Have you ever had a heart riot? NO? Well neither did I until a few weeks ago. The ending part of 2013 into the beginning of this year has been a challenge in every way possible. It has been emotionally, physically and mostly spiritually challenging.
This "heart riot" began to start firing up a little over four months ago. Two of my good friends, my boyfriend and I were walking out to our cars, talking about how much the world needs JESUS but in a different way. We were fed up with how the bible was being presented to us and decided to take a stand against it. So we set out on adventure to really dig deep to fin out our self what Jesus really looks like, and encourage each other to live our life as close as possible to that. The format wasn't restricted to one person to lead, we all kind of took the reigns, and the end result is well ..............................to be continued at the end of the blog!
So what is this "heart riot" i was talking about? By definition a riot is a disturbance of some kind. So in other words I had a disturbance in my heart. A disturbance God wouldn't let me ignore. This disturbance was a low lying giant in the pit of my stomach that I couldn't shake. I didn't know what it was, that was until January 8, 2012..
Fasting tips 101
It was the beginning of January and a life group I am in st church decided that we were going to do a fast. Some did a media fast, and others did food related fasts. I decided to do a juice fast for 2 weeks (remember what I said on number 3. on fasting tips). So I gathered everything I was going to need for the fast, and I was dead set on starting Monday. Then just my luck a snow storm hit us, and I was trapped in my house with a kitchen, food and BOREDOM. I did surprisingly well, and for that three days I ate nothing. No three days wasn't a typo. Let me explain.
I didn't cave and eat because I was hungry, I stopped because I really felt I had learned all that I was suppose to learn from my fasting time. Just within three days I realized just how much we rely on food. Food was in my grasp but yet I chose not to eat it and the only reason was because the renewing my body and mind.
Then a thought popped into my head
I had a choice not to eat, many people don't....hmm that's a hard statement to chew on (no pun intended)
I had intended my fast to be a session of journaling and God time, but i was to busy thinking about the food I didn't have.
Is this how I live my life? Thinking about the food I don't' have?
If that'ts the case I want no part of that, I want a life that is living with abandon for God not for the stuff that I fill my life up with.
I don't want to spend my life caring or worrying about the test I can't pass, the expensive life I will never lead, the extra pounds that are hard to loose, job opportunities that get taken away...blah..blah..blah..blah...blah...blah...blah...blah...................
I want to spend life in the here in now, and keep charging on to the woman that is still being built!
I WANT TO KEEP THAT FIRE BURNING! I WANT MY HEART RIOT TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!
Out of my fast, three goals (not new years resolutions!) emerged, things that I want to accomplish this year...and strangely so did these bible verses
So the end result of that group I was talking about in the beginning, well it hasn't found its ending, each of us have found our own HEART RIOT. I know personally I have been listening to God in a whole new way and seeing Jesus through new eyes. Things are starting to make more sense and sometime no sense at all, but I am trusting God with all my heart.
Not even a week later after I did my fast and wrote my goals God surprised me with and opportunity to meet one of them. This can only be from God because there is no way I would ever think that running 26.2 miles around Chicago was a good thing!
That's right I am running in the Chicago Marathon this year!
Its crazy, but I feel this is something that God wants me to do. I am scared and excited all at the same time. So prayers would be cool as I start my training!
I also ask that you pray for my friends and my boyfriend, that small group that decided to become something bigger than themselves, as they embark on their own journey, their own HEART RIOT. There is new jobs in the works, career choices, becoming a leader of a bigger group, and even one leaving the country for a mission trip
I will always be grateful to Bryan, Meghan, Jason, Courtney and Samantha we are an unique set of people that started to meet with different background and all walks and points of life. Yet all of us needed each other. I cant wait to see where God takes us next! Here's to a GREAT YEAR!!!
I am running with World Vision, to bring fresh water into African villages. I would love it if you could help support me and this crazy adventure.
JUST CLICK HERE! and it will take you to my support page!
This "heart riot" began to start firing up a little over four months ago. Two of my good friends, my boyfriend and I were walking out to our cars, talking about how much the world needs JESUS but in a different way. We were fed up with how the bible was being presented to us and decided to take a stand against it. So we set out on adventure to really dig deep to fin out our self what Jesus really looks like, and encourage each other to live our life as close as possible to that. The format wasn't restricted to one person to lead, we all kind of took the reigns, and the end result is well ..............................to be continued at the end of the blog!
So what is this "heart riot" i was talking about? By definition a riot is a disturbance of some kind. So in other words I had a disturbance in my heart. A disturbance God wouldn't let me ignore. This disturbance was a low lying giant in the pit of my stomach that I couldn't shake. I didn't know what it was, that was until January 8, 2012..
Fasting tips 101
- do it when you are ready
- do it for GOD!
- Don't make your fast crazy and unattainable.
It was the beginning of January and a life group I am in st church decided that we were going to do a fast. Some did a media fast, and others did food related fasts. I decided to do a juice fast for 2 weeks (remember what I said on number 3. on fasting tips). So I gathered everything I was going to need for the fast, and I was dead set on starting Monday. Then just my luck a snow storm hit us, and I was trapped in my house with a kitchen, food and BOREDOM. I did surprisingly well, and for that three days I ate nothing. No three days wasn't a typo. Let me explain.
I didn't cave and eat because I was hungry, I stopped because I really felt I had learned all that I was suppose to learn from my fasting time. Just within three days I realized just how much we rely on food. Food was in my grasp but yet I chose not to eat it and the only reason was because the renewing my body and mind.
Then a thought popped into my head
I had a choice not to eat, many people don't....hmm that's a hard statement to chew on (no pun intended)
I had intended my fast to be a session of journaling and God time, but i was to busy thinking about the food I didn't have.
Is this how I live my life? Thinking about the food I don't' have?
If that'ts the case I want no part of that, I want a life that is living with abandon for God not for the stuff that I fill my life up with.
I don't want to spend my life caring or worrying about the test I can't pass, the expensive life I will never lead, the extra pounds that are hard to loose, job opportunities that get taken away...blah..blah..blah..blah...blah...blah...blah...blah...................
I want to spend life in the here in now, and keep charging on to the woman that is still being built!
I WANT TO KEEP THAT FIRE BURNING! I WANT MY HEART RIOT TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!
Out of my fast, three goals (not new years resolutions!) emerged, things that I want to accomplish this year...and strangely so did these bible verses
- Get Healthy
- Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds and put on the new self created, to be like God is true righteousness and holiness.
- Read the Bible more
- Colosians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working of the Lord, not for human masters.
- Colosians 4:2-6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us to that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which i am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- Ask for help. ( something I am terrible at)
- Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will feat no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
So the end result of that group I was talking about in the beginning, well it hasn't found its ending, each of us have found our own HEART RIOT. I know personally I have been listening to God in a whole new way and seeing Jesus through new eyes. Things are starting to make more sense and sometime no sense at all, but I am trusting God with all my heart.
Not even a week later after I did my fast and wrote my goals God surprised me with and opportunity to meet one of them. This can only be from God because there is no way I would ever think that running 26.2 miles around Chicago was a good thing!
That's right I am running in the Chicago Marathon this year!
Its crazy, but I feel this is something that God wants me to do. I am scared and excited all at the same time. So prayers would be cool as I start my training!
I also ask that you pray for my friends and my boyfriend, that small group that decided to become something bigger than themselves, as they embark on their own journey, their own HEART RIOT. There is new jobs in the works, career choices, becoming a leader of a bigger group, and even one leaving the country for a mission trip
I will always be grateful to Bryan, Meghan, Jason, Courtney and Samantha we are an unique set of people that started to meet with different background and all walks and points of life. Yet all of us needed each other. I cant wait to see where God takes us next! Here's to a GREAT YEAR!!!
I am running with World Vision, to bring fresh water into African villages. I would love it if you could help support me and this crazy adventure.
JUST CLICK HERE! and it will take you to my support page!