Day 71: Walking with God

Today I woke up late.  Very sore and achy.  But it was cool and breezy outside.  I had my glass of ice water, ate my high fiber breakfast cereal and banana with almond milk.  And I read from my bible.

I just finished the book of Ezekiel two days ago. Today I started Daniel.  I smiled as I read the part where Daniel refuses to eat the rich, fatty food and wine offered to him and  his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego served at  King Nebuchadnezzar's table. Daniel asked for fresh vegetables and water.

"8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your^c food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

11Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. (Daniel 1:8-14)

Then after 10 days:

"15At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

18At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (Daniel 1: 15-20)

Yay for fresh vegetables!  I was reading this passage as I was planning my lunch. Which, ironically was Greek salad pitas and zucchini, corn, tomato chicken soup.

Feeling quite proud of myself, I took off for a long 2 mile walk. I felt the need to pray. My walks give me the perfect opportunity.

After I walked and prayed for a bit, I put in my headphones and scanned my radio for some good tunes. I settled on 104.1 The Fish and was inspired by several Christian songs.  Then I bounced around and ended up on 93.9 KPDQ just in time to hear a most relevant talk about making time for God.  Paster Ron Mehl of the Beaverton Foursquare church was speaking. And he spoke straight to my heart.

^{12 "}Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3: 12-17)

I have some green peppers stuffed with ground turkey, rice and fire roasted tomatoes baking in the oven. I am heading to the library to print some music for some students and to pick up the next season of Downton Abbey.


Making more room for God, getting rid of baggage: Extra pounds, negative thoughts, wasteful actions.  

Happy Tuesday!