When You Fast…

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Listening to WMBI Moody radio’s Karl & Crew while I do my exercises has been my twice-weekly practice for many years. I admit to being a physical therapy nerd. I have good reasons to be a fan—PT has changed my health and given me a strong, pain-free body.

A few weeks ago, as I did leg lifts and neck stretches, Karl & Crew interviewed Dr. Ronnie Floyd on the importance of fasting and prayer. I fast once a month, taking time to listen to the Lord in solitude. Many years ago, I had to make a major life decision, and I took one lunch hour a week and instead of eating prayed for direction from the Lord.  It took a few months to clearly know God’s leading. So, I am familiar with fasting and prayer, but not as regular practice. Listening to Dr. Floyd, I became convinced that I should do it more often.

The same week, I completed a deep dive study in John chapter 1 and moved on to the next topic on my list: Prayer and fasting from Mark 2, Matthew 9, and Luke 5. I could not believe the timing and sensed the Holy Spirit was guiding me to grow in this area. After all, Jesus says in Matthew 6:16, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious…” He doesn’t say, “If you fast…” Jesus promises that our Father will see when we fast in private and reward us. What more encouragement do we need?

NOTE: A book recommended on Karl & Crew is The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting by Dr. Ronnie Floyd.

Impossible Moments

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“Come on, Mom, let’s get moving. The Y class starts in half an hour,” I called from the bathroom. I had been encouraging her to finish her coffee and pack her swimsuit for the past ten minutes with little response. I heard the chair squeak across the kitchen floor. Finally, I thought, leading her into her bedroom to pack her bag. “Where are we going?” she asked for the third time, looking blankly at the bag I handed her. “To water aerobics at the Y. It’s Tuesday,” I said, frustration in my voice. After several more fits and starts, we pulled out of the driveway toward the YMCA.

My mother had moved in with us a year earlier. Her Alzheimer’s worsened, and we realized she couldn’t live alone. Technically, we all moved into a new place, Mom from her fifth-floor condo, us from our one-bathroom townhouse. One thing Steve and I didn’t want to share with Mom was a bathroom, and the rental home we found with the help of a friend had two full bathrooms and it was a ranch. No stairs for Mom to navigate and our own on-suite bathroom. Whew!

On the ride to the Y, I put on a Christian radio station, knowing they played uplifting music in the morning. I sang loudly as one of my favorite worship songs played. Each day caring for my mom could stretch my patience. The Lord offered surprising little miracles in between the struggles, like her being dressed and ready on time for a change. As my voice joined in the praise song on the radio, the Lord reminded me that His grace is sufficient even for the seemingly impossible moments. That morning, I sang some hard-fought hallelujahs.

Take a few minutes to listen to Brandon Lake’s powerful new song, “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” https://youtu.be/CtJPdiYk15g

Reset

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Have you ever needed a do-over? One flaw often leaves me longing for a reset. People tell me that I’m too blunt. Of course, they were rather forthcoming in the same way by telling me, but that’s human nature. When I’ve had to apologize, it’s usually the result of speaking before my mind is fully engaged.

Thus, when my new friend suddenly burst out in tears and told me how much I hurt her feelings, I immediately said, “I am so sorry! Will you please forgive me?” What more could I say? I’ve learned the hard way that defensive answers leave me listening to the phone disconnecting. We are still friends, proving that God’s way is always right.

Taking it one crucial step further, I turned to the Lord after we hung up and bowed my heart and head praying, “Lord, I hurt her feelings. Please forgive me. Help me to watch what I say and how I say it.”  First John 1:9 is as true today as when the apostle John wrote it: “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” That day I needed a reset by repentance, which the Lord graciously granted.