Day 12

I see myself healthy. I see myself fit. I see myself with an appetite that is pleasing to my temple and The Lord. I have just left the gym and I am surprised by how quickly I have bulked up. I have no health issues and my limp (from my car accident) is diminishing. My testimony draws people in because it is one of a complete turnaround in appetite and desire to have longevity in ministry. My friends are surprised by how my life has changed, but are very excited for me. Married life and sex is better than ever. My wife is reaping the benefits of my transformation. She is healthy. She is fit. We're leaving a magazine shoot after sharing our testimony with the editors. Not just our story, but our testimony. All of the glory goes to God. Invitations are pouring in for us to speak around the world, and we are having to utilize the calendar for much more than we bargained. We are happy. We are in the will of The Lord. We are living under the open Heaven promised years before.

You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" (Joshua 3:8 NASB)

Day 11

I'm done with the first quarter of my fast, and I'm pretty pumped about that. This next quarter (at least) I will only be writing vision. What God gives me, I'll write out. I'm sure it will look scattered, but I'm making it plain. I know that this will come in handy one day. It'll change someone's life just like mine is being changed now. This first vision is one that I received years ago, and I'm FINALLY writing it down.

There's a room full of people, mostly youth, all wearing different colored tshirts. Their hands are lifted up and there's a loud shout in the room. The shout is so sincere that it is literally shaking the very foundation of the room. At first sight, you would almost think the room was smoking, but it's the glory of The Lord. I'm on my knees, bowed in His presence, holding the microphone down to the floor. I'm worshipping the King like I'm the only one in the room. I am the only one in the room at that moment. Every person in the room feels the same way. They're the only one in the room at that moment. The atmosphere is stirring and healing and restoration is taking place all over the room. Bondages that have been held on to since as young as the age of 5 years are falling off. Chains are being broken. Strongholds removed. There is no lack. There is no confusion. We are in the presence of The Lord. There are a few in the room who were rebellious against moving in worship. One by one, they fall to their knees, weaping in worship. The Lord hears His children crying out. We hear Abba Father speaking back. Lives are changed forever. Each person shares the experience with numerous friends, but it's so intense that it's hard to explain. This draws their friends in even more. I remain humble because I know that I am simply a vessel. The Lord would do this through anyone, but He has chosen me for such a time as this. My wife and children are present. Even my children feel the presence of The Lord. My wife is completely drained from the encounter with The Lord. We find childcare for the night in order to rest up. Our home is quiet. So are we. We don't want to sleep because we don't want to leave the glory. The Lord assures us that we won't leave His glory. We sleep. Visions are loud that night. The Lord has much more to say.

Now the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. (Joshua 3:7 NASB)

Day 10

Today was another good day. I snoozed a couple of times this morning, but still made it to the church in enough time to clean some things up before prayer. We left the stage design all over the place when we left the church yesterday. It's going to be a cool stage design though. I'm pretty excited about it. No headaches today although I felt as though there was one threatening me later on in the day, but it never surfaced. Certain periods of the day proved to be lower on energy than others. I'm noticing a trend. I'm great first thing in the morning (full of energy, amped up, excited about the day, etc.), but around 8am lasting until around 1pm I'm drained physically. It's so odd. After that I have another burst of energy that lasts until I get home (for the most part) and then I'm winding down. I've felt like I would almost vomit today. Not sure why, but it's felt like something was just resting right below my larynx. I don't think I drank enough water today. I'll do better with that tomorrow. I'm down 18 lbs...wow! This is crazy! I know that the weight loss won't be this rapid always, but it's fun while it's happening. I don't plan on ever gaining it back. I'm at 452 lbs. right now, and I'm looking forward to getting out of the 400 club...ha! Been here too long.

Joshua 3:6 - And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.

This is such a powerful verse! If The Lord, in fact, gave me this passage to study at this point of my life because I am likened to Joshua then this is a HUGE verse. For a couple of years I've heard myself be referred to as a pastor's pastor quite a few times. I think that's beyond an honor, and nothing that I've ever considered myself. However, if that is a calling on my life then I know that this verse means so much more to me than it would've at any other point in life. The priests were the Divinely-appointed religious leaders who directed themselves and others in the proper service of God (this is depicted in Exodus 28 with Aaron and his sons), but in THIS moment God is calling Joshua to direct the priests. Wow! Joshua spoke confidently to the priests the instruction from The Lord, and the priests obeyed. It is time for me to walk in that same authority and power. I know that I posses it, but I'm always nervous to put it to use. 2014 is the year that I change that. I'm praying that The Lord will continue to clarify my prophetic vision and calling so that I can continue to be utilized as one of His mouthpieces. This is a BIG deal for me. I'm changing. Physically and Spiritually changing. For the glory of the King and the betterment of myself. What an amazing journey so far. Clarity has never been, well, clearer.

The pic for tonight is one of excitement. I'm ready to go to bed, BUT I'm excited about what The Lord is doing with me. Praise God!!!

Day 9

Almost 15 lbs. lost and it's only been a week! I'm pretty excited, but I keep reminding myself that the weight loss is just another perk of fasting. It's not the actual reason that I fast.

I'm feeling really good right now. I've realized that during the day (especially waking up early for prayer) I feel slightly faint at times, but when I get home and just sit I'm pretty good. Praise God for supernatural energy!

Joshua 3:5 - Then Joshua said to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow The Lord will do wonders among you.'

The Lord is doing wonders in my life right now, and I'm grateful. I've waited to late to type again. I'll continue this tomorrow when I make more time. But, first, a pic...

Day 8

Tonight I don't feel like writing much. Mainly because I need to go to bed. I didn't set my alarm for prayer this morning because I forgot that we had it on Mondays so I want to make sure I'm there. I'll admit, however, that the earlier the morning the more difficult it is to stay focused at work. Praying against distraction, for sure. 

So, today I've felt pretty good. It was a challenge to sit in Starbucks and not have coffee or a sandwich, but I managed. I bought a juice when I first got there because I wanted a 'just in case' option since I had a tv show taping this evening. I tasted the juice. It was gross. I threw it away. Carrot juice is NOT something I liked. Ha! I've lost 13 lbs. Moving on alone with the weight loss process. 

Joshua 3:4 - However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.

I believe that 2014 is the year that the Spirit of The Lord leads me to a place I've never been before! I'm excited about this. I believe that He's still grooming me. I'm ready. This journey is just the beginning. 

Day 7

It's been one week! Wow! What a learning experience this is. The Lord is revealing things to me about myself that I never knew I needed or wanted to change. I'm grateful for lessons learned and the humility it brings. It's necessary. For me at least. I need to be reminded that I'm not in control. One week! One week, ten pounds and a WHOLE BUNCH of revelation from Joshua 3 (and I'm still at the beginning). It feels good to type 'Day 7' because I honestly don't know if I thought I would make it a week, but I shouldn't have doubted the power of God especially after the visions He gave me early last week. I know that I'm called to lead thousands into worship, and deliver a prophetic word as a mouthpiece of The Lord. My temple has to be submitted to His will before I can prosper to purpose.

Physically, I have a headache and feel slightly faint. The headache just came about tonight while celebrating SP's birthday at Battlefield Knoxville. It's been a long day though, and I've been going for the majority of it. Less fuel, less distance. However, aside from a slight faint feeling right after singing, worship was powerful today. I'm so blessed and honored to have the privilege to do what I do where I do it. I can't wait until The Lord opens the doors of our new church building. We're going to grow so that we can continue to make Jesus known. It's important. It's God's will. Not energized enough to write much tonight so I'll get on to the spiritual side of things.

Joshua 1:2,3 - At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp; and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it."

This is the season I'm in right now. Going after the presence of The Lord! I know that I need it. I know that I desire it. I know that I'll benefit from it. I know that I will be healed while in His presence, and receive peace that surpasses all understanding. The Scripture says that God commanded the children of Israel (utilizing the officers) to set out from '(their) place' and go after the presence of The Lord. I think that it is time for me to come up from 'my place' and go after His presence as well. I know that 'my place' right now in life is my health, finances and relationships. I've tried to hold onto control of those things for years. It's time to let go.

I'm extremely exhausted. Not writing anymore tonight.

Day 6

I felt good today. My shoulders, elbows and legs are burning though. I'm sure that my body is searching for protein. Well, I hope that instead of eating at my muscle (what little I do have), that my body will eat away at the fat...or just expel it. No headache, but my stomach still feels like a big bubble is inside of it. Energy began to fade again at the middle of the day. Cleaning the church and setting up chairs didn't go as quickly as I would've liked it to, but I am grateful for a wife who desires to keep The Lord's house excellent as well. She was a great help today. We were able to come home and just hang out and watch tv (which we never have time for). We watched a couple of hours worth of Extreme Cheapskates and it was hilarious. That's a whole other blog though. Sex was good today, and the first time since I started this fast. That's the longest we've gone without sex since we were married. I'm pretty sure we both needed (or just extremely wanted) it. I didn't have as much energy as usual, but it was better than I planned. Climax was CRAZY! Yeah, gotta make sure the kiddos don't get a hold of this blog...ha! I've lost 8 lbs. I wasn't going to weigh myself, but I did. Get over it.

Joshua 3:1 - Then Joshua rose up early in the morning...

I know that it's important to get up in the morning, and it's a blessing each and every time. However, I believe that the Bible talks of rising up early because it's important to rise up early! Pretty simple, huh? Satan never stops, and he certainly doesn't quit because it's early. Tonight, one of our students from the church was admitted to the hospital because he took a lot of pills last night. Crystal and I were able to go and sit with him, talk with he and his parents, and pray with and for him. It was a good moment, but it didn't have to happen. I have to make a habit of rising up early and covering our youth, my family, our future. I'm not going to sit back and let the enemy run away with something that has my name written all over it! Not the plan I have for this ministry or life at all. Young people need a helping hand and one that leads them to The Lord. I plan on doing all that I can to make sure that continues to happen. It's the will of The Lord in and on my life, surely. I'm encouraged. I won't write anymore tonight because I have to get up early for church.