Fasting as Clarity

      I never have really thought about how much clutter food is in my life.  I mean I just enjoy eating.  I enjoy the smell, taste, texture,  of good food.  But to achieve that culinary bliss there is a lot of work that goes  it to it. I think about what I’m going to eat, where to get it, do I have a coupon, do
I make it or pay someone else to make it, and how many calories does it have in it. I’ve noticed this is not so much work but clutter.  As we fast there are moments, these wonderful moments, of clarity, inspiration, and insights that I never have while not fasting.  Maybe it is the decluttering, maybe it is the removing of something that takes so much of my time, energy, thought. that opens the door for God to be more present in my life. Because now that I am on this fasting journey I in moments of concentrated prayer or meditation a thought will bloom I my mind, heart and soul. A totally transformational thought that has reverberation throughout my whole life.  The kind of clear directional thoughts that you know can only come from Holy Spirit.  Maybe one of the things that God is teaching us throughout this experience is that when we remove the clutter He is there.  When we remove the daily grind of food  preparation we get to see God more clearly.  So that brings to mind a bunch of other questions for me.  What do I clutter my life with on a daily basis?  If the removal of something as simple as food from my life can offer such insights and deeper revelations of God in my life how much more if I turn off the TV, Facebook, Cell Phone, Twitter, Blog Feeds (Not this one), Fantasy Football,  and Email. 

Action Step:

What clutters your life?

Can you remove anything in your daily regimen to bring simplicity to your life?

Have you experienced clarity I thought in your fasting?  If not don’t give up give yourself to prayer.  Don’t give up!

Journal it all!     

Fasting as Rest

Think about all the appliances you use during the day.  The coffee maker, toaster, microwave, stove top, coffee maker again, dishwasher.  Those I use just to get the kids ready for the day.  With the thought always in the back of your mind what’s next for lunch or dinner, do I need to go to the store. 

Now multiply that feeling a thousand times.  That’s what it must feel like to keep kosher.  Kosher is the adherents to all the Old Testament food laws.  There are regulation on what you can eat, how you can cook it, what pots and pans it can touch.  My anxiety goes up just thinking about trying to feed a family that way.  If you want to explore Kosher more check this out http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

This made me think about the rest that would take place during a fast for ancient followers of God.  During the fast they wouldn’t have to deal with the weight of the food laws on there minds.  In this sense Fasting is a release of mind to focus on God.  We can open our minds to all that God has for us because we don’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from.  We know it is a spiritual meal from God.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

“Come to me all you who are wear and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle an humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

As we draw closer to God in this time of fasting and praying please don’t make the mistake of looking at is as something else you have to do.  During this time ask God to give rest to your soul.  That He would nurture your spirit with supernatural food in ways that food can never do.  Bask in  the rest that fasting gives you.  Savor the flavor of God in your life.  Delight in the presence of God in your daily life.  Relish the lingering taste of communion with God.

Actions Steps today

Journal your thoughts today. Where are the areas you are hungry in?  Where do you need God’s rest to flood over you? 

If you have time take a walk with God today and listen for his voice don’t talk just listen.

Are you hungry?

The journey of fasting is a beautiful one.  Fasting takes a body that is full and makes it hungry and spirit that is hungry and fills it.  Fasting is a concentrated effort to deny oneself to grow closer to the heartbeat of God.  As we start this journey of fasting.  Prepare your motives for Fasting.  Ask yourself a few questions. 

            Why are you fasting?

Have a specific goal and purpose behind it.  Tailor your prayers and Bible reading for the subject you reaching for.

Who knows you are fasting?

The scripture is very clear that Fasting is a private act and not something that is used to draw attention to yourself .

Matthew 6:16-18 (New International Version)

 16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Tell your spouse or whoever makes your meals your intention but after that no one needs to know. 

Fasting is not something to make you a super Christian or a badge of honor.  It about you bringing your heart closer to God’s heart.

Fasting is not a hunger strike to try and manipulate God.  It is a way in which you can become laser focused on what God is saying to you and has for you in this season.

How long are you going to fast?

Have a clear time limit.  Set realistic goals this is incredibly important if you are new to fasting.   Headaches are normal your body is accustomed to all kinds of chemicals and caffeine.  Drink plenty of water and that should limit the discomfort and help you get rid of the toxins in your system.  If fasting for more than a day have a plan of what to eat when you come of off the fast.  Hint:  No greasy foods and stay away from high acidic foods.

Action Step

Write down your motives for fasting in a journal and keep the thoughts that God gives you written down so that you can refer back to then and see how God has changed you through your experience.

Radiant!

Attention Fusion ladies!

Do you have a facebook? If so, take a minute to join "Radiant", a group just for you. It is the perfect way to stay connected with your friends, and updated on girls' events that are happening. Check it out, invite more people to join, and stay tuned for more information!

If you don't have a facebook but you still want to be updated, shoot me an email: Emily.Hunt@bridgepointechurch.org

Blessings!

-Emily

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=145070998870299&ref=ts

Elements

I am really excited about Elements starting this Sunday night.  Elements is our Student Life small group opportunity.  In Elements Middle School students will learn the basics of faith.  Who God is,  what it means to follow God, how to share your faith, etc.  High School will be learning about how to the put there faith in practice in the personal time with God.  They will cover Bible Study, Fasting, Prayer, Journling, and Worship.  These lessons have been written by our leaders for our students.  I am incredibly proud of our team and the effort that has gone into this material.  These meeting take place the next 6 weeks and go from 6:30-8 on Sunday nights

6th grade

The Weiss's
906 Laurel Crest Dr
Woodstock Ga 30189

7th
The Waters
407 Raven Mocker Lane
Woodstock Ga 30189

8th
The Jamieson's
810 Brookside Court
Woodstock Ga 30189

9th
The Boerner's
1618 Clark Lake Drive NW
Acworth, GA 30102

10/11th
The Troche's
702 Standing Turkey Court
Woodstock, GA 30189

12th
The Walker's
304 Parke Court
Woodstock, Ga  30189

Meet Emily

    Hello! My name is Emily Hunt, and I am the new Girls Ministry Director “Dudette.” I’ve been helping lead worship for a little over a year now at Fusion. (Yes, I am the blonde with the pink capo and pink guitar strap and pink sticker...that’s me.) I am excited to finally have such an opportunity to connect with and serve the students I’ve gotten to know over this past year. The driving force behind me is God’s heart for these girls, His passion and purpose for their lives. And lucky me! I get an excuse to hang out with awesome young women who love their Jesus.
    A couple facts about me: I am twenty years old. My birthday is January 17th, and I am a fan of the color pink. I work a part time job as a Barista at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee in Roswell. (Yes, I am a total coffee nerd.) I met many of the LEAP students at Bridgepointe last summer when I was an intern at the Journey Church in New York City and went on the Indiana Mission Trip this past summer. After spending a week with that team, I knew where I would be the first Sunday I was back home in Georgia.
    I am really looking forward to this new season, and all I ask is for prayers that God will use me to make a lasting impact on the hearts and lives of those God puts in my path. Thank you and have a great day! 
 

How's your fruit, How's your health

Does anyone else get a guilty feeling every time a speaker talks about doing something.  Like you all need to bear fruit or wind souls or quit gossiping or whatever topic they are talking about.  I do I could have not gossiped in a year and I still feel guilty about that I have no idea why but I do.  The scriptures do this to me sometimes.  As I think about it... that's okay.  I am not perfect, I can always use a reminder of stepping up in whatever area of my life.  The scripture that is constantly spinning around in my head is Matthew 7.  When Jesus talks about Fruit what does he mean? Am I bearing fruit?  I know I don't want to be cut down?  Does this mean I need to work harder, read more, talk more, prepare more?????  Maybe those are the wrong questions.

Matthew 7:16-20 (New International Version)
16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

I honestly don't know what this means for my life yet, I don't know what it means for yours either.  As I think about fruit though and trees producing it.  Things need to be right internally.  The roots and leaves have to be healthy to bear fruit.  So I have to ask how are my roots?  Is my faith deep in good soil?  How are my leaves?  Does my outward actions match my inward faith?  If those are healthy the fruit will be come in season.  I think sometimes I get thinking about why fruit isn't being produced in my life and honestly it just isn't the right season. 

Let your self off the guilt trip, concentrate on being healthy.  Truly healthy, Take a walk. Pray alongside a river or lake. Read the Bible in a different version than you are used to.  Get healthy and in your season you will yield a huge harvest.