I began the journey of a water fast back in mid-January, but after three days, I was so weak that I began doing other liquids, including fruit-vegetable smoothies.
Then an amazing thing happened; a dear pastor from the inner city, who I had begun a relationship with over the last year, calls me.
"Preacher, (what he calls me) the Spirit has been stirring in me, and He's told me to stand with you."
"Wow, Bishop, (he oversees a network of Pentecostal churches) that's awesome! I need all the support I can get."
"No, no, you don't understand. I'm going to stand with you. We're going to do a water fast together."
How do you respond to that? How do you say no?
Humbled, I simply said, "Okay. What do we do?"
"We're going to go on a 14 day water fast, starting Monday (January 31); we'll tell our wives but not announce it to our people."
So other than a few folks close to us that needed to know, on Monday we dove in. The first week saw diminished strength daily but also greater endurance.
I am a runner (4 to 5 miles 4 days a week), and the first week looked liked this - 1st day, 4 1/2 miles - 2nd day, 3 1/2 - 3rd day, 3 - 4th day, 2 and in week two no running at all.
You might think that this was motivated by a deep spiritual desire, but the truth is I had told God after the cancer diagnosis, "You do Your part, and I'll do mine."
So I was simply trying to cleanse this temple that dwells in such a toxic environment (preservatives, chemicals, processed foods,etc.), and it is quite interesting how much the "C" word in our culture of death can motivate one to make changes that you know are long overdue.
Week two was quite a challenge, to say the least - smack dab in the middle - Anglican Mission's Winter Conference! Travel, days filled with speakers, worship, meetings, ministry, sharing with friends and colleagues, AND fellowship with our leadership team at restaurants!
I really can't tell you how much club soda I drank, and how much lovely food I watched others eat, but it wasn't the visual images (whether on TV or in person) that assault my weakened state; it was always the aromas! Nevertheless, we persevered!
I was very grateful that on the last day of the fast (Sunday), we had a guest speaker, because I was pretty wobbly, but we made it!
The whole experience was overwhelming, as I literally felt the Lord's healing grace hold me, sustain, cleanse me and lift my earth bound perspective.
So I was quite surprised when me next PSA test came back higher than the previous one, before not just the fast, but the many weeks of a Daniel fast (no dairy, no meat, no sugar, no caffeine, no processed grains, no preservatives).
"You're kidding me!" was my response when the doctor called. I was truly shocked!
So where do we go from here? First, I said, "Okay, Lord, I know You're healing me; how's it supposed to happen?" The answer, "Keep praying, keep believing, keep trusting, keep surrounding yourself with me and people of faith, keep cleansing your temple, and allow my gift of medicine to work too."
And that's right where we are!
One final though for this post - The love, prayers & faith of Jane, Bishop Thomas, our Healing Grace family and our dear brothers & sisters in New Bern, Charleston and around the world, have done more than just sustain me; they have lifted me up into a greater measure of His glorious presence!
"Thanks be to God!"
