Yin-Yang

It's been some years since I've heard it said that in a relationship, your partner cannot make you whole. Only God can make us whole. Just recently, I was reading a book on relationships and the author said it another way, "You need to be complete before marriage, so you can be whole in the marriage." Any one who knows me knows I like to use analogies to paint a clearer picture and the symbol of the yin-yang illustrates this point wonderfully.

First off, when a man and woman marry the two become one (Genesis 2:24). So now, picture the yin-yang symbol. It is essentially two separate pieces that come together to form one unit. But imagine if either of those pieces looses its tail or the other had a huge chunk carved out of its head. When they form their union, they will still be incomplete. The one with the complete tail can't cover the imperfections of the other and vice versa.

The Fast...

It's been a few days since my last update. I'll admit I've been lazy about updating my post over the last few days because in all honesty, I'm ready for the fast to be over. It's been shortened once again and we will be ending on Sat, June 26th. I'll admit that it's opened my eyes to see things that I need to get back to doing. Like when I first moved to Sacramento, for a few months, I didn't have a TV, so I read. A lot. Mainly the Bible, but also other books that I got from the library. I don't do that as much anymore.

My eating habits could stand to evolve as well. Refined white sugar is my biggest problem, followed next by bouts of gluttony. I get a hold of something that really taste good and it's like I can't rest until it's gone. So my remedy has been not to buy sweets or junk food to keep in the house. But I do have my weak moments and somehow they make it through the door. But it's not just limited to sweets, I do the same thing with nuts, mixed or not.

I almost broke a few times over the course of today, although I did have to break the fast a few days ago as I wound up sick. I'll spare the details of what exactly happened but lets just say it will be some time before I eat mixed nuts and salmon in the same day.

Needless, to say, this fast is showing me how much I really do need the Lord and how, I'm truly nothing without Him. There are moments when I can be so ungrateful but God loves me through it. Days where I can get so annoyed and frustrated at myself or the world and God still loves me through it. What other friend would put up with such ugliness and selfishness? No other friend I know. Thank goodness that even through all of that He can still see through and see the best in me and that best is all He needs. Thank you, Lord for looking beyond my faults and knowing my heart...

The Fast: Days 8, 9, & 10: Standing on God's Word

I'm not too proud of the fact that I haven't written a post since Tuesday but I did manage to write a few revelations down during my morning prayer and meditation time. On Wednesday morning, June 16th, as I finished reading Proverbs 16, these words came to my heart, "We are merely reflective surfaces reflecting God's glory." Thursday morning's meditation brought these words, "I want to be purposeful in my living and giving".

Today, I didn't manage to write down any words but I did receive a word at the woman's meeting at CCC tonight. It actually ties in with my last post on Tuesday night pertaining to what would God have to do in our lives to show that He's real. Well, Elder Karen read from Psalm 34 and when she got to verse 8, which reads, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (NIV)". I felt my Spirit say to me that this will become the foundational scripture of my ministry. Still not sure what all this ministry would entail but I'm feeling like it's got something to do with reaching out to people who are seeking or have doubts about Him.

God is also dealing with me in another area of my life and that is my dealings and relationships with people that I don't know very well. I tend to be a little akward and sometimes even a little standoffish. In a large room full of people I don't know, I usually stand by myself praying for the night to be over. I'd also like to work on being more approachable and less reserved. If people feel they can't talk to me or feel uncomfortable approaching me then how am I going to reach them for Christ and why would they want to listen to me? This all ties in to the ministry which my Spirit is whispering to me will actually be some form of outreach or missions.

The Fast: Day 7: A Thought Crossed My Mind...

A thought crossed my mind as I was getting ready to go to bed (and actually forgo writing anything tonight). I was just thinking about how real God is and how several years ago, I knew that without a shadow of a doubt that He is more real and tangible than things I can see. I know how it can be to struggle with believing in Him and whether or not He's "real". It took a few signs, wonders and many answered prayers for me to know, that I know that I know that I know, He is indeed for real.

And with that I had this thought; how can God make himself real to you if he hasn't already? And what would you like Him to do in your life to prove that He is who He says he is and that He can do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or seek? Just a little food for thought...

The Fast: Day 6: Being Accountable

I'm going to try and keep this one short because I just got in from practice and dropping a few folks at home and well, I'm a little tired. Nonetheless, the leader of the step team, Reggie, had a serious heart-to-heart with us. Quite a few people had been struggling with the fast (myself included) and he encouraged to continue and finish it out. Turns out the fast has been shortened. So, instead of us finishing on June 30th, we will break the fast on June 28th. Hallelujah!