DANIEL FAST 2021

~The Daniel Fast is biblically-based. (Daniel 1:1-21) The Focus: shall be “Lifestyle Change”-which consists of the longevity of 40 days Maximum, where one agrees to “Fast, Pray, Meditate, and read scriptures, striving to pray 3 times per day (morning, noon, and Evening prior to bed}

 

Option: For Beginners: make a  concerted effort to stay with it for at least 7 days, If you make it to that mark, then push on for 14 days, That will be Great!!

In the midst of travailing. Then continue to “Go Forth!” To 21 days, 28, 35 days, If you become more motivated/inspired/excited-You might just reach the finish line of the totality of 40 days. Congratulations!!! YOU DID IT!!!!

 

THE REASON AND GOAL OF PRAYING:

•     Renewal and Restoration

•     Connected to the “Right Relationship w/God

•     Diligently striving to always-“Practice His Presence”

 

PRAYER W/FASTING:

Know This: Fasting is one of the utmost “Keys” of Prayer. The most serious matter to be conscious of; is that it calls for unusual sacrifice with a focus on devotion, dedication, commitment, and to be steadfast on the daily walk of life for good health and regiment of exercise routines. Such as Cardio, Stretching, Strength, Resistance, Pilates, and Core Abdominal Muscles  

 

God reveals thru the prophet Joel, who commanded his people to return to him “with all your heart…the act of fasting, weeping and mourning.

 

 Also Jesus at the onset of his earthly ministry prepared Himself for the challenges ahead, by committing to 40 days of fasting {Mt 4:2}. One should become conscious and more aware of the process of denying self. When you deny yourself of the daily demands of the flesh and instead focus your attention on God. You can do this  through Keeping God in 'front-of-mind-consciousness' and always endeavor to "Practice The Presence of The Lord."

 

 It is then, when one can go more deeply and intently into being “prayerful focus”. The ultimate outcome is for God to get the ‘Glory’. When times of difficulty, strain, stress, anxiety, even depression raise its ugly head-but thru prayer you can make the connection to God for the manifestation of the “break-through”. Thus one being thankful is when the Glorification to God kicks in. The Hebrew word hallelujah is the command to

Hallel (praise) Yah (the Lord). Therefore, Let’s “Praise The Lord!!!”

 

As we all fast, pray, and meditate together it means we’re united in appealing to God and has an expectation of hearing from Him. When it is done in all sincerity God consistently honors it.

 

 

Remarks: During the daily routine, include in your prayer time, the asking of the Lord to: “To help you to be more obedient to him; comprehend the importance of forgiveness, and to help all of us grasp the full understanding, of what it means, to Trust him, Depend on him, Lean on him, and know he, and he alone; is the Source for all our needs

 

 As we read and re-read, (Daniel 1:1-21 it shall become crystal clear, the approach, and the reason, why Daniel choose to follow God’s revelations and instructions, rather than King Nebuchadnezzar’s mandate to eat kosher meats from the pantry and drinks branded wine from the king’s cellar. Instead, Daniel chooses to have pulse and water {fruits, veggies, grain, fiber, oats, nuts, and protein, etc,. Also, drink alkaline water. {I.e. smart water or core water. If you are not able to buy it you can convert tap or regular bottle by simply adding fresh lime juice or fresh lemon juice and/or concentrated lemon juice

 

Other suggested Scriptures: Galatians 5:22-26, {But the fruits of the spirit…} Isaiah 61:1-4, [the spirit of the Lord…} Isaiah 58:12 {the repairer of the breach}

 

 

The Keys & Core Values of Daniel Fast Lifestyle Change:

•     Spiritual Nutrition>Feed the body and nourish the mind, body & soul

•     Provide the impetus to feed & bolster your “Inner Peace”

•     Enhance mental and emotional well-being-end results “Contentment”

 

•      Holy Grail-It shall Detox/Cleanse the body/Purify the blood cells, Rebuild the tissues, and then to Heal & aid in the cure of certain maladies [undesirable and/or disordered condition} within the body

 

•      

 Brief Glimpse concerning Insights and Spiritual Intel about Daniel

Daniel save Solomon; possessed a special dispensation of blessings bestowed upon him from almighty God. Which gifted him with a keen mind and insights, as he was anointed with extraordinary wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve very difficult problems?

 

Daniel being full of such wisdom, knowledge & understanding made him much more aware regards what the King ordered them to eat was not ‘on-point’ nutritionally, nor was it very healthy. Therefore, he stood Stanch in his belief, Bold in the Spirit with the Lord. He was resolute and determined to partake & consume the Graze of the land & the earth plants and trees. Daniel requested pulse to be brought to him {fruits & veggies} to eat and water to drink.

Note: As we continue to read the scriptures daily we will soon see the Divine outcome and results that Daniel obtained. Which influence the King to recant and/or reverse himself regards his original order for food consumption for everybody. To God Be The Glory!

 

Suggestions for daily meals:

Breakfast:

FRUIT Servings:

Fresh fruits: example/; melon, red grapes, cherries, strawberries, kiwi, apples, other cantaloupes, etc. Note: always eat fruit first

Protein: Boil eggs, Grain, Oats, Nuts, Oatmeal {Old Fashion type} top with w/walnuts, blueberries, slice bananas, soy milk, brown sugar, or agave nectar,

 

Juices: O.J., apple, pear, mango, grapefruit, cranberry, Beet Juice, etc.

Nutritional Smoothie: 8 oz Soy milk, w/scoop of Super Green protein powder mix plant-based, add frozen Blue berries, Strawberry, peaches, mango {2-3 pieces each} blend, and drink-this shall give you over 32-38 super foods & dairy/gluten-free robotics

**Add-on: Green teas w/lemon and honey, w/mango, w/ginger-as a sweeter add Raw Honey or Agave

 

Example of Alternate suggestion light breakfast meal: {poached egg, or hard-boiled egg, small bite-size red roasted potatoes, and  fruits such as  red grapes, cantaloupes or kiwi and Apple Juice

NOTE: Always feel free, and at ease to add appropriate fruits and veggies

 

 

SNACKS {in-between meals}

Nuts {walnuts, almonds, cashews w/dry raisins},Dry or Fresh Fruit {i.e. apples, mango, cherries, melon, Banana, etc.  Dried Fruits {figs, blueberry, cranberry, dates, Dark Chocolate, etc.

LUNCH:

~Green garden salad {mix romaine lettuce, kale, arugula, baby spinach & cherry tomato}

~Add dry fruit, sprinkle w/ oregano powder, sea salt & pepper {crushed red or cayenne} to taste, top w/light ranch dressing or Olive Oil & vinegar

~Baked small red potatoes, or sautéed w/Olive Oil, sweet onions and green bell peppers, sea salt, and black pepper to taste

~Steam veggies {broccoli, cauliflower, collards & kale etc.

~Nutritional Smoothie: Scoop of {See details under Breakfast}

 

 

DINNER:

~Large bowl green garden salad or large bowl of steamed veggies

A suggested list of Veggies:  Veggies can also be sautéed

>Broccoli, Carrots, spinach, Green Leafy Veggies w/slice avocado

 

Remarks: Outcome derived

•     Weight control and/or weight loss management

•     Help manage Blood HP, Diabetes, & Cholesterol

•     Countenance & appearance: skin fresh, clear & pure, nails and hair experience healthy growth

•     Feelings and emotions: calm, peaceful, restful, and contentment

•     Find inner Peace: good reflection. Live your values, find, follow, embrace your purpose in life

•     Promote peace, and bring peace to the forefront as you touch & agree on w/others

 

Compiled/structured/edited by: Bishop Steve Braxton

Health & Wellness Practitioner, Life Coach, Critical Writer, Global Internet blogger & Best Selling  Author of Non-Fiction Books, to include  poetry, memoirs and short stories

ALSO

Founder, Marketplace Outreach Ministries, and National Clergy Fellowship Outreach Initiative.

 All efforts are dedicated to serving others through the discipline of Mentorship Traits & Attributes. The intent, aim, goal and purposes are to come alongside others, in particular, youth & young adults to help them find ways to get back on track. Many seasoned adults and young people have enjoyed these benefits through structured and restructuring of their lives via character building, behavioral modification, dealing with anxiety, anger, frustration, feeling out-of-sorts and managing the intervention of stress, as well as, personal & spiritual development. This is done through the process of Workshops, Seminars & support sessions available upon request which shall be presented by a special team of professionals specific to the respective causes to promote physical, and mental well-being to Be and Stay Healthy. 

 

Contact info: email:  sbrax57@gmail.com Text: {708) 295-7080

http://sbrax-on-point.blogspot.com {blog website

 

What is Your Discernment: Regards ‘Christ-mas’

-The revelation, affirmation, and confirmation from the shepherds and the angels’ perspective?

 

Albeit, we who holds faith and belief in a Divine Power of a Higher authority from the greater level of wisdom that possesses the proclivities: To Depend On, Trust In, because the ability exists for Choice, Hope and The Only “Source”. ‘Christ-mas’ is looked upon and embraced as The Celebration of The Birth of Jesus.

 

Luke Chapter two gives spiritual and prophetic insights and Intel of The Birth of the baby Jesus. However, there are some who think it is amazing that in all of the ways God could have sent his son Jesus to come, yet he chose to send him to come, as seemly; a helpless baby. Let’s unpack a few of the questions that were abound surrounding The Birth of Baby Jesus:

·        What most impressed you about Joseph and Mary's reactions and behavior in the midst of the predicaments they found themselves in. Did they hold the capacity to focus toward humility, dutiful citizenry, or just faith, and why?

·        Do you think Mary and Joseph understood the full significance of the child they brought into the world? Probably not, Maybe so, or other reasons why? Explain on your best words

·        The biblical narrative story indicates there were no rooms to rent during the night of Jesus's Birth. If you were in Mary and Joseph's shoes in this instance of not finding a room to rent, what would you have done? Explain in a sentence

·        Why do you suppose the Messiah, the Savior of the world was born in such an obscure place, as manger-amongst animals and cow dunk?  Was it just the way it happened, God did not want to draw attention to his birth, or was it prophetic fore-knowledge, and why? Expand on your thought of consciousness about the situation

 

Others had heard the news of The Savior—the Messiah, The Lord

 

The night of Jesus’s birth some shepherds were in the fields nearby in the village, guarding their flock of sheep-when an angel appeared to them, suddenly, and said, “Don’t be afraid, I bring the most joyful good news ever announced, The Savior-The Messiah—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, you shall recognize him as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. So they went to see him and they came bearing gifts for baby Jesus

 

Another older man named Simon from Jerusalem was in the temple, he was a very devout good man. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he cast his eyes on the expected Messiah. Simon was given a spiritual revelation that impelled him to go to seek out Mary and Joseph. He was obedient and went, when he arrived he was privy to be permitted to hold baby Jesus in his arms while praising God. He said, “Sovereign Lord! As you have promised, you can now dismiss your servant in peace, I can die content”. He went on to say, “He is the light that will shine upon nations, and he will be the glory of the people of Israel”

 

Simon blessed them and further said to Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many people in Israel, he will be rejected and spoken against, and this shall be to their own undoing; thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed, and a sword shall pierce their own soul too. In the end, he will be the greatest ‘joy’ of many others and the deepest thoughts of an enormity of heart-felt of others” and The Celebration of Christ-mas honoring The Birth of baby Jesus ensues

 

Steve Braxton, Ordained Clergy of the Bishopric-The COGIC, International, Presiding Bishop and Prelate, National Clergy Fellowship Outreach Initiative. Life Coach, CEO, Business Advisor, Freelance Writer & Blogger, LinkedIn/in/steve-braxton-939aa420/https://blog.feedspot.com/money_making_blogs/

 

 

More Important Now than Ever

 

As we face the problems of uncertainty abound among us today. It is somewhat critical and most important to practice effective communication. Why? Due to such enormities of disagreements and arguments that arise because of the inability to communicate properly and most effectively

 

Therefore, I am taking this time to implore and encourage you to be more mindful of the ways in which you communicate with others

 

In the process of your efforts to communicate-ask yourself these questions:

·        Are you being impeccable with the disquisition of your words in the narrative discourse impartation to others

·        Are you taking the words of others in their narrative discourse actions personally?

·        Are you making assumptions?

·        Are you being a Good Listener?

·        Are they {others] really saying what you think they are saying? {If not, be sure to ask them!}

 

In conclusion, as you improve your communication skills it shall become so much easier to cultivate the connections. In do so, this shall command:

·        Respect

·        Trust

·        Obtain and garner good support to build and develop genuine business and personal relationships

 

The overall sought outcome translates to authentic affection needed to maintain and thrive in both personal and professional life.

 

All to your thriving, boundless and bounty of ultimate success

 

Steve Braxton, Life Coach, Narrator/Orator Hall of Fame Story Teller, enshrined@2016 The Chicago History Museum/The North Lawndale Stories/40blockscmmunityInitiatives/http://sbrax-on-point.blogspot.com/

http://blog.feedspot.com/money_making_blog/

 

 

 

The Status and Disposition of COVID-19

 

We are in Mid Dec 2020 and the illusive pervasive question that is still being asks of the professionals: “When can we expect to get back to normal”?

 

During an interview on CNN with Chris Cuomo Dr. Fauci shared these comments; “It depends on how quickly, and how many people want to get, and will commit to taking the vaccine. If we have a smooth vaccination program where everybody steps to the plate quickly, we could get back to some form of normalcy certainly by the fall of next year”

 

However, he went on to say, “With the worse yet to come in coronavirus sickness and death and ICU’s across the country overflowing-the status of ‘normal’ could be affected-but it may and should bounce back, quickly”

 

Vaccine approval and implementation process

 

The CDC is making recommendations to the U.S. FDA, which in turn listens to the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee before the final approvals for emergency use authorization {EUA}. Which Dr. Fauci sez, shall happen. The assurance being sought is that all of the science professionals want to make sure that the American Public feels comfortable and safe. Especially, since the decisions involve their health and well-being. All precautions are being taken to ensure safety and health decisions are made outside of the realm of politics and self-aggrandizement and are viewed in essence by independent groups.

 

In the final analysis, the intent, and focus is to leave the impression with the American Public that the vaccine is not rushed out, possibly at the command of those in the position of the ‘Powers That Be’

 

The ultimate hope is that the first line providers shall be vaccinated initially, and then the larger population of the American Public. Allowing the chance of comfortability for the teacher, students in schools, and the parents of the student children

 

It shall also be important to keep abreast and stay alert of safety fundamentals in the throes of the pandemic-while getting back to a place on normalcy such as:

·        Wear Face Mask

·        Social Distance

·        Avoid Large Crowds

·        Do Not Go Outdoors with people not sheltered with you {bars, restaurants, close knit public venues, sports, concerts, etc}

·        Practice Good Hygiene

·        Be Safe

·        Protect Self

·        Be Concern for your life and the lives of others

·        Always be alert to ensure your health and the Physical and Emotional Well-Being of those you come in contact with on a daily basis

 

Steve Braxton, Freelance Writer & Blogger, Life Coach, Author of non-fiction books,

http://sbrax-on-point.blogspot.com/http://blog.feedspot.com/money_making_blogs/    

 

Prayer Exegesis: The Interpolations’, why should we pray and what for?

 

Prayer is central to the center of most world religions and spiritual forms of worship. And Christianity is not an exception. Jesus, at the beginning of his early days of ministry, practiced and exhibited the genuine virtues of prayer. He was often known to go away to be alone to commune with the Father for many days at a time, even up to 40 days on some occasions. The invoking of prayer can take on many forms both private and corporate, and it can take the enormities of different ways, such as praying:

·        Offensively

·        Defensively

·        Preemptively

·        Extraordinarily

When entering into the ways of being focused ‘offensively’ during the invocation of prayer-the intent may be to pray against evil and the danger that lurked toward temptation. Whereas, being ‘defensively’ oriented you might become more cognizant to ‘keep-God-in-front-of-mind consciousness, and to always strive to, ‘practice-His-presence’, so as to put on the Full Armor of God, that shall serve and enable you to stand firm against the schemes of Satan's Temptations. The ‘preemptively’ way is to keep watching, be alert, and strive not to succumb to temptation. It shall be good to be aware, that the preparation for the battles begin on your knees before the battles raise its ugly head to rage in the natural earthly realm.

 

And finally upon the entrants to focus and fasten on the ‘extraordinarily’ way, this becomes an all-out assault strategy of full complement to seek the Lord amid the troubles at hand. This is a time when you are at the point of desperation and the moment of radical intensity. Phone your co-laborers-in-Christ, set up prayer lines for petitions and supplications, and established church rallies. Everybody praying-you must not leave any stones unturned.

 

This prayer model is the kind considered ‘corporately, which leads to “Extraordinary” Prayer, that is the essence of ultimate Team Efforts

 

Jesus taught the disciples to pray, the way of The Lord’s Prayer {Matthew 6:9-13}. He proclaimed to them, “This, then is how you must pray: ‘Our Father, in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…’

 

Many times this teaching is misunderstood, it is taken a bit too literally. Arguably, it is not God-the-Son intent for us to recite the Lord’s Prayer word for word. He is more interested in what’s in our hearts when we pray than he is in our words. In prayer, it is best to pour out our hearts to God, in the name of Jesus, not simply to recite or memorized words to God.

 

When we begin our prayer with, “Our Father in Heaven”-This teaches us the knowledge and awareness of who we should address our prayer to, an intimate sharing and fellowship between you and the Father. “Hallowed be thy name”, this is revealing to us to worship God, and to praise his name, it brings forth the dynamic relationship of worship, as you get to know the Father, on an on-going daily basis, that allows you to comprehend who he is and what he does, as you grow deeper in respect and love for him, the Hebrew word ‘hallelujah’ is the command to Hallel [praise}Yah {the Lord}, an invitation to enjoy God and express our wonders to the one that is the most Wonderful One

 

The proclamation of the phrasing of these words, “Your Kingdom come, you will be done on  earth as it is in Heaven”, this serves as a reminder that we are to pray for God’s plan for or lives, not to lean toward our own plans and desires of understandings. “Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”,  another reminder that we are to confess our sins to God, and to turn away from them, the things you use to do, you don’t do anymore, because you have repented and are redeemed and restored to be in a right relationship with God, as you also have forgiven others as God has forgiven you.

 

In the conclusion of the exegesis of the Lord’s Prayer, “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil”, the ultimate plea in asking God for help in achieving victory over sin, and to request for his protection and safety from satanic attacks and not to succumb to temptation

 

Just to reiterate, The Lord’s Prayer is not merely meant for us to recite word for word back to God. It is only an example of the way we should have the understanding to commune with Almighty Go to know and trust Him, he is our only choice, our only hope and our only ‘Source’

 

However, I hasten to add, is there anything wrong with memorizing and reciting the Lord’s Prayer? Absolutely not!

 

Is there anything wrong with praying The Lord’s Prayer back to God? Not if your heart is sincerely in it and you truly mean the words and its not just lip service. Know That: In Prayer, God is more fixed and focus on the heart-felt sincere words directly from our hearts to Him.

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Jesus Christ {Philippians 4:6-7}

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Smart Are You? Do You Hope to, or Want to Get Smarter?

 

According to a recent Neuroscience Analysis a focus on Education do matters. Similar to the on-going attention that has been given to Artificial Intelligence. However, in the case of the human mind Fluid Intelligence does matter.

 

When the question is asked what factors contributes the most to success-the answer chosen in most instances is intelligence.  Even though the science-of-the-matter says one has to be lucky with the advent of:

·        Right Place

·        Right Time

·        Right Person

·        Right Time w/Right Person

·        Right Idea, Right Market, Right Audience, at the right time

 

Yet Neuroscience goes on to say, even though there are ways to ‘create’ your own luck, one cannot control luck. But what can be control, to some degree, is how smart you already are.

 

A More Definitive Look at The Insights of “Smart”

 

There exist a plethora of different forms of Intelligence, Let us begin with a focus on two:

·        Crystallized Intelligence, is accumulated knowledge based on facts, figures, and thinks “educated”. Of course we are aware of people who are ‘book smart’-but not necessarily smart, smart-this ushers in>

·        Fluid Intelligence, the ability to learn and retain new Insights and Intel information and then to utilized to solve problems. Also to learn a new skill to recall existing memories and modify them with new knowledge. Think “applied intelligence”

 

During this instance is where one becomes more educated. In doing so, this serves to improve fluid intelligence-it is harder, and is one reason why ‘brain games are fairly popular, i.e. crossword puzzles, brain training apps, and Sudoku.

 

It has been proven that both of the afore-mentioned smart behaviors gives credence to increase in neural connections and learned capacity. They simply buttress and bulk up the brain and are benefactor of being smarter.

 

However, within a few weeks the cortical thickness and activity starts to decrease, and eventually returns to the pre-Tetris skill level of brain power. Unfortunately, it does not matter how much work it takes to learn new information or gain new skills, this does not help improve fluid intelligence. Once knowledge or skill is in your grasp of brain power, you certainly benefits from the increase in crystallized intelligence. But the fluid intelligence soon returns to the more baseline level.

 

 Be comfortable-stay easy and calm

 

Once you have mastered a new game, a new process, a new skill, or a new anything-move on to something new. No matter at home, at work, or anywhere Just keep challenging yourself. Not only will you pocket a constant flow of new information and skill, your brain will stay “bulked up” and forge new neural connections-making it easier to keep learning and growing.

 

Know this: The more you learn the more you can leverage the power of ‘associative learning’. This process serves to relate something new to something you already know. In the process of learning the relationship seemingly unrelated things. This simply means, whenever you say, ‘Oh that makes sense”: This is basically closely akin to the fact, you are using “associative learning”

 

Proceeding forth in the process to learn more, it is likely you will be able to associate ‘old’ knowledge to new things. This means you have only to learn the differences or the nuances. This shall give rise where you are able to apply greater context, which will help with memory storage and retrieval to new information you have learned

 

Thus you have arrived at the point that makes even easier. The research analysis shows will result in your being able to learn even quicker, and also retain a lot more. The key is keep pushing yourself to learn new things about:

·        Business

·        The markets
The Economy

·        The Community

·        Politics

·        News and World events

 

This shall most assuredly help to become more successful, while moving forth to improve both the Crystallized and Fluid Intelligence learning capacity

Such deliberate and intentional focus toward future achievements shall serve to lead to win-win sought after outcomes

 

Steve Braxton, CEO, Independent Board of Directors, Life Coach, Freelance Writer & Blogger, http://blog.feedspot.com/money_making_blogs/linked/in/steve-braxton-939aa420