Prayer: The Gate

I received a long list to share with those who would like to pray.

• Mandy & Todd B. business growth and success
• Suzanne E. blessings
• Miranda M. for healing
• Ray A. healing
• Teachers everywhere as the new school year gets under way
• Students everywhere as the new school year gets under way
• Lorrie P. prayers of gratitude
• Janet S. strength and wisdom
• Pat H. health for her grandson
• Lenora I. healing
• Mike C. healing
• Charlie P. healing of his lungs
• George A. thanksgiving for healing
• Dan L. comfort at the loss of his wife Merlene
• Travel mercies for those this holiday weekend

Merlene L and I  were born the same year. I have known her since 1979.  I am so grieved by the loss of a young, beautiful woman.   She had a radiant smile and brought joy when she entered a room.  We will miss you Merlene.  God bring comfort to Dan who loved her with all his heart.

Newsong

I love a good Benediction.  For non-protestant church goers, the benediction is the parting shot from the minister. That was supposed to be funny.

Rev. Glen McPhearson is a man  in his 90’s now, who shaped much of my theology and general spiritual beliefs.  He probably stands 5′1″ but in spirit he is a giant.  And he can deliver one powerful benediction.  They used to last for me at least until Thursday.  He would raise his hands and say something like:

 ”Go out into the world and the grace of God be with you.  Abide with God, be blessed, and live in the peace that surpasses all understanding. Let Jesus be your savior and redeemer and live in the example he has set forth…. You leave here as a radiant child of God, made in his image.” 

I know it is hard to imagine from where you sit, but you could feel the power and presence of God rolling over the entire sanctuary.  You walked out of there and felt blessed and like a child of God and you had all you needed to get you through.

I think we all need to leave our own house each day with a great benediction.  Let us say only good things to each other, encouraging each other, and make each day productive and filled with the joy of the Lord!

Be blessed today.  Go out into the world and make it a great day.   Newsong.

This is a short day of fasting because I stopped eating at 3:00 pm last Sunday.  So I will pray with Jim and Betsy at 4:00 pm today, and then come home for dinner.

If you have not fasted before I have a few words of advice. 

1. Start with a shorter fast at first (24 hours)
2. Pray before you start
3. Set a definite start and stop time
4. When you end your fast, pray
5. Drink water (I drink mineral water like S.Pellegrino in the large bottles, at least 1 per day)

Praying at the end of your fast is the best part, so don’t cheat yourself out of the best part. Give yourself at least 30 minutes of quiet uninterrupted time to be with God.  Listen for him to reveal things to you.  Enjoy being in his presence.

After an extended fast like this one for seven days, I will need to go slowly to re-introduce food to my body.  That means food that is very gentle on the stomach and digestive system.  I will have some steamed vegetables this evening.  I have some mushrooms, a bell pepper, a yellow summer squash and 2 leeks.  Just select some vegetables you like (a baked potato, vegetable soup, etc).  I also like yogurt and I may have one of those later in the evening. Only eat a little at a time as to not overwhelm your system.

You may think you want a double cheese burger and fries, or plate of steak, ribs, and fried shrimp or giant pork green chili burrito the size of Rhode Island, but trust me, it isn’t a good idea.  Those dense, heavy foods will turn to a giant rock in your stomach and you will not feel well.  So wait a couple of days before you do that to yourself.

I am not a vegetarian, but will eat mostly vegetables for the next few days and be kind to my system.  Also by doing that, I will not gain the 12 pounds back that I have lost.

I feel great, strong, healthy, slender, and free.  My spirit feels free, and I am restored and renewed.

Newsong

Prayer time is still amazing.  I see visions about people I know. I feel the presence of God enfold me and love me as I am.

I have experienced a healing of my arm, which had hurt for over a month.  I also have experienced a healing in my hand, and that has hurt for about six months.  Neither one hurts at all now.  I’m looking forward to playing some golf.

My tongue is still coated, of course, I have completely lost my appitite and about 12 pounds.  It’s like the “Rock Star” song.  “And we’ll all be skinny, cause we just won’t eat.”  Well it is true.  I think there is no diet, only fasting.

I am so happy and grateful about everything.  My husband thinks I was a little cranky the first couple of days.  I think he should write about living with someone who is doing this.  He has been a trouper.  I have only cooked for him once, everything else has come prepared from the deli, or he snacked on fruit, cheese, popcorn, salads, cereal and yogurt.  I think he has lost some weight also.

I am walking slower now as I walk the dog.  I am a little sleepy and a short nap on my lunch hour from work has helped a lot during the week.

I’m a little relieved I will eat tomorrow night.  In some ways I would love to keep going.  But I don’t think I would enjoy another full work week if I continued fasting.  It can be done though, I have made it through this week.

Tomorrow I will go to visit Jim and Betsy B, and pray with them before I end my fast.  Pray for them also. 

Newsong

I feel a little anxious this morning.  That feeling started yesterday afternoon around 3:30.  Kind of strange since I have felt great, even euphoric this week.

Today I want to pray for Larry and his son Sean.  “God, I lift up Larry and Sean to you.  Heal them both, lift their spirits, give them guidance and hope.  Reveal yourself to them God. 

I also continue to lift up Jim and Betsy to you and Ian and Sarah through these times of uncertainty.  One thing is certain, you are the Alpha and Omega, our rock.  We are not defenseless, God you are our defense and our deliverance now. Amen”

I visited another site called Fitness Through Fasting  today, there is some info there.

Newsong

I feel really good.  I am a little sleepy today, but feel great health wise.

My dreams are vivid.  Two nights ago I dreamed about a moose in a pond.  I could smell the water, feel the breeze, see the moose lift his head and look at me.  It was a large male.  Today someone sent an email with video link that had twin baby moose and their mother playing in a sprinkler. 

In my dreams last night I saw a wall and floor with tiny mosaic tiles, so new the grout was still wet. I also dreamed about green leaf salad with apricots. I like apricots and green leaf salad, but not usually together.  Kind of weird stuff.  Maybe my imagination is more free to roam without my body attempting to digest food and do other things. I want to stop dreaming about food though.  It will make these next days easier.

There are people in my life I want to pray for today.  Some are continued prayers like for Jim and Betsy B.  “Father God, I lift them both up to you today again for continued healing and strength.  May they feel your presence and healing power.  May they know they are made in your image and you care so much about them at this time in their lives.”

I also want to pray for Ian and Sarah S.  “God I pray for wisdom and guidance for them.  May they also feel your presence and seek the wisdom of God in their lives.  May they walk in your ways and understanding. Bless them, prosper them, keep them in health, keep them in the joy of the Lord.”

“God I also pray for Allen B. for wisdom and guidance and strength, for Greg S. for wisdom, strength and that you lift his spirits. Dave S., lift his spirits and help him find direction for his life. For John and Melissa F. for travel mercies. For Debbie and Regina for all your rich blessings.”

Thanks Dave S for support during the fast, and keeping my cooking and clean up for you to a minimum.  I will have to cook tonight as we are low on already prepared food.  I have had to cook before during a fast, it can be done.  Just pray before, plan something easy and quick, then go walk the dog or read a book while they eat.

“Thank you God for all the wonderful people in my life.  I feel so grateful, so happy, life is wonderful and God you are so good to us all.  Amen.”

Newsong