FASTING & NIGHT ONE

I came to Chasing God, and I felt like I wasn't going to feel anything new. But when Julie Yoder told us to stand if we're tired, I felt a surge of worth and a voice say, "let these people pray for you." By then I was crying and my brother came over to me and said, "While praising, God gave me a vision. It was you in a giant storm and you were raising your hand for help and God grabbed my hand." 
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For a long time, I have lived with my failures and shame to the point where deep down, I’d let it define me every day but yet I continued to walk everyday as if I was fine. Last night during the call to put our hands on our heart for shame I felt the Lord moving but when time was up, I walked to the atrium and felt the Lord wasn’t done. I went back in and sat in the back and prayed and started pouring out to the Lord. I had a couple people come pray for me and when the second person prayed (who was someone I hurt) I felt this huge weight lifted off my heart as if that was the Lord saying I no longer am defined by my past. He loves me and calls me his son, and this is the longest I’ve gone consecutively not letting it define who I am but letting the Lord be my anchor and control of my life! 
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My husband and I have to share this because of how faithful the Lord is! We both decided this year was the year to do the full 3-day fast. As both being Type One Diabetics this has almost seemed impossible in the past. My husband has never done one and I’ve only been able to go 24 hours. We went in with full faith that God had our sugars. This was going to be the year. And it was!! We both were able to complete the entire 3-day fast! We prayed and prayed and when a sugar would slightly start to dip and look like we would have to break and eat food, God immediately would shift the number back up. This entire fast proved that God can! We had been struggling so much with our blood sugars being on a roller coaster before we weren’t quite sure we would be able to make it. For reference, "in range" is 80-120. We both were out of that range consistently less than 50% of the time. However, during this fast, our grafts both read that we were in range 100% for him and 91% for me! We haven’t been there in at least 4 years!! We never went into the high range sugars at all. God has been so faithful for this week, and we cannot wait to see what He does for Chasing God!!  
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Before coming to Chasing God night 2 after walking my dog, I got the opportunity to pray for over a house in my neighborhood that called paramedics, ambo, 2 cops showing up. While praying over the house repeating powerful prayers. I see the stretcher come out of the house empty. It was so cool to see a prayer get answered right in front of my eyes.

NIGHT TWO

Last year during Chasing God, I heard God clearly tell me to wait on Him to bring me a new job. I have been in a very difficult situation and not trying to fix this on my own this last year has tested me beyond words. During this past year God has taught me how much He loves me, and I have learned what being His child means. I am a different person because of the things God has taught me during the season of waiting while I kept the promises close to my heart to just wait on Him. Our God is a Good Father and is my Provider. In August I had a recruiter reach out to me about a job I will be challenged in and hopefully enjoy, and I start this coming Monday! God is so good and I'm so thankful I trusted Him.
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I fasted from food the 3 days and so looked forward to coming and breaking bread together yesterday evening, but life had other plans. Instead, I had to rush my husband to the ER for a serious emergency. There was a moment in the chaos that I felt disappointed last night and again today because I'm missing tonight as well. But God spoke to me saying this is right where I need you! You see my husband doesn't come to church anymore or care to even read the Bible with me, but God wanted to remind me that he's still pursuing him. He wanted me to know he is using my faithfulness to humbly serve my husband through this trial as a way to show him His faithfulness. I had felt so sad about not coming to the service that I almost missed the greatest gift I could give my husband, which is love!
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Over these past couple of weeks, I have been struggling with my relationship with the lord but the lord showed up so much in my life and was giving me pictures like he did when I was at vineyard summer camp when my relationship with the lord was at an all-time high but I know we can all grow in Christ.
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This year my husband joined the 3-day fast and he stuck to it- no food or anything with calories. I was really impressed that he chose to do this and commit the entire time. This was the start of God moving powerfully in his life this week, in my opinion. The first night, my husband sat on the couch before bed and opened his Bible and when I asked what he was reading, he told me he was reading some passages that he looked up that dealt with fasting. This also to me was amazing to see as his wife because he has not been in his Bible as often these days. But then the first night of Chasing God, I witnessed my husband also open up and get emotional during worship. He was in tears, his hands were open to the Lord, and he even sat down after to jot some meaningful notes in his notebook. He was connecting with God during worship on a level I have not witnessed before. As the head of our house, my partner in this unified marriage, I felt so thankful to God to be reaching out and connecting with my husband.
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I was feeling horrible the day before and I got prayed for. I love the Lord!
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While sitting in tonight’s teaching, I felt lost like in the middle of a big ocean. But after prayer with the youth leader, I felt the presence of God and him say that I am anchored in Him and I shall not be moved by NOTHING. Thank you!
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My heart has been numb to the voice of the lord. the acknowledgement of his presence has become foreign. But tonight he touched my heart. Oh, how I thank the Lord for his gentle touch. My heart of stone has been restored again. I yearn for the intimacy Jesus has for me. Be anchored in his word to know him.
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I came to Chasing God, and I felt like I wasn't going to feel anything new. But when Julie Yoder told us to stand if we're tired, I felt a surge of worth and a voice say, "let these people pray for you." By then I was crying and my brother came over to me and said, "While praising, God gave me a vision. It was you in a giant storm and you were raising your hand for help and God grabbed my hand."
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For a long time, I have lived with my failures and shame to the point where deep down, I’d let it define me every day but yet I continued to walk everyday as if I was fine. Last night during the call to put our hands on our heart for shame I felt the Lord moving but when time was up, I walked to the atrium and felt the Lord wasn’t done. I went back in and sat in the back and prayed and started pouring out to the Lord. I had a couple people come pray for me and when the second person prayed (who was someone I hurt) I felt this huge weight lifted off my heart as if that was the Lord saying I no longer am defined by my past. He loves me and calls me his son, and this is the longest I’ve gone consecutively not letting it define who I am but letting the Lord be my anchor and control of my life! 
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My husband and I have to share this because of how faithful the Lord is! We both decided this year was the year to do the full 3-day fast. As both being Type One Diabetics this has almost seemed impossible in the past. My husband has never done one and I’ve only been able to go 24

NIGHT THREE

Tonight, night three of Chasing God, I released my sin of being overly concerned about my finances. I gave it to Him. Yes, we need to be wise, yet He is my ultimate Provider, Protector, and He is in control of my finances. Thank You, my Savior, my Guide and Provider. Hallelujah! 
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I was in pain. My day had been rough, and I hadn’t even had a chance to eat. As my blood sugar continued to drop, I found myself beginning to sway as we stood. I had also spent the entire day on my feet, running from one thing to the next. My feet ached, one of my calf muscles wouldn’t stop cramping, and the knee I’ve been putting off replacing was sending sharp waves of pain through my leg and into my hip. I was exhausted. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Then Pastor Steve extended the altar call to those who were distracted. And in that moment, I knew God was looking directly down at me with one eyebrow raised. So, I moved. The prayer was beautiful. The moment was meaningful. But when it ended, I was still hurting. I was still distracted. And I still had no idea how I was supposed to quiet everything going on inside me enough to truly worship.
As I made my way back to my seat, I chose to walk along the side and toward the back of the room. I didn’t want to become a distraction for anyone else. Along that walk, I prayed.
“Please, Lord. I’m desperate.”
And He answered, “Then lean on Me.”
“How, Lord? Please, tell me how.”
“Are these not My walls? Find somewhere and lean on Me.”
So, I did. I found a place against the wall, and I leaned. And there, in that simple act of surrender, I found my worship. Not because the pain had disappeared. Not because my body had suddenly stopped aching or my circumstances had changed. But because I finally stopped trying to hold myself up. I leaned on Him. 
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Pastor Kurt briefly shared an experience about someone asking him what title he had written across his forehead. And without a moment of hesitation, I saw mine: Insecure. I’ve always known that I am God’s daughter. I’ve always believed that I am forgiven through the blood of Jesus. I’ve never doubted that one day I will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But somewhere deep inside, I’ve always pictured myself hanging back. I imagine standing at the gates of Heaven, stepping aside to allow my brothers and sisters in Christ to enter before me. Not because I doubt that I belong there, but because I’ve always believed they deserve it more. Even on night two, when Pastor Aaron spoke about how each of us has a role to play as part of the body of Christ, I quietly assigned myself the role of the pinky toe. Connected, certainly. But not particularly needed. Then I saw that word I had written across my own forehead: Insecure. Suddenly, I felt so small before Him. I shrank back, bracing myself for a scolding from my father. After all, how could I stand before Him, knowing the sacrifice He made for me, and still question my worth? How could I accept His forgiveness and His promise of eternity, yet somehow believe I was less deserving of His love than everyone around me? I expected correction. But He met me with compassion. So gently, so lovingly, He wiped away the word I had placed upon myself. And He spoke, “You are My heart. You are all My heart.” Of course, my human mind immediately began trying to make sense of that. But how, Lord? Do You not see how full this room is? Do You not see how big this world is? How can I possibly be all Your heart? And He answered, “Do not try to make sense of Who I Am, for I am God. I am beyond your understanding. But you are My heart. Do not ever question that again.” And there it was. The God who created the heavens and the earth, the God who knows every star by name, the God whose love stretches beyond anything my human mind could ever comprehend, was reminding me that I am not an afterthought. I am not standing at the back of the line because I matter less. I am not some insignificant part of His body, merely fortunate enough to be attached. I am His daughter. I am wanted. I am needed. And I am loved beyond my ability to understand.
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In one night, My Father reminded me that I don’t have to carry my own weight, and I don’t have to question my own worth. I simply have to trust the One who holds me.
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On the second night of Chasing God, I encountered the Lord in a way that I haven’t been in a long time. For the past two years I have been emotionally numb after losing 4 close family members. I would get little bursts of joy, but they would never stay long. Thursday night I was approached by two women who asked if they could pray for me. I felt lighter when they finished and thought okay that was it, but it was not. As soon as I got home that night, I had the song How Great Is Our God in my mind and I remembered what Aaron said about it being an invitation to worship. So put the song on and started worshiping all while making supper. I just started crying. Full on sobbing. Then I started speaking in tongues and laughing. I couldn’t stop. No matter how many times I tried to stop crying and tried to speak English I would just start back up. This lasted for about an hour. When it was all done, I felt light. I felt at peace. All the heaviness and the numbness that I have been carrying for so long was gone. Jesus took it away and had replaced it with joy and with peace. 
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God showed me on Night 3 that he made me fearfully and wonderfully while having autism and that I don’t need to take it all on myself to fix that my siblings don’t accept me and reminding me that he surrounded me with a loving church family.
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Kurt's message about confession literally brought me to my knees. Both physically and spiritually. I’ve lived with fear and anxiety most of my life. His story resonated in me. How can I build a solid foundation when I crumble inside. I need to literally hit rock bottom with that. Wow!! I feel like I could achieve that. 
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Tonight, during confession, I felt like my label was hidden even from me. But God used two people to help reveal that through their words. First was the word "hero" and specifically kids calling me their hero. Second was beauty, which at first stumped me but after some reflection it made sense. I then clearly saw my label....not enough. Not enough as a woman as I couldn't have my own kids. But after the prayer I clearly saw a vision of my nieces and nephews calling me their hero. Not enough as a wife as my husband has strayed during our marriage and I thought it was me not being what he wanted. But I was reminded that God has called me fearfully and wonderfully made! Praise God for being my rock and anchor and helping me to move closer to Him this week! How can you confess what you can't name, so praise God for helping me give voice to the words He can now wipe away! 
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The Lord has been sitting next to me during Chasing God as I chose to attend by myself. 
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I have been praying for my lost brother for 5 years for him to get to know God. He came to Chasing God last night and gave his life to Jesus. He said, “this is the best I have ever felt.” Praise God.
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When I first came to YA, I was expecting to feel like I didn’t belong… I was raised atheist and was taught that Christ was wrong. I had been going Saturdays with my grandmother on and off for months and was curious. I stood along with my peers for worship and the walls I grew up with crumbled and I was on FIRE. He released me from my chains and helped me light my fire for Him. I sobbed in the relief I felt in finding my home. One night of laying myself bare and 100% surrendering myself has changed my life forever. Thank the Lord.
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God protected my son during a bad accident Wednesday. Although he has some terrible injuries, God protected his head neck, back and internal organs from any injuries. We are praising Him and telling others about the miracle. He is worthy to be praised even during this trial.
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I came to Thursday’s service and felt a weight of past patterns lift off my shoulders during prayer. I’m thankful to be lead on the way.  Relinquishing every single sin to God, seeing everyone move in different ways, for me, revealing sin and burden that the devil wants me living in all eternity.
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This past Friday (10/09) I was told I was rejected for a promotion at the bank I work at. Both my managers told me I was not ready and it stung hearing my managers tell me those words. I have been dealing with low self-worth since last week and the enemy telling me that “I am not good enough, that all my efforts are meaningless, I am not welcomed and that I don’t fit in no matter how hard I work and how much grace I give to others.” That same day, I went to the Vineyard for Chasing God. I felt so defeated driving on my way to church and fighting back tears. For the past couple of days, I have been volunteering at the merch section bagging and being a walking info booth.  Olivia decided on that same Friday WITHOUT knowing anything about my situation told a volunteer and I that “I would be promoted from bagging to running the register after doing it for a couple of days”. She literally used the word “promotion” in her sentence. That was the start of divine intervention for me for the rest of the evening. At my previous job, I actually had to use square systems at my job, I also ran the register, and I am a teller at the bank I am currently working at now. While helping our attendees at Chasing God check out at merch, I felt the Holy Spirit comforting me and that the Lord planted a thought into my ahead. Even though I am disappointed and distraught about not receiving my promotion, I still have my skills and assets in finances and along with my passion and love to serve and help others to be used for the Christian and church community outside of my job. I am welcomed here; this is my family that knows and loves me. I have received so many prayers of support and confidence, that our God that created the universe, created Jesus, is the same person that created me. I am worth it! The Lord does see the work I put into everything and sees how much I want to be involved in my community and is so invested (did you like that pun?) in me! He wants to see me grow and to be resilient and seek refuge in him! 
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My Husband was running from God then 33 years later he finally accepted Jesus and 15 days later God called him home I am forever grateful to God, he has Blessed me so much.
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Recently I felt God lift some anger that I had been holding onto in my heart. I had been angry with God again, and honestly, I didn't even realize how much it was affecting me. I've been going through the motions with my faith, doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing, but I haven't really been intentional about my relationship with Him. I haven't been spending time in His Word or truly seeking Him like I should.
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I finally admitted to God that I was angry. I confessed it, apologized to Him, and just gave it all to Him. And in that moment, I felt what I can only describe as a physical weight being lifted off of me. I completely broke down in tears. I didn't realize just how heavy that anger had become until I finally let it go. And I think what hit me the hardest was realizing that even when I was angry with God and just going through the motions, He was still right there, waiting for me to come to Him.
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These last few months I've distanced myself from God, like drifted away badly. 2/3 nights at chasing god I've felt the Holy Spirit come in and fill up my cup again. The enemy thought he had me but Gods my anchor and I feel so much better!
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On night 3 I went under the cross for prayer because I have been going back to my old ways of sin, but tonight I have an urge to keep worshipping the Lord and to turn from my old life. Praise the Lord!!! 

NIGHT FOUR 

God is answering my prayers, and I have been questioning it, but last night the Lord simply spoke to me and gave me so much clarity.
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I felt the spirit of God last night for the first time in my life. Such a moving and beautiful night. I thank you for being with us Holy Spirit.
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I didn’t realize how much identity I had in my insecurities until they were revealed as lies. I will no longer conform to the chains this world had bound me to. 
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For the past several months, I’ve been wrestling with not hearing from God. At least in a way that’s audible or makes sense. Friday night through a prophetic word I sensed “peace” on the “why?” In the season of my life. It was very clear this is where I need to be anchored to lead my wife and kids.
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I received prophetic prayer after a nudge from God! The prayer and words they heard from God was on point with things I’ve been thinking about asking God for direction! I was deeply humbled and amazed how specific and timely God’s voice was. He truly sees and knows the details that has been on my heart. 
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My boss is a very cynical man who grew up in a catholic family but will find anything and everything he can to discount the bible, he rejects everything to do with Christianity… He knows I’m a believer. I post scripture on my office door for all to read on a white board sign and change it weekly. My boss started reading it and he usually makes some sort of joke about it. After a while he started saying/ asking more and more sincerely about scripture and Christianity. I knew it was best to let him take his time. I had my monthly one on one meeting with him on Thursday morning (second day of Chasing God) and we spent the entire hour discussing the Bible. He had some hard questions and threw out things like “I don’t need a mediator, no pastor, no priest etc..” and “it’s the same as Aesop’s fables, stories with a moral message.” I surprised myself and was able to speak clearly and confidently and answer his questions and help him see falsehoods. This was not me! I have never even prayed out loud for a meal, I have never shown confidence in these situations. Clearly God was using me to reach him. I told him about Chasing God, and I think it was too soon but I will continue to help him see through God’s words.
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I watched Kurt (night three) from home. I could feel the Holy Spirit through the TV and after CarolAnn’s prayer declaration I KNEW it was going to be a evening of breakthrough. I cried my eyes out the touch from the Lord was so powerful! Monday night I was late for prayer and worship. I walked in with a young man here for the 1^st time. I was such a blessing to help him introduce him and pray for him. God moments.