Daniel Fast Guidelines

Remember these are just guidelines to help in your desire to participate in a Daniel fast to bring in the New Year. Again I stress these are guidelines if you need to modify them in any way that is acceptable.

Pastor Jim

Foods to include during the Daniel Fast

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples,apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries,boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions,parsley,potatoes,radishes,rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips,watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat,brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter. (natural no sugar added)
All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, blackbeans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

All meat and animal products including but not limited to
beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese,
cream, butter, and eggs.
All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw
sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it
contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All refined and processed foods products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.
When you shop for food remember to READ THE LABELS to make sure the only ingredients in
packaged foods are suitable for the Daniel Fast. You will want to be especially aware of chemicals, dairy products and sweeteners - all of which are not allowed on the Daniel Fast.

Message from Pastor Jim 12-31-09

Happy New Year to all. As we prepare to begin our annual Daniel fast On January 2, just a few thoughts First notice on the right side this blog there is a link to "Ashley's Recipe Corner". Ashley will be posting daily recipes for the Daniel Fast on her page and by clicking on the link you will be able to read and copy the recipes and ideas she posted to share with you all. (I believe there is also a capability to leave comments if you would like to) Second, remember fasting is not about food, or the lack of food ,or a special type of food. It is about getting closer to God, nowhere in scripture is fasting mentioned without prayer and or worship. I also want to stress that if for any reason you do not feel you can fast food in any way that I believe that God will accept any sacrafice we make for him. For example if we fast television for the 21 days and spend the time we would spend in front of the TV in prayer worship and study I believe that God will honor your fast and you will see the fruit of it in the coming year.

Message from Pastor Jim 12-29-09

I want to ask all to pray for a young man name Drew Marquis he is a student at Noteworthy and he has been is a serious car accident his mother has asked that we pray for him please also pray for the family as his father is in the military and is stationed in Iraq.
I said yesterday the fasting should have a purpose, a reason we fast, a need we have, a blessing we desire. But they are not the reason we fast we do not want to desire the gifts of God more than we desire God. The reason we fast is to know God as our all satisfying father. We are not to seek the gifts or blessings of God but seek God Himself an intimate relationship with him a closer communion with Him more than we have ever known before.
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches us three main longings that we should ask for; First that God’s name would be hallowed, revered. Second that God’s kingdom will come. Third God’s will be done on earth the way it is done in heaven. When we seek to know God in this way and the fullness of communion with Him first then the gifts and blessings will follow. I pray that as you embark on a time of prayer and fasting to begin the new year that you will come to know God more intimately and personally than ever before.

Message from Pastor Jim 12-28-09

I hope this message finds you doing well and enjoying the memories of a Spirit-led Christmas celebration. I can say that some of my most precious gifts were the love-filled moments spent with family and friends and encouragement from the body of Christ.

In just a few days we will begin a New Year. And many of us will start the year with a period of prayer and fasting. This is an important week to prepare your spirit, soul and body for the fast.

To prepare for our 21 day Daniel fast you should begin drinking at least eight glasses of filtered water a day begin to taper of on your calorie intake and start reducing your caffeine intake to help avoid the headaches that are the result of sudden caffeine stoppage. Fasting should be for a purpose begin to meditate on what you what to experience in the coming year in your relationship with God, in your life, in your family and in your own spirit. Offer this period of prayer and fasting to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to lead and direct you as you prepare for this powerful spiritual discipline.

Take steps to insure your success in your fast. Set aside a daily time of prayer, worship, meditation and study. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you in your prayer and study. Set your life in order to insure your success.