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Fasting

December 8th, 2006 Leave a comment Go to comments

I don’t much understand it.

That being said, I’m on a 20 day fast. Unfortunately, I cheated on my fast last night and ate two pieces of pizza at my friend John’s house. I went 4 days and then cheated.

I almost gave up and decided that I’d just fast some other time, but instead I’ve decided to just jump back on the wagon and continue this fast. After all, God has really come through so far.

I’d love to elaborate on that statement a bit more, and I shall do so now, but it will be very vague.

Two days ago I had a brainstorm. A business idea. Something simple, yet useful to dozens of local businesses. I made a phone call. I acquired my first client. I spoke with another business and acquired my second client, who actually owns three businesses and could therefore count as clients 2 through 4.

The owner of the company I’m presently working for has agreed to allow me to work short weeks in order to launch this new venture. And with the clients I’ve already obtained I should be able to have a successful business going within the next few weeks.

This is an answer to prayers I hadn’t even asked. God knows I enjoy working for myself. This idea fell into my head out of nowhere as I sat working. I have no doubts in my mind who put it there.

The tired cliché says “God is good”. The tired cliché is used for a reason. God IS good.

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  • jake.blakeney

    Hi Donny,My wife and I are with you on the fast…and boy, a couple pieces of pizza sure sounds good right now…in a way, I envy that you cheated.Jake

  • jake.blakeney

    Hi Donny,
    My wife and I are with you on the fast…and boy, a couple pieces of pizza sure sounds good right now…in a way, I envy that you cheated.
    Jake

  • John & Jennifer

    Yes, I know, I’m a bad influence :-) That whole ‘fasting’ idea makes no since to me what so ever. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. You are doing this for God, right? It’s a ‘sacrifice’ for him, correct?Fasting is very unhealthy. I challenge any of you to dispute the fact that starving yourselves is a very unhealthy act. Why, on earth, would one chose to starve (harm) ones self as a sacrifice to God? Do you think that he/she wants you to do that?And I must ask, where do you draw the line? Some people take their own lives as a sacrifice to God. I think that you should consult with your Doctor’s before going several days without a drop of food.

  • John & Jennifer

    Yes, I know, I’m a bad influence :-)

    That whole ‘fasting’ idea makes no since to me what so ever. Perhaps someone can explain it to me.

    You are doing this for God, right? It’s a ‘sacrifice’ for him, correct?

    Fasting is very unhealthy.
    I challenge any of you to dispute the fact that starving yourselves is a very unhealthy act.

    Why, on earth, would one chose to starve (harm) ones self as a sacrifice to God? Do you think that he/she wants you to do that?

    And I must ask, where do you draw the line?
    Some people take their own lives as a sacrifice to God.

    I think that you should consult with your Doctor’s before going several days without a drop of food.

  • Jeff

    “God is Good”?! Oh geez…you’re using catchphrases! Before you know it, he’ll be picketing alongside Fred and his kla—err…clan. ;)

  • Jeff

    “God is Good”?! Oh geez…you’re using catchphrases! Before you know it, he’ll be picketing alongside Fred and his kla—err…clan. ;)

  • David Louis Harter

    Donny,Laura is bringing home a Sierra Nevada specialty pizza—grilled prime beef, grilled onion, and smoked gouda cheese—and two cases of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale.I shall eat, drink, and toast you, your fast, and your new enterprise!- David

  • David Louis Harter

    Donny,

    Laura is bringing home a Sierra Nevada specialty pizza—grilled prime beef, grilled onion, and smoked gouda cheese—and two cases of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale.

    I shall eat, drink, and toast you, your fast, and your new enterprise!

    - David

  • Jeff

    OK, first, I do actually agree with you that you should check with a Doctor first. Fasting is basically trusting God that he will strengthen you. You’re right, from a completely human perspective, it is unhealthy. So trusting God is really the ultimate show that you place your life in His hands. It’s saying, “I’m so committed to you and your will for my life that I will forego even food, trusting that you will sustain me.” You ask where do you draw the line…at the Bible. I’ll let Donny show you the passages, but fasting to rely on God’s strength is something that is a good thing in the Bible. Jesus prayed and fasted (they go hand in hand, btw…it’s not just fasting) for 40 days. When dealing with a particularly difficult situation, he said, “This can only be dealt with through prayer and fasting.” So it is not crossing the line as far as God is concerned. Truthfully, you’re not supposed to get it. What you’re doing is being a Defensive Lineman and hearing the QB call a play. You hear a bunch of words and they don’t make sense unless you commit yourself first to the coach’s gameplan, then commit yourself to understand the playbook. You’re trying to understand what the other team is doing without ever even being in a meeting with the coach, so you just scratch your head and watch the play unfold around you. And you likely won’t get it unless you become more than an impartial observer. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…pizza. I require pizza.

  • Jeff

    OK, first, I do actually agree with you that you should check with a Doctor first.
    Fasting is basically trusting God that he will strengthen you. You’re right, from a completely human perspective, it is unhealthy. So trusting God is really the ultimate show that you place your life in His hands. It’s saying, “I’m so committed to you and your will for my life that I will forego even food, trusting that you will sustain me.”
    You ask where do you draw the line…at the Bible. I’ll let Donny show you the passages, but fasting to rely on God’s strength is something that is a good thing in the Bible. Jesus prayed and fasted (they go hand in hand, btw…it’s not just fasting) for 40 days. When dealing with a particularly difficult situation, he said, “This can only be dealt with through prayer and fasting.” So it is not crossing the line as far as God is concerned.
    Truthfully, you’re not supposed to get it. What you’re doing is being a Defensive Lineman and hearing the QB call a play. You hear a bunch of words and they don’t make sense unless you commit yourself first to the coach’s gameplan, then commit yourself to understand the playbook. You’re trying to understand what the other team is doing without ever even being in a meeting with the coach, so you just scratch your head and watch the play unfold around you. And you likely won’t get it unless you become more than an impartial observer.
    Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…pizza. I require pizza.

  • John & Jennifer

    There was very pious man who believed in God completely and was sure will help him always…Once his village was flooded with rising waters of a nearby river. This man prayed feverishly to God to rescue him and sat on the roof of his house…His neighbor who was evacuating..shouted to him..come with me I will take you to safety..but the man said no thank you God will come and rescue me…so the neighbor went away….The waters continued to rise..the man prayed again God please come and save me…sometime later he saw rescuers in a boat and they threw the rope and asked him to hold on to it so that he can get to the boat..but the man said “no thanks, my God will be here soon”..The boat went away. Now the waters were rising almost to his waist on the roof..he prayed with much more devotion begging God to come and rescue him…few minutes later there was a Helicopter above him and they sent him a rope asking him to hang on to the rope…but the man wouldn’t hold on..He said No thanks again..the Helicopter went away….He now prayed more harder than ever..but the God didn’t show up!!! the water finally got to him and he drowned…Now he went to the heaven and met God…He was furious..”God he shouted…I prayed so hard and you did not respond to my prayers…You are so inconsiderate”God said ” I tried to help you three times, but you didn’t open your eyes”man said ” three times, when was that?”God said ” I sent the Neighbor, a Boat and a Helicopter”

  • John & Jennifer

    There was very pious man who believed in God completely and was sure will help him always…Once his village was flooded with rising waters of a nearby river. This man prayed feverishly to God to rescue him and sat on the roof of his house…His neighbor who was evacuating..shouted to him..come with me I will take you to safety..but the man said no thank you God will come and rescue me…so the neighbor went away….The waters continued to rise..the man prayed again God please come and save me…sometime later he saw rescuers in a boat and they threw the rope and asked him to hold on to it so that he can get to the boat..but the man said “no thanks, my God will be here soon”..The boat went away. Now the waters were rising almost to his waist on the roof..he prayed with much more devotion begging God to come and rescue him…few minutes later there was a Helicopter above him and they sent him a rope asking him to hang on to the rope…but the man wouldn’t hold on..He said No thanks again..the Helicopter went away….He now prayed more harder than ever..but the God didn’t show up!!! the water finally got to him and he drowned…Now he went to the heaven and met God…He was furious..”God he shouted…I prayed so hard and you did not respond to my prayers…You are so inconsiderate”

    God said ” I tried to help you three times, but you didn’t open your eyes”

    man said ” three times, when was that?”

    God said ” I sent the Neighbor, a Boat and a Helicopter”

  • Jeff

    So which is Donny…your neighbor, boat or helicopter? And are you going to accept the help that he has brought to you, or stay on the edge and go, “Nah…I’m waiting for God.”?

  • Jeff

    So which is Donny…your neighbor, boat or helicopter? And are you going to accept the help that he has brought to you, or stay on the edge and go, “Nah…I’m waiting for God.”?

  • Anonymous

    I agree with Jeff; However, I do believe that there is more to fasting than just “allowing God to strengthen you”. Personally, I believe it has to do with your will. Let me explain. Quite often I’ll ask God, “Hey, give me more money” without really needing it, and without even being thankful for what I already have. Now say, I have a friend who is on their death-bed and I want them to live. If I have the will to put off food “fasting”, then perhaps God is more ready to take us seriously. Truly, I believe motive is everything. But, perhaps fasting allows God to know you’re serious.(basis for opinion Acts 14:23, Mark 2:8 [and in some texts Mark 9:29])Donny, need an extra hand at your new adventure? I’d be more than glad to help.Ron

  • Anonymous

    I agree with Jeff; However, I do believe that there is more to fasting than just “allowing God to strengthen you”. Personally, I believe it has to do with your will. Let me explain. Quite often I’ll ask God, “Hey, give me more money” without really needing it, and without even being thankful for what I already have. Now say, I have a friend who is on their death-bed and I want them to live. If I have the will to put off food “fasting”, then perhaps God is more ready to take us seriously.

    Truly, I believe motive is everything. But, perhaps fasting allows God to know you’re serious.

    (basis for opinion Acts 14:23, Mark 2:8 [and in some texts Mark 9:29])

    Donny, need an extra hand at your new adventure? I’d be more than glad to help.

    Ron

  • s.

    ummmm…yeah, if you’re going to pursue a 20 day fast, you should do it under medical supervision.BTW, you probably won’t be able to start a new business while you’re fasting.

  • s.

    ummmm…yeah, if you’re going to pursue a 20 day fast, you should do it under medical supervision.

    BTW, you probably won’t be able to start a new business while you’re fasting.

  • John & Jennifer

    Jeff,”So which is Donny…your neighbor, boat or helicopter?”Point well made… Point taken!If Donny is my Neighbor, then “Letters from a Skeptic” must be the boat.

  • John & Jennifer

    Jeff,

    “So which is Donny…your neighbor, boat or helicopter?”

    Point well made… Point taken!

    If Donny is my Neighbor, then “Letters from a Skeptic” must be the boat.

  • brad

    john,dude, that is seriously one of my favorite analogies, an also a hell of a good joke. totally appreciated.i won’t really make an argument for fasting, biblically or otherwise. im certain there are other people around here who will do a much better job at it than i would. but i something i can never get around, is that people have used fasting throughout history who have helped to inact some remarkably humane things. ghandi and the freedom of india from the tyranny of britain… mother theresa and her plight for the need and freedom from the tyranny of poverty and oppression … martin luther king jr and his plight for civil liberties under the tyranny of an oppressive american government and popular thought at the time. these are just a few examples of people who have been great in my eyes and the eyes of most. im not sure if its healthy in a strictly physical sense. but i think a free india, feeding starving children, and a road to racial equality are healthy things.just some of my thoughts.brad

  • brad

    john,

    dude, that is seriously one of my favorite analogies, an also a hell of a good joke. totally appreciated.

    i won’t really make an argument for fasting, biblically or otherwise. im certain there are other people around here who will do a much better job at it than i would. but i something i can never get around, is that people have used fasting throughout history who have helped to inact some remarkably humane things. ghandi and the freedom of india from the tyranny of britain… mother theresa and her plight for the need and freedom from the tyranny of poverty and oppression … martin luther king jr and his plight for civil liberties under the tyranny of an oppressive american government and popular thought at the time. these are just a few examples of people who have been great in my eyes and the eyes of most.

    im not sure if its healthy in a strictly physical sense. but i think a free india, feeding starving children, and a road to racial equality are healthy things.

    just some of my thoughts.

    brad

  • Anonymous

    Letters from a skeptic was a text book in one of my bible classes.Ron

  • Anonymous

    Letters from a skeptic was a text book in one of my bible classes.

    Ron

  • nancy

    Donny that is impressive that you fasted 4 days! I’ve never gone more than 24 hours.The Bible does teach fasting and prayer, and it IS powerful when dealing with demonic forces, but to go 20 days without food while continuing work, and all your regular activities, might not be a good idea. I think for a long fast, it should be when you can go on a retreat.Fasting can be dangerous, especially for anyone with blood sugar problems. Some people just fast certain things. Once I “fasted” coffee for 40 days. Some people go on a fast where they drink only juice.As I said, if you are still working I am afraid it will be really hard to stay on a fast and be able to think clearly. There was a girl at the school where I work who fainted from lack of food and the ambulance came for her.I admire you for wanting to do this, but I think it would be safer to set a smaller goal, (like I said 24, hours is all I could make it!) Or fast something that you like that you know isn’t healthy! That’s just my advice and opinion. Do what you feel God wants you to do. You are loved much and being prayed for!!

  • nancy

    Donny that is impressive that you fasted 4 days! I’ve never gone more than 24 hours.
    The Bible does teach fasting and prayer, and it IS powerful when dealing with demonic forces, but to go 20 days without food while continuing work, and all your regular activities, might not be a good idea. I think for a long fast, it should be when you can go on a retreat.
    Fasting can be dangerous, especially for anyone with blood sugar problems. Some people just fast certain things. Once I “fasted” coffee for 40 days. Some people go on a fast where they drink only juice.
    As I said, if you are still working I am afraid it will be really hard to stay on a fast and be able to think clearly. There was a girl at the school where I work who fainted from lack of food and the ambulance came for her.
    I admire you for wanting to do this, but I think it would be safer to set a smaller goal, (like I said 24, hours is all I could make it!) Or fast something that you like that you know isn’t healthy! That’s just my advice and opinion. Do what you feel God wants you to do. You are loved much and being prayed for!!

  • Anonymous

    Hi Donny.You and the XXX guys have been a real blessing to me, and this is another area that we have similar feelings on. I have found that in order to get control of my own body, a body that craves things that my spirit says are wrong, that symbolically a two day a week fast (Mondays and Fridays typically) has helped me so much. I take a break from the food and talk to God more and ask for his power in any of the sin areas I struggle with. I also simply spend time experiencing my relationship with God. I think the fact that he knows that I’ve temporarily given up the thing which sustains my life in order to let his Spirit sustains me shows him how serious I am about getting over my own abuses, addictions, etc, and desiring his help in this. And I think it is working.I don’t know if I could ever do more than a day though. I might try two days sometime early next year, and work from there. But twenty? Wow. God bless.Stef

  • Anonymous

    Hi Donny.

    You and the XXX guys have been a real blessing to me, and this is another area that we have similar feelings on. I have found that in order to get control of my own body, a body that craves things that my spirit says are wrong, that symbolically a two day a week fast (Mondays and Fridays typically) has helped me so much. I take a break from the food and talk to God more and ask for his power in any of the sin areas I struggle with. I also simply spend time experiencing my relationship with God. I think the fact that he knows that I’ve temporarily given up the thing which sustains my life in order to let his Spirit sustains me shows him how serious I am about getting over my own abuses, addictions, etc, and desiring his help in this. And I think it is working.

    I don’t know if I could ever do more than a day though. I might try two days sometime early next year, and work from there. But twenty? Wow. God bless.

    Stef