I am two weeks into my journey to spend a month living like Jesus. My beard is itchy, I miss eating meat with cheese, and (for the first time) I’m tired of wearing sandals.

Despite these minor setbacks, I’m sad to see that my month is already half over. Here is a peek at some of my journal entries from the past 15 days:

April 1, 2010
Blessed are you, LORD our God, king of the universe, who has given us life, and preserved us, and brought us to this day. Day one is in the books. I found myself more aware of the looks I often give drivers as I pass them when I feel they are driving too slow. Let’s just say it isn’t the look of Jesus.

April 3, 2010
For the Sabbath I have sworn off my cell phone, the computer, tv, and the radio. Every time I heard my iPhone notify me that I had a text message I felt compelled to run and check the screen. Why is that? Why do I feel the need to be connected at all times? I’m not dealing with separation anxiety I’m just struggling with habit. In reality, I feel a relief that I’m not having to be connected right now.

April 6, 2010
“Let the little children come to me.” I spent the day teaching the pre-K Bible class. So much fun. I asked each class what they thought Jesus looked like and what question they would ask Jesus. There were some wild, funny, and sweet answers.

April 9, 2010
Failed Sabbath. I had such high hopes for my second Sabbath. I had to take my wife and son to the airport across town and I found myself racing the sun to get back to the house. I really was looking forward to this Sabbath but life got in the way.

April 12, 2010
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters you from the outside can defile you?For it doesn’t go into your heart but into your stomach, and then out of your body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) (Mark 7:17-19 TNIV) Since I read this passage today I decided that I could skirt the kosher laws a little and eat a burrito from Freebirds with cheese and meat mixed together. So glad I did!

April 14, 2010
My favorite part of this month has been in learning a new approach to daily prayer. Learning to pray the brakhot (blessing) prayers seems to get at the heart of what it means to pray without ceasing. “Blessed are you, LORD our God, king of the universe, who…”

I can’t believe the month is already half over. Tomorrow will be my 3rd Sabbath weekend. To be honest, I cannot wait to unplug. Look for my post on the Sabbath and my approach to the day of rest tomorrow.

Until then… Shalom.