Weight Loss Bible Study - Check in

ATTENTION: Before I start talking about the Weight Loss Bible Study and wanted to let you know I will be revamping this blog. It has looked the same since I started and I think it is time for a facelift. :)
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Weight Loss Bible Study

I'm sorry I haven't checked in more recently, but I had to leave town for a couple of weeks and help care for my ill Mother. Thank you for your prayers for her. She is doing much better. 

How is everyone doing in the weight loss department?

Being away for so long, I kind of slipped up and put some weight back on. I am happy to share that I am back where I was and working on losing more to reach my goal. 

I have been reaching for my memory verse cards when I need them and seems to really help.

Just to refresh your memory, these are the memory cards I made that Barb Raveling had suggested.

If you are having trouble staying on track, here are some verses from Barb's blog that might help you with procrastination.
https://barbraveling.com/2013/11/04/45-bible-verses-for-procrastination-2/

And here is a great article on stress. I don't think anyone can avoid feeling that way at any given time.
https://barbraveling.com/2012/06/18/seven-questions-that-will-help-you-let-go-of-stress/

I hope your weight loss journey is going well for you.
We all are human and life gets tough sometimes.
Remember to:
Renew your mind.
State your truth.
Stay in your boundaries.

If you have forgotten what those topics are you can always go back to Barb's blog and reread the articles. Just click on one of the links above and do a search for any of those topics.

Gratitude
1. The ability to always start over. It is never too late.
2. A God who forgives our failures if we ask Him.
3. Spring is near!

Hebrews 13:5
I will in no way leave you,
neither will I in any way
forsake you.

Blessings,
Deborah

How Do You Feel and What Do You Say?

How do you feel and what do you say after something like what happened in Florida happens again and again? How do we keep picking ourselves up and carrying on? How do we fight this unknown enemy?
Ann Voskamp, once again, gives us some insight.

http://annvoskamp.com/2018/02/when-cancer-gunfire-grief-lent-the-unfairness-of-god-wreck-us-free-lent-devotional-calendar/?utm_source=bloglovin.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+HolyExperience+(Holy+Experience)

Gratitude
1. A God who cares
2. A God who is always there first
3. A God who always loves us

Hebrews 13:5
I will in no way leave you,
neither will I in any way
forsake you.

Blessings,
Deborah

Every Day is Women's Day!

Welcome and blessings.

In my little corner of the world, every day is Women's Day.
Celebrate yourself today and go read Ann Voscamp's article.
http://annvoskamp.com/2017/03/how-god-really-feels-about-women-on-international-women-day/

Ann is one of my favorite Christian's writers of our time. If you don't know Ann yet, treat yourself and go to the above link and be amazed.
I believe she is a prophet in our time to light the way.
She also has a Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/?hc_ref=ARQkpIOtjCbZiw7ypuUsdgWYGOMDNtoymHx2HiM--UT3vaFjis-rdTXC-gCx7BEcSTg&fref=nf

She has an article today on her FB page that touched my heart on this same subject.
So beautifully said.

Picture from Ann's blog.

Gratitude
1. Ann Voscamp
2. A new day for new hope
3. Women everywhere

Blessings,
Deborah

Happy 2017!!

Happy New Year, everyone!!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Mine was lovely. Quiet, but nice.

I feel 2017 is going to be a good year.
I'm hopeful.
I have new focus.
A new outlook.
I have new goals.

There are snowflakes falling outside my window as I write this.
Each one is unique and different and beautiful.
God created them that way.
Just like He created us that way.
Find kindness in your heart this year for everyone you encounter.
Look out from God, instead of at God.
You will see a whole new world.

The cover page for 2017 in my Faith Journal. You may need to click on it for a better view. The blues are showing up kind of light.

Ephesians 1:16

I have not stopped giving thanks for you,

remembering you in my prayers.

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If you have any prayer requests, please leave a comment below.

I would be honored to pray for you.

Gratitude

1. Each of you

2. Snowflakes

3. A new year, a new beginning

Blessings,

Deborah

Advent - We Wait

Advent

And so we begin the journey to Christmas.

Advent - a season of prayer and fasting.
A time of waiting.

Wait. - delay - holdup - pause - bide one's time

And so we wait.

We wait to celebrate His birth.
We wait for His re-birth.
We wait.

How easy is it for you to wait?
For anything?
Are you a patient person?
Or do you pace while waiting?
Or chew your fingernails?
Or have anxiety?

Me? I'm somewhere in the middle.
It depends on what I'm waiting for.
This Advent I'm feeling patient.
I'm longing for this walk to the manger and all it represents.
I'm excited to read the next day's scripture to see what it reveals.
This first week in Advent is teaching me about Hope.
It teaches me to put my trust and hope in a God who never fails me.

Today's reading is:
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If You, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve You.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in His word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with Him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

A reminder that this Advent I am following Sara Laughed's Advent Bible Journaling Study.
http://www.essenceofme.com/advent-illustrated/

Today she suggested we listen to this song, "My soul Waits For the Lord."
It brought me right into the season of waiting. This young girl has an amazing voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG-Q9YhC2Dg&list=PLMnV-hAJigmoD6F0OuT3xC9Q3MgX5PGsS

Gratitude
1. A God who never fails
2. Hope
3. The Wait

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Do Not Be Afraid

Do you ever feel afraid? Sometimes I do. I've had cancer twice and afraid it will come back again. I'm afraid I won't be able to pay the bills caused by the cancer. I fear for my grown children and their families in today's world. This was the prayer letter I wrote to God today. Then I reached for my Bible and found scripture to help calm me.

Dear Lord,
The world can be a big scary place and sometimes I feel so afraid. I fear for my health, I fear for my finances, I fear for my family and the list goes on and on. I am just one human thinking, "I can't do all of this!" Please help me Lord. Amen.

Genesis 15:1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said, "Do not be afraid."

Gratitude (from aholyexperience.com)
3 Gifts unexpected
1. A new friend
2. Blessing to many to count
3. Healing

Psalm 18:33 He makes my feet like hinds feet and sets me upon my high places.

Phil 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Blessings, Deborah

HOPE

     Hope. A small word with such ginormous emotion. Hope is one of the ultimate gifts. To live without it is to give up. Scripture is full of hope and I need my daily dose in this world gone crazy that tries to steal it in some way each day.  I keep my eye on Him and there lies the path to hope.  The only way.
     I live for the human stories that renew my faith. The ones that speak of trials overcome, or someone born again in faith, or simply never gave up their hope. 
     Hope.  Such a small word. I feel it with each new day. I feel it in a conversation with a friend. I feel it when I look in my grandchildren's eyes.  I feel it when I pray. I FEEL IT when I read His word.
     Hope.  Please, Lord. Let me never live without it.

     Hebrews 10: 23  Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.

     51)  Hope
     52)  Scripture
     53)  Each new day
     54)  Faith
     55)  Paths of truth
     56)  Kind words
     57)  you
 
     May you never live without hope, Deborah