 I’m so glad you’ve decided to take The Beautiful Womanhood Fast-for-Your-Marriage challenge!
In preparation for your fast, it’s important to decide what TYPE of fast to choose and your choice depends upon your circumstances. If you are diabetic or have health issues, please consult your doctor about what food(s) or drink you could eliminate without endangering your health. Call now, so you’re prepared to begin on April 1-21.
If you happen to be leaving for a Spring Break vacation (smile), you can still experience all the benefits of the fast while enjoying your vacation. When I was on vacation finishing up a 40 day fast, I decided to remove all meat and sweets from my diet. Removing one food or drink that you normally gravitate toward will remind you that you’ve set this time aside for a spiritual purpose–breakthrough!
For all others, there are many options.
- Complete fast (drinking only water–shouldn’t attempt beyond 3 days without Dr.’s approval)
- Juice fast (drinking any/all juices/broths + water)
- DANIEL fast (eliminating meat, sweets, alcohol, caffeine)
- Eliminate a particular food or drink you crave (it must cost you something)
I’ve tried each of these fasts so I’ll provide a bit of commentary below.
For the Complete fast, I would eliminate all food from my diet one day a week. Finding the best day is the trick and Mondays worked for me. It’s important to drink a lot of water on this fast–be intentional about this. Last year, I tried fasting all food for 3 days and my husband made me drink juice by noon of the second day as I became dizzy and was languishing on the couch. Drinking juice got me through the three days in one piece! A complete fast isn’t easy, no doubt about it, but it’s important to fast safely. Thanks honey!
As described above, the juice fast includes all juices or BROTHS. Make sure there is no added sugar in the juice. Also, soda pop is not on the menu!
My husband and I have completed a 21 day Daniel fast for the past 2 years with our church and it’s been a blessing to each of us and our marriage. It can be difficult knowing how to prepare food without meet, cheese, or sweets for 21 days so I needed help and Kristen Feola provided it. On her blog, www.ultimatedanielfast.com., Kristen includes recipes (the date honey was yummy!), menus, and devotionals to encourage your spiritual growth during the fast. Right now, she’s on a Daniel Fast until Easter. If you google “daniel fast”, you’ll find many helpful resources.
When I was on vacation, it was too difficult to remain on the Daniel Fast, so I simply ELIMINATED meat and sweets from my diet. When choosing this fast, select a food(s) or drink(s) that you rely on heavily. For example, if you crave soda pop, eliminate that. Every time you’re tempted to reach for a Dr. Pepper, you’ll be reminded about the purpose of the fast and the breakthrough you need (we’ll talk about the purpose of the fast in the April 1 blog). A friend of mine enjoys a glass of wine with dinner and decided to fast alcohol. Maybe candy is your weakness–whatever you eliminate, it should cost you something.
If anyone else has ideas for a particular fast, please share it on Facebook. Let’s Connect, Share, and Grow together for our spiritual break-through!
Sandy
 I’ve talked to so many women lately who are desperately seeking and praying for a break-through in their marriage. Because I’ve been there twice, I understand the painful, far-reaching effects of a marriage in trouble. Whether you’re suffering the effects of addiction, abuse, unfaithfulness, money mismanagement, unemployment, parenting issues, or an uncommunicative spouse–there is HOPE!
Both times Tom and I struggled with issues too difficult for us to overcome on our own, FASTING proved to be the powerful force capable of shattering the barriers which separated us. Fasting is potent, yet so many know so little about it. That’s where Beautiful Womanhood steps in.
Beginning April 1-21, Beautiful Womanhood will be starting The Fasting-for-Your-Marriage-Breakthrough Challenge. During the challenge, I’ll be posting a weekly blog (subscribe so you don’t miss them) where I will
- disclose lessons about what fasting is and is not
- share HELPFUL TIPS about fasting
- reveal testimonies from my life and others who’ve fasted for a breakthrough
On Facebook each weekday, I’ll be posting video and written questions that will help encourage you along your fasting journey as well as share personal anecdotes from my own fasting journey–that’s right–I’ll be fasting right along with you!
If you’re going on a planned Spring Break vacation, don’t worry–you can still participate in the Fasting Challenge on a limited basis and enjoy the benefits. I’ll share how in my first blog.
Ladies, we’re going to hear awesome testimonies as we CONNECT , share and grow with each other so you don’t want to miss out! You’re also going to want to invite every woman you know that could use a breakthrough! Don’t delay…send her this blog and invite her to the Challenge.
Marriage within the church is struggling to the same degree marriage outside the church is. Let’s do something new (fasting) in order to enjoy different results in our marriages which will capture the attention of those who don’t yet know our Jesus.
PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD…
Sandy
 Have you ever been overwhelmed with a desire to please God and be rid of everything in you that is not in Him?
Reading Romans 2:29, I long for more of the Spirit’s work in my life to bend, shape, and mold me into the image of Christ.
But how does that happen? Like Paul, it seems the harder we try, the harder we fall. So how can you break past this pattern that prevents you from experiencing more of God and living the abundant life–free from all Your “junk”?
- Should you try harder?
- Should you pray longer?
- Should you read the Bible more?
You’d be missing the mark by going “there“.
So often these good things we do, take the place of the MOST important thing.
In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young says
“Save your best striving for seeking My face.”
Chronicles 16:11 implores you to
Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching.
This passage isn’t talking about reading a chapter of the Bible each day and praying so you can feel better about yourself as a Christian–you won’t find strength doing that. Rather, it’s talking about allowing the words you read to come alive or take root in your heart until you could BURST with the knowledge of them. The Living Word is alive and you’ve been invited to
drink
Him
in.
I know you’re parched…I’ve been there too.
You see, God understands that in the struggle to loose all that holds you back, your failure to do so alone motivates you to seek His face. The Bible promises that you will FIND Him when you seek Him. And when you find Him and drink in all the wisdom, strength, and hope you NEED, you’ll be changed and refreshed. Personal change is a by-product of spending time in God’s presence--no striving required!
But there’s something in this whole process for God too–relationship.
He CRAVES spending time with you. He LONGS for your attention because He ADORES you! He can’t get enough of you and He smiles at your first thought of Him each day. Wow! How does it feel to be pursued like that?
God is JEALOUS for you…and that’s a good thing, Oprah!
WHEN YOU SPEND TIME SEEKING GOD THERE’S NOTHING THAT WILL KEEP YOU DOWN OR STOP YOU FROM OVERCOMING!
It’s the ONE thing you should save all your energy for.
So many things will tug you away and God understands that. But don’t let them keep you away.
Return to thinking about Him as soon as possible and allow Him to do the impossible work of transformation in you.
Win a Kindle Touch and RSVP for FB party 3/8!
Enter Today and Save the Date-3/8!
Celebrate with Sandy by entering her Kindle Touch Giveaway and coming to her “Beautiful Womanhood” Facebook Party on March 8!
One beautiful winner will receive:
- A Brand new Kindle Touch with Wi-Fi
- The Beautiful Wife By Sandy Ralya
- The Beautiful Wife Prayer Journal and Mentor’s Guide
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/7/12. Winner will be announced at Sandy’s “Beautiful Womanhood” Facebook Party on 3/8. Sandy will be hosting an evening of chat, laughter and encouragement – bring your friends! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, prayer journals and a live chat with Sandy for your Bible study or small group!
So grab your copy of The Beautiful Wife and join Sandy and friends on the evening of March 8th for an evening of fun.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 8th!
Dana Pierce and Susan Seay are Friday’s winners of The Beautiful Wife!
Please contact info@beautifulwomanhood.com with your ADDRESS to claim your book.
Sara Rooks and Violet Mafuwe are today’s winners!!
Contact info@beautifulwomanhood.com to receive your free copy of The Beautiful Wife!!
Congratulations!!
 Ash Marie and Jennifer Wagenmaker are Wednesday Winners of The Beautiful Wife!
Contact info@beautifulwomanhood.com to claim your PRIZE by supplying your mailing address!
Congratulations Beautiful Women!
 Kenia Garcia
and
Sharon Slone are Tuesday’s winners of The Beautiful Wife.
Please contact info@beautifulwomanhood.com with your address and we’ll mail you a copy of The Beautiful Wife: Focused on God, Fulfilled in Marriage!!
Congratulations Beautiful Women!
Announcing Monday’s winners of The Beautiful Wife…
Jessica Einhorn LaLonde
and
Melanie Chalut
Please contact info@beautifulwomanhood.com with your mailing ADDRESS so we can send you your free copy!
Stay tuned tomorrow for Tuesday’s winners!
Congratulations!!
Many of us don’t realize when our communication with others is passive aggressive. Do you use undercover means to get your way, to get even, and to express what you are not willing to say in a straightforward manner?
A passive-aggressive woman makes jokes or snide remarks to draw her husband into conversation about his behavior. Passive-aggressive women PROCRASTINATE, FORGET, and DAWDLE in order to convey displeasure without saying why. Do you POUT and then deny that anything is bothering you? If so, you struggle with passive aggressive tendencies. This behavior is not honest.
Do you ever make jokes or snide remarks about something that‘s bothering you concerning your husband? You may say, -My husband hasn’t seen a 36-inch waist in years, or ―He wouldn‘t stop and ask directions to save his life. I see many women resort to this instead of assertively discussing their concern for his health or the importance of arriving on time.
Do you convey displeasure through convenient forgetfulness?
During the difficult years of our marriage, Tom would ask me to do things for him, and when I was angry about something he’d done, I’d forget to do the requested task. It was easier to be dishonest rather than confront Tom with my feelings. Interestingly, the message he heard was that he wasn’t important to me because I frequently forgot what was important to him. The message I wanted him to hear was I was hurt.
The passive-aggressive woman uses the SILENT TREATMENT. She punishes her husband by ignoring his existence without telling him why. It is far easier to punish him indirectly than to confront him honestly.
When I was hurt by my husband, I often used the silent treatment to send a signal to Tom that I was in emotional pain. My plan was for him to see my pain, be moved by it, and act to heal me. As I reflect back, I find it laughable that I thought silence was effectively communicating my heart to Tom. In reality, the silent treatment shuts down all communication.
How does passive-aggressive behavior affect your husband? It confuses him. He wonders what he’s done that has upset you. He senses your displeasure but can’t make sense of it, much less ―fix it. All he has to work with are dishonest or unclear messages, rather than clear explanations. You must speak TRUTHFULLY with your husband in order to be understood and enjoy OPEN communication.
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Sandy Ralya is a dynamic speaker and critically-acclaimed author of The Beautiful Wife mentoring curriculum. She is also the founder and director of Beautiful Womanhood-- a ministry which equips mentors, encourages wives, and builds community among women.
For more information, visit the Beautiful Womanhood website!
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