And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses: 'Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.' And Moses said unto the people: 'Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before you, that ye sin not.' And the people stood afar off; but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the LORD said unto Moses: Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel: Ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with Me - gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto Me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come unto thee and bless thee. And if thou make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast profaned it. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.
(Exodus 20:18-26)

People should have an AWE of God, not a dread of God.  The idea is to have a reverence for His Holiness. Those that love God NEVER need to have a horror of God……but those that do NOT love God, most certainly should be afraid.

God, through the 10 Words He just gave them and the coming series of 600+ "laws", is teaching the people just what His Holy nature is all about, what His standard of justice and righteousness is….. not just so they can develop a philosophy about life like their pagan neighbors, or to make religious doctrines, or to have intellectual discussions about it. Rather, that the people He sets apart for Himself do not offend, do not transgress against, the Most Holy One who does the setting apart according to His grace.

Some churches specialize in generating emotion. The platform people are experts at moving worshipers to laughter or tears. Attenders gradually learn to evaluate the service in terms of the emotion they feel. In time, however, the law of diminishing returns sets in. Prayers are offered in highly emotive style and bathed in background music. Stories have to get more dramatic, songs more sentimental, preaching more histrionic, to keep people having intense emotional experiences. Such worship is often shallow, sometimes artificial, and rarely reflective. Little attention is given to worshiping with the mind. It produces people who have little depth or rootedness. They may develop a "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). They become worship junkies, searching for whichever church can supply the best rush.

This is Scarecrow worship: it would be better if it only had a brain.

On the other hand, some churches focus keenly on cognitive correctness. They recite great creeds, distribute reams of exegetical information, craft careful prayers ahead of time. And yet the heart and spirit are not seized with the wonder and passion that characterize those in Scripture who must fall on their faces when they encounter the living God. No one is ever so moved that she actually moves. This is tragic because, as Dallas Willard writes, "to handle the things of God without worship is always to falsify them." Those who attend such services may be competent to spot theological error, but the unspoken truth is they're also a little bored. Their worship is dry—it does not connect with their deepest hurts and desires. Rarely does it generate awe or healing, and never raucous joy.

This is Tin Man worship: if it only had a heart.
John Ortberg and Pam Howell, "Can You Engage Both Heart and Mind?" Leadership (4-1-99)

Somehow we need to find the balance.  We need the blessing of the heart and the mind.  We need to worship with all of us.  All on the altar.

I mentioned that the Assembly of God church we went to on Sunday is doing a Daniel Fast for the month of January. I thought I should do a post explaining what a Daniel fast is.....



Daniel Fast

Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. And the chief of the officers gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the officers that he might not defile himself. And God granted Daniel mercy and compassion in the sight of the chief of the officers. And the chief of the officers said unto Daniel: 'I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces sad in comparison with the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king.' Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the chief of the officers had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 'Try thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.' So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and tried them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's food.
(Daniel 1:6-15)

In those days I Daniel was mourning three whole weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
(Daniel 10:2-3)



What is a Daniel Fast?
A 21-day partial fast based upon Daniel's own experiences as recorded in the Bible. The purpose is to restrict commonly enjoyed foods as an act of worship and consecration to God. Someone who chooses to undergo a Daniel Fast demonstrates a physical commitment that reflects a deep spiritual desire for a more intimate relationship with the Lord.

Foods to Eat on the Daniel Fast
All fruit - fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
All vegetables - fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned.
All whole grains - amaranth, barley, brown rice, oats, quinoa, millet, and whole wheat.
All nuts & seeds - almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds. Nut butters are also included.
All legumes - canned or dried; black beans, black eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, pinto beans, and split peas.
All quality oils - canola, coconut, grapeseed, olive, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages -only drink water- distilled water, filtered water, and spring water.
Other - herbs, spices, salt, pepper, seasonings, soy products, and tofu.

Foods to Avoid on the Daniel Fast
All meat & animal products - including but not limited to beef, buffalo, fish, lamb, poultry, and pork.
All dairy products -including but not limited to butter, cheese, cream, eggs, and milk.
All sweeteners -including but not limited to agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw sugar, syrups, stevia, and sugar.
All leavened bread & yeast -including but not limited to baked goods and bread and Cake.
All refined & processed food products -including but not limited to artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, preservatives, white flour, and white rice.
All deep-fried foods -including but not limited to corn chips, French fries, and potato chips.
All solid fats -including but not limited to lard, margarine, and shortening.
Beverages-including but not limited to alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, herbal tea, and tea.

Anything to add? Any thoughts?
Have you or would you ever do a Daniel Fast?
Have you ever fasted?
What are your thoughts on Fasting?

Ok...I have applied at all the places I am qualified to work at in the past 6 months.


There are no more places to apply. I still do not have a job. Do I go back and reapply at all the places where 3 months have passed since I applied at?


What would you do?

This Sunday we went to a Assembly of God. There were some good points and some not so good points. We will not be making that a place for us to regularly attend.

So where are we going to next week?

Next week we will be attending a Brethren In Christ Church. Anyone attend one or used to attend one?