Weigh-In Day

I REALLY don't feel like posting this post....but I know this is part of the journey and I won't shie away from being transparent about it.

So yesterday was weigh-in day. I stepped on the scale after staying away from it since February 20th. Oh how quickly I pulled out the club of condemnation as the scale read I’m up another 3 pounds since I last weighed. That means I’m up 10 pounds since September 2008 – from 149 to 159 pounds. Ugh.

All sorts of thoughts swirled through my head. Of course the big one being that I somehow think I NEED the scale to maintain/lose weight… Another thought that ran through my head was “This 0-5 eating doesn’t work to lose weight!” (which I know flat out is a lie, since it HAS "worked" for me and many others!). I rarely go there with my thoughts, but I have to admit I went there yesterday! Then there were the other familiar thoughts: failure, the past repeating itself, defeat. It feels like the story of my past few years. I’d lose weight. Gain it back plus some. Lose weight. Gain it back plus some. And on it went. I don’t want to continue yo-yoing like this. I feel tired of this battle.

Right now, thinking of myself as 159lbs (keeping in mind that this is on my scale...the doctor's scale would probably add another couple pounds to that #....making me well outside my BMI again *sigh*)... Back on topic, thinking of myself as 159 lbs makes me feel very unattractive and fat. I could actually feel the “blobbiness” descend on me like a cloak, immediately after the weigh in. What on earth is up with that?! Prior to stepping on the scale I felt strong, healthy, slim, empowered. Stepping on the scale and seeing this # is certainly a wake-up call. One I perhaps needed. But at the same time, the thought of living in the shadow of this piece of metal’s “judgement” of me just doesn’t appeal to me any longer.

As I reflect on the past month, I have to admit that I absolutely relished the past 1+ months, living free of the scale. Eating 0-5 seemed to flow fairly naturally every single day, at basically every meal. It was a beautiful thing to experience. I kept careful track of my hunger #’s and food eaten. I can see habits changed. I can see heart changes. One of the most beautiful things about tracking this way was that I would sometimes feel the club of condemnation pulled out for slip-ups…but rarely would I feel “fat” or “ugly” or “unattractive” when exclusively using the 0-5 scale. I simply observed, corrected, and saw each slip up as a potential learning experience to grow further surrendered to the Lord.

One of my first responses was thinking that I needed to step on the scale daily once again. Track it. Mark it down. And in all honesty, stepping on the scale daily has a positive aspect. I have no clue if my weight today was a “blip” in a string of on-track weigh-ins…or was it a true reflection of my past month’s struggle/victory steps? I really have no clue. That bugs me. That is probably one of the only positives for a daily weigh-in. I see the fluctuations and don’t get as “thrown” off when I see a higher # occasionally.

My other response, which I believe is a true conviction from the Lord, is to cut out desserts for the next month. I think this is where the real slip-up has happened in the past couple months. The “love” of sugar has its tentacles gripping my heart. And it is time to be set free from that, no longer mastered by anything but Christ. I have noticed that this is definitely the biggest struggle I have with staying on track 0-5. I think my dessert consumption has resulted in me stretching my hunger #’s. The thought of bypassing the dessert after dinner, when I’m at a clear #5, hardly enters my mind. I’m greedy for that sugar. I’m longing for that treat. It’s what I’ve been waiting for all day long. Honestly, that’s the truth. That is the sin hiding away in the secret place of my heart.

I contemplated what it would look like to cut out desserts for the month in conjunction with stepping on the scale daily… And I have to say this is where I have changed. It was like a light bulb went off in my head…or maybe my heart. I don’t want to step near that piece of metal. I don’t want to feel “righteous” if my weight goes down. I don’t want to feel “fat” when my weight goes up. I just want to go with the flow, walking in step with the Spirit. I want to simply focus on obedience and surrender to the Lord.

So, that is where I’m going to track. I feel the Lord calling me to greater obedience, less focus on the # on the scale, more focus on Him. I know it is going to be tough cutting out desserts for the next month (although I will make exceptions in social situations if it is within 0-5 as I generally don’t struggle with moderation in those situations). I know that it is time to move into a “discernment” phase. I have seen very clearly how much of a stronghold sugar has in my life. And I need the Lord to set me free. I need to be able to see that the LORD is my portion. He satisfies…even more then sugar!

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12

God calls me to so much more than simply being consumed with weight and the number on the scale. He wants my heart…ALL OF IT!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

And I want Him to have all of me! I have seen how God has used this weight surrender struggle to draw me into a deep and intimate relationship with Him. I have had an insatiable appetite and hunger and thirst for the Lord and his word the past few months, unlike I've ever experienced before. I praise God for that! I don’t simply want to travel this journey to end up self-controlled and disciplined…I want it to be about so much more than that. I want His glory to spill over and out through me with the fruits of the spirit so evident - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

May my life be a fragrant offering to you, my Lord. Mould me. Use me. Change me. Renew me. Transform me more into your image. May I reflect your glory more and more each and every day, and become pure as gold through these tests. Amen.

God's Perfect Peace

I was watching the news this morning and an author was interviewed who had wrote a book about decision making. The point pondered was whether we should make decisions based on emotion or logic. And the answer is it needs to be a combination.

This flowed interestingly into what God has been speaking to me about the past few days in regards to my mind, my heart and God's perfect peace.

I've been feeling a bit caught up in the busyness of life. I have been longing to get my thoughts sorted out and processed. Putting posts together on my blog is one way of processing everything. I've been itching to get here to post! So this is a big treat for me right now!

As I think about the way my anxieties plague me, how my to-do list grows, how I sweat the small stuff, I plead for God's perfect peace. Oh how my emotions (heart) and logic (mind) can get all mixed up and upside down sometimes! I wanted to just quiet my soul and rest at His feet. A verse that has been really sticking with me lately and resonating is Isaiah 26:3.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (NIV)

This is a powerful verse. It reminds me that I can experience God's perfect peace in my heart even in the midst of tumultuous experiences if my mind is focussed on the Lord. I asked myself what it means to have a mind that is steadfast. And the King James Version of this verse shed a little light on what that means.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is STAYED on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (KJV)

A steadfast mind is a mind that is STAYED on the Lord. Focussed on Him. Fixed on Him. Trusting the Lord. As I began to do a quick search on verses that speak of the mind, I was reminded of one of my favorite verses lately...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Transformed by the renewing of my mind. How do we do that? is my next logical question.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col. 3:2

"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37

I think the root of renewal and steadfastness of mind can be summed up in this verse:

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16

As I approach the throne of grace with confidence in the the blood of Jesus poured out for my sins (Heb. 4:16), and as I set my focus on things above (Col. 3:2), seeking to love God with all that is in me (Matt. 22:37) and get to know him through his law, the bible (Jer. 31:33)...then I have the mind of Christ and I begin to be transformed and renewed.

So what difference does this make to the state of my heart or my emotions? Well, if my mind is STAYED on the Lord, trusting Him, steadfast...then He renews me and transforms me and also begins to pour out His perfect peace in my heart. It begins to spill over.

I couldn't help but think about this familiar passage:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

This is getting down the nitty gritty of experiencing God's perfect peace. I hadn't really zoned in on the word "mind" before in verse 7 where it says: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hmmm.... Very interesting! And the main message of the whole passage is all about keeping our focus STAYED on Him and our mind being steadfastly fixed on thankfulness and prayer and excellent and praiseworthy things from above. And even greater then that the promise that the Lord is NEAR! Oh to be in His presence!!! (and to not forget that no matter what we're feeling!) God's perfect peace flows out of all that.

I know this is a very quick and incomplete look into these verses. Yet God has been stirring a longing for His peace within me. And I began to connect some dots in the past few days! I see how it is connected to my state of mind. Beliefs, what fills my mind, keeping God's truth foremost has been a big part of my growth in the past year. I realize the importance of ensuring my mind is fixed fully on the Lord, not allowing any lies from Satan to permeate my mind, not allowing my focus to shift away from the Lord's perfect and pleasing will... I must keep my mind steadfastly stayed on Him alone and I WILL experience His perfect peace.

Thank you for your perfect peace, Lord. (Is. 26:3) My soul clings to You. Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8) I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3) Your name and renown is the desire of my heart. (Isaiah 26:8)

Divine Agape Love

The official "love" month is pretty much over. God has been convicting me of many things throughout the past couple weeks as I have meditated on His divine agape love.

This week's "Living Beyond Yourself" study is focussed on the LOVE fruit of the Spirit. One statement Beth Moore made which has stuck with me is: "Love is always demonstrative."

Our church ladies ministry has created a new outreach called "Love is a Verb" which is focussed on outreach to teen moms. The title of the ministry sounds the same as Beth Moore's statement, doesn't it?!

And then if we compare those words to 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." we can see the scriptural backing!

Of course the ultimate "love" description in scripture can be found in 1 Corinthians 13. And the words tucked into the following four verses are powerful challenges, at least for me!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient.

Wow, I've been tested in this department lately. My daughters in particular challenge me in this area. And then today, in a VERY slow check-out line, once again I was reminded that divine agape love is patient! I was actually feeling embarrassed by the thoughts that were going through my mind as it was one of my least favorite cashiers at this check out (it's hard to believe there could be a "least favorite" cashier isn't it!!! I've just had some bad experiences with her!). The Holy Spirit immediately chided me and reminded me that this lady needed agape love and prayer. So I set to praying for this lady and took captive those impatient unkind thoughts and made them obedient to Christ.

Love is kind.

My husband is probably the most common recipient of cutting hurtful UNKIND words. I feel challenged to be more kind to him in particular. Just because I want to be honest with him doesn't mean I have to be insensitive!

Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.

This is not my typical area of struggle, but occassionally it rears its head.

Love is not rude.

Beth Moore zoned in on "rude" referring to crude or inappropriate talk etc. Of course this is occasionally a challenge, particular with non christian friends. And it does make me second guess TV shows I watch etc. as I do want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.

Ooohh, that's a tough one!

Love does not delight with evil but rejoices in the truth.

That's just beautiful!

Love always protects.

THIS is the one that God has REALLY convicted me on. How often do I fail to protect others, in particular their reputation? I know this is a challenge with my kids and husband. I received conviction in this area a couple years ago when studying Woman after God's Own Heart. I was convicted of my need to protect my children and husband, by watching what I say about them to others.

But if I take this one step further, how about the rest of the people in the world? We're meant to love EVERYONE right, even our enemies?! Last week the "crazy lady" who drops her kid off at school each day while we're on lunch duty, was coming up to the school. One of my co-workers immediately started to talk bad about her (which I confess I've done too). I said a few careful words, and knew in my heart I was being challenged to extend divine agape love by protecting the "crazy lady" and being careful not to gossip and malign this lady.

Love always hopes and perseveres and never fails.

Isn't that beautiful! As I sit here pondering these characteristics I can't help but think of those courageous individuals who "step out of time" and extend love to the poor and needy and oppressed (in line with Isaiah 58) whether it is through an orphanage ministry or a homeless/street person ministry or with immigrants and refugees and many many more.

That is the kind of love that HOPES in the face of odds stacked against them. That is the kind of love that PERSEVERES despite the uphill battles. And that is the kind of love that God uses to change people forever which NEVER FAILS.

These characteristics just keep playing through my head over and over and over again. What an AWESOME beautiful picture of love!

Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit convicting me and speaking to me through this Scripture! I pray that I would live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit and produce the fruits of the Spirit through Your empowerment. Thank you for your divine agape love! Thank you for demonstrating your love for us while we were still sinners, providing the sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be made right with you! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.

How the day went...

Yesterday went okay... I actually ended up being quite stressed for a large part of the day because my older daughter was really testing me! Grrr.... Oh well, it was still a good day. It's just hard to see her growing up and not my "little" girl anymore:-( And I really have to learn to display the fruits of the spirit to her~love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

So in regards to eating, here's how it went.

Breakfast: As I said, I was hungry (though not rumbly) for breakfast and had a moderate amount of food, staying within 0-5.

Lunch: I was actually rumbly hungry, which was a surprise for me:-) I wish, in hindsight, that I'd eaten a little lighter of a lunch. I ended up eating just one small piece of bread, a cheese string and some veggie/fruit juice...staying within 0-5 once again. Doesn't seem like a lot, but that seemed to tide me over right until supper.

Supper: I didn't have rumbly hunger, but was beginning to feel hunger. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal at my parent's place and enjoyed the conversation and visit. My mom always spoils me on my birthday! She's pretty special:-) I took a very small sliver of cake (which stunned my mom!) as I wanted to have some room for treats later.

Then Jon and I went to DQ and I had a blizzard which I thoroughly enjoyed and then we went and rented a movie (Becoming Jane) and snuggled, with some popcorn in hand, to watch the movie. (We were originally going to go to the movie theater but then the timing was just off...so we opted for a movie at home.)

I was pushing it with regards to 0-5 in many ways, because my evening eating was over such an extended time. I would say I ate to about a #6, just a bit past hunger being satisfied.

So, that's how things went at this end:-) Now I'm officially another year older! I'm very thankful for the past year and all the ways the Lord has grown me. And I truly look forward to what He has in store for the upcoming year! For...

"He who began a good work in you (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6

I'm still HIS work in progress! I'm thankful for His faithfulness, patience and mercy despite all my setbacks and failings!

Thanks, Lord!

A Deeply Rooted Tree

I love going for walks along the river banks in our city. There is usually a lush green grassy area and then closer to the river, in a lower spot, there is a mucky area (only wet mucky in the spring season) where the river levels were higher during the spring melt. Not much grass grows in those areas because our growing season up here in the Canadians prairies is relatively short. However, what DOES flourish in this "mucky" area are the TREES! They are absolutely MASSIVE! So, when the mud dries up after the spring melt, then my husband and I love to go for bike rides along those dirt paths near the river. We admire the strong hardy trees. Oftentimes the roots are exposed...and we have to watch for the gnarled roots popping up on our path!

Summer '07 we took a trip down the west coast and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation along the way. Some of the trees we saw in Oregon and California were absolutely unbelievable! One of our favorite campsites was in Oregon, at Beverly Beach, close to Newport. We had this beautiful stream flowing right behind our campsite and it was so lush and green and the trees were absolutely stunning.

Right in our campsite. Those are quite the trees to attach a clothesline to, aren't they?! Absolutely massive!

The massive size of our "clothesline" trees in our campsite in perspective next to the kids.

A really cool tree we actually DROVE THROUGH in northern California! Very interesting experience! And an ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE TREE!

I want to be like those trees!

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3

I want to "delight" in God's Word (like streams of water or the river that I mentioned above) and be nourished spiritually, rooted and built up in Him (Col. 2:6-7). I want to yield fruit, more specifically the fruits of the spirit~love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-24).


The trees stretch so tall, seemingly almost to the sky. The thickness of the solid tree trunk is unbelievable...so sturdy, so hardy, so ancient. The roots of the trees twist this way and that...but they gravitate towards the stream. They soak up the nourishment. They grow strong. In the springtime and summer they are lush and green and sweet smelling. They stand the test of the storms, drought, heat, cold and time. It's hard to miss them as we walk along those river banks! And it's hard not to think of my Creator when I see these trees. They point straight to the awesomeness of God!


That's the way I want to be. I want to be a planting for the display of the Lord's splendor just like those trees, as He nourishes me, grows me, protects me, teaches me, equips me. I want to point other's to the Creator, my Lord! That is my prayer today.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3

The Lord's Table~Day 35 to 42

It's been quite awhile since I posted my quick recaps of these lessons! But I continue doing one daily and always come away refreshed and challenged. I know it's not all that much fun reading lengthy posts about a study you're not even studying, so please know that the main reason I'm posting these recaps are for my own benefit, to have a quick snapshot of each lesson and lessons I've learned along the way. I have done the same with the "Thin Within" book a couple times.

That being said, here is my catch-up recap...

Day 35~Perseverance

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

Perseverance develops character.

Character develops hope.

Hope doesn't disappoint.

Mike Cleveland writes:

If we study the life of Abraham we can see that he was simply a "faithful plodder." How about you? Are you in this lifestyle change as a sprinter or a marathon runner? What are your thoughts?

My answer is: A faithful plodder for the most part! It feels like it's taking a long time to experience full victory in the area of overeating. But I keep plodding along! I keep on keeping on. I keep pressing on.

And here is one of my personal favorite verses that wasn't mentioned in this lesson but speaks of perseverance...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I cling to that promise.

Perseverance must finish its work so that I may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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Day 36~God Nourishes His People

Christ Himself is the Bread of Life and He is "The Lord's Table" and is given to us for our nourishment. We begin to grow spiritually as we feed on Christ and do His will. As we grow we begin living in a self-controlled manner, and we develop habits of righteousness. These habits can last a lifetime and will mean permanent weight loss for us. The good news for us is that God nourishes His people. He causes us to grow. TLT workbook pg 117

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Day 37~Such Were Some of You

If we are sinners who are trying to be good we will inevitably fall. But if we are saints, who occasionally stumble and sin, then our nature is such that we hate sin, and our habitual pattern of life will be to walk in righteousness. TLT workbook pg 119

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Day 38~Food For the Soul

This lesson touches on the scripture I had discovered on our christmas travels: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Once again here is the chain...

1. Faith
2. Goodness
3. Knowledge
4. Self-control
5. Perseverance
6. Godliness
7. Brotherly kindness
8. Love

One thing that I took away from this lesson is to remember to focus on the fruits of the spirit. These are the new "clothes" of the new creation that I am in Christ. When Christ lives in me then I will bear fruit of the Spirit. Keep fixing my eyes on Christ. Let go of all sin that entangles. Nothing but Him satisfies fully so why would I even try to seek substitutes or have one foot on each side of the fence, serving two masters?


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Day 39~Live For Pleasure

The key is that we are to be a people who live for pleasure in God! TLT workbook pg 125

Ways I can do this are look to God for instruction, read and meditate on His Word, do His will, listen to praise music, pray and worship Him, read things that draw my eyes to Him, reach out and share His love and the gospel with others...and probably so much more!


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Day 40~Called to Suffer

I'm not sure about the premise of this lesson in regards to weight loss methods. I am not sure sure about needing to suffer to lose weight. I believe in "suffering" when denying fleshly lusts, but not necessarily "suffering" by denying hunger... Does that make sense? I think that our hunger and fullness are designed by God to help us take care of our bodies and we should be listening to our body's signals.

However this statement I do agree with...

The point is that God is glorified in our becoming free from sin, and there will be inevitable suffering in the flesh that comes as we are seeking to be free from sin. TLT workbook pg 129

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23

Deny myself.

Take up his cross.

This is a key verse I think. So often I do as I feel entitled, focussing on self. But my old self is crucified and I must deny self.

I must "die" daily to: greed, grumpiness, selfishness, anger, covetness, laziness, loose tongue.

As a new creation, as Christ lives in me I must "live" each and every day to: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I must do daily housecleaning of my heart.


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Day 41~We Must Master Sin

Lessons learned fro 1 Peter 5:8-11...

Be self-controlled and alert. Resist the devil. Stand firm in the faith. Remember others are suffering the same. Remember Christ will give victory and will perfect me one day.

The biggest thing I need to do right now is to get intentional again and pre-plan more. This is being ALERT. I will continue feasting on the Lord which is standing FIRM IN THE FAITH. I need to use the sword of the Spirit (His Word) to RESIST Satan. I began to take action here.


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Day 42~Seek First The Kingdom of God

If I am seeking Christ first I will eat in a careful manner, so that I enjoy my food as a gift of God and so that I do not overeat. TLT workbook pg 134

Food is a gift from God. This is a good reminder. I must be a good steward of this gift. When greed is present it is NOT glorifying to God.

Looking to Matthew 6:25-34 I am reminded that because God knows our needs I can trust Him to meet those needs. My job is to SEEK HIM and the rest will fall into place in God's own special way.

Well-Watered Garden

God has been painting a picture for me today… A picture of a well-watered garden.

First of all I need to start by saying I am as far from having a green thumb as ANYONE could get!!! I seriously am NOT into gardening… Yet I DO greatly appreciate the beauty of a well-kept lush garden. I appreciate all the care and work that some people put into their gardens.

My neighbour always has the most beautiful flowers/plants immaculately lining her yard. I haven’t seen her backyard, but I’m sure it is picture-perfect! She is always careful about making sure they are watered, weeded and cared for.

And then there are the “naturally” watered gardens that God has planted all over the world—beautiful forests and meadows filled with every imaginable flower and tree and grass and on the list goes! I have to say that in all the earth probably one of my favorite spots to be is in a beautiful lush forest! I LOVE the smells, the sounds, the cool refreshing air, the beauty, the quietness... EVERYTHING! It completely lifts my eyes to my Creator!

So I thought I’d research a little bit about why water is so essential to plants. And here is what I found…

* it keeps the plants alive
* assists seed germination
* increases the size of the plants
* dry soil distresses plants, tying up nutrients and killing delicate root tips, removing water from the plants
* light water results in shallow root development for the plants.

Water is clearly essential for life to flourish.

And God impressed on my heart today that He wants *ME* to be like a lush well-watered garden.

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11

They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD
—the grain, the new wine and the oil,
the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more.
Jeremiah 31:12

And He wants me to deep have roots and bear much fruit.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

And here’s another picture of a garden…

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-2, 5, 7

Hmmm… As I think about the image of God as the Gardener, that’s pretty cool! He is the One who makes sure all my needs are met. He makes sure I get the water, sunlight, pruning, weeding and tending that I need. He knows what is best for me to flourish and grow. His provisions are abundantly evident in each and every blessing that I have the privilege of experiencing and through each and every challenge and trial through which I am shaped and “pruned”.

So often the soil of my heart is dry and parched and needs a good watering from God my Gardener, the only kind that He can provide me with. Far too often I need a good old-fashioned weeding. Boy can those thistles and other stubborn weeds settle into the soil of my heart! I definitely need the expert Gardener if I want to have a well-watered lush garden in my heart!

And as I grow deeper roots new seeds sprout up with new plants and fruit begins to become evident.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 6:22-23

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

As I “feast” at the Lord’s table, and turn to God for “water” and for “real food” and “real drink” then He will shape me and transform me into His image. It will be evident that I am His disciple.

Now here's a quick snapshot of what life would look like if I was truly exemplifying the fruits of the spirit in my heart and life…

I would love my husband, children, friends, strangers…even enemies…as God first loved me.

I would have joy that would have nothing to do with circumstances and all to do with the Lord.

I would have peace that would transcend understanding. I’m a true worry-wart, so that would be pretty amazing if I could really trust Him more and more fully and rest peacefully in Him and His sovereignty.

I would have patience with my kids!! Add my husband to that list!

I would be kind and good to those around me. Right now I’m thinking even more globally. I know I would be more other-centered, thinking of those in need across the world.

I would be gentle with my kids, gentle with my husband, gentle with my words…

And I would be self-controlled. That means I would not be mastered by anything except Christ. I would be able to say “no” to that extra chocolate calling my name. I'd set appropriate boundaries. I'd eat 0-5 consistently. I’d be able to hold back from saying cutting or inappropriate words. I’d be able to make good use of my time. And it would all be because I’d be remaining in Jesus.

As I look back at all that fruit I have to say THAT garden is awesome! I want THAT! I know there are many studies on the fruits of the spirit (and the other passages of scripture I mentioned) so I’m just touching the tip of the iceberg! But even this short small glimpse of what my life would look like if my soul was like a well-watered garden with God as my Gardener is enough to get me pretty excited!!!

Lord, thank you for “real food” and “real drink” that you offer. I open wide my mouth and want to be filled by You alone. Prune me, cut out all the dead yucky stuff in my heart and life. Convict me I pray. Change me and grow my heart into a lush garden, I pray. In Jesus name, amen.

MARCH - TW ch 26

March 26th food log:

Reflecting on Chapter 26 I was blown away by how the first passage quoted in the beginning of this chapter was Psalm 63. The “Fruits of the Spirit” study (by Beth Moore) that I had dug into last night had studied that exact passage. It had really spoken to me. I was really touched as I felt God was very purposefully directing my eyes to this passage and all that is unpacked in it. I’ll just highlight a bit of the teaching that was presented in the study, reflecting on Psalm 63.

1.) Acknowledge His authority!
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you; Psalm 63:1
Awaken every morning to the challenge, “Choose….this day whom you will serve!” (Josh. 24:15) As you acknowledge His lordship, confess to Him any thoughts, words, or deeds performed outside the realm of His authority…All sin boils down to an issue of authority. His will or my will!

2.) Abound in His presence!
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water Psalm 63:1
As often as you are completely cleansed and yielded, you will possess a power that is completely beyond you…to love, to experience joy, to know peace, to express patience, to possess kindness and respond in goodness, to be faithful, gentle and submissive to his will, restrained and under control.

3.) Ask to see His glory and power!
“I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory”. Psalm 63:2
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
If you ask to see Him and then agree to keep watching through the eyes of the Spirit, you will see His power and His glory everyday. From glorious morning to marvelous day! Let’s proceed to actions sparked in the morning and then spontaneous throughout the day.

4.) Award Him with your mouth!
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:3
Pray for a mouth that glorifies Him all day long, and you will be filled with a sense of His love and approval.

5.) Approach Him with praise!
“I will praise you as long as I live,” Psalm 63:4

6.) Attribute satisfaction to Him
“Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.” Psalm 65:4


7.) Audit the manifold blessings!
“On my bed I remember you;” Psalm 63:6
Keep a diary of His activity in your life. A record of you history with God is an immeasurable asset to your Christian experience. How do you know He will care for you today? Because He cared for you yesterday! And the day before! And the day before! He never changes. He’ll never forget you. When He discloses Himself to you, remember it, praise Him for it, and record it! Nighttime is prime time for remembering the day.

8.) Allow yourself to rest in His arms!
“I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7-8
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

As I read chapter 26 I was once again struck by the desire to loosen the grip of TV and the computer in my life. I would really like to set a goal of 1hr TV/day and 1hr computer/day (with the exception of my journaling which does take a lot of time and thought sometimes and I do prefer doing it on the computer versus paper). Also, I when looking over the list on p. 284 of suggestions for how to lengthen a person’s life, the ones that I think I need to focus on in particular of the ten points is maintaining (or reaching in my case!) optimum weight and exercising 30 minutes daily (I don’t feel bad if I adjust that as long as there is some exercise in my week and as long as I have an active lifestyle).

Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit

LIVING BEYOND YOURSELF: EXPLORING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
by Beth Moore

I have also been doing another study called “Living beyond yourself: Exploring the fruits of the spirit” by Beth Moore. I am on the last unit and studying self-control this week and a few things stood out. I just wanted to highlight a few that are found on page 202-203 of this study guide.

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28

Without self-control, we are like a city with broken-down walls! To understand the significance of such a terrible dilemma we must remember a crucial characteristic of ancient architecture: a city was only as secure as the walls which surrounded it. A city’s walls were its fortification. Archaeologists estimate that three chariots could ride side by side on the wall of Nineveh. The walls of Babylon were so wide that six chariots could ride abreast on them! Their walls lent the reputation that they were practically impenetrable.

“Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

We are the temple of God….and self-control is our walls of protection. It fortifies all that is within. The quality of self-control is that which secures our freedom to love, to experience joy, to know peace, to respond with patience, to have a kind of disposition, to act out of goodness, to step out in faithfulness, and to agree with gentleness. How? Because self-control is the ability to make choices which invite and enhance the authority and filling of the Holy Spirit. Self control is the decision to remain within the boundaries of victory.

Any out-of-control area in our lives, no matter how big or how small, is an open invitation to the enemy……..He is always on the lookout for that one crumbling section of your protective wall…..His weapons are your greatest temptations. Your wounds are guilt, shame, frustration, and failure; his goal is to hold you captive for as long as possible.

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations. You will be called ‘Repairer of Broken Walls’ ‘Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.’.” Isaiah 58:12