Join us this Sunday at Journey Church of Acworth as we finish out this Daniel Fast of 2010 with a time of celebration. We look forward to hearing what God has done in your life during this time of prayer and fasting.

10 am @ Russom Elementary – 44 Russom Elementary School Ln. Dallas, 30132

Journey Church of Acworth

When in doubt, read the label. If there is something you can’t pronounce or figure out (chemical based, not foreign language), chances are it’s not “fast friendly”.

A lot of people are discovering they really like beans. Beans are a great source of protein and fiber and can be cooked so many different ways. If you have a favorite bean recipe, please share with us.

Strawberries are not usually in season in January, but Kroger and Publix have had some incredibly sweet strawberries the past week and a half. No sugar needed, just eat them as they come.

Sadly tomatoes are not in season, and the ones that are in the stores are not very flavorful right now. I think that is why a lot of people have told me they are already tired of tomatoes.

Frozen vegetables are okay as long as they are the plain vegetable, not with cheese sauce or other sauces. Try steaming them and then add seasoning after they are done. The Garlic & Wine seasoning from the Melting Pot restaurant is amazing on all sorts of vegetables.

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, and other root vegetables get sweeter when roasted. A little olive oil and a hot oven (450 degrees) and 45 minutes and you have a great dish to serve along with brown rice and steamed vegetables.

Corn chips are fast friendly. Just check the ingredients to make sure it’s natural and not full of preservatives and other “junk”.

A good blender is always helpful to have. Smoothies are a great way to sneak vegetables and fruits into picky eater kids (and adults). They also are great for making a creamy soup without the cream.

Keep checking back for more recipes, hints and tips, and please share your ideas with us too.

Vegetable Soup with Soy Crumbles

12 oz. soy crumbles (found in the “vegetarian” frozen section)

2 – 14 oz. cans of vegetable broth

14 oz. can of diced tomatoes

16 oz. of frozen mixed vegetables

1/2 tsp. of salt

1/2 tsp. of pepper

Spray a pot with cooking spray.  Heat soy crumbles over medium heat.  Pour broth over crumbles.  Add tomatoes, veggies, salt, & pepper.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.  Makes about 6 – 1 1/2 cup servings.

Texas Caviar Dip

1 can of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 can of whole kernal corn, drained

1 can of Rotel, Mexican style

3-4 ribs of celery, chopped

1 packet of Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing (prepared with 1/2 the oil called for in the recipe)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Let dip sit for at least an hour to blend.  You can also add a can of rinsed, drained black beans if desired.

Peanut Butter Balls

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. vanilla

2 cups puffed brown rice or any “fast friendly” cereal  (See instructions below.)

Combine all ingredients.  Scoop balls of mixture by a tablespoon and place in a food storage container.  Enjoy!

Roasted Garlic Hummus

1 – 15 oz. can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1/2 teaspoon of oregano

Combine all ingredients in a food processor.  Process until dip is smooth and creamy.  If hummus is too thick, add extra olive oil 1/2 teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, & Onions

Potatoes, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces

Baby carrots or large carrots washed, peeled, and cut into bite-sized pieces

Onions, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 or 3 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil

Garlic salt

Salt & pepper

Mrs. Dash Table Blend or any additional seasonings that you like (optional)

In a 13×9 inch dish, combine potatoes, carrots, and onions.  Add oil and toss veggies to coat.  Add seasoning and toss again.  Cover with foil and bake on 400 degrees for 1 hour or until veggies are tender.  Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Spanish Lima Beans

2 cans of lima beans, drained and rinsed

2 medium onions, chopped

2 tablespoons of canola oil (or vegetable oil)

1 can of diced tomatoes, undrained

salt & pepper to taste

In a large skillet, saute onions in oil until tender.  Stir in tomatoes, salt, pepper, and beans.  Cook for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.

Fruit Smoothies

1 large whole banana

1 cup of frozen blueberries

15 medium strawberries (fresh or frozen)

2 cups of orange juice

Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend until the smoothie is the desired consistency.  Makes 2 large smooties.

Taco Soup

2 – 14.5 oz. cans of diced tomatoes, undrained

2 – 15.5 oz. cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 – 15.5 oz. cans of whole kernal corn, undrained

2 – 15 oz. cans of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 – 16 oz. can of chick peas, undrained

1 – 16 oz. can of pinto beans, undrained

2 packets of taco seasoning

12 oz. soy crumbles (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot.  Add water to make a thinner soup.  Cook on Low for 8+ hours.  Serve alone or with corn tortilla chips.  Makes about 16 – 1 cup servings.

There’s just one quick thing I’d like to share today. It seems that each year I do the Daniel Fast, God uses it, especially during the first few days, to root out sin, wrong mindsets, etc. I think that’s only appropriate since it’s impossible to receive from God with a tightly closed fist that’s gripping something else. Got to let go of the “junk” and approach God with an open hand – ready to worship, ready to receive.

So this year started with forgiveness. There was old friend that I had been holding a grudge against. (Shocking, I know…who holds grudges in this day and age? Joking, joking…) I have always struggled with holding an offense against someone, especially if I feel that they’ve wronged close family or friends, and in turn, me. God had been bringing this particular offense up with me for awhile…but, being stubborn, I had refused to reconcile. I had refused to ask for forgiveness, and I had refused to forgive.

But, thankfully, He’s merciful. He’s patient. He’s faithful. He’s kind. And that kindness leads us to repentance.

It led me there. And I am amazed at how much God can do – how much love, grace, mercy, and sensitivity to His Spirit that He can pour out, simply because I let go of the anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness I had been harboring in my heart.

So…be open during this fast. Be open to what His Spirit is saying. Be open to what He’s leading You to do. And if there are areas in Your life or heart that He wants to cleanse, reorganize, or get rid of – be willing to do it. He’s FOR you, not against you.

He’s working things out for your good.

Campus Crusade For Christ – Your Personal Guide to Fasting: http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx

Jentzen Franklin: http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/index.php

Those Who Hunger blog: http://thosewhohunger.blogspot.com/

One Year Bible – The Benefits of Fasting: http://oneyearbibleonline.com/fasting.asp?version=51&startmmdd=0101

If you find other sites or resources, please share them in the comments.

Now, for what I am learning.

• I should have been eating more foods with fiber in them way before now.
• Garlic, (or the smell of it anyway) will stay with you for more than one day.
• True friends will tell you this.
• Soy chili actually tastes better than it does with beef.
• Soy milk does not taste better than the real deal.
• Christians talk more about food while fasting than they do about Jesus.
• Guacamole is good for breakfast
• Guacamole is good for lunch too.
• The Fast is not about the food anyhow, it’s about me doing without something in the flesh to be more sensitive in my spirit.
• God opens doors that need to be opened, and closes those that need to be closed when His people fast and pray.

Be sure to check back often as I will be posting the top things Journey Church will be believing God for in 2010.

Blessings!

Douglas Crumbly

If you are fasting to seek Gods will in a specific matter, here are a couple of scriptures for you to begin meditating on. Don’t limit yourselves to just what we publish here, but find what God is showing you, specifically for your situation. Seek Him with all your heart and He will show you His way.

Judges 20:26 (New Living Translation)

²⁶ Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.

Acts 14:23 (New Living Translation)

²³ Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

This Cucumber soup recipe is best served warm, and freezes well. Enjoy.

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, cubed

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp rice flour

2/3 c vegetable stock, heated

1/2 Tbsp chopped dill

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Saute cucumber in oil for 5 min.  Add rice flour, stir for 2 min. over low heat, then add vegetable broth.  Simmer for 10 min.  Add dill just before serving.

If you prefer a creamy soup, allow soup to cool slightly, pour everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Reheat and serve.

Share your “fast friendly” recipes with us too.

We look forward to hearing what God is doing in your life during this time of prayer and fasting.

1. Prepare NOW! Don’t wait until the night before and binge on cookies and soda (or Coke for you Southerners). Start weaning yourself off caffeine and sugars now to avoid intense caffeine withdrawal headaches later.

2. Be ready to eat more often than you are used to. These foods are probably very different than you are used to eating regularly and you’ll need to eat more often throughout the day. When going to work be sure to pack extra snacks for your little cravings.

3. Try to keep variety in your diet. Don’t limit yourself to just eating beans or fruit. Mix things up. Try a smoothie for breakfast, beans and potatoes for lunch, and brown rice and veggie soup for dinner. Whatever you do, the more variety you add, the easier and healthier this fast will be.

4. Keep it spiritual. Without investing more time with the Lord throughout these three weeks, the Daniel Fast is nothing more than a diet…a really weird diet. I recommend planning now when and how you’ll be investing that time so you can stay focused throughout the fast and keep things going. This extra time with God not only keeps your spiritual fires lit, but really provides the fuel you’ll need as you progress further towards the end of the fast. And it’s been said that it only takes 21 days to create or break a habit. Use this time strategically to add that extra “umph” to your spiritual disciplines!

5. Keep a journal. Talk, blog, tweet, write, and share what God is speaking to you. Let’s speak of what God is doing and rejoice together. It will really serve to encourage others and ourselves!

6. Take your vitamins.

7. Get plenty of rest.

8. Try adding something “non-food” to your fasting regimen. How many hours do you spend each day watching TV? Online? Re-organizing your T-Shirt drawer? Find something that usually sucks your time from you and fast that as well. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can hear from God and how much more you can accomplish when you rid your life of one or two little habits.

9. Stick it out! You’re NOT alone. You can do it! Not only is Journey Church participating in the fast, but hundreds and thousands of other churches and believers are in the boat with you! Share your encouragement, struggles, or read up on what God is speaking to others. Whatever you do to stay motivated, DON’T GIVE UP!

(From Dre Fillmore’s blog at http://ferociousdre.wordpress.com/)

Remember, the Daniel Fast is about so much more than NOT eating certain foods. It is about seeking God and His way of doing things as we endeavor to do the work of His Kingdom in 2010 and beyond. It is about preparing our hearts, minds, and, yes, even our physical bodies, to receive all that God has for our families, our church, and our city in the coming year.

Believing for greater things for you and your family in 2010!