Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Do you want to be made well?

Have you ever had someone ask you a question where the answer seemed so obvious that you thought to yourself, "Well duh, what do you think?"
In Matthew 5:6 Jesus asks such a question. Now in Jerusalem there was a pool called Bethesda.
Around the area sick people, blind, lame and paralyzed laid.  And at a certain time an angel would come and stir up the water and whoever stepped into the water first would healed.
So in Chapter 5 of Matthew Jesus had come to the pool and encounters a man who had been sick for 38 years.  When Jesus sees this man, Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to be healed".
I can imagine this guy thinking, "Well duh, I have been sick for thirty-eight, I come here every day waiting for my opportunity to get into the pool but someone always gets there before me. What do you mean, do I want to be healed, why do you think I'm doing this?"
The next thing that Jesus tells the man, is not "Oh ok, carry on, continue what you have been doing and someday it might work".  No Jesus gives him something new to do. Jesus tells the man to, "Rise, take up your bed and walk".
Obviously what the man had been doing, hoping that someday he would make it to the pool, was not working.  It was time for a new approach.  Rise, take up your bed and walk.  So what did the man do?   Did he think about it?   Did he think, no, this is how everyone does it, so I will just wait until I have my chance.   Did he think, "you know I've been like this for 38 years, what if it doesn't work?  Will I make a fool of myself, if I try and fall?"  Did he search for a reason, an excuse not to do what Jesus said?   The Bible tells us that, "Immediately the man was made well, took his bed, and walked."
So what about us, what about me?  What question is Jesus asking us?   Do you want to be healthy? Do you want to get out of debt? Do you want to lose weight?   Do you want a better marriage?
Do you...., you fill in the blank.
And has Jesus not already told us what to do next?  A new approach?  Something that not everyone is doing?   Why are we fighting him?   Which is harder, drinking water, exercising, saying your sorry, making a phone call.... Or getting up and walking after 38 years?  
I am praying that we will all give up the excuses and just start immediately doing what Jesus asks us to do.
Can you imagine how the man that Jesus encountered that day, how his life was changed forever?   How would your life change if you did what Jesus is asking you to do today?  Jesus only wants what's best for you, but if the man had chosen to just stay where he was, he never would have been healed.
So again, do you want to be made well? The choice is yours, the choice in mine.
Please write me and let me know what question in Jesus asking you and what is He telling you to do?
I would love to pray for you.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Many will come saying I am the Christ

"Take heed that no one deceives you.   For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many..."
I used to think that this verse referred to those crazy people that went around saying, "I'm Jesus Christ" and of course they would be easy to recognize and avoid.  But when you read this verse, you realize that can't be what Jesus is referring to here, because if it was, how would they deceive many?
I have been hearing a lot about "The Christ Consciousness" lately.  People who were once followers of Jesus, who are now saying that it is this christ consciousness that we must each reach.  In achieving this christ consciousness we become our own christ.  There is no need for a savior, if you can achieve it in your own mind.
I believe, and this is just my own opinion, is more inline with what Jesus was warning us about.  For Jesus warning says that "many will come".  This is not the random crazy person.  I think as people turn from God and start looking for the answers within themselves they will start elevating themselves.
You can see Satan's hand in this, particularly when you find these same people backing up what the say with the Bible.  They take phrases like "the kingdom of God is within you" and use it to bring credence to what they are saying.
The enemy is not stupid, he is not going to use some crazy person to do his bidding.  He will use someone, who like himself knows the Bible and can quote the Bible to lead people away.  The Bible warns that "even the elect".
I believe that we are seeing more and more philosophies that want us to turn inside, to ourselves for answers and away from the truth.  This is even being taught in some churches.
So I challenge you to:
1. Examine first where you are on this, has there been any compromise on your part when it comes to seeking answers within yourself and not from God?
2. Test all things.  Just because it sounds good, or is said by your own pastor or another prominent person does not make it true.
3. Pray!!  That you will not be lead astray and that others will not be lead astray.
4. Put on the Full Armor of God everyday.  We are in a spiritual battle and just like a soldier would never think about going into war without his armor, we also should never think about starting the day without first putting on our armor.
God has allowed me insight into the enemy's camp, so I come warning you.  I am committed to praying to everyone who asks, so please let me know how I may pray.
God Bless.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Do you trust me?

One of my favorite Disney movies is Aladdin.  Do you remember how all Jasmine wanted to do was to get out of the Palace walls?  Now here comes Aladdin on his magic carpet, with his hand reaching out to Jasmine, asking one simple question, "Do you trust me?"  At that moment, Jasmine had a choice to make, did she trust Aladdin and even though she may not of trusted the Magic Carpet, did she trust Aladdin enough to follow him.  Of course this is Disney, so of course she trusted him and off they went on a wonderful adventure.  Can you imagine what she would have missed, and how the story would have been different, if she didn't trust him?  It is one of my favorite parts and songs of the movie.

Well we don't live in a Disney movie, but God is asking us, "Do you trust me?"  When God tells us to, "Be anxious for nothing", he is telling us to trust him.  God tells us to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thy own understanding."

Our own understanding would say, but carpets do not fly, carpets can't hold our weight..., but do we trust him?

I have learned to trust God over the years and to take God at his word.  When he says he will supply all my needs, I trust him.  When he tells me that his plans for me are to give me a hope and a future, I trust him.  When the Bible says, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!  Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!  There is no want to those who fear Him.   The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. I trust that.

I trust God because of who he is.  When I have moments of doubt, I ask myself, "Why am I not trusting God right now?"  Is God a man that he should lie?  No!!!  If God does not lie, then what causes me not to trust him?  Do I compare him to man?  Do I think that his promises must be for someone else?  Surely, they can't be for me, I've messed up, I've....., fill in the blank.  But his promises don't depend on who I am, his promises depend on who he is.  I've come to realize that for way too long, I had a very small God, and I kept him in a small box.  But now, I let him be who he is, "Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So I have come to trust him in a way I never thought possible.  I have learned to give my anxious thoughts to him. (One of the things I love most about God, when I find that I can't do what he asks of me, I can ask for his help and he is always willing to help). So when he says be anxious for nothing, I can, because he helps me.  I have learned to pray and let go.  I have learned to give thanks in all things, and I have that peace of God that surpassed all comprehension.

This is what I pray for you, this is what God wants for you.  What ever you are going through right now, take your eyes off the problem, and spend time in God's word meditation on his promises.  I can assure you when you start doing this, everything in your life will change.  That peace of God, is for you.  It is God's promise and gift for just trusting God. 

If you are going through something right now, and you would like prayer, please feel free to share, knowing that I will pray for you, but also know that God already has everything in control and nothing, and I mean nothing is going to happen to you that God has not allowed.  But please don't get that twisted, just because, God has allowed something to happen to you, you can not blame God for what has happened.  Sometimes things happen because of our own sin, sometimes it is because it simply rains on the just and the unjust, but all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

So trust Him, He loves you.  And He is there for you, even during the difficult times.  And that peace of God is not dependent on your circumstances, it is dependent on resting in the assurance of who God is.

DO YOU TRUST HIM?

Monday, June 16, 2014

I can do all things

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
How many times have we heard this quoted, how many times have we quoted this ourselves, to help us through a difficult time or situation?
But have you ever read what comes before?  Have you read this verse in context?

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

Paul is talking about knowing how to live with little and with much. 
When I started my 90 day transformation, I didn't know what the transformation would look like, I didn't have any preconceived ideas as to where I wanted to go, what I did know is that I wanted God to do a work in me.  I wanted to be transformed inside and out.  

So I asked God to do a work in me.  Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

I truly put my life into the Potter's Hands.  And He has and is doing a work in me.  Is it what I would have chosen, no.  Is it how I would have done things, No.  But does the clay say to the potter, do this or that?  No, the clay simply lets the potter do his work.  The clay trusts the potter.

So is what ways have I been transformed?

1. I do completely trust the work of the Potter.  I have completely surrendered to God.
2. I am thankful for everything.  I live in an attitude of thanksgiving.  When was the last time you took a shower and said thank you?  Thank you for a place to shower, thank you for hot water, thank you for soap, for shampoo?   What about thanking God for a bed to sleep in?  Clean sheets?  Warm blanket?  Your soft pillow?  I have am constantly saying thank you to God for everything.
3. I have learned not to judge people by their situation.  But to love and pray for everyone.  So many times I have heard people say that people that are homeless, chose living like that.  That they can't give them money because the homeless person would just use the money for alcohol or drugs.  But the Bible says:
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him,[d] saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  
It is not up to me to figure out what someone will do with what I give them, it is up to me to give.  It is not my money anyway, it all belongs to God, to if God tugs at your heart to give, don't try and analyze, just give.
4. I have also learned that everything I make is because of God.  He has provided me with the opportunities to earn money, and everything belongs to Him, so whether it is a little of a lot, the very first thing I do, is tithe.  This is an act of complete of submission and faith.  But like the widow who gave the two mites," but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”  I give first and then trust God to multiply the rest for my needs.  
5.  And finally I have learned not to judge myself by the life of others.  We are all on our own journey, each with it's own set of blessings and challenges.  We have know idea what someone else is facing right now, so when I see someone, whether at Starbucks or on the streets I pray for those that God places in my site.  I don't need to know what they are going through, and I assure you everyone is going through something, God knows and God just wants us to pray.  So sometimes I will will sit in Starbucks and just pray for each person sitting there.  

Do I know where God will lead me next?  No.  But I trust God, I trust his heart, I trust his plans, I trust that he always has my back, and I know without a doubt that:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Amen!!!!!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Detox

Detox: To rid the body of poisonous substances.
Poison kills, we all know this.  So it would only make since to get poison out of our bodies. 
If you think of your body, not just as your physical body, but of everything that makes you who you are then you find that there are many parts to your body and there are many things that can poison your body.
There are things that poison our physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social selves.
When I did the Daniel Fast, it was about detoxing all parts of myself.  But why should we get rid of the poisons in our body?  What purpose does in serve?
I think that the reason can be found in the word: Sanctify.
The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer.
In the Bible, we are called over and over again to sanctify ourselves.  And one of the first places to start, is with detoxing.  You were made for a purpose, your body was made for a purpose, your mind was made for a purpose, but we put so much poison into our bodies and minds that we no longer function properly.

When you put poison into your body, you get sick, you feel tired, your mind is foggy, you can't think or function properly.   
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
So detoxing becomes necessary.  You have to get the poison out.  There are many programs out there for detoxing, some healthy and some not so healthy.  Below you will see what I use to detox. 

If you have never tried a detoxing program before, try one and see if you don't start feeling better.  But you must be committed to staying with a program for at least 10 days, three weeks or more would even be better.  Because often times when you detox, you feel worse before you feel better, so give yourself time.  Sometimes we are so saturated with poison, that we don't even realize that we don't feel great.  We have accepted how we feel as normal. 

Now besides physical detox there is Spiritual and Mental Detoxing.  What are you watching, listening to, reading?  
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Next time you are feeling out of sorts, not quite sure what is going on, think back on what you have put into your mind in the last day, week, month.   Does your mind need a detox? 

So finally, we live in a world where there are poisons all around us, some we can avoid and some we can not.  So why now try a detox starting today?   Do you need ideas? Support? Prayer?  Please contact, I am here to serve.

My physical detox is:
For complete details on how and why the Arbonne Detox program works, please email me for a free copy of the program. 




Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Is Jesus your Reason or your Excuse?

Romans 6:15
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Many times I have been counseling with someone only to have them say, "yes but God will forgive me".  And I think that, that was the same problem that Paul was dealing with in his letter to the Romans.  Do we knowingly sin because we know that we will be forgiven?  
I think that can be the excuse for people actively engaged in an activity that they know is wrong.  But on the other hand I think most Christians, if asked the question would say "No".   As least I would hope that they would say no.  But question I want to propose to you today is, "What is sin?"   

I believe that sin is anything that falls short of God's best for you.  Now there are some sins that are sin for everyone, and the Bible is very specific about those sins.  But some sins, may not be sins for everyone.  What is sin for me, may not be sin for you.  The sin comes when we are not living and doing what God has called us to do.  Look at Jonah, God called him to go to Nineveh, but instead Jonah decided to go a different way.  Not everyone was called to go to Nineveh, so not going to Nineveh would not be sin for everyone.  But Jonah was called and decided to run away from God's calling on his life and that was sin.

So what happens when God calls us?  Do we go immediately and do what God is calling us to do, or do we run away in the other direction?  Or maybe we don't run away, but we stay in the same place.  

God tells us that he has plans for our lives, plans that give us hope.  He has direction for us.  He has goals for us.  But how many of us, consult him when writing goals?  How many really seek him first or do we start out on our plans and directions and then ask God to bless it.  

Or are we so concern about knowing every last detail, that we never even get started?  Are we living our purpose?  

Jesus knew his purpose, and he lived that purpose to the end of his life on earth.  He was not distracted by everyday life, but was focused on what needed to be done.  Everything he did, was getting him to his ultimate purpose.  And he got to that purpose at exactly the right time.

Where do we fall in the spectrum of living our purpose?  Are we going the right direction?  Are we going the right speed?  Are we standing still?  or Are we running away from God's best for our lives?

Is Jesus our reason or our excuse?  Jesus tells us to follow him.  To watch him, to learn from him.  If we do that we see the Jesus was our perfect example or how to live our purpose.  Don't let the "love and mercy" of God, excuse you from being exactly who he made you to be.

If you are not sure what your purpose is, there are ways to discover your purpose.  
1. Know that your purpose will always align up with God's Word.  God is not going to call you to be or do anything that is against his word or commandments.
2. God gives each of us gifts and talents, so what had God already given you?  Now this may or may not be the ultimate determination, because sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone in order to grow us into who he wants us to be.  Think of Moses, speaking was not a gift, he would probably of thought he had.  
3.  What is your passion, what concerns, ideas, thoughts keep you up at night?  What are you drawn to?   Now I'm not talking about what worries keep you up at night, but what concerns make you wish you could do something, change something, donate something, invent something?
4.  If there was no money involved what would you want to do?

Sometimes sitting down and just writing, using the questions above will lead you to where God wants you.  But we must also listen.  What is that nagging thought that just won't go away?  Maybe God is trying to tell you something.  Listen to other people, sometimes, if we are paying attention, you will get confirmation from others.  
God doesn't want his plans to allude us, he wants us to pursue them.  So if we ask and we listen he will tell us.  He won't tell us everything, so don't wait around for every last detail, but he will tell you enough to get started today, and then each day he will reveal more.


 

Friday, May 9, 2014

Fear is not an Option

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

Fear, it can over take us, it can stop us, it can cripple us, and it is not from God.  

Yesterday was a hard day, I just didn't feel like doing anything, but couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong.  But then last night, I remembered the dream that I had the night before and God revealed to me what was causing me so much angst.

So here is my dream and what God and I talked about last night.  I hope it encourages you.

In my dream my husband and I were looking for a place to live.  We walked into this house and it was dark, ugly and dated.  It had dark wood paneling all over, even on the ceiling.  And although I hated the place, I was telling myself, well just be happy to have a place to live.  You'll get used to it.  

But then we walked out into the backyard and there in the backyard there was this beautiful walkway that lead to this beautiful glass building.  This place was so big and bright and cheery.  I wanted to go there immediately.  So I ran toward the walkway, but then I was stopped, I noticed that there were no sides on this walkway and it was extremely high.  Now you must know that I am terrified of heights, so I stopped on the steps to the walkway and just cried.  There across the walkway was this beautiful place, and here was I was, was this dark and dreary place.  Instead of going toward what I wanted, what was there for me to have, I let my fear overtake me and stop me.  

I woke up yesterday very sad and stayed like that all day.

Last night, as I was driving, God reminded my of my dream.  He reminded me that He wants more for my life.  He has more for my life.  This spirit of fear is not from Him, it is the enemy stopping me from having and being all that God has for me.  So God asked me, what are the fears that I have, that are preventing me from being what God made me to be?

1. Fear of Heights prevents me from enjoying God's beautiful world.  You would never find me looking at the Grand Canyon, or at the top of a mountain looking to the valley below.

2. Fear of looking stupid or appearing dumb, being wrong, keeps me from trying new things, asking questions, giving answers.

3. Fear of rejection keeps me from making phone calls, sharing what I do, talking to others, sharing who I am.  

Ok, well there are  probably more, but I think this is a good start.  So in order to stop my fears from controlling me, I will take control of them.  I will look out a window and enjoy the view.  I will ask more questions, try something new, make a fool of myself.  An I will make my phone calls.  I will call you even to just say hi, how are you?  

God has created me for greatness, he's created all of for greatness.  Please share your fears, that I may be able to pray for you, and if I can help in anyway, please contact me.  

Ok just looking at these pictures freaks me out.  But here they are.






Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A Privilege to Pray

Esther 4
10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” 12 So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.

Esther 5
Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.[a] So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.

One day as I was speaking to this gentleman, he was telling me about some things that were going on in his life, and I asked if I could pray for him.  After I prayed, he thanked me and I told him that it was my privilege to pray for him.  This caught him off guard, and he asked, "Really?", yes I responded.

It is a privilege to be able to pray for someone one.  To be able to take your petition before the King of Kings.  You see coming before the king without being summoned first was something that was punishable by death.  If the king did not show you favor, it could be "Off with her head" time. 

And the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the God of this Universe invites us to come near, to come to the foot of His throne and bring your petitions.  You can petition on your own behalf, on behalf of someone else, the person you are petitioning for doesn't even have to know you are doing it, you don't even need to know the person directly or and get this, you don't even have to know what you are petitioning for.  You just have to come to the throne.  God knows what you are coming for, before any words leave your tongue.

God wants to hear your petition and God wants to grant your petitions.  God has already called for you to come near, won't you do so now? 

One thing that I have learned is that the best time to pray, is NOW.  So if someone asks for prayer, pray right then and there, don't wait for later, for often I have found, when I wait, I forget.  So if I am with someone, I pray for them right where we are.  You don't have to wait for a quiet place or be in a church, I have prayed for people in Starbucks, in a restaurant, in Barnes and Noble, on a bus, there is no place that God will not hear your petitions.

So I tell you, it would be a privilege to pray for you.  Please send me your requests.


Tuesday, May 6, 2014

What does favor look like?

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  Genesis 39:21

God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.  Daniel 1:9

You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit.  Job 10:12

When you think of someone who has favor what comes to mind.  I hear this a lot when people pray, God grant me favor, but what does in look like?  Does it mean that I am trouble free, that things are going my way, that I am successful, have great husband, family, home?  What does it mean?

I think sometimes, when we pray for favor, we are praying for the things listed above.  If God grants us favor then things will start going right in our lives. 

But as I read the Bible I have noticed favor doesn't necessarily look like what we might think. 

Joseph was a prisoner when we are told that God gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  Wouldn't it had been better to just get him out of prison?  Isn't that what we want, Lord grant us favor by getting us out of this situation.  Take this prison that is holding my captive and remove me from it?  But God doesn't always do that, and even if He does, it may not be in our time. 

Daniel had been taken from his country and became a slave, is that favor? 

Then Job, who had everything taken, says that the Lord has granted him life and favor.

So while we are praying for favor, hoping that God will remove us from our circumstances, maybe, just maybe you have already have favor.  Maybe instead of praying for something to change, know the God is working in your life and has a purpose for what you are going through. 

When we stop looking for God to take us out of something, we can be open to what God is going to do in your life, right where you are. 


Rest in that assurance.  God has granted you life and favor. 

God bless you. 

Monday, May 5, 2014

Your First Love

Revelation 2:3-4

and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Aww First Love, do you remember it?  Maybe not even your first love, but what about your current love?  Remember when you first met, first started talking, first went out?

It seems that as a relationship goes on, we tend to stop doing the things and enjoying the things that we did when we first got together.  No longer do we get butterflies when we hear his voice, talk for hours on the phone, look for ways to just run into her.  

You know it can be the same with God.  Remember how you felt when you first became a Christian?  Remember wanting to read your Bible just to see what God had to say to you.  Praying just to talk to God and let Him know how you day was going?  

I hope you have memories like this, but if not, may I say fall in love with God.  He's been wanting that since before He created you.  He wants to be the first one you talk to not the last one, when all else fails.  It's amazing what happens when you really fall in love with God.  This week I was driving in my car, talking and praising God, and I actually was feeling giddy.  I felt like a school girl falling for her first crush.  
I was thanking God for all his blessings.  It is amazing the peace you feel, and the blessings you see, and the things you are thankful for when you just relax in the love of God.  

So why not spend some time with God today and really fall in love with him.  

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Thursday, May 1, 2014

National Day of Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Today is the National Day of Prayer here in the USA.  I have only recently come to be what I would classify as a prayer warrior.  In the past, I always listen to people pray and thought, I would love to pray like them, they sound so great when they pray.  Or I wished that I was the one, who said, let's pray and then just did it, right where I was at.  But God has a way of changing a person and helping you become who you never thought that you were.

Like making Moses a great speaker, or Gideon a great warrior, that is one of the remarkable things about God.

So God has called me to pray.  But if you read the verse from II Chronicles, He has called all of his people to pray.

It's noteworthy to notice that God does not say, "If my people elect the right people" or "If the whole nation prays", no God only calls on His people to pray, and then not only must His people pray they must also seek God's Face and turn from our wicked ways.  Again, God does not call for the Nation to turn from their wicked ways, although that would be a good thing, but first it must start with His people.

So what about you, is God calling you to pray?  Why not start today, on the National Day of Prayer.  But before you can pray, you must humble yourself.   To humble means to bend a knee, to bring low into submission.  We must know our position with God, bring ourselves low to Him and submit to His will.
And then we are called to seek God's Face.  Basically we are to search Him out, to strive after Him, beseech Him, request, inquisition.  When was the last time your prayer life was like that, on your knees, beseeching God, inquisitioning God for his will,  wanting to submit to His will?  And finally turning from our wicked ways.  I know, I thought "wicked" I'm not wicked.  But wicked is just something bad, naughty, hurtful, harmful, grievous. 

But then the promise, God's wonderful promise to us, He will forgive our sin and He will heal our land  Like I said before, it will not be a politician that heals our land, it will not be Greenpeace, or the United Nations, it will be God.

So on this National Day of Prayer, will you take time to pray?  Will you humble yourself before God?  He's calling us to, each of us.  Maybe today God will turn you into a prayer warrior.

 

Friday, April 18, 2014

Cross Walk and Bomb Scare

Every year our city has a Cross Walk to commenerate Jesus walking to Calvary before he was crucified. This was the 28th year that this walk has been going on, but it was my first time to participate.  I had been wanting to go for a few years, but this was the first year that it worked out that I could make it.  
When I decided to go, I didn't call any friends or anyone to ask them to go, I just kinda went.  I figured that there would be someone that I knew, because a lot of people attend, and because people always tell me that I know everyone, so I was bound to know someone, right?
When I got to the movie theater, where everyone was meeting, I noticed that everyone seem to have a group of friends that they were meeting up with.  Every time someone new arrived there were shouts of "hello", hugs and "how are you?"   But as for me, there was no one that I knew.  I suddenly felt very alone, wanting to run back to my car and leave.  But then I started thinking, "is this how Jesus felt on his cross walk?"   Did he feel all alone in a sea of people?  What was Jesus thinking as he was walking, carrying the cross to his death?   What pain he must have felt, when he heard Peter deny him.  Where were the others?   The ones who only less then a week before, who were singing his praises, ready to crown him king.  As I looked around, I wanted to feel what Jesus felt, I wanted to know the pain my savior suffered on my behalf.  
As I watched the people gather, I wondered what were they here for?   Were they here to remember our king, or were they here because a friend asked them to come?  Was it social or was it personal?   
What about those that were there, that day over two thousand years ago?   What compelled them to come see Jesus crucified?   Were they there because there neighbors were?  Were they there because they wanted to be there for Jesus, or were they caught up in the crowd, yelling "Crucify Him"?   
So many young people, kids and babies joined us on our walk today.  And I wondered, did parents bring their kids out to see Jesus crucified?   Did they tell their children the truth about Jesus and what was happening?   Did they point and say, "see her, that's his mom"?   
There are times in our history, that when asked everyone can tell you where they were and what they were doing when it happened, the Kennedy assassination, the Space Shuttle explosion, the Twin Towers coming down.  Was it the same for the ones in Jesus' time.  Did they talk about the day the earth shook and the sky darkened?   
Right as we were beginning our walk I felt a twinge in my knee, and I thought, "praise The Lord".  I wanted to feel some pain when I walked.  Jesus did.  To me this was not a fun time, I did not wave to the passing cars.  This was truly a time to remember, to allow myself to feel and to say thank you, for I know that even if I was the only sinner in the world, Christ would have still died for me.  
As we were walking our 2.2 mile route, we were suddenly stopped.  It seems someone called in a bomb threat at the park where we were heading.  As we waited, I thought about Palm Sunday when the Pharisees wanted Jesus to quiet the people down.  Jesus said that even if the people were silenced, the rocks would cry out.  Here the enemy was trying to silence Jesus' people, doesn't he know that even if he stopped us, the very rocks would sing praises to The Lord?   As the police made us wait, I thought, what would stop me from praising my savior?   Would I stop, under the threat of death?   I can honestly say, that no, I will praise Jesus and spread the Good News, even under the threat of death.  Nothing will stop me.  
So I ask you, do you know Jesus?   If you were to die tonight, do you know where you would wake up tomorrow?   You see the Bible tells us that all have sinned.  We have all done things that are wrong and against God's Law.  And because of that sin, we all deserve death and eternal separation from God.  But God humbled himself and came down to Earth, Jesus, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and then voluntarily died on the cross to pay the price for our sin.  You see, it was the Jews or the religious leaders or the government that placed Jesus on the cross, it was His Love For You!   Jesus died for you, was buried in a tomb and then rose again three days later, thus conquering death.   That was God's part, that is His gift to you, our part is to accept this gift.   We must admit that we are sinners, that we deserve death, and accept God's gift as payment for our sins.  When we ask Jesus to come into our hearts, he does and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  
If you already know Jesus as your savior, please respond with "amen" below.   If you have never done this and would like to, please go to my website and leave me your contact information.  I would like to pray with you, answer any of your questions and send you a Bible.  
God Bless.  

Monday, April 14, 2014

Licking the Spoon and Taking out the Trash

Esther 4:14
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Luke 19:40
But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cryout.”  


I can remember as I was raising four boys that sometimes things went to the closes son.  So if you were in the kitchen while I was baking, then you got to lick the spoon, likewise if I saw you when it was time to take out the trash, then you got that duty.  It was much easier than looking for another son, when one was always close by.  All I knew is that something was there to be offered or something needed to be done, it didn't matter as much by whom, just that is got done.  Some things were met with excitement and other things were met with "Awww, why me, I did it last time"  But sometimes there would be a blessing given to the one who did what was asked of him.
It seems that God often works in the same way.  When Esther wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to go before the King regarding the plot to kill her people, Mordecai assured her that God would deliver the Jews, even if He had to use someone else.  
When the Pharisees wanted Jesus to quiet the people and stop them from praising Him.  Jesus told the Pharisees that even if the people didn't praise Him, the rocks would. 
God's will, will get done, either with us or in spite of us. 
But how much more exciting it would be, to be the one that God uses.  
So how does God pick who to use?  Does He look for the brightest, strongest, handsomest, richest?  No, although being those things does not disqualify you from being used, it is not what God looks for.  Much like when I would call the son closest to me, God is also looking for those close to Him.  
Are you spending time with God?  Are you in His word?  Are you spending time in prayer?  
When you are close to God, you will hear His voice when He calls and believe me He will call.  
What will you do when He calls, will you joyfully do what is ask or will you argue "why you?"  
I pray that you will step up and do whatever it is that God calls you to do.

During my 90 days transformation, I have been asking God to use me.  I have been praying for the eyes of Jesus to see what needs to be done, and asking for a servant's heart to do whatever is asked.
Some examples where God has used me in this last few weeks have been:  
1.  I was able to pray with an elderly man on the bus who had just broke his cane and was worried about getting home.  He was also feeling that God must be mad at him, and I was able to share with him, God's love.
2. I was at the right place and time, when my step grandson was having difficulty breathing.  I was able to first calm him down and then get my son and his mom, who called the paramedics.  I was also blessed to use this as a teaching moment for my three year old grandson, as we prayed together for brother Joey and his parents. And then;
3. This weekend when we had a yard sale, God told me to put up a sign that said, "Need Prayer" and I was able to pray with several people that came to the yard sale.
See God did not look for anything that the world would look for, I am not some great prayer warrior, what I was, was staying close to God and then obedient when God called my name.
God wants to use you too.  
Please leave a comment about how God is using you, or any prayer request that you may have.
www.tshelp4life.com

Saturday, April 5, 2014

If you write it they will read: Updates and Lessons Learned

If you write it they will read: Updates and Lessons Learned: Here I am about four weeks into my 90 day transformation, so I thought I would give an update and tell you what I have been learning. When ...

Updates and Lessons Learned

Here I am about four weeks into my 90 day transformation, so I thought I would give an update and tell you what I have been learning.
When I started this 90 day period, I had no idea where this would lead and what would happen, even though I have a long way to go to the end.  I am seeing God's hand in my life more than ever.
Physically, I feel great, I have energy and feel healthy.  My weight, is continuing to go down.


Mentally, I am totally enjoying spending more time reading.  Since I added the 21 Day Daniel Fast into my program, I am not watching TV of any kind, so I have a lot more time to read.  I am listening only to Christian Radio or Pod Casts that are uplifting and inspirational.  It is so important for me to put positive things into my mind to counteract the negative that comes from outside sources.  This is really helping me to stay focus.

Spiritually, God is God.  I am not only spending more time with God everyday, but I am opening my
eyes to those around me.  God has blessed me with meeting people that I have been able to pray with.

  How wonderful it has been to see how God has been able to use me.  No longer do I just say, "Oh, I'll pray for you",  without stopping and praying with that person right then and there.

In my business, I am busy working on my website, please check it out at www.tshelp4life.com.  There is still a lot to do, but I love working on it.  I also created my own logo.



So I am very happy with the direction things are going.  So now the lessons:
The first lesson has come from my study of the Book of Daniel, good book to study during a Daniel Fast, in the first chapter we read after Daniel and his friends were brought to live in the King's Palace as servants: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Did you see that, Daniel purposed in his heart.  Sometimes we try, we come up with excuses, we do
everything but purpose in our hearts.  Make a decision.  Or in the words of Yoda, "Try not, do or don't do, there is no try"  If we want to change something in our lives, anything, it first starts with making a decision, purposing in our hearts, and then doing.  Give up trying.

 The next lesson comes from the book of Numbers.  In the book of Numbers God tells Moses to send
12 Men to spy out the land.  So twelve men went and spied out the land and when they got back they each gave their report about what they saw.  Now they all agreed that the land was great flowing with
milk and honey a great place to live.  But ten of the spies reported that there were giants in the way.  That the obstacles were too much to get pass.  Now two of the spies did not see the obstacles just the
opportunity.  They saw the possible.  They kept their eyes on the prize.  This was given to them by God, all they had to do was to go take it.  See it was a matter of perspective.  The same is true in our lives.  We all know people, like the ten, that just see the obstacles.  All the reasons why something can not be done.  What about you?   Are there things you want in your life, things that God has placed on you heart, but all you see are the giants?  Or like the two are you focused on the prize?  Now in our story in the Bible the people listened to the ten, and did not go in to take possession of the land and instead wondered the desert.  Are you wandering in the desert, when God is telling you to take possession of his promises, to what he has already promised?

And the last lesson come in the Book of Genesis.  And that is God blesses us through the difficult times.  I used to think, God if you would change my circumstances then others will see and they will come to know you.   But then I was reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.  Now Joseph had 11 brothers that sold him into slavery.    But the amazing during his time as a slave, during false imprisonment, the Bible tells us that God was with him and that he was successful. What successful while a servant? A Prisoner?   Wow.  Are you like me, waiting until things are right to act like you are successful?  Do you stress, wondering when things will get better?   Now I'm not saying to ever stop praying or setting your sites higher, I'm just saying know that you are blessed right where you are.  God is working in your life now.  And He is able to do more than we could ever imagine.  By the end of the story, we find Joseph as second in command of Egypt.  Do you think that was one of his goals?  I think his biggest goals were staying alive and someday going home.  But he stayed true to God, always giving praise and thanksgiving.  His faith remained strong and God blessed him both in his struggles and out of them.
GOD IS GOOD!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Staying the Course



1 You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. 2 You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. 3 That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. 4 You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. 5 Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; 6Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. 7 I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. 8 I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.

Yesterday God showed me how important it is to stay the course.  

My niece is having open heart surgery today, so I was taking the bus from my home to Orange County to be at the hospital today during the surgery.  I was already on the bus, had my day pass for all my connections, when I get a call from my aunt, "surgery had been postponed due to problems with insurance".  Ok what to do, I'm already on the bus, although I could get off at the next stop and get another bus back home, but something said, no stay the course.  Then I get a message from a friend, can I come over and help clean her house.  "God, I could really use the money, maybe I should change course and go help her". "No, stay the course".
So I continued, praying for God's peace wondering did I hear him correctly, am I doing the right thing?   Am I doing the prudent thing?  Doubts, doubts, doubts.  But hearing the words, "Stay the course".  So almost four hours later I arrive at my destination, I get a call from my aunt,  surgery is a go, insurance has been worked out.

Thank you God, for showing me how to trust you, and to trust myself when I hear your voice.  Thank you for reinforcing how important it is to stay the course.  The enemy, will throw all kinds of things your way, making you doubt your commitment, making you doubt which way to go, but God says stay the course.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

National Poetry Month

April is national poetry month. I didn't even know there was a national poetry month.  But how appripro that I should begin my 21 day Daniel Fast today.  Even though I didn't know, God knew, and he knew that when I woke up this morning to begin this 21 days of spiritual growth, that I would read the email that let me know that this is National Poetry Month and how special this journey is going to be.  
You may wonder, why is she going on about National Poetry Month?  Who really cares?  What does this have to do with her Daniel Fast?  Reading that this is National Poetry Month was like a sign that God is here with me, right now in this moment, in this time, in the next 21 days.  

For you see, if you were to ask me, "what is your favorite verse?"  I would say without a doubt: 
Eph. 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 
If you did a word study on the word "workmanship" you would find that the word is Poiema.  Poiema is where we get the English word poem.  So we are God's "poem".  Beautifully written by the creator Himself.  
But the wonderful thing is, that until we take our last breath here on Earth, our poem is still being written.  I am excited to see what will be written in my life over the next 21 days, as I just submit myself to God's hand.

You too are God's workmanship, a poem not yet finished.  Do not strive with the author, instead allow God to make a beautiful thing out of your life.
HAPPY NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!!!  You are the most precious and beautiful poem in the world.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Running the Race

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This has been a rough week for me.  I have to say that I was going through some depression.  
You see, we currently live with a friend and all of our stuff is being store at someone else home.  So we have been living without our own stuff.  Then last week our friends said that they want to use their storage and we have to get everything out.  At first I couldn't even think about what to do with our things.  I didn't really want to deal with it.  But you can't stick your head in the sand forever, so I had to start thinking about what to do.

My first thoughts were, but this is my stuff.  These are my things, I want don't want to get rid of them, as my husband was saying we should sell everything.  But as I cried out to God, I heard Him speak to my heart.  This is just stuff, this is not who you are.  You are defined by your relationship to Me, and you are my darling daughter.  Do you not know that like Job, that I am more that able to restore all to you?  I gave my son, my most precious thing, for you, want you give up the things you have collected over the years, to allow me to be glorified?
Yes Lord, you gave us all that we have and yes Lord, I will sell all that I have and follow you.  I trust you when you say that your plans for me are of peace, not evil to give me a future and a hope.  Take anything that is a weight around my neck.

And so as I am writing this my husband is emptying the storage shed and we will be selling everything in two weeks in a garage sell.  

I give all that I have to God.  I am also starting a 21 Day Daniel Fast, tomorrow.  For me it is not so much about the eating, for I eat most of the things on the fast anyway, but I am also fasting from anything that takes my focus off of God and his purpose for me.  

So I will spend more time with God, my blog, my website, being with friends, working my business and will give up TV, Internet unless used to further God's purpose for my life.  I will listen only to Music or podcasts that will lift me up and grow me.  I want God to change my life from the inside out, and use me in any way He sees fit.  

Stick around, the next 21 days shall be exciting.


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

What did I do today?

Transformation is a day by day event.  It is not about looking to the future, and saying I will do it tomorrow.  For the Bible tells us that tomorrow is not promised.  It is about today, this moment and how you will spend this moment.  
If you think about moments, as if they were money, and at the beginning of your life, we are each given so many moments.  Some are given lots of moments, and some not so many, but it is not about how many moments you are given, it is how wisely you spend what you are given.  And like money, when you spend the moments correctly there is great reward and lasting treasures.
So how will you spend now?  That is all you are guaranteed.  If you have a list like I do, great, if not make a list today of what you think at this point in your life you would like to do, accomplish before you spend all of your moments.
Don't worry about tomorrow, just focus on where you are right now and where you would like to be.  A list like this should be fluid, for tomorrow, next month, next year, in ten years the list can change.  Keep the list in plain view every day.  If you need to change or tweak your list go ahead.  This is your list, not someone else.  It is not about what others tell you, you should do or not do, it is not about what you wanted to be when you grow up, unless of course deep down inside you still want that and only took it off the table because someone told you that it was silly, not practical or something, this is about you and right now in your life.
I would love the chance to encourage you, pray for you, help you, if you would like to share your dreams below or email me at thbear59@hotmail.com
Then use the 7 steps below to go for your dreams and goals.    
 
Step 1
– Take affirmative action towards living your dream life. Don’t just talk it, do it. Without some positive mind tinkering and action, passion is void. Step 2 – Pledge to yourself and your loved ones that you will accomplish your goals with passion. You will be amazed at the transformation, once you commit to tackle each goal from your heart and soul, than from a place of fear.
Step 3 – Embrace everything you do, regardless of outcome. When we take action on difficult tasks, the outcome may not always be positive. Embrace it regardless, learn from the experience, and be proud that you took the action.
Step 4 – Approach life from a place of gratitude. When you are thankful for all the simple pleasures of life, you learn to live as if everything were a miracle. Repeatedly shift towards gratitude, and you will see your life go from deficiency to abundance.
Step 5 - Use a positive life transformation formula. Start using terms like “I can” and “I will”, instead of “Shoulda”, “Woulda”, and “Coulda”. The former is based on increased awareness and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack.
Step 6 - Laugh at yourself often. Humor heals the mind, body, and soul. So go ahead loosen up, and laugh at the silly things you do instead of indulging in self-pity. Laughter is very attractive and shows a passionate side you may have never knew existed.
Step 7 - Believe you can design your destiny. Only you can use enthusiasm to create a positive future for yourself. There is no limit to how much you can create in a lifetime. Once you believe you can do it, watch all the opportunities fall right into place.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Victories and Frustrations

I know, I know it's been a couple of days, actually it's been four days since I last wrote.  But never fear, I'm here.  Here's what I have been up to.  First, the frustrations, I was feeling very frustrated last week because of the time change.  I'm an early riser, and I enjoy being an early riser, but with the time change I was finding it difficult to go to bed early and to wake up early.  And when I did manage to get to bed at my usual time which is 9:00pm, I couldn't stay asleep and found myself waking up around 11:00 wide awake.  This lead to not waking up until 6:00 or 7:00 every morning, which was frustrating me.  I like to wake up at 4:00 and I love my time in the morning.  But waking up later meant that my husband would be awake.  So now I didn't not have the time alone that I wanted and was angry with my husband for trying to talk to me when I wanted to read, pray and study.  So that is my frustration.  I also had a migraine yesterday and that frustrated me.
But I move on, not letting my frustration get the best of me. 
I am currently trying to make my own website.  www.Tshelp4life.com  I have never made a website, so it is in a rough draft right now.  But please visit my site.  I would love help on content, or if you can help me with putting together the site.  Please send me your suggestions.
Weigh in time:
Victory!!

I'm trying to find a way to link this blog with my website. 

Until tomorrow.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Getting Real

Why I am I doing this blog you may ask.  I wanted to spend a little time writing about why I am doing this blog and what I hope to accomplish through writing.  This is about to get really real, so here goes.
I believe that we were created by God for great things.  That before the foundations of the Earth were laid, God had a plan for us and for our lives.   I also believe that the enemy will and does do everything possible to keep us from accomplishing what we were created to do.
When we were little children, before the lies of the enemy started permeating our minds, we dream big dreams, we believe anything is possible and we trusted that things would work out.  But then the lies came, sometimes from parents, sometimes for society, sometimes from friends, siblings, spouses, etc. and then these lies became part of our language to ourselves.  In fact most of us don't someone else telling us to stop trying, to lower the bar of expectations, to settle, we get to the point where we tell ourselves these things.  And why not, people that were supposed to love us, told us these things, people that were supposed to know more told us these things, people that had lived longer, had more life experiences, they all told us these things.
So this journey for me is first and foremost to reprogram the voices in my own head, and yes we can reprogram our minds.  Next, it's to quiet the ones who thought they knew better and were just being truthful.  And finally, if I can do this, then you can do this.  
But in order to stop the voices you have to admit where you are.  Once you admit where you are, then it can't be used against you.  I worked in law for several years, and we always told our clients to be completely truthful with us.  If we knew everything, then we could plan for anything, it was when the clients were less then truthful, for whatever reason, maybe they thought it would matter, maybe they thought we would think less of them, but whatever the reason, when we didn't know, was when the damage was done.
So if I am truthful about where I am now, then not only do I have something to work with and can measure where I am going, but I know longer have to fear the truth.  I know longer have to think, if they know this, they will think less of me. 
So in order to beat the enemy at his own game, I am out here telling everything. 

I am being honest about where I am, and honest about where I want to be.  Then I am able to make a plan to move toward, where I want to be.

When I looked at my list, a lot of the things that I wanted were financial, so time to be honest about my finances.  Currently I have $199.76 in my checking account, and I am expect a check of $31.80.  Not completely broke but not rich.  So my first goal is to start earning more money.  Now I know that Network Marketing is the best and fastest way to earn money, if you work at it.  So my commitment to myself, my family and to you, is do spend at least five hours every day working my business.  I know what it takes, because I have others that have done it and the formula is there, I just need to commit to doing what I need to do.
I also need to change my mind set.  The mind is a powerful computer and can do remarkable things, but it is only as good as what you put into it.  So if I tell myself, that I am broke, I don't have enough money, it's too expensive, then that is what my mind believes and that is what I achieve.  So I decided this morning, that instead of saying those things, I will begin imputing new information, and say, that is something that I chose not to invest in right now.  I choose not to but that.  I choose not to go there.  Making it a matter of choice and not money, my mind does not keep thinking that we are broke.
I also went online today and got my credit score, not pretty but again a baseline of where I am starting.
 Today's weight





Baseline fitness test:
I found this test online

Currently I can:
Do a Plank for 60 seconds
It takes me 13.2 seconds to stand up and sit down in a chair without using my arms 10 times
It takes me 4.6 seconds to run up 13 stairs
I can do 5 push ups.
Looking forward to improving in these areas.

Until tomorrow.



Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Goals from Yesterday

Last night I woke up with a sore throat.  So bad it hurt to swallow.  When I could not get back to sleep, my husband offered my some NyQuil.   Hurting I took it.  The problem is that I can not swallow pills on their own.  I have never been able to swallow pills, I envy those people like my mom who can throw a hand full in their mouths and swallow.  But that's not me.  I have to eat something, to swallow with and then it's one pill at a time.  If is doesn't go down right away I will give not and just not take it.  The reason I am telling you this, is that in order to swallow the two pills I had to eat something to swallow with.  So wanting something easy and fast, I ate a chocolate cookie.
Then as I am trying to fall asleep, I get on the internet and start researching detoxing and sore throats, and sure enough when you are detoxing you can experience sore throats, nasal congestion, and other cold like symptoms.  Best thing to do for a sore throat is to gargle with warm salt water.  So had I done the research first and not acted first I would have never taken the medicine.
But that is the way we are in this society, we reach for medicine first, instead of finding remedies, we reach for band-aides. 
So not real proud of the choice I made last night, but I know I can make better choices in the future.  That's what true transformation is, the ability to learn from you actions and make better choices in the future.
Today's Weigh In
Today's Weigh In













So now onto today and what to do with the list from yesterday.  It doesn't do any good to just write down what you want, if you don't make a plan oh how to get it.  So what I did was to categorize each of the things on my list, so that I can break them down and start to work on each one.

Here goes:

Physical
1. I want to run a marathon
8. I want to lose 50 pounds
24. I want to feel good about myself when I look in the mirror



Spiritual

18. I want a marriage that points others to Christ
19. I want to have weekly Bible Studies in my home
32. I want to have my life mean something
34. I want to know Christ more intimately
35. I want to spend more quality time in prayer
36. I want to believe God for more
37. I want to be used by God to bring others to salvation
38. I want to do the things that Jesus tells his disciples that we will be able to do
39. I want to  attend church more
46. I want to dream more and bigger dreams



Financial
2. I want to have a successful Arbonne Business
3. I want own my own home
4. I want to make enough money to be able to give away 90% of what I make
5. I want to open a home for unwed mothers
6. I want to start a program for Junior Highers that will teach them how to think, how to help others and how to take personal responsibility for their lives.
9. I want to take my grandson to Disneyland, and on vacations around the world.
10.  I want to buy property large enough for my family to live close by.
16. I want to be able to move my mom into my home, and be able to afford to give around the clock care.
20. I want to be able to be a secret Santa to those in need
21. I want to give back to everyone who has ever helped my over the years in ten fold
22. I want to travel to Isreal
23. I want to take an RV trip around the US visiting every state.
26. I want to feel free to invite people over to my house on a whim, no planning
27. I want an extra room that is always available to anyone in need.
33. I want to be able to say yes more and not have to worry about what it will cost
31. I want to shop more
32. I want to be able to see a need and meet it
33. I want to be prepared when I see someone struggling to lend a hand

41. I never want to feel ashamed because I do not have the money to join in
42. I never want to have to come up with excuses of why I can not do something, when I know that it is money that is holding me back
43. I want to have a swimming pool
44. I want to attend more sporting events
47. I want to decorate my home, how I want
48. I want to buy a fixer upper and redo it and sell it or give it away
50. I want to write a book
51. I want to have a blog that I can make money with



Relational

12. I want to be able to open my house to those in need

13. I want to have weekly family dinners
14. I want to help others achieve their dreams
15. I want to help my sons achieve their dreams
17. I want to have a big extended family Christmas
18. I want a marriage that points others to Christ
28. I want have girls night in
29. I want to do more with my step-daughters
30. I want to spend more time with all my grandsons and get to know them better.
45. I want to help my husband be whatever it is he wants to be
49. I want to be able to visit my kids more
54. I want to do a play with my sons again 


Personal

7. I want to dance on Broadway

11. I want to attend a black tie affair
24. I want to feel good about myself when I look in the mirror
25. I want to laugh more
31. I want to love more
32. I want to have my life mean something
40. I want to be true to my word
46. I want to dream more and bigger dreams

52. I want to write a play
53. I want to choreograph more

Ok, here is the blueprint of my dreams.  Tomorrow I will start with one section at a time and break it down according to priorities.  Then will come action steps and implementation.

God Bless Until tomorrow.