Fasting Day 28

I had an awesome day yesterday. We spent the day ministering to people. We talked to a shrimper who owns a big boat and catches and sells shrimp for a living. His boat sustained minor damage during Katrina. When he saw the storm coming he got into the boat and headed for the water. In his words, the safest place for a boat in a storm is on the water. Most of the boats that were damaged were docked in the harbor. Amazing! The shrimping industry is coming to an end in this area due to high fuel prices, no ice, wreckage in the water up to six miles out, etc. It was sad to hear this guy say that with tears in his eyes. Shrimping is his passion.

We stopped at the mayors office and prayed over the city officials. They are believers and appreciated the visit. We prayed for a number of other people who lost everything. We gave out Jesus Video DVD's. People were very open to talk and receptive of the literature we had to give them.

People are doing the best they can with what they have. We visited a retail convenient store where a little boy was sleeping under the counter in a little box. Places of business have become temporary housing for people.

Most of the people simply need encouragement, to press on and trust Jesus. We are going to New Orleans this morning and heading home this afternoon. Have a great day.

Pastor Larry

Fasting Day 27

I am in Golf Port Mississippi working and doing ministry. Yesterday was good. I hung drywall all day. A little sore this morning. Seeing the devastation of hurricane Katrina is life changing. People are more open to spiritual things. Many people are trying to decide whether to rebuild or relocate. Today we are doing surveys in the community with people that are in transition. I am praying for opportunities to share Jesus.

I am still on my fast. God has been teaching me to depend on him more for strength and direction. So often I am driven by pure ambition rather than being led by the Holy Spirit. Ambition and drive are good attributes to have, but we can easily do things without any leading from God.

I will write more tomorrow. Check back.

Larry K.

Fasting Day 4

I feel weak and irritable, but happy in God. Last night Kendra and I went to the Hiland boys game. They won. It was a good game, but I really didn't enjoy it very much. The benches were hard, and the crowd was loud. The things that provide pleasure and satisfaction are beginning to wane. I am more focused on God. Being content in Him.

I started memorizing Colossians 3. "Since, then, you have been raise with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

I want a greater desire for the things of God. I want my passion for God to be greater than food, greater than sports, greater than sex, greater than higher education, greater than money, and greater than preaching a good sermon.

My prayer today: God, create a hunger in me that is consumed with knowing you.

Larry

Fasting Day 1

Who said fasting was easy? Launching an extended fast is always the hardest part, but, I am committed. I want to hear God in new ways. I want to seek him with a stronger passion. I am going to focus on memorizing a chapter in the Bible during this fast. I am still praying about which one.

Last night my body was screaming for some caffeinated coffee and a piece of Kendra's strawberry pie. I refrained. I didn't need my usual nap on Sunday. It seems that my body doesn't demand as much sleep when I am not eating. I took Sammy and the girls to Walmart, we bought a gold fish. It was a good day.

If you are fasting, journal your thoughts. As God brings insights into your life, write them down for further reflection. Let me know how you are doing.

Pastor Larry

Observing Lent

Originating in the fourth century of the church, the season of Lent spans 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter.

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and introspection. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when Christians rededicated themselves to God.

Perhaps during this Lenten season we should stop praying for others and start praying and fasting for ourselves. Maybe we should take off our righteous robes just long enough during this 40 days to put ashes on our own heads, to come before God with a new humility that is willing to confess, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner."

My plea in these 40 days of Lent is that we would hunger for God with the same kind of intensity that we hunger for food. Let the Fasting begin.

Pastor Larry
"Lord, in my hand no price I bring; simply to the cross I cling."