Many of you have had a bad first introduction to fasting. And although there is a vague knowledge that fasting is good; after all, Jesus fasted; first impressions have been less than favorable. Even a few hours without food can cause headaches and discomfort. The tongue turns yellow, breath becomes foul, weakness and dizziness set in, confirming what you already suspectedfasting is undesirable, even dangerous! In talking to people about fasting, I have discovered that most people have tried to fast, at least for a day. The consequences are usually described as "bad." Some are so afraid of such negative initial reactions that they fear missing even one meal, not realizing that this reaction is the body stating its need to fast. A need to detoxify years of bad eating which will result in cleaner skin, vibrant energy and weight-loss, to mention only a few.

Now stop right here! Is not fasting for the purpose of drawing closer to God? Whats all this detoxifying, fleshy stuff? Oh how the Church forgets that the ministry of Christ was to the whole person. Jesus touched all need, all suffering with the tender hands of a Healer. Unlike other books reluctant to discuss the physiology of fasting for fear of compromising spiritual focus, or conversely, the secular-health industry going to great scientific detail while only vaguely and often wrongly addressing fastings invisible spiritual work, this book will address both. We will parallel the harmonious performance a fast has on the whole you. Over the following two chapters we are going to describe the miracle of this God-given tool to both body and spirit in hope of undoing nasty first impressions.

Truth is, the North American diet never allows the body to cleanse itself. The negative experience in the beginning stages of a fast is a lifetime of built-up toxins dramatically detoxifying in a short period of time. Our unhealthy lifestyle does not lend itself to easy fasting. Historically, man lived on a sparse diet, free from pesticides, food additives, drugs and toxins. Today, we consume more toxic substances than all generations before us. Levels of built-up lead in our bones can be 200 times greater compared to those excavated from the period of Christ. Through air, water, food and even mother's milk, there is absorbtion of thousands of toxins and chemicals that saturate the environment. During fasting, these toxins are released into the bloodstream making water fasting almost impossible for the first-time faster. Graciously, God has provided a way to fast, in spite of the abuse to the body. Juice fasting can be used as a launching pad for deeper, water fasting...