February Fast 2014...

February 2014 is going to be a fasting month for me. I will be fasting from Facebook, TV and social interaction outside of work and church. These are the things that stop me from getting close and connecting to God. That needs to change. Hence my fast. It needs to happen.

I decided to look up the meaning of February and outside of it being "the second month of the year" etc, I found its origin quite interesting:

Origin: 
before 1000; Middle English; Old English Februarius < Latin Februārius (mēnsis) expiatory (month), derivative of februa (plural) expiatory offerings; see -ary

"Expiatory" is a word I've never heard before but it means to be "able to make atonement or expiation". Moving forward in the word search, I clicked on "atonement" and found the following:

1. satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.

2. ( sometimes initial capital letter ) Theology . the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.

3. Christian Science. the experience of humankind's unity with God exemplified by Jesus Christ.

4. Archaic. reconciliation; agreement.

---

Origin:
1505–15; from phrase at one in harmony + -ment, as translation of Medieval Latin adūnāmentum; compare Middle English onement unity

 

It all makes sense and is very applicable to my February Fast. It is to make amends, to reconcile me to God, to be in agreement with His will for my life, to sacrifice the things of the world for the things of Heaven. So good. So God.

 

I am finding that living in the world is a tough gig. It's so easy to get sucked into living the lie that the devil wants me to live. The negativity, the cynicism, the gossiping, the hatred, the complaining. All things that I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, should not do. There is so much more to this life than what the world has to offer, and during February I am ready for God to show me what that is.

 

To have change, one must make a change. I'm ready. I'm set. It's a go.

 

Fasting from Facebook...

Those who know and love me (ahhh) all know that I love sharing, hence the name of this blog page. But the time has come, thanks to a revelation from God during the Daniel Fast that I'm on, for me to spend more time just sharing with myself.

I need to get to know God more. I need to spend more time with just Him. And I'm not alone. Take a read of my beautiful friend Jo's post here at Princess Warrior Lessons on saying "Goodbye Facebook...".

Jo captures my heart in her post. She shares her heart and is very transparent about why she is saying goodbye to Facebook for the month of May, as am I. Will Jo return? That is yet to be decided. Will I return? That is also yet to be decided.

What I am looking forward to is spending my Facebook time reading His Word - studying who He is, who Jesus is and who the Holy Spirit is.

Please pop over to Jo's blog as she shares her heart.

Life Above the Negativity...

Easter is 40 days away. Yes, that means Lent. What am I doing this year to bring me closer to The One that died to save my sins? I am giving up negativity!

It's so easy to get caught up in the ways of the world and be negative about everything, especially with how the world is at the moment with natural disasters, uprisings in countries, etc. It's easy to complain and blame others for your misfortunes. But these things are not favourable in God's eyes.

I know that I have spent time complaining and being negative in my life. Since battling with depression and anxiety, complaining and negativity are two things that I have been learning to avoid. Whether that be situations, people, music, movies, etc, I have learned to avoid them. I actually feel rather oppressed when I am in a negative situation.

So, what am I doing to give up negativity? I'm joining Reverend Trevor Lund over at Life Above the Negativity for the 2011 International Negativity Fast. Forty days of meditating on God's Word and re-learning how to think, say and do positiveness wholly and solely to honour Him.

I found a choice verse for this fast too:

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

If you'd like to join me in this fast, see the picture on my sidebar. Also, you can click here and sign up for daily emails, and also 'Like' Living Life Above the Negativity on Facebook. Also, have a look around the site for Bible reading plans, a personalised book of Ephesians, and much more!

It could be the beginning of a whole new life for you!