God Preparing the Way series....#1

 Over the last 31 years I see where God has been leading the way so I could learn all the things that have helped me in deciding to go with a WFPB(whole food plant based) diet. I have also seen how He has taken things out of my life over the years as well. I have decided to make this into a series since I came up with at least 4 things to talk about in just a few minutes. Plus, I would rather have a few shorter posts than a really long drawn-out post. 

Number 1~ I have actually shared about this one before, but it fits right into the things that led me to taking better care of me. In 2011 area I realized that I didn't handle caffeine very well. And that it would be best to stop it altogether. 

Many times, on Sabbath afternoon I would end up with a really bad headache. I finally figured out that it was because I hadn't had a coke yet. I would then drink a coke, thinking that it should help the headache go away, but it was too late. I got really tired of that headache and decided to no longer drink caffeine drinks.  

This became a real blessing to me because about 2 years after I gave up the cokes - I had a hysterectomy which, of course, threw me right into menopause. I soon learned that caffeine is known to make hot flashes worse - wow! I was so thankful that God had already released me from its grip. 

Not only that benefit, but caffeine wouldn't have fit into my WFPB diet. So, I am thankful I was able to let that go years ago. 

When a Song Speaks to You!

This song speaks volumes to me. It's really amazing really, how this speaks a bit about my testimony. 

For years and years, I followed my own way - and flipped from here to there and not finding success or victory. When I finally followed God's way - that is when things fell into place, and I am SO very grateful. God's way is better! It always has been, and it always will be!! 

“Precursors” | Sabbath School Panel by 3ABN - Lesson 12 Q2 2025

My Least Favorite Diet Advice

 I've heard some diet advice lately that sounds so good. And in a perfect world where we were able to totally control everything, this advice would be helpful. But to those of us who don't have total control these words can be discouraging. 

"If the food is in your house, it will be in your mouth." 

Logically it makes a lot of sense. The message is to get the tempting junk food out of your house. But what if you have a husband or other family members who also have a right to have the foods they like in the house? 

I have chosen to live a healthier lifestyle, but my husband has still wants his chips, cheese, and sweets and meat of course. According to the advice above I would be eating these things because they are in my house. But there is a better piece of advice I can give you because it is the solution for those of us that can't get rid of all the junk food. 

**Ask God to help you when temptations arise. ** 

When you see the tempting foods in your house- ask God to help you say No. It is totally in His will for you to have control over the flesh so you can count on Him to answer this prayer! 

So, if junk food is in our home, it is NOT a lost cause. You do NOT have to eat it. 

You can ask God to take its appeal away. And for Hime to help you enjoy and appreciate the foods that fuel our bodies the best. 

So please don't use the phrase "If it's in your house it will be in your mouth." Unless the person is the only one in their home. You may be discouraging them from the growth that God intends to provide. 

Common Thread?

 Someone mentioned that they worked out with their husband but he had had surgery so she was waiting on him to recover so they could get back to working out. 

Someone else stayed home from church because their spouse was sick. Changing this one up a bit since someone made a great point in comments. One spouse decides they don't want to go to church some the other one stops going as well just because their spouse doesn't go. 

A friend mentioned she would like to lose weight, but her husband wasn't on board with making the changes. 

What is the common thread in each of these stories? 

It is basing what we do on what those around us are doing. 

"If your friends all jumped off of a cliff, would you?" 

It's a response many of us heard while growing up. When we asked permission to do something and told our parents, so and so is doing it. 

It shouldn't matter what so and so is doing - if we see that working out is important for our continued health, then let's keep doing it. 

If our spouse is sick and unless they really need us there or are contagious- let's go on and go to church. It helps encourage those who have to go to church by themselves all the time. 

If we want to get healthy then it shouldn't matter what other people in our household or families do. Let's put our health as a priority in our lives and move forward in that direction. 

Just because other people are doing this or that does not mean we have to follow along and especially if it's something that will hurt us- physically, mentally or spiritually.

So don't base what you do on what people around you are doing. DO the things that you know you need to be doing. 

“Ruth and Esther” | Sabbath School Panel by 3ABN - Lesson 11 Q2 2025

What Do They Have In Common?

 What if something you said to someone were to be what they remembered every time they thought of you? What if every time they thought of you, they not only thought of the words you had spoken but also the way you made them feel? Would this change how you interacted with others? Would you think more carefully before saying careless words? 

Last week I was exposed to chiggers and ended up with a cluster of bites on one foot. The one here and there have bothered me some but NOTHING like the cluster of bits on that foot. And even though I got the bites 6 days ago they have really bothered me. 

 So, what does this have to do with how I started out this post? Alot actually. Chigger bites and cruel, ugly words can cause pain and suffering long after spoken. But thankfully there is a balm for each. 

I tried several different remedies for the chigger bites, but this seemed to actually work the best. 

So how about those cruel, ugly words that tend to pop up and try to inflict when we think of the person who said them, what is the best balm for that? God's word and praising God. See people may not value us very much but God places a huge value on each and every one of us. That is why He died on the cross so that we could be saved and live with Him for eternity. So when the hurtful thoughts start to come into you mind - choose to praise God instead of dwelling on that negativity. 

The hurtful words that were spoken to me were of something that someone else had supposedly said about me. And when I thought of that person - I would remember the cruel words. But God helped me realize that I can choose to praise Him instead of dwelling of things that have no virtue. 

Our words are powerful. I don't know about you but when someone thinks of me - I don't want it to be some ugly words that I have said to them. I want my works to be encouraging and uplifting. Ugly words and chigger bites can stay with us for a while but since we have a balm - let's use it and soothe those injuries. And when we keep choosing to praise God instead, we will find that they sting less and less. 

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8