Listening for God's Will

I bowed my head and thanked the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, because he led me on the right road. ~ Genesis 24:48

The sidebar topic in my bible reading today was about following God's will and about checking our plans and habits against the teaching of the Bible. Here are some things I highlighted from it:

"In God's will we find successful living, God's way may be harder than the world's way--but he rewards obedience!"

"If you want God's will, give Him your total self--a living sacrifice--and that means your body and your thoughts, your mind, which He can renew from within, if you let Him."

"Sometimes God will slam shut every door but the one He wants you to walk through. You may have to try several doors to learn which is the right one."

"He has written to you--in His Word. He will talk to you, with the inner witness of His Spirit. And He will guide you as you weigh outward circumstances."

As I am growing in my Walk with God, I am learning to watch for and listen to the ways He leads me. If I am not paying attention, I could miss some of the ways He speaks to me. I haven't been doing this journalling for long, but it is really helping me to slow down and pay attention and think about what I am reading in the Word and in my devotionals. I am learning to listen to His still small voice. I like it and I look forward to what He is going to reveal to me in the days ahead.

Thank you Lord for speaking to me and revealing yourself to me. Help me to watch and listen closely so that I may hear You. And when I do hear you, help me to obey. Amen.

Salad

This is a picture of the typical salad I eat for supper almost every night. I try to have every color of the rainbow. I always miss blue though. I guess some day I might need to try adding a few blueberries and see how I lack that. You will also notice there are no tomatoes. Yuck! I don't like raw tomatoes. Cooked tomatoes are great, but I don't like raw. I make an olive oil and vinegar salad dressing with the Good Seasonings packets. (That's how I get my healthy oil in every day.) I LOVE MY SALADS! When you go on vacation, this is one of the first things I miss.

Attitude and Circumstances

When you feel anxious today, STOP. Pray: "God, I trust in your faithfulness to change both my attitude and my circumstances."

This statement was in the sidebar of my bible reading this morning. I was already feeling anxious about work today, so it was appropriate. I realize that no matter where I work I will have days that I am anxious and will probably dread going to work, but I am hopeful that it won't be as often as I am experiencing them now.

God, I trust in your faithfulness to change both my attitude and my circumstances. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Weekly Weight Average

Today is the day I calculate my weekly weight average. It was 130.9. Exactly the same as last week (totally amazing). I am THRILLED! At the beginning of the week I was afraid I wouldn't end up in my weight range (127-131) this week. I am excited to be there (even though it is just barely).

Today is my first Sunday to not where my pedometer or exercise. It is great. You know God really knew what he was doing when he invented the Day of Rest. I feel free today - free from guilt about not exercisings, free from worries about getting all my steps in, free to sit back and relax. I love it.

How to stop a complainer?

I read something in my daily reading today that made me think. I've been pondering it and didn't really know how to put it into words, so that is why this is so late today. Basically it made me think about how quick most people are to complain. And how it seems that the easier our life is, the MORE things we find to complain about. If I have a headache, I will complain to my family and people I work with and it might make me irritable. But I see my sister-in-law who suffers from MS and uses a walker and wheel chair to get around. I have NEVER heard her complain about her illness. Oh, I'm sure she does, but not in public and not to everyone she comes in contact with. There are a few people in my life that at times it seems they LIVE to complain. They can go on vacation and when you ask them how their trip was, all you get is a litany of all the things that were wrong. What makes some people complain more than others? Do the perpetual complainers realize how exasperating it is to listen to them? Is there anything that could be said to stop their complaints? Does ANYONE have a clue? I would love to know!

In the meantime...

Lord, please help me to monitor my thoughts and words for complaints. I know that I am blessed with so many wonderful gifts you have given me. When I feel the desire to complain, help me to stop and think of your gifts instead. Help me to watch my words so that others do not become exasperated by listening to me. Instead let me be uplifting and encouraging with the words I speak. Help me to be patient when listening to others complain and give me Your wisdom and words to speak to them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Walk to Emmaus Reunion Sheet

(Note: I used to be in a Walk to Emmaus Reunion group, but it slowly fell apart. I always liked the Reunion Group Sheet and will try to post it once a week and answer the questions.)

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Holy Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and every enjoy Your consolations. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Review your service sheet - Christ needs you. He needs you committed in faith, so that you may witness that faith in Christ with your brothers and sisters through:
Your Spiritual Life - Morning Devotion, Prayer Life, Worship Attendance, Communion, Spiritual Retreat
Your Study - Reading Holy Scriptures, Daily Spiritual Guides, Religious publications, Denominational newspapers, Religious magazines, Bible studies, Church school classes, Religious Seminars
Your Action - What have you done during this week so Christ will be better known and loved in your: Family, vocation, community, small group, Christian community

Closest to Christ - At what moment this past week did you feel closest to Christ?

My quiet time this week has been really good. I am enjoying my bible reading and journalling is helping me feel closer to Christ.

Call to Discipleship - At what moment during this week did you feel you were responding to God's call to be His disciple? Where did you participate in being the Church this week, the heart beat of Christ?

I went to a friend's dad's funeral yesterday.

Discipleship Denied - When was your faith tested this week through failure?

I have felt very irritable this week. I particular remember Wednesday. I was actually glad to go to the grocery store Wednesday to get away from Sugar Pop and Honey for a while. I noticed my attitude when I was leaving the house, and made an effort to be nicer when I came home.

Your old plan - How faithful were you to fulfilling your plan this week?
Since I didn't do this last week, I didn't have a plan for this week.

Your new plan - What is your plan for spirituality, study, and action for the week to come?
Spirituality ~ Morning Quiet Time, Worship tomorrow morning.
Study ~ Continue bible reading and devotional reading. Need to prepare for next week's small group (first one after the holiday break).

Action ~ This afternoon we have a Kairos team meeting, tomorrow we will work the "Small Group Rally" at church.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever,
we give You thanks for all the gifts
You have bestowed upon us. Amen.

Worst Weight Entry Day

On D's recommendation I downloaded Weight Commander last week. I entered my weights for the last 90 days (that is as far back as you can go). This morning I entered my weight and a chart popped up and said, "

Sundays have been your worst weight entry day for the past twelve weeks. This makes it doubly important to be very careful today."

OK, I *knew* Sundays were bad because I tend to indulge on the weekends, but I didn't know that the gains on the past 12 Sundays added up to 12.2 lbs. That was an eye-opener. Fortunately I have had losses on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. So, I will be very careful today.

The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. ~ Acts 4:13

Being the Jesus changes us. He gives us the power to do things we never thought we could. I have always hated speaking in public. I would get so nervous when I had to give presentations at school that I could hardly speak. In 2002 I went on the Walk to Emmaus. There are 15 team members that give talks during the weekend. After you have been on a Walk you can have an opportunity to work one. I thought I would like to do that, but I would NOT want to give a talk. So, in 2004 I worked one (didn't have to talk). Then in 2006, I worked another and I did give a talk. It was only by the power of God that I was able to do that. Through him I was not nervous and I didn't stumble over words. I was amazed at how calm I was and I give HIM all the glory!

Wait for God to Move

Lord, listen to my words. Understand my sadness. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, because I pray to you. Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer. ~ Psalm 5:1-3

Guess what! It's me again. Praying for my new job. I pray and I wait. Yesterday I read about waiting in My Utmost for His Highest. It said:

Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt—wait. At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.

So I wait and pray and wait and pray. I know that God is preparing a place for me. He has given me too many confirmations of His plan. I have faith and I will wait.

Thank you God for my new job. I trust in You. I will wait for You. I will praise You and glorify You. Amen.

By the way, Sugar Pop is reading My Utmost for His Highest also. Last night he asked me if I thought this passage was referring to my job. I said, "Yes, and when I read it I knew you would be reading it too and I wondered if you would think the same thing." God is Good!

Simplify your life

Simplify your life.

That was a line in the life lesson in today's reading. It jumped out at me. I desire simplicity. Simplifying is even an interest that I listed in my profile. But what does it mean? The definition I found by googling is "make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent." I know a lot of my desire is to get rid of excess stuff in my home. I love the feeling after I clean off my desk, or organize a drawer, or declutter a closet. I can think again when I look at the area. I am not distracted by what I see. But is God asking me to simplify in other areas? I don't know - maybe if I clear some more physical clutter, I will be able to think and see what other areas He wants simplified.

Dear Lord, please help me to clear the clutter, both physical, mental, and spiritual from my life so that I will not be distracted from hearing Your still, small voice. Amen.

Fitness Notebook

I have a small spiral about 5x7 that I carry with me. When I read an inspiring quote or an interesting article I write it (or print and tape) in my notebook. Then when I need some motivation or I want to remind myself of why high fructose corn syrup is so bad for me, I can look in my notebook.

Here are a few quotes I have recorded:

Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself; do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage. ~ Francis De Sales

The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to prepare. ~ Thaine Yost

Don't waste time on things, situations, foods, drink, thoughts that are going to inhibit you from being a happy, healthy, productive, energetic person. ~ Unknown

76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in something you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. ~ Art Turock

Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

Is it Food? Article about "food product"

Excellence is an art won by training and habitation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly go. Excellence, then is not an act but a habit. ~ Aristole

There is much, much more and I will probably post things from my notebook occasionally.

D's Quiz

D posted this quiz over on her blog and asked for other people to post their answers. Here are mine:

1. What type (make, model) of vehicle do you see yourself purchasing next?
Most likely a Toyota of some sort, but it's at least three years down the road, so I haven't thought to much about it.

2. Name a great product that you think everyone should know about.
The UPS Store. Well, at least the one we use because the people there are great. It is so nice to have a safe place to have packages delivered - no worries about them being left on the front porch when no one is home.

3. List three of your pet peeves.
* Photo Christmas cards with only the children instead of the whole family.
* How everytime I find a product I really like, it gets discontinued. This has happened SO many times!
* People using their cell phones in the movie theater.

4. What do you dislike the most about your job, or station in life?
You really don't want to start on my job, do you? Probably the things that causes most of my stress is having SEVEN bosses. Well, actually now, it is just six because my favorite one (the man who actually lives his Christian faith isn't one of my bosses any more.

5. What is a recent favourite treat of yours (food or non-food)?
The new Glade candles made with essential oils. They smell great!

6. If you could have a $500 shopping spree, what store would you like it to be at, and what would you buy?
An office supply store. I love office supplies and electronic gadgets. I'm just sure I could find all sorts of great things for $500.

7. What book are you reading right now?
Max Lucado Devotional Bible, My Utmost for His Highest, and A Year with C.S. Lewis

8. What features would your 'dream house' have?
Hmmm...since I'm dreaming and I don't have to worry about affording it or cleaning it -- a home gym, a swimming pool, a hot tub, a media room, a separate guest house for company, a large well-lit kitchen designed for my personal chef...BIG DREAMS, Huh? Actually, I am quite content in my current house. It needs a little updating in the kitchen and I wish I had a powder bath of my little office, but all in all it's a good place to live.

9. Where would you like to be at this time next year?
Getting ready to celebrate being at my new job for a year. (Of course, I haven't been offered a new job yet, but hopefully SOON!)

10. Name something new that you'd like to try in 2007.
A heart rate monitor. I've been wanting one for months now and sometime soon I will get one.

Prayers inspired by Genesis

If you do things well, I will accept you, but if you do not do them well, sin is ready to attack you. Sin wants you, but you must rule over it. Genesis 4:7

I don't have the power to rule over sin. I NEED God's power in me, to rule over sin.

Those who keep secrets from God keep their distance from God. Those who are honest with God draw near to God. (from Life Lesson sidebar)

Dear Lord, help me to always draw near to you, especially when I want to keep my distance.

Enoch walked with God. Genesis 5:24

Dear God, I want to walk with you!

Noah pleased the Lord. Genesis 6:8

Dear Lord, I want to please you!

Faithfulness to God remains vital, even if everyone around us marches to a different drumbeat. (from Life Lesson sidebar)

Dear God, help me to remain faithful to you, even when it means being different and not fitting in.

Weight Lost and Gained

Since October 14, 2002 I have lost 97.9 pounds and gained 80.4 pounds (17.5 net loss).

During 2004 I lost 27.5 lbs and gained 19.3 lbs, 8.2 net loss, highest - 141.4, lowest - 127.7
During 2005 I lost 23.1 lbs and gained 22.9 lbs, .2 net loss, highest - 136.0, lowest - 127.4
During 2006 I lost 12.6 lbs and gained 15.4 lbs, 2.8 net GAIN, highest - 132.8, lowest - 128.2

My weight fluctuations are decreasing. I want both of those numbers to be lower in 2007, but this year the weight lost needs to be more than the weight gained.

After the New Year's Eve festivities I weighed 133.6. This is outside of the 127 to 131 weight range I would like to maintain. Most of the difference between 133.6 and 131 is probably water weight and the results of snacking from 8:00 pm until midnight. My plan is to be back in my weight range this week, although I know it might not be possible for my weekly average to be in the range. This is not the time to slack off (not that any time is a good time). I have lost and gained too many times. I want to maintain my weight during 2007. I will maintain my weight during 2007!

Day of Rest

I've been reading a blog called "Out of the Shadows." Dee is definitely a Christian. She does not wear her pedometer on Sundays because it is the Lord's Day, a day of rest. I was getting ready this morning and thinking about that and rationalizing that it was ok to work out on Sunday because it was relaxing to me. BUT, Sunday was MADE for rest which means my body probably needs a day of rest from exercise even if I don't think it does. So, starting this coming Sunday I won't wear my pedometer and the only exercise I will do will be stretching. Now that I have made that commitment, I am looking forward to it!

The Tree of Life

Heavenly Father, from the beginning of time you gave us free will, even though you knew we wouldn't always choose to love you, even though you knew it would take the death of your Son. When Adam and Eve ate from the fruit of the one tree they were not supposed to, they had to leave Eden and they no longer had access to the fruit of the tree of life. Later the tree of life would be the cross and the fruit of the tree is Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for giving us access again to the fruit of the tree of life so that we may have eternal life and know you and be with you forever! Amen.

Flowers

Before Christmas I bought some flowers from the grocery store. Most of them were gone by New Year's, but I made a smaller boquet and put them on my filing cabinet. They have made me smile everytime I come in the room. Fresh flowers are so inexpensive from the grocery, I really must by them for myself more often.

Healthy Habits for January 2007

Here are the Healthy Habits I am working on during January:

1. Journal Food
2. Fitness Journal - Record Exercise
3. Water - 4 bottles
4. Produce - 5 servings
5. Dairy - 2 servings
6. Healthy Oil
7. Nuts
8. Fiber One
9. Whole Grain
10. Caffeine~0-1 items
11. Alcohol~0-1 items
12. No Sugar
13. No Flour
14. No Junk (Junk ~ Popcorn, Gum, Hot Chocolate Packets, Soda, Chips, Frozen Novelties, Fast Food)
15. No Coffee (regular or decaf) at Work
16. No Elevators at Work
17. Clean or Fling - At least 5 minutes
18. Cardio - At least 10 minutes
19. Core Exercises - At least 5 minutes
20. Stretching or Yoga - At least 5 minutes
21. Strength - At least 5 minutes
22. 5000 Steps
23. 2nd dose of vitamin (I don't have any trouble remembering my morning vitamins, but do my noontime ones.
24. Keep in Touch (Call, email, write or visit a friend or family member)
25. Bed 11:00
26. Blog
27. Pampering
28. Bedtime Routine (wash face, brush and floss)
29. Use less than 10 Flex Points
30. Binge Free

Goals for 2007

Goals for the Spiritual Journey
Read through the bible using the Max Lucado Devotional Bible
Read A Year with C.S. Lewis
Read My Utmost for His Highest
Review "Memorize the Message" scriptures. I will at least review the current week but I won't stress out about memorizing each week.
Journalling

Goals for the Fitness Journey
Maintain weekly average weight between 127 and 131
Average 30 minutes of exercise per day
Keep track of exercise using www.fitnessjournal.com
Attend Weight Watcher's Meeting at least once a month
Set up at least one appointment with a trainer at the gym
Keep tracking of my "Healthy Habits," adjust them once a month, and spend the dimes I "earn."
Buy a heart rate monitor

Happy

Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked, who don't go where sinners go, who don't do what evil people do. They love the Lord's teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don't die. Everything they do will succeed. - Psalm 1:1-3

Yes, this describes the people at Happy. That is why I want to work there.

Heavenly Father, please provide the job I have been waiting for. I want to work with Happy people. I want to produce fruit and not feel like my efforts are for a tree that will wither and die. I want to work for a CEO who says, "I must decrease and He must increase." A CEO who will toast YOU when the business succeeds. I have been waiting for over a year. Dear Lord, please provide. Amen.