Dr. Ellouise's Fasting Blog

2012 Fast Begin Again

2012-01-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

My old bugaboo, free food, got me again last night when I was unable to resist eating at Pierce County Christian Singles.
Today, I began again and have been water fasting all day. I feel very hungry but I know that the feeling of hunger will dissapate after the third day. Once I've done 3 days of wateer fasting, I will begin the 80/10/10 diet that I normally do when I fast.
My prayers during this fast remain the same as when I first started this fast. I am adding a prayer for God to give me direction in regards to my role in the coming year.

2012 Fast 2nd Day

2012-01-04T06:27:00.000-08:00

I water fasted all the first day (it was very easy, I wasn't hungry at all) and up to 8PM on the second day. I then had my usual intestinal issue and ate a little something to calm it down. I will start the water fast again today & go as long as I can until the intestinal issue reappears.
During this fast, I am praying for unsaved loved ones, for healing of my gum issues and for my financial situation to improve. I'm also praying for the needs of my friends and relatives, both physical and financial.

2012 New Fast-First Day

2012-01-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

I wasn't planning to start my yearly January fast until Jentezen Franklin does his in late January; but today I woke up and it just felt right to start. I've been doing a water fast all day and I had no hunger at all. Yea! I feel as if I should spend tonight doing some extra praying and so I will do that very soon.
Although I didn't originally have a plan, my plan now is to water fast tomorrow and, maybe, the next day and then go on an 80/10/10 fast as I did last year.
We'll see how the Lord leads.

Natural Pomander Ball Air Freshener

2011-08-10T10:12:00.001-07:00

Health Tip of the Day
"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"

To make a natural air freshener, create a pomander ball by inserting whole cloves into an unpeeled orange, lemon, lime or apple. Poke holes in the peel with a nail first to keep the cloves from breaking.

2011 Aug 7th

2011-08-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

I went to my real estate office 3 times (bday cake available FREE three times!) and was able to choose NOT to eat it. I'm so thankful that the Lord is giving me strength to do this fast! Friday night at 7:30, we began our "solemn assembly" and it lasted until Saturday night at 7:30. Some people stayed for the whole time, sleeping on the floor of one of the classrooms (well, it was actually 2 of the classrooms, men in one, women in the other). But, I have to sleep with the sleep apnea machine so I went home about 11PM. I went back in the early morning and stayed most of the day. Prayer was amazing! Music was wonderful, especially Kyle with his electro music (or whatever it's called). It energized me and lit me up! When the solemn assembly was over, I truly did not want to go home, I just wanted to stay there. This morning's service was really special, it felt as if the Lord was RIGHT THERE. Wow! I got the "heat" that comes with His coming and the words He gave me for the intercessory part of the time, were right on. I loved it.

2011 Aug 5th

2011-08-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, when I went to my real estate office, there was birthday cake there for Dick. I was able to make the good choice to NOT eat the cake! Yea for me! I felt so good about it! Last night my prayers were more fervent and I felt as if God was right there with me. Double yea!

2011 Aug 4th Fast News

2011-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

I began another "raw" fast on August 1st. I have been successful in doing this fast. Yea! I decided it's easier when there are less choices so I am just drinking my blender drink and not adding any other foods. It HAS been easier. Today is the fourth day and I've been able to stay on the fast all four days. This weekend, my church (International House of Prayer NW) is having a 24 hour prayer time from Friday at 7:30PM to Saturday @ 7:30PM. I will be there a good many hours so being able to just bring my blender drink along and run out to the car to take a few sips every now and then will be very convenient.

The Fast in July Just Didn't Work

2011-08-04T10:25:00.001-07:00

The July fast did not work. I tried to start on July 1st but had so many holiday activities with free food (my downfall) and just couldn't stay on the fast. I finally gave up and decided to do a fast on August 1st.

2011 July Fast - 2nd day

2011-07-02T07:52:00.001-07:00

Yea! I was able to resist all the cooked food that jumped out at me yesterday! Today will also be a test since I am going to the Pierce County Christian Singles' BBQ and picnic. However, I will be taking my own food (raw and organic of course) and so I pray that I can resist again. I always feel better when I eat this way, it's just hard to keep my head straight and RESIST cooked food! I think the addiction to cooked food is the hardest one to overcome. But, it's only for 17 days so that's not like the 40 day fasts I've done in the past.

New Fast!

2011-07-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

I am part of the ATI (Awakening Teen Intensive)at International House of Prayer NW. It begins on July 17th. They have asked for us to fast and pray until then. It's interesting that the Lord has been impressing on me that I was supposed to fast, but I had no idea what it was for! I am beginning today with a "raw, organic" fast. I feel strong about my committment and am looking forward to the exciting spiritual benefits!

2011 January Fast Over!

2011-01-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we did a Fast Break after our 21 day fast. YIKES! Just one day of indiscriminate eating and I gained 5 pounds. Sigh, I'll have to go back on a reasonable lifestyle to get rid of it. Maybe do the 80/10/10 this week and then go back to my usual way of eating (which does NOT include all the stuff I ate yesterday!) I'm also thinking of joining Jantzen Franklin's fast whenever it starts. Not sure when that is at this point but it's usually the week after the Super Bowl.

2011 January Fast Day 21

2011-01-21T08:15:00.001-08:00

I have been doing so well on this fast physically. My "carb" cravings aren't nearly as bad as they were the first few times I fasted the 80/10/10. Yea! I have been able to go to the IHOP NW Prayer Room more frequently this week and so I feel good about that too. On Sunday, the IHOP NW fast is over and we'll have a luncheon to break the fast. I have an Open House at the lake house I listed so I won't be able to stay very long but I'll go for a bit. I plan to continue the fast after that break because I don't think I got the breakthrough I was looking for.

2011 January Fast Day 18

2011-01-18T18:27:00.000-08:00

I have not had the usual "carb" cravings with this fast...yea! I have been able to stay on the fast almost every day and even was able to stay on it on Saturday when I went to PCCS where there is free food. double yea!

I am on my way to the prayer room and will be praying for an hour or two. I really feel that I am becoming closer to God with this fast.

2011 January Fast Day 15

2011-01-15T09:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a very good day! I did NOT eat the pizza at my sub job, I did NOT eat the free cookies at the bank, I did NOT eat anything that wasn't raw even though I was very hungry just before going to the Prayer Room at IHOP NW. yea! I spent a couple of hours at the Prayer Room before the Friday night Encountering God Service and felt really good about that too. I so wish I had the money for gas to be able to go more frequently but I don't so I just have to be satisfied (wrong word--put up with) the fact that I can only go 2 times a week.

I have not had my "breakthrough" in my intimacy with God but I'm expecting it any minute! Lord, Jesus, I pray that you break in to my busy day today and help me to be more in tune with what you want me to do. Be with me as I show houses to a real estate client and be with me as I lead worship at Pierce County Christian Singles. Thank you, Lord!

2011 January Fast Day 14

2011-01-14T06:36:00.000-08:00

The prayer and intercession for the "After the Ghost" movie was very inspiring! I am so honored to be praying for this movie and for the company, Divine Intervention (which has a huge vision for its production of many more projects than just this one movie). I ate salad, and did not eat the cooked dish or the cookies, so I was good with that. But, when I first came, I somehow forgot that I was eating only raw food and I ate one piece of french bread. Yikes! How do I forget something I've been doing for 12 days? I dunno, it escapes me how non-functioning my brain is sometimes. This morning, I woke up and began praying in my prayer language. So my desire to be closer to the Lord (my New Year's Resolution, in fact) is beginning to happen. Tonight, after subbing in the Auburn school district all day and after my chiropractor appointment, I'll go to the prayer room before the Friday night service and pray.

2011 January Fast Day 12

2011-01-12T06:34:00.000-08:00

Physically, I am doing very well on the fast, except for my "free" food issues. And, I've not had any sweets even though I ate some cooked food (crackers) at the NW Christian Writers Association meeting. Spiritually, I feel that I need to press in harder with the Lord. I haven't had the gas to go to the prayer room every day and I wish that I did because that focuses me on praying while praying at home sometimes seems as if I get sidetracked to other things not of the Lord. However, tonight I will be at a prayer/intercessor meeting with Danielle and Skip Moody, praying for their next movie and I pray that will be a "bringing closer" experience. Also, on Friday, I plan to go to the Friday night service a few hours early in order to pray.

2011 January Fast - Saturday and Sunday

2011-01-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

1/8/11: All week, I’ve stayed on the 80/10/10 fast with absolutely no slips. Yea!

This morning, when I tried to leave my house, my front door would not open. The dead bolt was not on, yet I could not open the door. I could see that the tongue of the door handle was not moving even though I was pushing the handle down. I tried for about 20 minutes but was totally unsuccessful in getting it to open.

I was already late to a “Quickening” seminar (a Klemmer Personal Mastery seminar with Christian emphasis) and so I thought I would just deal with it when I got home after the going to the seminar and then leading worship at the Pierce County Christian Singles meeting.

During the meeting, I had another one of my problems with “free” food and I did eat some cooked food. I was not happy with myself but tried to give myself grace about it.

In the morning, I had gone out the back door and had locked it so that no one could get into my house. When I got home after 10PM, I could not open the back door! My key wouldn’t even go in at all! Every house I’ve ever owned had the same key for all the outside doors and it had not even occurred to me that this house was different when I went out the back door.

I went back to the front door, praying the whole time that it would open……it didn’t. I went back to the back door (all these trips were in the rain because my carport is only on my front door side) and the key still would not fit in. By this time, I was not only praying, but crying out to God about my need to get into my house so I would have a good night’s sleep before being on the worship team at IHOP NW in the morning.

I’m not even sure how many times I went back and forth but nothing opened no matter how much I prayed. Just as I was coming around once again to the back door, there was a car turning in to a house just down from me and so I went down there and asked them if they knew how to break into a house. Amazingly, they said they used to help a locksmith and they might be able to do it! What are the chances?

But, they weren’t able to get in. However, they knew another guy who they used to work with in the locksmith business and he might help and he lived about 5 houses down. Again, what are the chances. And, what are the chances he would be willing to come help at this rude hour of the night?

But, he did come. Unfortunately, the back door lock was frozen (as in had not been used in so long that it wouldn’t work). We all went around to all the windows hoping that I had not been efficient in locking them all. No luck, they were all very well locked.

However, I had never removed the air conditioner when I got the heat pump and all four of us finally, after much grunting and straining, were able to get the air conditioner out of the window and I climbed into my house through it. Whew!

As I pondered these events I realized that first of all, God takes our “fastings” seriously and I fell off by eating cooked food at the PCCS meeting. This opened a door for the enemy to work in my life.

So, I was unable to get in by the front OR the back door. However, God is gracious and provided a way out! The fact that my neighbors came home just when I needed them, the fact that they had ideas about how to get in, the fact that they knew the guy who was a former locksmith (and who was strong enough to help with getting the air conditioner out when he was unable to pick the lock because the door knob was frozen) are all examples of God’s grace for me even though I was not obedient to the fast.

I praise His Holy Name!

By the way, today I’ve been good all day long and plan to stay on the fast the rest of the time.

Jan 7th 2010 Fast

2011-01-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

Had some computer issues so haven't been on since the first day. :( I've done very well physically and was able to water fast the first day and do the 80/10/10 fast since then (check the beginning of this blog for the various types of fasts). One of my New Year's Resoultions was to get closer to God this year and this fast is helping me do that too. I went to the IHOP NW Prayer Room on Monday for a few hours to pray. I felt so blessed! I am praying for many things this time including for my family and friends, the NW awakening or breakthrough, and my financial situation. Yesterday, I prayed strongly for both my sons' situations and rebuked the enemy in their lives. This morning, I woke up praying! I love when that happens! God is so good!

January 2011 Fast-1st Day

2011-01-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

IHOP NW has called us to fast for 21 days and pray for spiritual breakthrough in our region. I am SO all in! Today, even though I had to do an Open House down at American Lake, I stayed on the fast. I am reading the material given to us this morning about fasting, fellowship and trust. The Prayer Room will be open each day at noon (and until 9:30 or 10PM) and we have prayer assignments in 2 hour blocks. This week is a teensy bit less busy because it's the first week of the quarter so I just have a few orientations for my City U job. And, I pray that I will have enough gas to go to the Prayer Room to pray corporately for the breakthrough. Physically, I did fine today and all I had was water and GoVera (which is an Aloe product from Univera). Aloe helps with the hunger pains. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

I'm Getting Ready for the IHOP NW Fast Which Starts Sunday and I Read This From Jentezen Franklin!

2010-12-29T22:19:00.000-08:00

Fasting for Your Breakthrough
Wednesday, 29 December 2010 11:43 AM EST Jentezen Franklin

What is fasting? Since there are so many misconceptions about it, I first want to clarify what fasting—biblical fasting—is not. Fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time. That is dieting—maybe even starving—but fasting it is not. Nor is fasting something done only by fanatics. I really want to drive that point home. Fasting is not to be done only by religious monks alone in a cave somewhere. The practice of fasting is not limited to ministers or to special occasions.

Stated simply, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God. As expressed by the impassioned plea of David in Psalm 42, fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.

When you eliminate food from your diet for a number of days, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God. As David stated, “Deep calls unto deep” (Ps. 42:7). David was fasting. His hunger and thirst for God were greater than his natural desire for food. As a result, he reached a place where he could cry out from the depths of his spirit to the depths of God, even in the midst of his trial. Once you’ve experienced even a glimpse of that kind of intimacy with our God—our Father, the holy Creator of the universe—and the countless rewards and blessings that follow, your whole perspective will change. You will soon realize that fasting is a secret source of power this is overlooked by many.

During the years that Jesus walked this earth, He devoted time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of this world. In the Beatitudes, specifically in Matthew 6, Jesus provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God. That pattern addressed three specific duties of a Christian: giving, praying, and fasting. Jesus said, “When you give…” and “When you pray…” and “When you fast.” He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life. As much attention should be given to fasting as is given to giving and to praying.

Solomon, when writing the books of wisdom for Israel, made the point that a cord, or rope, braided with three strands is not easily broken (Eccles. 4:12). Likewise, when giving, praying, and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken. In fact, as I’ll show you in a moment, Jesus took it even further by saying, “Nothing will be impossible” (Matt. 17:20).

Could we be missing our greatest breakthroughs because we fail to fast? Remember the thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold return Jesus spoke of (Mark 4:8, 20)? Look at it this way: when you pray, you can release that thirtyfold return, but when both prayer and giving are part of your life, I believe that releases the sixtyfold blessing. But when all three—giving, praying, and fasting—are part of your life, that hundredfold return can be released!

If that’s the case, you have to wonder what blessings are not being released. What answers to prayer are not getting through? What bondages are not being broken because we fail to fast?

Matthew tells the story of a father who had a demon-possessed son. For years he watched helplessly as his son suffered severe convulsions. As he grew older, the attacks became so severe that the boy would often throw himself into an open fire or a trench of water. A suicidal spirit tormented him constantly; the situation became life-threatening.

Having exhausted every attempt to cure the boy—even talking him to the disciples with no avail—the father’s plight seemed impossible. Then he heard that Jesus was near. Going to the Master, he cried, “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for offtimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him” (Matt. 17:15, KJV).

When the boy was brought to Jesus, the Bible ways He “rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour” (v. 18, KJV). But what made the difference? After all, Matthew 10:1 records that Jesus had already given the disciples power to cast out evil spirits and to heal every disease. So why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon and cure the boy?

That’s what they wanted to know, too, so later that night, when they were alone with Jesus, they asked Him. Jesus replied, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:20–21, KJV).

Now, I’ve read that passage many times, and I’ve even taught from it on occasion. But each time, I’ve focused on the statement “and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” I think a lot of people stop right there, but Jesus didn’t because He knew there was more—much more.

See, that funny little word howbeit is the connection—it’s the key that unlocks the power in the statement “nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Jesus told the disciples they needed faith, even faith as small as a tiny seed. But that wasn’t all. Long before this incident, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where He spent forty days and forty nights, taking no food. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” For Jesus, casting out that stubborn demon wasn’t impossible.

If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? The Son of God fasted because He knew there were supernatural things that could only be released that way. How much more should fasting be a common practice in our lives?

Fasting Is for Everyone

Perhaps you’re thinking, “I still don’t know how fasting can really be for me.” According to the words of Jesus, it is the duty of every disciple and every believer to fast. When addressing the Pharisees as to why His disciples did not fast, Jesus replied, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days” (Luke 5:34–35).

Then they will fast. Jesus didn’t expect His disciples to do something He hadn’t doen as well. Jesus fasted, and according to the words of Peter, Jesus is our example in all things (1 Pet. 2:21).

There’s another vital point that I want you to see in Matthew 6: God delights in giving rewards. Not only that, but He says that when giving, praying and fasting are practiced in your life, He will “reward you openly.”

A good example of such open reward can be found in Daniel. While in Babylonian captivity, his fasting—even partial fasting of certain foods—brought about the open reward of God, who blessed Daniel with wisdom beyond that of anyone else in that empire.

Later, in chapter 10, Daniel was grieved and burdened with the revelation he had received for Israel. He ate no choice breads or meats and drank no wine for three weeks. Then he describes the angel that was sent to him—which had been delayed by the prince of Persia for twenty-one days—with the answers Daniel sought. His fast broke the power of the delayer and released the angels of God so that God’s purpose could be revealed and served.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you desire to know God’s will for your life, whom you should marry, or what you should do in a critical situation? I’ll show you how fasting brings you to a place of being able to clearly hear God’s will.

Fasting also causes God to target your children. You will be amazed at the testimonies we have heard about fasting. It also brings health and healing to your body, as well as financial prosperity and blessings of God.

Whether you desire to be closer to God or are in need to great breakthroughs in your life, remember that nothing shall be impossible to you. Fasting is truly a secret source of power!

Jentezen Franklin is the pastor of Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia. Franklin is a popular conference speaker and his nationally televised program, Kingdom Connection, is seen weekly on national and international networks.

Officially Finished!

2010-11-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my official last day of my fast for September 2010. I'm kind of glad since I felt that I wasn't as successful as I usually am. But, I'm kind of sad because I like praying more and getting closer to God. Well, I say to myself, what's stopping you from getting closer to God even though the fast is finished? Hm-m-m, I guess nothing! So, that's my plan! Also, I will be back in January with my yearly fast that I do with Jentzen Franklin and his church.

43rd Day of Sept 2010 fast

2010-11-01T09:30:00.001-07:00

I am nearly to the end of my fast. It is actually going longer than 40 days because there were 6 fasts, all starting on different dates. I started with the first one and will end with the last one this Friday. Friday night, a friend and I will be going out to eat at an incredible vegan restaurant in Tacoma. The absolutely yummiest food! Costs a fortune but very worth it for the wonderful taste treats! Today, I'm subbing and then going up to the NW Christian Writers' Association meeting. I learn a lot at the meeting and it keeps me in the "writing" mode.

39th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Well, first of all, the bad news is that I was unable to water fast the next day. Seems that I just have to get used to the fact that I can't water fast. Blood sugar plummetings are not only unpleasant, they can be dangerous for a diabetic. However, the good news is that the minute I was finished annointing Jason's house, my cravings for toast and other bready products disappeared. Hm-m-m, so my theory that it was of hte enemy was correct!

36th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

I was able to water fast one day only but did do the whole day. On the second day, I had a blood sugar crises and had to drink some of my blendeer drink. When my blood sugar plummets, I stumble around and can't talk clearly....or think clearly either. However, I was covering myself with prayer and the annointing of Jason's house went very well! It was such a blessing to be able to do it for him. It's been a long time since I annointed a house and I was a little stressed that I would have forgotten how but the Lord was right there and brought what I was to say to my mind. Bless God! I'm going to try to water fast today again but am taking my blender drink in case my blood sugar plummets again.

35th Day Of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have had more trouble with this fast than with any fast I've ever done. I've fallen off several times and felt tremendously guilty when it happened. I couldn't figure out why I was having such a tough time. Last night, as I was pondering it and praying before going to sleep, it suddenly dawned on me.....I am supposed to annoint Jason's house on Monday night. THe enemy would love it if I am NOT being obedient to the Lord about this fast! If I am not doing what the Lord asked of me, I will not be able to annoint with power! so, today, I am doing a water fast. I am praying that there will be no negative effects (such as diahhrea or vomitting, or blod sugar pulmmetings). I will be praying fervently today and tomorrow that hte Lord will give me specific info to speak against the enemy and for the Lord, both for me and for Jason and his house.

33rd Day of September 2010 Fast

2010-10-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Crummy week. :( I have been so busy that I was unable to blog, after all these weeks I'm still craving toast and I actually gave in and had some toast yesterday. Bummer! Today, I'm whipping the flesh into line with the Word. So far, I've done a water fast. Don't know if I'll be able to continue throughout the day (it sometimes makes me sick to do that kind of fast) but I'm certainly trying.

26th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I subbed at an Auburn Elementary School. The enemy arranged for them to have LOTS of free food because it was Friday. And, one of my downfalls during this fast has been free food. Also, it was ALL carbs (muffins and doughnuts from Costco) and I've been craving carbs for days. I did a lot of talking to myself and was able to resist! I'm so happy that I was able to be strong. Today will be another test because I will be going to PCCS (Pierce County Christian Singles) and they have food there too. But, I pray I will be strong today too.

25th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

I managed to make it through another day of toast craving.....without giving in! Yea! It seems as if the requests for prayer have increased exponentially this last week, along with my carb craving. Not giving in has made me feel stronger against the enemy and my prayer life is expanding. Nice little side benefit, I've lost 5 pounds.

24th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a "craving my toast" day. I was fighting it all day but never gave in. Yea! I had several people asking me for prayer and it felt really good to be so close to the Lord that I was able to be "instant in prayer".

23rd Day of Sept 2010 fast

2010-10-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

The physical part of my fast this year is going very well. I've been able to stay on the 80/10/10 diet for the most part, with a few very little slips. The spiritual aspect is also going well. I think that I am getting closer to God and I can feel His presence. I am doing a LOT of praying for many things: praying for the nation to wake up and turn to God, praying for the NW pastors, praying for a friend's physical needs, praying for another friend's financial needs, praying for my listing on American Lake to sell so the seller doesn't have to worry about it anymore, praying for my Everett listing to sell so the seller can move to Brookings Oregon, praying for "After the Ghost" (a movie being made by the husband of a member of the Tuesday night intercession group at IHOP NW and praying for many other things and people. I absolutely love being an intercessor!

2010-10-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

This fast is bringing me so close to God and I love it! This morning as I woke up, I had a song in my heart, what a blessing! And, again this week, the Lord provided for me as He has done since my school closed 7 years ago. Before it closed, God gave me a word "Trust me" and I wondered how to do that. When it closed, I really wondered about it because I was left with a PhD but no job and I couldn't find a job.

I lost my $2 mil piece of property and my vehicle and my hard earned reputation. All I had was my house and the attendant payments. But,God has provided a miracle every single month! At first, it was difficult (no make that nearly impossible) to see that He would provide. I would panic and, at the last minute of course, He would provide a miracle for whatever bill I had (but never more than what I absolutely needed).

After about 5 years of this, I began to relax a little.

Now, 7 years later, I just say "Gosh, God, I can't wait to see how You will provide me with the money for this bill!" It's not that I'm just sitting around waiting for it to fall from heaven because I currently have 12 part time jobs; but my mindset is that God will provide.....and He does.

This week's provision came about when I had $90 of credit card bills to be paid (they raise the interest rate if you are late so it's important to pay on time) but I wasn't going to receive any paychecks from my various jobs until a small one at the end of the month from Sylvan and another small one on Nov 5th from City University and I was planning on combining those two to make my car payment.

But, when I went to my real estate office, she had a check for me from a rental that I had referred about 9 months ago (which I had totally forgotten about and I didn't know I would get a payment anyway). The amount was, of course, $100!

God is SO AMAZING! The ride is crazy scary but crazy fun too!

14th, 15th, and 16th day of Sept 2010 fast

2010-10-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

Monday and Tuesday, I prayed "unceasingly". Actually, that's how I usually pray. I pray as the Lord brings people to my mind to pray for or as I think of events or activities that need prayer. I'm not very good at sitting still for hours to pray. I pray best when I am doing my walks or when I'm driving. Last night was the regular Intercessor set at IHOP NW. What a blessing it was! The Lord provided such a sweet presence that I truly did not want to stop! When I woke up this morning, I was praying. That was really wonderful! I had a crazy busy day today (what else is new) but I stayed on the 80/10/10 and feel really good. I haven't had to take a diabetic pill since beginning the fast, yet my blood sugars are around 100. Wow!

13th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-03T21:34:00.000-07:00

This morning I missed church and felt guilty but I had gone on Friday night so I didn't beat myself up too badly. The reason was I spent over 7 hours today downloading and uploading pictures for one of my real estate listings. By the time I was finished (actually it was that I quit), it was time to go to my Sunday Open House that I do every week (until it sells-please God, let it sell SOON). I was able to pray a bit in between people coming in and prayed on the way home too. Tomorrow will be a bigger prayer day and Tuesday I usually go to the prayer room early before my Intercession set.

12th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-10-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, my many jobs got in the way of posting on this fasting blog. You know, sometimes life happens! I've managed to stay on the 80/10/10 fast except for one slip on Thursday at a meeting with free bagels. Those bagels get me every time. All during the meeting I was arguing with myself about having one and I finally gave in (80/10/10 is all raw, all organic and 80% fruits/veggies, 10% protein and 10% good fats- bagels don't fit into any of those categories!). But, my philosophy is to get right back up and start over, so I did. The problem is that once I have carbs, the three weeks of craving carbs starts all over so I'll be another 3 weeks of craving before it goes away. Sheesh! Wish I hadn't made that choice! Ah well, the rest of Thursday and all day Friday I was strictly on the fast. By the way, check my Facebook page for some good heart health news!

9th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-09-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

I made it through yesterday's meeting without breaking my 80/10/10 fast! Yea! I turned down Subway and even turned down the chocolate chip cookies later, double yea!
After the meeting and before going to IHOP NW for the Intercession set, I thought I would have some down time but my son called and needed to talk so I didn't get that down time. But, I did get a few minutes listening and praying to the set before us and that was definitely a blessing and helped me change my thoughts to the Lord. When I went to IHOP NW last night, I felt as if the Lord was so very close. During our meeting before the worship set, the Lord impressed me that I needed to change my focus to Him and away from the myriads of distractions of my life (like my financial situation, my many jobs which cause me to be working so many hours a day and switching hats constantly, my family's financial worries and my mother's Alzheimer's). All during the set, I felt the Lord's closeness; it was such a blessing!
After the set (at 10PM) I had to drive down to my American Lake listing to put a key out for the seller's daughter. I didn't get home until midnight so my prayer time was shortened at that point.
Today is an easier day so I'll have more time to pray.

7th & 8th Days of Sept 2010 fast

2010-09-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday, I went to church at IHOP NW and then to my Open House at my listing on American Lake. I was craving that one piece of toast all day and remembered that the last time I did the 80/10/10 fast, it took 3 weeks before I stopped craving. That helped me to resist. I had a lot of prayer time at the Open House because only 2 people came. It's such a peaceful house with the lake view from every window that it's easy to spend time praying. What a blessing it is to fast and pray!
Yesterday, I showed the water distiller in the morning and then did real estate lookups for my fair leads. I prayed towards the end of the day and was impressed to pray for the family of a toddler who was killed and her aunt critically injured when the child ran out into a busy street. The family is one of my real estate company's property management renters. I'm praying for peace for the family and for the aunt's full recovery.
Today will be a big test keeping on the 80/10/10 because I'll be in meetings all day and I'm sure everyone will go out to lunch.

6th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-09-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was at the Fair in the real estate booth from 10 to 4:30. I had, again, planned ahead and had my carrots, cucumbers and blender drink with me so I just stepped out of the booth (we're not allowed to eat or drink in the booth) and munched or sipped. It worked really well and I was able to again avoid the fair food. I did go to the VitaMix booth a couple of times and had a small cup of soup (which was raw, of course) and so I remained on the 80/10/10 diet even then. Yea!

At 4:30 I left to go to Pierce County Christian Singles and they had a bunch of non 80/10/10 foods but God gave me the strength to not eat anything that wasn't raw. I'm pretty sure, though, that it wasn't organic but at least I didn't eat anything cooked. The veggies had a dip with them but I knew it had been cooked so I only ate a teeny bit when my tomato fell into it (well, I couldn't just leave it there!)

Today will be easy because I am going to International House of Prayer and then to my Open House at American Lake so I've already put my foods and survival liquids into my car. Afterwards, I have to go to the Real Estate office to fax my weekly report to my American Lake seller and I'll have plenty of food left over for dinner at the office.

5th Day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-09-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was at the Fair from 1:30 to 11PM. From 1:30 until 4:30 I was doing the FAir with a friend and from 4:30 to 11:00 I was in my real estate booth trying to get leads. I'm doing the 80/10/10 fast and, guess what? There is hardly anything healthy and 80/10/10 at the Fair! However, I had planned ahead and I took my raw, organic carrots and my raw, organic cucumbers and my blender drink and I just stepped out of the booth every now and then and munched or sipped.
I can't believe I was at the Fair and didn't eat ANY Fair food! Yea. God provided many opportunities for me to pray too! I prayed for people passing by, I prayed for my ex, I prayed for my sons and their families and much more. What a blessing it is to be an intercessor and pray for people!

3rd and 4th day of Sept 2010 Fast

2010-09-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a good day. I had time to pray and get closer to the Lord and I was able to stay on the 80/10/10 fast (raw fruits and veggies, no bread) except for having cooked green beans. I was given green beans and tried to eat them raw but they were awful that way so I had to cook them (can't afford to waste).

Today was also very good, lots of time to pray and read about God. Today, I began to really crave bread (as in my daily piece of toast) but I was able to resist. Yea! I am looking forward to the miraculous things that will happen as we all fast and pray for the nation, for the northwest and for our churches!

2nd Day of Sept Fast

2010-09-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the second day of my 40 day fast. I prayed while I worked, I prayed while I drove (no worries, I didn't close my eyes), I prayed before the intercessor's prayer meeting at International House of Prayer, I prayed during the prayer meeting and I prayed on the way home.

I was determined to not let the enemy distract me from praying! The time at the prayer meeting was especially blessed for me. I was able to focus on the prayers we were praying for the NW churches and I was able to pray along with the prayer leader (quite a feat for an ADHD person).

1st Day of Sept fast

2010-09-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the first fast (there are so many going on at nearly the same time that I've figured out that I will be fasting from now until the elections!) The day went well physically. I stayed on the fast and didn't experience tremendous hunger, although I did get a bit of a headache.

The good news is that I wouldn't have had time to eat today anyway. The bad news is that I worked at my various jobs all day and didn't have time to pray. I raced from one job to the next all day long and into the night. Tomorrow should be better. Let me rephrase that: tomorrow WILL be better!

New 40 Day Fast Starts Monday, Sept 20th, Wednesday Sept 23rd and Monday Sept 27th!

2010-09-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

PrayandAct.org has called for a fast to pray for the nation starting Monday Sept 20th, a Bellingham church and IHOP NW has called for a fast to pray for the Northwest starting Wednesday Sept 23rd and The Call has called for a fast leading up to the elections in November, starting Sept 27th.

Wow! Do you think maybe the Lord is wanting us to fast? Yeah, I think so too. I'm excited to see what results we'll get from these multiple fasts.

As usual, I will be doing an 80/10/10 fast. If you are unfamiliar with that type of fast, look to the oldest of these blogs and you'll see a full explanation of the various types of fasts.

I have been fasting the first 3 days of the month for quite some time, ever since IHOP KC called for us to do it. In the course of these many fasts, my focus has shifted from the mechanics of the fast to what the Lord is doing in my spiritual life during the fasts. I will be blogging this shift as we go through this 40 (?) day fasting time.

I pray the Lord comes in great power--to the nation, to the Northwest, to the political climate!

Sept 3rd 2010

2010-09-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

I'm off for a full day of demonstrations of my water distiller. I'm feeling really good physically this morning and know I can do another day of fasting. Yea! I've been doing a LOT of praying and feel as if I might fast for a couple of extra days this month. We'll see.

Sept 2nd 2010 Fast

2010-09-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

Today was interesting. I had no trouble staying on the fast all day long. However, I was supposed to meet someone at the Taco Time to go down to the lab tour at Univera. She didn't show up and I waited 1 1/2 hours.....smelling those beans the whole time. That was hard. But, I wasn't really hungry and I just kept praying about being strong enough to not go inside for some beans. The other interesting thing that happened is that several people called for prayer. Not too unusual, actually. But, one of them was a friend who has a son who is a missionary in Nigeria. She called for a protective covering over the village where his wife's mother and brother live. It seems that they live where people come in and demand money and, if it isn't given, they kill the villagers. The people came and demanded money and the villagers did not have it. The villagers were hiding and asking for prayer for their protection. I prayed for quite a while on that one! My friend has a cute little granddaughter and it would be very sad if her grandparents on the other side were killed or kidnapped. It's amazing to me that something like this happens during a fast! I pray more when I'm fasting (of course, that's the idea) and I felt all prayed up when my friend called.

Sept 1st 2010 Fast

2010-09-01T14:22:00.001-07:00

Well, it's the first of the month again! Yea! And, I am fasting again! This time, I'm praying for the school children of the nation as they return to school. I pray that they will see the Lord for who He really is and not be blinded by the attitudes of others either their peers or their teachers. I pray that He breaks through in a powerful way with signs and wonders!

3rd Day of August Fast

2010-08-03T10:46:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the easiest day of fasting that I've had. I had just one time when the food in the fridge was calling to me and I managed to resist the call. Yea! It is now nearly 11AM and I'm doing OK today too. I'm so glad!

2nd Day of August Fast

2010-08-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the second day of my August Fast and I'm feeling great with no problems with the 80/10/10 fast. I have been able to work my Real Estate business both yesterday and today and am now doing paperwork that I've put off for some time because I was so busy during the Spring quarter. Yea! One more day to go!

First Day of the August Fast

2010-08-01T20:29:00.001-07:00

Today is the first of August and IHOP Kansas has encouraged us to fast on the first 3 days of every month so I'm begining a fast. Again, because of my diabetes, I'm doing an 80/10/10 fast (all raw and organic fruits and veggies). It's now 8:30PM and I've been doing the 80/10/10 all day and I've done great. A little hunger around 5PM but I ate an organic banana and it went away. Yea!

An Unexpected Fast

2010-07-07T09:38:00.001-07:00

So, yesterday I started yet another fast for yet another reason. :) I had oral surgery and was not supposed to eat anything but very soft things. So, I decided to just do the 80/10/10 fast that I did when I was fasting for spiritual reasons (I make my morning blender drink and then sip on it all day). It worked very well and did not cause any discomfort where the hole is where my tooth used to be. I will continue it for at least 2 more days to let the surgery site heal.

July Fast-First Day

2010-07-01T06:05:00.001-07:00

This is the first of July so I'll be fasting for three days, at least. I'm in prayer for many things so my fast may last longer this month.

Anna Fasted for 60 Years!

2010-06-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

From Mike Bickel, on Charisma daily devotional:
Saturday, 26 June 2010 12:00 AM EDT

And this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. —Luke 2:37, NKJV

Anna—what an interesting woman! She served the Lord (ministered to the Lord) with fasting and prayer night and day. The word ministered is often exchanged with the word serve. What an unusual idea for a woman to minister to the Lord in prayer and fasting. Anna was probably about seventeen or eighteen years old when she was married, and after seven years she was widowed. So beginning in her early twenties she began ministering to the Lord night and day. At eighty-four years old, sixty years later, Anna was still faithful in this! She was constantly in prayer in the temple. What a woman! This calling is not reserved only for Catholic monks. The Protestant church must call the Annas forth, find a place for them, honor them, and find ways of releasing them into their calling.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Father, I may not be remembered for sixty years of faithful intercession, but I pray that I will be remembered as a faithful intercessor—no matter how many years I have left to live for You.

Beloved, in this very hour the Lord is wooing the
Annas of the end-time church, and He personally
is setting them into their place.

Are You an Anna or Mary of Bethany?

2010-06-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

From Mike Bickel, from his daily devotional

Friday, 25 June 2010 12:00 AM EDT

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. —Luke 2:36-37

Anna and Mary of Bethany were two full-time watchmen set upon the Jerusalem wall. Anna speaks of the spiritual warfare, intercession, and fasting. These are people whose main focus is to open the windows of blessing and tear down the spiritual walls of resistance. They are full-blast intercessors and spiritual warriors who are committed to fasting. The Marys of Bethany will enjoy great grace for prayer and worship and will change the atmosphere of the cities and churches that they are a part of by being extravagant lovesick worshipers. God has placed them in the midst of the people as a tender fragrance of the beauty of the Lord.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Make me a watchman on the wall of Your glory like Anna and Mary of Bethany. I want to give myself to intercession so that I might influence the atmosphere of my city and church to a higher level in You.

Even if the Annas and Marys never speak to anyone,
their very presence creates a type of grace that
preserves the church.

Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/loving-god/22334--day-175-#ixzz0rsPPR3Ci

Fasting by Mike Bickel

2010-06-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

From Mike Bickel (on his daily devotional from Charisma)
Thursday, 24 June 2010 12:00 AM EDT

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. —1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Fasting in fellowship with the Holy Spirit helps protect us from discontentment, coveting, and fleshly cravings. Fasting will lead to a change of your emotional chemistry. You will, for the most part, no longer desire to have the things that you once wanted. This is because fasting intensifies your detachment from worldly concerns. The strange thing about fasting is that it requires doing nothing instead of doing something, for when you fast you don't eat, don't work, don't talk, and so on. This is the ultimate state of the foolish and weak things of this world confounding the so-called wise things of the world. Fasting literally begins to unlock and release those negative feelings that have been ruling our hearts and ruling us. The presence of God released through fasting also helps to break the bondages of self-absorption so common in today's world.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Father, remove my fleshly cravings and concerns so that I can fast unimpeded by the cares of this world. Strengthen my spiritual identity in You so that I will no longer desire the things of this world.

Fasting is a powerful spiritual tool that
strengthens your spiritual identity in God and
weakens your fleshly identity.

Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/loving-god/22333--day-174-#ixzz0rnVOMwtc

May 31st Fast

2010-05-31T14:49:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are to another month! I decided to start my monthly fast a day early since I have many appointments tomorrow. Basically, it's more convenient to be near my bathroom on the first day of a fast since I spend so much time there the first day. :) By the second day, my body has usually flushed (pun intended) enough that I'm no longer spending so much time there. I have my water all portioned out for today and will probably be drinking twice as much as usual this first day. I seem to be very thirsty this time. My plan is to water fast for 3 days and then do the 80/10/10 for about a week after that.

May 2, 2010

2010-05-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

I water fasted yesterday because it was the first of the month. It was easy because I was at IHOP NW and involved with the Corey Russel conference so I was thinking about Godly things and not about hunger. Great conference, very deep!

May 1st

2010-05-01T08:23:00.001-07:00

Well, it's May 1st and Paster Gary Weins said that IHOP NW is encouraging everyone to fast on the first of every month so I'm going to fast. My stomach is already growling and it's only 8AM so I'm sure this will be opposed. However, God is GREATER!

The 40 Day Fast is Over, The Lifestyle Should Not Be

2010-04-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

A new study shows that a total fast just one day a month helps reduce heart attack risk. Mike Bickel and IHOP Kansas City are fasting the first day of each month, a great spiritual and physical choice!

The fast ended Friday and I went to a Passover celebration on Saturday. After eating cooked food for the first time in 40 days, I was extremely tired and had to take a nap. I also gained 4 pounds (I gain fairly easily because my thyroid is so low). I thought it would be good to just do a one day fast on Sunday. But I got tripped up by going to a "40 days for life" meeting at which they had some wonderful looking salads (which, it turned out, had salad dressing on them that had sugar in it) and some homemade bread. I ate and my blood sugar went sky high and I was, again, very tired.

I'm thinking that I really just need to stay on the 80/10/10 as a lifestyle because I felt so good while on it!

Last Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-04-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day and I made it! Yea! I have an annual Passover Feast that we postponed until tomorrow so that I would be able to eat Matzo Ball Soup (with Mckay's non-chicken brother of course). YUM! However, there are some personal reasons that I may continue my fast after tomorrow in order to continue praying more effectively. My family definitely needs prayer. I'm healthier on this fast than I've been since becoming diabetic after a serious car accident in 1995 and so I may just stay on it. Since I make my morning blender drink and am able to drink it whenever I need a little food (which can happen at stoplights), this also fits my lifestyle. Hm-m-m-m-m, we'll see.

36th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-04-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

I am praying and the Lord is listening during this fast. I am so thankful that we have a God who is big enough to listen to my little voice and every other voice at the same time! Last night was the second night that I went to NW Christian Writers' meeting. This time, I was able to stay on the 80/10/10 fast! Praise God! I feel better about myself for having done that. No recriminations floating around in my head this morning. :)

35th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-04-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

I have been praying for many things during this fast, the most important of which is the third great awakening. But, I've also been praying for each of my sons and their families, my ex-husband's salvation and my mother's Alzheimer's. The Lord is Good and I am trusting Him for the answers to these prayers as I cry out for Him to "rend the heavens and come down". My heart is so in tune with the Misty Edwards' songs I'm listening to! The words to her songs touch me in places so deep it's hard to verbalize.

34th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-04-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Lord has so blessed me during this fast! Yesterday, I was able to write a listing for my real estate business. Last week, I was able to sign up 3 new people in my Univera business (helping them while helping me!) Friday, I met a woman who had her child in my childcare 14 years ago and she is also very interested in the health benefits of the Univera products. I was assigned several new people for my City University Field Supervisor position so that will help me get through the summer when there's no subbing in the Auburn School District. And, the census bureau called so I have a part time job with them for May and June. Blessings, however, are just the tip of the iceberg because I feel as if I am getting so much closer to Him. I think of the Misty Edwards words "my soul longs for You" and that is truly where I am!

33rd Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-04-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

Every 6 months, I must have blood tests for my thyroid and diabetes. The ones that I just had, showed that my blood sugars are the lowest they've ever been since becoming diabetic after a serious car accident in 1995! The really amazing thing to me is that I no longer have to take my diabetic pill in order to get this result! This 80/10/10 diet is, apparently, very healthy for me. Now, I just have to decide if I will eat this way for the rest of my life. There are pitfalls: most of the time, I'm so busy that it is a very good way to live (I can drink my blender drink at stoplights). But, at times, it's hard (like today when I'm going to Oregon with my son to see my mother). She will not understand "raw, organic fruits" and I'm sure her facility won't have any available. I'm taking some food with me but will have to deal with her issues as I eat something other than what she is offering. Lord, help me to stay on the fast!

30th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I have FINALLY stopped craving toast. I am so glad that I don't have to fight that anymore. I feel as if my spiritual life has really deepened during this fast. The Lord is so close and real to me. Sunday, at IHOP NW, I was so touched by His touch! I can hardly wait to see what He has for us during tonight's prayer room time.

27th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

Much more than the physical act of fasting is happening in my life. I am soaking in Misty Edwards' CD's and they help me to be in a constant state of worship. I am so blessed by them! I'm also learning more about myself and my relationship with food (for instance, my issues with turning down free food). And, I have more time to pray about the coming awakening in America because I'm not spending a lot of time eating. I basically eat at the stoplights and in between activities. I have plenty of energy, despite my modified fast, and I'm accomplishing many things. yea!

25th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

Because of the fact that I've been poor for so many years, I seem to have an issue with eating food that's free that I would not otherwise eat. On Wednesday, I was at a meeting and they had blueberry bagels with cream cheese. The 80/10/10 fast that I'm on is "raw fruits and vegetables" but I ate one of those bagels (I was successful in avoiding the cookies, however). I did not feel good about myself! But, on Thursday, I went to another meeting and they had the same thing and I was able to NOT eat them. Yea! I think that the introspection and talking to myself about the fall on Wednesday helped me to be strong on Thursday. I am certain that I needed that talking to myself in order to continue with the fast. Next test will be Pierce County Christian Singles on Saturday.

22nd Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend at the onething conference and then at my two churches all day Sunday.....my favorite kind of weekend! At any rate, there was no time to blog. I did very well regarding staying on my 80/10/10 fast. I did get a salad at Subway and put jalapenos on it....I have no idea if they are cooked or not. I didn't think about it until I was almost finished. I'm feeling very good physically and spending a lot of time praying. Today I was a Guest Teacher (librarian) in a public school and one of the students was saying that he had almost completed his work on becoming a vampire....all he needed was to find the longitude and latitude of 666. He said if he dies young, he'll live forever. Yikes! Of course, I prayed for him!

18th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-18T19:27:00.000-07:00

Gary Weins said he was a little crabby on his Daniel Fast last Friday and then the Lord did a good work for him. I'm looking for that good work today! I've been on this fast for a while now (18 days to be exact) and I thought I was over the hump on cravings.....but no. Today, the smell of food cooking EVERYWHERE I went was overwhelming and difficult to resist. I did resist but only after praying a lot and talking to myself a lot. Why is this so difficult? I know that raw food is better for me. Yet, I still want cooked food. Sigh. Lord, give me strength! I think at this point that the accountability of having this blog is helping me to stay on the straight and narrow!

17th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I missed a couple of days somewhere; just too busy with my 11 jobs! Anyway, I am doing amazingly well on this 80/10/10 fast. I no longer crave toast...yea! I got the most delicious organic cauliflower yesterday and am eating it along with my organic celery, organic carrots and organic almonds (all raw, of course). I'm not even missing the smell of food, which is usually my hardest issue. And, I feel great!

14th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

I woke up singing one of Misty Edwards' songs and praying to the Lord. What a great way to wake up! Then, I spent most of today in one church or another, what a blessing! IHOP NW this morning and City Central Church this evening. I've had no blood sugar crises for a while now and think that I'm doing really well. Today I was, again, craving carbs like toast but I resisted and stayed on the 80/10/10 fast. Yea! Tonight at City Central, the Lord gave me a word to give the congregation. This has never happened to me before but I believe it happened because I've been so much in prayer and fasting and He is rewarding that. Praise God!

13th Day of 40 Day 80/10/10 Fast

2010-03-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

Today was a testing time for me. Last night I went for a sleep study and this morning they offer breakfast which, of course, isn't raw fruits and veggies. Then I went to IHOP NW for the Worship Team Meeting and they offered soup afterwards which was vegetarian but cooked. Then I went to the Pierce County Christian Singles conference and everyone went to freighthouse square for dinner. Freighthouse Square seemed to be the hardest but I finally found a salad at Subway which was all raw (after walking the entire length of Freighthouse Square down and back and reading all the menus). After the conference, everyone went to Porter's for dessert. I thought that my self-control had done very well all day and I just didn't want to tempt myself beyond reason so I just didn't go. Yea! Made it through another day!

12th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-13T06:58:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this on Saturday because yesterday I left my house at 7:30AM, went to do 2 Guest Teaching jobs in Auburn, then went to City University to turn in paperwork for that job, then went to pick up the Zamar CD's (the CD that Jerry, Dee and I produced)so I have them to sell at today's Pierce County Christian Singles Conference at Living Grace Church in Tacoma. After that I did a sleep study with a machine to see if it would help my sleep apnea. Now, I have just returned home to get the gunk out of my hair from the sleep study and then will zoom off to a Worship Team meeting at IHOP NW and then to the Singles Conference. I have made extra of my blender drink so that I can sip on it all day at my various activities. Today is a day dedicated to the Lord! The best kind of day

11th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

I had a pretty good day today regarding the 80/10/10 fast. I was able to stay on it completely. I am continually surprised at how good I feel doing this fast. I have some cravings but not a lot and I can sip on my blender drink any time I feel hungry. This fast is a good way for me to do a fast because I really don't have time to eat and sipping on a blender drink can be done at stop lights. It also gives me more time to focus on the Lord and what He wants. I've been listening to my Misty Edwards CD's constantly, which help me in worshipping the Lord. What a blessing!

10th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-10T22:39:00.000-08:00

I did very well today on the fast. Yea! No low blood sugar issues. I was craving a piece of toast but I managed to stay so busy I didn't eat one. I feel very good on this fast. I think the 80/10/10 is a very healthy way to live. I've read for many years that raw food is better for you and now I believe it! I have lots of energy and, other than the toast craving, haven't had any other cravings.

9th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

OK, so I think I missed a day somewhere in there! Anyway, no Guest Teaching job today so I have a bit more time. It's so cold that I'm going to build a fire, fill my house with my Misty Edwards worship CD's and read and pray. Since I'm home until 2:30 when I leave for my Sylvan Learning Center job, I have time to pray without doing it "on the run". Being home also helps with the fast, I have everything I need and am not tempted to eat what is not on the 80/10/10 fast.

7th Day of 40 Day Fast

2010-03-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Didn't get to this yesterday, which was actually the 7th day. The water fast is very difficult for me because of my diabetes but the 80/10/10 fast is working well. I am able to stay on it, yea! The way I'm doing it is to make my morning blender drink and then sipping on it all day. This keeps my blood sugars up but not up too high.

6th Day of 40 Day Fast - 2nd Posting

2010-03-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Had a very low blood sugar crisis tonight. 60 @ 8:30PM, down to 48 @ 8:55PM. I knew I was heading the WRONG direction so I ate some raisins (not raw but at least they are fruit) and a banana. Blood sugar started back up so I was able to avoid eating anything cooked. When I'm not 80/10/10 fasting, I would normally just eat a piece of toast (carbs bring the blood sugar back up quickly) but I didn't want to do that because of the fast. Feel better now and I'm glad I was able to handle it without going off the fast.

6th Day of 40 day Fast

2010-03-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Oops, I was so busy yesterday I forgot to post! Bob Sorge conference at IHOP NW has been incredible. Back to fasting, I did have a dinner of raw, organic salad at Marlene's yesterday. It fits in to the 80/10/10 diet very well and I chose only raw, organic ingredietns. It was delicious but I felt overly full when I was finished. I think I like my blender drink better as my food during the fast.

5th Day - Friday

2010-03-05T23:27:00.000-08:00

I'm finished with the water fast and am now beginning the 80/10/10 fast. Mostly fresh, raw fruits and vegetables (80%), a little protein (10%) and a little good oils (10%).....hence the 80/10/10 name. I have a healthy blender drink that I make for my morning meal and, when I'm doing the 80/10/10 fast, I just drink it all day. It is just about 80/10/10 so it works well for me. If you would like a copy of it, I will be glad to email it to you. Email me at ellouise@ececonsultants.com for a copy.

4th Day

2010-03-04T07:20:00.000-08:00

I woke up with a headache but it turned out to be from my neck being out of place. When I did my neck exercises, it clicked back into place and now the headache is gone. My blood sugars are still good and this is my last day of the water fast, or so I think. If the Lord leads, I'll do it longer but only if He leads. Yesterday, I got hungry twice but just drank more and it went away. Since today is the 4th day, I shouldn't feel hunger anymore during the rest of the fast. I am spending lots of time praying, (amazing how much time eating takes from one's life!)for my family, my friends and the coming Awakening. The Lord is SO GOOD!

3rd Day - 10AM

2010-03-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

Whew! I was able (with the Lord's help) to make it through my BNI meeting without eating the breakfast that is provided. This is big for me because I like free food! One trick I did was to announce to everyone when I got there that I was fasting; this kept me accountable and helped me be strong and not eat. Yea!

2nd Day - 11PM

2010-03-02T22:43:00.001-08:00

Made it through the whole day with only the liquid. Blood sugars were OK and not too low. Yea! Looking forward to tomorrow and Thursday of liquid only and then on to the 80/10/10 fast. :)

2nd Day - Noon

2010-03-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

I had a long talk with myself and the Lord. I repented of eating last night when I had decided to do the water fast the first three days. Now, I have decided that I will have to do the water part for 3 days starting today. It's now noon and I'm doing fine. There are no "trip ups" coming today so I pray I will not have a blood sugar crisis to derail me. This brings up the idea that, when fasting, we should just get back to the plan when we fall off. Don't give up! Just start over! Do overs are OK!

What happened at NW Christian Writers?

2010-03-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Ugh, last night at the NW Christian Writers' meeting, I had a blood sugar crises and so I ate some bean dip, a mini bagel with cream cheese and 3 cashews. Felt crummy for having done that but I overreacted to the crisis. Probably could have gotten by with just the bean dip but I get really panicky feeling when the blood sugar crashes and I do overreact. My only saving grace was that what I ate was still on a Daniel Fast, I didn't eat any sweets (of which there were plenty).

2PM First Day

2010-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Had to go to several stores for various items. Interesting how the enemy works, there were food places all around where I had to go (every one of them calling to me) and cookies at the bank (which has NEVER had cookies before). The Lord kept me strong and I'm still doing a water fast. Next hurdle is NW Christian Writers' meeting where I am the hospitality person so I'll have to be around food for 3 hours. Lord, hold me in Your hand!

My Plan for the 40 Day Fast

2010-02-25T20:18:00.000-08:00

My prayer is that I will be able to do a water fast for the first three days (March 1, 2 and 3) and then move to an 80/10/10 fast for the rest of the 40 day fast. I have to be careful of my blood sugars since I'm diabetic and low blood sugars can be very unpleasant and unsafe. I'll be checking them more frequently than usual and will have some of my blender drink with me in case I need to raise the blood sugars a bit. A few sips every now and then will help but not raise the sugars too much. Check back to see how I'm doing!

How To End Your Fast

2010-02-24T22:32:00.000-08:00

How to end the fast
a. To break a water only fast, an 80/10/10 fast, a vegan raw fast or a Daniel fast, be sure to do it gradually so your body doesn't react negatively.
b. If you choose to go out for steak and/or pizza after a 40 day water fast, you will find your colon over reacting and trying to get rid of the dinner as quickly as possible (translate, diarrhea and/or throwing up)
c. Choosing to sip on vegetable or chicken broth the first day will help your body to gently begin to digest the food you are eating.
d. Then gradually add the foods you normally eat….unless you have decided that you can eat in the 80/10/10 way or the vegan way or the Daniel Fast way.
e. I have been a Daniel Faster for many years and I have way more energy than most people half my age!

What To Do While On Your Fast

2010-02-24T22:31:00.001-08:00

What to do while on the fast
a. If this is a spiritual fast, as opposed to a fast to lose weight, turn your attention and time to the Lord; using the time you would normally be eating (or watching TV or whatever you are fasting from) to get closer to God and His wishes for you. He loves to hang out with you!

Tips For Staying On Your Fast

2010-02-24T22:30:00.001-08:00

Tips for staying on the fast
a. Get an accountability partner and report to them every day, especially the first 3 days
b. Announce it on your social networking site so ALL your Facebook friends will hold you accountable!
c. I’ve been known to call my accountability partner and say “Talk to me until I pass this restaurant so I don’t go in.”
d. Be sure you drink plenty of water (distilled or filtered) to help you feel full and to help your body remove toxins
e. I drink about a gallon of water every day in the form of a tea that I developed which is good for the bones (email me if you would like this free recipe).

Tips For Begining Your Fast

2010-02-24T22:29:00.001-08:00

Tips for beginning
a. A fast does not have to start on a weekend, it can start at any time
b. Begin your fast in the morning (you are ahead since you’ve already fasted all night long!)
c. Plan ahead for this change
d. If you choose a water fast, clean out your cupboards of any sweets or other tempting items so you aren’t going to the cupboard every few minutes during that first 3 days
e. Be aware that if you choose to do a Daniel Fast, vegan or 80/10/10 fast, you will be hungry about every 2 hours. Plan ahead and have things ready to eat.
f. Be sure to have some fresh fruits and veggies cleaned, cut up and put into baggies to carry with you so you aren’t taken by surprise by hunger (this is one reason people fall off the fast, they weren’t prepared and it’s so EASY to whip into a fast food place).
g. Be sure to take the prepared snacks with you wherever you go. I carry a large lunch box with me every day and it has my blender drink (email me if you would like to have the recipe, it’s free), some celery, carrots, cauliflower and/or broccoli and some raisins. Occasionally, I have black olives (for the vitamin e) and almonds. I buy raw almonds and then just barely heat them to kill any germs or mold (150 oven for about an hour) and then put them into baggies and freeze them to keep them fresh.

Tips Before You Start Fasting

2010-02-24T22:28:00.001-08:00

Tips Before You Start
a. Be sure to cut down portion sizes the week before you fast. This makes your first days of the fast easier
b. Drink lots of water before your fast. This helps your body slough off toxins
c. If you’ve chosen any fast other than “water only”, be sure that you are prepared (see “tips for beginning)
d.

Types of Fasts #6 Fast From Something You Love

2010-02-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

Fast from something you love such as TV, fast food, red meat, movies, computers, etc. You can choose
i. This is the least restrictive fast and many people who are new to fasting choose this fast
ii. Stop whatever you are fasting from and use the time you would normally do whatever it is to turn your attention to the Lord.
iii. Many of these things are such time wasters! You will find that you have much more time to be with the Lord when you fast from them.
iv.

Types of Fasts #5 Daniel Fast

2010-02-24T22:26:00.000-08:00

Daniel fast (or vegetarian fast)
i. Daniel ate “pulse” which was an air dried mixture of fruits, nuts and seeds
ii. Today, what most people call a “Daniel Fast” is just a vegetarian diet (not necessarily vegan)
iii. What NOT to eat
1. Meat products
2. Poultry products
3. Some people choose to eliminate fish from their diets also
4. Anything processed
5. Fast food or junk food
iv. What TO eat
1. Fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds
2. Eat everything as close to the way God made it as possible. This means raw, whole foods like an apple (not applesauce) or an orange (not orange juice).
3. Raw whole foods have enzymes that make your body work better so choose them as often as you possibly can
4. If you just can’t stand raw foods (I don’t know why since they are so delicious!), then steam them lightly but don’t buy them already cooked
5. Remember, the more raw foods you put into the body the better the body works and eliminates those ugly toxins that can cause all kinds of diseases

Types of Fasts #4 Vegan

2010-02-24T22:24:00.001-08:00

Vegan
i. This fast is also a lifestyle for some people
ii. Vegan means that you eat no animal products (don’t eat anything that used to have a face) and you eat nothing produced by anything that used to have a face (which includes all dairy products)
iii. Many vegans cook their veggies but some are vegan raw people
iv. This diet is very healthy and can become a favorite way to eat in healthier ways
v. Be aware of what you’re eating! Eating only French fries is NOT eating vegan!

Types of Fasts #3 80/10/10 Fast

2010-02-24T22:23:00.001-08:00

80/10/10 Fast
i. This fast is also a lifestyle for some people.
ii. It is vegan and raw (no animal products and nothing cooked)
iii. It consists of getting 80% of your calories from mostly fruits (which are whole food carbs and actually good for you), 10% from vegetable protein sources and 10% good fats.
iv. This diet is what I use when I’m fasting since it fits my lifestyle (I’m way busy) and it is easy for me to do.

Types of Fasts - #2 Water Only

2010-02-24T22:22:00.002-08:00

Water only
i. This is the fast that is talked about in the Bible when it says “fast”.
ii. Some of the Jewish holidays have a required fast associated with them and this is the one that is done at these times.
iii. Some people do a “water only” fast for spiritual reasons, in order to seek the Lord on a specific issue
iv. Some Health Food people choose a “water only” fast. When the body doesn't have to work on food, it can rid itself of toxins and so it is a healthy way to fast. There have even been reports that a particular ailment was healed because of the person doing a “water only” fast.
v. However, everyone planning to do a water only fast should check with their doctor to see if they have any condition that would preclude them doing a water only fast.
vi. For instance, diabetics need to be especially careful about doing a “water only” fast because there are serious repercussions if the blood sugar gets too low.
vii. If you are diabetic and decide to do a water only fast, you will most likely have to cut down your diabetic meds. Especially, if you plan to exercise while fasting. So, it’s very important to see your doctor before choosing this fast
viii. The good news is that, after the first 3 days, there is no hunger with this type of fast so it’s an easy fast to do (after that first 3 days).
ix. Since those first 3 days are the hardest, keep reminding yourself that you won’t feel any hunger in just 3 more days. It really helps.
x. If you start any kind of fast with a 3 day water fast, you will see some immediate results. Your body will flush out toxins and water weight during that first 3 days and that is invigorating.
xi. However, if this is a spiritual fast, concentrate on the Lord instead of on how much weight you might lose.

Types of Fasts #1 - Full Fast

2010-02-24T22:22:00.000-08:00

Types of Fasts
a. Full Fast - no food, no water
i. Jesus did this in the desert for 40 days when the enemy tested him. For the rest of us, it’s probably not a healthy choice. The body needs at least water in order to function.

Types of Fasts - List

2010-02-24T22:20:00.000-08:00

Types of Fasts
a. Full
b. Water Only
c. 80/10/10
d. Vegan
e. Daniel Fast
f. Fast from something you love

Drink More Water

2010-02-23T07:07:00.001-08:00

During the week before your fast, be sure to drink lots of water. This will help flush out toxins and it will help you cut down on portion sizes in preparation for your fast.

The Week Before Fasting

2010-02-22T20:05:00.001-08:00

During the week before fasting, be sure to cut down on junk foods, processed foods and animal products. This will help the first days of fasting to be easier.

Lou Engels Has Called for a Fast from March 1 to April 9

2010-02-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

I just finished a spiritual fast which went from Jan 10th to Jan
31st. Last week at IHOP NW (International House of Prayer NW), it was announced that Lou Engels is encouraging us to do a 40 day spiritual fast from March 1 to April 9. I am so excited to see what the Lord will do with this fast. Lou has said that he believes that we are fasting to bring in the next Great Awakening. What a privelege to be a part of that! Join me in this fast!