. In this week the substitute for TV, the internet, and two meals were the books Philippians and Colossians. Philippians (2:2-11 to be specific) is my absolute favorite book of the Bible so I was all too happy to read it in its entirety. If my self-control was not tested anywhere else it was during this week. I stayed buried in The Word and in constant conversation with God so I would not always be thinking about food (if you didn't know, I LOVE FOOD so your girl was going through!)

 Fasting Tip: Give it your all!  Even if you're giving up TV or facebook instead of food, be dedicated.

My main fear during the fast was that I would not be able to control my hunger and cheat. I am proud to say that I did not cheat once during this fast. I realized that I am stronger than I thought I was. "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" -- 2 Corinthians 10:17. Shout out to my Heavenly Father for making this journey worthwhile. That's all for now...

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Getting This Off of My Chest

One of my Brothers in Christ pissed me off something terrible today and I completely shut him out and told myself that he didn't exist. I ignored him the whole day and avoided being in the same space as him. I thought I was through with being cold and heartless, apparently I'm not! I don't like when I get the "I don't care attitude" because I cut everyone and everything off and exist in a world by myself. I created this defense mechanism when my parents got divorced and I didn't want to deal with the pain. I'm not that scared little 12 year old girl anymore who is afraid to face her problems. I refuse to revert back to my old ways. This issue will be handled tomorrow. God I thank You for Your redeeming mercy.

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Matthew 18:15

Girlfriends Conference 2010

For this entire weekend I'm attending a Girlfriends Conference at my church and I'm being truly blessed! I love men just as much as the next woman but it's a joy to be surrounded by your sisters and Christ and be having a good time. Our first lady opened up the conference with an amazing sermon. She preached on why women are so unhappy and a few of the points hit home.

1) Give Me a Break. We as ladies don't take enough time out for ourselves and then get me mad when we don;t get rest. It's okay to sit down and kick you feet up for a little bit. Your husband, children, boss, friends, etc. will be just fine while you're getting some rest.

2) Stop Your Stinkin' Thinkin'. We think negatively so we are negative. It's so much easier to be negative then to be positive but we have to fight against nature and gain positivity. We must realize the importance of our thoughts.

3) Watch Your Mouth. Since our words become reality so quickly we have to watch what we say. Make your words work for you!

S/N: Even though the message was aimed at women, fellas feel free to apply these lessos to your life too.

Scriptural reference: Luke 10, John 15, Phil 4:8

Stephanie's Book Club

"Chosen & Destined" by Patricia Haley.

As I was strolling through the book heaven named Barnes & Nobles I spotted a book named "Chosen" that had this fine man on the front. Like really fine, here take a look http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Patricia-Haley/dp/1416580506. I must confess that I do judge books by their covers, I have passed on books that have dull or boring covers. Pardon me, I digress. So anyways, the cover caught my eye initially and then when I read the description of what the book was about I was hooked. Patty (yup I've already nicknamed her) decided to write a book using the biblical story of King David & King Solomon as her base. I don't know about you but I love to read modernized Bible stories! When trying to figure out who the different characters were I found myself reading these books and The Bible (The end of 1st Chronicles & 2 Chronicles ) simultaneously. Patty did an amazing job and I recommend these books 100% to anyone who loves intrigue, mystery, suspense. She gives a fresh outlook to the age-old tale of two of the best Kings in the history of the Bible.

A Season of Waiting

Not settling for less than you deserve is a blessing & a curse. I see all these people in relationships and want that for myself. Then I remember that because I waited for the right one, what I have will last. So I'm in a season of patiently waiting for him from Him. I'm taking this time to perfect myself so that when the moment comes I will be ready. #ahardpilltoswallow

There's so much going on that I have to break my blogging ban...stay tuned for more

Love Will Set You Free...

We have picked up the work, and we do what we can to watch and pray. The patterns seen by the first continue. This time, however, no one has forced us to do this, he greatest blow to all of humanity has been to destroy the truth. Men make children from one bed to the next. These children grow up without the love of that man. The men move through life without learning the power of loving through the eyes of their children. Woman have become strong resilient, unbreakable. In many respects this is good, for who will care for the children if they are too weak to do so? But their hearts have hardened to the peace that surpasses understanding. They go from one man to the next looking for the love that they didn't find in the last. Hardened by the cycle of their life, they turn away from their mother's love, who in their later years find the true meaning of this life. Unable to connect, these women, mothers, and daughters, and sisters, are not able to pass what the learned to one another. Passion rules the day, and love must be held at bay. Even the sweetness of our passion is kept secret because we have now learned shame and hatred over humanity and peace. We can no longer merely watch and record. The chosen ones must stand up and be counted. We must be the light for others to see. We must stand in the gaps. It's time to speak truth to power, to walk in love boldly. Fear no one. Tell of the peace that comes in knowing who we are and whose we are. Love your children. They don't have to come from you to belong to you. Love your parents. They have hurt in ways that you won't because they loved you. Love your mate. Spend as much time and energy keeping them as you did trying to get them. Love yourself and your community, your people. They are one in the same. Above all, love God, your creator, your maker. Love God more than you love his world and the things of this world. They will not last. But love never fails. When you get love, are walking in love, have learned to be loved, teach it to others. The time is now.Are you the one, the chosen? Will you walk with us? Will you stand in the power of love?

This passage is taken from Bertrice Berry's "Jim & Louella's Homemade Heart-Fix Remedy" and it touched my soul so deeply I had to put the book down and cry for a minute. Love conquerors all...