As one might imagine, transitioning to a raw food diet is not easy, especially for someone like myself who subscribes to cooking magazines and dreamt of getting a dutch oven for Christmas. To get help in this area, I'm saturating myself in information as well as being sensitive to what God is trying to teach me about it. Let me share with you my weekend, what I learned, what God showed me, and how it all came about.
Saturday morning I journeyed 20 minutes south to Zoopa at Southcenter to hear Jerrod Sessler speak. Jerrod's ministry is to share his story with others (Nov 11 will be 10 years since his stage 4 melanoma diagnosis), how he beat cancer with a raw food diet and how we can benefit from the information he has picked up over the years. He has compiled a lot of this information into a book coming out in November, and you can check out his web site- I link to it in the right hand side bar. Jerrod's two main points are:
1.) Eliminate foods that cause disease
2.) Focus on foods that bring life
How you get there is a personal journey for you; I liked how he emphasized that this is a long term goal and we are not going to get there overnight. We are not to look at what we shouldn't be doing (eating animal products) and we are to look at wat we can do (have a glass of fresh juice every day.) Jerrod is a wealth of information and I learned a lot; I encourage you to visit his site if you need help.
Part 2: Divine Intervention and Mia Dalene
After Jerrod spoke, we were able to peruse books and chat with each other; I had the very fortunate experience of talking with Mia Dalene, a raw food chef known for many favorite recipes of the Sesslers and rumored genius (she can make cheese from Quinoa). While speaking with Mia, the Holy Spirit was really working on my heart as I listened to her tell a little bit of her story. I could relate quite a bit as she talked about what led her to a raw food diet, how she would sleep 14 hours a night and also need a nap, how her troubleshooting skills at work were suffering, and about a deep brain fog/lack of ability to concentrate. All of these things I have struggled with personally and have been working so hard to cure. What Mia said to me, that really spoke to me, is that yes, she had to ramp up to 85% raw to see results and that it took at least 5 months for her brain to finally click back "on." You see, I have already been juicing and taking a Barley Green supplement for over a year and am not seeing significant results. What I realized from Mia is that I need to make a stronger committment; I can't slide by on just 50% raw foods; God wants more from me if I am to heal myself HIS way. I sobered up a little at that point and started to really think about what it would take for me to give this my all.
Part 3: Mary's Song (Luke 1:46-56)
Sunday morning Kevin and I attended Mars Hill church where we listened to Pastor Mark give his sermon on Mary's Song; the part in Luke where Mary sings for joy about God's goodness after she learns she is to be the mother of Jesus, who is the son of God. This was a divinely inspired point in my week as well. It happens quite frequently that whatever struggle I am having during the week, God will find a way to speak to me in the sermon on Sunday. This Sunday was no exception! What you need to understand is that I walked into the sermon a little cranky; a little overwhelmed, a lot worried about my own personal circumstances. What I walked away with is that there is no need for worry; when you are certain that your future is uncertain, if you believe God is who he says He is and live your life in tune with that, we can replace our worries with worship and trust Him to take care of us.
I am not going to give this sermon justice, so I suggest listening to it:
Here is the scripture of Mary's Song being referenced:
Luke 1:46-56 (English Standard Version)
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46And Mary said,(A) "My(B) soul(C) magnifies the Lord,
47(D) and my(E) spirit rejoices in(F) God my Savior,
48for(G) he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations(H) will call me blessed;
49for(I) he who is mighty(J) has done great things for me,
and(K) holy is his name.
50And(L) his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51(M) He has shown strength with his arm;
(N) he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52(O) he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
(P) and exalted those of humble estate;
53he has filled(Q) the hungry with good things,
and the rich(R) he has sent away empty.
54He has(S) helped(T) his servant Israel,
(U) in remembrance of his mercy,
55(V) as he spoke to our fathers,
(W) to Abraham and to his offspring forever." 56And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
In this song, as you will hear in Pastor Mark's sermon, Mary lists 17 attributes of God. While I was listening to each attribute, I was filled with peace, knowing that God is in control and that he wants only the best for me. I know that I personally need to take responsibility for my health and I can do this with the raw food diet. As I was praying after the sermon, I was still a little overwhelmed, asking God how I am supposed to do this. He said to me, "By HIS Strength." Not by my own! I can give this to Him too and He will take care of me.
Here are the 17 attributes listed. Again, to hear the full sermon in context, click on the video above or visit www.marshillchurch.org.
17 Attributes of God as found in Luke 1:46-56
1.) God is the Lord. It is great comfort to have God in charge!
2.) God is our Savior. He is our rescuer, our hero, our deliverer.
3.) God is Omniscient. He is all knowing. He knows exactly what my circumstances and what my needs are.
4.) God is Respectful; He gives us dignity.
5.) Our God is Mighty; nothing can thwart Him.
6.) God is Personal. He has done great things for me. (Did any of you know me before I was a Christian?)
7.) God is Holy. If ever you are struggling and wondering if God is punishing you; know that this is impossible because God is not capable of being unjust or unholy.
8.) God is Merciful.
9.) God is Worthy for those who fear Him; we can be faithful with reverence, awe, respect and obedience.
10.) God is Powerful. He can do whatever pleases Him. If we are struggling in our circumstance, know that God can deliver us from it, sometimes not in the way we expect.
11.) God is Sovereign. Our confidence is not to be in ourselves, but in God.
12.) God is Gracious; he exalts the humble. He takes those of us who, to the world, have little value and He gives us purpose. God gives grace to those who have been disgraced.
13.) God is Generous. He gave his life for us.
14.) God is Just. God will take care of us; as he gives us good things it bestows dignity upon us.
15.) God is Humble.
16.) God is Faithful.
17.) God is Eternal.
Praise God for who He is and what He has done for us.
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