Mar6

I’m pretty excited. I uploaded the firs

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I’m pretty excited. I uploaded the first podcast on my internet radio channel 2 weeks ago and have already had more than 300 listeners. Wow! Pretty encouraging! Live episodes are soon to follow featuring interviews with everyday people who have made it to the other side of life’s challenges by their Faith in Christ. http://ow.ly/ukoUP

Feb27

Deliscious and Healthy Dates!!!

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“Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.”  

2 Samuel 6:19 (NLT) 

 

 

Fresh dates contain easily digestible simple sugars like fructose and dextrose. When eaten, they give us energy and revitalize the body quickly. For this reason, some cultures use them to take a break during fasting.

They are rich in dietary fiber which also works as a bulk laxative. They contain flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic properties.  They contain Vitamin A, which is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for good vision.  Studies show that consumption of fruits rich in vitamin A help to protect the body from lung and oral cavity cancers, as well.  They contain antioxidant flavonoids such as B-carotene, Lutein, and Zea-Xanthin.

Dates are an excellent source of iron and potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help control our heart rate and blood pressure. They are also rich in minerals like Calcium, Manganese, Copper, and Magnesium.  They contain the B-complex group of vitamins as well as Vitamin K, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, and Riboflavin.

Honey Nut Date Cake Recipe

Blue Cheese Stuffed, Bacon Wrapped Date Recipe

Kale Salad with Dates, Parmesan and Almonds recipe

Kale Salad w/Dates, Parmesan & Almonds Recipe

Feb27

Fasting Is For the Hungry

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Daniel 9:3 (NLT)    So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.

For quite some time, I thought of fasting as something that Jesus did, but not necessarily anything I would have the will power or strength to do.  But the truth is, fasting is done by several people in the Bible, even whole villages. As a matter of fact, fasting is mentioned in the Bible, or made reference to, over 70 times!  Think about that!  That is a lot of times the Bible pairs praying and fasting together.  When that is the case, why is it that fasting is one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines, today?  Why do we just listen to the “prayer” part and leave off the “fasting” part when scripture clearly pairs them time and time, again?  It seems that fasting has been ignored for so long by most all denominations, that it is even difficult to find information on the “how-to’s” of Christian-based fasting. The first time I did a full-fledged, 4 day Biblical fast, I didn’t really know where or how to start, because I didn’t know anyone that engaged in biblical fasting.  I didn’t know what to expect physically, or spiritually.  But, I just jumped in and did my best to figure it all out on my own.  And, I’m so glad that I did, because it has become a regular part of my prayer life, now.

When we really want to magnify our prayers and show God how committed we are to seeking His answers and guidance, we need to fast and pray.  Period.  There are so many references in the Bible telling us that when we want to pull out the big guns to pray for something very important, we also need to fast.  I’m not sure why so many Christians kind of skim over that very specific instruction.  For a very long time, I did, too.  But, my guess is, as always, we don’t like to be deprived or be uncomfortable.  It’s in our nature to want things to be easy and cushy.  But, what most people don’t realize, is that there are actually many ways to fast.  Since, I have begun implementing fasting into my prayer life, I have spent a good amount of time reading what the Bible says about fasting and the different kinds of fasts it describes.  There is the “Absolute Fast” which is fasting from both food and water.  The “Water Only Fast” is exactly as it sounds.  There is a “Water & Juice Fast”.  There is a “Partial Fast”, which eliminates certain foods from your diet during fasting.  In Daniel 13:3, Daniel, who normally went on water-only fasts, went on a partial fast for 3 weeks, eliminating meats and wine from his diet.

I look at fasting as an offering to God along with my prayer.  And, I offer it with complete expectation that God is going to pour an extra measure of His Grace, His Glory, His Healing, His Comfort, His Guidance and His Wonder onto my situation.  I know it to be true, because I have experienced it.  Fasting really is for the hungry, for Christians that are truly hungry for ALL that God has in store for them during this journey.

Here are several scriptures that talk about fasting:

Judges 20:26
Israel had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the enemy. In v. 48, it says that after a time of
weeping, fasting, and prayer, God gave them the victory. Fasting can bring victory to the life of the
Christian.
II Chronicles 20:3
A “great multitude” surrounded Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. After a time of prayer, fasting, and
confessing their sins, their enemies killed each other off and God’s people won a decisive battle.
Deuteronomy 7:18
Moses received the blessing of the ten commandments after he fasted and prayed on Mount Horeb (Sinai).
There are numerous blessings awaiting the Christian who commits himself to the spiritual discipline of
fasting and prayer.
Jonah 3:7-10
The people of Nineveh repented and fasted before a time of judgment. God not only withheld His
judgment, but over 600,000 people turned to God in repentance. Fasting is a vehicle that every believer
can use to plead with God in regards to unsaved loved ones.
Luke 2:37
Anna, a widow in the temple, fasted and prayed as a service to God. This is something every Christian
can do to promote the kingdom of God. Earnest prayer and fasting is a great service in the local church.
Matthew 4:2
Jesus defeated Satan’s temptations after a time of fasting in the wilderness. Fasting aids us in
overcoming “the wiles of the devil”
II Corinthians 11:27
Paul, who experienced a multitude of problems, personal battles and decisions, was in “fastings often.”
It’s no surprise that he became a zealous soul-winner, church planter, missionary, and exceptional
Christian.
Esther 4:16
The Jewish nation fasted 3 days before Esther approached the king. God delivered the Jewish people from
a severe crisis and possible extinction. Are you facing a painful crisis? Fasting can navigate you through
the problem.
Daniel 10:2,3
Daniel fasted when he faced spiritual opposition. Fasting is important during times of spiritual oppression
and unjust criticism.
I Samuel 1:7
Hannah fasted during a time of infertility. She later gave birth to Samuel who became a mighty servant of
the Lord.
Leviticus 23:27
The nation of Israel fasted on the Day of Atonement. God commanded this yearly exercise.
Luke 5:33
John the Baptist taught his disciples to fast and pray. Spiritual leaders, in the church and home, should
be a stalwart example to others in regards to fasting.
II Samuel 12:22
David fasted after Nathan confronted his sinful behavior. He sought an answer from God concerning his
child, and God gave it to him.
Psalm 35:13
David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting.” Fasting has a way of humbling saints and delivering us from
the sin of pride and selfishness.
Acts 9:9
Paul fasted after his conversion and was constantly drawn closer to Christ. Fasting after salvation keeps
us in close communion with Jesus.
Isaiah 58:6-8
Fasting helps to lose the bands of wickedness and heavy burdens.
Acts 27:33
Paul encouraged others to fast during a rigorous trial (shipwreck).
Ezra 8:21
Ezra “proclaimed a fast” after returning to the land of Israel. The people also fasted to seek wisdom from
God.
Nehemiah 9:1
Nehemiah and the people of God fasted after rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. They gathered together
for worship, confession, and the hearing of God’s Word.
Zechariah 7-8
The nation of Israel added four additional fasts during their time of suffering and captivity. Are you
suffering? Avail yourself to the avenue of fasting.
Matthew 17:21
Jesus taught that demonism and cosmic spiritual battles are overcome by prayer and fasting.  

* Please note that Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.*

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn
your full attention to the Lord in prayer.
• Do not rush into your fast.
• Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
• Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast

And, be prepared to be blessed…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Feb27

Wildflowers? Or, Weeds?

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit in me.”  Psalm 51:10

Lent is a time for us to take an honest, hard look at our Spiritual lives, our proverbial gardens, and tend to the weeds that might be growing where they shouldn’t.  Sure, Lent can be a 40 day offering of some small sacrifice to Christ as an act of love and obedience.  But, truly, shouldn’t it be about permanently ridding our lives of the things that are getting in the way of walking as close to Him as possible?


I think we can all agree weeds have no place in the garden.  They are destructive. They choke out the good plants.  They rob the soil of its nutrients and they compromise the growth of all of the other plants around them. It is no different with the spiritual weeds in our lives. Spiritual weeds can represent envy, discontent, selfishness, rudeness.  And, those are the easy ones to spot.  But there are many more that can be disguised in a much more appealing way that makes them harder to notice and acknowledge as the weeds they truly are.  I call these the Spiritual wildflower weeds. They are much more attractive than those obvious unsightly weeds that are easier to spot.  And they, can be so pleasant to look at that we can completely miss the harm they are doing at the ground level of our spiritual soil.


So, what kind of culprit can wreak havoc on our spiritual lives without us even noticing, disguising itself as a pretty little wildflower, when it really is just a weed? Well, time. Yes, time.  Where do you spend it? How much of it do you really devote each day to praying and reading the scripture?  Time spent doing productive things always looks so proper and right. For instance, how many of us will stay up late making sure the kitchen is tidy before we go to bed at night, but not lay one finger on a single page of the Bible all day?  How many of us will make sure that we watch our favorite shows on tv or, play our favorite video games every evening, but not sit in silence for even 5 minutes to pray and communion with our Father?  How many of us will make sure we got up before work early enough to work out for 30 minutes, but won’t add another 10 minutes to spend time in the scriptures?

Every morning we wake up, it is a blessing from God that we are even still here on this earth. Why do we get out of bed, put both feet on the floor and commence our day with barely any thought or reverence to the One who created us? Yes, we have to take care of our families, go to school and go to work.  Those are important and necessary responsibilities. But, it’s just not okay to get so swept away in them all that we don’t make time for God…every single day.  This wildflower of time can even get so caught up in doing all of the charitable acts of being good servants for Christ that we leave little time to devote to God one on one to grow closer to Him.  Sounds a little contradictory, perhaps. But,we can certainly miss the forest for the trees here.  We can spend all of our time and energy trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus and neglect spending time with him, ourselves.  Volunteering for missions and charitable programs doesn’t give us a “free pass” to neglect our prayer life and reading scripture.  Time spent doing those things is important, necessary and pleases our Father. But, if we don’t take the time to stop and fill our spiritual vessel by spending time with the Father, we will eventually become empty shells with nothing left to give.  Time.  A very precious commodity that needs to be spent wisely and even cautiously.

I believe we all too often approach the Lenten Season as a 40 day temporary commitment to God, rather than a time to bring about true and permanent change in our spiritual lives.  We tend to think of it as a season with a beginning and an end so that whatever our Lenten offering is, as uncomfortable and difficult as it may be to sacrifice, it is still only temporary.  But, I would like us to look at this season with a new mindset, this year.  I would like to encourage us all to consider what weeds and wildflowers might be cluttering our spiritual gardens that are hindering the healthy and much needed growth of our faith in Christ.  Wouldn’t it be better, instead of nipping those pesky little weeds off at ground level, to pull even one or two of them out by the roots to be permanently gone from our lives and freeing us up to be more like Christ?


As we ponder the upcoming Lenten Season that will begin on Ash Wednesday, next week, let’s do an honest inventory of the things in our lives that really do need to go, once and for all.  And, let’s be in prayer during the upcoming days about what offering, what sacrifice, what change we are willing to make in our spiritual lives to become more like our Maker.  Maybe, the Holy Spirit will lay on your heart to use this season to commit to a traditional fast that will clear your heart and soul of the clutter so He can give you much needed guidance, direction, or healing.  Maybe there are some weeds and a wildflower or two that the Holy Spirit is nudging you to take care of.  The thing is, NOW is the time to start praying about it.  Now, is the time to start asking the Holy Spirit to lay on your heart how you personally should walk through the 40 days of Lent this year.


And, let me tell you, Ash Wednesday is certainly not the ideal time to do it!  My oldest daughter and I used to start fretting about what we were going to give up for lent ON Ash Wednesday, sometimes in an almost panic-like state.  It was kind of funny, actually.  And, the process and last minute frenzy certainly lent itself to some good memories.  But, if we truly want to fine tune our walk with God, we need to do so with better preparation than that.  I realize their are plenty of Christians out there who are probably unsure about why many of us choose to celebrate the Season of Lent.  And, I bet they and many others, would argue that you don’t need to wait until a certain time of year to make a deeper commitment in your walk with God.  Well, that couldn’t be more true.  But, the reason a lot of us choose this time of year to do some weeding, some fasting, some inner renewal, corporately… is because we are standing together in remembering the last days Jesus walked on this earth as a man in the flesh.  His sacrifice was greater than any of us will ever be called to make, or could make.  And, when we stand together, with our fasts, our renewed commitments, our weed pulling, we are uniting with the desire to fix our hearts more closely on Christ, on Calvary and on bettering ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit to become more like Him and more like the person He created us all to be.


So, let’s consider our spiritual gardens and what is growing in our soul.  Are their Weeds?  Wildflowers?  Do you feel you are so in tune with the Holy Spirit in your daily life that you have no more room to grow?  Or, are you willing to let the Holy Spirit tend to the Wildflowers and Weeds that are hindering you from being the best version of you possible according to God’s design?


I like the NAS translation of Proverbs 3:12


“For whom the LORD loves, He reproves, even as the father corrects the son in whom he delights”