the end of day eight

The end of day eight

I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands. (Daniel 9:3-4)

Today is the end of the eighth day. The cramping is about gone. Tonight I fixed supper for Ella as I usually do. She had chili and rice, one of my favorite dishes. For a moment, almost pure lust took over as she began to eat.

It is a strange feeling to lust after food. I guess I did back in 1997 when I went thirty days, but I don’t remember. I have not fasted this long since then.

I have, however, gotten cold. I guess that the lack of food as fuel is making me that way. I cannot seem to get warm where before I was perfectly comfortable. I do remember that from before. I began fasting in the mid 1990’s in the winter and got really cold. Fortunately, since then, fleece was invented. Great stuff. I wear a lot of it. And it has been really bitter cold.

Tonight we went to a coffeehouse and heard a man play the 12 string guitar. He was purely instrumental, said he couldn’t sing, and played in a New Age style. He was very good, but he was a bit predictable in what he played. His style was that of a talented person noodling around on the guitar.

I found out, however, that he cannot read music and he plays by ear. He said he also plays each song exactly the same way each time. Hard as that to believe for me (I read music but am only average on the guitar), I have heard of several musicians lately who do not read music yet are world renowned musicians.

Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix were two that couldn’t read music but were very good at what they did. I can read music, but all I am is a consistent banger on the guitar.

It was enjoyable, but there were very few there. I suppose that the 3 degree temperature and the 15 mph north wind kept a lot of people inside. We had a good time, though, listening to him and I can see going back often.

I don’t know much about Connection 2011 that we are to be praying for today except that it is a time for getting together to plan mission strategy for the Foursquare Church. That is good. There needs to a plan, although Zechariah 4:6 says ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ Says the Lord Almighty. It is God who gives the power, not a mission plan.

But, on the other hand (and there is almost always an other hand I have found out), Jesus said For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. (Luke 14:28) You need to have a plan rather than just sitting around waiting for the Lord to drop a blessing on you.

Father God, I ask you for direction at this Connection 2011 in Columbus, that you show them your way and help them to count the cost. You want us to send people into the world to preach the good news. Empower us, Lord, give us strength and finances to do that. Thank you for your grace in my life and in my church. Thank you again for what you have done and what you will do. hear me, Father, and forgive me my sins. I praise you. Amen