That stinky little scale was up for the second day in a row!
Yesterday it was only up .2 pounds. No biggie. That could be anything.
Today, up .9 pounds. So, basically up a pound in the last 2 days. What??
I'm eating well and under on calories.
I'm exercising.
Sigh.
So, I was crabby about that today and fought with the "what's the point, just go get a shake" mentality while I was out with my boy today.
I didn't get the shake.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Today was filled with my regular breakfast bowl, Indian Spiced Lentils served with romaine leaves for dipping at lunch, (I had a very small serving) and White Bean and Barley soup with some kind of funny biscuits Elizabeth made up. Everyone had those with all fruit on them. I had a small salad.
I'm also feeling frustrated that my fingers are still swollen and my rings won't fit better. Was researching a little on that today. Not sure what it means, though. Sigh.
Heading to bed soon.
Tomorrow is a new day. His mercies are new every morning...and every night, thankfully.
Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Good Things:
Got out for a brisk walk first thing this morning with my husband
Started the day smiling, showered, and even fussed with my new haircut a bit. ;)
Enjoyed a lovely cup of lemon ginger tea this morning.
Did a ton of shopping with a couple teamers. Got in all the groceries under budget. I was a little nervous.
Went out for lunch with my husband, sat in on an important meeting with him.
Saw my dear, precious friend who is also The Best Midwife Ever today. :)
Ended the day under on calories and very tired.
Made some new recipes for dinner and everyone had great attitudes and even LOVED one of them.
Not So Good Things:
I have the poison ivy now and it's spreading. Blah.
Fumbled a bit with lunch and ended up eating some chicken that I hadn't planned to eat along with white flour flatbread at Subway.
Lost all energy by dinner time. Probably the lunch hangover kicking in.
No Wii workout tonight. Too physically worn out.
The Simple Bean Burgers were a HUGE hit!! Everyone was asking for seconds.
The three oldest children and I worked together to make them. We served them on pitas with burger fixins and it was a huge success. The Great Greens (steamed kale, chard, spinach with a vinegar dressing), not so much. Pretty sure that fail was on our end because they were just way too salty. But, my Benjy boy really liked them and even had seconds when the rest of us didn't want to eat them. I'm impressed with that boy trying hard to like his mom's weird food. ;)
I was feeling discouraged that I didn't make a better choice for lunch. It was a last-minute decision that I was even going with my husband to this meeting, so lunch had to be on the run. I walked in the restaurant and just completely blanked out on what to order. It's like my brain isn't sure how to think about food just yet without the boundaries of the fast. I didn't want to choose an animal protein because I knew I was planning for that later in the week. But, I couldn't think beyond that. What I did choose, I worked with wisely, I think. No cheese, no sauce, add some cucumbers with the lettuce and spinach...it should hide okay in there...and it did. The sandwich was delicious and I purposed to eat it with joy, giving thanks in all things. :) Now that I've entered it in to mfp, I'm not feeling so bad. Even though it wasn't the most nutritious choice I could have made, I still made good choices overall and enjoyed a lovely lunch with my husband.
I do think I'm feeling the effects of it now, though. Worn out and lethargic a few hours later. I read that this happens after the fast when you start adding in foods.
Overall, my first day off the fast went very well. I was busy and active all day. I made wise choices, overall. I got in all my water and some exercise. I'm working my plan and doing it joyfully with the people I love. The poison ivy that is overtaking me isn't so great. I could do without that. But, I'll be thankful that I can better empathize with my husband and sons who are battling it as well.
My verse for the day:
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times ; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Praying that my mouth will be so filled with His praise that none of the ugly words or foods fit! :D
Got out for a brisk walk first thing this morning with my husband
Started the day smiling, showered, and even fussed with my new haircut a bit. ;)
Enjoyed a lovely cup of lemon ginger tea this morning.
Did a ton of shopping with a couple teamers. Got in all the groceries under budget. I was a little nervous.
Went out for lunch with my husband, sat in on an important meeting with him.
Saw my dear, precious friend who is also The Best Midwife Ever today. :)
Ended the day under on calories and very tired.
Made some new recipes for dinner and everyone had great attitudes and even LOVED one of them.
Not So Good Things:
I have the poison ivy now and it's spreading. Blah.
Fumbled a bit with lunch and ended up eating some chicken that I hadn't planned to eat along with white flour flatbread at Subway.
Lost all energy by dinner time. Probably the lunch hangover kicking in.
No Wii workout tonight. Too physically worn out.
The Simple Bean Burgers were a HUGE hit!! Everyone was asking for seconds.
The three oldest children and I worked together to make them. We served them on pitas with burger fixins and it was a huge success. The Great Greens (steamed kale, chard, spinach with a vinegar dressing), not so much. Pretty sure that fail was on our end because they were just way too salty. But, my Benjy boy really liked them and even had seconds when the rest of us didn't want to eat them. I'm impressed with that boy trying hard to like his mom's weird food. ;)
I was feeling discouraged that I didn't make a better choice for lunch. It was a last-minute decision that I was even going with my husband to this meeting, so lunch had to be on the run. I walked in the restaurant and just completely blanked out on what to order. It's like my brain isn't sure how to think about food just yet without the boundaries of the fast. I didn't want to choose an animal protein because I knew I was planning for that later in the week. But, I couldn't think beyond that. What I did choose, I worked with wisely, I think. No cheese, no sauce, add some cucumbers with the lettuce and spinach...it should hide okay in there...and it did. The sandwich was delicious and I purposed to eat it with joy, giving thanks in all things. :) Now that I've entered it in to mfp, I'm not feeling so bad. Even though it wasn't the most nutritious choice I could have made, I still made good choices overall and enjoyed a lovely lunch with my husband.
I do think I'm feeling the effects of it now, though. Worn out and lethargic a few hours later. I read that this happens after the fast when you start adding in foods.
Overall, my first day off the fast went very well. I was busy and active all day. I made wise choices, overall. I got in all my water and some exercise. I'm working my plan and doing it joyfully with the people I love. The poison ivy that is overtaking me isn't so great. I could do without that. But, I'll be thankful that I can better empathize with my husband and sons who are battling it as well.
My verse for the day:
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times ; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Praying that my mouth will be so filled with His praise that none of the ugly words or foods fit! :D
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Daniel Fast - Day Eighteen - Journal Entry
June 27, 2013
Psalm 37:39-40 "But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the Lord helps them, and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because the take refuge in Him."
Cross references:
Psalm 3:8 "Salvation belongs to the Lord; Thy blessing be upon they people. Selah."
Psalm 62:1-2 "My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken."
Does my soul wait in silence for God only? Silence? No. Silence is so hard for me. Yet, You are my stronghold. You. You will deliver me from the enemy - from the battle - from our own sinful hearts.
Psalm 9:9 "The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalm 34:22 "The Lord redeems the soul of his servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned."
Psalm 54:4 "Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul, He will recompense the evil to my foes; destroy them in faithfulness."
You are the stronghold. I sit in silence because there is nothing else for me to do. It is Your work. Salvation belongs to You, Lord.
I wait. I actively wait by attending to You through Your word, prayer, praise, obedience, living joyfully before you. I attend to You in these ways, waiting for Your plan to unfold, Your purposes to be accomplished, Your name to be lifted high.
The silence part is so hard, Lord. I ache when the waiting is long. I grieve when my efforts seem futile. Yet, this rescuing comes from you, not me.
My actions in waiting are focused on attending to You, living my life in worship before You. My efforts are not there to deliver me. They are there to change me while exalting You in my life. More of You, less of me. More of Your truth and grace and less of my strivings.
Like Daniel and his friends, I can be bold and confident while I wait on Your deliverance.
Daniel 3:17 "If it be so, our God, whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King."
Daniel 6:23 "The king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God."
I am not facing a fiery furnace or a den of lions, yet, I do face a hard path when this fast ends.
*A family eager to go back to "normal".
*A husband who is hard to resist by way of eating habits. He is eager to make my life "easy" which lends to falling into bad habits again.
*The stresses of life, my reactions to the hard things, my sinful patterns, these are hard to face without the firm boundaries of the fast.
Yet, I am growing.
I am learning.
I am reaching free of some of those strongholds in my life. I am finding You again, placing You, rightfully, where you belongs.
You will deliver and rescue my soul and my body, my mind, my heart will be strengthened because of this work in my life. I will find my refuge, strength and deliverance from You.
Psalm 9:10 "And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee."
Psalm 37:39-40 "But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the Lord helps them, and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because the take refuge in Him."
Cross references:
Psalm 3:8 "Salvation belongs to the Lord; Thy blessing be upon they people. Selah."
Psalm 62:1-2 "My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken."
Does my soul wait in silence for God only? Silence? No. Silence is so hard for me. Yet, You are my stronghold. You. You will deliver me from the enemy - from the battle - from our own sinful hearts.
Psalm 9:9 "The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalm 34:22 "The Lord redeems the soul of his servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned."
Psalm 54:4 "Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul, He will recompense the evil to my foes; destroy them in faithfulness."
You are the stronghold. I sit in silence because there is nothing else for me to do. It is Your work. Salvation belongs to You, Lord.
I wait. I actively wait by attending to You through Your word, prayer, praise, obedience, living joyfully before you. I attend to You in these ways, waiting for Your plan to unfold, Your purposes to be accomplished, Your name to be lifted high.
The silence part is so hard, Lord. I ache when the waiting is long. I grieve when my efforts seem futile. Yet, this rescuing comes from you, not me.
My actions in waiting are focused on attending to You, living my life in worship before You. My efforts are not there to deliver me. They are there to change me while exalting You in my life. More of You, less of me. More of Your truth and grace and less of my strivings.
Like Daniel and his friends, I can be bold and confident while I wait on Your deliverance.
Daniel 3:17 "If it be so, our God, whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King."
Daniel 6:23 "The king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God."
I am not facing a fiery furnace or a den of lions, yet, I do face a hard path when this fast ends.
*A family eager to go back to "normal".
*A husband who is hard to resist by way of eating habits. He is eager to make my life "easy" which lends to falling into bad habits again.
*The stresses of life, my reactions to the hard things, my sinful patterns, these are hard to face without the firm boundaries of the fast.
Yet, I am growing.
I am learning.
I am reaching free of some of those strongholds in my life. I am finding You again, placing You, rightfully, where you belongs.
You will deliver and rescue my soul and my body, my mind, my heart will be strengthened because of this work in my life. I will find my refuge, strength and deliverance from You.
Psalm 9:10 "And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee."
Monday, June 17, 2013
Day Eight - Journal Notes
June 17, 2013
Cross references:
Journal entry:
I confess that I have felt defeated. The times I have worked to lose weight, I have often given up and my failures have left me feeling that I'll never succeed. So, trying again isn't worth the effort.
Yet, I was measuring my success in wrong ways. I was watching a scale, measuring inches, counting miles. These things - they do not bring fulfillment. They do not address my heart issues and the battles I face that lead to the wrong choices I make regarding food and activity.
Lord, I have fallen many times, yet, You are lifting me up. you are setting me on a right path. When my soul is cleansed, my body will be cleansed. When my soul is well, my body will be well. When my soul is strong, my body will be strong. This is my place - to continue to seek you in your word and prayer that I might grow and become mature in my soul. This affects all I do. Help me grow and hold me by the hand that I might rise again.
Psalm 37:24
When he falls he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand - who sustains him with His hand.
Cross references:
Psalm 145:14
The Lord sustains all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.
Proverbs 24:16
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
Micah 7:8
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy, though I fail I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.
Psalm 147:6
The Lord supports (relieves) the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground.
Journal entry:
I confess that I have felt defeated. The times I have worked to lose weight, I have often given up and my failures have left me feeling that I'll never succeed. So, trying again isn't worth the effort.
Yet, I was measuring my success in wrong ways. I was watching a scale, measuring inches, counting miles. These things - they do not bring fulfillment. They do not address my heart issues and the battles I face that lead to the wrong choices I make regarding food and activity.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)-in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Colossians 2:20-23
Lord, I have fallen many times, yet, You are lifting me up. you are setting me on a right path. When my soul is cleansed, my body will be cleansed. When my soul is well, my body will be well. When my soul is strong, my body will be strong. This is my place - to continue to seek you in your word and prayer that I might grow and become mature in my soul. This affects all I do. Help me grow and hold me by the hand that I might rise again.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Journal Notes - Day Six
June 15, 2013
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.
Cross references:
Journal Entry:
This is what I'm praying for, that you would establish my steps, Lord, and that my way would bring you delight.
You desire to firmly establish me on a rock - Your word and Your path. Your way will keep my foot from slipping. I don't fully understand what that way is yet. But, for today, it is enough for me to know it is firm. By Your grace, I will not slip, and it will bring You delight. I will wait on Your kindness in revealing Your plans for me. I will fear Your holy name.
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.
Cross references:
1 Samuel 2:9
He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail.
Psalm 40:2
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
Psalm 66:9
Who keeps us in life, and does not allow our feet to slip.
Psalm 119:5
Oh that my ways may be established to keep they statutes!
Psalm 147:11
The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His loving-kindness.
Journal Entry:
This is what I'm praying for, that you would establish my steps, Lord, and that my way would bring you delight.
You desire to firmly establish me on a rock - Your word and Your path. Your way will keep my foot from slipping. I don't fully understand what that way is yet. But, for today, it is enough for me to know it is firm. By Your grace, I will not slip, and it will bring You delight. I will wait on Your kindness in revealing Your plans for me. I will fear Your holy name.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Journal Notes - Day Five
June 14, 2013
Colossians 2:23; 3:1-17
Put off what??
>food for comfort
>indulgence - lack of restraint: portions
>food for motivation
>Sedentary living
Put on what?? (replace what I am putting off)
>compassion: letter, phone calls, words and hugs
>kindness: acts of kindness for others
>humility: choose simple things (i.e. water to drink, simple foods), leave the best for others, take smaller portions for myself so as not to feed my pride
>gentleness: in my voice, my face, my actions
>patience: wait for them to get it, expect them to be slow on things, (prevents my anger and stress which leads to indulgence) go with them in their struggle, don't reach for a crutch to deal with the waiting, don't resist the wait - receive it, embrace it, learn from it, see myself in it
>bear with one another: my time, my attitude
>forgiveness: not blaming
>love: the perfect bond of unity
>peace of Christ
>thankfulness: keep a list
>word of Christ dwelling richly in me: memorization of scripture
>wisdom teaching
>admonishing one another
>psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
>singing with thankfulness
*all of the above in place of temper, anger, frustration, yelling, food and drink to deal with stress, joys, and struggles.
Tracy, ask yourself:
Can I do this thing with gratitude to Christ?
Am I doing this in the name of Jesus?
Can I rejoice in knowing it represents Him and His glory?
Are my choices and actions renewing me?
Are they renewing me to a true knowledge according to the one who created me?
The kinds of foods I eat, will they strengthen me to know Him more?
These ways I respond to stress in my life, are they renewing me and helping me know my Creator more?
Are the actions I chose for my free time, my celebrations, my comfort and rest, do they lead me to true knowledge? Do they bring gratitude? Do they reveal the work of Christ?
Am I hidden in Him?
Are my desires, preferences, passions, delights - are these hidden in the person of Christ?
Let me hide in You, Lord. Hide in your gentleness and love. Let me hide in your patience and peace. Let me hide in your compassion and kindness. Let me hide in you as you bear with me in forgiveness, teaching me humility, gratitude and strength in your power and a mind set on those things which are above.
Colossians 2:23; 3:1-17
"These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against self-indulgence."
If then, I have been raised up with Christ...keep seeking the things above...set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For I have died - my life is hidden with Christ in God. I will be revealed with Him.
Consider my physical body dead to...impurity, passion, evil desire, greed...
Lay aside the old self and it's practices. Put on a new self that is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of Him who created me.
Put off what??
>food for comfort
>indulgence - lack of restraint: portions
>food for motivation
>Sedentary living
Put on what?? (replace what I am putting off)
>compassion: letter, phone calls, words and hugs
>kindness: acts of kindness for others
>humility: choose simple things (i.e. water to drink, simple foods), leave the best for others, take smaller portions for myself so as not to feed my pride
>gentleness: in my voice, my face, my actions
>patience: wait for them to get it, expect them to be slow on things, (prevents my anger and stress which leads to indulgence) go with them in their struggle, don't reach for a crutch to deal with the waiting, don't resist the wait - receive it, embrace it, learn from it, see myself in it
>bear with one another: my time, my attitude
>forgiveness: not blaming
>love: the perfect bond of unity
>peace of Christ
>thankfulness: keep a list
>word of Christ dwelling richly in me: memorization of scripture
>wisdom teaching
>admonishing one another
>psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
>singing with thankfulness
*all of the above in place of temper, anger, frustration, yelling, food and drink to deal with stress, joys, and struggles.
Whatever I do, WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Tracy, ask yourself:
Can I do this thing with gratitude to Christ?
Am I doing this in the name of Jesus?
Can I rejoice in knowing it represents Him and His glory?
Are my choices and actions renewing me?
Are they renewing me to a true knowledge according to the one who created me?
The kinds of foods I eat, will they strengthen me to know Him more?
These ways I respond to stress in my life, are they renewing me and helping me know my Creator more?
Are the actions I chose for my free time, my celebrations, my comfort and rest, do they lead me to true knowledge? Do they bring gratitude? Do they reveal the work of Christ?
Am I hidden in Him?
Are my desires, preferences, passions, delights - are these hidden in the person of Christ?
Let me hide in You, Lord. Hide in your gentleness and love. Let me hide in your patience and peace. Let me hide in your compassion and kindness. Let me hide in you as you bear with me in forgiveness, teaching me humility, gratitude and strength in your power and a mind set on those things which are above.
Daniel Fast - Day Five
June 14, 2013
Day Five
Woke up today barely able to move. My lower back and legs are in great pain. I worked on lying in varying positions. Lying down increases the pain in my legs. Standing takes away the leg pain, but my back pain lingers. After a rub with Bio-Freeze without relief, I caved in and took some pain killers. I can function again and am doing some gentle work around the house.
Breakfast this morning was Breakfast Cookies. Seemed like people sorta grazed their way through the kitchen for lunch before heading out to the beach with David this afternoon. I enjoyed some reheated taco soup and a salad from the lettuce I picked from our garden this week topped with raw cauliflower, almonds, and diced green apples.
I've been getting in some time in the word today. I keep wondering how the Lord is going to just *show* me how I'm supposed to eat. What diet I'm supposed to follow. What plan is the right one for me. It seems like hocus-pocus to think He's going to flash a word in my face and I'll hear angels singing. Well, I guess that is like hocus-pocus. It doesn't work that way.
Being in the word DOES work, however. I'm not sure if others do this, but I often think, "There's not really a specific answer in here for me. I'm going to have to find some vague principle and apply it. Should I even bother looking? Where would I even start?" And so goes my one-sided conversation.
God's word is never void. Just pick a word. I did. Indulgence. Led me right to the book of Colossians. Right to beautiful truths revealing the ugliness that the Lord is cleansing from my life right now. I'm going to keep working on simplifying this fast so I can enjoy more of these rich truths He has waiting for me.
*Finished the day with baked potatoes, green beans sautéed in garlic, and a big salad with fixin's. I skipped the potato, but munched on the skin from BabyKinz's potato. David pulled out the Woven Wheat crackers and topped them with peanut butter and all fruit spread. I had two. Truly, peanut butter and jelly is one of my hardest things to resist. I was very proud to have only had two.
Day Five
Woke up today barely able to move. My lower back and legs are in great pain. I worked on lying in varying positions. Lying down increases the pain in my legs. Standing takes away the leg pain, but my back pain lingers. After a rub with Bio-Freeze without relief, I caved in and took some pain killers. I can function again and am doing some gentle work around the house.
Breakfast this morning was Breakfast Cookies. Seemed like people sorta grazed their way through the kitchen for lunch before heading out to the beach with David this afternoon. I enjoyed some reheated taco soup and a salad from the lettuce I picked from our garden this week topped with raw cauliflower, almonds, and diced green apples.
I've been getting in some time in the word today. I keep wondering how the Lord is going to just *show* me how I'm supposed to eat. What diet I'm supposed to follow. What plan is the right one for me. It seems like hocus-pocus to think He's going to flash a word in my face and I'll hear angels singing. Well, I guess that is like hocus-pocus. It doesn't work that way.
Being in the word DOES work, however. I'm not sure if others do this, but I often think, "There's not really a specific answer in here for me. I'm going to have to find some vague principle and apply it. Should I even bother looking? Where would I even start?" And so goes my one-sided conversation.
God's word is never void. Just pick a word. I did. Indulgence. Led me right to the book of Colossians. Right to beautiful truths revealing the ugliness that the Lord is cleansing from my life right now. I'm going to keep working on simplifying this fast so I can enjoy more of these rich truths He has waiting for me.
*Finished the day with baked potatoes, green beans sautéed in garlic, and a big salad with fixin's. I skipped the potato, but munched on the skin from BabyKinz's potato. David pulled out the Woven Wheat crackers and topped them with peanut butter and all fruit spread. I had two. Truly, peanut butter and jelly is one of my hardest things to resist. I was very proud to have only had two.
Journal Notes from Day Four
June 13, 2013
This verse is my promise of hope.
This fast. This pain and discomfort to my body. This is your reproof to my pride and indulgence. You bring this so that I would see the abuse and misuse I have in my life. I have wrongly fed and tended my physical body and soul. I have wrongly used food to cater to my desires. I am so humbled. First, by the fact that I have seen how a silly cup of coffee or tea makes me feel valued or gives me a sense of worth. That it feeds my selfish desires to feel I somehow deserve praise or reward for my work in day.
Lord, this work I do should be my act of service and worship. I do this for Your praise. I should allow You to bless me - not use Your blessings to reward myself - especially with things that harm me. I see, as my body is releasing whatever it's been holding, this pain in my joints, muscles, head, this reveals the physical damage I've done and the sin that brought me there. So many ways my body cries out, "Sinner! Selfish! Indulgent! Lazy!"
Lazy. Oh, how my laziness is revealed. I am always choosing an easier way. Yet, this fast causes me to choose and work for those foods that cleanse and heal. To provide what is healthy for my family I must work and not choose those things which are easy if they are not healthy.
Please continue to work in me. I am, right now, in a time of humility and grief over my choices. I didn't expect to feel so badly. Show me what is hurting me most. Teach me, especially regarding my flesh, teach me and heal me. I joyfully accept your wounds and inflictions of pain - pain of body and spirit, because I know the promise of Your healing and relief accompany them.
Your wounds bring healing. This fast (wound) brings healing. The world's wounds (foods and indulgence) bring more pain leading to death. My flesh (choices regarding food and drink) bring pain and keep me from You, which is a life empty and pointless.
Your wounds bring healing.
"Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He inflicts pain and give relief; He wounds, and His hands heal."
Job 5:17-18
This verse is my promise of hope.
This fast. This pain and discomfort to my body. This is your reproof to my pride and indulgence. You bring this so that I would see the abuse and misuse I have in my life. I have wrongly fed and tended my physical body and soul. I have wrongly used food to cater to my desires. I am so humbled. First, by the fact that I have seen how a silly cup of coffee or tea makes me feel valued or gives me a sense of worth. That it feeds my selfish desires to feel I somehow deserve praise or reward for my work in day.
Lord, this work I do should be my act of service and worship. I do this for Your praise. I should allow You to bless me - not use Your blessings to reward myself - especially with things that harm me. I see, as my body is releasing whatever it's been holding, this pain in my joints, muscles, head, this reveals the physical damage I've done and the sin that brought me there. So many ways my body cries out, "Sinner! Selfish! Indulgent! Lazy!"
Lazy. Oh, how my laziness is revealed. I am always choosing an easier way. Yet, this fast causes me to choose and work for those foods that cleanse and heal. To provide what is healthy for my family I must work and not choose those things which are easy if they are not healthy.
Please continue to work in me. I am, right now, in a time of humility and grief over my choices. I didn't expect to feel so badly. Show me what is hurting me most. Teach me, especially regarding my flesh, teach me and heal me. I joyfully accept your wounds and inflictions of pain - pain of body and spirit, because I know the promise of Your healing and relief accompany them.
Your wounds bring healing. This fast (wound) brings healing. The world's wounds (foods and indulgence) bring more pain leading to death. My flesh (choices regarding food and drink) bring pain and keep me from You, which is a life empty and pointless.
Your wounds bring healing.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Day 7 Vice-Busting
Februay 4, 2013
Day 7 Vice-Busting
Scripture Affirmation:
As I turn from sin towards God I experience wonderful times of refreshment.
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you." Acts 3:19-20
I'm using the same affirmation today. We have a wondeful time of refreshment to look forward to this afternoon, and I need to keep this truth before me that I will enjoy it as I turn AWAY from sin and towards the Lord. Working to keep a bridle on my tongue that I wouldn't discourage others or frustrate myself.
Action:
Keep making drinking water your daily habit. Choose water above any other beverage.
I did it!! This morning, when my husband AND my son both brought a cup of coffee to me, I chose to fill my water bottle and drink that first. Yay!
One Week Review:
How do I feel about my progress up to this point?
I feel good that I've stuck with my water goals. It hasn't been hard to drink that much water.
How does my body feel now compared to when I started?
I feel stronger. I feel more energy. I am sleeping a little better at night. I feel like I am eager to move.
Can I do more to improve what I have done so far?
I can keep working on choosing water over coffee, even though I'm not adding calories. The coffee is my relaxing drink, water is cool, refreshing, and invigorating.
Is this something I can do for the rest of my life?
I CAN do it. I need the Lord's strength to see it as important enough to commit to it. I admit, just simply drinking water every day seems like an easy thing to let go. It's hard to think that that kind of commitment would make much difference. Yet, even though I am not breaking a vice of replacing high calories with water, like the examples she gives in this book, I am replacing habits. Often, when I drink something other than water, I choose another something to go with it. A diet soda or a vitamin water usually calls for a snack of some kind. A cup of coffee definitely equates to a nice relaxing sit with my feet up. Choosing those drinks over water lend to other habits that are defeating my efforts.
Marriage Action:
Made lunch for my husband last night. He brought me coffee this morning and kissed me goodbye. That's a big deal.
Evening Entry:
All my water in. I lowered my calorie count on mfp and also lowered the amount of calories I take off for breastfeeding. Ended the day under just a bit on calories but, wow. I am hungry! Finishing off another bottle of water before bed and we'll see if that does the trick.
After hanging out with the kids while they ice skated with friends today, (1.5 hours standing in the freezing cold!) I trucked over to the gym for a full circuit on the machines and a quick 10 minute jaunt on the elliptical. I was in a rush home to get dinner on the table and give my Number One a break, as she is not feeling well tonight. Going to bed still cold, but feeling great about my day. Along with getting a good dinner put together this morning I experimented with some sugar free chocolate orange muffins. They weren't the best, but it was kinda fun trying. :)
Day 7 Vice-Busting
Scripture Affirmation:
As I turn from sin towards God I experience wonderful times of refreshment.
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you." Acts 3:19-20
I'm using the same affirmation today. We have a wondeful time of refreshment to look forward to this afternoon, and I need to keep this truth before me that I will enjoy it as I turn AWAY from sin and towards the Lord. Working to keep a bridle on my tongue that I wouldn't discourage others or frustrate myself.
Action:
Keep making drinking water your daily habit. Choose water above any other beverage.
I did it!! This morning, when my husband AND my son both brought a cup of coffee to me, I chose to fill my water bottle and drink that first. Yay!
One Week Review:
How do I feel about my progress up to this point?
I feel good that I've stuck with my water goals. It hasn't been hard to drink that much water.
How does my body feel now compared to when I started?
I feel stronger. I feel more energy. I am sleeping a little better at night. I feel like I am eager to move.
Can I do more to improve what I have done so far?
I can keep working on choosing water over coffee, even though I'm not adding calories. The coffee is my relaxing drink, water is cool, refreshing, and invigorating.
Is this something I can do for the rest of my life?
I CAN do it. I need the Lord's strength to see it as important enough to commit to it. I admit, just simply drinking water every day seems like an easy thing to let go. It's hard to think that that kind of commitment would make much difference. Yet, even though I am not breaking a vice of replacing high calories with water, like the examples she gives in this book, I am replacing habits. Often, when I drink something other than water, I choose another something to go with it. A diet soda or a vitamin water usually calls for a snack of some kind. A cup of coffee definitely equates to a nice relaxing sit with my feet up. Choosing those drinks over water lend to other habits that are defeating my efforts.
Marriage Action:
Made lunch for my husband last night. He brought me coffee this morning and kissed me goodbye. That's a big deal.
Evening Entry:
All my water in. I lowered my calorie count on mfp and also lowered the amount of calories I take off for breastfeeding. Ended the day under just a bit on calories but, wow. I am hungry! Finishing off another bottle of water before bed and we'll see if that does the trick.
After hanging out with the kids while they ice skated with friends today, (1.5 hours standing in the freezing cold!) I trucked over to the gym for a full circuit on the machines and a quick 10 minute jaunt on the elliptical. I was in a rush home to get dinner on the table and give my Number One a break, as she is not feeling well tonight. Going to bed still cold, but feeling great about my day. Along with getting a good dinner put together this morning I experimented with some sugar free chocolate orange muffins. They weren't the best, but it was kinda fun trying. :)
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Day 6 Vice-Busting
February 3, 2013
Day 6 Vice-Busting
Scripture Affirmation:
As I turn from sin towards God I experience wonderful times of refreshment.
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you." Acts 3:19-20
I saw this happen today. Well, the potential for it to happen. We were leaving church to have lunch with friends. We had a bit of a drive to get there, and I was famished. I had just drunk my bottle of water and was out. David stopped to get some gum at the store and I asked him to get a snack for me. He went for peanuts and came back with chips. I was totally bummed. I knew I wouldn't eat the chips, but I was upset because I wanted *something* to eat. He also brought bottled water. Well, after I fussed about not having something for *me* to eat, I decided I could at least drink water. I drank half the bottle and guess what....I wasn't hungry anymore! Had I chosen to turn from my sin of pouting and fussing, I would have found sooner that the Lord had a wonderful time of refreshment for me in the gift my husband gave to me.
I confess, Lord, that I allowed my flesh to control my emotions and my actions. I sinned against my husband by voicing my anger and I was selfish to my own needs, not being grateful for his effort to please me. Please, strengthen me to turn from my anger and selfishness during those times when my body is stressed and trying to overtake me. Help me to turn to you, your presence, that I would experience not only the physical refreshments you offer, but the ultimate refreshment of living out the person of Jesus Christ in my life through my thoughts, words, and actions. Thank you for wiping my sins away and bringing your healing.
Action:
Continue building the habit of drinking water. Increase the commitment. Make it the choice of beverage 90% of your day.
It's going to be a little tough to give water more love than my coffee, but I'm trying. :)
Today we enjoyed a delicious lunch with friends in their home. I ate more than I normally would and even indulged in a small, but sugar heavy ice cream sundae. No guilt, as I was pleased to enjoy the hospitality offered by these dear people. Even though I went for seconds, my choices were well balanced with a delicous salad and hearty bread to accompany the amazing pasta that we enjoyed. Grateful for a sweet time of fellowship and the grace to know it was from the Lord. It will be interesting to see if I notice any effects from the sugar into tomorrow.
Day 6 Vice-Busting
Scripture Affirmation:
As I turn from sin towards God I experience wonderful times of refreshment.
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you." Acts 3:19-20
I saw this happen today. Well, the potential for it to happen. We were leaving church to have lunch with friends. We had a bit of a drive to get there, and I was famished. I had just drunk my bottle of water and was out. David stopped to get some gum at the store and I asked him to get a snack for me. He went for peanuts and came back with chips. I was totally bummed. I knew I wouldn't eat the chips, but I was upset because I wanted *something* to eat. He also brought bottled water. Well, after I fussed about not having something for *me* to eat, I decided I could at least drink water. I drank half the bottle and guess what....I wasn't hungry anymore! Had I chosen to turn from my sin of pouting and fussing, I would have found sooner that the Lord had a wonderful time of refreshment for me in the gift my husband gave to me.
I confess, Lord, that I allowed my flesh to control my emotions and my actions. I sinned against my husband by voicing my anger and I was selfish to my own needs, not being grateful for his effort to please me. Please, strengthen me to turn from my anger and selfishness during those times when my body is stressed and trying to overtake me. Help me to turn to you, your presence, that I would experience not only the physical refreshments you offer, but the ultimate refreshment of living out the person of Jesus Christ in my life through my thoughts, words, and actions. Thank you for wiping my sins away and bringing your healing.
Action:
Continue building the habit of drinking water. Increase the commitment. Make it the choice of beverage 90% of your day.
It's going to be a little tough to give water more love than my coffee, but I'm trying. :)
Today we enjoyed a delicious lunch with friends in their home. I ate more than I normally would and even indulged in a small, but sugar heavy ice cream sundae. No guilt, as I was pleased to enjoy the hospitality offered by these dear people. Even though I went for seconds, my choices were well balanced with a delicous salad and hearty bread to accompany the amazing pasta that we enjoyed. Grateful for a sweet time of fellowship and the grace to know it was from the Lord. It will be interesting to see if I notice any effects from the sugar into tomorrow.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Day 3 Vice-Busting
January 31, 2013
Day 3 Vice-Busting
Scripture Affirmation
God’s power enables me to live a healthy lifestyle.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
This is such a great affirmation for me. I am a lover of words. Not hard to tell from my lengthy blog posts. But, the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but power. So often my words fill up my page and my mouth but they do not affect my actions. Lord, your power will change me, not my words. Your power enables me to live, do, act, go, consistently and strong, not the words I yammer. Let me meditate on the power you offer and work through me, knowing that merely talking about it will not avail.
Action:
1. Continue to build the habit of having water with you and drinking it often. Got my first bottle at my side. :)
2. Start creating a vision of things to come - not just how I'll look but what I'll do and how I'll feel. Picture myself doing what it is I would do or would lke to do, whom I'll be doing it with, and where I'll be doing it. I have a lot of things I visualize. I've spent a lot of time visualizing, even. I dream of playing sports with my family. I would love to join in some vigorouse games of basketball, tennis, and soccer with my boys. I would so love to be able to handle a long bike ride with the whole family, strong enough to tote little ones with my own bike. I dream of great hikes to various points together. I just want to be able to run and play a simple game of tag with my children without a struggle.
I see myself sharing clothes with my oldest daughter. Enjoying our shopping trips much more when we are same sized and I like what I see in the mirror. I visualize more confidence when I meet my husband's co-workers at company events.
I crave and see myself accomplishing more in my day. Strong and able to take on the daily tasks of maintaining the housework and yard chores. Eager and able to add more to my day rather than handing it off to other. Strong and able to work beside my husband on various projects. Cheerful and excited to put for the physical effort to use up all that great extra energy that I gain. :)
3. Take inventory and throw out the high-calories beverages in the house. We really have not beverages like this. We do stock up on vitamin water, but that is sweetened with stevia, so no high calories. I often have diet soda in the house, but now that we are out, I won't be buying more. The juice we have I don't drink and there's really only enough for the children or special events. I will still buy the low sugar, natural coffee creamer for a treat in my coffee from time to time. A reward for getting ALL My water in at the end of the day. :)
Half-Caf today!
Weigh-in: 208.5 tonight at the YMCA. Bummer. I'm not sure why the scale went up. I've been working hard. But, the scale is not the only tool of measurement, that's for sure. Enjoyed my first full circuit on the weight machines by myself and some cardio on the Stride Right. Went with my oldest son and we had a fun time out alone together.
Day 3 Vice-Busting
Scripture Affirmation
God’s power enables me to live a healthy lifestyle.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
This is such a great affirmation for me. I am a lover of words. Not hard to tell from my lengthy blog posts. But, the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but power. So often my words fill up my page and my mouth but they do not affect my actions. Lord, your power will change me, not my words. Your power enables me to live, do, act, go, consistently and strong, not the words I yammer. Let me meditate on the power you offer and work through me, knowing that merely talking about it will not avail.
Action:
1. Continue to build the habit of having water with you and drinking it often. Got my first bottle at my side. :)
2. Start creating a vision of things to come - not just how I'll look but what I'll do and how I'll feel. Picture myself doing what it is I would do or would lke to do, whom I'll be doing it with, and where I'll be doing it. I have a lot of things I visualize. I've spent a lot of time visualizing, even. I dream of playing sports with my family. I would love to join in some vigorouse games of basketball, tennis, and soccer with my boys. I would so love to be able to handle a long bike ride with the whole family, strong enough to tote little ones with my own bike. I dream of great hikes to various points together. I just want to be able to run and play a simple game of tag with my children without a struggle.
I see myself sharing clothes with my oldest daughter. Enjoying our shopping trips much more when we are same sized and I like what I see in the mirror. I visualize more confidence when I meet my husband's co-workers at company events.
I crave and see myself accomplishing more in my day. Strong and able to take on the daily tasks of maintaining the housework and yard chores. Eager and able to add more to my day rather than handing it off to other. Strong and able to work beside my husband on various projects. Cheerful and excited to put for the physical effort to use up all that great extra energy that I gain. :)
3. Take inventory and throw out the high-calories beverages in the house. We really have not beverages like this. We do stock up on vitamin water, but that is sweetened with stevia, so no high calories. I often have diet soda in the house, but now that we are out, I won't be buying more. The juice we have I don't drink and there's really only enough for the children or special events. I will still buy the low sugar, natural coffee creamer for a treat in my coffee from time to time. A reward for getting ALL My water in at the end of the day. :)
Half-Caf today!
Weigh-in: 208.5 tonight at the YMCA. Bummer. I'm not sure why the scale went up. I've been working hard. But, the scale is not the only tool of measurement, that's for sure. Enjoyed my first full circuit on the weight machines by myself and some cardio on the Stride Right. Went with my oldest son and we had a fun time out alone together.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Day 1: Vice-Busting
January 29, 2013
Day 1
Add Water: My first action - one that will develop into a healthy habit and will change my life dramatically over time is making water an important part of my everyday life.
Substituting water for high-calorie liquids will result in lower calories, adequate hydration, optimal body functions, and better focusing. I'll replace toxins with clean fluids, sluggishness with more engery, expensive drinks with free water. My time buying these drinks will be better spent elsewhere.
Daily Scripture Affirmation:
God’s unfailing love for me never ends.
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease." Lamentations 3:22
I NEED to hear words affirming the Lord's love for me right now. I am struggling so much with my emotions of failure and inadequacy. I daily battle thoughts that I am not good enough, my anger has made me unacceptable and unlovable. When I am hurting, when I am feeling this way, I don't even think. I just reach for a food that makes me feel safe or happy, or in control. I choose foods that I have already determined to avoid simply because it feels good to have that control over *something* when everything else is out of control. When I feel unloved....when I feel I am unacceptable...I don't care if I'm hurting myself. I'm already unloved, so why does it matter? Lord, your unfailing love for me never ends. Even when I'm hurt, even when I've hurt another, even when I sin the same sin I just sinned....your love never ends and your mercies never cease. Help me be loved by you rather than myself.
I don't have many issues with high-calorie drinks. I've actually grown to the point where I really detest drinking calories, so this isn't an obvious vice for me. However, there are beverages I prefer over water, so I've most definitely grown slack in my diligence to feed my body well. I've chosen to fill up on decaf, and now, caffeinated coffee to push myself through my sleep-deprived days. I used to have a rule of 2 glasses of water for every cup of coffee, but I've also become lazy with following that rule. Starting again with a simple challenge of adding water to my day is actually helpful. It seems too easy and I feel like a horse restless to begin a race, but knowing that I'm doing just one simple thing differently and that it will make a positive difference...well, that feels pretty good. I can't do many big things right now, so one small thing that I can actually manage to include in my little bit overwhelmed life is a great motivator.
I am armed with my 20 oz water bottle. I've drunk one so far today as well as an 8oz glass of water at breakfast. I also had at least 2 cups of caffeinated coffee at breakfast. I'm feeling good about my progress and looking forward to my cup of decaf coffee this afternoon. :) However, I'm considering the idea that each cup of caffeine subtracts 20 oz of water so I make sure to get enough in.
Afternoon Entry:
I wanted to choose a simple thing to do to work on some marriage changes I'm learning about and record that each day. I've been challenged in my reading of the story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and her hair. What physical ways am I pouring myself out of serve my husband? What physical needs does he have that I can meet? Right now, the thing I keep coming back to is a neck rub after a long day of sitting at a desk, staring at a computer screen. Something that would enable him to relax and unwind as well as release some tension. I'm going to attempt to make that a part of my daily add-on while I work on this vice-busting.
Evening Entry:
Got in 100oz of water today plus 2 cups of caf and a pot of decaf coffee.
20 min cardio and 1 full circuit on the weight machines tonight as orientation. I'm not as wimpy as I thought I was. ;)
Enjoyed some birthday cake this evening but WOW! way too much sugar for me.
I want to finish tracking my food for the day but I don't have the patience to enter the recipes in. Thinking I'm under today with the workout.
I feel great. On the wat there I was a stressed out, talking a mile-a-minute mess. On the way home I was calm, tired, but relaxed. Like the stress had melted away. Boy, did I need that.
Got in a short neck massage for my husband tonight too.
Day 1
Add Water: My first action - one that will develop into a healthy habit and will change my life dramatically over time is making water an important part of my everyday life.
Substituting water for high-calorie liquids will result in lower calories, adequate hydration, optimal body functions, and better focusing. I'll replace toxins with clean fluids, sluggishness with more engery, expensive drinks with free water. My time buying these drinks will be better spent elsewhere.
Daily Scripture Affirmation:
God’s unfailing love for me never ends.
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease." Lamentations 3:22
I NEED to hear words affirming the Lord's love for me right now. I am struggling so much with my emotions of failure and inadequacy. I daily battle thoughts that I am not good enough, my anger has made me unacceptable and unlovable. When I am hurting, when I am feeling this way, I don't even think. I just reach for a food that makes me feel safe or happy, or in control. I choose foods that I have already determined to avoid simply because it feels good to have that control over *something* when everything else is out of control. When I feel unloved....when I feel I am unacceptable...I don't care if I'm hurting myself. I'm already unloved, so why does it matter? Lord, your unfailing love for me never ends. Even when I'm hurt, even when I've hurt another, even when I sin the same sin I just sinned....your love never ends and your mercies never cease. Help me be loved by you rather than myself.
I don't have many issues with high-calorie drinks. I've actually grown to the point where I really detest drinking calories, so this isn't an obvious vice for me. However, there are beverages I prefer over water, so I've most definitely grown slack in my diligence to feed my body well. I've chosen to fill up on decaf, and now, caffeinated coffee to push myself through my sleep-deprived days. I used to have a rule of 2 glasses of water for every cup of coffee, but I've also become lazy with following that rule. Starting again with a simple challenge of adding water to my day is actually helpful. It seems too easy and I feel like a horse restless to begin a race, but knowing that I'm doing just one simple thing differently and that it will make a positive difference...well, that feels pretty good. I can't do many big things right now, so one small thing that I can actually manage to include in my little bit overwhelmed life is a great motivator.
I am armed with my 20 oz water bottle. I've drunk one so far today as well as an 8oz glass of water at breakfast. I also had at least 2 cups of caffeinated coffee at breakfast. I'm feeling good about my progress and looking forward to my cup of decaf coffee this afternoon. :) However, I'm considering the idea that each cup of caffeine subtracts 20 oz of water so I make sure to get enough in.
Afternoon Entry:
I wanted to choose a simple thing to do to work on some marriage changes I'm learning about and record that each day. I've been challenged in my reading of the story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and her hair. What physical ways am I pouring myself out of serve my husband? What physical needs does he have that I can meet? Right now, the thing I keep coming back to is a neck rub after a long day of sitting at a desk, staring at a computer screen. Something that would enable him to relax and unwind as well as release some tension. I'm going to attempt to make that a part of my daily add-on while I work on this vice-busting.
Evening Entry:
Got in 100oz of water today plus 2 cups of caf and a pot of decaf coffee.
20 min cardio and 1 full circuit on the weight machines tonight as orientation. I'm not as wimpy as I thought I was. ;)
Enjoyed some birthday cake this evening but WOW! way too much sugar for me.
I want to finish tracking my food for the day but I don't have the patience to enter the recipes in. Thinking I'm under today with the workout.
I feel great. On the wat there I was a stressed out, talking a mile-a-minute mess. On the way home I was calm, tired, but relaxed. Like the stress had melted away. Boy, did I need that.
Got in a short neck massage for my husband tonight too.
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Vice-Busting Diet
Reading a new book The Vice-Busting Diet by Julia Griggs Havey
Introduction:
"Deprivation is not living without certain foods but living with them and being depreived of your true health and happiness."
"I simply looked at my life and decided to change one negative habit (sin) at a time. I didn't do anything too drastic and I didn't do anything that I couldn't stick with for the rest of my life. And I gave up the fairy tale that simply losing weight would solve all my problems and give me everything I wanted. Instead, I focused on taking steps to do what I could do today--because today, right now, was (and is) all we have."
Definition of a Diet Vice: any habitual action that is keeping you from reaching and maintaing a healthy weight. (i.e., specific foods, portions, activity choices)
Chapter 3:
"For any of your goals to become a reality, you must focus on all the benefits of beign fit and living a healthy lifestyle before you begin to take action. Doing so on a regular basis will provide more strength, motivation, and desire to succeed."
"When you take the time to do one thing at a time, you will improve the quality of each task. You can achieve a major goal by looking at the smallest achievable goals that you can accomplish."
"Actions are the daily tasks you can complete while workign toward your ultimate goal. You can't change your weight today without first changing what you do."
"You may think the scale is a way to keep score--it's not! Okay, it may be a way to note your progress, but it is the least important way. If the scale were the best way to keep track of your progress, you could fool everyone and use unhealthy and dangerous ways to lose weight."
"Think about only working on developing positive habits. And there are two parts to that: positive, which means it must be healthy; and habits, which means you want your actions to become permanent."
"Putting your focus on only your actions, not your weight, and only on one action at a time is one of the aspects of this program that differentiates it from any other diet plan."
"The key to getting over the hump is persistence and patience. You can't speed up time, and you also must be persistent with your intial actions. That means not letting excuses get in the way of doing what you need to do."
"The key to success isn't a matter of following the right eating plan; it is a matter of getting rid of the wrong eating plan."
This is an interesting book. Her premise is simple and it caught my eye because it deals with changing habits and making longterm lifestyle changes. She isn't touting a quick-fix or a formula that involves secrets or key ingredients. She tells you to look at what you do right now and change it. I love the biblical concept behind her method that you put off the old (sinful) self and put on the new (redeemed) man. You do this by identifying the vice (or sin) and replacing it with the virtue that will bring about the actions and results that honor the Lord. She doesn't present it this way in the book. I haven't yet read any mention of faith or the Lord. But, the underlying principle is there and it convinces me that this "method" of weight loss works because it's based on that truth. As the last quote above shows, our righteousness is not about following a list of rules but living in the grace the Lord has granted. We allow him to purge us of the wrong plans in our lives (sin) and replace them with His grace and power to make those choices that bear fruit. This applies to all areas of our lives, including how we care for our bodies.
I'm going to give this the 21 day commitment she suggests and see where it leads. Along with her suggestions for the gradual, simple changes to my physical body, I'd like to add in a simple change for the area in my life that the Lord is also dealing heavily with me; my marriage. From the inside out, I want to see the Lord shine His healing into my life.
One aspect of this program is speaking daily affirmations to yourself. The affirmation she lists seems harmless enough, but I can't help thinking how much more effective it will be to speak God's truth to myself daily instead. I'm going to pray and hunt for the right words to keep me properly focused on His truths and their power to change me.
Tomorrow I'll begin with her Day 1, listing my actions and whatever notes and insights I gain from that day's and each subsequent day's reading.
Introduction:
"Deprivation is not living without certain foods but living with them and being depreived of your true health and happiness."
"I simply looked at my life and decided to change one negative habit (sin) at a time. I didn't do anything too drastic and I didn't do anything that I couldn't stick with for the rest of my life. And I gave up the fairy tale that simply losing weight would solve all my problems and give me everything I wanted. Instead, I focused on taking steps to do what I could do today--because today, right now, was (and is) all we have."
Definition of a Diet Vice: any habitual action that is keeping you from reaching and maintaing a healthy weight. (i.e., specific foods, portions, activity choices)
Chapter 3:
"For any of your goals to become a reality, you must focus on all the benefits of beign fit and living a healthy lifestyle before you begin to take action. Doing so on a regular basis will provide more strength, motivation, and desire to succeed."
"When you take the time to do one thing at a time, you will improve the quality of each task. You can achieve a major goal by looking at the smallest achievable goals that you can accomplish."
"Actions are the daily tasks you can complete while workign toward your ultimate goal. You can't change your weight today without first changing what you do."
"You may think the scale is a way to keep score--it's not! Okay, it may be a way to note your progress, but it is the least important way. If the scale were the best way to keep track of your progress, you could fool everyone and use unhealthy and dangerous ways to lose weight."
"Think about only working on developing positive habits. And there are two parts to that: positive, which means it must be healthy; and habits, which means you want your actions to become permanent."
"Putting your focus on only your actions, not your weight, and only on one action at a time is one of the aspects of this program that differentiates it from any other diet plan."
"The key to getting over the hump is persistence and patience. You can't speed up time, and you also must be persistent with your intial actions. That means not letting excuses get in the way of doing what you need to do."
"The key to success isn't a matter of following the right eating plan; it is a matter of getting rid of the wrong eating plan."
This is an interesting book. Her premise is simple and it caught my eye because it deals with changing habits and making longterm lifestyle changes. She isn't touting a quick-fix or a formula that involves secrets or key ingredients. She tells you to look at what you do right now and change it. I love the biblical concept behind her method that you put off the old (sinful) self and put on the new (redeemed) man. You do this by identifying the vice (or sin) and replacing it with the virtue that will bring about the actions and results that honor the Lord. She doesn't present it this way in the book. I haven't yet read any mention of faith or the Lord. But, the underlying principle is there and it convinces me that this "method" of weight loss works because it's based on that truth. As the last quote above shows, our righteousness is not about following a list of rules but living in the grace the Lord has granted. We allow him to purge us of the wrong plans in our lives (sin) and replace them with His grace and power to make those choices that bear fruit. This applies to all areas of our lives, including how we care for our bodies.
I'm going to give this the 21 day commitment she suggests and see where it leads. Along with her suggestions for the gradual, simple changes to my physical body, I'd like to add in a simple change for the area in my life that the Lord is also dealing heavily with me; my marriage. From the inside out, I want to see the Lord shine His healing into my life.
One aspect of this program is speaking daily affirmations to yourself. The affirmation she lists seems harmless enough, but I can't help thinking how much more effective it will be to speak God's truth to myself daily instead. I'm going to pray and hunt for the right words to keep me properly focused on His truths and their power to change me.
Tomorrow I'll begin with her Day 1, listing my actions and whatever notes and insights I gain from that day's and each subsequent day's reading.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Willpower?
This morning I had my highest fasting number to date. I feel so silly to admit this, but it nearly brought me to tears. I am battling so many feelings of failure this morning and it's showing in my attitude, efforts, and stamina. I really just want to give up. Not for good. But, for today I want to just walk away from all the balls that I'm juggling and let them fall. So, what did I do? I pouted. I read a bit. I prayed, half-heartedly. I ignored my exercise. I sat and felt sorry for myself and then got up and vacuumed a couple rooms in the house. At least I can feel depressed with clean floors. ;)
So, as I sit working on minor things to just keep my day plugging along, I received this comment from a dear friend on my post last night:
Tracy I want you to know that I have been having a hard week this week and whenever I wanted to give up I thought of you and your will power! You are wonderful!
So, yeah. Now the tears are freely flowing.
Ladies, if I had any willpower, I would surely NOT be in the place I am now. I have never seen myself as someone who is strong or terribly self-disciplined. I do know that I have some strong insecurities regarding perfectionism and failure. I struggle daily with fears that I will somehow let someone down in some way. I suppose this could easily be seen as *willpower* or stamina. Honestly, it's sinful pride and fear that most often drives me when I am left to my own devices.
This is why this journey has always been about my walk with the Lord. From the beginning, even when not pregnant, I could force myself to do everything "right". I could follow a plan well and work to impress the class. However, my efforts were in vain because they never brought about the results I longed for.
This is what it looks like when I use my own strength:
When I would eat the perfect amount of calories combined with the right amount of activity, I would still lose at half the rate I "should" have been losing. Fail.
When I would adjust my percentages of protein versus carbs, raw foods versus cooked, whole foods versus junk, I would still see the same results. Fail.
When I would press harder to exercise. Push aside other priorities believing that my health and weight loss was far more important because I only had so much time to accomplish it, I still saw the same results. Except I added losing ground in other important areas, adding to my struggle. Fail and Fail.
And now, when I had been working to hold off on a pregnancy, knowing that losing weight was crucial to avoiding the GD and a healthy pregnancy, I still saw the blessing of those two pink lines. Well, there was nothing I could do but trust the Lord had a plan even though I felt I had let Him down. Again.
I walked into this pregnancy armed with education and experience from my last GD experience. I was determined I would "beat it" and "win" this time. Yet, here I sit, barely half way through...not even to the third trimester when a pregnant body *starts* to struggle with blood sugars and I'm already sunk. My friends, my research, and my brain tell me that it's foolish to believe this lie. But, my heart still does. Fail.
This is when the Lord steps in. This when He shows me just how far from the truth I really am. This challenge to right the wrongs I've done in my life regarding my body are not about losing weight, winning a battle against diabetes, or avoiding a dreaded medicated hospital birth. Truly, those are good aims. Who would fault me for working so hard to get healthy so that I can keep a baby safe during pregnancy? Yet, this isn't about me. This is about me giving glory to my Lord.
The truth is that whatsoever I do, whether I eat or drink, whether I fast or cleanse, whether I exercise or rest, it is ALL to be done to the glory of God. Not to my hope for results. Not to my joy at a number on a scale. Not to the satisfaction of a smaller size. Every striving, every effort, every choice is to be for HIM and the glory HE will receive, not to myself.
This changes my perspective on this journey. It becomes not the THING *I* do, but a PART of the THING that *God* is doing in me. It is as important as the work He does to create patience in me as I work with my children in their daily tasks. It is as important as the work He is doing to empty me of myself as I strive to love and respect my husband as unto the Lord. It is as important as the work He is doing to press me beyond my comfort levels and into areas of forgiveness with extended family. It is all connected because it is all about how He is at work to change me into His image.
And this is why the results should not matter because the results are not my work to be done. My Lord has called me to be faithful in my efforts and to trust Him with the results. He has commanded me to trust and obey as He does His work. He has set forth in His word clear directions on how I should live my life in all ways and this is where my focus needs be. I am to strive, to pour out my life, to give all my energy to obey the commands He has placed on my life, allowing Him to choose the results that will honor Him most. And this means the results in my parenting, marriage, home, ministry, as well as my physical health.
So, how am I applying this principle? Not very well today. Today my eyes have gotten off course and focused again on the results that I cannot control. I have once again attempted to take back control and responsibility for that which I have no business handling. I've already proven time and again that when I am in control, the results will not be pleasing to myself or to Him. What I need to do is to return to the truth that this is all about Him and the work He is about. Not only in my life, my baby's life, but surely His plan spreads far beyond my mind's eye. To know that He desires to use my efforts, my struggles, even my failings to bring Him glory and reveal Himself strong gives me hope. It gives me purpose. It causes me to remember my place in this work. To remain faithful, to keep His words always before me, to trust His judgement, and to every moment ask for His strength to do the right thing.
I will answer one day not for the number on the scale or the number on the meter. I will answer for my obedience to make right choices. I will answer for my diligence to learn and equip myself with the best knowledge I can find to make those right choices. I will answer for my idleness versus my activity. I will answer for my efforts to stay on course, regardless of the outcome.
I think of my last labor. I was given a short amount of time to birth my baby before they would put me on meds. I was angry and felt cheated to be forced in this manner. Yet, I took that to motivate me to give everything I had to do what I believed was best for the birth of our baby. I spent an entire day pushing myself to accomplish this goal only to be faced with the fact that my body wouldn't comply. When I finally agreed to the meds it was with a heart of peace. I knew that even if I was being forced into what wasn't *best* for our little one or myself, I had done everything in my power to do what was best. It was now time to allow the Lord to work out His best and accept the results as He had planned. I will never regret my efforts in that time. I had the satisfaction of knowing I had done everything I could to remain faithful and strong to the end. I had finished well and that allowed me to rest fully in the next step of His plan.
I need to keep that memory in my heart in the coming months. Giving up is not an option. Yet, I don't see my ability to press on as *willpower*. It is simply the work of the Holy Spirit in me keeping me from whatever false sense of strength I think I can or can't muster up. It is amazing to see that the Lord would choose such a vessel as me to accomplish His work. That leaves me humbled and ever more eager to continue on. To think that anyone else would see anything in me that would cause them to have courage, well, that can only be the work of the Lord. And for that, I am blessed to be used as a part of His plan.
Writing this out was what I needed today. Thank you, Lord for your truth and the ability to discern it from the constant barrage of easily believed lies that surround me. Please, let me remember that my choices, my work, my strivings bring you glory even if the results don't seem to match.
So, as I sit working on minor things to just keep my day plugging along, I received this comment from a dear friend on my post last night:
Tracy I want you to know that I have been having a hard week this week and whenever I wanted to give up I thought of you and your will power! You are wonderful!
So, yeah. Now the tears are freely flowing.
Ladies, if I had any willpower, I would surely NOT be in the place I am now. I have never seen myself as someone who is strong or terribly self-disciplined. I do know that I have some strong insecurities regarding perfectionism and failure. I struggle daily with fears that I will somehow let someone down in some way. I suppose this could easily be seen as *willpower* or stamina. Honestly, it's sinful pride and fear that most often drives me when I am left to my own devices.
This is why this journey has always been about my walk with the Lord. From the beginning, even when not pregnant, I could force myself to do everything "right". I could follow a plan well and work to impress the class. However, my efforts were in vain because they never brought about the results I longed for.
This is what it looks like when I use my own strength:
When I would eat the perfect amount of calories combined with the right amount of activity, I would still lose at half the rate I "should" have been losing. Fail.
When I would adjust my percentages of protein versus carbs, raw foods versus cooked, whole foods versus junk, I would still see the same results. Fail.
When I would press harder to exercise. Push aside other priorities believing that my health and weight loss was far more important because I only had so much time to accomplish it, I still saw the same results. Except I added losing ground in other important areas, adding to my struggle. Fail and Fail.
And now, when I had been working to hold off on a pregnancy, knowing that losing weight was crucial to avoiding the GD and a healthy pregnancy, I still saw the blessing of those two pink lines. Well, there was nothing I could do but trust the Lord had a plan even though I felt I had let Him down. Again.
I walked into this pregnancy armed with education and experience from my last GD experience. I was determined I would "beat it" and "win" this time. Yet, here I sit, barely half way through...not even to the third trimester when a pregnant body *starts* to struggle with blood sugars and I'm already sunk. My friends, my research, and my brain tell me that it's foolish to believe this lie. But, my heart still does. Fail.
This is when the Lord steps in. This when He shows me just how far from the truth I really am. This challenge to right the wrongs I've done in my life regarding my body are not about losing weight, winning a battle against diabetes, or avoiding a dreaded medicated hospital birth. Truly, those are good aims. Who would fault me for working so hard to get healthy so that I can keep a baby safe during pregnancy? Yet, this isn't about me. This is about me giving glory to my Lord.
The truth is that whatsoever I do, whether I eat or drink, whether I fast or cleanse, whether I exercise or rest, it is ALL to be done to the glory of God. Not to my hope for results. Not to my joy at a number on a scale. Not to the satisfaction of a smaller size. Every striving, every effort, every choice is to be for HIM and the glory HE will receive, not to myself.
This changes my perspective on this journey. It becomes not the THING *I* do, but a PART of the THING that *God* is doing in me. It is as important as the work He does to create patience in me as I work with my children in their daily tasks. It is as important as the work He is doing to empty me of myself as I strive to love and respect my husband as unto the Lord. It is as important as the work He is doing to press me beyond my comfort levels and into areas of forgiveness with extended family. It is all connected because it is all about how He is at work to change me into His image.
And this is why the results should not matter because the results are not my work to be done. My Lord has called me to be faithful in my efforts and to trust Him with the results. He has commanded me to trust and obey as He does His work. He has set forth in His word clear directions on how I should live my life in all ways and this is where my focus needs be. I am to strive, to pour out my life, to give all my energy to obey the commands He has placed on my life, allowing Him to choose the results that will honor Him most. And this means the results in my parenting, marriage, home, ministry, as well as my physical health.
So, how am I applying this principle? Not very well today. Today my eyes have gotten off course and focused again on the results that I cannot control. I have once again attempted to take back control and responsibility for that which I have no business handling. I've already proven time and again that when I am in control, the results will not be pleasing to myself or to Him. What I need to do is to return to the truth that this is all about Him and the work He is about. Not only in my life, my baby's life, but surely His plan spreads far beyond my mind's eye. To know that He desires to use my efforts, my struggles, even my failings to bring Him glory and reveal Himself strong gives me hope. It gives me purpose. It causes me to remember my place in this work. To remain faithful, to keep His words always before me, to trust His judgement, and to every moment ask for His strength to do the right thing.
I will answer one day not for the number on the scale or the number on the meter. I will answer for my obedience to make right choices. I will answer for my diligence to learn and equip myself with the best knowledge I can find to make those right choices. I will answer for my idleness versus my activity. I will answer for my efforts to stay on course, regardless of the outcome.
I think of my last labor. I was given a short amount of time to birth my baby before they would put me on meds. I was angry and felt cheated to be forced in this manner. Yet, I took that to motivate me to give everything I had to do what I believed was best for the birth of our baby. I spent an entire day pushing myself to accomplish this goal only to be faced with the fact that my body wouldn't comply. When I finally agreed to the meds it was with a heart of peace. I knew that even if I was being forced into what wasn't *best* for our little one or myself, I had done everything in my power to do what was best. It was now time to allow the Lord to work out His best and accept the results as He had planned. I will never regret my efforts in that time. I had the satisfaction of knowing I had done everything I could to remain faithful and strong to the end. I had finished well and that allowed me to rest fully in the next step of His plan.
I need to keep that memory in my heart in the coming months. Giving up is not an option. Yet, I don't see my ability to press on as *willpower*. It is simply the work of the Holy Spirit in me keeping me from whatever false sense of strength I think I can or can't muster up. It is amazing to see that the Lord would choose such a vessel as me to accomplish His work. That leaves me humbled and ever more eager to continue on. To think that anyone else would see anything in me that would cause them to have courage, well, that can only be the work of the Lord. And for that, I am blessed to be used as a part of His plan.
Writing this out was what I needed today. Thank you, Lord for your truth and the ability to discern it from the constant barrage of easily believed lies that surround me. Please, let me remember that my choices, my work, my strivings bring you glory even if the results don't seem to match.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Disconnect
This week has been strange...difficult...weird...hard.
I am walking around in a general state of Minor Yuck. It's not pleasant. Yet, it's not so horrible that I feel justified to go with my emotions and wallow in it. Not justified, yet I think I have been doing it most of the time. Sigh.
I don't know if it's simply the hormones of pregnancy that are effecting me and keeping me from feeling well. I don't know if it's somehow linked to my blood sugar issues that are still not under control. It could very well be linked to following doc's orders and lifting the GD diet for the early part of the week in preparation for the 3 hour challenge. Good news is, I don't have to take that test. (whew!) The I Don't Know If It's Bad News news is that I'm going straight to GD counseling, making me an official Gestational Diabetic. It's what I wanted, skipping the test and getting on with treatment. But, somehow, getting that diagnosis and all that comes with it is hard to accept. Still working on those Feelings of Failure, I guess.
Yesterday I was quite productive. I got a lot done in the kitchen and around the house and even made good on some schoolwork. I should have been elated. It had been a long while since I had accomplished a list of any significant size. Instead, I felt deflated and worn out. This morning a thought struck me as I was forcing myself through the Get Ready For Church routine.
My heart is just not into this.
"This" meaning anything and everything, I guess. No matter what I set about, I'm feeling like I'm either forcing may way through, finding a way to just "get by", or just completely disconnecting from what is in front of me. I don't like that feeling. I don't like the Disconnect.
This certainly isn't a cheerful, uplifting post. That is certain. I will say that my heart IS completely overjoyed with anticipation of our new baby girl. I've already named her in my heart and have been enjoying bonding with her this week. I just wish I was as emotionally attached to the others that are with me and the work the Lord has for me each day.
However, if taking proper care of myself means that I live in a state of Disconnect and forcing what is right, then so be it. My feelings do not have to precede my actions. As I well know, Doing right will lead to Feeling right...eventually.
So, tomorrow I begin again. Praying the Lord enables me to push through this fog and get in those simple but important goals of exercise and eating enough and properly. My biggest struggle is to simply eat as much as I should, *what* I should, and *when* I should. It sure sounds simple. For me, it feels super hard.
If I don't push, I'll give up. This sweet little girl needs a momma that doesn't quit.
I am walking around in a general state of Minor Yuck. It's not pleasant. Yet, it's not so horrible that I feel justified to go with my emotions and wallow in it. Not justified, yet I think I have been doing it most of the time. Sigh.
I don't know if it's simply the hormones of pregnancy that are effecting me and keeping me from feeling well. I don't know if it's somehow linked to my blood sugar issues that are still not under control. It could very well be linked to following doc's orders and lifting the GD diet for the early part of the week in preparation for the 3 hour challenge. Good news is, I don't have to take that test. (whew!) The I Don't Know If It's Bad News news is that I'm going straight to GD counseling, making me an official Gestational Diabetic. It's what I wanted, skipping the test and getting on with treatment. But, somehow, getting that diagnosis and all that comes with it is hard to accept. Still working on those Feelings of Failure, I guess.
Yesterday I was quite productive. I got a lot done in the kitchen and around the house and even made good on some schoolwork. I should have been elated. It had been a long while since I had accomplished a list of any significant size. Instead, I felt deflated and worn out. This morning a thought struck me as I was forcing myself through the Get Ready For Church routine.
My heart is just not into this.
"This" meaning anything and everything, I guess. No matter what I set about, I'm feeling like I'm either forcing may way through, finding a way to just "get by", or just completely disconnecting from what is in front of me. I don't like that feeling. I don't like the Disconnect.
This certainly isn't a cheerful, uplifting post. That is certain. I will say that my heart IS completely overjoyed with anticipation of our new baby girl. I've already named her in my heart and have been enjoying bonding with her this week. I just wish I was as emotionally attached to the others that are with me and the work the Lord has for me each day.
However, if taking proper care of myself means that I live in a state of Disconnect and forcing what is right, then so be it. My feelings do not have to precede my actions. As I well know, Doing right will lead to Feeling right...eventually.
So, tomorrow I begin again. Praying the Lord enables me to push through this fog and get in those simple but important goals of exercise and eating enough and properly. My biggest struggle is to simply eat as much as I should, *what* I should, and *when* I should. It sure sounds simple. For me, it feels super hard.
If I don't push, I'll give up. This sweet little girl needs a momma that doesn't quit.
"And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope ; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." Romans 8:23-35
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Soul Food
Journal Entry:
Sunday, June 26
Hebrews 5:11-14
"Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
"...you have become dull of hearing."
What does that mean? Later in the verses it says that those who are able to take the solid food of scriptures are those who have had their senses "trained" due to practice - or repetitive use. So, when my hearing is dull, when my sense of understanding has grown weak, it is due to my lack of use - no practice (exercise) to make my soul strong.
Lord, my senses need training. My children's senses need training. As I desire maturity, it comes by practice - repetitive use of your word- applying it to my daily tasks, choices and challenges. Teach me, as I work hard at growing my soul, to discern good and evil for every area of my life.
"The word of God is food and nourishment to the life of grace." -Matthew Henry
Sunday, June 26
Hebrews 5:11-14
"Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
"...you have become dull of hearing."
What does that mean? Later in the verses it says that those who are able to take the solid food of scriptures are those who have had their senses "trained" due to practice - or repetitive use. So, when my hearing is dull, when my sense of understanding has grown weak, it is due to my lack of use - no practice (exercise) to make my soul strong.
Lord, my senses need training. My children's senses need training. As I desire maturity, it comes by practice - repetitive use of your word- applying it to my daily tasks, choices and challenges. Teach me, as I work hard at growing my soul, to discern good and evil for every area of my life.
"The word of God is food and nourishment to the life of grace." -Matthew Henry
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Everything but the Elephant
This story comes from the book I'm reading. I've been keeping a page with quotes that challenge me from that book, but I wanted to type out this story here. It's been a wonderful analogy for me in this area of weight-loss and health as well as applying it to every other area of my walk with the Lord. In fact, we've been asking ourselves frequently around here, "Is that part of the elephant?"
It seems there was an artist who, one day, found that a large piece of granite had risen unexpectedly from the yard outside his home. Now, I don't know about you, but if that had happened to me I'd be upset. Just one more annoying thing I'd need to take care of before I could mow the lawn. Reportedly, it did annoy the artist, and he knew he'd eventually have to do something about it. He debated about borrowing a jackhammer from a friend until he remembered that, of course, he had no friends with jackhammers. Then he thought about getting some dynamite and blasting the granite into smaller stones that he could then carry away. But that didn't seem right either so he sat and thought about what to do. As he sat and thought and looked at that stone, he began to look past his problem. He forgot about his goal of getting rid of the stone. He actually started to see the stone. He noticed the lines and the shape. He decided to be grateful for the stone. Then one day he got out his chisel and hammer, and within a short time, he created an unbelievable reproduction of an elephant. Neighbors and passersby alike were amazed when they saw what appeared to be a real elephant grazing in his yard.
A friend asked the amateur sculptor how he'd managed to do such a good job in reproducing a realistic form of an elephant without even a model or picture to go by. The artist replied confidently, "It was really pretty easy, actually. I just chipped away everything that didn't look like an elephant."
This story comes with the challenge to focus on the person you most wish to become. As I read this story, I am struck with how it illustrates the fact that God's spirit is at work within me to chip away at everything that doesn't look like Christ. Because of His finished work on the cross, the victory of His resurrection, His application of righteousness to my life, and the gift of His Holy Spirit, I am now becoming the person God created me to be. In His word, I see that He is at work to reveal and remove those habits, weaknesses, and desires that keep me from loving my Lord fully. I am seeing this in new ways as I work to face the addictions and desires that hold me in the area of what I eat and how I use my body. When I read through this blog, I see the excuses and habits that have defeated me in the past months. Magnify that by the number of years I've been alive and I see a life that needs some chipping.
The author give the challenge, "If you are serious about continuing your walk on this spiritual path to weight loss, you will work hard to chip away everything that does not look like the person you most wish to become."
I give myself the challenge, Just chip away everything that doesn't look like Jesus.
It seems there was an artist who, one day, found that a large piece of granite had risen unexpectedly from the yard outside his home. Now, I don't know about you, but if that had happened to me I'd be upset. Just one more annoying thing I'd need to take care of before I could mow the lawn. Reportedly, it did annoy the artist, and he knew he'd eventually have to do something about it. He debated about borrowing a jackhammer from a friend until he remembered that, of course, he had no friends with jackhammers. Then he thought about getting some dynamite and blasting the granite into smaller stones that he could then carry away. But that didn't seem right either so he sat and thought about what to do. As he sat and thought and looked at that stone, he began to look past his problem. He forgot about his goal of getting rid of the stone. He actually started to see the stone. He noticed the lines and the shape. He decided to be grateful for the stone. Then one day he got out his chisel and hammer, and within a short time, he created an unbelievable reproduction of an elephant. Neighbors and passersby alike were amazed when they saw what appeared to be a real elephant grazing in his yard.
A friend asked the amateur sculptor how he'd managed to do such a good job in reproducing a realistic form of an elephant without even a model or picture to go by. The artist replied confidently, "It was really pretty easy, actually. I just chipped away everything that didn't look like an elephant."
This story comes with the challenge to focus on the person you most wish to become. As I read this story, I am struck with how it illustrates the fact that God's spirit is at work within me to chip away at everything that doesn't look like Christ. Because of His finished work on the cross, the victory of His resurrection, His application of righteousness to my life, and the gift of His Holy Spirit, I am now becoming the person God created me to be. In His word, I see that He is at work to reveal and remove those habits, weaknesses, and desires that keep me from loving my Lord fully. I am seeing this in new ways as I work to face the addictions and desires that hold me in the area of what I eat and how I use my body. When I read through this blog, I see the excuses and habits that have defeated me in the past months. Magnify that by the number of years I've been alive and I see a life that needs some chipping.
The author give the challenge, "If you are serious about continuing your walk on this spiritual path to weight loss, you will work hard to chip away everything that does not look like the person you most wish to become."
I give myself the challenge, Just chip away everything that doesn't look like Jesus.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Romans 8:29
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 1 Peter 1:14-15
For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again ; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all ; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness ; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:5-13
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