Fading away to nothing

Spoke with a pastor friend this morning on the phone. He had read my previous blog and was, in a way, congratulating me when he said something like, "from what I read, you're fading away to nothing." Yeah, don't I wish!

I have lost a little weight, but it would probably not be noticeable to anyone other than my wife and mom. This is going to be a long term process, and it will take a while to get to my intended goal. Four years ago I went on a similar weight loss plan and lost 50 pounds in nine months. My problem was that when I reached my goal, I retreated back to the same old choices and bad eating habits. As a result, since that time I have gained 65 pounds, so prior to my decision that is now several weeks old, I was heavier than I've ever been in my life. That, along with some stress, led me to having some health problems. It was a wake up call to me. I am four years older now and not going at it as zealous as before, but I am just as strong in my commitment.

Yeah, I do hope you will be seeing less of me. The fact is, I want that in more ways than one. I want less of the old man, less of the flesh, to show. I want Jesus to shine in my life.

On another note, I get tired of the same layout, and am working on changing my blog. I accidentally deleted some links to friends, and will have to look them up to get them back. I also have several other blogs, and am trying to figure out how to put all of them into one, rather than manage them separately. Hopefully, I will have the changes within a few days.

Y'all be blessed!

I'D RATHER FEAST THAN FAST

Sorry to confess that I'm not one of those fasting preachers. I'm one of the feasting kind. In my earlier days of ministry, I would periodically fast. I know that those times were precious in the preparation for what God was going to do in my life.

Fasting doesn't necessarily move God, it moves us. It brings the flesh into submission, so that we can be alert to the dealings and movings of the Holy Spirit. I know this: more than my body craves food, my spirit craves God. That is why I have called for a fast next week at our church. Many churches and ministries do so at the first of each year. Some join Jentezen Franklin's call to a 21 day (Daniel type) fast. Our call is for 7 days, from Monday to Monday.

I am now shifting into that mode of getting my heart and my stomach ready. I really want to hear from Him, and I want to shut out anything that may get in the way. That includes this thing I am on right now- the internet. So, at least for now, I will not be surfing the web, blogging, or such. I will limit my time on the computer for needed research and study, and that's it. My fast will include not only some meals, sweets (ouch), the computer, and anything else I sense from the Lord that I need to abstain from during this time.

Yeah, I'd rather feast than fast. But if I keep on doin' what I've been doin', I'm gonna keep on gettin' what I've been gettin'.

And in plain old southern hillbilly talk, THAT AINT GOOD ENOUGH!