“During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up. (Daniel 10:2-3, The Message)

Aside from the Not Showering part , we followed the fast as literally as we did dependently.  In the midst of Christmas Parties, our own Fund Raiser, and a Giant 5 Gallon Tin of Popcorn from my parents, we stayed true to our fast.

We did it to focus our body, mind, and soul on the presence and provision of God.  In a season when we are raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Soul City Church, we didn’t want to forget where it all comes from and who it all belongs to.  It’s one of the most important spiritual discipines I have ever embarked upon and one that I will repeat regularly.  Here’s 3 things I learned along the way.

1. Satan is real (kinda already knew that) and uses Resistance as one of my Greatest Temptations. The day before the fast, I looked for every possible way I could cut corners, opt out, quit while I was ahead.  Jeanne’s response to me was both Simple and Succinct- If you feel that God is telling you not to do this, than I will fully support it.  (I don’t think Satan planned on Jeanne M. Stevens)
2. Food is the Cause and Solution to all my Problems.  In just 31 days I uncovered how deeply rooted is my belief that I am Chief Dispenser of Comfort to my life.  And food is where I find comfort.  Instead of staying in the tension I escape to whatever “little comfort” will take me away from the place where God tends to do some of his greatest work.
3. The thing you are most afraid of, may be the very place God is inviting you…and He will give you the strength you need.  This was perhaps the greatest thing I gleamed from God throughout this process.  The first two days were hard (slurred speech not being the least of it), but every day after I literally felt like I had exactly what my body needed.  I honestly never felt weak or overly hungry.  My body was at peace (which had a wonderful ripple effect on my mind and soul).  For anyone who’s ever finished a race or an impossible assignment or task, you know what it’s like to step back from it all and say, “Look at what I just did”.  Only difference on this one is that I step back and say, “Look at what God just did.”

I am so glad we did it.  I am so thankful for what God did in me through it.  You may have never fasted before or may be in the middle of one right now.  Whatever your exposure and experience with fasting, I am convinced that it is one of the most tangible forms of Transformation we can participate it.  The math of the whole thing is brilliant – I take something away, God gives me something greater in it’s place.  I would highly recommend that you ask God the simple question after reading this post – “Father, what are you inviting me to let go of so I can better cling to you?”

The question is NOT whether or not God is inviting you to Fast, but rather WHAT is HE inviting you to Fast from.

Our days end with Jeanne and I physically on our knees before God.  That time together in prayer typically tends to go one of two ways.  We find ourselves in tears because…

• We simply can not see how all of our needs are going to be met personally, as a family, and as a church.
• or because…
• God blows away our small expectations of His goodness and ability to meet exceedingly more than we are even able to ask for.

Either way we find ourselves in tears.

As odd as it may seem. we are becoming increasingly grateful for the dichotomous swing between fear and faith.  We are learning to love living life this way.  Fully aware of all of our fears, concerns, and challenges.  Fully dependent on God.  We often wonder how we went so long without living at this level of daily dependence.  And the more we experience it, the more we can’t imagine living life any other way.

Last night was simply amazing.  And amazingly Simple.  First off, there were almost as many kids as adults – scampering around the house laughing, playing, and occasionally working through their “Do I really have to share” issues.  All of us, kids included, shared an amazing meal together – compliments of Heather Wittaker.

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After all nine kids were tucked into their beds (we can fit a pack and play almost anywhere!) we went around the circle and each read aloud, slowly and deliberately the Sermon on the Mount – all 3 chapters of it. We shared how God was speaking to us personally through it and how He was speaking into the reality of Soul City Church.  And then we worshipped.

The sound of our 13 voices was pure, strong, and sincere. I (Jeanne) fought off goose bumps the entire time as the spirit of God continually affirmed His vision of this church. After we worshipped people went around the circle and shared where they needed prayer and then another member of the circle committed to carrying that need with them throughout the coming week. We spent some time praying together and once we were done we lingered around for another hour or so laughing, connecting, and enjoying our friendships.

It was a powerful night.  Powerfully Simple.  There is always plenty of room for things like Production, Design, Structure, and even Complexity.  We appreciate and engage regularly with each of those things.  But there are times to just keep it Simple.  To let the things that God has used for 1000′s of years be used again in a new and fresh and transformational way.

We’d love to hear about some of the “Simple” things you or your church are doing or have recently done.  What did you do?  What did you NOT do to do it.  What did God do through it?