Biblical Portrait....series

This week we are back to our Biblical Portrait of Womanhood series. Sorry to have missed a week or so there. This week I have specifically dedicated time earlier in the week to get this typed out to make sure it is up Friday morning. I think these things are important for all of us women who want to live our lives in God's will.
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"Every wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."

Proverbs 14:1

 

Few women are aware of how much influence they have on their surroundings.

 

Regardless of our marital status or living arrangements, all of us as women have some type of "house." That "house" may be our immediate family, or neighborhood, our workplace, our school, our church, or our nation.

 

Through our attitudes, our words, and our behavior, we have the power to bless and build the lives of those around us; we also have the power to tear them down and destroy them.

 

On the following pages, you will find a series of contrasting statements that suggest specific ways we can built up or tear down our homes. Check the statements that best describe your attitudes, words, and actions towards those that God has place in your life.

 

Ask God to reveal whether  you are wisely helping others by building them up, or foolishly hurting and hindering them by tearing them down.

 

DO not let the enemy discourage you by what you may see. Rather, as you become aware of attitudes, words, or actions that are tearing down your home, agree with God, confessing your foolishness. Then, in each of those areas, ask Him to make you a wise woman and to help you build a home that will bring great glory to Him.

 

• I am quick to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who fail (Matthew 5:7).
• I keep a mental record of the offenses of others and see for ways to get even.
• I have an attitude of reverence and respect for my husband, as my spiritual head (Ephesians 5:22-23,33).
• I communicate a attitude of disrespect toward my husband.
• I remain loyal to my husband, regardless of his failures or shortcomings(Prov. 17:9; 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a).
• I am openly or subtly critical of my husband when he fails. 
• I genuinely love other people, and seek to meet their needs ahead of my own. I am more interested in the welfare of others than I am in my own (2 Corinthians 12:15, Philippians 2:4).
• I really love myself more that I love others, and seek to protect and defend my rights, my possessions, my time, and my reputation. I am more concerned about being happy than about making others happy.  
• I am easily content with whatever God provides for me (Hebrews 13:5).
• I struggle with a spirit of discontent about my circumstances, my health, my physical surroundings, or my material possessions

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I think we will stop here, be sure to come back next Friday when we continue examining our hearts. See you then! :O)

 

Raw Honesty

Lately I have been thinking a lot about my recent weight loss. I have wondered now and then why it seems that although I have lost enough weight that it is very obvious why it doesn't always seem obvious to those around me. It seems like in times past that I have craved compliments about weight loss and how it would help propel me on to be able to continue on in working towards weight loss. And this time I have also wanted the "way to go's" but I have been learning that my progress is there whether it is acknowledge or not.

Another thing that has come to mind has been - a lot of these same people that I would love to hear applause from about losing weight have, in fact, seen me lose weight in the past - only to put it back on. So to be honest - maybe the thoughts are - "I wonder how long she will keep it off this time." I wouldn't blame them at all. It is only normal to wonder- when that has been what has happened in the past. But there are somethings that are different now- the main one is ME.

I am different now. Once you hear the words "It was cancer" - you change. You are no longer the same as you were before. Once you go through treatment for cancer- the long list of things for that year - I will not bore you with but I have a journal with the list of things and it is long. Those of you who have been around the last 3- 4 years will remember hearing of quite a few of them - I am sure not all - cause I did not share them all here. When you have had cancer - there is a little dark cloud- it hangs around - and without warning- the emotions flood through. Something will trigger a memory or thought and tears will well up in my eyes. Last Sabbath- I heard an excellent sermon - I will try to share it here soon- you would all be blessed by it. It was awesome - anyway the very first sentence out of her mouth was - You get a phone call and the Dr say "You have Cancer" and I almost lost it. Thankfully I pulled it together and was tremendously blessed by the sermon. Anyway back to my point - before when I lost weight I did not have so much riding on keeping the weight off. I did not have so much riding on me continuing to take care of myself and make good choices. Before I was naïve and thought it wouldn't happen to me. Now I know it can happen to me. And if I want good health I have to make choices like I want good health.

I am tired of working towards weight loss and then gaining it all back. I am tired of my efforts being in vain. I am tired of allowing myself to get out of shape and lazy. I enjoy feeling better. I really enjoy the way I eat now. Yes - there I are times I wish I could go to Dairy Queen and get myself a chocolate Chip blizzard. And honestly ever so often I do know - but it is done far between and other choices for the day have been wisely made. It is ok to have treats from time to time - it is important to make good choices most of the time - shoot for 80% of the time higher if you can.

Anyway so yeah - people might be wondering how long is this going to last - let them. I am determined to lose this weight and to keep it off. God has given me the tools in which to do it this time. He inspired me to set a goal - a goal that He put in my heart. A doable goal. Yes- it might take a while to reach this goal but slowly but surely I am making my way towards it. And I am even at the point of realizing that once I get there - I might be working towards a new goal- but I am not even going to worry about that until I reach the goal set before me now. And my way of setting a goal has also put myself accountable to myself in the future. Once I hit my goal - I will hold myself accountable to keep it off. It's what I have to do.

Taking care of oneself is very important. We do not just get health by doing what ever we want to do- no - we have to make good choices. We have to say no to the flesh and choose health. Why don't you choose health today? What steps can you take in order to be healthier tomorrow? It is a one choice at a time - one day at a time way to live. Choose Health.


***Plus - when I went to my Dr yesterday - She was very proud of the progress that I have made! And that made me feel good! I even have it in writing!! :O)

Trying Not to be a Drama Queen

I am really trying not to be a drama queen. It seems like my family and I have had more than our fair share of drama. Sometimes I get tired of how much drama type stuff that I have going on in my life. So when the newest drama crept up - I have tried to keep a lid on it, but it is bubbling up and if I don't get it off my chest I think I am going to boil over.

A little over 3 years ago when I was going through chemo I remember reading in the handouts that when you have the chemo drugs sometimes a side effect is that you have a chance at a secondary cancer. So you can understand when I found a pea sized knot on my left breast that it would freak me out a bit. Well that was several weeks ago - about the time that I had the flu - I was too sick to pursue taking care of it - so once I was feeling like I could face it all- I called and set up my well woman appointment. Today was the soonest they could get me in. So I did not tell the Dr where I had found the knot- and as she was doing her exam - she found another one! Because I have a WHOLE LOT of appointments to take my Mother-in-Law to next week - the soonest they could schedule me for a diagnostic mammogram was a week from tomorrow. I am wishing now that I could have gotten it set up for tomorrow - but I already had an appointment set up to take my clothes into the consignment store and had a couple of things I had to do while I was in town.

So after I left my appointment- I had to take a little time to gather myself together before stopping by the post office to mail a few things out. I had a little talk with God. I told Him - I know that He will not allow anything to come my way that He will not give me the strength to handle...but...... that going through chemo and all of the stuff that goes along with that is still so fresh in my mind and I just am scared. I had to ask Him to help my unbelief- to give me the faith that I need. Thankfully He is faithful. I have had a few bouts with fear creeping up - but I am trying to remember that fear is not from God.

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Timothy 1:7

The thief comes not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy the sheep; I am come that they might have life and that they might have it in abundance.

John 10:10

 

So I continue to choose to put my trust in God. He is in control.
If you would please keep me in your prayers - I would greatly appreciate it.

 

 

Just Popping In

Just have a few minutes and thought I would jump on here and say Hello! The next couple of days will be busy for me and not sure if I will get a chance to get on then so taking advantage of my time tonight.

Things around here are awfully green. In fact, it is really beautiful to look at. I wish I could have gotten some photos to show you of all of the wild flowers. We have lots of Indian Paintbrushes, Indian Blankets, Bluebonnets, and Evening Primroses! There are more but those are the ones in most abundance around here. They are beautiful!!

Our yard is another thing that is really growing. That is one of the many things that I need to do in the next couple of days- mow our yard! I have done some weed eating but will need to get it mowed soon. We got quite a bit of rain last week end so I am trying to let the ground dry out a bit before I get out there to mow- don't want a big fat mess.

Another thing I am going to do this week is to consign some of my clothes. As I have been losing weight - I have been getting rid of clothes. I have given quite a few away - but my sister told me about a place in a nearby town that consigns plus sized clothes so I am hoping to get a little money out of some clothes - and that way I can use that money to replenish my closet.

For the longest time I had the size I was wearing - and then clothes that were the next size down and then another size down. It has been great to be in that smaller size. I have a tote with the next size down. And one tote with a few odds and ends of clothes that are actually the size I wore when I got married. And if everything works out how I would like it to - I will be able to get back into that size again! It would be amazing because I have not been that size in...well probably 28 years! I don't have many clothes in that size- so that will mean some shopping - but hey you won't hear complaining from me! No way!!

Today I have spent some time working on getting some activities to do with my granddaughter this summer. She really enjoys doing fun things and so I am hoping to set up some lesson plans of fun things that also will teach her things. That is the best way to do it. I have found some great resources, but I ran out of ink for my printer so I will be having to get some more soon. I am hoping to have some really fun things planned - incorporating all sorts of things- crafts, cooking, experiments and so much more. I just have to devote some time to getting things together and making a good plan.

The last couple of weeks my husbands schedule has been messed up - he is having to go in earlier which is really messing with my schedule - it has made it harder for me to keep up with everything around here that I need to do. And has really messed with my sleep schedule. There is no telling how long this will last either. I miss my schedule. The good thing is that I found that I can do the Rise Up workouts from their website- which is great because I had been doing it from Smartlifestyle TV but they have been off schedule the last couple of times I went there to work out. You can click on the link above and go straight to the "watch" page - that will give you the option of 6 different work outs - 3 of which she uses weights! I have really been enjoying my work outs with her - be sure and check her out.

Well I better get off of here. I had a certain reason for turning on the computer tonight and almost forgot what it was - so now that I remembered - I better go take care of it. See you all soon. Take care! :O)

IN the fires...

The devotional for "Streams in the Desert" for today. Hope you are blessed! :O)

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Glorify ye the Lord in the fires" (Isa. 24:15).

Mark the little word "in"! We are to honor Him in the trial--in that which is an affliction indeed and though there have been cases where God did not let His saints feel the fire, yet, ordinarily, fire hurts.
But just here we are to glorify Him by our perfect faith in His goodness and love that has permitted all this to come upon us.

And more than that, we are to believe that out of this is coming something more for His praise than could have come but for this fiery trial.

We can only go through some fires with a large faith; little faith will fail. We must have the victory in the furnace.  --Margaret Bottome

A man has as much religion as he can show in times of trouble. The men who were cast into the fiery furnace came out as they went in--except their bonds.

How often in some furnace of affliction God strikes them off! Their bodies were unhurt--their skin not even blistered. Their hair was unsinged, their garments not scorched, and even the smell of fire had not passed upon them. And that is the way Christians should come out of furnace trials--liberated from their bonds, but untouched by the flames.

"Triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:15).

That is the real triumph--triumphing over sickness, in it; triumphing over death, dying; triumphing over adverse circumstances, in them. Oh, believe me, there is a power that can make us victors in the strife. There are heights to be reached where we can look down and over the way we have come, and sing our song of triumph on this side of Heaven. We can make others regard us as rich, while we are poor, and make many rich in our poverty. Our triumph is to be in it. Christ's triumph was in His humiliation. Possibly our triumph, also, is to be made manifest in what seems to others humiliation.
--Margaret Bottome

Is there not something captivating in the sight of a man or a woman burdened with many tribulations and yet carrying a heart as sound as a bell? Is there not something contagiously valorous in the vision of one who is greatly tempted, but is more than conqueror? Is it not heartening to see some pilgrim who is broken in body, but who retains the splendor of an unbroken patience? What a witness all this offers to the enduement of His grace!  --J. H. Jowett

"When each earthly prop gives under,
And life seems a restless sea,
Are you then a God-kept wonder,
Satisfied and calm and free?"

Just A Few Little Blessings

So last week I took the $12.00 top back to Walmart. I just could not justify spending that much money on a top that was a bit short and there was not telling how long I would be able to wear it.

 

I stopped by a little thrift store in a nearby town. This shop runs a bit higher on their prices of clothing. And usually I don't find much of things that I really like anyway. So I was very surprised when I found this cute top - that still had the original tags on it.

 

It cost me $5.00. I think it is a very cute top. It is a little lower neck than I usually like to wear so I may end up having to wear a cami under it. This is a top that can be worn more long term so it was well worth the money spent on it.

I also found another awesome deal! I found this great cookbook!

On the back of this cookbook it states $24.99 as the original price. I looked it up on Amazon and could probably get it for around 10.00. But I found it in mint condition - for $1.50. What a sweet blessing! It looks like it has some awesome recipes and I can not wait to try some of them!

 

Today I thought I would share a couple of photos - this first one is actually not a before photo- it is actually a between photo- but it will give you an idea of where I have come from. This photo was takin in mid September.

The photo below was taken this last Sabbath - the church that I went to have a great mirror on the wall in one of the bathrooms. So I decided to get a photo.

This next photo is actually a before photo. It was taken in mid June of 2016. I was tagged in this photo on Facebook- I was not really happy but since the person who posted it was in her last weeks of life I just had to let it go. And the photo was posted in love. I had put the quilt together that we- the cat and I are sitting on and she was posting it on Facebook. Just remember - I must really like you guys to share this yucky photo with it.

 

Plus - it is really good to have these before photos - to help remind yourself where you have come from. When you are losing weight slowly then sometimes you can forget where you started the journey. When I look at this photo - I am SO thankful that I began this journey when I did. And all the effort is WELL worth it. It may take me an year or more to reach my goal but I an determined to continue to work towards my goal and to work to maintain once I get there.

 

 

Oh and I FINALLY saw my first hummingbird for the year on Friday! As I would review my memories on Facebook - every day for the past week - in one year or another it would mention seeing my first hummingbird. Others in the area had already seen hummingbirds- but I had not seen any yet and I was concerned. Friday evening I finally got to see one! I have seen several since them. It was just one of the little blessings that God blessed me with that day! Hope you are noticing how God is blessing you.  :O)

Beloved Names of God...series ... Messiah

 

Messiah

 

He first found h is own brother Simon, and said to him,

"We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).

John 1:41 NKJV

 

• Name of God the Son
• The title "Messiah" is used twice in the book of Daniel and twice in the book of John
• Messiah means "Redeemer" or "God's Anointed." The designation "Christ" is a translation of Messiah
• Andrew, who had been a follower of John the Baptist, heard Jesus referred to as the Lamb of God. Then John told his own disciples his time was ending and they should follow Jesus. This was significant enough for Andrew to risk ridicule by telling his hardheaded brother, Peter, that the man was the Messiah.

 

Andrew and Peter were both fisherman; but while Andrew was in the desert with John the Baptist, his brother Peter was at work, possibly supporting a family and certainly supporting a sick mother-in-law. Two different attitudes. But when Andrew found a man who would change everything for them, the very first person he told was his brother.
Have you told your brothers and sisters of the Good News of the Messiah?

 

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Be sure to come back next week when we will cover "Rabbi"