I'm Back.....

Since I am probably the only one who reads my post (when I'm proofing it) Nobody, with the exception of Jill, probably even knew I was gone. But, I have been gone and have missed sharing my musings in the blogosphere!
About 2 weeks ago, I completed a 21 day Daniel Fast which is based on Daniel 10:1-2. It was probably one of the more difficult things I have attempted to do...right up there with a half-marathon and birthing a baby with no anesthesia. But I completed it nonetheless and didn't cheat! Woo Hoo! I mentioned it to a couple of the guys in our praise team and now our entire praise team - 5 guys and me are committing to a Daniel Fast starting March 10th. At the end of our service this morning, our pastor, Curt, opened it up to the whole church. He is putting together some church prayer concerns for everyone to pray for, as well as each of us having one specific prayer request that we will pray for ourselves - decided on by each individual faster. What a great idea! If anyone out there is interested (Jill) see the list below or go to the website where I got my info www.danielfast.wordpress.com
I have Crohn's disease and after the initial 9 days of caffeine/sugar withdrawal headaches, I can honestly say, that I hadn't felt that good since before I got sick. But that wasn't the most wonderful thing about the fast....the main thing I had been praying for - on the 8th day of my fast, was answered!!! Amazing! My e-mail is a_terilli60@yahoo.com if anyone wants in additional information, and I have some great Vegan recipes also.
Hope this helps anyone interested:

The Daniel FastDaniel Fast Food List
“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2, 3

One of the great things about the Daniel Fast is that you are not limited to any specific amount of food, but rather to the kinds of food you can eat. The Daniel Fast is limited to vegetables (includes fruits) and water.

Special Note: if you have health issues, please be sure to contact your health professional for advice before committing to any fast including the Daniel Fast. If you would like a list of the foods included and excluded in the Daniel Fast to show your doctor, just copy the contents of this page. Also, if you are interested in a collection of recipes that will take you through an entire 21-day Daniel fast, click here.

After answering hundreds of questions about the Daniel Fast, I am updating the food guidelines. My hope is that it will serve as a more complete list. The original list used by many people was issued in a book about fasting. I know the author tried to do the best he could, but that isn’t the same as getting hundreds of questions seeking clarification. So here is the new list that I hope helps.

Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon

All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.

All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.

All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.

All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Well, here it is Monday, and it has been a week or so since I last posted. I am not doing very well at keeping up with this "journal" idea I had. Story of my life! I just saw on the news, (hadn't watched much of that either) that our government can do absolutely NOTHING about the gazillions of bailout dollars that the American taxpayers are paying to the AIG execs who think they should still get their bonuses! Can you believe it? We bailed them out of their own big stinking mess and now they want us to give them their bonuses. On top of that Barney Rubble, I mean Frank, is "looking into it" but is saying basically that the government's hands are tied and legally there is probably nothing they can do. Timothy Geitner our esteemed Treasury Secretary, who amazingly forgot to pay his taxes for I don't know how long, can't do anything either. How about you Barak? Can you do anything? Why can't we just take the money back and let the chips fall where they will????? I am so mad right now. There you have it! We can send a man to the stinking moon, but can't stop AIG from giving OUR money to those who are probably the most responsible for our current situation. Incredible! More on this later....Avery is calling!

I haven't written anything for a while...too busy. I started reading a book my nephew gave to John, (my soon to be graduated from high school) son. He suggested that I read it first and then pass it on to John. It is amazing. It is called, How To Stay Christian In College by: J. Budziszewski. I want to share an excerpt from Chapter 2...

God

God is like nothing we could have imagined.

God is utterly other than us - other in a way we express with the word holiness. Yes, He dwells within each Christian, but He's not you. He isn't the same as you, He isn't a part of you, and He isn't a "higher" you. (Sorry Oprah - my comment!) Yes, you're made in His image, but you're not Him. You're not the same as Him, you're not a part of Him, and you aren't a "splinter" of Him - nor will you ever be. He doesn't depend on anything else because He is what everything else depends on. He can't be explained by anything else because He is what everything else must be explained by. Although we can know what He has taught us about Himself, we can never comprehend him completely because He is greater than our minds. Anything He wills, He can do. He not only holds the supreme power but He also uses it. Nothing can defeat Him and nothing can happen contrary to His will. He is also supremely good - light with no darkness. Although evil is real, He detests it and brings it to judgment. He knows everything, He pays attention to everything, and nothing escapes His notice. He's not just a What and a Who, like me or like you, but one What in three Whos - one God in three persons: father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is no one like Him. He is set apart. He is what he is, and there was never a time when He was not. Isn't that amazing? I love it when something so deep and mind boggling is explained well, and in a nutshell! If anyone is out there reading this, who doesn't know this awesome God that you just read about, I encourage you to "seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) God Bless!

Seasons

Last night ended the basketball season for Saint Jo. I know in the grand scheme of things, that may seem small and insignificant, especially in light of all that is going on in our world these days. But since the season started, I have enjoyed an hour or so, twice a week, watching my boy use his God-given talents along with the others on the team. Week after week, I would be thoroughly entertained, filled with love and beaming with pride for this person who I had a part in creating. The love and pride I had was not just for my own son, but for all of the boys; some I have known since they were in Kindergarten and some since they were born. I love them all so much and three of them, including my son, will not be out there next year. My sadness regarding the end of this basketball season runs deeper than just basketball. My husband and I are fast approaching a new season in our lives - one that will not include our only son living under our roof and I am struggling with this. I know he is filled with excitement about his future. I am too, it is just a little bittersweet....ok a lot bittersweet, and if I'm being honest (do I sound like Simon Cowell?) I am not liking this at all! I'm not ready! This is all moving too fast! There is consolation in knowing that he will be in good hands. God is in control and I know He works all things together for our good. So I mustn't worry or fret - just trust.

Basketball

I am a little nervous today! Tomorrow evening my son will be playing in what could be his last high school basketball game. This will be the third game of the playoffs. Saint Jo has never progressed this far in the history of the school. The whole town is so excited. The police department, fire department and fans, sent them off from the square last Friday evening with sirens screaming, fan's cheering and lots of signs waving! However, I wasn't there. I forgot about it completely. I remember hearing the sirens and thinking, I sure hope they can put that fire out! I am so happy to have the opportunity to be present at the send-off tomorrow afternoon. I have prayed for the season not to end. My friend (whom I love dearly) told me that God doesn't care about us winning a basketball game. He has more important things to think about. I respectfully disagree! Not that He doesn't have more pressing matters to attend to, but that He cares about basketball and little things, because He cares for me! I read in Psalm 56:7-9 "You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?" and in Matthew 10:30 He says, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
Finally, in 1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. And besides, I really just prayed for the boys to play to the very best of their ability and to play with good sportsmanship and above all - that God would be glorified through their attitudes and use of their God-given abilities and skills. I choose to believe that He does care about the little things that are important to us. I love that He knows how many hairs I have on my head and that all that I do is written in His book (some of which I am sure I will be ashamed of when I stand before Him one day. Thank goodness for the gift of salvation and Christ's completed work on the cross) and that He has a bottle for my tears. I am so grateful that He instructs me to give Him my cares, the things I worry about, the things I am excited about, etc. . . Isn't God so amazing? I will post the results of tomorrows game - believing that no matter what the outcome, God cared about it.
Can you believe it is Tuesday already? Have a warm, cozy Tuesday....it's suppose to warm up today here in North Texas! Ye Haw!

a little to say about nothing.....

I am feeling a little blah today. It's a cloudy and coldish, kind of dismal looking, a little on the depressing side kind of day. I know that God's Word says that we are to" rejoice always, and again, I say rejoice"...I am just off to a slow start (and it's almost 5 p.m.) He probably said it twice like that for days just like this. Don't get me wrong, I am so glad to be right where I am; physically, spiritually, geographically. I just prefer sunny, warmer days. Is there anyone out there? If so, have a wonderful Monday - what's left of it!

7 - Day Challenge

Today Church was amazing. Our pastor started a blog called the 7 - Day Challenge. Each day he is going to put scripture up on the site, discuss it and has asked us to read, study and comment on the blog about how this particular verse applies to our lives right now. Neat huh? If anyone is interested, you can go to curtsimmons.blogspot.com and take the challenge.

I think I am talking only to myself right now. But, it's a bit therapeutic - like a journal. I have always wanted to journal, have even started a couple, but never followed through. Maybe this will be easier. I type really fast - 90 wpm back in the day, so this is much easier than writing by hand.

Two weeks ago, an old friend of my daughters' came by the house. He recently went through a divorce. I think he just needed someone to talk to. I don't really understand why he chose me, but I am so glad he did. I told him about the movie, Fireproof. I also gave him my copy of Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas - a must read for married people, or for people who someday hope to be married. I invited him to church (he isn't going anywhere) and told him I would pray for he and his ex-wife. I did. I shared with him that the movie helped my brother-in-law and his wife, as well as, my sister and her husband. Two marriages that were in serious trouble and by all worldly accounts over, were turned around because of a movie - go figure. In reality though, God uses whatever He can to get our attention.....don't you think? Anyway, the young man came by again today to tell me that he had rented the movie, invited his ex-wife over to watch it. They watched it, but he said he didn't think it had or will have an affect on her. She seemed unmoved from her decision. I told him that I knew God could do anything and to just keep an open mind and keep praying for her. He is going to read the book as well. I hope I gave him the right advice. You know, you stick your neck out a bit giving advice....what if it's the wrong advice and it hurts instead of helps? I guess all you can do is give it in love and give it through the lense of scripture. Meaning, I know that God hates divorce and just because people get divorced does not mean that he cannot put their marriage back together again. And, He CAN DO ANYTHING!! Finally, I shared with him Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"- what an amazing scripture - and so evident in my own life - especially looking back. You see where you were in a tough spot, but somehow, someway, God turns that around for your good. I was divorced (not my choice) but now I can't imagine where I would be if it hadn't happened. I now have a wonderful, godly husband, who loves the Lord, and had two more children who I cannot imagine my life without. So even when we go through really bad situations, I think I finally understand from actually looking back, that God ultimately will turn that bad situation around for our good and will use it to possibly help another person going through something similar. Isn't that neat?

Well I have rambled on long enough....have a beautiful Sunday!