Well here we are, it's almost February and I am
setting some goals for myself, way to go Ms. Procrastinator. I recently just
started this book that was recommended by this sweet woman who came down with a
Magi group this year (Thank you Mrs. Carolyn, you're an angel, I just know
it.). This group was different than normal, it was only made up of about 7
people instead of 20 and with a smaller group comes more intimate
conversations, better opportunities to really get to know the group members and
for them to get to know us (insert emoticon with that straight-faced uneasy
look). So there we were all gathered around the kitchen table eating a meal
together in a house, just talking about tv shows, restaurants in the States
(that I would consider losing my manners to eat at), our ministries, music, and
books... so many topics were discussed, and I think we all really enjoyed each
other. So back to that book I just started, I had the privilege to talk to Mrs.
Carolyn and Rhonda a little bit about books. First, always on my
"must-read" list is "Redeeming Love" (woo, Yes Lord! God,
you can send me my Michael Hosea anytime now. The sooner the better, you've
been a little slow, but no rush, All in Your time of course.) The second book I
always recommend is "Bloom". Thank you Kelle Hampton for your wit and
love for your precious Nella. Your book took my heart into a deeper love for
kids with disabilities. (READ THIS BOOK) After I had described
"Bloom", Mrs. Carolyn started telling me about this book called
"7: An Experimental Mutiny against Excess". She somehow knew I would
love this book, and she was right. Ever since last Wednesday I cannot put it
down.
"7
is the true story of how Jen took seven months, identified seven areas of
excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day
diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence."--Thank you for that
Jen Hatmaker website!
The first month she chooses food. So she picks
only 7 foods she can eat for an entire month: chicken, spinach, sweet potatoes,
apples, eggs, whole-wheat bread, and avocado. At first that doesn't sound too
bad at all, but she can only use pepper, salt, and olive oil for seasoning and
she can only drink water... see ya, coffee! In doing this, it causes her to
refocus on her relationship with Jesus, like a fast if you will. It allows her
to dive in and read scriptures about Jesus' fast for 40 days, she talks to God
when she is tired of the "dry Sahara Desert flavored boob meat" that
she tastes when eating only olive-oiled chicken". I'm writing this because
I want all of you, who are probably regretting that you read this, to hold me
accountable. Jill has agreed to be my council, to hold me accountable, and she
even has given me rules she has already come up with (like for real what in the
heck would I do without a jewel like her in this world?). Just another example
of God knowing exactly what you need and who you need. But I want y'all to hold
me accountable, because it is definitely more devastating for this girl's heart
to let all of her loyal Facebook and blog followers down. So I will keep a
journal through this month with my blog about my one month fast, and I hope
that you will follow along! I also hope that God uses this time to teach me
about obedience and my extra time be filled with Jesus.
My food choices for February:
Chicken
Eggs
Whole-wheat bread
Apples
Peppers
Onions
Potatoes
"Which reminds me: I'm doing this for a
reason. This is a fast, a major reduction of the endless possibilities that
accompany my every meal. It is supposed to be uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Not because I'm a narcissist but because the discomfort creates space for the
Holy Spirit to move. This shake-up of my routine commands my attention. I can
no longer default to normal, usual, mindless, thoughtless. It's like having an
eyelash under my contact all day.
What will the Spirit do with this new space? I
don't know. We'll see. It's His to engineer. I won't box Him in or assume I
know what He'll say. I'm not going to project my goals onto His movement. I
have simply said, "Jesus, may there be less of me and my Junk and more of
You and Your Kingdom." I will reduce, so He can increase."- Jan
Hatmaker
Also, check out this video if you want to know more about Magi and what we do around Christmas time!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151914068088878&set=vb.583848877&type=2&theater
