Yes, you read that right. I said Feast, not Fast.
With the start of a new year many people are doing a fast, and I think that's great. Unfortunately not everyone is physically able to fast. (Though I have fasted from things besides food, like TV, computer, etc.)
Last week I read these words of Jesus:
"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." -Luke 6:43-45
After reading this passage, I prayed, asking God to help me to store up good things in my heart. That's when He gave me the idea of a Spiritual Feast. It's so easy to let all kinds of things crowd into our lives and only have a little time to spend with God each day. Without realizing it, we often end up storing bad things in our hearts, not good things. Maybe instead of cutting something out of our lives, we need to put more good things in!
I think a spiritual Feast would mean taking little moments throughout the day (in addition to our daily quiet time) to stop and read a Psalm, or a verse in Proverbs or another book of your choice; spending a few minutes listening to worship music instead of the news or weather; praising God for some of His attributes while waiting in line or traffic; being still and quiet to listen for His gentle voice instead of filling the air with meaningless noise.
There are many possibilities for this Feast. Be creative. Just seek an attitude of 'How can I Feast on God this week? How can I fill each day with God's truth, an awareness of His presence, His thoughts and attitudes?' I know He'll guide us. He longs for us to be close to Him and to store up His goodness in our hearts!
So will you join me in a 7 Day Spiritual Feast? I know there will be obstacles and difficulties. For most people it's a lack of time. For me the problem isn't time, but limited physical and mental energy. I'm praying God will help me for the next 7 days to spend the little energy I have drawing near to Him, feasting on HIS goodness, enjoying His presence. I'm excited to see what a difference it will make. As I store up His goodness in my heart, I hope to see it overflow out of my life!
Happy Feasting! =)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
2009 - What a year!
Yep, 2009 was a remarkable year - full of really bad things, and really good things.
From January to September I lived in 7 different "homes," traveled from FL to MO, to AZ, to ID, back to MO, then finally back to FL. I don' think I've ever traveled so many miles in one year.
Bad things - being "homeless," having to sleep in the car, running from smoke, asphalt, pesticide aerial spraying, more fires and smoke, herbicide, etc. Also, having trouble breathing, going to the ER, getting worse physically, etc.
Good things - getting to see family & friends I hadn't seen in years (in AL, MO, AZ, ID, NE, MT, etc.). Also getting to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.
- God's provision through every hardship, the love of His people, and His comforting presence.
- making new friends, writing a book, coming home again!
As you can see the good clearly outweighs the bad here. =) Praise be to God!
So now it's a new year - 2010. I wonder what this year will hold? I hope there won't be as many bad things as last year, but as long as there are plenty of good things, how can I complain?
Some of my goals this year are
1) to keep working hard on my health and Lord-willing see major improvements
2) to keep writing, as God leads and directs
3) to raise greater awareness about Environmental Illness
As part of working toward goal #3, I've written a "Frragrance-Free" Challenge for you all on my other blog. I hope you'll check it out and give it a try! =)
http://supereigirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-fragrance-free-challenge.html
2010, here we come! =)
I wish you a wonderful & Happy New Year!
Grace & peace in Christ,
-Joanna
Yep, 2009 was a remarkable year - full of really bad things, and really good things.
From January to September I lived in 7 different "homes," traveled from FL to MO, to AZ, to ID, back to MO, then finally back to FL. I don' think I've ever traveled so many miles in one year.
Bad things - being "homeless," having to sleep in the car, running from smoke, asphalt, pesticide aerial spraying, more fires and smoke, herbicide, etc. Also, having trouble breathing, going to the ER, getting worse physically, etc.
Good things - getting to see family & friends I hadn't seen in years (in AL, MO, AZ, ID, NE, MT, etc.). Also getting to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.
- God's provision through every hardship, the love of His people, and His comforting presence.
- making new friends, writing a book, coming home again!
As you can see the good clearly outweighs the bad here. =) Praise be to God!
So now it's a new year - 2010. I wonder what this year will hold? I hope there won't be as many bad things as last year, but as long as there are plenty of good things, how can I complain?
Some of my goals this year are
1) to keep working hard on my health and Lord-willing see major improvements
2) to keep writing, as God leads and directs
3) to raise greater awareness about Environmental Illness
As part of working toward goal #3, I've written a "Frragrance-Free" Challenge for you all on my other blog. I hope you'll check it out and give it a try! =)
http://supereigirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-fragrance-free-challenge.html
2010, here we come! =)
I wish you a wonderful & Happy New Year!
Grace & peace in Christ,
-Joanna
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