thoughts while fasting...

A couple of days ago, I ended a thirty day fast...yes, thirty days. Not only no food for thirty days but no TV, no daily Twitter, no Facebook and no background noise like radio. I have tried to be as intentional with silence and quiet as I could. It really is one of those things I have a problem with most of the time when I am home alone. I tried to be as productive as I could during this fast by writing...a lot...reading much, listening to podcast, studying Spanish, praying...a lot, and just being still and listening. All of those not necessarily in that order. Here is a list of the top ten things I have gleaned during this time...


1.We really do eat a lot of preservatives and chemicals and way too much processed foods. Some of the stuff we eat is really shocking when you read labels...that's why we don't. We eat way too much sugar. In fact, we eat way too much of everything...period. Many reasons for this but too lengthy to get into here. We really need to get back to eating “REAL” food...the other is killing us and making us really fat and sick.

2.Television is purely an object dedicated to and designed for mind control.... even if not turned on. We are convinced by clever marketing we are total neanderthals if we do not have a “big flat screen” hanging on the wall. I feel the tug when I look at the Best Buy ad in the Sunday paper. There isn't much that's soul stirring and benefic for anyone who understands the mind numbing effects of what is the supposed cool thing to watch. It's a marketing tool...that's all

3.I think the so called terrorist that continually plaque our national psyche are generally not too bright. The US government and most media loves to stir us up by constant fear mongering. Their agenda is becoming more obvious. I think the threat of what harm they can do is vastly overstated. I think there is more to be feared from another “Katrina” type storm hitting the US. We have become accustomed to living in a perpetual state of fear...we are easier to control that way...I guess

4.God is omniscient. I mean every single little thing...He knows. The how and why? That's the mystery part... that there are some things we will just never know...no matter how much we ask and seek an answer. We sometimes demand answers from God...He feels no urgency to answer despite our impatience and arrogance.

5.God is omnipotent. Whatever He wants to do...for whatever purpose...whether we like it or not...He is able. No matter how big...no matter how small...things pose no challenge for His ability. He cannot and will not do anything contrary to His nature...I repeat...

6.God is omnipresent. This is the one that really blows the mind...the vastness...the hugeness...the sheer largess. Immeasurable. Just the idea of being...everywhere...anywhere...all the time. That should be enough to give us comfort...but usually doesn't. What we see and know of God is a mere speck. If that doesn't make you want to know more...then something is wrong...

7.There are really a LOT of people that are generally selfish, preoccupied, rude, arrogant and live lives feeling entitled. They do not acknowledge nor understand the source of their good life. There are many who like to talk and act with compassion but only when it benefits them. Note: not throwing stones here...I am just as guilty.

8.I am broken and sick with a multitude of illnesses...prejudice, intolerance, fear, etc. I am no different than the leper that Jesus healed...we all are. That's not easy to say. We like to wear mask to hide the same disfigurements that the leper suffered from. Trust me...they are there. We need a healing touch from Jesus...no matter how “OK” you think you might be.

9.We need others and living in community is essential to our survival. Isolation is very dangerous. It is both sad and amazing how many people live alone without the benefit of significant human interaction. We don't know our neighbors...or even want to. We are afraid to reach out...take a chance...touch someones life in a powerful way. We are changed by living in community irrespective of its' composition.

10.Finally, stillness and quiet is ok. Most people find it very difficult...if not impossible. We are assaulted daily by a barrage of stimuli and it is very tiring and detrimental to our health. Even in a conversation we are uncomfortable with the pauses and fill them with idle chatter. Some people just refuse to be quiet. But, honestly, it's ok...because He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ...and He will.

Was that worth thirty days of not eating, twittering, or watching Fox news/CNN all day? Yes...without a doubt... and with no reservations I will plan on doing it again. It's good to stand back...take a breath...and look at all the things that in one way or another are slowly trying to kill you. It is good to reconfigure your journey and the story you are writing with your life...it's called editing,,,and it's necessary and valuable. I think that a little rewriting or some extra film on the cutting room floor actually isn't such a bad thing for any of us. It redefines and sharpens our senses. We can see our dreams better and we can hear the voice of God speaking more clearly without endless distractions...and that's not a bad trade.