Weight Loss scriptures

As many of you know, I have been battling my weight for many years. It has become such a problem that I will avoid many things, events, and sometimes people because of this. I felt ugly, unimportant, and I can't believe I felt this way, but unloved. I know that people loved me but I felt they could love me more if I was prettier and thin. This became a bondage to me. My own body and self esteem was bondage. I was holding myself back from my family, and from God. I am tire of it. It was time to make a change. I decided to turn to God for help. I wasn't asking him to magically melt my fat, although I feel now, he is doing this. I wanted him to purge everything that held me back from a deep and close relationship with my Father in Heaven. The best way to do this was through study of the Word, the truth and up- in- your- face- very- blunt- it- will- make -me -cry TRUTH. I also read three books (why did it have to be so many? I wasn't getting it with just scripture and one book.) The books are Eat and Stay Thin, Joyce Meyers, Made to Crave, Lysa TerKeurst, and not a book but website http://www.takebackyourtemple.com.
The first scripture started with this Ps 139: 13-14  Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!  Body and soul, I am marvelously made!  I worship in adoration—what a creation!
This scripture had such importance for me I had to highlight it 3 different ways. In other words, God didn't make junk, or anything ugly. I am not ugly. Neither are you. He designed me in the womb. He set my path to the straight and narrow from childhood. He has me in his heart.
Another scripture I cling to is 1 Corinthians 6:12  “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Does this mean I can eat 4 pieces of the triple chocolate mocha cake? Sure it does. But should I? NOPE! Now this scripture pertains to sexual impurities but that is not what I take from this verse. I tend to rely on food when I am sad, stressed, happy, excited, tired, and hungry. Hunger is the only reason to rely on food. God wants us to rely on Him and only Him. For me, this scripture means that food is ok and I can have anything I want, but it doesn't mean I can't turn food into sin. I was sinning each time I indulge my emotion with food. God should have been the one I cling to and celebrate with, not this triple chocolate mocha cake with a super large  raspberry mocha on the side.
God has brought me along a journey I am ever so grateful to be on. I have finally started loosing the weight, slowly but surely. It only happened after the bonds were, are, broke. Am I fixed yet? Nope, he is still working on me. When he is done, is the day I go home.
If you are like me and bought tons of weight loss book, or checked them out repeatedly at the library, then it is time to find your drive and break the bonds. Read the books I listed and pray God shows you scriptures to get you through. A fair warning, you will be aware of more than just changes to be made for weight loss, you will find all kinds of things you need to fix (God will help) to get closer to God. Oh but the reward is so worth it. My prayers are with you. I plan to add more scriptures every few days. Some are of my own, some are from these books. I hope they help.
"He's healing me, I'm gonna worship."

God's Wedding Gift!

I had a very busy day. I enrolled the kids in Summer School. For those of you that know me, you are gasping with an open mouth and your jaw dropped. I am not against public school but it really doesn't fit our learning style. Summer school however, is different. They learn through play, guided play, but this is my way. The kids are excited, and nervous. So are Mommy and Daddy.

Then I enjoyed a cheap (oops I meant inexpensive) lunch with my Mom. I cherish moments with my mom because I know life is short and precious. She is my best friend and I love her so. I took the kids to my parents home to run off some steam. I love farms in the not-so-far-out-there country for this reason. I can let the kids outside and not think twice about them being hit by a car, taken out of my yard, or having the police show up because I am not in the yard watching them. I then learned some Spanish, checked out mattresses with my husband at the furniture store (always a fun time) just to learn that we still haven't saved enough to purchase one. A few more months on a lumpy old mattress won't hurt...too much. Debt Freedom is close enough. No need to blow it now. Then I enjoyed dinner with my family before the night came to an end. Which brings me to the reason for the title of this post.

My kids are 7, 5 1/2, and 3. They get very curious about a lot of things. Some things are appropriate for their age. Some are not. I usually explain everything I can to make learning fun. Tonight happen to be about babies. "Where do babies come from, Mommy? Don't tell me your belly or heaven because they have to get in your belly somehow and I guess that God is strong enough to magically put them there. But why do people that aren't married get them?" My 5 year old asks this question. She was wondering why some single mommies around us got their babies. I was a bit shocked but then I realized this came from my oldest daughter and just laughed a bit. My mind was racing for the right words but nothing came to me quick enough. My son chimed in with, "Ya mommy, you and Daddy make cookies at night. Is that how they get there?Cause so and so doesn't have a husband. Does she make cookies by herself?" My face turns red in three shades. Surely he hasn't figured out the code phrase. Time for a new code phrase. I kid you not. My kids were coming at me like lightening with questions I don't care to answer.

So I say a quick prayer for the right way to tell them this. "Well, there is something Mommies and Daddies do.." Nope this isn't going to work. Too young, too young.  Here is where I scream, "Lord Help!" Funny how He knows just what to do when you scream that. Here is what I tell them. "Kids, do you know that Daddy and I were married before Dayson was born. When we got married, God gave us a wonderful and exciting gift. Now this gift He gives to all married people when they have their wedding. But sometimes, women and men will steal this gift and use it. This gift brings wonderful little babies sometimes. When it isn't used the correct way, it can bring babies still but not always good things to come with that baby." Dayson asks why some family members didn't have a baby and they are married. I explained that sometimes our bodies will not work the right way. God can heal us or give us a baby that doesn't have a mom or a dad. We just have to make sure we keep our life in God's hands and use our money the way God tells us too.  My daughter Lainey replies, "How does the gift work? Is it like the PS3 because that is fun and does all kinds of things when you put a game or Netflix in it." Oh, she did just say that. I get a big grin on my face. Maybe that is the new code phrase. Maybe not.

I go on to tell them that when they are a bit older, they will understand how this gift works and it could be like a ps3 but not likely. My son asks me if Daddy and I stole the gift before we got married. He brought up a couple that just got married but had a baby before the wedding. I was proud to say that we did it God's way and our marriage is big time blessed because of this. He smiled very big and said, "Mommy I like when you and Daddy do things God's way. I am always going to do things God's way too." My heart swelled with joy and love.

The birds and the bees have a new name. I will always call it God's wedding gift. Oh look, I just found a new code phrase.....lol. I pray when my kids grow up to be young adults that they keep this gift holy. We all make mistakes. I did once and it was the greatest mistake I ever made. If your teen or young adult steals this wedding gift, let them know it is OK to start over, and give the gift back. Just don't steal it again. God will forgive them. He did me and then my soul mate showed up when I least expected him to. That soul mate provided wonderful little gifts (with mine and God's help of course) that ask questions before they are old enough to understand them. Thank you God. Thank you so much!

http://raisinghomemakers.com/2011/be-encouraged-homemaking-hospitality-tea-tea-cozy-give-away/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RaisingHomemakers+%28Raising+Homemakers%29

Being a homemaker is about being the light of Jesus Christ for all the world to see. Hospitality isn't about having a perfect home. It is about having the right heart and giving someone in need (children, husband, or guest) a warm cup of tea, a hot meal, a comfortable place to sit or just an ear to listen. The condition of your home doesn't matter, the condition of your heart does.
Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Everlasting God

I found a lot of comfort in this song. It is called "Everlasting God" by New Life Worship. I was very upset about several things yesterday. I came across this song by accident. I see and hear the words, and immediately feel comfort. He is my Everlasting God and when all else fails, he is still the same, he gives me what I need when I need it. He deserves my all, my effort, my praise and everything in my life.

the lyrics

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

Verse2:

One thing I know that I believe
through every blessing I receive
You are the only One that stays, You always stay

Chorus
You never change, You're still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
everlasting God

Verse 3:
One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

Chorus
You never change, You're still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
everlasting God

Menu for week 2-19-11

2/19/11 Today
B: Grapefruit, toast with jelly and peanut butter
l: Ramen soup
D sloppy joes, (ground turkey and sausage 2lbs, 1c ketchup, 1/4 c mustard, 1/2 c bbq sauce, one packet of onion soup mix and 1 tb garlic powder) with Roasted potatoe wedges
Snacks have been fruit and toast.

2/20/11
B: banana muffins, eggs
L: PB and J sandwhiches
D: Turkey, Stuffing, greenbeans

2/21
Oatmeal
Mac n cheese with tuna and peas (making fromscratch this week in double batches, the box stuff is full of junk)
Roasted Garlic chicken legs and thighs, Biscuits, Broccoli

2/22
Yogurt parfeit
Tuna Sandwiches, vegtables
Chiken Pot Pie

2/23
Eggs and toast, something different for mommy
Leftovers
Beans and bread

2/24
Pancakes and Sausage
Ramen soup
Tomatoe soup w/ beans and Pasta (recipe can be found on allyou.com)

2/25
Oatmeal, Fruit
pizza pockets
Cheeseburger rice

Freedom.

I was feeling pretty crummy this morning after a discussion (plus tears) with my husband. I have a huge problem with editing. I should have went to college for this but I figured to make the big bucks, I would need to move to New York or California and I didn't want to move away from family.. Anyway! He had asked me to read one of his devotions. He has been writing quite a few and they are very good. However, he didn't want me to edit it. He said some things in a joking matter but considering these "jokes" have had some sting behind them lately, I was hurt. I normally shrug off these jokes because this is who I am. I can't seem to leave bad writing grammar alone. I have always been this way, I love to write. It just seemed this morning that this character trait I possess is bothering him after 8 1/2 years of marriage. What is the deal this time?

I began to cry and suddenly don't wish to read his devotional. I yell back, "When will anyone accept me the way I am, big and bold? If you can't do it, then know one will." He leaves to the sanctuary of our bedroom. He is tired and can't think straight. I just woke up and can't think straight. Better to leave this alone for now and come back to it later. As I sit in front of this writing of his, I began to cry and pray. I plead with God for everyone to leave me as I am. I want to be accepted and not change anymore for anyone else. I have had so many changes to myself in the recent months that I don't even know who I am. If I don't know myself anymore, how is anyone around me going to love the new me. Then I hear my Father tell me, "I love you just as you are. But I am changing you for your own good and to do my work. Accept yourself and the changes I am causing with in your soul. Then all things will fall into place. Daughter I love you. Be yourself within Me." I open my eyes and look toward Heaven. "Thank you God!"

Then I decide to read my email. In my inbox was a devotion from Proverbs31 ministries. It talks of freedom. Oh how I long to be free! I have been a child of God my whole life but never have I truly been free. I struggle with a few things as we all do. I know that God is changing me for a better reason. He is changing me to be free to live for Him. Ps 119: 45 says "I walk about in freedom from my body weight, my bad self image and self condemnation, and from control, for I have sought out your precepts." Oh Lord, do I want to walk about in freedom. The author goes on to say, " Freedom is my word for 2011, a word I want to truly understand. A word I am defining for me as unconfined by human limitations and my self destruction, free to be an expression of my amazing God and his perfect love." This is my prayer too.

I want to be free from self condemnation and bad self esteem. I obsess over my weight and I have allowed it to hold me back for the kingdom of God. My husband and I just accepted a calling that we felt a while back. However, Satan has been attacking me severely with thoughts like "How can you lead a church when you can't lead yourself. You look awful and no one is going to want to come to a church with an ugly fat worthless and angry minister's wife." Sounds so silly, doesn't it, to believe these lies? However, they have been such a stronghold over me for many years, even from childhood. I hate living this way and pray for FREEDOM. These changes within me are to get me to freedom. I want to one day yell as loud as I can, so the whole world hears, "God set me free. I walk around in freedom."
I also want to be free from control. I don't like to give up control. When family and friends around me do something that could harm them or put them into a deep whole, I get angry. I want to make them do things the right way and so I get irritated. It isn't my place to be their parent or judge. I need to let God work in their lives and let God work in mine. Galations 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." This is the work God has for me. No longer do we need to be a slave to our problems. Change breaks the bonds of slavery, time and time again.

I need to remember that God loves me for me. He made me wonderful and God doesn't make trash. I leave you with this verse today. Thank you God! Thank you and I love you!
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalms 139: 17-18

3 Effective Strategies to Help You Pay Off Credit Card Debt

3 Effective Strategies to Help You Pay Off Credit Card Debt
We used both Strategy #1 and #2. Use what works for you but use some sort of proven strategy. I apply the debt snowball to outstanding loans also, car payments, the second mortgage, and any debt that is not your home. That will come later. Get a starter emergency fund too. Good luck and my prayers are with you.
Debt free very Soon.
Tasha