One year later

2011 has come to a close, and I have been reflecting on the ways God has answered the prayers for which I fasted. My main purpose for fasting was to discover God's direction for my life. I believe salvation is more important to God than career choice, and that He will guide me to the best career path for me and in which I may glorify Him. Moreover, I believe God has shown me the best career path for me, and that is writing.

I feel as though God has surged the culmination of the prayer and fasting at the beginning to the final part of the year 2011. That is because I now have more specifics from prayer as to which direction the Lord has for me. I also feel this way because my family, who fasted with me, are having their prayers answered. Truly, this has been our best year yet.

As we look to 2012, I can look toward more spiritual refreshment as my church and I begin the Daniel fast again on Jan. 9. Although my flesh is crying out "Not again!" my spirit longs for this refreshing. Happy New Year!

Update on Sudan

The report has just come in from Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse: Southern Sudan has seceded from Sudan. I want to thank everyone who prayed for them. The Islamic people of Southern Sudan who desire to forcibly institute Islamic law over this country have no means to do so. However, much unrest remains in this country just south of Egypt, for demonstrations have arisen in its capital city, Khartoum. Continued prayer is needed to strengthen the Christians that remain in Northern Sudan.

The After Effects

I was not sure how today would play out now that I am free to eat anything I want. Rather surprisingly, my first urge was not to pounce upon everything I've missed since I started. Contrary to what one might think, all that self-restraint one builds up for twenty-one days does not just evaporate when freedom comes. I see all these foods before me and think, "Yes, I could eat these cookies, but I would rather not lose my new physical stamina." Or, "Yes, I could have an egg, toast, and a glass of milk, but who knows how they may affect me if I have them all at once?" I have decided to ease back into my previous menu, rather than diving right into it.

It was interesting shopping with a broadened menu through the kitchen this morning. A bowl of sugar and cinnamon sat on the counter. I thought, "No, can't have that. Oh wait. Yes I can." Then a jar of peanut butter beckoned to me. The thoughts repeated. This process has been going on all day. When I first began I didn't realize how thoroughly this fast would permeate my life, but it has rooted itself deep into my daily routine. I would say. The foods I missed the most were the ones that crunch, namely, crackers, chips, cornmeal, and grains. I love the taste of zuchinni and onions, but all the veggies were soft or starchy, and never quite satisfied that desire for a crunchy snack. Oddly enough, the first thing I ate today was a tiny tiny nibble of dodol susu, an Indonesian sweet much like a tootsie roll. Even with that small bite, the flavor was overpowering. I made that my sweet for the day. For breakfast, I finally decided on an egg with cheese on top, along with a grapefruit and cranberries. For lunch, I brought a plain baked potato to work as it was already cooked, healthy, filling, and available. For a snack, I chose to eat a banana. The biggest most delightful change of pace came at supper time. I bathed my long awaited spaggetti noodles in a delectable meatless sauce. I relished those grain-based tubular ingredients. It has been an interesting process between what I can now have and what I could not, and the two are gradually but uniquely intertwining themselves back into my menu.

Day 21: Conclusion

I've learned a lot in this fast: both physically and spiritually.
healthy body
hear God's voice more clearly
Fasting takes an effort to be more than a diet
sugarless, natural sweetness is tasteable
it was a delicious culinary adventure
I lost 5 pounds
I've found better means of entertainment
The daniel fast is good for the environment as it is renewable waste
Jesus is stronger than me
I gave up things and got benefits

disconnect world and connect to God-disconnect yes, connect maybe
spiritually dry-overall no, but today yes
direction-its a process
in christ-yes

These past twenty-one days have taught me many things spiritually and physically. On the spiritual side, I went into this fast desiring to recharge my spiritual zeal. Although I gained a number of benefits, I feel as though I would have received more from this fast if I had sought God more. Even though I kept the dietary end of it, overall I let my devotion time remain the same. I feel as though my spirit grew in knowledge as steadily as if I was not fasting. However, I have noticed God's voice becoming clearer to me in small ways, ways that will train me to distinguish his leading from that of others, as I continue on my journey to follow Christ. I believe he is telling me things in smaller matters before he begins to show me the larger ones. Most of my revelation came during the three-days fast when I set apart that time to solely seek Him. Although I did not receive everything I would have liked to from this fast, I have received spiritual guidance and a better understanding of who I am in Christ.

Fasting is not only about connecting to God, but also about disconnecting from the world. I have found this part refreshing. Refreshing, because my brain is less polluted with this world's garbage--the profanity and vanity in movies, the unending gossip and disrespect for authority of tabloids, and other junk I can do without. It has given me a chance to draw away from the tube and draw toward smaller tubes, namely, beads. Not only have I returned to my hobbies, I have found that playing various games and puzzles has brought my family together. The fellowship around a puzzle is clean fun just as relaxing as television.

This fast has had a cleansing effect on my body as well as my spirit. My muscles have more endurance and flexibility than before. Despite generous portions, I have lost five pounds, whereas I was estimating I might lose three pounds.

I would say the high point of this fast was the new menu. Necessity is the mother of innovation, and I ate a lot of unique, colorful, tasty dishes. Now that my tongue has not tasted sugar cane products for three weeks, fruits that once tasted sour, such as grapefruit and frozen strawberries, actually taste sweet. It is so nice to be able to enjoy the natural sugar without mixing it with other sugar to bring up the taste. All these fruits and vegetables have also made for a much more environmentally responsible waste basket, our garden compost bowl. If eating new food was the easiest, then the part about not-eating was something entirely different.

The hardest part, but not the low point, was definitely the three days fast. I never want to do something like that again, but I may be willing to if necessary. Jesus' love for me has taken on a whole new depth after that experience. I admire Jesus for going the whole forty days. It's invigorating to think that the same Spirit that empowered him now lives in me.

Overall, this fast has blessed me, both spirit and body. If I decide to participate next year, I am going to need to make a firmer effort to seek God more.

Tomorrow, I'm sure, will present new challenges. What will it be like to go back? Already it almost feels wrong to eat a slice of toast with sugared jam on top. Still, I look forward to it with anticipation. What will I do? Will I keep going on? Will I not? Will I be able to enjoy these foods again? How will my body react?

Only time will tell . . .

Day 20: Rediscovering my hobby

As I've said before, the media fast has driven me to find other means of recreation. After years of collecting dust, I've decided to break out the beads and create jewelry again.

One of my favorite shops in all Grand Rapids is Little Bohemia. They carried beads, fashion clothing, incense sticks, and unique global home decor. Unfortunately, I've been so busy that I have not made time to visit it in quite a while. I walked there the other day, only to find realty signs posted over empty windows. I felt very sad and slightly guilty for not having stopped by more often.

Still somewhat disappointed, I hopped onto Google to see what other beads stores might be in the area. There, only a few blocks further, tucked into a corner I should have noticed by now, was a shop called Bohemia Too. It had to be the same shop! Delighted, I rushed to it so fast I forgot to check the hours. When I got there, I was an hour early. Oh well. I decided to come back after I finished my classes.

Finally, the hour came. I stepped nervously up to the door of the shop. Pushing open the wooden door, I was encompassed by the beloved familiar atmosphere. The fashion clothing still draped from the racks. The decorations inspired by ethnic cultures around the world still sat charmingly on display.

"Hello," I greeted the cashier, whom I suspected was the owner, "I went to your other store only to find it had closed."

"We moved two years ago. You should have come back," the cashier replied with a hint of disappointed, as if to say, we really could have used your help. It was sort of a cold welcome but I shrugged it off. Nothing was going to undermine my joy in rediscovering this long-lost shop.

The beads were downstairs that made the shop bigger than one would assume from outside. Table after table were filled with cartons of beads and charms. I spent an hour inspecting them and gathering ideas. This seemed like a lot of time, but it was time I would otherwise spend watching tv.

I selected about a tablespoon of beads altogether, themed around my passion to travel. Tonight, I strung them together into the necklace I had envisioned while I was shopping. I would say the most challenging but most enjoyable part of the whole process was designing how the necklace was going to look.

It may be a slightly expensive new hobby, but it has brought to memory the creativity and fun of crafting. In fact, I have another idea for a necklace that I can't wait to go back to try out. Most importantly, I want to continue some form of the media fast after it ends tomorrow. I am not going to stay away from tv completely, but I am going to reduce my intake so I can focus on more creative works.

Day 19: Gorging on veggies, healthy habit or transformed addiction?

There is a trend I've been noticing in my eating habits, which can be illustrated by the meals I've had over the past two days. At 3pm today, I ate my first meal, a banana. For supper, I filled myself with a banana, yam steak fries, hummus, salad, an apple, and vegetable broth. Yesterday was similar. I ate green lentil soup for breakfast and again at school for lunch. I imagine to the other students it must have appeared most unappetizing, but there was a lot of zest hiding in that greenish muck. When I came home that day, there was on the table were set a large bowl of colorful corn salad and a gigantic pot of mashed potatoes. I relished that feast and even pumped down a healthy dessert. I've been finding myself consuming small portions during the day and then enjoying piles of delicious vegetables in the evenings. I believe this is some form of my desire for evening snacking resurfacing. However, as they are all healthy foods, I don't believe this is going to be a problem. If it is a habit I will want to break, I'm going to need to do something different, because, as this case shows, old habits do not die easily. They may just take on new forms.

Day 18: Lessons from a sheep

God has been teaching me a lot about personal finance as of late, especially from Proverbs. One of those lessons comes from the most unintelligent animal: the sheep. I was lead to read Proverbs 27:23-27, which speaks about diligence in taking care of one's own financial situation. Verse 23 says, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds." While reading several commentaries on this passage, I found an amusing section about the sheep. John Phillips' book, Exploring Proverbs: An Expository Commentary, is particularly interesting. Renowned New Zealand sheep rancher Walter Bowen, who has contributed greatly to the sheep industry, reflected on the animals. He says although sheep are very valuable, they are the riskiest of all investments because they are the most susceptible to self-inflicted danger. Sheep are useful for food, clothing, fertilizer, and raw material (their lanolin can be used in cosmetics, ointments, and soaps). Summarizing Bowen, Phillips says:

A sheep needs constant care. It is the only animal that can get lost within sight of its own home. Within its own range it has adequate skills, but once it wanders beyond that range it has no orientation whatsoever. It will wander around in circles, often calling continually to advertise its panic. . . . Weak-spirited, a sheep is soon demoralized by pain. It will not fight back when attacked, and when it is only slightly wounded, it will lie down and await death (425).

Sheep take a lot management due to their lack of smarts and their ease to panic. The lesson I learned here is that whatever provides my food, clothing, and products of sale, usually a business in our American culture, needs to be looked after with care. I cannot be lazy and put it off, as the foolish son who did not gather crops in summer (Prov 10:5), but, like the ant (Prov 6:6), to take advantage of business opportunities when they are present. I will recognize them as they appear in season. Without care, I might let my expensive investments wander into danger while I am unaware. However, like sheep, businesses will provide a great return if for those who properly care for them.

Day 17: The financial side

In his book on fasting, Franklin speaks of receiving financial blessing as part of fasting. I am unsure how I feel about this. However, I have noticed some unusual financial occurences. I had not received any tips for the past few months. Since I began this fast, I have made $21 in tip money. Yes, that's right, twenty-one. How interesting! The blessings go beyond just being financial; I have been noticing extra favor at work. Things are just easier. I am still uncertain as to what I think about this, but it is sure fun and interesting to experience these things.

Day 16: An exception

When I woke up this morning I looked in the mirror. No! Yesterday's coconut rash had now encased my lips with miniature bubble wrap. If I let it persist, it may break out all over my face. In this case, the wheat germ is more like a medicine. Therefore, I am making an exception for the wheat germ. I stirred some into an apple, nut, and berry mixture, which pleasantly tasted like apple pie. Within minutes of consumption, the roof of my mouth metamorphized into baby skin. The puffiness in my lips has held its ground, but I'm sure in time I will be able to look in the mirror and be satisfied with what I see.

Day 15: Conditioning: physical and spiritual

Without really trying, I have been losing weight. Over the past two weeks, I have consistently lost a pound per week, regardless of the amount I have eaten. I expect by the end of this fast I will have lost three pounds total. It's actually most noticeable in my wrists of all things, which have rid themselves of any flab and now have a toned look to them. Following Franklin's advice, I did not go on this fast to lose weight (but he did mention it would be a side effect), and apparently it is a good thing I did. Who wants to lose weight around their wrists? As I was reading First Timothy today, a verse caught my attention. "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." I was reminded that even though I may train, tone, exercise, and carefully care for my body, eventually I'll step out of it and all that hard work will deteriorate in a coffin. Such training is useful to me now, but spiritually conditioning will last even after I receive my new body. It is for these latter benefits that it is truly worth training.

Day 14: Tasting recipes from Daniel's menu

Today I decided to try a couple of recipes from the Daniel Fast pdf resource on Resurrection Life's website.

The first dish was called White Beans and Sauteed Vegetables, but I substituted black beans for white beans. As I went to gather the ingredients to make this recipe, I could not find any carrots. I could not believe we were out of carrots. We always have carrots on hand. Having scoured the kitchen without luck, I gave up and left them out. In the next step, I fried the vegetables in our cast iron frying pan and, against the better judgement of the recipe's notes, used extra virgin olive oil instead of pure olive oil because we only had the best on hand. The recipe warned that using extra virgin olive oil for frying would make the product slightly bitter and should be reserved for drizzling and other finer tasks. After trying this recipe, I think I agree. Finally, I added the black beans. These dried out easily and didn't warm up much before beginning to shrivel. I think it would have been better to have had white beans to cook instead.

The second dish was Avocado Tomato dressing. I poured the ingredients into the blender and set it to spin. It is better to pulse this mixture because it doesn't blend well in the machine. The recipe called for a teaspoon of herb seasoning, which is not really that specific, so I took a look at the mixture in the blender and then at the spice rack. Italian seasoning seemed like it might be a good fit so I sprinkled it in.

After about a half hour in the kitchen, I set the two plates daintily on the table, said grace, and slowly tasted each dish.

At first, the black bean recipe was only okay. When I sprinkled a little bit of salt over it the dish moved up a notch. The beans were a little dried out from the cooking process, but chewing them they produced a delightful creamy sensation and their most prominent flavor was that of the olive oil.

Next came the salad. The dressing was quite fancy in appearance and was thicker than many other dressings. I pushed my fork through the orange-tan paste with its black flecks and sprinkling of red tomato seeds and listened as it crunched in my mouth. There was a nice slight lemony zest to it, but the most dominant flavor was the seasoning that made it taste like an Italian dressing.

On the whole, I'd say I like the salad better than the black beans, but the whole experience was enjoyable nevertheless.

Day 13: natural sores and cures

Supper tonight served to confirm a suspicion I've always had. As I ate each spoonful of the red gravy, the roof of my mouth began to sting and swell. What was going on? The inside of my mouth already has had a rash in it since I ate a tropical dressing a couple of days ago. One thing was consistent. Tonight's dinner contained coconut oil and the homemade tropical dressing was made with blended fresh coconut. Even when I was little I couln't eat too much coconut or my mouth would feel strange. Because I've been eating a greater variety of fruits more often, I've made the following discovery: I am alergic to coconuts. This is kind of sad, but at least the fast has allowed me to know this for sure.

Usually, whenever it feels like someone has stuffed bubble wrap up inside the roof of my mouth, I eat some wheat germ. The vitamin E in wheat germ reduces for me any mouth sores such as cold sores and allergic oral reactions. However, I won't eat wheat or other grains as I've chosen to go beyond just avoiding leaven prducts (bread) because that would not be a big deal for me; I wanted to do something more. I do miss my wheat germ. On the other hand, I ate an apple and some pomegranate seeds which seems to have helped quite a bit. I never realized just how many facets of my life this fast would affect.

On the positive side , one of the wonderful effects I've noticed is an ability to hear God's voice more clearly. Though far from perfect, I'm discovering a certain clarity that is stronger than usual. As I journey onward, I hope to receive even more blessings while setting aside some of my wants.

Day 12: Past the half-way mark

I'm over half-way through the fast now. Here are some of things I've learned so far:

• There are plenty of delicious options from only vegetation, and one can actually get filled up on them without relying on meats to do this job.
• Physically, I feel better than ever. I can stretch easily and my stamina has increased as well.
• When I draw close to God, he draws close to me. The deeper I dig, the more golden nuggets (of wisdom) I find. I knew this before, but it is worth mentioning.
• Abstaining from media has a liberating nature to it. I feel almost like I'm gaining part of my brain back that I didn't know I had let "turn to mush" as they say. Though at times inconvenient, I am learning to do without.
  
• Media fasting has brought my family together.
• Jesus is stronger than I am. I definitely need his grace, especially to do something like the three (or more) days normal fast again.

I look forward to the second half and pray that it will be even better than the first. I hope to learn even more as I continue in this journey.

Day 11: Trusting God more

Claiming scripture daily has a way of working itself into my heart. For a long time now, I have been quoting Psalm 91 in the morning. However, I have not been consistent lately because the Psalm is long or I just forget to recite it. Recently, I have found that quoting the first part is far more manageable, especially if I need to repeat it multiple times. Whenever doubts about what this psalm affirms arise in my mind, I say of the Lord (as the psalmist does), "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." Doing this whenever contradicting thoughts come up has really helped me to trust God more and push down my fears. The number of times I quote is not as important as how well it roots itself in my heart, and I'm looking forward to seeing my fears get smaller and smaller and faith taking deeper ground in my life.

Day 10: Praying for Sudan

As Pastor Duane says, fasting is not always about praying for oneself. Wanting to pray for something bigger than my own life, I came across a prayer request alert from an organization I support, Samaritan's Purse. The prayer request regarded their Hope For Sudan project. Beginning yesterday, Sudan has been holding peaceful elections which will continue until next week to vote on whether or not the Christian south should secede from the Islamic northern part of the nation. Thus far they have been able to keep politically separate for the past six years under a peace agreement, which has now expired. Before the agreement, twenty years of civil war had ravaged the country. The church leaders in Sudan, together with Samaritan's Purse, organized a week of fasting and prayer across that country to support this referendum to split the nation for reasons of religious freedom. I first became concerned some years ago because of a display at the library about the ravages going on in this area. With these prayers being for such monumental change, I can't help feeling that my prayers are part of something so much bigger than myself. Receiving answers concerning direction from God is absolutely wonderful, but I like how taking my focus away from myself helps me keep life in perspective.

Day 9: suffering from the media fast

Pastor Duane, when first describing this fast to his congregration, urged his listeners to go on a media fast in addition to the Daniel fast in order to help disconnect themselves from the world. I have found this part particularly challenging, more so than I thought it would be. I was listening to worship music on the free internet radio Pandora when the following commercial played: "Want to keep connected to the world through news . . ." Integration with this world is the cry of this society, and it can take an effort to tune it out for a time. This is especially so for me with movies and tv. I didn't realize how I would miss them, for I considered myself to be a person that really doesn't watch tv that much, or netflix in my case. I am a Sci Fi fan, and I usually use it to relax. Now I am focusing away from watching netflix or youtube, reading secular fiction and humorous/interesting articles (you never know what could be in them), and listening to secular instrumental music (there's probably nothing wrong with these, but just in case).

Franklin says that your Christianity will cause you inconveniences. My friends are going to a movie next week and I had to say that I wouldn't be able to come. I am not going to complain though, because this self-denial is nothing compared to what others have given up for Christ. Still, it cost me something, and I know I'll have to continue to give up other things for Christ.

It has been both challenging and exciting to find new ways to relax. I brought out a newsletter from an organization I support but never had found the time to read till now. Christian inspirational stories are easy reads that are amusing and uplifting at the same time. The real struggle came when I was too tired to read. I won't watch tv and music is boring by itself. At the time, no one was available or willing to play a board game or just talk. Now what was I going to do? A friend suggested his favorite hobby, that is, drawing. That was perfect. Plus, I began to think of other possiblilites. I could develop a hobby I normally don't have time for. I like cooking (but that's out of the question for now), jewelry making, beading, candlemaking, photography, and scrapbooking. Any one of these could provide a creative and productive way to put itchy fingers to work. However, it may not be relaxing if my creative juices are dry at the end of the day. My search continues, but today was a little bit better as my whole family was home for once.

When I can find a group of people who want to play some board games or just talk, it is good fun. Even better, it brings people together into community that just otherwise doesn't happen consistently. I have spent this Sunday, this day of rest, catching up with friends and family, playing board games, reading inspirational stories, and filling drawings with color.


As I was thinking about the "tv" I used to watch, admittedly longing for a way to replace it, a somewhat embarrassing idea occured to me. I like to watch Britain's Got Talent. What if I saw a local production? I could, every day of the week if I wanted to, go to a live gymnastics show, play, magic show, ballet, talent show, symphony, orchestra, Christian concert, or other harmless event. I thought back to Medeival and Renaissance history. This is how kings entertained themselves. Much of human history has survived without tv. I need to go back and learn their ways. Besides, if children can find endless fun out of rocks, dirt, and cardboard boxes, I can find a way too.

Day 8

As Franklin says in his book, fasting is like a spring cleaning for the body. I normally perform stretches in the morning and they are not very hard to do. Even though I have not stretched in a while, they were even easier to do today. I consider myself to have been eating quite well even before this fast. Today however, I barely felt anything as dipped to touch my toes, stretched my legs, and worked my shoulder blades and my back. It may be winter, but I'm glad to be having some spring cleaning this season anyway!

Day 7

I've come to the one-week marker of this fast. Today, however, it has not really felt like a fast to me. There were a lot of tasty fancy foods presented to me today. I made myself a nice salad for breakfast. For lunch I was offered a free pass to a cafeteria while on a college campus. I went straight to the vegan section and topped my salad with a mound of tomatoes, chickpeas, split peas, green peas, gourmet raisins, and shredded carrots. When I sat down, the student next to me asked, "Are you a vegetarian?" I knew that question would be coming, so I prepared my answer in advance. "No," I said, "I just wanted a lot of vegetables today." Which was true. I didn't tell her I wanted to eat veggies for the next fourteen days. I got so full that the salad kept me over till supper, which was another filling dish of boiled butternut squash soup with cranberries, kalamata olives, beans, and other creative ingredients. On the side we had, yes, salad, with a homemade dressing.

I thought at that point, "okay, now I will not eat anything more." However, the youth group Access has just changed its leadership, and the new pastor invited us all over to his house. There, delicately placed on the kitchen table were an assortment of vegetables and dips. The new pastor, Blake, announced that the snacks were carefully made to be "fast-approved" for those members of the church who were participating. Admittedly, I had my fair share. I couldn't help feeling a little guilty for stuffing myself.

Daniel fasted from desirable foods. With so many good options out there now, I am battling with how to define "desirable" because I desire all the foods I've been presented with. Technically, I can eat all of them in any amount, so in that sense I didn't break my fast. Still, they are appealing. I think I'll try to be less liberal tomorrow and study more. I am going to need to find a balance here, especially when I do activities where food is a given.

Daniel fast, Day 6

After not eating anything for three days, I am never going to complain again (not that I ever did) about only being able to eat vegetables. It has made me very grateful for what I have. I can't tell you how good it feels to have something in my stomach. Those three days have taken a lot out of me. Even after having a meal last night, I was rather surprised to find how weak I was in the morning since I normally just pop right out bed. I pumped myself full of tomato juice and let it circulate. I feel so much better now.

The spiritual effects of that fast have left a lasting mark. As I drew near to the worshipers gathered tonight at Access, Resurrection life's youth service, I felt swept up into the praise. I sensed that I was more in tune to the things of the spirit, and it's possible that many others gathered there may have been too while fasting and seeking God in prayer. It was as though God's presence was there in an unusually strong way. I am glad I came and joined them tonight in worship.

I thought back to many other wonderful services just like the one I went to tonight. I thought about how easy it was for me to sing about how I have given my heart to Jesus and will do what he says. I meant it then and I mean it now. After those three days, however, those words take on a lot more meaning. It's easy to say I'll follow when I'm not experiencing the pain that sometimes comes from following. When I'm right there in it, as I was yesterday, it's a lot harder to sing those kinds of songs happily. Then I look at Jesus, who fasted forty days. Three is hard. His deep love for me really has started to grow down from my mind into the soil of my heart.

I believe Christ's love will continue to take root in my life as I journey through this fast.

The three-days fast: Day 3

It has officially been 36 hours now. I can't wait to finish this post so I can go eat. Yesterday was harder than today, but today was still difficult. My hunger never really died down, except in the morning. I weighed myself before and after the three-days fast to find I lost five pounds. Most people would be excited about this, but I'm not. I want to eat so badly and I feel like devouring a glutinous feast. However, from my other fasts, I know I will need to eat a little bit a time, or else I will feel uncomfortably bloated, even though I haven't eaten much, because my stomach has shrank. It has been very tough, but by God's strength I've made it all the way through.

As I mentioned earlier, my main purpose for fasting was to discover who I am in Christ and where he would lead me. Well, God has answered that prayer. I now have a more clear understanding of these things and will continue to grow in them, but I believe the basics I have long been searching for have been given me. Most of them were shown to me at a time that I really did not want to study, however, a verse came to mind that pushed me forward. In Franklin's book, fasting, of which I have read half, he says that assignments from God all have a birthplace, and fasting is a great way to discover these assignments. The verse that inspired me is found in Isaiah 66:9a: "Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord." I was in the pangs of childbirth, and the infant given birth was my divine purpose. Fasting is very hard during the process, but in the end, the reward is greater than the pain.

Tomorrow I return to the Daniel fast, and I'm trusting God to give me the strength to fast as I should.