Shape Worries into Prayers

This is from my Lose it for Life Devotional. It spoke to me about my worries and anxiety about my surgery.

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 (The Message)

Aware of our tendency toward anxious, emotional eating, we must instead transform our worries into prayers. By turning to God with our fears and emotions, we let Him know our heart. It is then that He brings everything together for us. Our faith in His
loving attention and protection is renewed. We are now able to settle down because we know Who is in control.

Our anxieties and worries are usually about things over which we want control but can't have it. Worries can be touched off by the fear that we will lose something we have--or that we won't get something we want. In the past, we have either eaten too much or avoided eating because it was something we felt we could control.

But fretting, worrying and over/undereating do not accomplish much more than sheer harm to our overall wellness. When prayer and praise replace these behaviors and Christ is at center stage, a wonderful sense of peace and serenity flows.

Today, Lord, I turn over my worries and concerns to You, praising You for Your love and grace for my recovery.

Lift Your Eyes

Today's Scripture
I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
What are you looking at today? Are there challenges in your life to overcome? Don’t just look at your problems day in and day out, lift up your eyes and look toward heaven. You will naturally move in the direction that your eyes are looking. If you are always looking at your problems—meditating on them, feeling sorry for yourself, telling everybody about them—you will become consumed by them. But when you look up, your life will start to move up. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, it is also a sign of your faith and expectancy. The Bible tells us that faith is what moves the hand of God. When you have an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His power in your life. Decide today to focus on the goodness of our God. Lift your eyes and heart to Him and begin to praise Him with your words. As you lift your eyes, your help will come, and you will live the victorious life He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to lift my eyes to You. I will look to You for my help. Thank You for showing me Your salvation and deliverance. I bless You today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I needed this today because I have become very self-absorbed in my upcoming surgery.

Planning Meeting

Today was the annual planning meeting at work. I was really dreading it because I hate them and I didn't feel as prepared as I should have been because I have been busy getting ready to be off for surgery. But...it went fine. I owe it all to prayer. Not just my prayer either. One of the owners asked to start the meeting off with a prayer. That has never happened before. It made a difference.

Nervous About Surgery

I am starting to get nervous about my surgery. Today was my pre-op appointment so it is starting to "get real." Sugar Pop went with me and he understands better why the doctor is recommending the surgery and why it will be an abdominal hysterectomy instead of vaginal/laproscopically (because of the way my cervix is tilted, it "hides" and she has to make sure she gets all of it).

Tomorrow is the annual planning meeting at work. I hate this things and they make me very nervous and anxious. I will feel better once I make it past that.

The Finish Line

From Lose it for Life Day by Day - March 1st:

I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:26-27A (The Message)

There is no finish line in our quest for better health. Embracing a lifelong process, performed daily with no arrival point, can be daunting. In our old life of dieting, we motivated ourselves into deprivation by focusing on the idea that it was only temporary; that when we reached our goal weight, we would be able to splurge again. We strove for that finish line -- but it backfired on us. The deprivation dam broke when we allowed ourselves that splurge. And there we were, back to old eating habits and putting on pounds again.

In this verse Paul speaks about a finish line, but it's more like a rainbow--we run hard toward it, but we never fully arrive in this life. The rainbow is still out there ahead of us, so we learn to live well one day at a time. We let go of sloppy living by surrendering daily. We run this race with everything we've got--faithfully working out spiritual keys, diligently planning our food, energetically exercising our bodies. We stay alert and in top shape so that we feel enlivened, not beaten down by deprivation.

Today, Lord I embrace this daily plan of living well, running the race with the willingness to stay in top condition.

Obedience of the Proof

From Walking with Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick Morley via the Life Lessons in my Devotional Bible:

According to Gallup surveys, confirmed by other polls taken over the past fifteen years, 33 percent of all Americans over age eighteen indicate they are evangelical or "born again" Christians. That translates into 59 million Christians, or one in every three adults, who experienced a turning point in their lives as they made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

This information should grip us with terror. It means that the greatest revival in history has so far been impotent to change society. Is revival without reformation. It's a revival which left the country floundering in spiritual ignorance. It's a change in belief without a corresponding change in behavior...

How did the building blocks of the gospel become glued together with the cement of self-centeredness? The American gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction. It is the belief that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior. It is a spiritual experience without any cultural impact. It is revival without reformation, without repentance...

The proof of religious conversion is to demonstrate that we have both added a relationship with Christ and that we have subtracted sin (repentance). And we multiply proof to a weary world by what we do - our deeds, our obedience. What we do must confirm what we say. Our deeds are the proof of our repentance...

A changed life is one that has added Christ and subtracted sin, that attracts a world weary of worn-out words. Obedience is the proof.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There are so many things I have to be thankful for, I could not list them all. What I am most thankful for is Our Awesome God who blesses me with all these things I am thankful for. He places so many wonderful and beautiful things in my life to show His love. He is the Greatest!

Blessings On Our Efforts To Change

This came from the Magnificat several years ago and I have always liked it. If you are looking for a good daily devotional that follows the liturgy of the Church, I highly recommend the Magnificat. It would also make a great Christmas present. You can request a sample here.

Place before the Lord all those areas of your life in which change is necessary, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s gift of courage.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. ~ Philippians 3:20-21

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 18:2-3

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." ~ Hebrews 1:10-12

For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. ~ Matthew 21:32

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:2

LITANY OF ABANDONMENT
From the temptation to give up,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to disappointment,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to fear and dread,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to cynicism,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to skepticism,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to distrust,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to apathy,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to obstinacy,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to rationalizing,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to despondency and despair,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to nay-saying,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to gloominess,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to doubt,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to being overly-critical,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to indifference,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to nihilism,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to impatience,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to be contrary,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to stubbornness,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to discouragement,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to pessimism,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to resignation,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to remain stuck in my ways,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to dejection,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to make excuses,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to hopelessness,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to defeatism,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to cowardice,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to antagonism,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to rigidity,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to willfulness,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to diffidence,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to anxiety,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to lose heart,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to have an unyielding spirit,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to presumption,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to rash judging,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to obduracy,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to negativity,
Lord, deliver me.
From the temptation to fatalism,
Lord, deliver me.

The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Closing Prayer ~ For Ordering a Life Wisely
O merciful God, grant that I may desire ardently, search prudently, recognize truly, and bring to perfect completion whatever is pleasing to You for the praise and glory of Your name. Put my life in good order, O my God. Grant that I may know what You require me to do. Bestow upon me the power to accomplish Your will, as is necessary and fitting for the salvation of my soul. Grant to me, O Lord my God, that I may not falter in times of prosperity or adversity, so that I may not be exalted in the former nor dejected in the latter. May I not rejoice in anything unless it leads me to You; may I not be saddened by anything unless it turns me from You. May I desire to please no one, nor fear to displease anyone, but You. May all transitory things, O Lord, be worthless to me and may all things eternal be ever cherished by me. May any joy without You be burdensome for me and may I not desire anything else besides You. May all work, O Lord, delight me when done for Your sake and may all repose not centered in You be ever wearisome for me. Grant unto me, my God, that I may direct my heart to You and that in my failures I may ever feel remorse for my sins and never lose the resolve to change. O Lord my God, make me submissive without protest, poor without discouragement, chaste without regret, patient without complaint, humble without posturing, cheerful without frivolity, mature without gloom, and quick-witted without flippancy, O Lord my God, let me fear You without losing hope, be truthful without guile, do good works without presumption, rebuke my neighbor without haughtiness, and – without hypocrisy – strengthen him by word and example. Give to me, O Lord God, a watchful heart, which no capricious thought can lure away from You. Give to me a noble heart, which no unworthy desire can debase. Give to me a resolute heart, which no evil intention can divert. Give to me a stalwart heart, which no tribulation can overcome. Give to me a temperate heart, which no violent passion can enslave. Give to me, O Lord my God, understanding of You, diligence in seeking You, wisdom in finding You, discourse ever pleasing to You, perseverance in waiting for You, and confidence in finally embracing You. Grant that with Your hardships I may be burdened in reparation here, that Your benefits I may use in gratitude upon the way, that in Your joys I may delight by glorifying You in the kingdom of heaven. You who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.

Food at Work

We are having food at work tomorrow. I am so SICK of food everywhere. Bleh! Like we aren't all going to be eating too much on Thursday. But I will participate. I may not eat much, but I'll be there. Just a few more days and I get a break from work and I will not have to be there for all the food that will be pouring in during December. Another reason that this is good timing for my surgery. :)

Cooking and Cleaning

I spent some time this morning cooking some meals to go in the freezer. I made chili (two meals), spaghetti sauce, and bezella (Thanks Lori!). These can all be thawed and then put in the crockpot and heated up.

I have also done some more deep cleaning. I cleaned the inside of the cabinets where my plates and bowls are stored and then inside of the refridgerator. I am now prepared for someone to unload my dishwasher or put food in the fridge for me while I am recovering.

Then I put out a few Christmas decorations. I have several things that are kept in a roll top desk that are easy to access and easy to put up.

Deep Cleaning

I spent two hours deep cleaning the sunroom this afternoon. I moved the furniture and cleaned underneath. The bugs love to crawl under the loveseat and die (yuck). I cleaned the wooden blinds too. They were filthy. Apparently I had never cleaned them since we re-did the kitchen at the beginning of the summer. They had sheetrock dust on them. Aahhh....I love the feeling of walking through a room and knowing it is super clean. It makes me want to deep-clean another room tomorrow.

Open Windows

Today's Scripture
“Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10 AMP).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God wants to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings on you today! But you have to do your part first. Your part is to be a faithful tither and to be obedient to the Lord with your finances. See, we are all stewards over the resources God has given us. When we are good and faithful stewards, the Lord entrusts us with more of His resources. He opens the windows of heaven. Have you ever thought about what kind of blessing would be so great that there would not be room enough to receive it? It may be hard to comprehend, but that’s what God’s Word promises. Be a giver today. Be a tither. Prove the Lord and get ready to watch Him move mightily on your behalf! Begin to thank Him today for His faithfulness and blessing in your life. Look for ways the Lord will pour out His abundant blessing. As you obey and believe, you’ll see the hand of God move on your behalf, and you will live the abundant life He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to bless me. Thank You for opening the windows of heaven in my life. I choose to be obedient to Your Word. I choose to be a giver. I choose to be a faithful steward of Your resources. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Dependent on God

Most of us live only within the level of consciousness - consciously serving and consciously devoted to God. This shows immaturity and the fact that we're not yet living the real Christian life. Maturity is produced the life of a child of God on the unconscious level, until we become so totally surrendered to God that we are not even aware of being used by Him. When we are consciously aware of being used as broken bread and poured-out wine, we have yet another level to reach - a level where all awareness of ourselves and of what God is doing through us is completely eliminated. A saint is never consciously a saint - a saint is consciously dependent on God. ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 15th

Seeing God

We can all see God in exceptional things, but it requires the growth of spiritual discipline to see God in every detail. Never believe that the so-called random events of life are anything less than God's appointed order. Be ready to discover His divine designs anywhere and everywhere. ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 14th

Deep Waters

Today's Scripture
“The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5 NIV).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Did you know that you are equipped with everything you need to fulfill your passion and purpose in this life? Everything you need is on the inside of you—like deep waters. You draw those deep things out when you stay open and humble before the Lord. You draw those things out when you are submitted to His Word. That’s what makes you a person of understanding. You are a person of understanding when you draw on the strength of God inside of you. Proverbs also tells us that a person of understanding delights in wisdom. A person of understanding is even-tempered. A person of understanding is not easily led astray and maintains peace and order. (Prov. 10:23; 15:21; 17:27; 28:2) Don’t just live on the surface of life today. Draw from the resources that God has placed on the inside of you. As you keep your heart open by obeying the Word of God, His purposes will become clearer, and you will live in the abundant life God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me with everything I need to be a success in life. I choose to humbly submit to You and obey Your Word so that I can be a person of understanding. Thank You for revealing Your plans and purposes for me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I do not feel like a person of understanding today. I do not feel even-tempered. I do not feel like myself. We went out of town for the weekend and my routine is thrown all out of kilter. Then I get back to work after being off for two days and there are piles on my desk to be dealt with. I feel all out-of-sorts. I need to go to the grocery store tonight, but it is also the last night of my bible study. Because it is the last night of bible study, "they" decided we should have food. Since I haven't been to the store, I don't have anything to bring and I don't want to eat or bring anything. I may just go late and food less. At least I will be there. Or, I can just download the last video and watch it later.

Random Things About Me

I am feeling uninspired to blog today, but I want to blog anyway so I can check it off my list of things to do. So, a few random things about me:

I'm the 7th child of the 7th child.
I hate to shave my legs.
I have never owned a brand new car and probably never will.
Every time I think to myself "I want a new job" the next line I think of is "One that won't make me sick" - I'm a product of the 80s.
I still love 80s music.
I had big permed hair in the 80s - now it is straight and I use a flat iron to make it straighter.
I listened to country music in my teens and I wanted to be a redneck girl with my "name on the back of her belt" - but I never did get one of those belts.
I learned to drive a tractor and a car on the same day.
My first accident was hitting a car with the plow that I was pulling with the tractor.
I love getting up early in the morning when the world is still quiet.
If I could I would never go back to standard time during the winter.
I love planning and making lists and organizing things.
I once tried to convince my niece that it would be fun to clean her parents house for them.
I can remember keeping a notebook of how much money I had when I was in elementary school and trying to save up for some new roller skates.
I got the skates and my friend and I would make up roller skating routines in the neighbor's driveway.
We thought we were so cool. We were so lame. But it was fun.
I once dated a guy who looked like Eddie Van Halen.
I liked heavy metal music in high school.

OK...that is enough randomness for today. I've got to go pack the car up for our trip. I'll be back Tuesday.

He is the Healer

Today's Scripture
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Aren’t you glad that God is a healer! It doesn’t matter what is “broken” in your life today, God’s nature is to bring you complete healing. Do you need healing in your body? Your mind? Heart? Finances? Relationships? God is your healer. Notice what the Psalmist says in this verse: He binds up their wounds. In the natural, if you have a broken arm, it doesn’t just heal over night. The doctor makes a cast to hold it in place and protect it. He binds up your wound. In the spiritual realm, God does the same thing. He wraps Himself around your brokenness and protects the wounded area until it is strong enough to function properly again. The Bible also says that He is a restorer. That means that when He does a work of healing in our lives, He makes us better than we were before. If you’re going through the healing process today, know this: it may take longer than you planned, but God is binding up your wound. He is protecting you and healing you. He will bring you out better and stronger than you were before. He will take you to a place of complete healing so that you can live the life of victory He has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for being my healer. Thank You for restoring every area of my life. I give You everything that I am today. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Have we come to realize that our "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit"? If so, we must be careful to keep it undefiled for Him. We have to remember that our conscious life, even though only a small part of our total person, is to be regarded by us as a "temple of the Holy Spirit." He will be responsible for the unconscious part which we don't know, but we must pay careful attention to and guard the conscious part for which we are responsible. ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 8th

Because I am very health and fitness conscious, I always think of my body being a temple in terms of food and exercise. This was a good reminder that not only do I need to tend to my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit through healthy food and exercise, but that I also need to watch the things I put into my mind through the things I watch and read and the thoughts I "entertain."

Surgery Approved!

I talked to the nurse at the doctor's office today and the insurance company approved my surgery without difficulty. I also found out that our insurance will not be changing until January 1st. So, I am all set for surgery on December 4th. I am also pleased that my surgery will be at a surgery center instead of the regular hospital. There are sick people at the regular hospital! The center I will be is strictly surgery and has a better nurse to patient ratio.

I feel God's peace about this surgery. I see God's timing at work in this.

I called my hairdresser to reschedule an appointment and told him about my surgery. He immediately saw God's timing too.

God is so Good!

Intimate Theology

From my Utmost for His Highest:

"Do you believe this?" John 11:26

Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But--she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha's theology had its fulfilment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance - "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ. . . "

Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you - "Do you believe this?"Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings awareness of our personal need.

To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.

Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, "Do you believe this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier.

God is on Your Side

And yet something else from Joel Osteen:

Today's Scripture
“If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)?
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
As a believer in Jesus and a child of His, God is on your side today! If you haven’t thought about it yet today, remember, you are created for greatness. You have the seed of Almighty God inside of you. There is no obstacle that can stop you. There is no disadvantage that can hold you back. You’re in the palm of God’s hand, and He has equipped and empowered you for everything. When God is on your side, He sets the right people in your path. In fact, He’s already released favor into your future. He’s planning for you to come in to new seasons of increase. Have you given up on a dream? God is on your side, and He wants to resurrect it. Have you given up on a family member? God is on your side, and He wants to restore that relationship. God is on your side, and He has a plan for victory in every area of your life. Let that sink down into your heart today. Begin to expect His favor. Expect Him to work in your life. Focus on the fact that God has equipped you. He has anointed you. Your best days are still out in front of you! If God is for you, no one can rise against you! As you meditate on this promise, it will become real to you. You will walk in the favor and victory God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for being on my side today. Thank You for equipping and empowering me to accomplish everything You’ve called me to. Give me a deeper revelation of Your love for me today so that I can live the abundant life You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I needed this today. I found out this morning that our insurance at work will be changing which could mean I will have more out-of-pocket for my surgery. It will depend on whether the change takes places effective 12/1 or they wait until 1/1 to change. Please pray for the change to wait until January 1st!

New Preaching Minister!

I am so excited this morning. Our new preaching minister is here and he is starting this weekend. It has been 19 months since are last minister left. We had an associate minister who filled in until last November when he left. It has been a look search process and BUT when God went to work, He worked quickly! On September 9th, the Search Committee announced that the person they thought was the man for the job had turned it down and they would be starting the search process completely over. Two weeks later we noticed a visitor sitting with one of the elders at the front of church and so we asked it he was a prospect. He was. He was there to be interviewed. The next weekend it was announced that he would be coming to preach the following weekend. The weekend following his preaching, it was announced he was offerred the job and accepted. So, in less than two months we have gone from starting the search process over to have our new preaching minister! God is so Good!

Surgery

I am tentatively scheduled for a hysterectomy on December 4th. I say tentatively, because the surgery still has to be approved by the insurance company. Hopefully, that will go smoothly.

This is actually unexpected. I am been having pap smears that go back and forth between normal and abnormal for a long time. Last December I had a LEEP procedure done and this was supposed to get rid of all the bad cells and I would have normal paps from now on. My first pap after the procedure in April was normal. Then I had another one on October 12th. I talked to my doctor this week and it is abnormal again. She is recommending a hysterectomy because of the way my cervix is titled it is hard for her to see to take a biopsy and she is afraid something might be missed and I would have the possibility of developing cancer.

I am nervous about the actual surgery and all that it entails, but I am excited about the benefit of no more periods! The timing actually works out well because as you know I have been wanting to find a new job. So far, I haven't found one which means I am still with my current employer where I have over 9 weeks of sick leave accumulated. More than enough to be out for this surgery.

So, please pray that the surgery is approved first of all and then that everything goes smoothly with surgery and my recovery afterward. I have lots to do to prepare and get ready for Christmas before then. The challenge of getting prepared is helping me feel motivated and energetic. That is just what I need right now as the days start getting shorter and that starting tomorrow it will be dark an hour earlier every day.

Honor the Lord with Your Body

Something else from Joel Osteen:

Today's Scripture
“Honor the Lord with your body” (I Corinthians 6:20).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
The Scripture says that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to honor the Lord with our bodies. How do you do that? You take care of it. You respect it. You treat it as valuable. You use your body to bring Him glory. When you stand strong against temptation, you are honoring the Lord with your body. When you take care of yourself by eating properly and getting enough sleep, you are honoring the Lord with your body. You are saying, “Lord, thank You for this gift of life. I am choosing to take care of myself so that I can serve You with my whole heart, mind, and strength.” As we enter into this holiday season, remember to honor the Lord by taking care of your body. Enjoy the treasures of the season, but don’t allow the hustle and bustle of the season to rob you from simply enjoying the blessing of your friends, family, and loved ones. As you honor the Lord with your body, you will be strengthened and empowered by His peace. You’ll be able to stand against temptation and walk in love this holiday season and all the days of your life!
A Prayer for Today
Dear Father in Heaven, today I choose to honor You with my body. Thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for empowering me against temptation. Show me Your plan for me today so that I can honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Watch What You Watch

From Joel Osteen:

Today's Scripture
“I will set no base or wicked thing before my eyes” (Psalm 101:3 AMP).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
In this Psalm, David was determined to honor the Lord with his mind. David knew that what he watched with his eyes would affect his thinking. If he didn’t guard his mind by choosing carefully what he looked at, he would be drawn to do things that weren’t pleasing to the Lord. The same is true for us today. If we are watching things on TV or reading things in books or magazines that aren’t pleasing to the Lord, we are opening a door to the enemy. If we continue to look upon things that aren’t pleasing to the Lord, a stronghold is built in our thinking. We become enslaved to those thoughts. But thank God for the blood of Jesus that has the power to break those strongholds! If you are struggling with thoughts that you don’t want in your mind anymore, today, you can be free. First of all, receive the Lord’s forgiveness and make the choice to change what you are looking at. Let the Lord wash you clean and strengthen you by His Spirit. Focus your mind and thoughts on His Word and do not let any wicked thing before your eyes. As you determine to watch what you watch, you will be empowered by His Spirit and walk in the abundant life God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to honor You with my mind. I choose to guard my eyes and not watch anything that isn’t pleasing to You. I ask that You set me free of every stronghold in my thinking so that I can live in peace and joy all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.