James1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH
NO PROGRESS! Do I really need to say anything else? It is so much easier to do what I've always done, even though it is not helpful or healthy. The farther I go in this adventure, the more I realize that part 1 and part 2 of my "challenge" are linked and really inseparable. I won't get any farther in my quest for health until I see progress and growth in my quest for a...
TESTIMONY
This is where I need to focus. When I focus on my weight, my exercise ( or lack thereof) I almost completely lose sight of why I am doing this in the first place. I am living Romans 7 right here folks. I'm like my own reality show: The Real (messed up) Housewife of Vicksburg. Here is an excerpt from my life lately as written in the Message translation.
What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise...I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
Who says the bible isn't relevant for today? Anyone else ever feel that way? Well thank God those aren't the only verses in the bible! Here is my mission for this week - it comes from Philippians 2:13 and the Amplified translation for your reading pleasure: (Not in your own strength) for it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you - energizing and creating in you the power and desire - both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Now, to me, that means that God will give me the will and the desire to do what I need to do, no matter what that is. Would God really concern Himself with my eating habits, my physical fitness, my day to day life? Well let's just say I don't see any of that left out of this verse. My goal this week is to not try to do it in my own strength. What that looks like I'm not exactly sure but I believe I will be able to give you a better idea by next week!
James1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Whose strength?
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH
This has not been a good few weeks in this department. Actually I've spent the better part of these last weeks fighting sickness - very unusual for me. I guess I really didn't know what to do, I'm a baaaaaad patient! My plan was to post a new picture this week but there is not much to show. The scale says 195 today. That is a loss of 2.5 pounds at least. Wish I had actually worked a little for that loss...I'm not really discouraged, just realizing that DOING what I know is a lot harder than saying I'm going to do what I know!
TESTIMONY
As I regroup for both of my goal areas I am meditating on this verse. 1 Timothy 4:8 Message 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. I have realized that, in my excitement to begin something new, I have once again begun in my own strength. I have focused on how I'm going to do what I do and left out the most important piece - without Him I can do nothing. Not matter what happens, God needs to be at the top of my priority list. This above verse shows me that this is how I will succeed at both my goals for this year.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH
This has not been a good few weeks in this department. Actually I've spent the better part of these last weeks fighting sickness - very unusual for me. I guess I really didn't know what to do, I'm a baaaaaad patient! My plan was to post a new picture this week but there is not much to show. The scale says 195 today. That is a loss of 2.5 pounds at least. Wish I had actually worked a little for that loss...I'm not really discouraged, just realizing that DOING what I know is a lot harder than saying I'm going to do what I know!
TESTIMONY
As I regroup for both of my goal areas I am meditating on this verse. 1 Timothy 4:8 Message 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. I have realized that, in my excitement to begin something new, I have once again begun in my own strength. I have focused on how I'm going to do what I do and left out the most important piece - without Him I can do nothing. Not matter what happens, God needs to be at the top of my priority list. This above verse shows me that this is how I will succeed at both my goals for this year.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Short week, long week.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH
Not a banner week. I know I said I would exercise 4 times but well...Actually I got sick this week. Now this doesn't happen to me very often. In fact I figure that last time I used sick time for myself was about 3 years ago. I didn't just get sick either - I got my butt handed to me. The good news is I didn't have an appetite (also only happened once about 3 years ago :) so I didn't eat much. Back to square one I guess. More exercise next week. It is good for me and I do enjoy it. Where does the time go?
TESTIMONY
In light of my battle with sickness I discovered that I am way better at "walking by faith not by sight" when my body is cooperating with me. I was a little disappointed with myself because I eventually I just gave in, rolled up in a ball and slept until I could function somewhat normally. It seems this faith walk is so much more than what I say. Not that I haven't had set backs like this before, I've just never talked about them. It occurs to me that this is part of what people mean when they say that Christians act one way in this situation but act differently in another. I suppose I have been guilty of this many times in the past. Being real and a Christian is challenging. I've learned so many phrases and rules and I really do believe most of them...
My goal here this week? Be real. Not crazy, just real. Not sure what that means. Maybe I'll know by next weekend!
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH
Not a banner week. I know I said I would exercise 4 times but well...Actually I got sick this week. Now this doesn't happen to me very often. In fact I figure that last time I used sick time for myself was about 3 years ago. I didn't just get sick either - I got my butt handed to me. The good news is I didn't have an appetite (also only happened once about 3 years ago :) so I didn't eat much. Back to square one I guess. More exercise next week. It is good for me and I do enjoy it. Where does the time go?
TESTIMONY
In light of my battle with sickness I discovered that I am way better at "walking by faith not by sight" when my body is cooperating with me. I was a little disappointed with myself because I eventually I just gave in, rolled up in a ball and slept until I could function somewhat normally. It seems this faith walk is so much more than what I say. Not that I haven't had set backs like this before, I've just never talked about them. It occurs to me that this is part of what people mean when they say that Christians act one way in this situation but act differently in another. I suppose I have been guilty of this many times in the past. Being real and a Christian is challenging. I've learned so many phrases and rules and I really do believe most of them...
My goal here this week? Be real. Not crazy, just real. Not sure what that means. Maybe I'll know by next weekend!
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
One week down, 51 to go!
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH:
Well this was a bit of an experimental week. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Is anybody else an emotional eater? I've never smoked or drank a lot, or used drugs. I do imagine however that I know how the "high" feels when I have a stressful day and I dig into some kind of snacky food and immediately I start to feel better. My drug of choice this week? Pretzel fish! Better than regular pretzels (and cute too!). It is amazing to me how much better I feel after I have inhaled the food of choice. I think I need a better way to cope.
This summer I was learning to use running as a stress release. Now it is way too cold outside for me so I am stuck with the treadmill. Much less satisfying let me just say. However it is what I have available right now. So this week I promise myself that I will get on that treadmill at least 4 days. Does that sound like enough? It is so hard to get home and get motivated to get the workout clothes on, get the Ipod, do the walk, take the shower...
I know - do I want some cheese to go with that wine?
Amyway - that's the goal here. Wish me luck.
TESTIMONY
I have heard it said "no test, no testimony." I'm beginning to think I have some testimony about to be available!
I found this encouragement in the Message translation of 2 Corinthians 7:5-7ish. Paul says "When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn't settle down. The fights in the church and the fear in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn't relax because we didn't know how it would turn out.
Wait a minute...Paul couldn't relax? He was on pins and needles? Sometimes I think we feel that we should never feel bad or uncomfortable or unhappy. Especially if you are part of a word of faith lifestyle. But here, the guy who wrote half the new testament says he was basically a basket case! Of course it doesn't stop there.
THEN THE GOD WHO LIFTS UP THE DOWNCAST LIFTED OUR HEADS AND OUR HEARTS with the arrival of Titus...
May every day this coming week be full of "then the God who lifts up!" That is really what it is all about. We can't be perfect all the time, or EVER. But we can turn to, trust in, and rely on the God who lifts up!
So that's the goal this week. I will feel, work, struggle, enjoy, watch, listen, and do my way through the week. But I will always remind myself that it is God who will lift me and move me forward. That's the testimony I want to have. Not what I did or what happened in my life but what God did for me and how it changed life as I know it.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
HEALTH:
Well this was a bit of an experimental week. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Is anybody else an emotional eater? I've never smoked or drank a lot, or used drugs. I do imagine however that I know how the "high" feels when I have a stressful day and I dig into some kind of snacky food and immediately I start to feel better. My drug of choice this week? Pretzel fish! Better than regular pretzels (and cute too!). It is amazing to me how much better I feel after I have inhaled the food of choice. I think I need a better way to cope.
This summer I was learning to use running as a stress release. Now it is way too cold outside for me so I am stuck with the treadmill. Much less satisfying let me just say. However it is what I have available right now. So this week I promise myself that I will get on that treadmill at least 4 days. Does that sound like enough? It is so hard to get home and get motivated to get the workout clothes on, get the Ipod, do the walk, take the shower...
I know - do I want some cheese to go with that wine?
Amyway - that's the goal here. Wish me luck.
TESTIMONY
I have heard it said "no test, no testimony." I'm beginning to think I have some testimony about to be available!
I found this encouragement in the Message translation of 2 Corinthians 7:5-7ish. Paul says "When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn't settle down. The fights in the church and the fear in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn't relax because we didn't know how it would turn out.
Wait a minute...Paul couldn't relax? He was on pins and needles? Sometimes I think we feel that we should never feel bad or uncomfortable or unhappy. Especially if you are part of a word of faith lifestyle. But here, the guy who wrote half the new testament says he was basically a basket case! Of course it doesn't stop there.
THEN THE GOD WHO LIFTS UP THE DOWNCAST LIFTED OUR HEADS AND OUR HEARTS with the arrival of Titus...
May every day this coming week be full of "then the God who lifts up!" That is really what it is all about. We can't be perfect all the time, or EVER. But we can turn to, trust in, and rely on the God who lifts up!
So that's the goal this week. I will feel, work, struggle, enjoy, watch, listen, and do my way through the week. But I will always remind myself that it is God who will lift me and move me forward. That's the testimony I want to have. Not what I did or what happened in my life but what God did for me and how it changed life as I know it.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Two Things I Know to Do
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Okay here goes. I have declared 2011 to be the year of doing what I know. I have vast amounts of information but in some areas I have not been very good about applying that information. This year I am walking (and blogging) through two of the most important ones. I blog to make myself accountable and I walk because these are things I really need to do.
Number one: HEALTH
What do I know about health, nutrition, and fitness? Tons. I have read so many books, tried so many plans. I've run a 10K, a half marathon, and a sprint triathalon. I have been a vegetarian for the last year. Oh yea - and I'm at least 40 pounds overweight. This part of my journey is going to be a before and after journey. Above is the before picture - 196.5 pounds according to the scale in my bathroom. My goal is to record my weekly journey to the health I KNOW I can have and add pictures each month. Hopefully we'll get to see the change together! So my plan? Eat well - for me this is no meat (I don't really like it), no dairy (doesn't really agree with me), and no junk food at least to start. The big question is why do I continue to consume things that make me feel terrible and look - well not like I'd like to look. At my age (45) I could easily give up, go for baggy clothes, and enjoy my potato chips. I just believe there is something better out there for me.
Okay Number Two: TESTIMONY
I have been a Christian for over 25 years. I believe that Jesus came to earth as a man, died on the cross for my sins, and rose again. I believe that there is a heaven and a hell and when I die I will go to heaven because I believe in Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him. I have spent the last two years seriously studying the bible and praying and I feel I know much about what God has for me to do and what He is in my life. HOWEVER because I KNOW these things doesn't mean that I am great at sharing them with others. I think it is sad that I hold these beliefs yet I don't share them with people in my life. My goal in this area is to become a doer of the word and begin to share with others what I believe to be the most important knowledge in the world. Again I will come back weekly to update how I have progressed in this area as well. So important, so vital. I am trusting for opportunities to converse with people and let His light shine through me instead of keeping it shut up in my room for my benefit only.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Okay here goes. I have declared 2011 to be the year of doing what I know. I have vast amounts of information but in some areas I have not been very good about applying that information. This year I am walking (and blogging) through two of the most important ones. I blog to make myself accountable and I walk because these are things I really need to do.
Number one: HEALTH
Okay Number Two: TESTIMONY
I have been a Christian for over 25 years. I believe that Jesus came to earth as a man, died on the cross for my sins, and rose again. I believe that there is a heaven and a hell and when I die I will go to heaven because I believe in Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him. I have spent the last two years seriously studying the bible and praying and I feel I know much about what God has for me to do and what He is in my life. HOWEVER because I KNOW these things doesn't mean that I am great at sharing them with others. I think it is sad that I hold these beliefs yet I don't share them with people in my life. My goal in this area is to become a doer of the word and begin to share with others what I believe to be the most important knowledge in the world. Again I will come back weekly to update how I have progressed in this area as well. So important, so vital. I am trusting for opportunities to converse with people and let His light shine through me instead of keeping it shut up in my room for my benefit only.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
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