Sunday, April 6, 2008

Sunday Reflections

Don't you love it when your pastor stands to preach and begins with a passage you had read just a few hours before?

Last night, I was struck with a case of "I can't go to sleep!!!!" Part excitement, I was on piano today. (Whoo Hoo! We sang "let the praises ring" and I couldn't help but think of Travis Cottrell's arrangement and that makes me thing of San Antonio in August. So this morning, while we we worshipping here in Georgia I was thanking God for the time we are going to have in August!)

I would be lying to you if I told you that I didn't have a heavy heart, that was another reason I was up. There are several situations and needs around us that I'm just waiting for God to move in. So I read, and read and prayed and asked God why in the world it was 1:00 A.M. and I was still awake! Who and what did I need to pray for...nothing. Did I need to just be quiet and listen for Him....nothing. He knew I needed to rest, but for some reason it just wasn't happening. I read some more.

I wound up in Matthew...the passage that settled on me was F.A.S.T.I.N.G.

Our pastor stands up this morning and begins to teach on, you guessed it...fasting. From the exact same passage that I read in the wee hours of the morning.

I'm not going to broadcast everything here, it's between me and God. The world doesn't need to know. I would like to challenge you the way our pastor challenged us this morning. Is there a need, or an area of your life that is desperate for God's touch? Are you feeling like you are in a rut? Are you distracted and not feeling real good about your prayer and quiet time with the Lord or maybe the lack of of your prayer and quiet time with the Lord?

It may be time to take some drastic measures and enter into a time of fasting. Maybe one meal a week, maybe one a day...or as our former pastor in TN once said, why not fast from that favorite television show and use that time to pray and sit quietly with the Lord?

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm excited to see what God does in the life of those who seek our Father in this way over the next month.

Today is special for another reason. Today the second set of twins in our family turn 3 years old.

Pey Pey and Spartacus are precious to us. I wish we lived closer so we could get our hands on them more!!!! This is a picture from their visit here in October. They hid behind some furniture with a bag of popcorn. I think they were hiding from the four big girls!

Happy Birthday!!! We love you....


8 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Stephanie,

I am sooo looking forward to San Antonio. It will be an awesome time. I'm looking forward to meeting some blog siestas there.

Leah

Amy Wyatt said...

Oh... I loved his sermon today too. He hit on several things I had been dealing with God about too and I was so challenged by his sermon. I am expectanly excited to see what God will do.

Jenifer said...

Happy Birthday to the twins. What's going on in San Antonio with the siestas?

What a great challenge. I can definitely think of areas in my life and walk with the Lord that need some work. Thanks for sharing what the Lord is doing in your life.

Blessings,
Jenifer

Jess said...

I love when that happens!
That's usually how He speaks to me the most... repitition. Mine this week was Hebrews 4:12 - His Word is alive!! :)
You know, it's not healthy for me to fast from food (and honestly, it's not all that great a sacrifice for me anyway - as it really doesn't have a hold on me) so I 'fasted' from all television a few weeks ago. Felt pretty good about it, but still didn't use it for time spent with Him, as intended! So, really need to try again. After reading your blog, and after being inspired by my own pastor this morning, I think I'll give it another go this week!

Anonymous said...

Stephanie,

Sorry it's been so long...
I love this post. As a matter of fact, I think it might just be confirmation for something the Lord is asking me to give up in a fast. Once again I am reminded of King David in 2 Samuel 24 when he said he would not offer to the Lord the thing that costs him nothing! He is so worth the sacrifice. Thanks for the reminder.

Kelli

Carol said...

I hate I missed that sermon. I may have to go back and watch it. We were out of town. I haven't been by in a while and I thought I was in the wrong place! I love the picture at the top! :)

Darla said...

God laid fasting on my heart about 2 years ago, and I rarely tell anyone, but Hubs, but he is in on it too..but honestly I have learned that somethings and some words just come clearer when I do fast...although there are lots of ways to fast...You so rock! I love you and hope you have an awesome time in SA! don't forget you are supposed to write a huge blog about it for me to read!!!!!!

God's girl said...

Girl that is too weird because God is leading me through a time of fasting as well. I cannot wait to see what He does through it. I will try to remember in my time.
Much love,
Angela