Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The January Fast


Every January since 1998 I fast. It started when I was on staff at a church and it was required of all pastoral staff to fast through January. My rebellious nature resisted being forced to fast but I was submissive, even though I fussed everyday. Three years later I left the staff position and January came. I looked back and reflected about the past three years of fasting January and started to really value the physical and spiritual benefits. I have kept the January fast ever since and most of my family have joined in.

We spent New Year and the first week of January with my daughter and her family in Oceanside, California. My son-in-law, Shannon Kapp, is a pastor and he is encouraging his church to fast for the first twenty-one days of January. Chandler, my ten year old grandson has voluntarily decided to fast lunch and video games! Lunch for any ten year old is a sacrifice, but video games!

A spiritual principle we live by is "Whatever you give up for Jesus, He always gives back something better." I have witnessed the incredible results in my life of this time set apart for God. I can not wait to see what happens to this incredible grandson of mine as he sets himself apart for those twenty-one days.

No comments:

Post a Comment