Today I don't really have any one topic I don't think. Life, as always, is a little bit hectic. But in the midst of all of it I am focusing on little changes. Remember those 10 goals for the year? Each day I read over them and obviously there are things I do in the morning and there are things I do in the evenings as I strive to meet all 10 goals. It's kind of neat how much I hear God as I am working through these. Most of the goals require some sort of discipline and discipline is much easier to achieve when your heart is open to it and you know it's beneficial. God has been showing me scriptures and giving me great devotions that support that area and encourage me. Some of the goals require strength that I just don't have on a continual basis - but I can tap into God through prayer and He gives me strength! Some require patience - I am such an immediate gratification kinda girl - God is teaching me gently to look at the end result that is coming not on what is not happening like I would like it to at this particular point in time. He reminds me, small changes over time do yield visible undeniable results.
I have not been feeling good the past two days - I think the flu is trying to take me down. But, quite frankly, I don't want to be down. So each day I have prayed for God to help me through the day. I just realized I haven't prayed for healing though. Odd. Okay, I just did. God has been faithful to help me through the past two days and not miss work or miss class.
I am very aware of Gods busyness in my life right now. I see him at work. I see his blessings. I am hearing his promptings. More importantly I am WANTING to spend more time with Him as a result. So many of us want to spend more time with God because we know we are suppose to - but there is that hump that you cross after you realize it's more than a "have to". I am crossing that hump. I am excited to dive into a book I think He has brought me to. I am excited to read it and see what He has for me then to talk to Him about it. I am excited to pray in the mornings over my day. I don't ask him for his presence at work any more - I thank him and ask him to remind us that he is right here with us everyday wherever we are.
I feel an incoming peace - it hasn't consumed me, but I think it will. A peace of making changes that require me to lean on God. Changes that in the process with draw me closer to God. Changes that are making me more of what God intended me to be and changes that are making my life more like the life God intended me to live.
I can't remember exactly what was said in the sermon Sunday that prompted this thought. But I saw myself like on a tall sand dune in the middle of no where. I was crying because I could not find Jesus - but I knew He could be found. I knew that everyone else thought I was crazy and that I was alone in my quest. There was a voice - not audible - but a voice none the less that said - Will you still pursue me if nobody else does? My answer was Yes. That picture has not left my mind this week. That feeling of being alone but yet knowing the importance of my quest was important to more than just me - it was as if something greater depended on me to find Jesus. As I continue to ponder it, I am beginning to get more meaning out of it. But I will just let you think about it. What do you think?
That's it for this week!
Love ya!
D. J.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Daily Devotions - Do Them!
Each week day I usually read a devotion at www.proverbs31.org and then get online to pray with a co-worker over our office, our coworkers, and each other. Let me tell you, God can speak to you in a powerful way through devotions, especially when you are truly seeking Him out and opening your heart and mind to His promptings.
This week I have had a couple of devotions that have hit me right square between my eyes. Today's was particularly eye opening. I think my last post I discussed my goals for the year. I feel these goals are all things God wants me to pursue and to succeed at. Almost daily I read over the goals and pray for God's direction, encouragement, and guidance. So far, so good, right? Well by the end of the day, sometimes as early as by the middle of the day I have taken control of my day back over. I know I am on a path that God wants me to be on but then I take over. I should be listening to Him throughout the day. My struggles get harder the more I take back control. My patience decreases. My stress/anxiety increases. Until I read today's devotions I was trying to analyze the reason for this afternoon/evening failure theme. I was thinking it could be because I am not organized enough, that I am trying to do too much, my expectations are too high. There might actually be a bit of truth in some of that thinking but bottom line is that I took over and stopped talking to God by this time of the day. It seems so clear now, but before I read that devotion it was not. The devotion is eye opening. While I am making progress on my goals it is certainly not the kind of progress that I feel I should be making. Now it makes sense.
My habits of having control have to be broken. I have to replace those habits with praying to God and giving Him control. This may take many many many times a day. God showed me that this will not be an overnight process - that it's not intended to take overnight. I am to LEARN along the way - there are lessons to be learned along the way. At this point I don't think I have fully grasped what God is trying to show me. But I know - beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have to surrender control to Him, I have to seek him more through the day - a lot more - than what I am. I must admit this is frustrating because it is so hard to break habits and it's even harder to let go of control. But keeping my eyes focused on God - knowing God does things so much better than me, knowing that He has more in store for me than I could ever achieve or give myself - well that should be enough to keep me focusing.
That's my post for this week! Hope it speaks to you!
Lots of Love,
D. J.
This week I have had a couple of devotions that have hit me right square between my eyes. Today's was particularly eye opening. I think my last post I discussed my goals for the year. I feel these goals are all things God wants me to pursue and to succeed at. Almost daily I read over the goals and pray for God's direction, encouragement, and guidance. So far, so good, right? Well by the end of the day, sometimes as early as by the middle of the day I have taken control of my day back over. I know I am on a path that God wants me to be on but then I take over. I should be listening to Him throughout the day. My struggles get harder the more I take back control. My patience decreases. My stress/anxiety increases. Until I read today's devotions I was trying to analyze the reason for this afternoon/evening failure theme. I was thinking it could be because I am not organized enough, that I am trying to do too much, my expectations are too high. There might actually be a bit of truth in some of that thinking but bottom line is that I took over and stopped talking to God by this time of the day. It seems so clear now, but before I read that devotion it was not. The devotion is eye opening. While I am making progress on my goals it is certainly not the kind of progress that I feel I should be making. Now it makes sense.
My habits of having control have to be broken. I have to replace those habits with praying to God and giving Him control. This may take many many many times a day. God showed me that this will not be an overnight process - that it's not intended to take overnight. I am to LEARN along the way - there are lessons to be learned along the way. At this point I don't think I have fully grasped what God is trying to show me. But I know - beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have to surrender control to Him, I have to seek him more through the day - a lot more - than what I am. I must admit this is frustrating because it is so hard to break habits and it's even harder to let go of control. But keeping my eyes focused on God - knowing God does things so much better than me, knowing that He has more in store for me than I could ever achieve or give myself - well that should be enough to keep me focusing.
That's my post for this week! Hope it speaks to you!
Lots of Love,
D. J.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
New Year - New Focuses
I absolutely love a new year! This year I decided to make a list of 10 objectives to complete for this year. Call them resolutions, goals, focuses, whatever. I am going to share that list with you and then share a bit with you about what has been happening since I have started working on these focuses. So, while it may be a bit lengthy, read through the end!
1) To hit my healthy weight goal - 157
This is 75 pounds from where I am. BUT based on an average weekly loss of
1.5 I think this is doable. I am excited about this because it is my most difficult
resolution this year.
2) To create and perfect the household budget
Right now the budget is in my head - lol! I am actually going to get it into a
spreadsheet and perfect it through the upcoming months. I want to be able to
start saving a considerable amount each month rather than blowing it.
Just a side note - if I don't emotionally eat - I emotionally spend!
3) Cook more at home and to cook healthier at home.
I love to cook - it actually calms me. I want my family to eat healthier and I can
control that when I am in charge in the kitchen. This plugs into resolution 1 and
2 as well. Cooking more and healthier will help my weight loss and our budget.
4) Try a new food or a new recipe each week.
If I am going to cook more at home - I need to add to my menu!
5) Get back into going to church on Wednesday night and increase my time with
God. This plugs into the success of every one of my resolutions!
6) Start doing my nightly skincare.
I have the morning wash, anti-aging, and moisturizing down. I totally skip it at
night. Why? I just got out of the habit. I am only giving myself half the anti-aging
benefits of my Mary Kay skincare. I want the other half!!
7) Regularly get 8 hours of sleep.
I have read a lot about the benefits of getting your full 8 hours of sleep. I am tired
of being tired! I have read that it can help with weight loss. It will make me a
nicer person. I bet I just plain feel better!
8) Clean my kitchen every night.
I don't have a dishwasher other than me and my girls. So this is hard. But, when
my house gets out of control it seems to start in the kitchen. When my house
gets out of control so do my other areas that require discipline - eating and
spending. Let's just nip it!
9) Read 12 Books this year - godly books!
I am finishing up Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking book
this week and this morning ordered Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst. I love to
read. It relaxes me and helps me to get to sleep quicker and get a better sleep!
10) Complete a 1/2 marathon.
I think it's in May! I am so so so excited!
Whew! I know it seems like a lot but the really all just plug into the over all desire to become a healthier, better person, wife and mom.
So, it was one thing to make the list. My first weigh in my weight went up! Okay so I can deal with it. I have committed to reading my list every day and to working on it in various ways each week. Well little things that would kinda try to set me off track started happening. My 3 year old decided she didn't want to go to sleep at her designated time which kept me from going to bed on time. I finished my book and it was a whole day until my other one arrived, so I had to go a day without reading a book. You know little things. As I persevered the little things became bigger. My 3 year old got a stomach virus and her first "upheaval" was at 11;30pm with her last being at about 3:30 in the morning. As I focus on my eating - I come home one night to find my daughter had been in the baking mood, brownies, m&m cookies, and chocolate chip muffins. A couple of nights later my daughter and husband found out braums was having a sale on their tubs of ice cream. So - little areas of temptation and frustration keep popping up. I start reading, "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkhurst and the next day its like WHAMMO! Due to a chapter I read in the book I committed that I would begin praying through the day as food things popped into my head. Armed with this as I begin my day my husband and I have a tiff! UGH! I want to emotionally eat, instead I pray. The tiff is on my mind a better part of the day so I think about food often and persistently pray through those thoughts. Funny thing started happening. I started to feel calm and relaxed. At 6:00 pm I leave work to find I have a flatter than flat tire on my car. Had to call hubby for help - he was so sweet and kind. Tire is ruined! Will need 4 new tires as replacing just one I guess is not a good thing.
It dawned on me last night - really dawned on me - I am being attacked by Satan. I am drawing closer to God and this list of focuses will cause me to rely on God more. Doing so makes me a stronger witness. Guess that ticks Satan off. God knew what was going on the whole time - He was and still is with me through these little battles. I am bettering myself, little did I know this process would take me on a new spiritual journey!
I am really excited as I move forward!
So - until next week!
Lots of love,
D. J.
1) To hit my healthy weight goal - 157
This is 75 pounds from where I am. BUT based on an average weekly loss of
1.5 I think this is doable. I am excited about this because it is my most difficult
resolution this year.
2) To create and perfect the household budget
Right now the budget is in my head - lol! I am actually going to get it into a
spreadsheet and perfect it through the upcoming months. I want to be able to
start saving a considerable amount each month rather than blowing it.
Just a side note - if I don't emotionally eat - I emotionally spend!
3) Cook more at home and to cook healthier at home.
I love to cook - it actually calms me. I want my family to eat healthier and I can
control that when I am in charge in the kitchen. This plugs into resolution 1 and
2 as well. Cooking more and healthier will help my weight loss and our budget.
4) Try a new food or a new recipe each week.
If I am going to cook more at home - I need to add to my menu!
5) Get back into going to church on Wednesday night and increase my time with
God. This plugs into the success of every one of my resolutions!
6) Start doing my nightly skincare.
I have the morning wash, anti-aging, and moisturizing down. I totally skip it at
night. Why? I just got out of the habit. I am only giving myself half the anti-aging
benefits of my Mary Kay skincare. I want the other half!!
7) Regularly get 8 hours of sleep.
I have read a lot about the benefits of getting your full 8 hours of sleep. I am tired
of being tired! I have read that it can help with weight loss. It will make me a
nicer person. I bet I just plain feel better!
8) Clean my kitchen every night.
I don't have a dishwasher other than me and my girls. So this is hard. But, when
my house gets out of control it seems to start in the kitchen. When my house
gets out of control so do my other areas that require discipline - eating and
spending. Let's just nip it!
9) Read 12 Books this year - godly books!
I am finishing up Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking book
this week and this morning ordered Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst. I love to
read. It relaxes me and helps me to get to sleep quicker and get a better sleep!
10) Complete a 1/2 marathon.
I think it's in May! I am so so so excited!
Whew! I know it seems like a lot but the really all just plug into the over all desire to become a healthier, better person, wife and mom.
So, it was one thing to make the list. My first weigh in my weight went up! Okay so I can deal with it. I have committed to reading my list every day and to working on it in various ways each week. Well little things that would kinda try to set me off track started happening. My 3 year old decided she didn't want to go to sleep at her designated time which kept me from going to bed on time. I finished my book and it was a whole day until my other one arrived, so I had to go a day without reading a book. You know little things. As I persevered the little things became bigger. My 3 year old got a stomach virus and her first "upheaval" was at 11;30pm with her last being at about 3:30 in the morning. As I focus on my eating - I come home one night to find my daughter had been in the baking mood, brownies, m&m cookies, and chocolate chip muffins. A couple of nights later my daughter and husband found out braums was having a sale on their tubs of ice cream. So - little areas of temptation and frustration keep popping up. I start reading, "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkhurst and the next day its like WHAMMO! Due to a chapter I read in the book I committed that I would begin praying through the day as food things popped into my head. Armed with this as I begin my day my husband and I have a tiff! UGH! I want to emotionally eat, instead I pray. The tiff is on my mind a better part of the day so I think about food often and persistently pray through those thoughts. Funny thing started happening. I started to feel calm and relaxed. At 6:00 pm I leave work to find I have a flatter than flat tire on my car. Had to call hubby for help - he was so sweet and kind. Tire is ruined! Will need 4 new tires as replacing just one I guess is not a good thing.
It dawned on me last night - really dawned on me - I am being attacked by Satan. I am drawing closer to God and this list of focuses will cause me to rely on God more. Doing so makes me a stronger witness. Guess that ticks Satan off. God knew what was going on the whole time - He was and still is with me through these little battles. I am bettering myself, little did I know this process would take me on a new spiritual journey!
I am really excited as I move forward!
So - until next week!
Lots of love,
D. J.
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