Fasting and Feasting


I think a few of you  know that since February I've been following a food plan that has resulted in significant weight loss AND a blood pressure reading within "normal" boundaries.  (This is maybe the HUGEST benefit of the discipline I've been practicing.)

It's called Fast-5 by some and is a form of  Intermittent Fasting. While I don't like the word "fast" (it doesn't FEEL like fasting), it does describe what I do for 19 hours every day.  The other 5 are considered my "window" to eat.  

There's another kind of fasting that I want to incorporate into my life - with even MORE determination than I have been applying in my eating habits!  I copied it quite awhile ago from a Lenten meditation which I failed to document.  I want to:


Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from the darkness around me; feast on the light of Jesus within me.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from actions that pollute; feast on deeds that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from pessimism; feast on hope.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from guilt; feast on freedom.
Fast from complaining; feast on complementing.
Fast from stress; feast on self-care.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from apathy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from idle gossiping, feast on spreading the good news.
Fast from being so busy; feast on peaceful silence.
Fast from being in control; feast on letting go. 


(I just realized as I reread these that practicing THIS kind of fasting 
should ALSO help my blood pressure!)

8 comments:

  1. I like that. And, it reminds of the Prayer of St Francis.

    Bean

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  2. Wow. What a healthy regiman! I am guilty of eating whatever & whenever I take a notion, which is to say I'm not always hungry when I eat. Though my health & BP is good, I don't need the extra 15 pounds my frame carries. I'll have to look into this Fast 5 stuff.

    As for the feasting alternatives, they are the stuff of Phillipians 4. The pure, true & noble stuff our body truly hungers for.

    Great post!

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    1. Fast-5 isn't for everyone but it was right for me.

      And you're right about Philippians 4!

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  3. Oh wow!! That is good..and yes fasting from all of those would change not only my blood pressure but my heart...now I could use the physical part of fasting to eliminate my weight, but I think the Lord would be more interested in my heart on all these issues. Now to feast on all of them...that would produce great abundance in life

    Yes I would love to hear your take on the movie "Hope Arising" and the book "Almost Amish"...both gave food for thought

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  4. I picked the RIGHT day to come and visit (and to catch up from my summer hiatus from being on my computer and thus blogging much). But I must say I've missed you.

    Thanks for the info on the regime you've been on. I love the results! You must too.

    And the other Lenten 'fasting' list.. oh yes... I agree totally, that's a winner list for helping to bring down the stress levels our lives and bring down that BP.

    Hope you've been enjoying your summer. It's been a beauty here... lots of hot weather, rain to keep my garden from frizzing out (I like that when heaven water my garden). And all the glitter of lightening and thunder storms, well that just added some pizzazz to it all. LOL

    Bloggerly hugs and blisses...
    Brenda



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    1. I ♥ the "Bloggerly hugs and blisses", Brenda!

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  5. That was really beautiful Rebecca and of coarse wonderful words of wisdom!
    Love Di ♥

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  6. Fasting from something in order to take hold of Someone . . . that's my definition. Congrats on the weight loss. I've heard of this being very successful. Not sure I could do this, but maybe a variation therein.

    peace~elaine

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)