Welcome to Emergent Life Ministries! The focus of this ministry is to share our journeys as we emerge, like a butterfly from a cocoon, from our old life into our new life in Christ.  Just as a caterpillar undergoes complete transformation into a new and beautiful creature, we undergo a similar tranformation in our inner being as we grow more and more like our Mentor.  Remember 2 Corininthians 5:17?  It tells us that ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.’  I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful for this change and that I am not that messy little catepillar I used to be.  Am I the beautiful butterfly yet?  No, but I grow more and more in that direction each day!  Let’s support each other on this journey.  If you have a praise, let us know.  If you need prayer and support, we are there for you. 

I would love to have you join me in a fast to start the new year. Isaiah 58 is a great chapter about fasting and its blessings and benefits for us.  My favorite is in verse 8 where it says, ” Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily and your righteousnes shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”  Have you ever thought about the fact that all the armor of the Lord mentioned in Ephesians 6 covers the front of our body?  Of course, we are to be on the offense, not the defense, in our battle against evil, but just in case of a sneak attack, I’m sure comforted knowing that the glory of God is my rear guard!

 If you’ve never done a fast before, it may seem a bit scary.  There are many kinds including the total fast in which you only drink water, the normal fast in which you eat no food and drink clear liquids, the Daniel Fast in which you eat no animal products, breads or sweets and drink only water, and partial fasts in which you give up one or more meals for the day.  When I first started fasting, I had real issues with hypoglycemia and gave up my favorite type of food, which was anything spicy.  That was a real sacrifice, let me tell you!  I have found that fasting really helps me get grounded and press into a more meaningful relationship with God.  If you want more information, you can go to www.jentezenfranklin.org and join the 21 day fast his church is participating in.  When you join, you are able to download a magazine chuck full of information and also a 21-day devotional.  If you are a beginner, you may want to start with a one day or a three day fast.  Others may want to join us in a 21-day fast.  Pray about it and see what God wants you to do- believe me, it isn’t the same for everyone, nor should we ever think it should be!  Then let’s share our struggles and victories.  I’ll let you in on something I felt God saying today:  “In this fast, you will find your wings again and you will soar!”  Wow!  Not sure where the soaring will take me, but I’m all for it!