7 [Book In Review] Chapter 1

If I could sum up my feelings in 1 word about this book it would be Fascinating.
But I'm a blogger with a head full of words so that's impossible. But really, all around, I just love this book so far.
The writer is vulnerable, witty and does not mince words with her intentions to follow Jesus.


In the following weeks, I will process my own thoughts about these chapters and be a smidgin less vulnerable than she. For some background, read this introduction.


Basic [Review]
To start off this review I thought it was necessary to tell you that the woman gave up coffee people! Four weeks, caffeine free while still living normal life and tending to daily responsibilities. My hat's off to her for that and for the smorgasboard of of other foods she fasted. During the first month, she choose 

7 foods to eat: chicken, eggs, whole-wheat bread, sweet potatoes, spinach, avacados & apples.

Her diary during these four weeks is hilarious and of course thought provoking. Because of her very real desire to become more like Jesus, I am considering a similar fast for the next seven days. I honestly can't remember the last time I fasted. I always have a very logical reason not to including pregnancy and nursing and the like, but I find my Spirit hungry for more of Him. When we empty ourselves and surrender to Jesus, He fills us. It's a clear cause and effect of fasting found in the Bible. I totally identified with this quote, "I'm at a place where 'well done' trumps 'well said'...Obedience inspires me. Servant leaders inspire me. Humility inspires me. Talking heads dissecting apologetics stopped inspiring me a few years ago." If you can relate to this, we are 2 peas in a pod.

Favorite Thoughts From The Author
·         I am pierced by Ghandi’s astute observation: ‘I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.’” To become more like Jesus is to be the light of the world.

"I wept for all of my children tonight, my Ethiopian children orphaned by disease or hunger or poverty who will go to bed with no mother tonight and my biological children who will battle American complacency and overindulgence for the rest of their lives. I don’t know who I feel worse for.” This really hit home for me this morning. One of my sons was rejecting a bowl full of cereal because the milk just didn't look right to him. As my mind reviewed all that I had read, I was instantly frustrated because my children also fall into the category or overindulgent as do I. My son had no idea how much food he was wasting on the premise of looks because he had had a full belly all night as he slept. She gave statistics of just how rich we are in America and I need my thought processes revamped in a big way. I already have everything I need.

·         The concept of reduction was never further away than my next meal. This held me fast to the heart of Jesus. Just as a forty-day fast inaugurated his public ministry, this month has paved the way.” As the author prepares herself for the next month of fasting, she expresses her gratitude that she started with the topic of food. Food is so woven into our daily lives that a person would be hard pressed to "forget" they are fasting. My heart of compassion was really stirred for my husband after reading this chapter. He was just recently diagnosed with multiple food allergies leaving meat and veggies on the menu. She reduced her diet for one month; his has been reduced permanently until God heals him.

Word(s) That Last
He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry.” Luke 4:2
Jesus fasted for 40 days, I'm pretty sure I can survive on 7 foods for a week. Prayers accepted!
You diligently study the scriptures because you think by them you possess eternal life. These are the scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” John 5:39-40
I can know all about a person by reading an autobiography, but I still wouldn't actually know their inner workings. In this same way, I believe I have know about Jesus for a very long time, but it's not until recently that I have come to relate to Him as an actual person who walked on the dirt of this Earth.
Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk and more of you and your kingdom. I will reduce so He can increase.


3 comments:

Still Seeking said...
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Dan King said...
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Hopkins family said...
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