September Results

Here were my September Goals - The items in green are my results:
Be 100% on 10 (or more) - 100% on 12 habits
Miss less than 100 healthy habits total - missed 67
4.5 Hours of Weight Training - Close, but only 4.2
Run at least 4 times - only twice
Do pilates at least once - didn't do this
Do yoga at least once
Do each of these machines at the gym - elliptical (I can't believe I missed this one, it's my favorite, we just didn't go to the gym enough) arch trainer, stair mill, expresso bike, cardio wave
Do Turbo Sculpt at least once
Do Turbo Jam at least once

Here is the amount of time I spent on various exercise (this in in hours)
Running 0.3
Cycling - Stationary Trainer 0.3
Yoga 0.3
Aerobics 0.3
Weight Training 4.2
Walking 2.4
Running - Treadmill 1.5
* Elliptical Trainer 0.5
Stair Climber 0.2
Treadmill 4.7
Core Strength 2.4
Stretching 2.6
Totals: 18.5

* This is actualy cardio wave and arch trainer. Fitness journal doesn't have a category for those so I put them on elliptical.

Olive Oil

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. ~ Psalm 104:14-15

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face. ~ Matthew 6:17

I've tried something new this week. I have been using olive oil as a facial moisturizer. A friend had told me she met someone with beautiful skin and that is what she used for a moisturizer. The thought of trying it has been nagging me for a while, so I finally tried it Wednesday night. So far, I am very pleased with the results. It only takes a very small amount and is so much less expensive than facial moisturizers!

Fitness Friday

As I mentioned in a post earlier this week, I had another binge this week. It wasn't anything horrible - just 11 points worth of WW snacks. I have recommitted myself to remaining binge-free. My first goal is one year binge-free. I have started re-reading the Lose It for Life Day by Day Devotional. It is one year long, so I will finish it at the same time I am binge-free for one year.

Here is a list of various binge-triggers I have.

Foods
Candy
Fast food
Cookies
Popcorn
More than 1 glass of wine
Restaurant food
Sugar
Sugar Alcohols
Pastries
Carbs without Protein

Environment
Alone at home
Parties
Holidays
Change in Routine
Change in Plans
Staying at work for lunch
Out to eat for lunch
Work

Emotions
Stress
Bored
Depressed
Procrastinating
Fatigue
PMS

Days of the Week
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Weekends - used to be a problem, but not anymore

Physical
Feel sick
Cold
Taking cold medicine
Digestive Pain
Drop in blood sugar - I don't actually check my blood sugar, but I think this is what causes that shaky, "I've got to have food NOW" feeling

Time of Day
Afternoons

Enough about binging....here is where I am at on my goals for September:

Be 100% on 10 (or more) (currently 100% on 17)
Miss less than 100 healthy habits total (have missed 54 so far)
4.5 Hours of Weight Training (4.2 hours so far)
Run at least 4 times (two times)
Do pilates at least once
Do yoga at least once
Do each of these machines at the gym - elliptical, arch trainer, stair mill, expresso bike, cardio wave
Do Turbo Sculpt at least once
Do Turbo Jam at least once

Scriptures about Worry

Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. ~ Proverbs 12:25

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. ~ James 1:5-8

My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. ~ 1 John 3:18-20

Only Grace

by Matthew West

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear

There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace

You're starting over now
Under the sun
You're stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

An’ there's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me…it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace…

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back up
Get back up again
Ohh…get…back…up…again…


There's only grace…
There's only love…
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only…there’s only…grace…

There's only mercy and believe
me it's enough…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There’s only…grace……
So get back up…get back up again…
Get back up again.

I heard this song on the way home from my bible study last night. The words really spoke to me where I was at after an afternoon binge and a recommittment to being binge free.

Ministry

My Dear Sister,
The God of Glory has called you.
You have a ministry.
In Christ, you are enough for that ministry.
Never forget that showing God off is your ministry.
No matter what, keep your heart in your ministry.
Unveil your face and serve others with authenticity.
Always remember that the power is in God's presence.
Let nothing come between you and intimacy with God.
Keep moving forward from glory to glory.
Let God thin that veil.
Remember, ministry is not about position.
It's about people.
Let name after name be written upon your heart.
Do not seek great things for yourself, seek a great God.
As you leave this place, go in a fresh anointing.
He who turns water into wine turns wimps into warriors.
You have a ministry.
Go fulfill it.

Beth Moore at Washington, D.C. Commissioning

Silence is Not an Option

From TorahBytes, Silence it Not an Option post:

In our day there is increasing pressure to keep silent. Western society, which at one time prided itself in the free exchange of ideas, tolerates less and less the clear proclamation of God's Truth. Popular so-called tolerance insists that all ideas are equally valid, thus denying the validity of God's Truth as revealed in the Bible. Followers of the Messiah are increasingly embarrassed to speak up in today's relativistic culture.

Making matters worse are those who use the principle of "actions speak louder than words" to downplay the necessity to speak out. While it is essential to demonstrate the reality of our words through corresponding actions, transformation comes about as people hear God's word.

Silence, therefore, is not an option.

I must admit that I am an "actions speak louder than words" person. Not that I tell others it is not important to speak out, but because I am not confident and comfortable speaking out myself.

Quotes from Magnificat

Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. ~ Magnificat 12-3-6

O God of glory, you have sent your only Son into our midst to bear us in joy into your presence. Waken those whose faith slumbers; stir up those whose love has waned into indifference; rouse to fullness of life those who have abandoned their journey toward you amid the hardships they have met along the way. ~ Magnificat 12-10-6

God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ~ Magnificat 12-10-6

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the light in which we place our hope. Break open minds clouded by confusion, hearts darkened by self-seeking, spirits dimmed by deadening habits, and set your people free to welcome your coming with joy. ~ Magnificat 12-23-6

You can subscribe to the Magnificat here.

Embrace Your Season

Today's Scripture
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God has ordained seasons in your life. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable. When that happens, we have to submit our plans to Him and trust that He has a better plan. Understand that in God’s Kingdom, every season is not harvest. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. And sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase, but without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. It’s during the plowing seasons when God’s bringing issues to light that we need to deal with. He’s getting us prepared for promotion. If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position by keeping an attitude of faith and expectancy, even when it’s hard. Keep plowing by speaking the Word daily. As you do, you’ll pass the test, and God promises your due season is coming!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of my life. I trust that my time is coming, and I choose to remain faithful. I submit my ways to You today and trust that You have the best plan for my life. I love You and praise Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Fitness Friday

I finally got a run in this week. Sunday I tried an outdoor run. It is so much harder than running on the treadmill! I went to the track at the high school and walked one lap then ran four, then walked another lap and tried running another one. I didn't finish that lap because my heart rate got to high (171). My heart rate stays around 153 when I run on the treadmill. I wasn't running faster because I was pacing myself with a Groove Electric Podcast at 147 bph. I use a 149 bph podcast on the treadmill. Next time I run outside I will use a slower podcast and see if I can run longer. Monday I did a 30 minute run on the treadmill. Do I count 2 runs toward my goal this month even though one run didn't last the normal length of time?

Sugar Pop and I went to the fair on Wednesday night and ate plenty of junk food - gorditas, tornado taters, frozen banana, funnel cake, fried smore, and fried Milky Way. That is all the junk food I need for a LONG time.

This is Sugar Pop's early week so I have been doing a 10 minute walk on the treadmill before work plus my 10 minute walk at lunch. The lunchtime treadmill has quickly become a habit. I hope it helps with the winter blues this year.

Here is how I am doing on my goals:
Be 100% on 10 (or more) (currently 100% on 21)
Miss less than 100 healthy habits total (have missed 33 so far)
4.5 Hours of Weight Training (3.3 hours so far)
Run at least 4 times (two times)
Do pilates at least once
Do yoga at least once
Do each of these machines at the gym - elliptical, arch trainer, stair mill, expresso bike, cardio wave
Do Turbo Sculpt at least once
Do Turbo Jam at least once

Quote Day!

The greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another. ~ Mother Theresa

Just like when you take a magnifying glass and direct the sun's rays on a piece of paper you can set the paper on fire, so when one prays for someone, they become a human magnifying glass, and focus the grace of God on that person and set them on fire with the Holy Spirit. ~ Father Larry Richards

Our God, before whom the kings of the earth are less than a spark in the full blaze of the sun...this great God, nevertheless, shows himself eager to hear us at any hour of the day or night that suits us to address him. ~ St. Jan Frances de Chantal

Let us be vigilant to see Christ in whatever good is done for us and to make him manifest in the good we do for others. ~ The Magnificat, 12-3-6

Two Days Worth of Joel & Victoria

Seasons of Sowing

Today's Scripture

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:5).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

The Scripture talks about seasons of sowing and reaping in your life. In Psalms, it talks about sowing in tears and reaping in joy. That verse is saying that the sowing seasons are usually the most difficult. It’s hard to keep a good attitude when all your friends are being blessed, but you’re not. You may feel like they don’t work as hard as you do. You may feel like they don’t give like you do or don’t deserve the blessing. That’s a time of testing. It’s hard to go through disappointments and stay positive and hopeful. These are seasons of sowing. If you’ll do the right thing even when it’s hard—when you sow in tears—you will always reap in joy! I’m asking you to have a new attitude toward what God has placed in your heart. It may be taking a long time, but God still has a plan to bring it to pass. Don’t give up. Your time is coming. It’s never too late! God is saying, “This is your season. Keep your faith stirred up.” Keep sowing because in due season, you will reap the bountiful harvest with a song of joy in your heart!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to serve You and sow into the lives of those around me. I ask for Your strength today to do Your will and keep a good attitude. Help me recognize my season of sowing so that I can be ready in the time of harvest. I love You and bless Your holy name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God-Ordained Moments

Today's Scripture

"For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the Lord”, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

God created every one of us to be successful. Before the foundation of the world, He laid out an exact plan for our life. And in this plan, He has marked moments that are going to come across our paths. These moments are not ordinary. They are destiny-altering moments. They are designed to thrust you years ahead. It says in Ecclesiastes that “time and chance come together for every person.” That means you’ll have opportunities to meet the right people, opportunities to advance in your career, opportunities to fulfill your dreams. God has already pre-arranged times of increase and blessing. You may not be seeing a lot of good breaks right now, but let me encourage you; there are seasons of favor and seasons of increase marked for your future. There are God-ordained moments planned out for you. Don’t miss these moments! Don’t stop believing, and don’t get distracted by what’s going on in the world around you. Focus on removing the clutter from your life so that you can hear the still, small voice. Approach today with an attitude of faith and expectancy. As you do, you’ll embrace the God-ordained moments that are ordered for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father God, thank You for ordering my steps. Thank You for making a way when there seems to be no way. I choose to step out today with faith and expectancy so that You can move in my life. I trust You with my destiny and thank You for fulfilling every desire of my heart today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Divine Praises

I didn't watch the Emmy's and I don't watch the news, but from what I gather someone took the Lord's name in vain during their acceptance speech. This morning on EWTN Fr. Anthony suggested that we make reparation for the Lord's Name being taken in vain by praying the Divine Praises for nine days.

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

Not Just About Falling Down

Temperance is, unfortunately, one of those words that has changed its meaning. It now usually means teetotalism. But in the days when the second Cardinal virtue was christened ‘Temperance’, it meant nothing of the sort. Temperance referred not specially to drink, but to all pleasures; and it meant not abstaining, but going the right length and no further. It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotallers; Mohammedanism, not Christianity, is the teetotal religion. Of course it may be the duty of a particular Christian, or of any Christian, at a particular time, to abstain from strong drink, either because he is the sort of man who cannot drink at all without drinking too much, or because he is with people who are inclined to drunkenness and must not encourage them by drinking himself. But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something which he does not condemn and which he likes to see other people enjoying. One of the marks of a certain type 0f bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up. That is not the Christian way... One great piece of mischief has been done by the modern restriction of the word Temperance to the question of drink. It helps people to forget that you can be just as intemperate about lots of other things. A man who makes his golf or his motor-bicycle the centre of his life, or a woman who devotes all her thoughts to clothes or bridge or her dog, is being just as ‘intemperate’ as someone who gets drunk every evening. Of course, it does not show on the outside so easily: bridge-mania or golf-mania do not make you fall down in the middle of the road. But God is not deceived by externals. —C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity

House Obsessions

About two months ago, Sugar Pop got the idea to try to find a house outside of town - some place quiet with a view. Now I have been perfectly content with our house. Yes, we are along side a pretty busy street and we can't enjoy siting in the back yard because we hear cars driving by (and the neighbor's dogs barking across the alley). Another downside of the back yard is it is on the west side of the house. We do have more trees up now to give us some shade, but it can still be pretty warm and at times the sun is shining in your face. As far as the house itself, there is not much I would change. It would be nice to have a bathtub in the master for the 2 or 3 times a year I want to take a bath. It would be nice to have a 1/2 bath close to the kitchen. The garage is a little small. Other than those things I love the floor plan and we have done lots of updates. We are very conveniently located (the upside of being next to a busy street).

Even though I really don't want to move, I have now become obsessed with looking at the MLS for houses in our price and size range. It is really a big time waster. It is a bad habit I have quickly developed during the past two months and I need to break it or seriously limit the time I spend on it.

Fitness Friday on Saturday (again)

This has been a good week. I still haven't got a run in yet this month, but I am planning on one tomorrow morning. Sunday is my normal rest day, but I am taking today as my rest day instead.

I am still feeling really motivated right now and I am using that to keep myself on a roll. :) I haven't had a really good cardio workout this week. It's basically been the minimum 10 minute walks on the treadmill, although last night we went for a 20 minute walk outside in the beautiful fall weather. I have been doing the 10 minutes walks on the treadmill at lunch time. They definitely enhance my mood and this is going to be a good habit to have in place as the days get shorter.

This is how I am doing on my monthly goals (the items in green have been completed):

Be 100% on 10 (or more) (currently 100% on 22)
Miss less than 100 healthy habits total (have missed 21 so far)
4.5 Hours of Weight Training (2.9 hours so far)
Run at least 4 times
Do pilates at least once
Do yoga at least once
Do each of these machines at the gym - elliptical, arch trainer, stair mill, expresso bike, cardio wave
Do Turbo Sculpt at least once
Do Turbo Jam at least once

Your Secret Petitions

Surprise! (not) It is yet another Today's Word that spoke to me in my circumstances.

Today's Scripture
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart”(Psalm 37:4 AMP).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God knows the secret petitions of your heart. He knows every hidden dream He’s placed within you. He knows those things that you haven’t told anybody about. Maybe you thought they would never come to pass, or maybe you buried them because they didn’t happen on your timetable. Maybe, in the natural, you have every reason to give up on those dreams. Be encouraged today—God is still working behind the scenes! He still has a plan to bring those dreams to pass. Do what the verse says, and delight yourself in Him today. That word delight, actually means to make yourself soft and pliable. It paints the picture of God as the Potter and you as the clay. Allow God to mold and shape your character today. Allow Him to direct your plans and ideas. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy today, and as you submit your ways to the Lord and open your heart to His leading, He will fulfill those secret petitions of your heart!
A Prayer for Today
Father, You said the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter. You said no good thing will You withhold because I walk uprightly before You. You said because I delight myself in You, You will give me the secret petitions of my heart. So Father, I thank You today for being in control of my life. Thank You for the good things You have in store for my future. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Purgatory

Many believers in Christ are shocked and disappointed to realize that we will first be judged by fire. But after we understand the process of our judgment and the purpose of the fire, we should no longer have cause for surprise or dismay." ~ Beth Moore, A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place

This morning I was doing my homework for the Beth Moore study I am doing. I am on Week 3, Day 2. In this part of the study she discusses the various things the tabernacle is made of and then talks about the consuming fire of God and how the precious things we build with -- gold, silver and precious stones -- will not be burned up the in the fire of God. Then she says what I quoted above. I have to wonder if she has any idea that she is describing Purgatory.

To continue with what she says:

Hebrews 12:29 says: "For our 'God is a consuming fire.'" You can see that it would be impossible to be judged by God without being judged by fire. In fact, understanding the role of the fire in our judgment is crucial...

God judges us with fire for two reasons:
1. To cast a revealing light over all our works and the motivations that bore them and to burn away all works of temporal value: the hay, wood, and straw
2. To reward what is left after the fire consumes everything temporal: the imperishable, eternal works of gold, silver, and precious stones

• Works of gold acknowledge that He alone is worthy, that He alone is
  God.
• Works of silver proceed from a heart that responds with inexpressible
  gratitude for our redemption and the inestimable price paid for our
  atonement.
• Works of precious stones result when children of the royal priesthood, serve
  and minister as we are fully equipped with the gifts of the Holy
  Spirit.

If you are a believer, your judgment will not determine your eternal destiny. Christ's finished work on Calvary was applied to you the moment you accepted Christ as Savior. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:1)!

Sounds like a very good explanation of Purgatory to me.

Step Out of the Boat

Today's Scripture
“And Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come!’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:28-29 AMP).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Why do you suppose Peter wanted to get out of the boat? Why did he all of the sudden think he could walk on water? Well, you might say, “Joel, it’s because he saw Jesus open the blind eyes and cleanse the lepers.” Yes, that’s true. But the other disciples in the boat saw the same things. Why didn’t they want to get out? I believe it was because Peter understood that it was his time. He stirred his faith up. He believed at that moment that he could do what God placed in his heart. Jesus said, “Peter, do you want to get out of that boat?” He said, “Yes, I do.” Jesus replied, “Well, come on out.” Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Peter, stay in that boat. Don’t you know I’m the Son of God?” No. He said, “Peter, I like your attitude of faith. I like the fact that you believe you can do great things.” I encourage you today to have that same kind of boldness. Start believing that your time is here! All the dreams that you’ve buried, those desires that you thought would never work out, it’s time to start believing again. It’s your time, and it’s time to step out of the boat!
A Prayer for Today
Dear Father, today I choose to believe Your Word. I believe You are faithful to complete the good work You’ve started in my life. I choose to hear Your voice and step out of the boat. Thank You for bringing to pass the dreams in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Land of Hope

Today's Scripture
“I’ve pitched my tent in the Land of Hope” (Acts 2:26 Message).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Where have you pitched your tent today? What are you expecting to happen in your life? What kind of attitude do you have? If you’re focused on what’s wrong, or what’s not working, it’s time to dig up your tent stakes! It’s time to pack up your belongings and move out of the land of discouragement. Move out of the “Not-going-to-happen” sub-division. Move out of “Can’t-do-it-ville.” It’s time to leave “Self-pity Estates.” Get out of those areas and move into the land of hope, faith, and expectation. Maybe you don’t quite know how to get there, but now’s the time to start looking for that new place. Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to direct your thoughts and expectations. The Bible says that those who hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. You can trust God to order your steps. You can trust Him to move you from the land of disappointment to the land of hope today!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Thank You for taking me to the land of hope! I release all my past hurts and disappointments to You today and ask that You fill me with Your faith and expectancy for a bright future! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Just Five Minutes

I am working this month on sitting quietly for 5 minutes to listen to the voice of God. It is hard. My thoughts flitter around and I spend most of the 5 minutes telling them to "sshh!" But, I will keep on working on it. I know that with time I will be able to be still and listen for God.

Missionary Weapons - My Utmost for His Highest

"When you were under the fig tree, I saw you." John 1:48

We presume that we would be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis, but is it not the crisis that builds something within us--it simply reveals what we are made of already. Do you find yourself saying, ""If God calls me to battle, of course I will rise to the occasion." Yet you won't rise to the occasion unless you have done so on God's training ground. If you are not doing the task that is closet to you now, which God has engineered into your life, when the crises comes, instead of being fit for battle, you will be revealed as being unfit. Crises always reveal s person's true character.
A private relationship of worshipping God is the greatest essential element of spiritual fitness. The time will come, as Nathaneal experienced in this passage, that a private "fig-tree" life will no longer be possible. Everything will be out in the open, and you will find yourself to be of no value there if you have not been worshipping in everyday occasions in your own home. If your worship is right in your private relationship with God, then when He sets you free, you will be ready. It is in the unseen life, which only God saw, that you have become perfectly fit. And when the strain of crises comes you can be relied upon by God.
Are you saying, "But I can't be expected to live a sanctified life in my present circumstances; I have no time for prayer or Bible study right now; besides, my opportunity for battle hasn't come yet, but when it does, of course I will be ready"? No, you will not. If you have not been worshipping in everyday occasions, when you get involved in God's work, you will not only be useless yourself but also a hindrance to those around you.
God's training ground, where the missionary weapons are found, is the hidden, personal, worshipping life of the saint.

Titles or Testimonies

From the Life Lessons sidebar in my Devotional Bible:

On one such Sunday, after half a dozen students had given their reports, my pastor got up and delivered some closing words. "Children," he said, "you are doing to die! You may not think you're going to die. But you're going to die. One of these days, they're going to take you out to the cemetery, drop you in a hole, throw some dirt on your face, and go back to the church and eat potato salad."

"When you were born," he said, "you alone were crying and everybody else was happy. The important question to ask is this: When you die are you alone going to be happy, leaving everybody else crying? The answer depends on whether you live to get titles or you live to get testimonies. When they lay you in the grave, are people going to stand around reciting the fancy titles you earned, or are they going to stand around giving testimonies of the good things you did for them? Will they list your degrees and awards, or will they tell about what a blessing you were to them? Will you leave behind just a newspaper column telling people how important you were, or will you leave crying people who give testimonies of how they've lost the best friend they ever had? There's nothing wrong with titles. Titles are good things to have. But if it ever comes down to a choice between a title or a testimony--go for the testimony." (From Who Switched the Price Tags? by Tony Campolo)

Fitness Friday on Saturday

I forgot that yesterday was supposed to be Fitness Friday and I posted something else that was significant to me for the day.

Anyway, this has been a good fitness week. So far this month I already have 5 hours of exercise and one of the days has been a rest day. :) I am feeling really motivated right now and I want to take advantage of that motivation and work really hard to keep my workouts diverse, get plenty of strength training, eat healthy and get my healthy habits in.

Those are my monthly goals I set for myself to the month (the items in green have been completed):

Heath & Fitness September Goals:
Be 100% on 10 (or more) (currently 100% on 25)
Miss less than 100 healthy habits total (have missed 7 so far)
4.5 Hours of Weight Training (1.2 hours so far)
Run at least 4 times
Do pilates at least once
Do yoga at least once
Do each of these machines at the gym - elliptical, arch trainer, stair mill, expresso bike, cardio wave
Do Turbo Sculpt at least once (plan on doing this today)
Do Turbo Jam at least once

Your Time is Coming

I received this in my email today. I have been waiting for a very long time for a new job. I was whining this morning to God on how long it was taking.

Today's Scripture
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Your time is coming! The dreams and desires, the things you want to accomplish, the situations you want to see changed will happen. Just because it has taken a long time, or because you’ve tried and failed, don’t give up on those dreams. Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. I encourage you today — get your fire back! It may be taking a long time, but God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible it looks, if you’ll stay in faith, your time is coming. Every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God not only put it there, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Start declaring today, “My time is coming… God is working behind the scenes on my behalf… I will fulfill my destiny… I will fulfill the plan God has for my life!” As you declare and expect and wait for the appointed time, your faith will grow. Your hope will grow. And you’ll step into the destiny God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, I receive Your truth today. I receive Your promises today. I ask that You ignite my heart with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bitterness

Bitterness is spiritual cancer, a rapidly-growing malignancy that can consume your life. After is consumes the soul, it begins to eat away at the body. It is so contagious that we can pass it to our children, who are often oblivious to the source of their bitterness. No amount of distractions or busywork--not even church work--can treat this spiritual disease. Countless Christians mask their pain with unceasing activity. Bitterness cannot be ignored but must be healed at the very core, and only Christ can heal bitterness. No one can do it for you, and no one cal tell you exactly what is required for your healing. Others can direct you to Jesus, but you must show up for your appointments. His ultimate goal is not simply for you to be healed but for you to meet the Healer. ~ Beth Moore, A Women's Heart: God's Dwelling Place

Sugar Pop's ex-wife suffers from bitterness. It destroyed their marriage and she has passed it on to her children. Sugar Pop has been healed of the bitterness through the power of Christ. Butterfly has let go of a lot of it, but she needs Christ to remove the rest. Rosebud has let it eat her up and she is estranged from her entire family. Their is hope for Honey, but at times I can see it. Fortunately, Honey has a relationship with Jesus. She wants to pursue that relationship, but her mother does not see the importance of that. Her mother never encourages her to go to church. In fact, like yesterday, she encouraged her to stay home from youth group. But Honey went anyway.

Heavenly Father, please send Jesus to heal this bitterness. Open hearts that they may receive Him and know that joy that comes when bitterness is removed from the heart and Jesus is allowed to dwell there. Amen.

Winter Blues

I know it is only September 5th, but I can already tell the days are getting shorter. It's only 8:00 and it already feels like 9:00. I really have a hard time in the winter. Once the sun goes down in the evening, I don't want to do anything but lay on the couch and go to sleep.

Does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with the winter blues?

Last year I took St. John's Wort and I think it helped some. January was a lot better, but February was worse. I think I might have quit taking it too soon. I was expecting the blues to have lifted about Groundhog Day, but they didn't.

I have not tried one of those sunlamps. I am planning on getting a natural light desk lamp (maybe two so I can have one at work and one at home).

How Great is Our God

I started my quiet time off this morning with a worship song - How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin.

Then I started my bible reading and this was included:

Praise the Lord and worship him. Tell everyone what he has done and how great he
is. Sing praise to the Lord, because he has done great things. Let all the world
know what he has done. Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem, because
the Holy One of Israel does great things before your eyes. ~ Isaiah 12:4-6 (NCV)

How Great is Our God indeed!

Home Updates I would like to do

Here are a few updates that I would like to make to our home:

• Replace built-in desk top in my office with a counter top that matching the kitchen.
• Change pull-chain lights in closets to lights with switches.
• Update the hall bath, preferably putting in a deep tub (although I don't know how we would get a new tub through the door.)
• Replace light fixture in the entryway.
• Scrape off the popcorn ceiling in the living room and texture to match the walls.
• Re-paint the garage.
• Re-paint the shed.
• Replace the remaining six foot fence with 8 foot fence.
• Put new doors on the closet in the hall that used to contain the furnace (this is now in the attic)and removed the old return air vent.
• Paint the back door.
• Re-paint my closet.
• Re-paint the baseboards in my office.

Prayer

What will prayer do for you? My answer is this: Everything that God can do for you. ~ Frederick William Farrar via Streams in the Desert, 11/2

Prayer is the link that connects us with God. It is the bridge that spans every gulf and carries us safely over every chasm of danger or need. ~ Streams in the Desert, 11/2

God baptizes us with holy boldness and divine confidence, for He is looking not for great people but for people who will dare to prove the greatness of their God. ~ Streams in the Desert, 11/2

Our prayers are God's opportunities. ~ Streams in the Desert, 11/2

It's a New Month!

September is here! Time for a new list of health habits:

Jnl Food/Fitness
Blog
5 Min of Quiet
Keep in Touch
Ready < 50 min
Lunch Treadmill (doesn't count toward regular cardio)
Cardio
Core
Strength
Stretch/Yoga
2nd Vitamin
Produce - 5
Dairy - 2
Healthy Oil
Nuts
Fiber One
Whole Grain
1 Coffee+1 Tea
Alcohol~0-1
No Sugar
No Flour
No Junk
No Work Food
No Food after 9
Clean or Fling
Enter Receipts
Clothes
Pampering
Bed Routine
Bed before 11

Heath & Fitness September Goals:
Be 100% on 10 (or more)
Miss less than 100 healthy habits total
4.5 Hours of Weight Training
Run at least 4 times
Do pilates at least once
Do yoga at least once
Do each of these machines at the gym - elliptical, arch trainer, stair mill, expresso bike, cardio wave
Do Turbo Sculpt at least once
Do Turbo Jam at least once