40 Days in The Wilderness - To fast or not to fast.....

 

 Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the Yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exalt n the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. 

Habakkuk 3:17-18

My devotion this morning was centered around my food addiction - what can I do to get in the right frame of mind - to put God over food and really make happen what needs to happen. In another book I'm reading, the first chapter is about fasting - about choosing 7 foods and eating only those 7 foods for 4 weeks....so in my bible time today I was led to Deuteronomy 8: In my NIV bible it is titled "Do not forget the Lord". 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you causing you hunger and then fed you with manna - to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

In a book by John Piper, John says: 'The son of God began his earthly ministry with a 40 day fast. This should give us pause. Especially if we - who are not God - have moved into ministry heedless of the battle we may have to fight.....can we really face the superhuman hazards of life and ministry without walking with Jesus through the wilderness of fasting? ...I think we must walk there to learn from him. He was the son of God, and we are not, but he did say "As the Father has sent me, I also send you" John 20:21. - wow, wow, wow!   And Charles Spurgeon said:  'If he who was the light of the world fought for his fire with fasting, is there something to be learned here for our flickering wicks?'

For me, a fast is in order. I'm taking the challenge fasting by choosing 7 foods for the next 40 days. As I fast I plan on spending every morning in prayer not focusing on ME and my needs - but in focusing on what Jesus went thru for me. It doesn't seem enough to just pray for deliverance from this issue - I think God truly wants me to focus on his gifts to me - what all He has done for me - because, living in the flesh I'm not getting it. Perhaps if I fast and pray and reflect as he did 40 days in the wilderness, I will not only become closer to Him but will stop making food such a huge part of my life -that I will use it for fuel instead of pleasure - and get a small feeling of what His shoes felt like. - I will let you know what 7 foods I choose and you can help me stay accountable on my walk! 

Maybe a fast of some sort may be what you need as well. John Piper has a great book out - 'Hunger for God' - there he talks about fasting and why we need it periodically. A fast is simply giving up something you LOVE - something that will not be comfortable to give up - something that will send you to The Word instead of the refrigerator - maybe that's the diet soda you have been drinking, or sugar - maybe it's the flavored creamer you are using many times a day - A fast does not mean you have to go without eating - see Daniel's fast in the bible - tailor your fast, but remember - it must be uncomfortable, any attempt to walk in the shoes of Jesus is going to be just that.

Thanks for letting me share my morning devotion! And how appropriate that I read another devotion this morning that reiterated loud and clear that I need to get out of the flesh and into The Word -I need to quit messing around and start surrendering all to Him, I need to Let Go and Let God. Praising God for perfect words and perfect timing.  

 

 

 

Let It Go - Ego and All

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  

What you say flows from what is in your heart

Luke 6:45

As some of you may know, I am participating in an online bible study that is reading 'Let it Go' by Karen Ehman.  The last two chapters (6 & 7) of the book have sure shed some not so great light on me! Challenging me to decipher all aspects of my family life - leaning towards, I am just not perfect (does that surprise you!? I am sure not).

In this last chapter I determined I really have a BIG, BIG ego!  Yes, I have an ego. I went through life thinking that was truly a man thing - ha, I was mistaken.  I think mine might be just as big if not bigger than my husbands! (all written in love guys!)   Karen says, Lets face it, women who have control of the clock are viewed as confident and capable, especially by their slower sisters who often struggle to stay true to task' - 'Control of the Clock' - that's me! I'm up at the crack of dawn, hitting the gym - feeding my dogs - getting Blair's turkey bacon cooked, and am prepared to hit my home office around 8:00 am!  I am GREAT at controlling the clock! ~or ladies,  am I just great at attempting to control it  (for not just myself but everyone else in my home as well)....  and wait a minute, it says we are "VIEWED" as confident and capable - it certainly doesn't mean we are ~ or always are.   I love when someone says "Hey Kelley, how in the world do you do all you do!?" - it boosts my ego a little more each time. I feel good walking into a room "in my egg" for everyone to know who I am.  Unfortunately, this confident capable person that thinks she's doing so much and getting so much accomplished is truly sinking....YES sinking.  I run around 'barking' orders to my family, getting all uptight when I'm a little behind schedule - or when someone doesn't do something that fits into my picture perfect plan....the truth is it's time to (pg 140) 'step off the treadmill long enough to evaluate - to determine whether the problem lies in the speed at which I've cranked the machine or how high I  have set the incline'  I already know the answer.  Do you?

"A soft answer turns away wrath, / but a harsh word stirs up anger" 

(Proverbs 15:1 (ESV

-----that being said, Karen says, 'the spirit reminds me to find my identify in Christ, not in a facade of capability and certainly not in others opinions of me'. Oh how difficult this is for an approval-addict'   Yes, I know that I am an Approval Addict. Can you see yourself in any of the following? I do ~ and reading them on paper doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy - makes me feel LESS THAN the perfect I strive for - puts a little tiny hole in my own personal EGO balloon. Check the list out:

~ You consider yourself a people pleaser

~ You are overly responsible and take on the responsibilities of others

~ You say "yes" when you know you should say "no"

~ You strive to be like "X" teacher/person

~ You depend on others' approval to determine your self-worth

~ You fear rejection or conflict

~ Even when you are doing well, it's not enough

~ If you do something that someone else doesn't approve of, you feel guilt or stress

How did you do?  So, we've already determined I have an ego, I'm an Approval Addict, can it possibly get any worse?

Karen says, 'Being on time and on task gives us a feeling of authority. We're calling the plays, determining the direction of the day. We feel powerful and important when we are at the helm as as the 'Master of our Destinies".  Authority makes us feel powerful and important and it feels good!  It does me, but maybe that's me.  My pastor would say "You all are probably too spiritual for authority to make you feel powerful and important" -in his teasing way. Somehow, I'm thinking the truth in this isn't going to do anything but create more tirades internally and with our families.  We are making our lives all about what makes us feel good - taking on more than we should to please others (giving us more of an emotional 'boost', a euphoria).  Watch out ladies, none of this, NONE sounds like it could possibly bring glory to God.  Where is HE in all of this?

If I am spending my life looking for approval from others, boosting my ego by doing whatever I can to appear confident, capable and TOGETHER (isn't that it ladies, we want to look as if we have it all together?) and I'm not consulting my Heavenly Father for guidance in all I do, then I'm not bringing Him glory and that, my friends, breaks my heart.

Karen quoted Missionary Amy Carmichael  - "If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup of brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however it is suddenly jolted" - DEFINITELY POWERFUL words to think about ladies!!!!! We need to write this on an index card and post it many places around our houses, offices, cars, etc.    I have many, many sudden jars in my life - 98% self-inflicted as I trudge forward doing what makes me feel good, what boosts my ego - not necessarily what brings glory to Him.  I want to get to the place where with any 'sudden jar' the only words that come out of my mouth are those given to me by my Heavenly Father.

What if we stepped off the treadmill of life long enough to do a little evaluation, deciding whether the problem lies in the speed at which we've cracked the machine's dial and the incline we have set for the climb???

If our minds and bodies are full of a million things going on for all the wrong reasons - for 'feel good' reasons, if we are snapping at our children or our spouses, if we're doing things that cause the outside world to think we walk on water (and we like it), that we have it together perfectly, then we need to re-evaluate our priorities and the reasons we are doing what we are doing.  Our hearts cannot possibly be full of the loving, sweet things our family deserves, we cannot possibly speak from the heart.  If there is one thing I have found through this study it is that I am full of weaknesses that cause me to lash out at those closest to me when things don't go m way or people aren't doing what I think they should be doing.

 'What you say flows from what is in your heart (Luke 6:45 NLT) 

 May we Jesus-lovin' women choose to hesitate before we hurl.  Rather than feisty, may we be friendly instead.  (Karen Ehman)

Here's some awesome wisdom from Karen:

Learning to walk the fine line between controlling and conscientious is a constant yet sanctifying struggle.  It will keep you going to God for direction.  It will find you asking for forgiveness for the times you blow it (there will be many).  It will force you out of a stance of selfishness and into a posture of grace. You'll become skilled at putting others before yourself, adept at deference, familiar with compromise, and willing to yield your rights.  You'll stop hovering over your home and start hallowing it - to God's glory, not your own.

Prayer for Today

 Dear God:

Thank you for Karen, for sharing her awesome wisdom and heart with us throughout this study.  Thank you for each woman participating that struggles, like me, with EGO issues - with the need to please people, with the need to fill their lives up with so many things that they can't possibly do all of them - leaving them frustrated, ill-tempered, and quick to lash out at their families and those closest to them.  Forgive us for our weaknesses, for desires of the flesh. Please show us the way Father to become the mothers and wives that will bring only honor and glory to you through all we do. Bless each sweet sister in this study, all of our leaders and the P31 team.  It is our prayer that with this study we will grow closer to you, each other, and that our lives will change as we begin to put you first in our lives - making sure the glory is yours!  We love you Father. Amen

Managing our Marriages

'Controlling things is a strength and carried to an extreme becomes a weakness' - Karen Ehman

 Happy Valentines Day!  

Praying you are blessed with Love and more Love on this special day!

I am having a wonderful time participating in an on-line bible study with Proverbs 31 Ministries. We are reading together a book by Karen Ehman, Let it Go.  (Something we all struggle with, day in and day out!).  It is especially fitting this week as we study a chapter titled "Managing Your Man".   Ya know with Valentines Day and Love and relationships - perfect timing right!?  Pffffftttttt - not for everyone!  Tough chapter for couples that are both followers of Christ, but even more difficult for couples where ONE is a follower of Christ and one is a only believer, choosing not to be a follower; but that is story for another blog!

 I thought this chapter would be a no brainer for me - I am married to a believer, but not a follower....I attend church alone, life groups alone..he knows very few of my church friends nor does he know my association with my P31 girls, or other areas (he does think my pastor is cool! so that's a positive!).....scary thing is, if I died today I would really need my friends to dive in to make sure all the right "stuff" was done for my funeral (CELEBRATION!) and all the right people were there! Lord knows I don't want any sad organ music and quiet in the church at my funeral!  (but that's another topic!).  I love the man dearly, been married 20 years - but it can be pretty darned rocky at times - couples like us just don't see things in the same light. Don't feel bad for these odd-ball couples like us (and there are many!) God has a purpose and it will become known - meanwhile, just when you pray at night - pray for those that aren't equally yoked and of the same spirit...God transforms and if you will just Let it Go - He's got it!

Let's talk about the behavior of the  Christ Follower (ME!)- they are always right!  Right?  I read Karen's words about throwing "flesh balls"  (definition: words verbally hurled at each other) and how we "wallow in the flesh, stooping down and scooping up a big ole helping of it to hurl our spouses way" - OUCH!  I truly felt like I was hit by HUGE 90 lb. steel ball.  Gotta admit, I've thrown many of my own  flesh balls and truth is, even in the midst of my christian walk right now, I am still guilty (yep, I continue to throw 'em).  Then our author brings our attention back to God, to the Word.  "walk by the spirit" and not "gratifying the desires of the flesh" (Gal 5:15).   (Jesus Slap!) Karen, did you have to go there?  UGH....... BUT.....
 
I know that  I AM ALWAYS RIGHT,  MY WAY IS THE BEST WAY,  I KNOW BEST!  Isn't that the case with most of us women?  (Puuullllease).  As much as we like to think so, NOT.   In our study, Karen says "As a woman you'll desire to be the boss (well I am, right?), but your husband has already been assigned that job description"  Biblically  - OUCH, really?  "He is the leader, by virtue of his office.  Whether he's doing his job or not is up for debate.  One can hold an office or title and refuse to fulfill the duties of that office".- WELL, then.  Isn't that special - so, where does that leave me?   Personally for me, I immediately feel like I have to just accept every decision, every act, everything - the Bible says wives are to submit to your husbands - so he's the boss, we submit. So, what, we're supposed to just give in to our husbands without a fight when we disagree?  We just let him make decisions that WE think don't make any sense?  "BUT God, He's NOT a follower and I am! How can this possibly be the case? Bottom line,  I am right more than he is, hands down" - every try to justify or argue with God....there is no winning with that!

Hang with me!  It's getting good - pretty soon we'll have it all figured out - (or we won't!)!

SO when we get into these 'flesh ball' battles, are they a result of an attempt to manipulate our husband in a situation or because we are attempting to influence a decision their making?  Is there a difference?   Ladies, think about that for a few minutes.  I've concocted many a manipulating scheme or two to 'influence' my husband! (So, which is it?)  But yeah I know - none of you have EVER done that! There's so much from this chapter to share - so stay with me!  'Dr. Juli Slattery author of 'Finding the Hero in Your husband' wrote, 'Wives are called to use their influence to help their husbands - not to manipulate'.....'Influence is overt and clear; however, manipulation can be subtle and deceptive' - WOW!  and double whammy!  Karen says, 'When we twist what could be God glorifying influence and morph it into manipulation, we cross the line and the results are not good' -  Well yep, experienced this first hand a time or two, caused some knock down drag outs - nevermind throwing flesh balls - might as well have been boulders! What does God say?

The Bible Says:
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter or resentful toward them.  (Col 3:18-19)

In Ephesians 5, Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the water with the Word.

  ...... if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. (1 Cor 7)

Easy?  nope-If marriage were easy, there would be no divorce - no divorce lawyers - no custody battles over children - no child psychiatrist visits for a child traumatized by parents that are using them as a tool - life would be peaceful, homes peaceful and people would be married for years and years like our grandparents and great grandparents - when divorce was NOT an option very often, if at all.   It is even harder when one spouse is a follower and another not.

Here's what I learned from this chapter:

<3   First and foremost, God's timing is impeccable - always perfect!  Trust in it. (I get it's not easy!)

<3   My husband is the leader of my house; whether he fulfills his duties or not is between him and God
 
<3  Hurling 'Flesh balls'.  There is nothing to gain, it brings no glory to God and only gives us instant gratification that turns into long term pain.  

<3   Manipulation is not of God.  It must play no role in my marriage or my life.  Provide loving influence that only brings glory to  God.

<3   Extreme control becomes total weakness.  

<3   It's all good, if it's all God!

<3   LET IT GO and LET GOD!

Today ladies, think about ways that you can build up your husband!  All of these flesh ball fights and manipulation schemes bring lasting hurt to our husbands.  How can we make today different?

<3  LET GO and LET GOD

<3 Focus on his positive traits. The good things!

<3 Stop attempting to control every situation and decision.  Let him wear the pants in the family like he is meant to.  Provide positive and loving influence only.

<3 Pray over him and his life - let God do His job while we love our husbands and do the job God has laid out for us to do.  TRUST GOD! 

<3  Spend every day finding positive ways you can build your husband up!  As humans, living in the flesh, none of us are perfect - we all need motivation, positive feedback, and all the things that build up our self-esteem and our confidence, that make feel good.  Remember, as the leader of our homes, our husbands have a really BIG tough job.  As Godly wives, do everything you can to make his job easier, to build his self-esteem and confidence, to let him know he is loved. 
 

Prayer

Father God I pray today for every marriage.  For the spouses that are not Christ followers; that their hearts be softened and that they begin to understand that believing in you is one thing, but following you and living out their lives as you instruct is what it's all about. I pray that as wives we trust in You.  That we let it all go and surrender to you ,  that we can move forward without having to control every situation and that in doing so we will eliminate the fights that take place within our marriage as a result of this need to control.  I pray we will all spend more time in Your Word, absorbing what we need to build up our spouses and grow closer to them instead of participating in and allowing gaps to grow bigger and bigger.  Allow us to remember the love we had for our spouses when we first met - allow us to remember the reasons we married them - allow us to feel those strong connections to them again now, through you.  Most of all may we relinquish them and our marriages to you right now and TRUST you in all things.  We love you Father.  We worship and praise you. It's in your Holy and most precious name we pray.  Amen

GOOD STUFF!  Check it out!

http://melissataylor.org/2013/02/13/chapter-4-managing-your-man/

Memory Verse:  http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875393810446/

Chapter 3:  http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875393810451/

Chapter 3:  http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875393810455/

Chapter 4:  http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875393810461/

Chapter 4:  http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875393810466/


 










              

 

Words - Quantity or Quality?

 

This week I was hit 'upside the head' (as I've heard some southerners say) and God told me it was time to get back to my Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible study group!  I know His plan is for me to grow further in my relationship with HIM as well as encourage, support, and share with those that are there for the same reason - all to grow in our relationships with Him.

I have not done a good job of keeping up my blog because I felt it had to be BIG, had to be a ton of words - ha, I was wrong.  It's all about the seed that is planted with the words written - that means, could be 5 words, could be 10 words or 50 words.  It's the quality of those words that makes the difference.  You never know the affect your words may have on another!

Today in our Proverbs31 Study - by the way, we are reading and studying 'Let It Go' by Karen Ehman - is blog hopping day.  I have been assigned 5 blogs to read and comment on today AND in addition to that in my Let it Go on-line study group, I had a couple of Jesus  Girls share their blogs!  What I found was - it truly isn't the number of words on a blog, or paper - or facebook - it's the quality of what's within those words!     

Sharing is important.  The encouragement and support you could bring another is what it's all about.  However you choose to use your words, write each one with a plan to plant a seed ~  Your words may be the only words someone reads or hears today - make them count!

 

Attitude - Where is yours getting you?



Ah, if it were only that easy, huh!? 

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” ~Thomas Jefferson

So, here we go again - we all KNOW it's a mind game, yet we continue to do the same thing over and over again - the clear definition of INSANITY.    We know what we are supposed to do, we have the tools at our fingertips - yet we keep playing this game with ourselves.....we are unable to take charge of our minds so we week after week, day after day - we play this ridiculous game.  It's total WARFARE within our minds.  I've been knee deep in the fight myself so I know first hand what the real deal is.

I've been doing quite well with my working out and eating habits!  My mindset has been GREAT!  I've been working at it regularly and made my mind up....this issue with food is NOT going to beat me.  I WILL reach my goal. Are you feeling the POWER in my words!?  The issue is, how do we all get that POWER!  Better yet, I want to be able to wave a magic wand and give it to you - but I can't.  You gotta want it bad enough and you gotta find your internal fight to save what you are allowing to be destroyed.

This weekend was awesome!  I went down to Myrtle Beach Friday night - rode the huge SkyWheel (Ferris Wheel) overlooking the world (well, not the world, but you know what I mean!) - got up Saturday morning and went roller skating!  Skated 2 hours - felt muscles in my calves I haven't felt for ages - and truly thought my left hip was going to pop out of my side....but battled it! My mind was set that I was going to get some good exercise in while I was there. - Then, we were going to a live Nativity Christmas program at a church there and needed to grab dinner.  In looking for a place to eat near the church, we found a really neat pizza place....did you catch that PIZZA?  (a little justification is that there wasn't much in the little town) The entire pizza parlor had christian band posters all around it, each napkin holder on the table had scriptures on the side- it was very cool! AND, my mind was SET.  I was going to eat my pizza in moderation and all would be GREAT.   HA!  Who am I trying to fool!?   I ate 3 pieces of pizza in the restaurant and 1 late that night.  Can you say FAILURE!?   4 large, thick pieces of pizza!  No moderation in sight.  I am sure we all realize there was salad on that menu!  Being from up north - I love a good pizza and THIS was a good pizza!  So, why didn't I just order salad?  Plain and simple - I didn't want rabbit food - I wanted pizza.

After all the  'warfare'  that went on in my mind up to that point, you would have thought I would have had no problem doing what I knew was the right thing to do. So, what's up with not being able to handle myself in a food situation?? 

What was my mind telling me?  "It's okay, you didn't eat much today",  "You'll jump right back on tomorrow",  "Pizza isn't that bad".. ....anything I possibly could to justify the fact that I ate that much pizza!

What could I have done differently?  Where do we go wrong?  It's all in the mind - - - - we need to learn how to renew our minds and do what is right for our bodies, do what brings Glory to God.  Heck, the scary thing is - we cannot do it for Him, we cannot do it for us - so where does it end?  What gives us the empowerment, the push to want to do it?

For me, its true, the pizza night came and went and I was still able to eat properly and keep my mind in order  the next day - after I beat myself up pretty bad- I am still 'on the wagon'.  The night wasn't a disaster like it has been in the past.  I have control.  You too have got to dig deep and find this place...this place where you can have a little more than normal one day and be able to pick up the pieces the next day.  I promise when you see that scale move after a week or two of diligent exercise and eating right - you will not want to damage it in any way.  I have lost 42 lbs. and do not want to mess that up in any way, shape, or form.  It's amazing what that will do to your mindset. I will tell you that falling off that wagon after losing the initial 102 lbs. 4 years ago and gaining that weight back pretty well put me in the ground mentally. The hardest thing in the world was to make it happen again; in having the confidence, the mindset, the empowerment to do it. 

BUT, I did it.  You can do it.  It's very hard to do it for someone/something we cannot see.  This higher power of ours - Jesus Christ.  I know, however that HE is my rock. He is my STRENGTH. I prayed and prayed for God to deliver me from food and to just take this desire to eat from me.  AND he has but not before I truly put in my 100 percent.  It's not going to be handed to us - it's going to take hard work and prayer - because our Jesus is like that.  It's about making us better - spiritually.  About growing in our relationship with Him.  Scripture says: 

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Romans 12:2

Positive Word Minsitries says:  'Renewing the mind is the replacement of our old values with the attitudes, beliefs, and concepts of God as revealed in His Word'.. 

'Satan's primary attack will be against the mind of the believer. The mind is the only territory over which you have complete control. You determine what you think about; you determine what you do'  - Also Positive Word Ministries.

Think about that!  Make Changes.  Start with a 3 day fast - a Daniel Fast of sorts.  It will bring control to your mind when joined together with prayer.  It will show you a sense of  "I CAN DO THIS" and bring you closer to the Father while you do it.

ACTION:   What are you going to do different today, this minute, right now?  Let us know.  Find an Accountability Partner and USE THEM! 


PRAYER:  Father God, lifting each person up to you today.  Asking that you will work in their minds today - that they will truly become Empowered through you. That they regain control over their minds and begin treating their temple as Your Word instructs.  Thank you Father for being the ever powerful, the creator of each of us, creator of this universe.  Thank you for the blessings that are abundant in each of our lives.  I pray father that you will work in our hearts so that for you we can do anything and everything to bring glory to you.  I ask these things in your Holy and Most Precious Name.  Amen.



That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

Endorphines - God's Gift of Well Being!

Good Morning!!! It certainly has been awhile since I have blogged and just as long since we were supposed to start our book "Younger Next Year".   Quite simply, life keeps on going even when we can't seem to keep up! Circumstances change from day to day - it's difficult to truly plan those 'optional', non-required activities.  As a note, we are going to read this book together!

Personally my life has been crazy.  You know - Many, many uncontrollable circumstances that keep us from the things we want to do most - and adding layers and layers of additional stress.   Funny thing is, all I have wanted to do for the past week is EXERCISE!~  It's true!  I want to be working every part of my body - sweating profusely - beating bags and training hard.  SERIOUSLY, it has been a huge craving for me this week!  Of course, I was able to hit the gym Friday, Saturday, Monday and then poof - I have not been able to get back in! Amazingly enough my eyes were opened (WIDE) and I was able to see the affect being in the gym has on my eating habits, my mental alertness, and my ability to function as I need to.  It's then that 

I'm not so happy, attitude is way down, and I truly, truly miss the feeling I have when I'm in the gym  I leave the gym renewed and in a position to take on the world.

Last Friday and Saturday I was the only one that showed up for the beginner Muay Thai class (yes, my exercise of choice!).  Love it!  Love the punching, the kicking - learning about Muay thai and working on technique while I have the ability to get a major physical work out in.  This being said I had 2 solid hours with our awesome trainer.  I started the week out in BIG ways!  It's amazing what that did for my "psych'ee".  As the week progressed, without the opportunity to be in the gym, the stressors that presented themselves stole every ounce of the POWER and STAMINA that was stored so neatly in the vault of my being.  I didn't like the weakness I then saw in me - I much preferred that person I was on Monday!  They say endorphines make a world of difference in our lives and I believe it!

What are they? -

Endorphins ("endogenous morphine") are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters.^[1] They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise,^[2] excitement, pain, they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.

OK guys, for my Jesus girls, Endorphines are God given!  They are not mixed in a bottle - you can't buy them.  HOWEVER, we can produce them naturally if we get off our butts!

It's winter - it's cold (in most places for most of us) - exercise is not fun in the cold - some can't afford gyms or don't want to grace a gym with their presence right now....excuse after excuse after excuse.  If we already know that any kind of exercise is going to produce these awesome endorphines - why in the world would we not want to produce them!

They give us a feeling of WELL BEING! So, although exercise is one of the major component for our weight loss- look what it generates for our every day lives!   The feeling of well being - this is by design - God's design!  Not mans. 

Today as I head to my morning Muay Thai class, I want to leave you with this.  Find YOUR means for exercise; for generating endorphines.  Watch what this does to your attitude, to your feeling of well being, to your feelings of self-worth.   Leslie Sansone's DVDs are awesome, walk right in your living room along with some upbeat peeps looking for the same things you are - no need to hit the cold outside.  Find a gym class in your area.  Kickboxing is awesome - similar to what I do and you will love watching yourself grow into a better feeling much happier person.

Forget the scale for now - forget even the strict diet for now - I promise if you will increase your exercise and do something for 30 minutes daily, you will see a life change.  You won't want to fill your body with stuff that will just bring back down the awesome goodness you've been putting in it.

A couple of words of wisdom I'd like to share with you today are:

The best way to win a war is without a battle. The best way to a naturally thin life is one that doesn't require a daily dose of weight loss motivation as a cure for dieting.

Let's try another approach - a natural, God-Given dose of life - that comes in the form of Endorphines.  This one costs NOTHING.  I do suggest finding your niche - find what is fun to you and run with it!!!!  If that means running in the yard playing soccer with your kids for 30 minutes - DO IT!  Mine is Muay Thai - it has to be what you love and can't feel like WORK.  You will find tho, I promise, you want to do more and more and train harder and harder.  The feelings created by natural endorphines are addictive! 

And Remember,

Hebrews 12:11: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

Disciple is a necessity in life - for everything we do.  the rewards are tremendous!   Take accountability to change your life this week - get moving!!


Dear God,
I pray this week that we will get our endorphines flowing - that we will experience feelings of well-being like we never have before and we thank you for this natural medicine - created by your design for just this purpose.  Help us to use it to better ourselves and rebuild, repair, or main our temples.  All to bring glory to you.   Amen.

1 Cor 6:19-20   - Daily Reminder!

Love today and Always, Kelley

The best way to win a war is without a battle. The best way to a naturally thin life is one that doesn't require a daily dose of weight loss motivation as a cure for dieting.

Younger Next Year ~ Warming Up

So, Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Reminder:  (Taken from The Lord's Table, Mike Cleveland)

If we set out on this course to lose weight for our own glory we cannot expect God's assistance.  Since God is the greatest good, He sets out to work all things for his own glory, and if we seek to lose weight for our own glory we are at a cross purposes with God.  He will not share his glory with another (Isaiah 48:11).  This concept is very important to understand, so let's look at an illustration of this in Judges 7:2: "The Lord said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful saying, "My own power has delivered me".

Day 1 of The Lord's Table is all about proper motivation. And, No, we are not reading it for this study - but because Younger Next Year is not christian based - I think it is important that we remember who's we are and partner up with Him during this study - giving Him the glory for the things we will learn from Younger Next Year.    I want us to remember this first and foremost.  Now, onto our featured book.......

WOW,  Younger Next year is going to teach us some cool stuff! Just the foreward of the book has given me some 'umph ~ I feel butterflies in my stomach and almost like a veil of days gone bad is beginning to lift!   It's almost like we have  to push ourselves into a change in our 'Psych'y'.....in our mental state - like before we can go a step further we need to tap into our fight - our drive - our desire. We need to decide we are not willing to settle for the stereotypical roles of middle age - or in the case of my daughter who is in her late 20's - decide we are not going to take after our mothers who have hit middle age!  Being 47, I am at a deficit - I yo-yo dieted all my life - but didn't truly make a lifestyle change. It has always been my desire to lose weight quickly - the quicker the better as far as I was concerned - thus why I am fighting to lose the same 100 lbs. yet again.  

In the Foreward, Gail Sheehy (an Author) gives us awesome insight - her insight after having read the book and taking a stab at implementing some of the things Dr. Harry and Chris Crowley advise. From participating in a strip-dance class, to 20 mile a day bike rides, to boot camp at the local YWCA.....She quotes some great things our author will cover....

"We urge you NOT to start gradually"  (WHAT?  this is unlike everything we have ever heard! aren't all programs started gradually?"

'Chris Crowley .....He's a recovery case, years younger at seventy than when he retired from a Wall Street law firm and began wondering who he would be, once stripped of his professional status...he started the usual slide into fat and foolishness but caught himself and reversed direction - he now looks like a 50 year old hunk'  - Fat and Foolishness - ouch!  Been there, done that - have the t-shirt and the book.

'Dr. Harry Lodge is only 47 (um, my age, only 47?)...M.D., teacher, and man of Science.  He tells readers that after 50 we start to decay....Unless we signal or bodies to keep growing by exercising 6 (YES 6) days a week our bodies head downhill.  Exercise provides the signal that jolts our cells into repairing and renewing themselves and releases the chemicals that bathe our brains in positive feelings.' -  Bathe our brains in positive feelings! doesn't this sound wonderful.......

Gail also talks about giving your body what it needs - rest, spiritual refreshment, and physical jump start.....good habits of mind and body.  She talks about what it takes to become committed to continuing our 'Second Adulthood'. ~ this is why I chose this book!!!

Are you ready to get started!?  Reading assignments are below. 

For my ladies that are Tackling their Temple with me - I am looking for some of you ladies to help with blogging!  If you are interested in blogging on anything below, let me know!  I really want you to participate and I think the best way to do that is for you guys to help with blogging and sharing!

Reading Assignments

Tuesday - Read the Foreward Only - by Gail Sheehy, also an author.

Thursday - Read Welcome to the Revolution - by the authors, Chris and Harry

Saturday - Read the Introduction

Monday -  Part One - Take Charge of Your Body /  - Chapter 1 The Next 40 Years

                 Read Page 3- 9 (stop at "You Do Have to Age but You Don't Have to Rot"

Wednesday -  Page 9-12  Read - 'You Do have to Age, but you don't have to Rot' AND

                                               'What I bring to the Party: A Report from the Front'

Friday - Page 12 -14  Read 'What Harry Brings to the Party: The Truth'

Saturday - Page 14-18  Read 'Meeting Harry and Getting a New Start'

My Prayer for Us

Dear God,  I pray today that you will walk beside us as we read this book - that you will help us to work together with you to find the desire to become healthy, that we can find in you the strength and power to do what needs to be done to break the cycle of bad and unhealthy habits. Thank you Father for each person here - for what they contribute every day - for their accomplishments -for their struggles - for all of those things that make them who they are. May all we do bring only glory to you. We love you Father and ask all these things in your name, Amen.

 



Tackling our Temples for Him

'Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?  You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price so you must honor God with your body'

2nd Corinthians 6:19-20

- Isn't this the story of our lives! 

How many of us are sick and tired of being sick and tired!?  How many of us start every day saying that we are going to do better today - Today's the Day!  I got this!  This is happening!  Only to make it to lunch time and end up going out for a group lunch - where salad just did not appeal to you, but the pizza or lasagna did?   Man Look, (favorite phrase from a friend) - this is me!

I am the champion of yo-yo dieting - I have been thru Weight Watchers (age 12), LA Weight Loss, Nutri-Systems, Physicians Weight Loss - all were successful.  I KNOW how to do this - I know my body.  I am no longer 12 but 47 and have lost the same 100 lbs. many times over.  Am I looking for success in all the wrong places (isn't that a song or a cliche?) - Am I going about this the wrong way?

I started a private facebook group that that includes awesome women all in the same position, some having very successful results and others not - all christian and very sweet awesome women.  We share, encourage, love and support each other in huge ways - (private because not everyone needs to hear how we binged and ate a carton of  ice cream straight from the container until it was gone at 3:00 in the morning!).....I'm finding, it's still not enough.  We still are struggling.  So, how do we find that FIGHT?  How do we find that WANT to?  How did I do it so many times before?  I wish I knew!  I'd be rich! (in more ways than one!)

Shouldn't 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 be enough motivation?  I am doing everything in my power to give God the glory and honor he deserves, every day of my life.   OR AM I?  Obviously, painfully, I am not!

- - - - back in August I went on an amazing mission trip to Nicaragua.  I wish I could go every month or every quarter -  it was then that I realized I was spending way too much time participating in ministries that were basically small groups on-line - studying a book, studying scriptures and sharing - I loved it - I absolutely loved it.  I loved the blogging and the fun I had while studying the word.  BUT I needed to reach the lost. Most everyone doing the studies were already christian women and well on their way to incredible relationships with our Father. So, I prayerfully gave up that ministry work to find a way to reach the lost AND do the number one thing I've been trying to do for some time now - get my temple physically and spiritually in sound order so that I can do the work of my Father - being his strong and healthy hands and feet.  THAT is where I am at today! 

It is my prayer that through this blog as I share my heart and daily struggles - when I share scripture and excerpts from my reading that I will touch one lost person, or will say the words that help another.  I pray I have the ability to accomplish multiple things through words and actions, starting here and now.  We all know ACTIONS speak louder than words and I try to make sure I live out what I speak. Results are not always perfect - but then again, if we were perfect we would not need our Father.

Check back for new posts and let me know what you like or give us a topic to talk about - This page is for US as we get our temples spiritually and physically fit to be a disciple of God working at 150% capacity - all the time!

- Facebook sharing page coming soon.  I will post the link

Let us Pray - Heavenly Father, thank you for today - for second chances, for love, for life, and for the opportunity to bring you honor and glory every day.  I ask that you will be with this group - every reader - every person participating in a "fight" to get their temples in order.  Fill us with your power and strength, allow us to absorb every scripture and use it to grow closer to you in every way. Give us a compassion for each other and guide our paths.  May every action and every word bring only glory to you.  Amen.

Taking Action- there is a book out Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, MD.  You can get the Gift package on Amazon for around $13.00.  See Link below.  I am reading this book now and it's awesome.  I will share here often, I'm sure. 

Here's a few sentences I'll leave you with:

70% of what you feel as aging is optional!  (WOW!) - I get that!

'Heart attacks and strokes are the great killers of women......but the terrible things are probably not going to happen to you.  Because, the worst things turn out to be voluntary.  You do not have to go there.  So Don't'!  (another WOW!!!!)  - what do we do to ourselves????

http://www.amazon.com/Younger-Next-Year-Gift-Women/dp/0761166068/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349183893&sr=8-2&keywords=younger+next+year+for+women

More Soon!!!!!!