And miles to go before I sleep......and miles to go before I sleep.

My friend and sister in Christ, Priscilla, sent me an email to encourage me in my fasting.  Her words pierced my heart.  Priscilla is a very intelligent, well educated woman of God, a gifted intercessor and is not afraid to do battle with the enemy.  Her words reflect spirital combat experience and I do not take them lightly.  They are relevant to what I have been going through as I walk this path.  Thank you, Sweet P, for pouring your wisdom into my life.  I love you!


Miss Priscilla's Words of Wisdom to Me (and you!):
"In fasting, one turns up the HEAT.. to allow what is within to manifest..... one gets edgy, angry etc. As we see it manifesting and confess it as sin before the Lord it has to leave. This is part of the purifying process and MORE OF HIM and less of me.. In the MORE OF HIM and less of me is HIS FAITH is made manifest and mine is diminished. HIS faith is the faith that moves mountains..:) lp"


As I write this tonight, the Robert Frost poem below comes to mind.  It's how I feel about this fast.  I have "miles to go before I sleep".  I know the toughest days are just ahead, but I believe they will be what brings tremendous change.  God is allowing me to stop in the snowy woods of the evening in His presence that I might rest and be still long enough to hear His still small voice within my spirit.  Read this poem.  Then take a moment to close your eyes and think of the snowy scene Frost has painted for us.  Think of this time spent with Christ.  Invite Him to your starry evening and fellowship with Him.  After all, to find intimacy with anyone, you must spend quality time with them.  Are you in need of quality time with the Lord?  Try to set aside a moment this weekend just for you and Him.  Sweet Dreams to you all.....


Love in Him,
Karen

STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His House is in the village, though:

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely , dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

And miles to go before I sleep.

FASTING: Day 14 -

Hey Sweet Ones..... 


Pray for me today, please.  My body is filled with a resurgence of pain and inflammation from my RA and Fibromyalgia.  I can't use my hands enough to do my hair, (Terrible to let a good flat iron sit idle in my book), so I am really glad this isn't skype! Yes, I'm smiling. I thought this pain that has been slowly building each day was related to my lack or variance of nutrition, but as I am praying this morning, I believe it is an all out attack of the enemy because of my fast and this blog.  What nourishment I have had has all been good for me, so in the natural, my health issues should have gotten better with this fast.  But, the fast isnt' about that.  It's about breaking spiritual strongholds.  Enough said.


I hurt all over and I don't move very well today, but my spirit is not in despair.  I've been here before,  under far worse attack , and I can see he is just progressively going through his "Karen Attack Strategy" files.  Starts with one thing.  When that won't stop me, he takes up another.  Nothing new about his implementation plan , but still a harrassment.  That's what he is.  A harrassor.  A smoke and mirrors kind of player.  Illusions waiting to see if we bite and if we do, then he can bring the whole family of fallen angels with him for a feast at our expense.  (No, I'm not foaming at the mouth, so please don't worry)


Enter Jesus.  Jesus doesn't just even the score, he runs the ball down field to a  winning touchdown!  We are overcomers in Christ because he has already done the work of the cross for that purpose.  I admire theologians who can search the Scriptures and explain intricate teachings, time tables, and doctrines.  I'm not one of them and I doubt in my life time, God has slated me into that position.  I'm more of a bottom line, practical person.  Surely I like to decorate the bottom line and make it look and smell great.  I admit that.  To me, it's like icing on the cake (which, I might add is the real reason to eat cake at all!) 


What matters most to me (in this fast and my life) is that Jesus has put His plan into motion.  We goofed up and allowed Satan to steal life in the Garden from us.  He went to Eve.  God's creation of beauty because he was jealous and prideful.  She believed him. She and Adam took his bait. (This has to be the first couple with trust issues, pun intended)  They were cast away from God.  But, God's love was so great that He couldn't just let them go and suffer the fate He knew awaited Satan. 


So, yes, ENTER JESUS.  King of Kings.  Lord of Lords.  Lord of all!  Lord over Satan too.  The advocate for each of us before His Father.   We stand naked in our sin, without adorning apparel. Ashamed, knowing what we are left in our flesh.   But, He comes to us......offering a pure silk glowing robe to cover our naked sin.....because He loves and values us beyond measure.......and THIS is how HE presents US to His Father, Family.  In His royal garments!  Do you see yourself that way today?  Or are you looking in the mirror of regret and your own struggles?


When Satan send thoughts of worthlessness, shame or blame - remind Him  who you are in Christ by going to the Word of God and proclaiming it to Him.  This is what Christ did when Satan tempted him during his 40 Day Fast.  He didn't argue with him, but instead, just quoted God's Word. (I wish I could just quote anything I want to without Biblegateway.com, don't you?  That would sure help when doing a fast.)  Show Him the beautiful clothes of redemption Christ has purchased for you today with His own precious blood.  It's that same blood that Rev. 12:11 (my favorite verse) says will overcome him (Satan, evil) that will send him on his way.  He will return, but you will be armed.  "No weapon formed against you will prosper".


I'm not going to let him prosper today.  Are you?

Love in Him,
Karen

Holding my daughter's hand as she waits on

a train that will take her to a new adventure.

Though the enemy has bent my hands from RA,

  he cannot stop them from showing God's love. 

To her children, a mother's touch says

"I will always love you".

(Photo by Victoria Hinn/Rhode Island School of Design)

EARLY THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS!

    The hands of God are sometimes
   human, used to offer a gentle
   nudge to bring people together.
 

    Photo courtesy of Victoria Hinn of the Rhode Island
     School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island

FASTING: Day 13 - Spiritual Attacks During Fasting - Is there a purpose for them?

"Why should Jesus be tempted at all? Because innocent faith is not strong faith. The Garden of Eden is illustration enough. Innocent faith may be pure, but it needs testing to be strong." - Dr. Ralph Wilson

I like and agree with this quote by Dr. Wilson. One of the hallmarks of a passionate believer is their desire for greater faith in Christ. Faith to believe for every day needs like doing well on a test or making the mortgage payment on time, as well as faith to believe for answers that it seems aren't within our human capability to solve such as healing of terminal illness, financial collapse, broken marriages, or prodigal children. And a faith that continues to grow. That growth comes with trials and opportunites to use our faith.

We look at a small child and think how cute she is, but we don't think of her having great strength. We might ask her to take a bowl of cherries to the table, but we would not ask her to move the refridgerator to the garage. She has not developed the strong muscles to do such a thing. But, we would ask our college age son who trains at the gym or works out, to move that fridge. We know he is prepared and capable of doing so because he has already lifted much weight by training in the gym to do so.

Untested faith is uncertain faith. Fasting and trials are actually a blessing because they allow us to gain greater, stronger, more productive, effective faith. Like working hard in the gym is required to build well sculpted, strong muscles, building faith is painful and requires time, willingness and trust in God to lift the heavy burdens that come with stress and trials to do the faith building. James 2:20 says,"Faith without works is dead". Our faith does not produce results unless it is put into action, according to this passage. The action builds our faith at the same time as we see God move and change circumstances. A result of faithful prayers and living.

I believe one of the reasons God allows the enemy to war against us during our time of fasting is so that our faith will increase. As we battle against the temptations and attacks of the devil during our fast (which is intended to wear us down so we give up the fast either in fear or exhaustion), we tend to have a greater resolve to fight because we have a personal sacrificial investment in our own faith. As in the case of motherhood, the pain pregnancy and childbirth requires gives motherhood even greater value to a woman. Not to say that women who adopt children cannot understand the sacrifice required to be a mom, but I do think enduring the physical pain of bringing a child into the world through your own body contributes to the passion every birth mother feels for her baby. I praise God for every woman that adopts a child and voluntarily becomes a mother. Her sacrifice is no less than that of a birthing Mom with the exception of the physical toll of childbirth. The human mind tends to associate past physical pain with events, time, places, and things. I cannot stand to use gray anywhere in my house, and especially not on the walls, because I associate it with the seven months of expecting that made me so ill (I lost over 35 lbs.) when the walls of my Toronto apartment were painted gray. I would have to lay in bed and stare at those walls all day. To this day, gray walls make me nauseous. But I also believe our human mind has the capacity to weigh the cost of entering into that pain again to determine if the result is worth the pain investment.

The pain of fasting isn't enjoyable at times, even though there are some benefits like clearer thinking, less preparation for meals and more initimacy with the Lord (of course!!!) I can attest to that today, as my body is not doing very well. In fact, I am going to move to a Daniel Fast as of tomorrow to prevent any complications that might occur long term with the type of juice fast I chose to begin with. I've worked through all that with God in the past 24 hours and I feel good about my decision. The fast is still on, but it has just had to change in implementation. Even so, I know at the end of this 40 Day time, the results will be worth the cost. After researching many testimonies of fasting, many Christians find that the result of their fast may not be immediately seen, but will come with time. I am asking God, if this is the case for me, that when the harvest comes, He will in some way encourage me by allowing me to know my fast was a part of the deliverance at hand.

Living Treasured in Christ,
Karen

DAY 12 of My Fast - How Can We Know God is Calling Us to a Fast?

Nancy and Karen cooking Thanksgiving Dinner 2008

At the beginning of this past summer, my daugther, Ashton, joined me and my close friend, Nancy, for breakfast at a neighborhood deli that is just wonderful (shameless plug for TooJay's of Lake Mary, Florida!!!). I hadn't seen Nancy in quite awhile and was looking forward to experiencing the joyful fellowship in Christ we always share. Ashton asked me where I was headed to that morning, so I told her to meet Miss Nancy. (Yes, MISS Nancy! Shugah, fo gudnez saikes, ya'll, I em from the South and we refah to evary lovely ladah as "Miss", an they arah jus fine with it.) She asked if she could join us. I smiled to think that this beautiful young woman, my baby girl "forevah", wanted to spend time with two ole dames like Nancy and me. I had a feeling God was in this unplanned social event.

Ashton drove in her car so she could meet friends after and arrived after Nancy and I were already there. We were having breakfast, laughing and sharing what Christ was doing in our lives and the lives of our families. I must have said "God spoke to my heart" as we talked, because Ashton stopped and asked me what I meant. Did I hear His voice outloud? Was it just a feeling? Was it a voice in my head? How did I know it was Him? I knew she was seeking to own her own faith at this point in her life and I can understand why she might not understand that terminology. Some call it Christianese, and imply it's something negative. But, I think speaking in terms the Bible speaks to us is okay.....well, actually, it's biblical to be exact. I'm not ashamed if someone says I speak Christianese and just offer to teach them. Now, there'a a novel idea....teaching the world how to live life in Christ as opposed to having Christ fit into the lives of the worldly.

Nancy began to share with Ashton how she hears from God and knows it's Him. I reinforced her as she spoke that this was indeed the way I hear the voice of God too. I saw the light go on in Ashton's eyes that morning. She knew what we meant and she would be listening for it. God works if we give Him time. Just like with fasting. It takes time to understand and practice it as a part of your life.

Do you know when God is speaking to you? Can you discern His voice from yours or the devil? When my faith was young, that was difficult for me. As I walk with Christ year after year, I hear much faster and clearer. Once in a while I get "static", but I just keep praying and listening to Him.

Ways That God Speaks To Us:

1. You may hear Christians speak of the "inner leading of the Holy Spirit". This refers to an urging, leading or direction they feel as they pray or study God's Word. Some call it a feeling in their heart or a still small voice in their thoughts. Isaiah 30:21 (New King James Version)
says, " Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “ This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand . Or whenever you turn to the left. " So, do not scoff at someone if they say they heard the voice of the Lord and they mean they REALLY heard it because that can be biblical.

2. Make sure what that small voice is saying lines up or agrees with Scripture. God will never tell you to do something that defies His Word or Scriptures.

3. Don't let a feel of peace alone be your confirmation that this leading is from God. I once counseled a woman who came to me very excited because she said God was giving her a new husband and allowing her to divorce her present husband, whom she had no grounds to divorce. She said because he didn't make her feel loved or beautiful and God wanted her to be happy, God had found her a man in her church to be her new "Godly" husband. She had total peace about it. So, when I brought out the Word of God to show her that this could not be from the Lord whether she had peace or not, she did not receive it. Sometimes, we make our own peace in our hearts so that we can do what we like and fulfill our own desires. Peace while you are disobeying God's Word is a sign that your life is not right in Christ and you need to search your heart and come back to Him.

4. If God is speaking to you about something, He will make a way for it to happen. Doors will open or close as you move along the path set before you. In this way, He can also direct your path.

5. There are those in the church with gifts of knowledge and prophesy that God may use to CONFIRM what He has already showed you. In that order! He confirms in YOUR heart and then confirms OUTSIDE your heart to follow. This is a less reliable form of seeking God's will, but cannot not be neglected in terms of how God speaks to His people even today like in the bible.

6. Now, don't come after me for this one, Ladies, but if you are a married woman, I Peter 3:1 tells us, "Wives, fit in with your husband's plans; for then if they refuse to listen when you talk to them about the Lord, they will be won by your respectful, pure behavior. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words." If you feel God is telling you to do something and it does not fit into the life that you have with your husband OR he is not open to it, then continue to pray until God changes His mind or yours. God would not call you to anything that would cause you to violate that scripture in your marriage. However, do not confuse this with meaning that if your husband doesn't agree with you on something that you do not have the right in Christ to have your different opinion. You do, but it's God's will that you respect your huband's headship in your home and marriage, and continue to go to God (not the husband) for God to work between you. You are JOINT heirs of your inheritance and salvation in God. Equal but with different roles. Yes, I do believe in the principle of submission - both mutual and also by voluntary acknowledgement by a wife that the man is her head, and Christ is the head of the man.

I knew I was being called to this fast a month ago. In my personal prayer time, I felt a soft urging to think about a longer fast in response to some serious needs with our family, the move and my work. Each day, God would take me to Scriptures where fasting was entered into and miraculous results occured. He would bring books about fasting to my mind. I started re-reading them and my faith was being built. I hadn't entered into a 40 Day fast since I was younger. It scared me to be honest with you because of my health issues. But, as some situations in our family became acute and I was in the middle of dealing with their desruction to the ones I love most, I ran to prayer to talk about this fast with my Heavenly Father. At that point, I didn't think anymore about and just planned when I would start it. I now know because of my health issues, I needed to make a wiser plan than I have for such a longer fast, but I am not going to be legalistic or prideful about this and remember what matters is my denial of self.....not the destruction of self. Satan would love to even make fasting an idol in our lives. I realized today, that I have let it become more about the "how's" of fasting instead of the "why's".

I cover each of you in the Blood of Christ and ask Him to protect you and your families now and always. Put on your armour daily, Family of God. I wish I could meet each of you. Write and introduce yourself if you don't know me. We are already related in Christ! To my precious husband, Ross - Sweet Dreams.....this fast will bring me to you, Beloved.

Treasured and Loved,
Karen

Day 11: The Lights Went Out Today

Where's the Fasting Police when you need them, huh? I guess I'm going to have to make my own Fasting Citizen's arrest today. Can you do that? I mean, arrest yourself in the event you have committed a fasting infraction? Just seemed like the right thing to do. After all, God was my reporting supervisor on this project.

I told you I was keeping this blog to be accountable, so accountable I must be. Today I fell off the wagon. BUT, not by choice, mind you. I fainted earlier in the day and then later at Sam's Club, I got so dizzy I couldn't drive home. (I later realized that if you are anemic you need to be careful about fasting, so Miss Anemia Florida here learned the hard way!) As fate would have it, I had a bag of frozen strawberries I had just bought(to augment and make my juicing more affordable) in my car, so I opened it and shakingly crammed a couple in my trembling mouth. I also found about 8pecans in my purse ( MUFA leftovers from the Flat Belly Diet, Girls) and consumed them as well.

What a dilemma! At that point, sitting in my car trying to decide if I let my frozen fruit thaw out in the back and wait for the moment to pass, the choice was being involuntarily. That involuntary action being the cramming of fruit in my mouth. (I wished I had bought some kind of chocolate at this point when in Sam's) I determined later that I was being legalistic about this. God wasn't going to make me go back on the "Do not pass go...do not collect $200......go directly to fasting jail" spot was He?. Not for a couple strawberries and a few pecans! I would like to say I immediately knew the answer to that question was NO, but the False Guilt Guard rudely but in at that point to say "YES! Yes, He will, Karen. You have failed Him."

I can't believe I actually entered into this battle in my head over a few strawberries (juice in another form!) and nuts (surprisingly, nuts don't juice well, folks). I got home, put my things away, and sat down to cry. Seemed appropriate. Ross would undestand. Stress management for the feminine heart. I prayed and asked God to forgive me. I needed forgiveness. I wanted to be the perfect faster. I wasn't. I know He was shaking His head at this point saying, "Karen, Karen, Karen.....you are missing the point". And I was.

The point is that He is here when we fall off our wagon. I can't do this fast without His strength. Today proved that. I was relying on my daily routine.....the one that I had put in my fasting box plan and felt secure in. I neglected to factor in what happens when you can't juice and weren't home. Fasting 101 - Certain medical conditions like anemia affect how you can fast. They WON'T stop you from fasting, but they do require additional measures. And not to speak of that fasting can be in many different forms. Some people fast media like staying off the internet, not blogging, no Facebook, no news (yes, Ross, some people do not check the Phillies News everyday!) or they give up something they truly love.

Today, I learned it's about the element of sacrifice and denial that God is looking for from us. I am the one who chose to only do juice and hot broths. He helped me understand what I needed to do to make that happen. Today I had to offer this fast back to him. For me to fail was about pride instead of faith. When I read Dr. Bright's fasting guide, there was one part where he talked about a "violation of the fast". Ouch! I remember thinking as I read that if that happened to me, Satan would win and nothing I was fasting for would happen. There it is....the LAW! My bent towards perfectionism, one that I never measue up to in the flesh. God is wanting to transform me and I am fighting to stay back in my playpen! Wow, this fast seems to have turned back my spiritual clock in some ways, while at the same time pushed it forward. It's bringing out some deep issues I thought I had mastered and yet they are reappearing. My failing perfection today showed me that. I'm not ashamed to admit that to you. I know truth, but I feel exposed by this fasting. I cna't explain it yet.

Okay, so, I've documented my fasting glitch to all of you for accountability. I'm over it. Juiced tonight and am back on the plan tommorow. Not in my strength, but in God's. That's the key. Don't let this stop any of you from fasting! Just be smarter than I was if you have a medical condition and check with your doctor first. I did check with mine awhile back, but I didn't know I was amemic then. I goofed! So, if you are going to throw pies, please make them chocolate cream. :-)

Thanking God for My Brothers and Sisters in Him,
Karen

DAY 10 OF MY FAST: Doing Better

It's a new day and things seem to be more settled for me as I get into the routine of this fast. I juice every morning, making enough for the whole day, and then follow my plan of "eating" for the day. Fruit in the morning and late evening. Veggies and broth for lunch and dinner. It's feeling more comfortable for me, so take heart fellow, Fasters! It does get better!

No. 1 Result from this fast so far: A clearly defined calling from God.

MY CALLING: To encourage, equip and empower Christian women to live an abundant life in Him, bringing hope and healing through a deeper relationship with Christ, sharing testimonies of His life changing power and living a life led by the Holy Spirit.

I've been a business consultant and lay counselor for women for years. I have known God was leading me into a coaching practice as my vocation for quite a while now. But, the conflict for me had always been who was He calling me to....the world or the church. Yes, we are all admonished to share the Gospel and be a part of the Great Commission, but I do believe He also has specific people or groups that He gifts us to serve. He called certain of His disciples to bring the Gospel specifically to the Gentiles and not the Jews, whereas, others were called to the Jews. I'm not an effective evangelist and that has always bothered me. I try to share the message of God's truth and redemption with everyone, especially women, but I know I am not gifted in this area. But, what I feel God has given me grace to do is help women, who are believers, work out their faith and lives in Him as they pass through the different seasons of life, directing them to learn more about living in the power of the Holy Spirit and managing their lives more successfully. He certainly gave me enough personal experience over the years. Through my journey with Him, He taught me His ways. I followed and the results brought healing and blessing to my life. He is no respector of persons, so what He has done for me and others that have seen Him move powerfully, He will do for all of His people.

This may seem like a small thing as you read it, but to me, it's BIG! It's HUGE! For the Lord to show me that He has called me to believing women is monumental in my life. That doesn't mean I won't be sharing the Gosple with unsaved women, but it does mean the focus of my ministry will be to my sisters in Christ. I'm excited and so grateful. This fasting is good stuff!

I am an idea person. A strategic planner by nature, and I feel energized when I am working on projects that are highly results-oriented. My brain operates more in a male mode than a female mode when it comes to processing. I want the bottom line and not every detail that led up to it. The majority of women are the opposite. But, having so many things I want to do or see happen has also led me to be too diverse at times, which can be counterproductive. You end up not focusing enough on a specific area that you don't produce anything of real substance. God has shown me in the past, when I focused on specifics and followed through, He brought success to whatever He had led me to do.

Many of you have written to encourage me during my fast and to say you will be fasting with me during these weeks in some way, and I am very grateful for that. You are in my prayers each day. God is looking for available, willing faith, dear Family. There are moments when the enemy will place a thought in my head that this fast is in vain, not worth it, just too hard or that I will fail and God will be disappointed with me. I come back to him with God's Word, just as Christ modeled for us on His 40 Day fast in the desert and tell him that "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much". He's a liar. If not me, who will fast for my family? Who will stand in the enemy's way or bring down his strategies in my life and the lives of my family and friends?

Who will stand for you and yours? You can stand in the gap for yourself and others and see God's blessings happen. God is able to conquer Satan without me. The cross and resurrection took care of that. He has already won the war and we know the outcome , but He allows us to wage the battles for the present so that we are changed in the process. There is that "working out of our faith" principle. that has been so important in my spiritual growth.

May His love and peace be with you today. Whatever you are facing, turn to Him and follow.

Treasuring You in Him,
Karen
The Treasured Life Coach

Day 9 of Fasting: Direction

It's Day 9. Sunday aftermoon.

Disclaimer To Skeptics: At first I didn't want to share with anyone that I was going on this prolonged fast. And that wasn't because I wanted to be more spiritual about the whole thing. No, it was because I didn't want accountiblity for falling off a 40 Day Fast wagon and disgracing the Lord and myself. That was one initial thought that ran through my head as I prayed. I didn't want others to think I was parading my fast as a badge of spiritual honor. I was also concerned if I failed that it would discourage others. And, I knew how terrible I would feel if I was caught at Cracker Barrel ordering the Old Timers Country Breakfast (buttered grits, of course) and a sweet tea. Next would be my initiation meeting at Fast Breakers Anonymous. "Hi. I'm Karen and I'm a Fast Breaking Christian." I'm not trying to be trite about this, but honest. I decided that if I was going to be serious about this, I needed to be accountable.

So, I have asked people to pray for me as I walk through this time. Making my journey a part of this blog is also a form of accountability. Not very "coachlike" of me, maybe. But, part of coaching and serving others in Christ is being real and honest with them. If I was a cardiac surgeon who had a heart attack, it wouldn't mean I was a bad doctor. It would mean I would know what had proven to work to heal my illness. I think part of being an effective, caring coach comes from having experienced life's challenges and found the path to overcoming them. God gave me a map to hope and healing and I have a passion to share that map with others.

Physically, I have felt sick since last night and felt too weak to go to church today. I did watch my pastor, Dr. David Uth from First Baptist Orlando on cable. His message on ACTS has been so powerful. I then spent the entire morning (its now afternoon), praying, studying and weeping before the Lord.

I asked the Lord what I needed to change about this fast and He showed me. I was not disciplined enough with the liquids I have been drinking. Milk products keep digestion in full gear, making you hungry (and cranky!), so there goes my milk chocolate and banana Instant Breakfast. Since the age of 13, being a loyal consumer of this product, Instant Breakfast had never tasted so good to me as it did this past week. But, I was getting so hungry that visions of a well charred, seasoned, grilled by my handsome husband, filet mignon, with bearnaise sauce, baked potatoe and an incredible salad graced with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing were dancing in my head. (I need to catch my breath now.) Add chocolate mousse cake to that and you've wrapped up my fasting day dreaming session.

Instead of rebuking me for my savory visions, God showed up this morning to fill me, teach me, encouarge me and bring me specific direction about what He has for me in ministry and work. My body could use a big dose of energy (do you think Starbucks is allowed during a fast? Probably not), but my spiritual vision is crystal clear in many of the areas I am seeking Him about. I'll share that with you tomorrow.

I am praying that God will have His way in the lives of everyone who reads this and you will benefit from my experience with this discipline of fasting. Oh, and if any of you have great Thanksgiving recipes for me to consider making for my return to eating debut, send them on, Family!

Treasuring You in His Love,
Karen
The Treasured Life Coach

Our Call to Fasting

I've faced some big challenges lately. How about you? Are you in that camp with me? I know alot of Christians who are. My friends are losing their long time jobs unexpectingly. One family on my intercessors prayer chain has a toddler with a rare disease that neccessitates a life in and out of hospitals. Just keeping her alive is a huge task. The Dad lost his job and with the job, went the insurance. I can't imagine their stress level. Two income families are struggling to keep their homes and feed their families. Business owners are closing doors. A Godly family I pray for recently lost their missionary Mom of two school age children to cancer after a long hard struggle. Satan is busy, friends.

Across this nation and the globe, people are hurting. Both those who know Christ and those who don't. Many are doing all they can to serve the Lord, paying tithe, trusting, living in obedience and sacrifice. So, what do they do when these attacks come upon them? I would suggest they start with the knowledge that it IS an attack and not something that has happened by chance. Satan has a strategic plan to destroy every human being, every Christian, every church and the entire body of Christ. Ultimately, he plans for the destruction of all God has made. If this is not something you have given consideration to, please begin to do so right now. Yes, suffering is also a part of a believer's walk, but we must use discernment and seek God for wisdom to know if this is something He has sent for our growth or if it is Satanic oppression. Once you realize you are under seige by the enemy, it's time to go to God's Word and the power of His Holy Spirit for protection and His plan to over come evil. Evil is real. We must not mock it nor give it authority.

Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth. The flavor that makes this life better and richer. So, how can we help "salt" the earth when we ourselves seem to be in need of enrichment or even rescue? What do we do when it seems the enemy is gaining ground and we are slipping beneath the waves. Christ gave us an answer. Well, He gave us many answers, but one seems to be His secret weapon.......FASTING.

There has been a resurgence and passion for fasting in the body of Christ since the late 1990's. One of the global leaders in this movement was the late Dr. Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International. He was known as a leading authority on fasting in the modern church. I was blessed to know Dr. Bright and from both he and his amazing wife, Vonette, have learned much about walking with God and living a life of victory through Christ. It is his teaching on fasting that I follow today. You can find his guidelines at http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx. This is an excellent place to begin understanding the discipline of fasting and to make a plan to do so.

When Jesus was questioned by his disciples about their inability to cast out a demonic spirit. He said in Mark 9:29, “This kind can come out by NOTHING but prayer and fasting.” Wow, now that gives fasting some real teeth in our battle against evil, doesn't it? Pair that with Rev. 12:11 where He says, "And they overcame him (Satan), by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimonies" and you have a powerful force to stop the enemy from his plan. Christ has not left us without weapons to defeat Satan. But, it IS up to each believer to learn what those weapons are and pick them up to do battle against the devil. When you have a challenge or obstacle that just will not budget or a sin that continues in your life, your first line of spiritual warfare must be prayer and fasting. Don't leave fasting out if you really want results. Christ told us how powerful it is.

Dr. Bright wrote, "The enemy makes you a target because he knows that fasting is the most powerful of all Christian disciplines and that God may have something very special to show you as you wait upon Him and seek His face. Satan does not want you to grow in your faith, and will do anything from making you hungry and grumpy to bringing up trouble in your family or at work to stop you. Make prayer your shield against such attacks." Fasting needs to be considered with a sober mind and an understanding of what you are about to do from a spiritual perspective.

At the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I began a 40 day fast on Oct 13th. A month before, the Lord was speaking to me in prayer about going on a longer fast than my normal day or two each week. As my month progressed, a crisis occured with one of my children and I knew then why God was preparing me for this time of spiritual warfare. Being the planner and administrator I am at heart, I started nicely packaging my fasting goals, describing each one at present and the specific result I was seeking God for. I had it all wrapped up in perfect little fasting box ready to go! God has a sense of humor and I think He must smile when we continue to think we know what's ahead. I wonder if He grinned as He saw me write out my neat, tidy list and set out with enormous faith and great expectation. Not that He doesn't want us to have high expectations in faith, but most fasts end up being about our brokenness instead of grandious conclusions. The truth is that brokenness is where we needed to start in the first place. He can use a contrite, surrendered heart. I've learned fasting is very unpredictable and the best thing to do is follow God's leading as you walk through it. Surrender and denial of self is not just about giving up delicious food. It's about letting God be the driving force in our lives as opposed to anything else like food, sugar, sports, interests, money, other people and even our ministries.

I'm on Day 8 of my fast. (I actually had to add a day because I started eating non-solid soup and it did not work for me, but God got me back on track after praying and bringing myself under submission to him) Let's me just say my first week was glorious! I felt closer to the Lord than I have in years. Enter Week Two. Brokenness arrived. God has this way of flipping the tables when we think we know what is best, does't he? I'm trying not to white knuckle anything during this time and just relax and let God have His way in me.

I'll keep you updated on the journey if you will check back as my fast progresses. I ask you to pray for me during this time. It started as a cake walk and it's turning into an infantry march right now and I don't know what lies ahead. I just know Who's in charge and who I will follow. Two things are emerging as I proceed.............how dependent I am on God to help me do this because my own will power is already gone........and also, that we are never at the mercy of the devil. God has defeated Him. But, He says we are to work out our own faith in fear and trembling. Tonight, I am tremblying. I need Him to steady me. But, I am certain of God's faithfulness and love and He will arrive and destroy the works of the enemy. I've asked Him to show me how "these kind only come out by prayer and fasting" through the deliverance of those I care about who are struggling. No matter what the outcome of this fast He has taken me on, it will not be in vain.

Praying for you too,
Karen Jantzi
The Treausred Life Coach