Onto day six of my fast. I have now fasted twice as long as any other time in my life. I have found it easy with a few exceptions. My wife, Laura, waited until my fasting period to use an old, forgotten slow cooker. She has always done well in the kitchen, (see my portly guttal region) but armed with a new weapon and new recipes, each day this week, I came home to a new gut shaking aroma! Zesty Barbeque Chicken, a crusted Macaroni and Cheese and the worlds nicest smelling Pot Roast in an onion and mushroom sauce. Wow!!! Last night I took the girls to a movie night a suffered through pizza being consumed by several hundred people! And then tonight, Pizza Hut delivered to my door and, more specifically, to my nostrils.
However, I am doing well. My energy is okay. I find myself needing to sit a bit more often than usual but that’s to be expected. I was 246 when I started and stepped on the scales today at 233. I suspect I’ll be down around 200 by the end. 199 was my college graduating weight so that’d be nice. The biggest deal though, that I notice, is my prayer time. I have been into it man. From the father in law (Tom) of one of our staff members who is dying to a friend who today shared his unemployment with me, I have been on it. My church has been getting prayer time like never before as well. As a sad indictment on my normal prayer life, I’d say I am spending 5 times my regular time with God. To say this has been different for me, would be an understatement. I’ve also been listening to Starving Jesus (the book is available in audiobook on iTunes) on my iPod. The book itself is better, but the audio is good too. Also reading the book of Matthew, revisiting Jesus’ life and teachings. It’s been good.
Off to get some juice. If you need prayer for anything, please let me know. I am on it!!!
A friend recommended the book “Starving Jesus” to me a month ago. As I began reading it, I felt so convicted. “BORN AGAIN LAZY” is a phrase the book uses that so applies to me. I took a few minutes and asked myself, “Who have I loved on recently? Who have I shared the Good News with? What stranger have I helped? What have I done for Him lately?” I started thinking of my sin verses my “church persona”. Am I being real? What does God want from me now? I wrote a book a couple years back called “Go Be Jesus” (originally titled “Jesus Never Had His Name On An Office Door”). My goal was to challenge others to do something … anything for Him. “Starving Jesus” has thrown it back on me now. It was a call to action for me. I have to start denying Him and start denying me more often. In short, I must stop starving Jesus. I’d highly recommend this book if you haven’t read it. There are many challenges in the book. The one that I am in the process of is a 40 day fast. I started earlier this week. No food. Just water, fruit juice, prayer and study. I am fasting. Our church is meeting at the end of next month to work on our vision, direction and game plan for reaching our community. I see this retreat as critical to our future. I wondered what I could do and then, this book comes along through a friend who just finished his 40 day challenge. Thanks Rick! So I will fast and I pray and seek God’s wisdom as we head towards the retreat. I will post periodically every 10 days or so to let you know how it is going. Off to get a glass of juice!
Beckett recently posted it’s top 50 NFL QB’s of all-time. With a few exceptions, it’s a pretty good list. How could anyone argue against Joe Montana being #1? I would have had Aikman, Young and Staubach ahead of Favre (yes, I would put Favre in my top 20, at 13 actually). Joe Namath at #15 is a mind boggler!!! Broadway Joe had a great season in 1969. He also threw more INT’s than TD’s during his career. So Namath better than Baugh, Griese, Fouts, Moon, Stabler? Laughable. I’d have Joe Namath around #30 or so (based mostly on his fame and Super Bowl III legend). As for my favorite QB, Marino at 8 is fair and close to where I’d have him, give or take a spot or two. Anyways, I liked the list. What do you guys think? Here it is;
