I received a suggestion recently about how to use this blog for the next month, beginning this coming Tuesday, and going through the end of June:
Post every day.
My first thought: "huh?" which, in context with my original blog mission statement I posted back in March, I believe, was to post less often, alluding to my addictive/obsessive nature that often showed up in my blogging (which you as the reader won't see, as I have chosen not to resurrect most of the posts from back then).
BUT... I like this idea. Precisely because this idea is not my own. And because it's not my own, I see it as a way of surrendering this blog for God's own use, which would be completely different from my own addictive/obsessive (might I add "control-freak"?) nature that would otherwise come out in this.
My church (Evanston Vineyard, for those who are brand new to this blog) is going through a month of prayer and fasting. We are beginning a transition of leadership. The new guy (Pastor Ted, who I like from what I've heard so far) shows up at the beginning of June. Pastor Bill is retiring in August. Pastor Steve, our senior pastor, will officially retire in about three years.
Along with that, Vineyard USA is also going through its own leadership transition. And along with that, I've decided I would pray for other churches and ministries, who either have recently gone through their own leadership transitions, are currently going through their leadership transitions, or will soon go through their own leadership transitions.
Some of you might be asking: "what's going on? why all the leadership transitions? and why all the prayer, let alone fasting along with it?" Well, the short answer is that the vast majority of churches and ministries that would fit under the "Evangelical" umbrella, many of their founders are in their 60s or 70s. They started their careers either in the 1960s or 1970s, when the last great revival in the United States took place. It just so happens that now is that time when that particular generation is to retire, and we must transition to the next generation.
So, here is a basic outline of what I intend to do:
1.) Blog every day, starting this Tuesday, May 28th, until June 30th.
2.) Have at least one support partner from my church who I communicate with regularly, who I also know will be participating in the prayer and fasting.
3.) Pray for the following:
- Evanston Vineyard's successful transition of leadership
- Vineyard USA's successful transition of leadership
- FamilyLife Today, which had what I believe was a successful transition of leadership
- Churches like Willow Creek Community Church and Harvest Bible Chapel, which unfortunately did not get to have their founders retire in grace -- for their healing and restoration as churches, and for protection, grace, and blessing on those who have succeeded their former pastors
- Several personal interests, including finding my purpose in life calling-wise, and as well as seeking to take the next steps in terms of moving up in adulthood. (Details will be shared privately.)
4.) Fast from the following:
- All online and app distractions, including YouTube, Facebook, ESPN.com, as well as a few games I have put on my phone (2048, Bible Word Verse)
- Food once a week, over a 24-hour period (but not water)
- Limit, but not eliminate, coffee and alcohol
5.) Feast on the following:
- Read Bible (those of you who know me, this is really hard for me to make myself do every day)
- Do devotionals (ditto)
- Journal
- Pray
- Sleep & rest
- Drink water, every day
- Enjoy the sunshine
- Write music
- Listen to sermons
- (I may add a thing or two more)
6.) Have a plan for the first week of July. I'm still figuring this one out. This next month is going to be a challenge. I remember a sermon once where Pastor Steve referenced Michael Phelps and how he burned out big-time after all that training that went into winning all those medals at the Olympics, particularly in 2008 and 2012. What my church is asking all of us to do is in some ways no different. I've never really fasted and prayed before, certainly not for as long as a month. If I succeed at maintaining all the parameters of the fast, I know I'm quite liable to crash in July. So that's something that I need to figure out and pray about.
Finally, my hope is that all these daily posts will not be very long. Certainly not as long as this one ended up being (I myself even though this post would be short! Whoops...). What is different now is that writing long posts takes more energy than it used to. I'll take that.
See y'all back here on Tuesday!