Day One!

Our culture is one of self-indulgence. At church today, the pastor was talking about how culture lures you in to doing all kinds of things, but if you take them too far then that same culture chastises and belittles you. He used a couple of good examples about drinking. Culture says, "Come on toss a few back, come have some fun, live a little!" Then when you drink too much and do something stupid because of it, they lock you up, plaster your face all over the news, and take everything away that matters. They plaster bikini models, condom advertisements, and have porn available everywhere. They say, "come on...what's it gonna hurt, you gotta try it out!" Then when you go to far you are a pervert, loose, or (enter expletive here). So, when we follow what our culture wants us to do, we are constantly trying to balance what it is luring us into doing without overdoing it. God doesn't do that though. He has a long list of the things that we can do freely and then offers up a list of a few don'ts that will keep us free of these social pressures and pitfalls. God says, "don't have sex until you are married" because he designed us to be in relationships with others and to have hormonal attachments once we have sex that bond us to that person. When we are with several people, we are breaking that attachment over and over that was designed not to be broken. So, we have pain and heartbreak where we wouldn't necessarily have to have it. He says, "be grateful for what you have" because when we are always looking at what others have we live resentful and unsatisfied lives. When we remember that everything we have is a gift and are thankful, we are appreciative for where we are and what we have now. We are satisfied and are able to feel joy. Recently, God has been dealing with me on gluttony. I have struggled my whole life with food, but also with wanting more of a lot of different things. Robert and I started a fast today that is focused hard on gluttony. For the next 60 days, we are going to be on a juice fast. We will have fruit, vegetable, bean juice, and almond milk. Along with this, we are also doing a stuff fast. We are not going to be buying anything that is excessive. We can buy hair products, stuff for our fast, and stuff that is needed, but nothing over that. So, today is day one. I was nauseous, had a headache, and woke up with pink eye. I have been weak all day and wanted to give up more than once. At one point, I asked Robert if we could juice some lasagna! :) BUT I feel great that I have one day down. So this is the verse for today. Matthew 23:25 "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy -- full of greed and self-indulgence! Lord, help me to be appreciative for where I am today. Help me to look to you for my fulfillment and satisfaction. Help me to see you in everything around me. Guide me to make godly decisions and to follow through with the commitments that I make. In Jesus name, Amen!