What's Working - What's Not

I've blogged well over 100 posts and still don't think I'm getting it right. Why? Because the interaction from you the reader isn't  happening, and quite frankly neither are the hits.

Soooo, I'm spending the weekend seeking the Lord Jesus for direction but your input would be very helpful too.

If you've ever read my blog - please tell me what's working and what's not.


And if this is your first time to read my blog, please take a few minutes to look it over and tell me what's working and what's not.

And why do I blog? That's a fair question. And one I'm still trying to define. But here's my reasons for the moment:

• To have a place to refer people to so they can learn about how dynamic a relationship with Jesus Christ can be.
• To share the things that happen on a daily basis when you live life surrendered to Jesus Christ.
• Because I enjoy communicating through my writing.

Now, am I accomplishing what I just listed above?

Please tell me your thoughts.

A future soul might depend on it. :)

Debbie

GUEST POST: C.S. Lewis

(I'm spending the last few days of 2010 seeking the Lord's will on what this blog should be about in 2011 so I am taking a break from writing this blog and am featuring a few of my favorite devotional writer's instead this week for your enjoyment. If you have any insights or comments about what you like or dislike about this blog I welcome your input.)

CHOOSE NOW, CHOOSE WELL by C.S. Lewis
Why is God landing in this enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil?


Why is He not landing in force, invading it? Is it that He is not strong enough?

Well, Christians think He is going to land in force; we do not know when.

But we can guess why He is delaying. He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely.

I do not suppose you and I would have thought much of a Frenchman who waited till the Allies were marching into Germany and then announced he was on our side.

God will invade.

But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does.

When that happens, it is the end of the world.

When the author walks on the stage the play is over.

God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else - something it never entered your head to concieve - comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will  have any choice left?

For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature.

It will be too late then to choose your side.

There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up.

That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not.

Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side.

God is holding back to give us that chance.

It will not last forever.

We must take it or leave it.

-from Mere Christianity

Christmas PRESSure and CHRIST in All

This time of year most of us run out of time before we run out of things to do.

Christmas looms.

There are presents to buy, cards to write, cookies to bake, parties to attend, and a myraid of other holiday responsibilities that - if we are not careful-  press and press and PRESS on us until so much life has been sucked out of us we feel vacum sealed.

So what's the answer?

JESUS.

Yes, Jesus.

No, Jesus isn't going to iron your little one's ruffles on her Christmas pageant dress.

And no, Jesus isn't going to stand in an endless line at Walmart, or stay up until 3am Christmas Eve wrapping presents.

But I'll tell you what Jesus will do.

Jesus will fill you with a deep abiding spirit of peace as you contemplate what gifts to purchase.

Jesus will transform your vision so you can truly see the souls of the men and women around you as He sees them.

And Jesus will soothe the deepest of  hurts that sometimes arise during the Christmas season from past family experiences that perhaps weren't always ideal.

How do I know this?

Because I know Jesus.

He's a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

Jesus loves you. And Jesus loves me. And His greatest desire for both of us this Christmas season is to start each day by sincerly inviting Him into every nook and cranny of our lives.

If we will do this, Jesus will flood our homes with joy, peace and harmony, because that is one of the many benefits of living every day with Jesus.

MONDAY MUSING: Engaging Christ

Monday always comes doesn't it?

Even after four days off over the Thanksgiving weekend, Monday came surprisingly fast.

But what I like the best about the Mondays and the whole work week for that matter,  is that Jesus goes with me.

He's already softened the hearts of those who might be difficult today.

He's already loosed His presence and His peace to the organization I work for.

And He's already sent angelic buffers to thwart any potential stressors that might arise.

How do I know all this?

Because I was up early this morning and asked Him to do all those things.

Too often we as  followers of Jesus Christ we settle for less that He intends for us simply because we do not actively invite Him into our day.

Oh Jesus is with us because His word says 'He's with us always, even to the end of the age'.

But there is a difference between being with us and being engaged in the minute details of our world.

If we want Jesus to truly affect our work life, we must invite Him into it and be willing to allow Him the freedom to operate as He pleases.

Sometimes this means keeping our mouth shut so He can work out a difficult situation or going the extra mile in service to our fellow employee.

In short, being willing to example Christ's teachings in all things.

So what work situation would you like Christ to get involved with today?

Tell Him all about it and then stand back and watch Him work.

It is one of the most exciting aspects of living every day with Jesus!

"That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.


Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.


Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come." (Isaiah 41:20-22)

MONDAY MUSING: The Power of a Shut Mouth

Your momma was right if she ever told you if you didn't have something good to say about someone not to say it.

One of these days I might actually learn this.

Just last week, I opened my mouth about someone thinking I was shedding light on a situation that would be helpful .

Wrong.

Instead of them recieving it as I'd intended, they landblasted me on the importance of being unbiased and non-judgemental.

And they were right.

What's more, after I really examined my motives , I realized that my desire was much more about wanting to impress this person with my 'inside track knowledge' than sincerley being concerned.

My mouth again had gotten me in trouble.

Oh if I'd only heeded Biblical advice on the power of spoken words:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:37)


"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Proverbs 18:21)

And what's more, as Christians who want to live everyday for Jesus we are not just supposed to abstain from saying bad things we are supposed to build others up:

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3)

So if I would have adhered to Christ's teachings I would have never opened my mouth in the first place and would have saved myself a lot of heartache.

What about you?

Do you ever struggle to keep your mouth shut?

When are you  most tempted to open your mouth and let it fly?

Let's talk about the power of a shut mouth for the next few days.

I'd love to hear how you deal with this very human issue.

-Debbie

Wednesday Weigh-In: Surrender and Support

Good Morning Precious Reader!

I only have a minute and promise to post  more later but wanted to share with you that I lost 6.5 pounds since my last post!

It was God's grace and strengthening that helped me to stay on track with the Weight Watcher's food plan.

I've tried many different diets and non-diet approaches to weight loss but kept feeling drawn back to the tracking and group support that Weight Watcher's provides.

If you think about it, surrender and support and two very Biblical concepts.

The Apostle Paul had alot to say  on the topic of surrender:

"I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." (I Corinthians 15:30)

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)


And there is alot in the Bible about the importance of the body of Christ, how we need each other:

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

I need to say good-bye for now because the clock is ticking and I must leave for work so I ask you to help me finish this post by adding your own scriptures or thoughts on surrender and support. It doesn't have to be about weight loss. Let's share and grow together!

I can't wait to read your insights on my lunch break today!!

Gotta go!

Debbie



 

Wednesday Weigh-In: Rejoicing In the Effort

I actually cried when the upsetting event happened. Tears rolled down my face as I sent a text explaining why our friendship needed to cool off a little.

Unemotional eaters may not identify with this, but for those of us who use food to comfort, soothe and bury our real feelings, crying in the midst of a problem instead of wallowing in ice cream is worth celebrating.

All too often people like me use food as a diversion to what's really going on inside ourselves.

My old mantra went something like this:


Angry at your spouse?

Let off some steam by sucking down at least a quart of ice cream and watch those uncomfortable feelings melt away.

Had a bad day at work?

Give yourself the break you deserve by scarfing down a Big Mac and super-size fries before heading home.

And the lies go on.

But somewhere in the last year or two I realized how this type of behavior must offend the Lord.

How could it not?

Afterall Christ wants to be our all-in-all. He is the one who wants to comfort and soothe us and help us to cope with life's challenges.

So I tried it.

In January of this year, I made a determination not to turn to food when I was upset.

It hasn’t been a perfect endeavor but I’ve definitely progressed.

Reacting as I did this past weekend is proof of that.

My weekend snafu was due to letting months of frustration build up and ended up losing  my temper and causing quite a breach in a relationship that I valued.

Anger consumed me. 

I called my dad and spouted off and then called my husband and did the same. And then I realized as much as they both love me and wanted to help me they didn’t have the power to fix anything.

The thought crossed my mind to head to the nearest Oberwiess but instead I knelt down in prayer.

I wish I could tell you that God’s sweet presence enveloped me as I prayed, but it didn’t.

 But it's important to note that I was still in the pouting stage with God. My prayer was very whiney and when He didn’t indulge me I gave up.

And that's when I  sent that fateful text.

So did I fail?

I don’t’ think so.

It was more like a toddler learning to walk.

In all honesty, it was my first genuine attempt at pouring out my frustration to God and asking him to soothe those raging emotions BEFORE  turning to food. Normally, I would have called my dad and husband, ate a big bowl of ice cream, and then and only then tried to pray.

So my progress was in my improved priorities and effort.

And I am convinced that effort is what the Lord is most interested in.

Think about it. What parent in their right mind would expect a one year old to go from just barely learning to walk to riding a bicycle?

Is not our heavenly Father even more compassionate than the kindest parent?

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11)

So I ask you, what are you struggling with today? What efforts have you made ? Don't despair in your shortcomings, rejoice in your effort.

Together we can move forward.

One step at a time.

NOTE: John Maxwell has a great book on this topic called Failing Forward.

Blowing It

I blew it.

I let months of frustration spill out in 50 texted words.

And in so doing I lost my best friend and maligned Christ's reputation.

I've cried, I've prayed and apologized but the breach hangs heavy like a wool blanket on a hot summer day.

So what now?

I go to Jesus.

I give Him my mangled mess and ask Him to help me, to smooth the rough places, to ease the tensions, to repair the breach.

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." (Isaiah 58:12)

Interestingly enough, I came across an article on http://www.kyria.com/ called Mouse-to-Mouse that shared a similar experience.

The camaraderie of failure was a balm to my bleeding spirit.

So today dear reader, I am asking you for advice. Just because I blog and offer insight doesn't mean I have it all figured out. You see the person I blew it with was my boss - my boss! How inane is that? But we also had a friendship outside of work and it's the loss of friendship I'm grieving the most.

All weekend my mind has been reeling and trying to figure out what my next steps should be in this situation.

Should I pull back and not be so transparent at work with people? Or is the cost of transparency letting others see that you have 'uglies' inside of you too?

I definately need more humility and servanthood. It is the 'it's not fair' mentality that got me in trouble in the first place.

Only pride thinks it has rights. And we know that the book of Proverbs says that pride goes before destruction.

I covet your prayers and welcome your advice.

This living everyday with Jesus is not easy, but even in the the hardest of times there is joy in the journey.

Wednesday Weigh-In: Pressing On

(I stopped blogging on Wednesdays about my weight partly because of time demands with my schooling but so many of you let me know how much you missed it that I've decided to start up again.)

So here it is 10 months after I started at the beginning of the year saying I wanted to lose 100 pounds and well let’s just say it’s been an up and down battle.



To date, my total overall loss for the year is 7 pounds.


Seven.


That’s it.


At one point I’d lost close to 20.


But despite the lack of overall weight reduction, a lot of my personal habits have improved:


• I’m walking more consistently.


• I’m no longer bingeing


• At least half the time I’m not eating anything after dinner.


• I’m asking God more consistently for help.


• I’m journaling more about the inner issues that may be triggering my over-indulgence.


So there is progress.


Not perfection, but progress.


I’ve been quoting Philippians 3:14 over and over again lately as I contemplate the idea of progress, not perfection:


“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”


I press toward, I’m working at it, I’m making a continual effort.


I like the way The Message puts it:


“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.”


So for today, that is enough. I don’t have it all together and I’ve stumbled much but I am well on my way.


And what about you? What are you pressing towards today? What achievements have you fallen short of that you’d like to keep trying to reach?


We can’t do it alone, but together, hand-in-hand with Jesus Christ we can make it.

Praying Outside the Paper Bag

Have you ever felt like you can't pray your way out of a paper bag?

Would you like to know how to pop the bag and have deep, meaningful prayer every time?

Then keep reading.

It's true that sometimes prayer can be difficult. Even E.M. Bounds, that great man of prayer had this to say on the subject of prayer:

"Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things; the simplest and the sublimest;
the weakest and the most powerful; its results lie outside the range of human possibilities - they are limited only by the omnipotence of God."
And while it's true that prayer indeed can be all of these things:


Easy and hard.

Simple and sublime.

Weak and powerful.

There is a secret in breaking through to sweet communion with God each and every time we bow our knee.
The secret is in surrender.

The more we surrender, the more of Christ and His truths fill our mind.

Our hearts become  fixed on Biblical truths.

Our will becomes Christ's will.

Joy flows.

Peace fills our being.

Anxiety dissipates.

And because at those moments our spirit is in sync with the Holy Spirit of God prayer is easy.

So the challenge, the struggle, the hardness that E.M. Bounds speaks of is not in getting to God - He is always with us. It is in the breaking of our self-will, our agenda's, our pride.
If we are angry and really don't want to forgive, or if we are more worried about all the things we have to do as soon as our prayer time is over, then prayer is a chore.

An obligation.

A drudgery.

A duty to be fulfilled.

The more our minds are focused on our needs, our wants,  and our discomfort the less awareness of God's spirit we feel.

Perhaps that is why we are instructed in scripture to "... lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 1:21)
Because we must first let go of everything that is not like Christ before we can truly come into close, intimate fellowship with Him.
So if you, like me, feel like  you're trying to pray yourself out of a paper bag look inward. Search your heart and see if there are any attitudes or grudges that you're holding onto. And if you discover that there is, let them all go, ask Jesus to purify you, to help you to overcome.

Then look around you and discover that while you were asking for Christ's help, He removed the paper bag.

Lord Jesus, we want to live every day in a way that glorifies You. Forgive us of our selfish ways. Help us to let go of hurts and resentments. We want a deep fellowship and closeness with You and we know that is only possible if first we lay aside the sins that beset us. In Jesus Name. Amen


 

A Fool For Christ's Sake

Check out this video.



These people are making fools of themselves for a chance to win $10,000. What would you be willing to do for $10,000?

But more importantly, what would you be willing to do for the cause of Christ?

Would you be willing to dance like a chicken in public if Jesus asked you to?

It's doubtful that the Lord Jesus would ask you to dance like a chicken, but He might want you to do something equally humiliating. The book of Jeremiah is rife with the uncommon things God asked the prophet Jeremiah to do: walk naked through the streets, eat a scroll of paper, wear an oxen's yoke on his neck.

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church that he was made a fool for Christ's sake:



"We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt!" (1 Corinthians 4:10 from the Amplified Bible)

And King David, danced in a public place, similar to  what the people in the video did, but it wasn't for money, it was for the worship and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ:

"David, ceremonially dressed in priest's linen, danced with great abandon before God. The whole country was with him as he accompanied the Chest of God with shouts and trumpet blasts. But as the Chest of God came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, happened to be looking out a window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before God, her heart filled with scorn." (2 Samuel 6:13-15 from The Message)

And as you just read, Michal, who was Saul's daughter and David's wife was not happy about it at all. The Bible says that 'David returned home to bless his family' but Michal says;

 "How wonderfully the king has distinguished himself today—exposing himself to the eyes of the servants' maids like some burlesque street dancer!"

Oooh, how I love David's reply to her:

"In God's presence I'll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over God's people, over Israel. Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool...but among these maids you're so worried about, I'll be honored no end."


And then check out the consequences of scorning those who are willing to be a fool for  Christ's sake: "Michal, Saul's daughter, was barren the rest of her life." (2 Samuel 6:23)

So today, on this October Monday I ask you, what are you willing to do for the cause the Christ?

GUEST POST: Gianna Jensen

This is such a powerful video, I had to share it with all of you. It's not just that Gianna survived being aborted at 7 months, it's her bold declaration of Jesus being the Christ and the way she tells her enemies, "I am God's girl. I refuse to bear the anger and hatred that you hurl at me because Jesus Christ died on the cross to bear it all."

May we all learn to live everyday with Jesus the way Gianna has.

Oh God, grant us the courage to stand strong for what is right and give us a voice to influence our world.

If you had an audience today, my dear reader, what would you tell them?


Until next time,


Debbie

MONDAY MUSINGS: Putting God First

Do you feel fully alive in Christ this Monday morning? Are you filled with antcipation, wondering how God will  use you today? Joy and excitement can be yours when you live every day with Jesus. He promised in His holy word that He came to give us life and that more abundantly. (John 10:10)

The abundant life is available to all who seek it. There are no tricks or gimmicks. It is yours for the asking. Jesus had only one requirement:

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:32-34 from The Message)

The King James version of this same passage puts it succintly:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

So that's all there is to it. Put God first and the joy will come. Put God first and you'll be able to manage your work load better. Put God first and the people around you will notice.

People are often drawn to me. Most of the time they don't why,but I hope it is because they feel God's love flowing through me.

One person says she comes to my office to get her "daily dose of Debbie." She says she feels better after she spends time with me.

One day, I hope to share the gospel with her. But until that time comes, I will keep praying for her and being a friend to her.
Loving others for the cause of Christ  infuses us with joy.

Let's put God first today!

It's a very real part of living every day with Jesus and it will fill you with encouragment and unspeakable joy!

Affecting Others

"Walking with God down the avenues of prayer we acquire something of His likeness, and unconsciously we become witnesses to others of His beauty and His grace." -E.M. BOUNDS

Stop right now and write down the first ten people that come to mind.

Now, look at that list and write down which circles of your life  they come from. Family? Friends? Co-workers? Neighbors?

These ten people, and if you had time to write down the next ten people and so on, are the souls that God has entrusted you to influence for His kingdom. Think about it. In Christ's infinite wisdom, He planted you in the job you have, the home you live in, the community you raised your kids in etc. And this planting wasn't by happenstance. God had a specific purpose in it all.

God knew for example that your best friend would need your unique giftings and personality traits to cope with life a little better. And God also knew that if He had a pesky neighbor live nearby, you would grow in patience and learn to lovingly serve despite their small annoyances.

Do you see where I'm going with this? A very important part of living every day with Jesus is to recognize that He is involved in every part of our life and has ordered every detail.

So look around you today at the people God has chosen to be in your world. Thank God for them. Pray for them. And let your light shine brightly for the cause of Christ. It is your duty, if you want to live every day with Jesus.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Strength From Others

It amazes me how quickly Wednesdays roll around.


I started this year proclaiming that I would post each Wednesday my determination to lose 100 pounds. Well to date, I've only lost about 20 pounds, which is not much for being 8 months into it. But one of the best things that has come out my commitment to blog about it is how others have reached out to me and offered encouragement, affirmation and support.


Readers like you, and my family and friends have really gone out of their way to encourage me - not only in losing the weight, but in telling me what I mean to them or how my writing has helped them. In short, they let me know one way or another that if I never lose another pound, that's okay with them because I'm a beautiful person just the way I am.


Take for example an email I got from my mom just this morning. Now I know she's my mom and  you're probably thinking that mom's are supposed to be all mushy-gushy etc. And to a point that is true, but what you may not know is that my mom is ver attractive and always has been. She is not quite 5' tall and weighs probably 110 pounds soaking wet. While I am 5'4" and weigh more than twice that. So as you can see, for her to acknowledge my inner beauty means alot to me because I've always admired her outer beauty. Here's just a part of what she wrote:


"... Maybe, just maybe your genetic makeup isn’t to be a thin person.  As long as you are healthy etc. that is what is important. ... We open magazines, turn on the telly and fashion is about thin.  I look at the latest fashion and all the clothes are designed for people who are size 0, that is slowly changing ...real women have curves...."


A mother's wisdom is always good isn't it? And she's right about the fashion magazines etc  portraying very thin women. Even the majority of the plus size stores use thin models.


And then there is my precious friend Vlatka who gave me a delightful little book this weekend called "How to Eat Like a Tree" by Dara Boland. In the flyleaf Vlatka wrote: " I can't wait to see the fruits that this book, Jesus and our friendship is going to bring forth."  What words of strength and refreshing! Vlatka is also very thin and beautiful. She sincerly prays for me and my weight issues and often offers encouraging words to me.


So today, on this particular Wednesday Weigh In, I give honor to you my reader for caring enough to stop by my blog and see how I'm doing. And I give honor to my mother, my friend Vlatka and all my other friends and family who see something in me that I'm not completely convinced of yet. And interestingly enough, this drawing strength from one another is part of living everyday with Jesus. You see God created us for community. We need one another. At least I know for sure that I need you.


Blessings and strength to you today my friend.


Until next time...


Debbie

MONDAY MUSINGS: Great Expectations

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man." (Psalm 112:4)

Monday mornings sometimes feel like darkness don't they? It's funny that I spring out of bed on the weekends, but sluggishly shuffle about on a work day morning. The only difference is my expectations of what the day will hold.

On the weekend, there is time for play,relaxation and adventure. During the work week, there is pressure, agendas and quotas to meet. Yet, I have a feeling the weekends wouldn't be so relished if it were not for the confinements of the work week. It's quite possible that we feel free on the weekends, because we first fulfilled the mundane obligations of the work week.

So today, as we face another week of phone calls to make or appliances to repair, let us remember that our work duty is a necessary ballast to our weekend reverly. And therefore, we ought to be thankful for the forty-hour commitment we make each week - not just for the paycheck we recieve, but for the clarity and joy it brings to our time off. For how else could we celebrate the weekend, if at first we had not done hard labor by the sweat of our brow?

So be encouraged today in whatever this particular Monday holds for you.

Jesus is with you and He loves you.

And in His wisdom, He felt your job was the best thing to meet  your needs.

 And know that Jesus can soften the disposition of even your most difficult of people.

And Jesus can enlighten your mind to enable you to solve every problem that may await you.

You see, Jesus' greatest desire is not that you just endure this work week, but that you invite Him into it and allow Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all you could ask or think.

Because when you (and I ) learn to do this, we will spring out bed on the workday mornings because we can't wait to see what Jesus has in store for us.

Honoring Your Enemies

Who has mistreated you in your life? Who angers you? What injustices have you suffered?

I ask you these questions  not to upset you, or bring back painful memories, but to help you realize that we all have suffered at the hands of another in some form or fashion.

How do I know this?

Because we are human.

We are fallen, sinful creatures who ooze with selfishness.

And often it is our base selfishness that causes us to wound one another.

 I've done it. You've done it. And those we categorize as our enemies have done it. It's the ME, MYSELF and I syndrome that drives us to step on others in our quest for success, or the last word, or fairness.

But of course, God's way is just the opposite. He commands us to put others first, to serve them, to love them and do good to them - even the ones who have sliced and diced our heart:

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matthew 5:44)

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." (Luke 6:35)

So how do we accomplish this when our enemies are so toxic?

I'm grappling with the answer to this question myself.

There is a person in my life that consistently attacks me verbally.

Whenever I see one of their emails in my inbox, I usually let it sit a day or two before opening it because I never know if it's going to contain a fresh barrage of accusations, or a kind word.

For me looking at the subject line and contemplating if I want to read it's contents is like looking at a bottle of poison and trying to decide if I want to drink it. Rarely are their comments edifiying. And even if they start off being edifying, it's usually a ploy to draw me in so I'll let my guard down.

Yet, Jesus says to love them.

Do good to them.

Show them compassion.

Go out of my way to be kind to them.

And even to speak well of them to others.


 Well, I've tried all these  things over the last 10 years with this particular person
But it didn't improve the relationship.

 So I dug even deeper into the scripture to see what else God wanted from me and came across this scripture:

"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)

OUCH!

 Now, I don't think this means that we have enemies because we aren't right before God. But I do think the scripture is saying that if we are surrendered enough and crucified in the flesh enough that our humbleness will force our enemies to shut their mouths.

And of course, in my situation, humbleness only comes through complete forgiveness with no strings attached.

• My answer to the forgiveness/humility issue with the person I told you about was to delete 4 years of their hateful, hurtful emails. I guess I was saving them 'in case' I never needed proof of the pain I'd suffered at their hands.

But true forgiveness keeps no record of wrongs. It's gone. It's under the blood. And so I released this individual completely to Jesus when I let it all go.

• I highly recommend your reading a book by Lewis Smedes called Shame and Grace, if you have any issues with reconciling being mistreated by others. It helped me tremendously. 

 Loving and overcoming our inner pain, is such a vital part of learning to live everyday with Jesus.

Until next time...

Debbie

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Exercise

(Sorry for the delay in getting this post up... things with my dad got a little hairy for awhile, but thank God he's much better now)

Did you excercise today?

I didn't, but it's because I've been in a hospital waiting room since 5am this morning. ( My dad is having surgery)  But, there have been many mornings in my life when I didn't have such a good excuse for not exercising. And it's those everyday mornings that I'd like to talk about today.

Let's face it. If daily exercise had been as important to me as my daily shower, I probably wouldn't have a weight problem. My metabolism would be in high gear, my BMI would probably be normal, and I'd have energy to burn. So with all these incredible benefits, why do I avoid doing it?

My answers to this question vary depending on my mood, but here are a few of them:

• Because I don't have time
• Because it takes alot of work
• Because I get bored

Yet, the health guru's shout... "YES, BUT THE BENEFITS ARE SO WORTH IT."

And although I know they are right, most of the time I still avoid the commitment of exercise.

But all this thinking and self-examination into why I don't enjoy exercise made me realize the many similarities between my avoidance of exercise, and some people's avoidance of the gospel of Christ. Funnily enough, people often give the same reasons for not making a commitment to follow Jesus Christ:

• Because they don't have time
• Because the Christian walk can require me to 'work' at my inner shortcomings
• Because I get bored in a church service

I like the Apostle Paul's response to this topic. He said in 1 Timothy 4:7-9:

"...Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers."

So my dear friend, what will you do today regarding exercise? My hope and prayer for you, (and myself) is that you will not only learn to exercise your body, but also workout daily in the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading.

May you be be empowered today as you strive to live every day with Jesus. And may you not only develop a beautiful physical body, but an incredibly attractive, healthy spirit.

Until next time...

Debbie

Nutrition tip link.... http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/25-best-nutrition-secrets

MONDAY MUSING: Rest From Labor

 Ah, Labor Day. A day of rest and relaxation set aside for those who labor. A time to commemorate the end of summer and the onset of fall. The one day of the year where you can happily ignore your commitment to your employer and languish in bed all day , or cook burgers on the grill,  or fish, or spend time with your family.

That's the beauty of Labor Day. It doesn't have the pressure and expectations of other holidays. It is simply a day to tell the average hard working American:  "Take a day off. You deserve a rest."

Yes, Labor Day was a great idea. The Central Labor Union engineered it and it was intended to provide for a holiday that celebrated the working man –the laborer- as well as his contributions to society. A working man’s holiday just wouldn’t be complete if it did not include a day off work, and so Labor Day began. (resource from http://www.wisegeek.com/)

But did you know that rest from labor was actually God's idea? It's true. Jesus Christ told the multitude in Matthew 11:28:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

And in Genesis 2:2, the Holy Bible tells us that God rested on the seventh day after He created the world:

"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made."

And not only did God example rest, and offer us rest, but He actually commanded a day of rest:

"But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:



For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:10-12)

Obviously, God places a great deal of importance on us having a time set aside  to rest and renew ourselves. So how are you doing with getting the rest you need? Assuming you are getting adequate sleep each night, what else do you do to renew and recharge yourself?

Here a few suggestions that work for me:

• A long soak in the bathtub
• A long, compteplative walk
• Curling up with a good book
• Calling and talking to a friend who is positive and uplifiting
• Getting a massage
• Sipping a nice cup of Chamomile tea
• Listening to classical music
• Watching a funny movie

Can you add some suggestions to this list? Remember, that part of living every day with Jesus is to take care of ourselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually. So as this Labor Day comes to a close, may you find great peace and a deep sense of calm as you pay attention to your bodies need for rest.

"So the people rested on the seventh day." (Exodus 16:30)

GUEST POST: Nona Freeman

(Good Morning and Happy Friday ! My week has been a little busier than normal and school starts Tuesday so I decided to drop my postings to 3 times a week. Mondays will continue to be about work related issues, Wednesdays about weight loss and self-esteem and Fridays will be anything goes.)

Iwas in a fantastic service last night with Reverend Travis Worthington. He taught that humility and servanthood is what brings the spiritual authority in our lives. For those of you who may not know, God promises He will give us power to tread on scorpions, to stamp out the powers of darkness, to pray for the sick and they will recover. And Reverend Worthington says that we can only access this kind of power when we are humble servants of God with no traces of pride in our hearts.

And Reverend Worthington is right! I have experienced this first hand. When my life is fully surrendered to Christ, I can operate in a dimension of Godly power that blows my mind. But when I am full of self and personal irritations, my ability to speak to the mountains in my life vanish.

Nona Freeman, in her book In The Bag confirms this. She tells of an angelic visitation she had that convinced once and for all the importance of keeping ourselves broken before  God. Here is an excerpt:

I opened my eyes to see a being clothed in exquisite light standing by my bed. I trembled, immobilized by fear. "Do no be afraid," a soft, yet vibrant voice answered, "I am a messenger sent from God to give you the secret to revival.... I am here in response to your outcry for a Pentecostal outpouring..."

[The angel] unrolled a large parchment scroll before me containing the words of Jesus in John 7:38: "He that believeth on me, as the scriptures hat said, out his belly shall flow rivers of living water." ... The angel said, "You preach about drawing water out of the wells of salvation with joy. You know you do not comprehend the limitless scope of the gift of God. Jesus wants to deluge you and the thirsty world with rivers of His Holy Ghost power. The will of God is not mercy drops or showers or even buckets full of blessings. It is torrential rivers of blessings flowing through you." ... [I asked the angel] What prevents the flow of the Spirit in me? The answer came gently. "A guise of spirituality and a mere profession of salvation are empty vanities without the flow of the spirit. I will name in everyday language the most common hindrances for you:

UNBELIEF. DISOBEDIENCE. FEAR. REBELLION. JEALOUSY. BITTERNESS. HATRED. STUBBORNESS. LUST. MALICE. GREED. ANXIETY-WORRY. JUDGING-CRITICISM. GRUMBLING-COMPLAINING. PRIDE-AMBITION. TEMPER. SELFISHNESS-COVETEOUSNESS. IMPATIENCE.

[The angel continued] "These are the evils that block the moving of the Spirit through you. When the flow stops, you usually fall back on your own resources... ask forgiveness often. Only the cleansing blood of Jesus can remove the barriers of your soul.... get the flow, get the flow... get the flow...."

I don't know about you my friend, but as for me, I want the flow of Jesus in my life! Operating in the free flowing power of Christ is a very important part of living every day with Jesus. Won't you pray right now for God to remove the barriers in your own life? It really is the secret to having bubbling over joy. Know I will be praying for you and I hope you'll do the same for me.

What are the obstacles that hinder the flow in you? For me, at least one area is ambition. I am a firstborn and over-achiever by nature. So I'm always wanting to be the best. God has been working on me with this alot lately and so I've been putting alot of energy into helping my peers succeed. This pleases Jesus and it keeps my own self-drive in check.

Let's live today for Jesus... and tomorrow and the next day. And let's share with one another our struggles to get and stay in the flow because bearing one another's burdens is also a part of living every day with Jesus.

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Lying to Ourselves

I lost two pounds last week and did really good until the weekend. Ugh, the weekends are always a challenge for me. During the week, my days and evenings are pretty structured. But on the weekends, it's anything goes. And it is the 'anything goes' part that makes me feel like rewarding myself with junk food.

Why do we feel that junk food is a reward? The truth is in almost every case it weakens our body, clouds our thinking, and enlarges our waistline. Yet for many of us it represents comfort and solace. Think about it. How often do we tell ourselves after a hard day we are gonna sit down with big bowl of broccoli? Instead, we reach for the ice cream, or potato chips or... whatever is going to make us feel better.

Intellectually we know that sugar, soda and other foods like them, weaken our immune systems and make us feel sluggish. We know they harm our bodies, yet we continually indulge. WHY?  Because we are decieved. Somewhere in our self-talk we think we deserve it, or that it won't really harm us, or __________(you fill in the blank). And it is the deception, the false belief that keeps us in the clutches of a food bondage. (I guess I shouldn't assume you are in a food bondage, but for me, it is or I wouldn't be as large as I am)

But thankfully, if you are living everyday with Jesus, even food bondages can be broken! Beth Moore, in her powerful book Praying God's Word devotes a whole chapter to food related strongholds.  I have used my copy so much the binding broke and I had to buy another one. But somehow the worn out one with it's pages falling out means more to me. It's like a sword that's been used and reused in battle. Beth Moore uses so many scripture prayers in each of the chapters in this book it feels like my second Bible. Here are just a few of the prayers from the Food Related Strongholds chapter:

" Lord, when you bring the captive completely back to You, I will be like those who dream! My mouth will be filled with laughter and my tongue with songs of joy! The Lord has done great things for me, and I am filled with joy! "(Psalm 126:1-3)

"God, I am so thankful there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. If you do not condemn me, I have no right or place to condemn myself. Help me not to get caught up in a defeating cycle of self-condemnation."

These are just a few of the powerful scripture prayers that Moore uses. You might think about checking it out if you have food issues, or other areas that you want to overcome. Moore's Praying God's Word book covers many, many different areas and has such chapters as Overcoming Sexual Strongholds, Overcoming Pride, Overcoming Idolatry etc.

I hope my post today helped you my friend. This weight loss journey has not been an easy one for me. I began the year thinking I was going to lick this thing once and for all and it has proven to be full of ups and downs. But thankfully, in Jesus there is always hope and always a chance for change. And that is one of the most wonderful things about living every day withe Jesus!

MONDAY MUSING: REJOICE

In a few minutes, the work-a-day world will be in full swing.

Some of you will put on your tool belt and report to a construction site.

 Some of you will put on your uniform, and prepare for a day of cleaning, or waitressing, or cleaning car engines.

Some of you will be heading off to the corporate world where the color of your tie or the type of shoes you wear impacts the success of your career.

And some of you will stay in your pajamas or donn a pair of sweat pants as you spend the day chasing after toddlers and running a household.

There is no doubt about it, whatever your profession, the next 8-10 hours promises to be full of pressures and expectations. It's part of the having a job.

It comes with the territory so to speak.

We accept it.

We endure it.

We slug through the day, longing for the 5 o'clock whistle to announce our release.

But is that they way Jesus intended our work life to be?

I don't think so.

Consider the following scripture:

"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Jesus didn't say our life would be abundant excluding work.

No, this scripture seems to indicate that all parts of our life can be abundant, joyful, fulfilling.

So my prayer for you today is to embrace all that Jesus has for you in your job today. When the pressures come, thank Jesus for them.

When a co-worker lets you down, ask Jesus to bless them and encourage them.

Rejoice my friend, in the job God has given you because it is in thankfulness and joy that we learn the true secret of living every day with Jesus.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Virtual Models

(Well, even though today is Thursday, I did weigh in yesterday and lost 2 pounds. I've got my groove back and am walking again on my lunch hour, tracking my food, and not eating after dinner. I give God all the glory for His empowering help.)

I discovered a neat little website called My Virtual Model. After you put in your height, weight and body shape, it creates a virtual replica of yourself. Then you can shop for real clothes, and try it on your model to see what you might look like in it. Sometimes, I enter 30 pounds less than I weigh to see what I'll look like when I lose 30 pounds. For me, it's a motivator.

But all of this got me thinking about what my heavenly model might look like to Jesus. Imagine if instead of entering pounds, body shape or height, there was a website where we could enter in our secret struggles and hidden sins. This imaginary site would be for our eyes and Jesus' only, but it would create for us a spiritual image of our true selves. Yikes! I fear it might too frightening to behold because the Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But it's an interesting thought isn't it?

So for today, my question to you is... what does your Virtual Model look like, and more importantly, what does your Spiritual Model look like?

Self-examination is a very real part of living every day with Jesus. But the really cool thing is that once we realize that are just helpless balls of dirt, God in His mercy doesn't just leave us in that state feeling hopeless. No, He sends His spirit to us to give us a spiritual makeover.

But until then, remember Jesus loves you and there is always hope in Him.

God Hugs

How would you like to have special favor with your boss? Or have unexpected resources fall into your lap? Or maybe you'd just like someone to advocate for you when the going gets tough.

All of these things are possible when you live every day with Jesus.

Take for example what happened to me today: I applied for approval to attend UMass to pursue a Journalism Certificate. (In order to recieve tuition reimbursement - a company perk - one has to first have their course of study approved.) Admittedly a pretty far reaching expectation since they normally only pay tuition for those individuals pursuing a healthcare degree.

But writing is my passion, so I prayed about it and submitted the necessary paperwork to my boss. Although she was compassionate, she  reinterated that company policy states tuition reimbursement is only for those individuals pursuing a healthcare related field. So basically she was telling me not to get my hopes up.

Well, today my boss came to me with tears in her eyes, and told me she couldn't believe it, but my request was approved!

Amazing things like this don't always happen to me, but when they do, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is my Heavenly Father's way of reaching into my world and giving me a great big hug, just like any earthly father would do. Perhaps that is why, the gospels twice records the following passage:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:3 and Matthew 7:11)

These kind of wonderful things happen when we live every day for Jesus because we are His child.   Now that doesn't mean we won't have hard times in our lives, because the Bible also says it rains on the just and unjust alike. But the difference between living every day with Jesus, or living without Him is the difference between having someone on our side, or being all alone.

Do you live every day for Jesus? If so, what God hugs have you recieved? Leave a post so that we all can have our faith increased and believe that more God Hugs are coming our way!

Favorite Foods

I woke up with this scripture on my mind this morning:

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16)

I'm not sure if the prophet Jeremiah actually ate paper, but it's a powerful image isn't it? Imagine loving the word of God so much that you actually gnawed on it.

My favorite food is ice cream. All kinds of ice cream. With nuts or without, covered in chocolate or plain, nuts and candy bars mixed in or not. It doesn't matter, it's the cool, creaminess that draws me in every time!

What is your favorite food? What is it about it that hooks you, and makes you crave it? Now imagine if we craved the word of God like that.

Visions of Dairy Queen may dance in my head, but seldom does Acts 2:38 or Psalm 71. Growing in God and learning to live every day with  Jesus means falling in love with God's words which are recorded in the Holy Bible.

So please do tell me what your favorite food is, but also what is your favorite scripture. And let's spend time chewing on both!

MONDAY MUSING: God's Bufferers

How are you feeling this Monday morning?

Does a job await you?

Are you preparing  for your kids to go back to school?

Or will you spend this Monday looking for a job,  maintaining your house, or struggling with a chronic illness?

Whatever your Monday holds, I want you to know that Jesus is with you in it.

He feels the dread you feel when the morning alarms goes off in the dark of the early morning.

And He understands the stress of getting school age children dressed and ready for school. Rest assured , Jesus  cares deeply about  your day-to-day challenges.

And for me Jesus' love and care is enough.

That is one of the perks of living everyday with Jesus.

Everday may not be perfect, but everyday is buffered by His sweet presence and by the people He sends into my life to help me.

I was thinking this morning about all the men and women God has placed in my life over the years who helped to  buffer my hard times.

• Brother Kenny, my teen Sunday School teacher, who made it a point to encourage me and build me up in the faith every week.
• Sister Bevens, a sweet eldlerly lady who came to my house to pray and sit with me as dealt with depression.
• Sister Hensel, a mighty prayer warrior who continues to carry me in prayer and speak the truth of God's love to me, even when it's hard to hear sometimes.
• My precious grandfather, who first taught me about Jesus, prayed for me, opened his home to me when I was a teenager, and continues to imprint Jesus on my heart by his words and example.

These are just a few of the many that were willing to sacrifice and gave of themselves to me.   I thank God for every one of them, and I regularly ask God to bless them for the difference they made in my life.

That's the great thing about living every day with Jesus.

We may have hard times, because the Bible says it rains on the just and unjust alike, but we can take comfort in knowing that God buffers all of our circumstances.

Sometimes He acts in supernatural and invisible ways, and sometimes He sends 'people with skin on' to undergird us and strengthen us.

And what about you?

Who has God sent in your life  that has been a bufferer to you?

Won't you honor them and God  by leaving a post as a testimony to God?

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)

Getting To Know Us

Buddy (My husband) and Me

Good Morning My Friend! It's a glorious Friday to be living every day with Jesus, and I must admit a little more glorious for me personally because I am off work today! (woo hoo!)

Mikensay in my Great Room

I believe that times of rest and relaxation are just as important to our success in living every day with Jesus as times of advancing the kingdom. So since I'm home today, and feeling rather playful, I thought it'd be fun to share with you a little of my world. Because I believe it is only we share ourselves with others that true friendships are forged.

 If we are guarded, or too reserved, we make the other person feel shut out. That is why I try to be transparent in my writing. Granted, it's not always easy to 'tell the world' that I have well over 100 pounds to lose, or that I once struggled greatly with depression.  But when we are willing to be vunerable  (exposed if you will)  we dismantle the enemy of our souls, and forge bonds with others that are not easily broken.

But first some edification to nourish our souls because I'm sure you didn't come by just to read about me:

"No cloud obscured the face of the Father from His trusting child, who could look up into the Divine countenance and pour out the longings of his heart." -E.M. Bounds

Oh, how true this is! One of the most fabulous benefits of living every day with Jesus is knowing that no matter how dark my world gets, or how many struggles I must endure, I always have a safe haven from my loving and protective Heavenly Father!

Safety is a very real reward don't you think? Especially in today's world. To have such assurance and confidence in our Creator that no matter what happens externally in world at large, or internally in our lives or psyche, is one of the most profound aspects of living everday with Jesus.

 Yes, Jesus often gives me loving human hands to provide for me  but over and above all that they could ever  imagine to do, God is there. Keep repeating those last three words to yourself... God is there. When I can't make my mortgage payment...God is there... When my family disappoints me... God is there... Those three little words honor the make of our souls! Be assured my friend, God IS THERE!

Okay, now for some pics to show you what life is like on my side of the computer....

My Dad and Step-Mom

JOY IS A CHOICE

Joy is a choice. The end result of joy may be a feeling of euphoria, but when you live every day with Jesus, joy is a choice.

Circumstances come to all of us that threaten our joy: job disappointments, physical challenges, contentions with co-workers, misunderstanding with loved ones.

Yet, Jesus said there is a source of joy in Jesus that is not affected by any outside disturbance.

So how do we access this river of unending joy?

By declaring the promises of joy in the Holy Bible. The more we speak the truths of joy, the more empowered we become! Here's a few of God's joy nuggets to get you started today:

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)

"We're depending on God; he's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got— that's what we're depending on." (Psalm 33:21)

"I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul!He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,  and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations. " (Isaiah 61:10)

Singing songs of praise is another way to immerse yourself in the river of joy. Here's one of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wl0VFgpjY&feature=fvst

Be inspired and uplifted today my friend! Jesus loves you. He is in control of all that concerns you. Drink in the cup of joy today. It's one of the most glorious benefits of living every day with Jesus!

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: The Race

Last Wednesday, many of you responded either publicly through posting or privately in an email to my request for help and encouragement with my struggle to lose over 100 pounds.

Well, I wanted to say a big thank-you and let you know it really, REALLY helped! Praise the Lord, I am back on track with my food plan and exercise routine. Being a part of a body of believers is one of the most wonderful things about living every day with Jesus. Every one of you who reached out to me put into action a key Biblical principal:

"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." (Galatians 6:1-3, from The Message)

So thanks again from the bottom of my heart! Your encouragement really worked - I lost 3.5 pounds since my last Wednesday post because I  implemented some of your suggestions and went back to a few things my doctor told me to do like:

• Stopping eating after dinner
• Walking on my lunch hour
• Tracking my food
• Stayed accountable to you my readers and others

It is my conviction, that all of the above is necessary for permanent weight loss. Following it is not always easy, but the pay-off will be worth it one day!

By the way, I wanted to tell you about this really cool FREE online food tracking tool I'm using. It's called My Daily Plate, by Livestrong , one of Lance Armstrong's initiatives and it is really, really cool! Try it, see what you think and let me know.

Actually, Lance Armstrong isn't a bad role model for the whole weight loss journey thing. He's all about running the race and overcoming great odds. And isn't that also what the Apostle Paul told us to do as Christians?


"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. ...And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)

So tell me, what is THE RACE you are running today? Is it weight related? Your Christian walk? Your raising of small children or your dealing with a reoccurant illness? Tell me. Tell others. Because connecting and drawing strength from the body of believers is a very real part of living every day with Jesus.

Remember, in Jesus there is always hope.

"For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God." (Psalm 38:15)

Run to Jesus!

Unspeakable joy can be ours when we run to our Heavenly Father with every bump and bruise. It's only when we try to lick our own wounds, that sadness, resentment, and bitterness set in.

Do you want overflowing joy in your day-to-day life? Run to Jesus!

It doesn't mean there won't be problems. And people will still disappoint you. But the difference is that when you run to Jesus, and hide in Him you no longer have to fight or struggle. It's Jesus' job to that for you.

What a glorious benefit of living every day with Jesus! Remember, in Jesus there is always hope, always peace, and always safety. So run with confidence to the outstretched arms of your loving and gracious heavenly Father.

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you." (John 16:33)

THAT'S NOT IN MY BIBLE!

(It's funny, but no matter how much time I have in the morning before work, I always seem to be pressing against my 'getting ready time.' I think it's because I like to sit and read my Bible and pray in the quiet of the early morning which is a good thing. But, I lose track of time, which is a bad thing. So I said all that to let you know my post will short today but hopefully still lift you up on this bright and sunny Monday morning.)

My grandaughter, Mikayla (the one in the red shirt) is 7 years old and has quite a strong-willed personality. She challenges her mother often, and even her dad occasionally which is no small thing since her dad is a former marine and a real tough cookie.

Her defiance can be over the smallest of things: where she sits in the car, who puts the straw in her juice pouch,or whether she should put on her socks first or comb her hair. And when she's mad it's at the whole world, not just the one who is standing the way of her wishes. It's quite comical really. Her face turns red and puffs up like some cartoon character and she puts her hands on her hips as if to increase the size of her small stature.

Mikayla's mother (my daughter, Stephanie) for the most part has let Mikayla work through her anger  ignore the red puffy face thing. But now, Mikayla is starting to get mouthy and disrespectful. And of course this must be addressed. So after many attempts at disciplining Mikayla, reasoning with her, spanking her, making her sit in the quiet chair with no improvement, Stephanie decided to employ the help of her former Sunday School teacher, Sister Debbie.

Stephanie's old teacher and her have remained friends all these years, and as a matter of fact 'Sister Debbie' was very good friends with Stephanie's real mom, Michelle. Well anyway, Stephanie and Mikayla were visiting Sister Debbie and Mikayla popped off at her mom. So Sister Debbie, did what all good Sunday School teachers would do and pulled out her Bible to show Mikayla that Jesus says we must respect our parents.

Well, true to form, Mikayla turned red faced, puffed out her cheeks, put her hands on her hips and arrogantly declared "THAT'S NOT IN MY BIBLE!"
Evidently, Stephanie and Sister Debbie tried to explain to Mikayla that these truths were in all Bibles, but Mikayla wouldn't concede. As far as I know, she is still convinced that her Bible has a different set of admonitions.

Funny? Yes. But I wonder how many times as adults we act just like Mikayla? When there is a Biblical truth that makes us uncomfortable, do we internally scream... That's not in my Bible?

When we are reminded to "love our enemies, do good to those who despitefully use us" do we intellectually dismiss it as not applying to our unique situation? If so, that is the same as saying... That's not in my Bible...
And of course the list goes on.

So my challenge to you today is to pay attention to the times when God's instructions grate against your will or desires, and honestly ask yourself if you are unknowingly trying to have your own version of the Holy Writ. Because obeying ALL of scripture is also a very real way of living every day with Jesus and it is the only way to the true hope that Jesus offers.

AN ASIDE: If you have any "that's not in my Bible experiences" I'd really like to hear about them! Won't you post for others to read? Or at least email me? Living every day with Jesus affords us the wonderful joy of gaining strength from the body of believers and this is one way we do this!!

God bless you my friend. Thanks for being part of my day!

What's Your Home Feel Like?

If you had to put one word to the overall feeling in your home what would it be? Relaxing? A refuge? A battlefield?

What if I could tell you that every day from now on you could have an overiding sense of peace and calm in your home? Would you be interested? How much would you pay to have such a guarantee?

It is possible. And it won't cost you any money. But it WILL cost you some time and commitment. The solution?

PRAYER!

O. Hallesby explains it this way:

"Prayer brings a good spirit in our homes. For God hears prayer. Heaven itself would come down to our homes. And even though we who constitute the home all have our imperfections and our failings, our home would, through God's answer to prayer, become a little paradise." - O. Hallesby

It has been my habit to pray every morning and read my Bible. When my kids were small, I prayed with them, and read them a devotion. When they were in school, we prayed before school for  God to be with them. We had a lifestyle of prayer in our home and still do. And God's presence is felt because of it.

Others have attested to the peace that is in my home. Many times we have had people over and they have commented on the lightness in their spirit that  they feel . Or, if they don't understand what it is they are feeling, they may say "I like what I feel in your home... it feels good here." What a compliment! And it's all because Jesus is welcomed into our home through prayer.

That doesn't mean we don't have disagreements and the like. But when Jesus is the center of all that you do, His spirit dominates, and that goes a very long way in helping everything stay calm and reasonable.

So I ask you again , what does your home feel like? Is there peace? Or did the  stench of last night's arguement greet you at the breakfast table?

Jesus Christ desires our home to be a place of refuge and refreshing. But He leaves the choice up to us. So I ask you today... What will you choose?

"... choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)