Fastival!

Welcome to the Fastival! No, I did not mean to write Festival or Fast, although the two words go hand in hand!

I would like to share with you the idea of a Fastival and I am hoping, well that it just might bless your life!

Have you ever slipped into a pool on a hot day! Whoosh, that felt good to finally cool off, didn't it?

You had been sweating up a storm in the hot sun, and splash, you jumped in the pool and were immersed in another world of cool delight.

Let me ask you a question...was the sunshine "bad" that was heating you up? I mean, there wasn't something particularly wrong with its warm light, was there? Of course not, God made the beautiful sunshine, and we are to enjoy it! So, since God made that warmth, was there anything wrong with you trying to get a away from it for a little while in the sparkling pool? Right again! God provided these things for us to bless us! He is a good God!

What does that have to do with a "Fastival?" Everything!

The Bible is full of talk on Festivals! There are Festivals for Unleavened Bread, Tabernacles, Trumpets...So many Celebrations, so little time! 

However, the Bible is also full of talks on Fasting. Daniel Fasted, John The Baptist, and of course our Lord Jesus, Yeshua of Nazareth, fasted as well!

So, are we to undertake "serious" fasting periods throughout the year, and then celebrate Happy Feast days at other times...never the two experiences to meet? Oh no, the two come together. In fact, I think we are called to "Fastival!"

During the Feast of Unleavened Bread we fast from yeast. For a special period of time we remind ourselves not to be puffed up with pride like a loaf of yeasty bread. We are to be humble, like a simple piece of flat matzah!

During Sabbath, we stay away from large shopping trips, and dwell in simple fare. 

So,are we moping? Heaven forbid! We are Fasting in our Festival! We are having a "Fastival!"

See the picture of Miriam above dancing? That is what a Sabbath in my home looks like! Although, I have to be careful to Mayim step around the microwave and refrigerator!

On unleavened bread, you can smell marshmallow melting upon chocolate over my matzah. Humble Matzah meets a modern day "milk and honey!" 

We fast and be festive...at the same time! This is our walk! This is our calling!

Did you know you can Fastival everyday? You can! 

This is a day the Lord has made, you can rejoice and be glad in it!

There is one more reason I like Jewish dance so much...

Remember where it says in the Bible, that we are to be in the world, but not of it?

Take a good look at the children's feet in the picture above. How are their feet positioned?

If you will notice, they have one foot on the ground, and the other in the air!

Heavenly minded (one foot shooting into the air), and earthly good, if you will (one foot stepping on the land).

Moving to the rhythm of joy!

Celebrating our Creator and Deliverer!

Today, do you want to "Fastival?" To put aside whatever the Lord lays on your heart to put aside, and rejoice with all that has been before you. You have made it through the Red Sea. If He has delivered in Jesus, eat a bite of manna today. You know what they say, it tastes like honey! :)

Evonne Mandella is a Jewish Believer in Jesus! She homeschools her children and with a heart for her heritage and a look to the sky, for the soon return of her Lord. She can be reached between dance steps at evonnemandella@yahoo.com or at www.wholesomlearningtravel.com