being judged

A friend this week was told not to let her family judge her 'christianity' that it was between her and God alone.
I don't believe this.
Every week we go to church on Sunday and sing songs asking God to take over our lives. We tell him I surrender all, except .....
Well, I'm sorry to remind you but people, your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers are judging you. And they should be. What they are judging is what you really believe. Do you have a Sunday religion? Or are you living a daily relationship?
We are their Bible. It is not what we say we believe, but what we live that will bring those people to an acknowledgement of Christ in their own lives.
So before you go out today remember that everyone who sees you will be judging you. So judge yourself first. Are you a living example of the gospel?

Need help

HEy folks, I am working on a chapter in my book For Jen. It's on prayer. So I have three simple questions I would like you to answer for me.
1. Why pray?
2. What should I pray for?
3. What should I not pray for?

Thanks for the help. I look forward to seeing your answers.

How to begin prayer

Oh, Lord my God. When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power through out the universe displayed. Then sings my soul my saviour God to thee. How great thou art. How great thou art. Then sings my soul my saviour God to thee. How great thou art. How Great THOU ART.


poem by carl gustaw boberg

What if God loved like humans?

I have talked with many women who have heard from their husbands "I don't think I love you anymore." What don't they know? What do they think love is? Do they believe it's all hearts and flowers? What if God thought that way? Would John 3:16 read "God felt fireworks and warm fuzzies for the world so he gave his son and whoever feels tingles and giggles won't perish but live with him forever."
I don't think so. Love is not an emotion of chemistry, it's not a feeling that comes and goes. Love is a choice we make to put the other persons happiness and well-being before our own.
So, I ask you today "who do you love?" Who's well-being is more important than your own, who will you take a back seat to? Your spouse, your children, your parents? What about showing God how much you love him by loving the neighbor next door who is going to hell?
Love it's a choice, it's a fruit that all believers should have in abundance if they are healthy.
So my advice to those women---fall in love with someone who knows what real love is all about, fall deeply in love with Jehovah.

Loving God????

How can a loving God allow pain and hurt? You've heard this question in one form or another if you have been a Christian long. And we who know the Lord know that pain and hurt entered the world through Adam, not God.
But this morning I want to remind you that all that pain and hurt, all the illness and heartache, the suffering that is happening world wide doesn't just affect us. It all hurts God also. Jeremiah in his lament for the people of Judah expressed for us God's words "Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?" (Jer 8:21-22)
God sees the hurts and sorrows here on the earth, and he also watches in horror and mourns. He is not mourning over the ouchie, He is mourning over the knowledge that such pain brings eternal death for many. You see, he didn't design a fallen world for Adam and Eve to live in--He placed them in paradise, they chose for themselves and all their future generations when they chose not to listen to the Word of God.
God has been mourning ever since. But he has called us like Jeremiah to be faithful and to call all to repentance. There is hope: the blood of Jesus.

What would you choose?

It is Wednesday afternoon, almost 1 o'clock. So far today I have cleaned two bathrooms, one front room, one bedroom and half a kitchen. I have fed one child breakfast, and another one lunch. I am wiped out and still not done. But I have a few moments to myself and I must choose - do I spend time in Bible study with the Lord or do I eat my first meal of the day? I know what I chose. What would you choose?

vacation

Darren and I were gone over the weekend. We spent a day in Disneyland. And I mean we spent the whole day. We left the trailer at 8:15am and didn't get back until 11:50pm. Just a few years ago that would have been my whole day. I'm on vacation, that means I don't do anything, not even read my Bible. But of the past couple of years I've learned that God is with me, even when I am on vacation. And while I didn't spend as much time with him Saturday as I do here at home, I found time to talk with him that morning, and again that evening before I went to sleep. Amazingly, I didn't talk to any of my children or my granddaughters, but I made sure that I said both "good morning" and "good evening" to my creator. Not because I wanted anything from him, but because my days just don't feel right to me if they don't begin and end with God smiling on me.

Shine

Today I was convicted. (We should be every time we read God's Word.) I was in 2 Corinthians chapter 3. Where Paul reminds the church of Corinth how Moses had to cover his face when he presented the law because his face shone with the glory of God. It was verse 18 that struck me anew "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory"
Does my face reflect the Lord's glory? Would someone walk by me in the mall and see a face that loves, or one that is on mission -shopping mission?
My prayer today comes from a song I learned as a child: Let others see Jesus in me.

more Super Christian

Super Christian teaches those around her to be good.
Abiding Christian teaches those around her to be Godly. Titus 2:4-5

Super Christian is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit.
Abiding Christian knows that in Christ is her fruit. John 15:5

Super Christians perspective is based on what is seen.
Abiding Christian's perspective is based on what is not seen. Col 3:2

Super Christian does things with her children.
Abiding Christian builds a relationship with her children. Deut 6:6-7

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
Super Christian chooses quantity activities.
Abiding Christian choose the most excellent Way. 1 Cor 13

Growth

Do you write in the margins of your Bible? I do, I also color in it. Back in '08 I wrote a note next to Psalm 20:4 "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." The note I wrote was the desire of my heart at the time, the plans I wanted to see succeed. My note asked that: I become a published speaker who can support herself. How selfish is that.
But my desires have changed. I didn't erase the note because I want to see that I am growing spiritually, instead I added a new note at the bottom of the page dated today: even if I never get published it is okay, I will continue to write what God tells me and I will never support myself- God is my finances.
Growth- how do you measure it?

WAKE UP

Stay a verb-
Live out loud-
Wake up a few Nouns.

I don't know if I have shared here but Darren bought me a new laptop two weeks ago, so I am back up in my room. On the wall behind me is painted the words above. I had them put there for a reason, to remind me that it is our actions that speak to the world not our words.
Every day we are to approach it as a new opportunity for Christ. I need to live a life active in not what I am but who I believe in. I need to speak loud and clear, even when I don't say a word. And I need to show those 'Nouns' that I encounter there is a life worth waking up for.
Isaiah 55:12 tells me that if I don't stay a verb, living out loud the mountains and hills will burst forth with song and the trees will worship with clapping.
I welcome them to join me in my worship, the mountains, hills and trees, but please God I ask may they never have to stand in my place.

weak vs strong

There is a Like page on Facebook for the phrase "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." To me this is all wrong.
Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 12 that the only way to be strong is to rely on Christ. Over and over through out the Bible we learn of how God uses the weakest characters to do the most awesome tasks. Take Gideon for example: he who hid in the winepress, yet God used him and only 300 other men to totally destroy the enemy with a horn, a pitcher and a torch each. No weapons, just those three items. It is through out weakness that true strength can be displayed.
"you never know how strong you are until you relying on God is the only choice you have."
Can I get an Amen

Super Christian 2

A super Christian finds self worth in what they have done
An abiding Christian finds their work in who they are in Christ.

A super Christian's peace is environmental.
An abiding Christian's peace can be found in the midst of any storm, it is Jesus. (Is. 26:3)

A super Christian is discouraged when they fail.
An abiding Christian uses failure to remind them that God's strength is reveiled in their weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

A super Christian expects perfection from everyone.
An abiding Christiand covers everyone with grace (including himself) (Eph. 4:32)

Stay tuned for more

Spiritual Spa Day

Yesterday, Darren was at work so I had no transportation. I know I could have called a half dozen people to give me a ride to church, but I decided not to. Instead I declare a spa day for me, a spiritual spa day that is.
I spent the day reading the word, praying, writing in my journals and study notebooks and listening to praise music. I throughly enjoyed spending the day just God and myself. Even the dogs played happily with out much notice from me.
I believe that we all need a day every once in a while that we spend alone with God. It had been a long time since I had a Spiritual spa day, but i guarentee it won't be such a long time before I do the next one. I feel revieved and ready for a week of glorifing the Lord.

Are you a super Chrisitan?

Well, are you? Now days we are asked to be Super at everything we do. I'm sorry but I can't be Super Mom nor can I be Super Christian. I quit trying long ago. But God doesn't call us to be super, he calls us to abide in him. That I can be "Abiding Christian."

A super Christian does.
An Abiding Christian is. John 15:4 Remain (abide) in me, and I will remain (abide) in you.

A Super Christian tries to impress others.
An Abiding Christian tries to please only the Lord. Eph. 5:10 and find out what please the Lord.

A Super Christian is controlled by an agenda. (schedules, lists, requirements)
An Abiding Christian is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Eph 5:18 Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Want more differences, stay tuned.

Mary and Martha

Yesterday afternoon Darren pointed out to me that we had our very own Mary and Martha in the making. Angel was standing at the kitchen sink washing my gladware and looking out the window. Cadee was sitting on Papa's lap just enjoying being with him.
He thought it was cute until I pointed out that Cadee wasn't feeling good and needed cuddle time. and Angel was really just wanting to play in the water and bubbles.
But the picture they made got me to thinking: How often do I do for the Lord instead of spend time with the Lord. Every day I need to crawl up in His lap for a good cuddle.
The reason I thought this was sometimes I get so busy preparing for Bible study that I forget to just listen to what God is saying to me at that moment. How about you?

Job

I've been reading in Job lately. Seems every time I read it I see more. More of me, unfortunately. I've seen for a while that the three friends give great advice, on in the wrong circumstances. When I discovered that I learned that sometimes my advice is just like that. Simple platitudes and meaningless fluff. "Time heals all." "It will get better." "Trust God." Yeah! Trust God, great advice but not always timely or given in the right circumstances.
This reading I have been seeing myself in Job for some reason. You know the "I don't know why God is doing this to me, I haven't been bad." and the "I'm not going to curse God no matter how unjust I feel he is right now."
I don't want to give you some platitude right now about how "I'm growing through this." Instead, I want to let you know, that I'll pray for you, but will you pray for me? Pray that all the fluff in my speaking will float away on the wind before I open my mouth. Pray that all my words will be God's words, words of wisdom, hope and love, even when we don't know the reason. It could just be that God is using us to prove a point to Satan.

How to have victory over an enemy

What enemy are you battling today?
1. Ask God to come between you and that enemy
2. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see how he is working on your behalf.
3. Trust Jesus - He never fails.

Teach by example

Have you ever been told "do what I say not what I do."? It is usually said by an adult to a child. The best way to teach a child is by example. Paul told us to inmate him as he imitate Christ.
This morning I was sitting in my special sanctuary when Angel asked me what I was doing. I replied "I'm reading my Bible." She looked at me, grabbed her "bible" (which I keep near mine) and sat down next to me. She then looked up and told me "I must read."
We all need to be both people in this illustration. Both the 'teacher' who takes time out to be with God in front of who ever is around, and the 'student' who knows they must read in order to grow.

Transformed

2000 years ago the cross was an instrument of death. When people saw a cross they saw no hope, only a final judgement. it is still a symbol of final judgement, but that judgement has come, and for me God in his mercy transformed the cross. It is now a symbol of victory and hope. It is the means by which we find joy. It is the means by which we find life. What will you do with the cross today?

In Christ Alone

I came across a question today that really floored me. What would your life look like if you really lived what you say you believe? The Hymn "In Christ Alone" begins 'In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.' (Townend, Getty)
I began thinking. Do I really live what I say I believe? Would my neighbors say I am a believer? Would they even say I am a good person? Can others see Jesus in me? Is he the strength I rely on when in tough spots?

Oh, the questions!

desires

We have all heard the verse quoted and misquoted that God will give us the desires of our hearts. The verse, Psalm 37:4, actually says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." That phrase "delight yourself in the Lord" makes a big difference.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have desired a small dog of my own for a very very long time. I've looked in the paper, and the internet, I've talked with friends, I've prayed, I bugged Darren - all to no avail.
Well last friday, i tried something new. I sat down with God. I talked with him and thanked him that he took away my last desire (to have another baby) and I asked him to please remove from me this desire because it was moving my focus off of him. Now when I got up from praying, I still wanted my own puppy, but I did have a peace that God would work in my life.
I chose that day to delight myself in the Lord.
Saturday, my daughter-in-love brought home to me a 14 week old male Havanese puppy.
God won't give you the "desire" of your heart unless your "desire" is to delight in Him. Today, Oscar (Darren's dog) Ka-choo aka Chewy (my puppy) and i are delighting in God who loves his children enough to even give them puppies to play with.

consequences

Everything we do has eteranl consequences. You've heard that before, do you agree?
My days are filled with preschoolers. They also contain dishes, laundry, mopping floors, veggietales, playtime, menus, blogging and facebook. How does any of that fit in to eternal consequences?

Okay, some of the things that fill my day are just plain chores that have to be done. On the surface they don't look important - but they make life livable and more peaceful (at least in my house.)
God is a God of order and not chaos. Order calms and creates peace. And we are called to live in peace. When I have to wash dishes before fixing a meal it causes tension, not just in me but in all those around me. How can my husband and I worship on a Sunday morning when he can't find a clean pair of briefs when he gets out of the shower? How can my children see the love of God when I spend more time reading romance novels than the Bible. Yes, some things it is easy to see eternal in - prayer, bible study, worship. But even in the mundain God is there.
Leap frog may be teaching the girls their letters and numbers, but veggietales is teaching them love and obedience. Blogging is my way of worshipping God and sharing with others.
Everything we do does have eteranl consequences, either for the good or for the bad. Stop and think about everything you choose to do today. How is it impacting those around you?

What?

What do you believe in enough to die for? I was asked once if I thought home schooling was worth spending time in jail for. My answer then, and now, is yes. But would I die for the right to home school my children? I'm not sure.
But there are somethings worth dying for. Our founding fathers believed that freedom was worth their lives. They would rather die free than live in tyranny.
Christ believed I was worth dying for. He would rather he die so that I could spend eternity with him.
I know that all of us would die for our children and grandchildren. But what principles are worth dying for? Would you die for Christ?
Before you answer that take a reality check. How can you say that you would die for Christ when you won't even risk your comfort, your job, your friends to speak his name in public. You won't die for a cause when you won't even place a small "token" of that cause on your desk.
You won't die for love when you never tell your coworkers who it is you love. So again I ask what/ who do you believe in enought to die for?

Fellowship in Today's World

it would be very easy for me to live on a deserted island (as long as I have every thing I need to survive.) What I really mean to say is that I like being alone with my own company. Some people need lots of people around them, not me.
But God doesn't want his people to isolate themselves from the world. that's one of the reasons I'm glad I live in the facebook age.
The first church came together daily in each others homes to praise God and enjoy the favor of each other.
I can't always get together with Christian friends, some of my Christian friends live miles away. but I can get together with each of you through the medium of computer. For the next week stop before you post anything, send emails, text or skype. Is what you sending a praise to God, is it encouragement to others, is it a request for Christian support, or is it just shooting the breeze?
We can't always meet in each others homes physically, but we can today electronically. Make sure your fellowship is uplifting.

Letters of recommendation

When looking for a job, you put together your application, resume, and letters of recommendation. You want to put your best foot forward so you only ask for letters of recommendation from people you think will write good about you.

I've been asked to write a couple of recommendation letters for some of my former students. When asked I have been very careful in the choosing of my words. I have wanted to show off those students in the best possible light so they would shine and impress whoever would read the letters.

For Christ, your life is a recommendation letter. In fact, for some you are all they will see as a representation of Christ. Have you put any thought or prayer into the words your life writes? Would others be brought to Christ as saviour by looking at your life, or would they pick up another applicants package?
Pray today that you would be like Paul in that "For to me, to live is Christ and to
die is gain." (Phil 1;21)

fresh fruit

We are all suppose to get three to five servings of fresh fruit every day. But most of us don't. I know I don't. But more important than the fresh fruit we are to eat each day we should be displaying fresh fruit. No not the lemons and limes that are in the dish on my kitchen counter -- the fruit of the spirit. You know love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is the fruit God gives us in our lives when we learn to fully trust in him. He sees to our spiritual health.
Love is the fruit. It is seen in the joy we find in knowing Christ. The peace of giving all over to him. the patience we have with others know that God is not finished with them, just like he isn't finished with us. The kindness and goodness we show to those in need. The faithfulness we mirror back to him. the gentleness that calms the pain of others and the self-control to hand all control over to His Holy Spirit.
This is the fruit that shows we belong to him.

God's Will in your life

My niece asked me yesterday "where do I begin reading in my Bible to find what God wants me to do and where he wants me to go."
I know she was wanting me to tell her "read this chapter." and it spell out for you exactly what God wants you to do. Well, there ain't such a chapter. But yet, God's will is told to us clearly.
One of my life verses tells us "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you." Matthew 6;33.
Can you share other verses with me that clearly tell God's will for a believers life?

Thanksgiving Dinner

You know that feeling you have after Thanksgiving Dinner - the one that tells you you over ate. I have that feeling now. I over read. I read John 15, 16, and 17. Way to much in one sitting. I am having trouble digesting it all. But it was one of those "meals" where once I began I couldn't stop.
And I can totally understand why the disciples often said to each other "What did he say?"
so for the next few days I am going to eat leftovers. I'm going to stay right here in these three chapters of John and take each passage "bite by bite." I'm going to slow down and enjoy every word of my Christ and fully digest what he is saying to me.
I've learned over the years, sometimes the "second day leftovers" are the best part of the meal.

Color Wonder

A really good friend came over yesterday to help weed my garden and more. I was telling her about the color wonder roses that were blooming beautifully.
Shawna and I bought the roses and planted them according to our color scheme and design. We had it all planned out. But not one of the bushes has bloomed according to our plan. (FYI: roses purchased at Big Lots are there because they have been mislabeled.)
So instead of our plan and design coming through we have had a fun time watching to see what color would burst out where. And not one has been a standard pink, yellow or red either.
that is how life is also. You see, we set out our plans, we decide what goes in what order and then we 'plant' accordingly. But God has color wonder roses for our lives. We may think we are getting pink roses, but God in his love for us gives us the most beautiful mauve roses instead.
Remember when life changes colors on you to thank God. After all, he has plans for you. Plans that are for the good not the harm. Thank him for the changes he puts in your life, they are blessings.

Finding God's Will

"We do not know what to do...." 2 Corinthians 20:12b
a modern day translation would be "What is God's will in my life?" Well the rest of that verse tells us how to know God's will "...but our eyes are upon you."
When we seek God with our whole being we will see him. But we have become so busy in our lives we approach God with our desires then we go out and take hold of our lives ourselves. Instead we need to heed His Word, we need to 'take up our position, stand firm and see the Lord's deliverance.' Anything else is lack of faith.

In Jesus' Name

Pay off the morgage, find a publisher for my manuscripts, find husbands for Stacy and Shawna, and I could keep going and going and going. after all Jesus did say in John 14:14 "You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it."
So why aren't my prayers answered? Jesus said he would do it. And I always end my prayer with "in Jesus name."
Asking in Jesus' name isn't a magic tagline. I can just hear Jesus iin the garden now. "take this cup away, in my name, Amen." NOT
Praying in Jesus name really means to pray according to Jesus' desire. And his desire was and is to bring glory to the Father.
"Father, I desire that you miraculously heal Bryan but more than that i desire your will and your glory through his life. So if his continued diabetes is what brings you glory - then glory on." "Father, I desire to fiind a publisher for my manuscripts, but more than that I desire your will and your glory through my writing. So If I never get published i will continue to write for your will and your glory."
Now those are prayers In Jesus' Name. Praying for God's glory to prevail.

The new Temple

1 Chronicles 28:10 "Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary."
God chose Solomon to build a temple. But he called you to BE a temple, a sanctuary, the dwelling place of his Holy Spirit.
Look at all God provided for the temple Solomon built. He has also provided only the best for the temple he wants you to be. Does your temple need to be cleaned up? repaired in places? or totally rebuilt? don't wait for the work to be finished before you santify the temple and begin making it a place of worship. Today be God's temple.
"The temple I am going to be will be great, because my God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to be a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to be a temple for him, except as a place of sacrifice before him? Today, God I ask that you come and fill your temple, let it be a place of total worship and sacrifice for you."

footsteps

Simon Peter, when not speaking around his foot, spoke some might truths. In John 6:69 he is quoted as saying "We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
All of us reading this today can also say this. We do believe that Christ is the Holy One of God.
But just as Peter somtimes had trouble in those days living out his belief - we also don't always walk in a manner that says we believe.
Right now stop and ask God to guard your feet so you can walk in His Glory today. My prayer for you is that every step you take is in the footstep of Christ.

my prayer for today

Lord, let my soul sing praises to you today. Let me be a glory to your Name. i bow down at your feet asking, nay begging, for your peace to fall on me. You are my pleasure for you have given to me hope and salvation. Let your praises rise from deep within and fill the airs around me. O Lord, let my soul sing praises to you today.

Seek the Lord

2 Chronicles 15:12 & 15 "They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their hearts and souls. ... They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side."
The first 35 years of King Asa's reign he relied on God. He tore down the idols in his land, he worshipped fervently, he made God his closest advisor. And God bless his life with rest.
There were sstill enemies who tried to bring him down but God subdued them all because Asa sought God with his whole heart and soul.
What enemies are you battling today? Have you sought God's council, his help, or have you called in "foreign kings" to aid your battle?
It has taken me a lifetime but I have learned what it means to really seek God - heart and soul - to really rely on him to battle for me. To sit in His Rest. and it is beautiful. Join me.

Sacrifice What???

1 Chronicles 21:24 "I will not ... sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing."

Reading this verse last week reminded me of a time in grade school. A friend of mine was catholic and was talking about Lent. She was telling me about how she had to give up something for the week. So she decided to give up chewing gum. But then she shared that she liked gum - so it counted - but she only chewed it once in awhile so it would be easy to give up for the week.
I didn't understand it then, now I do. She was living by the letter fo the law - giving up nothing.
Christ gave up his life for me. Can I don anything less for him? What does it cost me to worship God? What can I give up as an offering? Will I be like David and only offer something that cost me or more like my friend from school and offer up something that costs me nothing?

Luke 12:22-34

Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."
Read Luke 12:22-34. Think about what your day consists of - work, laundry, kids, spouse, what's for dinner - we may not live in a constant state of worry but our lives are full of concerns.
Christ tells us instead we should turn our hearts to seeking God. This next week while you go about your daily chores, focus on God. Ask yourself and Him "How can I make him the center of my heart today?"

Temptation

Did you that 50% of all peopel who start an exercise program drop out in 3-6 months. And 95% who do lose weight gain it back. Why? Because we are fallen people who give in to temptation. So know what temptations make you fail. Stress and emotional factors, illness or injury, holidays and special occasions, the infulance of others, over work, bad weather, vacation? That's just my list of possible temptations, what is yours.
Now when temptation tries to get the better of you remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 "NO TEMPTATION has seized you except what is common to man. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; he will not let you be tempted BEYOND what you can bear. BUT WHEN you are tempted, HE WILL provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
One of my best temptation busters is worship music. When I feel tempted I put on a worship CD and being focussing on God. Soon I am dancing like David danced and instead of giving in I am working off temptation.
What is your method of resisting? Be an encouragement today and share some of your tempation busters in the comment section below.

Spoils of War

1 Chronicles 18:11 "King David dedicated these articles to the Lord."
Spoils of war. That is what David was dedicating to the Lord. Silver, gold, bronze. Today you are also in a war. Will you, like David, seek God's council before you enter battle? And will you, like David, dedicate the articles (reading habits, TV watching, attitudes, words spoken, ie) to the Lord?

A Pillar

You all know Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. How he is a picture for us of Christ as our kinsman-redeemer paying off our debts and setting us free. But did you know that Boaz was also the name of one of the two pillars standing guard at the entrance of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 7:21)
What pillars do you live your life by? Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, love?
Are you a pillar standing guard and showing people the entrance to God's presence?
Revelation 3;12 says "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my god. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God ... and I will also write on him my new name."

Super Foods

There are some foods that are better for you than others. I want to share just a few of those foods with you today. Try to incorporate at least one every day for the next week.
1. Beans - they are high in calories yes, but they are also reich in nutrients and high in fiber so you fill up faster.
2. Dark leafy green vegetabels - the greener the better. These are low in carbs. In fact, so low you can eat all the dark leafy green vegetables you want.
3. Citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C, but stick with the fruit when you can instead of juices. The fruit adds natural fibers.
4. Whole sunsweet berries are full of antioxicants, vitamins and fiber.
5. Nuts, again high in fat but it is the "good fats" like omega 3. One tablespoon of almonds is a good way to get this good fat into your system.

Ruth the refresher

Most of the time famine and drought come together and it is when the drought ends that the famine also come to an end. Ruth left behind all that was familiar and gave herself over to a new life in Judah. She was the end of Naomi's drought. The name Ruth means "refresh as to soak."
Ruth refreshed Naomi's spirit and gave her a reason to keep going. The two women returned just in time for the barley harvest. And the new beginning God had planned for them.
Today ask God to give you a refreshing, ask him to give yo a teachable spirit and listening ears. And ask yourself 'would those around you describe you as refreshing to their spirit or as a spiritual famine?'

Work out tips

Work out tips while traveling: Pack your own snack for on the trip, eat a good meal before you hit the road, never super size and avoid fried foods, stay hydrated, don't eat just because of what time it is or because it is offered - eat only when you are hungry, get up and move every chance you get, beware of buffets, leave food on your plate.
Work out tips for hot weather: wear clothing that layers, shoes that fit, drink lots of water before, during and after workout, wear a hat and sun screen, work out early before the hottest part of the day.
Other tips: walking is the best exercise and it can be done any where and any time. turn on music while you work out, play a game with your children of kick ball or chase them around the yard, work out for 10 minutes three times a day instead of one 30 minute routine.
Exercise in front of the TV - sit in a chair and do leg lifts, ride an imaginary bike, lift imaginary weights, do arm circles, streatch and scrunch your face to work those muscles.

Orpah, the stiff-neck

Naomi's daughter in law that returned home was named Orpah which means "stiff-necked" or "stubborn."
Often when God calls us to enter theunknown it is scary, very scary. Open your Bibles and read Numbers 13. I'll wait.
The children had just been rescued by God from Egypt and were at the edge of God's promise. Re-read verses 23 & 27. The land was all God promised, yet the people were afraid of the current residents so they refused to take hold of the land.
they like Orpah choose to turn back to what was familiar - even if it was slavery.
Now look to the right side of this blog page. Do you see the commitments to Christ listed? Are you ready to go forward in your commitments to God?
Today begin by setting aside 15 - 20 minutes in your schedule each day this week for time spent with God. I will begin posting each evening the next days reading assignment (for those who need to know where to start.)

More Breakfast ideas

More breakfast ideas:

Remember that whatever you choose for breakfast you want no more than 2 servings of bread. So, read the side of the box, or the bag. Usually what we think of as one serving equals up to 3 or 4 servings. One bread serving is 15g of carbs. So the bagels that Darren and Shawna eat are 4 servings for one bagel.
Although one small fruit is considered a fruit serving this is one area where I say eat, eat and eat some more. If you are going to over do in the eating department, do it with fresh fruits and vegetables. And now is the time for that. Go to your local farmers roadside stand, or hit the grocery store every two or three days for fresh fruits and vegetables. The longer they are off the vine the less nuitrients. So you want the freshes you can get.
Stay away from processed sugars as much as possible. Drink nonfat or 1% milk. Use real butter instead of margarine. Nature-made is always best in this girls opinion.

Pleasant or Bitter

Back to Ruth
Naomi to me is a perfect example of an obedient wife - that is obedient to God.
Her name means "Pleasant" and I'm sure that was her personality. But I also would bet that she hemmed and hawed at Eli as he packed up to move to Moab. I'm sure she complained about the move and told Eli he was making a mistake - but she followed.
That is what an obedient wife does - she tells her spouse what she believes but then she follows where he is going. Even when it is outside of God's promise.
Because Eli was the one in the wrong he was the one God disciplined.
And as soon as Naomi was able, she returns. After 10 years of living outside of God's promise she is no longer the pleasant woman that she was. Instead, she has become "bitter" and tells people to call her Mara.
But if you notice, it doesn't take long before she is going by the name of Naomi once again. When we allow God to have our bitterness he takes it and returns back in its place a pleasantness, a sweetness of being in His presence.
What in your life today has you bitter? Are you willing to come to God with your bitterness and allow him to change it into a pleasantness?

Cheat once in a while

It's important when you are "dieting" to cheat once in a while. If not you get bored and totally blow your eating plan. So while sticking is important, every once in a while - when you have a craving you can't get rid of, or when your hubby wants to take you out - cheat.
Just adjust the rest of your day accordingly. Eat smaller portions your other meals. Add an extra 10 minutes to your work out. Take a stroll after dinner. But don't skip a meal, and don't deprive yourself.

Also, while I'm here. I want to remind you that chemical sweeteners are just that chemicals. They are not natural. And while we know that to much of anything is not good for us, our bodies were not made to digest chemicals. (Spenda has chlorine added in the process) Stick with natural sweeteners, just limit how much you use them. Honey and organic syrups are better for you and they contain natural antioxidants.

God is King

Back to Ruth 1
Elimelech means "God is Sovereign." Elimelech forgot that God was sovereign over his life, and that God was every where. Times got hard and he packed up and left. Many times people still today try to run when God allows judgement to come into their lives. They think some "other" (food, sex, job, drink) will satisfy them. Ususally all that it does is put them father away from The presence of God. And even though it might seem like their needs are being fille it is the way to death.
Just as Eli when he moved his family out of God's presence in Judah into Moab. There he found plenty to eat, but there he also found death.
1 Peter 5:9 "Resist him (sin) standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers through out the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering."
Today stand firm. Know that all of us today, me writing and those reading, are undergoing the same temptations that you are. Spirital famine can only be ended when we meet God. He is waiting right now to feed you. And he will give you the strength to resist all other temptations.
Post 1 Peter 5:9 on your fridge or pantry door. It will help you remember to stand firm.

Exercise

"Yes, exercise is the catalyst. That's what makes everything happen: your digestion, your elimination, your sex life, your skin, hair, everything about you depends on circulation. And how do you increase circulation?" Jack LaLanne
Okay, if your like me you don't like to exercise. I will confess this morning lying in bed I went through my routine in my head wondering "does this count?" No it doesn't. But there are simple things you can do to increase your exercise level. Yes, most of them are little bursts of exercise, but everything counts.
Park away from the store in the back of the parking lot.
Get outside and walk around the block with the kids.
Play -- Angel loves to be chased or to play ball.
Make one extra trip up the stairs every day.
Walk in place while you watch TV.
I'm making a list. Post your mini-exercise in the comment section below. Let's see how many we can collect.
Then get up and get to doing.

Famine

Ruth 1:1-5

Bethlehem, the town where Elimelech and Naomi called home was experiencing a famine. Bethlehem was in the area of Judah in the land God promised his people. God had promised that as long as the people continuted to worship him faithfully he would continue to bless them. Unfortunately, the people had stopped being faithful.
Oh, they were going through the motions. But thier hearts were not in it. They had begun looking to the gods of the people who had lived in the land before them. So God sent a famine into the land.
One interesting tidbit: the name Bethlehem means 'house of bread.' So Elimelech moved his family out of God's breadbasket to live in a pagan world. There he and his sons would die.
Physical famine dries up the land. It leaves behind hungry desperate people.
Spiritual famine dries up the soul. It leaves behind hungry desperate people, only these people are hungry for something they usually can't define. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 what it is we are to hunger and thirst for - God's righteousness. We are to hunger and thirsty after being right in the eyes of the Lord.
God sent a physical famine to Judah because the people were living in spiritual famine. He was trying to get them to turn their hearts back to him.
Signs of spiritual drought are not always easy for others to see but they can be identified. You experience no desire to pray, you are not reading God's Word, you have no heart for worship, and you isolate yourself away from Chrisitan fellowship.
Why did I mention famine today? Stop and evaluate your hunger level. What have you spiritually eaten today? Have you exercised worship yet? Are you living in a spiritual famine?

Easy Breakfast

So, we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. but most of us don't eat one. We just don't give ourselves enough time in the mornings. So here is a quick, easy breakfast:

1 piece of toast - whole grains are best of course.
2 Tbsp peanut butter - nut butters are good sources of proteins and they contain the good fats our bodies need.
1 Tbsp honey - yes honey. And if you can get it from a local farmer even the better. Local raw honey is all natural, fat free, loaded with antioxidants and it canhelp build up an immunity to allergies.

this breakfast gives you 2 servings of carbs and 1 serving of proteins.

Water, water every where

Nice weather is finally here. And if you are like me that means water sports. (for me that means the pool in my back yard.) Remember that your body needs 8 8oz of water every day on the inside no matter how much water it gets on the outside. In fact, when you are outside in the sun you need to get even more. And don't wait until you are thirsty to drink your water by then your body is already dehydrated. Start early and drink your water often.

Also, remember that for every soda (or other beverage) you drink you need to add one full glass of water.

And while you are in the water, do a little bit of water aerobics. Water adds resistance in both directions. So get in there and kick those legs. Make a splash, it's good for you.

John 6:35

"then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
Only through Jesus can we find complete satifaction. It is when we hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God instead of for the ways of this world that we find ourselves being filled. It is only from partaking of the bread of life that we find completeness.

It is also, by partaking of the bread of life on a daily basis that we find the strength to stay away from the bread in the cabinet. Make yourself a poster of John 6:35 (mine is written on a picture of bread) and tape it on your pantry door to remind yourself of the Bread you really desire.

Getting Started

Okay friends, if we are going to keep each other accountable we really need to be doing it. So time to get started. Have you spent time reading God's Word today? Talking with God about more than just your "wish" list? Have you exercised yet? And what have you had to eat today?

Let me be honest. So far my answers are no, no, not yet, and I skipped breakfast. Not a good start considering it's after 11 am. But for me the day is really just starting. So it will get better.

Let me also encourage you with a little bit of exercise info: did you know that gardening is good exercise. Hoeing and raking use both arm and back muscles. Digging uses your thighs. and you get an added benefit of home grown vegetables. it's not to late to start a garden this year. Get exercising. (Remember lots of water before you feel thirsty.)