12/100 Day of Bible Promises

Welcome and blessings!

The devotional for today is "Wisdom for Those Who Ask."
Sometimes, I'm not very good at seeking answers in the Bible to problems I am having or things I'm worrying about. Sometimes, I'm even bad about praying for answers. Most times I do, but not always. I always keep family and friends in my prayers and ask for help for them, but not always for myself. I really need to work on that and be better at asking the One who knows the answers before I even ask.

I wrote in my devotional today to:
Ask.
Pray.
Listen.
Repeat.

I think I should also make a card to keep on my desk so it is in my face daily. My memory isn't what it used to be, but that really is no excuse. It is making it a habit that will help. Calling on God daily to help with problems and worries. They say it only takes 21 days to create a habit. If I start today, in no time I could be in a better place with my heavenly Father. As soon as I'm finished here I will make that card! I will share it with you tomorrow.

Day 12 in my devotional.
(click on the picture for a larger view)

Gratitude
1. Finding wisdom in the Bible
2. A heavenly Father who answers prayers
3. Art

Isaiah 28:29
This also comes from the Lord of hosts;
he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Blessings,
Deborah

The Book of Ephesians

Welcome and Good Morning!

God has been nudging me for quite some time to read the Book of Ephesians and this morning I finally got around to reading it. I've read the book before, but today it answered so many questions I have been chewing on for so long.
Why didn't I read it with the first nudge, you might be asking?
I'm asking that myself, but maybe I wasn't ready yet to hear what it had to say.
Maybe I needed to chew and stew for awhile to accept all I needed to hear with an open heart.
I heard it today. I'm rejoicing in the answers!
I can't remember where I read a story about a man who read Ephesians every day for a month. He said it gave him new insight in the book and made him able to really embrace the truth of the words and make them his own to live by. If I remember where I will share it with you. It was a great story.
I'm taking the challenge.
I'm going to read the Book of Ephesians every day for a month.
Anyone want to join me?

Another beautiful picture I took when I was home.

Gratitude

1. His word

2. Answered questions

3. You, my dear reader

Ephesians 3:17-18

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love,

may have power,

together with all the Lord's holy people,

to grasp how wide and long 

and high and deep

is the love of Christ.

Blessings,

Deborah

Speaking of Holy Week

Welcome!

I've been doing two wonderful studies this week and I just want to share them with you. I must admit that I didn't do anything for the rest of Lent, unheard of for me. So when Holy Week came, I thought I better do something, because Easter is almost here!!

I am getting so much out this study by Rev. Drew Downs. I belong to his Facebook page and when I saw this post on Palm Study it just inspired me to follow him this whole week. He is right when he says we usually just rush to Thursday after Palm Sunday, but what about Monday - Wednesday?  I'm sorry I didn't share this sooner, but it won't take long to catch up, or you can just start with today.
https://drewdowns.net/2018/03/25/arrive-palm-sunday/

The other study I am doing came to me in an email from YouVersion. Have you been to their website? Lots of wonderful free Bible studies to take there. I'm doing the one for Holy Week based on the book, "My Utmost for His Highest," by Oswald Chambers.  I've owned this book for several years and just started reading it with this study. Now I wonder why I waited so long to open this book. It is a devotional gem!

I decided to use one of my Traveler's Notebook inserts to keep all my notes in. Here is what I did to it today.

I covered it with some paper from a pack I picked up today at Walmart. The pack was so cute I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to use some of the cutouts for Bible journaling. Here are some of the pages you get in the pack.

The pack of papers.

Some of the die cuts. 

More die cuts. I love the rain boots and sun! 

Cute alphabet letters, too!! Aren't they all adorable. The papers you get are cute, too and I love the colors. (How many times can I say cute in this post?) lol

I also picked up this pink traveler's notebook. I have fondled this 5 different trips to Walmart and each time said, No." I couldn't think of a reason to buy it and I don't impulse buy anymore, even if it was only $8.84. Today I had a reason; this study. It feels like moleskin. I'm a sucker for moleskin. My Bible is moleskin. Need I say more? *smiles*

Gratitude

1. Moleskin

2. Studies that inspire

3. Rev. Drew Downs

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this,

that one lay down his life for his friends.

Blessings,

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Check in/Backslide

Welcome to the Weight Loss Bible Study Check in!

I had a conversation with my accountability partner (SIL) this morning and it went something like this:

Me: I gained back the two pounds I lost last week.
SIL: Why do you think this happened?
Me: Fear of failing. Not tracking my points on Weight Watchers. Not exercising. I'm sabotaging myself again.
SIL: Read Job 3:25.

I did.
Job 3:25
What I feared has come upon me,
what I dreaded has happened to me.

Then we talked some more about how I hate eating different foods than hubby and MIL. I feel deprived and different. (I have issues about feeling different.) So she gave me these scriptures:

Daniel 1:8,15,17
8. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and defile himself in this way. (He requested only vegetables and water for himself and the young men with him.)
15. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished ...
17. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

SIL: Would you eat better if you knew you would become a prophet like Daniel did?
Me. Absolutely!

Now, we both know that won't probably happen, but we will be healthier and better nourished if we follow better eating habits.

And, by the way, we also talked about how being different is NOT a bad thing. God loves us all no matter how different we feel, because, let's face it, we all are different from one another in many ways. It is our differences that makes us unique.

And as Mr. Rogers always said, and I believe God does, too,
"I love you just the way you are!"

I feel stronger again. I'm tracking my food on W.W. today and plan to jump on that exercise bike when hubby is done with his nap.

I'm also rereading some of my journaling regarding weight loss and looking at my Bible scripture cards I made.

Use whatever helps you reach your goal!!
It is not easy losing weight.
Don't give up!
I believe in you!

Here's a link to a great article by Barb:
https://barbraveling.com/lose-weight/
Always remember to renew your mind!

Gratitude

1. Accountability partners

2. Scripture verses

3. Being different

Blessings,

Deborah

My Other Mother

Welcome and Good Morning!

It's a rainy day here in my mountains. I love the rain.

Cold, rainy days make me want Cream of Wheat for breakfast and when I eat some, like today, it takes me right back to my childhood and my mom's Formica kitchen table. It was grey and white Formica with chrome legs and matching chairs. Cream of Wheat is comfort food to me. Warms the tummy and the soul and brings back lovely memories of sitting at that table with Mom. Yesterday, I talked about my birth Mother, Hazel. Today I'm talking about the Mother who adopted me, Beverly. I am blessed with two loving Mothers. 

Beverly was a sweet, hardworking lady. She loved in a big way, with all her heart and you knew it. I never doubted her love for me. She was only 5'2" tall; Irish, German and French. She loved to laugh. Mom passed away almost thirteen years ago and the missing her is still raw some days. What I wouldn't give for one day to sit with a cup of tea and visit with her. Love you, Mom. 

Always makes me sigh and smile when I think of her.

A quilt I made for one of my grandsons a few years ago.

Gratitude
1. My two mothers
2. Rain
3. Cream of Wheat :) 

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. 

Blessings,
Deborah

Balancing Act

Welcome and Good Morning!

Life is a constant balancing act for me and maybe, for you, too. Right now I'm trying to find my spiritual balance. It's funny how something not so big, like a friend on vacation, can throw you off balance spiritually. But when it is a spiritual mentor, well it just does.
This spiritual quest I am on is being fed by God, in one way, through a series of meditations by Fr. Richard Rohr. They are speaking to me in a deeper part of my soul. I like when that happens. I feel full; like I've eaten a very satisfying banquet. This year Fr. Rohr is focusing on the Divine in Nature. I'm sharing today's meditation with you. I hope if feeds your soul as well.

Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation

From the Center for Action and Contemplation

Week Eleven

The Natural World

The Substance of God
Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Many indigenous spiritualities, Franciscans, and Celts saw creation as good, as a theophany or revelation of God’s very being, just as Genesis taught. How did Christianity come to be so divorced from nature? John Philip Newell (b. 1953), a poet and scholar known for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, traces the roots and impact of the doctrine creatio ex nihilo. He offers an alternative, still orthodox, view of creation based on the writings of Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon:

Irenaeus [130-202] . . . taught that the whole of creation flows from the very “substance” of God. [1] All things carry within them the essence of the One. Irenaeus . . . signaled his concern about the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo, creation out of nothing. . . . This was to become the standard of Western Christianity’s approach to creation. Creation would be viewed not as coming forth from the substance of God but as fashioned from afar by a distant Creator, made out of nothing from on high.

Irenaeus intuited that this would be a disaster, that to neutralize matter, to teach that creation does not come from holy substance, would lead to the abuse of creation. It was a convenient “truth” . . . [meaning] that the empire could do whatever it wished to matter. Matter was not holy. It had not come forth from the womb of God’s Being. Rather it was made from nothing. It was essentially devoid of sacred energy. So, every imperial mind could ravage the earth’s resources with impunity. It could disparage the rights of creatures and subordinate the physical well-being of its subjects. Religion had become the accomplice of the state’s subordination of the earth. It had sanctioned the separation of spirit and matter.

Irenaeus . . . passionately taught that the substance of the earth and its creatures carries within itself the life of the Holy One. God, he said, is both “above us all and in us all.” [2] God is both transcendent and immanent. And the work of Jesus, he taught, was not to save us from our nature but to restore us to our nature and to bring us back into relationship with the deepest sound within creation. In his commentary on the Prologue to St. John’s Gospel, in which all things are described as spoken into being by God, Irenaeus sees Jesus not as speaking a new word but as uttering again the first word, the sound at the beginning and the heart of life. He describes Jesus as “recapitulating” the original work of the Creator, as articulating again what we have forgotten and what needs to be repeated, the Sound from which all life has come. [3] Jesus re-sounds the beginning. He resounds with what is deepest in the matter of the universe.

. . . The Christ story is the universe story. The birth of the divine-human child is a revelation, a lifting of the veil to show us that all life has been conceived by the Spirit in the womb of the universe, that we are all divine-human creatures, that everything that has being in the universe carries within itself the sacredness of Spirit.

 "Just as Genesis taught." 
That is what Genesis teaches us, isn't it? He gave everything he created to Adam and Eve to care for. As a whole, we are not doing a very good job of that command, are we? Many individuals, yes. As a whole, not so good.
Good food for thought.

I happen to agree with this meditation that says nature comes from God's very being, His sacred energy. How could you read Genesis any other way?

And the Psalms tell us that, too.
Psalm 33:6  By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.
Heady stuff.

Gratitude
1. God's creation of nature.
2. Starry nights
3. Animals

Blessings,
Deborah

Routines

Welcome and Good Morning!

I'm beginning a new/old routine for myself. I was inspired by two articles I read this morning.

One by Fr. Richard Peers called "The Solitary Life."
https://educationpriest.wordpress.com/2018/03/11/serious-christianity-the-solitary-life/

I was moved by the ideas in this article and how it can move me closer to God. Now, I can't live the Solitary Life being married and also living with my mother-in-law, but I can incorporate some of the routines, like solitary prayer and what and how they pray. I'm feeling drawn to this. It made me want do Morning Prayer from "The Book of Common Prayer," this morning and I feel refreshed by it.

Another article I came across, I found them both on Facebook this morning, is an article by Fr. Drew Downs called "Praying in the Dark," where he talks of Nicodemus.
https://drewdowns.net/2018/03/11/praying-dark/

This article also inspired me towards Morning Prayer and also toward Evening Prayer, as well. I used to practice Evening Prayer in my backyard one summer, sitting in my swing and looking towards the mountains. I found such peace in the nightly practice. Time to get back to it.

I don't have "my" church close by. I am an Episcopalian and the closest churches are an hour and a half away in each direction once I hit the major highway. I have tried a couple of churches in my area and wasn't inspired to return. So, I think this new routine of Morning and Evening Prayer, along with the internet studies I belong to, will do the trick of deepening my faith and my walk with the Lord. I will keep you posted on my progress.

I am starting to notice signs of Spring in my area. Although we  still need more snow on the mountains and rain, I look forward to this season of the renewing of the earth and myself. Maybe take some time for yourself today and look for the signs of Spring in your area. Share them with me in the comments below.

Drove by beautiful Mt. Shasta yesterday. Breathtaking....

Gratitude

1. Mountains

2. Routines

3. Peaceful feelings

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation,

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

Blessings,

Deborah

I'm Sticking With This

Welcome and good morning!

This format is not exactly what I wanted, but it will do for now. I really wanted another layout, but the "subscribe" button was hiding in an icon that didn't say, "Go here to subscribe." I wanted it to be out there for all to see. :)

Along with the new look is going to be new content as well.
I'm going to be sharing on a more personal level. Day to day thoughts and happenings. I will also share my poetry. I have loved to write poetry for years, but in the past 40 years it got hidden away in past trauma and buried deep within me. I've been working on that pain with a wonderful therapist who has helped me open up the darkness and the poetry is flowing within me once again. God is good.

My current Monday night writing class is ending this week, so I have signed up for two on-line writing classes and will be joining a local writing group that meets Saturday mornings. I will be anxious to share what happens in those, too.

This will still be a God blog. I'm a believer, so that will not change. I'll still be sharing insights and ah-ha moments as they come.

Thanks for hanging in here with me and for your patience as I revamped. I'm happy it didn't take that long.

Here's a photo of a new class I am taking with Robin Sampson called "The 12 Eras." More on that next time with links.

 This is how I  journaled the creation lesson in my Bible.

This is the creation story in my Traveler's Notebook.

I'm looking forward to this new journey with you!

Gratitude

1. Revamping of my blog and self

2. I'm writing again!

3. Singing birds

Jeremiah 29:11-13

"For I know the plans I have for you,"

declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future..."

"You will seek Me and find Me

when you seek Me

with all your heart."

Blessings,

Deborah

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. :)
********************************************************************************

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

Weight Loss Bible Study - Check In

Welcome and Good Morning!

How is everyone doing?
Are you staying on track or have you been derailed by anything?
Are you renewing your minds? (I'm finding this very helpful.)
How about those boundaries? Are they giving you any trouble?

Today was my second weigh in day with Weight Watchers and I have lost 5 pounds with them so far.
Add to that the 2 pounds I had lost before I started with them on the 15th and I have a total loss of 7 pounds for this month!
I am very proud of myself.
I owe a large portion of my success to Barb's Weight Loss Bible Study.
It has really given me a whole new mind set that has stayed with me.
I have also been exercising daily on my exercise bike, logging in four 10 minute sessions each day.
Both the diet and exercise are helping my blood sugar levels to come down and that is a BIG plus for me along with the weight loss.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse that has helped you?
Mine has been:
Hebrews 13:5
I will in no way leave you,
neither will I in any way
forsake you.

I now have two accountability partners, my sister-in-law and my niece, who I couldn't do this without. Having someone to talk to when you hit a bump in the road is invaluable. If you don't have one, I suggest strongly to get one.
I offer to be yours if you can't find anyone.

Here are a couple of links to Barb's blog.
Earlier in the month she talked about keeping a journal.
Here is the link on how to get started with one.
https://barbraveling.com/2014/03/09/how-to-truth-journal/

Here is one on how to set boundaries if you are having trouble in this area.
https://barbraveling.com/2012/04/18/boundaries/

I'm always here for you and only a comment away if you need help.

Gratitude
1. Accountability partners
2. Losing weight
3. Bible verses

Blessings,
Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 22

Welcome to my last day of posting the Weight Loss Bible Study.

I want to thank all of you for coming on this journey with me. I will continue to check in once a week or so and report how I'm doing. So far, I'm doing really well on Weight Watchers and with my exercise. Yesterday, I rode my exercise bike 5 times during the day!! YAY, me! This WLBS has helped me achieve a whole new mindset.
Remember to:
Renew your minds daily.
Stay in your boundaries.
State your truth.
Don't give up!!!!
If you need anything in between when I report again, just leave a comment and I will try to help you the best way I can.
Good luck and may God Bless your journey to a successful weight loss.

Here are the link's, once again, to Barb's two books and blogs.

Weight Loss Bible Study - blog
https://barbraveling.com/weight-loss-bible-study/

I Deserve a Donut - blog
http://www.ideserveadonut.com/

Her book, "Taste for Truth"
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Truth-Weight-Bible-Study/dp/0980224314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467823884&sr=8-1&keywords=taste+for+truth

Her book, "I Deserve a Donut"
https://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2RT4J4BTGC73HFR39TMP

Gratitude
1. Barb's Weight Loss Bible Study
2. Support of family and friends
4. God's Word to inspire

Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future..."
"You will seek Me and find Me
when you seek Me
with all you heart."

Blessings,
Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 21

Welcome to Day 21- I. NEED. CHOCOLATE.

Barb's Blog - "6 Things I Learned About Pursing Goals"
https://barbraveling.com/2016/01/08/6-things-learned-pursuing-goals/

I Deserve a Donut - "New Year's Resolutions"
http://www.ideserveadonut.com/2008/12/new-years-resolutions.html

"Taste for Truth," - I. NEED. CHOCOLATE.

Chocolate is usually the thing I crave the most, but I am past that two week mark for not eating sugar and I don't really crave it anymore. Sometimes, it goes through my mind in the grocery store as I pass by it at the check out stand, but I haven't reached for one yet. Don't really want to.

Barb talks about emotional eating, something I have big trouble with. We learn at a young age that food is comforting. But we now know we have tools in this study and on her blogs to unlearn that childhood lies. We are learning to exchange the lies for truth and we are relying on God to be our comfort and strength.

Bible Study
She has a great study on when we have trials and how to go to the Bible for help.
Hebrews 12:1-15
James 1:2-4
Romans 5:3-5
"What do you think God wants to teach you through this trial that you're going through?"

Gratitude

1. God's grace

2. God's mercy

3. God's patience

Jeremiah 29:11-13

"For I know the plans I have for you,"

declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future..."

"You will seek Me and find Me

when you seek Me

with all your heart."

Blessings, 

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 20

Welcome to Day 20 - How Are You Doing?

Barb's Blog=Renewing of the Mind Tools
https://barbraveling.com/renewing-of-the-mind-tools/

I Deserve a Donut - "Three Steps to the Disciplined Life...NOT!!!
http://www.ideserveadonut.com/2011/12/three-steps-to-disciplined-life.html

"Taste for Truth," How Are You Doing?

How are you doing?
Is it time to:
Regroup?
Evaluate?
Renew your mind?
Anything need to change?

Barb asks us some questions today. Let's look at a couple of them.
2. What time of day are you most likely to break your boundaries?
     Late afternoon.
3. Why do you think you often break your boundaries at that time?
    I eat lunch between 11-11:30am (I'm an early riser) and dinner at 6pm. That's a long time in between meals.  I always snack in the late afternoon, but I haven't broken my boundaries yet!!

She gives great suggestions on how to stay in your boundaries in this chapter.
Assignment
   Try not to eat even one bite outside of your boundaries today.

Gratitude

1. Boundaries

2. Bible verses

4. You, my friend for being on this journey with me!

Blessings,

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 17

Welcome to Day 17 - I Will Never Change

Just a reminder that I will be linking posts from both of Barb's blogs to help us along the way for the next 5 days, instead of doing a review of WLBS and Taste for Truth. I gave a little review of Taste for Truth's chapter today of what really spoke to me.
So far I'm loving Weight Watchers. *smiles*
Keep up the good work!

Barb's blog link for "Start a Habit"
https://barbraveling.com/breaking-free-from-sins-and-bad-habits/starting-good-habits/

I Deserve a Donut... "Not Even One Bite"
www.ideserveadonut.com/2009/01/not-even-one-bite.html

"Taste for Truth" I Will Never Change"
Read the Chapter
Bible Study
2. What is your goal with this study?
    For me, it is to break old habits, exchange the lies for truth and finally lose weight.

Bible verses
2Kings 5:1-15
Romans 12:2
John 15:4-5

Assignment
Have a little visit with God about your food issues and your experiences with renewing of the mind. As you're visiting with Him, remember that He loves you and wants to help you.

Gratitude
1. Weight Watchers and other diets that help us
2. My SIL
3. My support team

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

Blessings,
Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 14

Welcome to Day 14 - Bad Scale Eating

I DID IT!! I lost that other pound. Yay, me!
Now I have promised myself not to get on the scale for another week. No more daily readings. It really doesn't give you an accurate picture of what is going on anyway. Too many variables each day.

Do you get frustrated when the scales doesn't move and you've worked so hard to stay in your boundaries and exercised? It is frustrating, but don't give up. I didn't and it paid off.
Keep going.
Don't lose faith.
Read your Bible verses.
God is here to help us.

https://barbraveling.com/2012/07/12/weight-loss-bible-study-day-14-bad-scale-eating/
Lots to learn on the blog today. I'll let you do it alone this time.

"Taste for Truth"
The Renovation of the Mind Day 14

How do we renew our mind?
"It's kind of like home improvement."
1. "You don't know what you're getting into."
2. "You uncover problems you didn't know you had."
3. "You have to make multiple calls to the Carpenter."
4. "It usually takes longer than you planned."
"In the end it looks great and you wonder why you didn't do it years ago."
She talks about old self/new self, old lies/truth, cultural perspective/Biblical perspective, what you learned growing up/what you learned in the Bible.
"One of the lies you learned growing up is that food will make you feel better."
My grandmother used to bake a chocolate cake to make you feel better. She was just being nice. She didn't realize I was learning that "Eating makes me feel better" or "Food is the answer to all life's problems." We have to unlearn this by renewing our minds by staying in our boundaries.
"Take off the lies and put on the truth."
Barb's other blog "I Deserve a Donut and Other Lies" has some great tools to help us do this.
http://www.ideserveadonut.com/

Bible Study:
1. Think of the family you grew up in. What did they believe about life, food, appearances?
List as many things as you can.
    Parents and grandparents were overweight
    Father was a chef and Greek (they like to feed people)
    Grandmother loved to cook/bake and feed people
    They all loved to entertain and food was the center of it all

6. Read Ephesians 4:22-24
That in reference to your former manner of life,
you lay aside the old self,
which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self,
which in the likeness of God
has been created in righteousness
and holiness of the truth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Wow. It's all there for us, eh?)
 a. Think specifically of your goal of breaking free form the control of food. What three things does the passage tell you to do if you want to be transformed?
  1. Lay aside the old self
  2. Renew in the spirit of your mind
  3. Put on the new self

I encourage you answer b-g and complete the assignment of the day.

Gratitude

1. A chance to renew my mind

2. The ability to unlearn the old lies

3. Creating a new self

Blessings,

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 13

Welcome to Day 13 - Good Food Eating

I'm stuck. Already. The scale won't move.
Time to re-evaluate. I CAN do this. And I know the scale will go down if I just stick with this.

From Barb's Blog"
Good food = Yummy food Go read today's post.
https://barbraveling.com/2012/07/11/weight-loss-bible-study-day-13-good-food-eating/

I like her idea of rating bites of yummy food from 1 to 10.
First bite = 10
Last bite = ?
So when do you stop eating? 5, 4, 6? How about 9. Do we really need to go beyond that?
"The trick is to find just the right amount of food for maximum enjoyment with minimum consequences."
I think this is a great tool and I'm going to try it!

The "More is Better" Bible Study
1. What do we have to be careful of when we really love or want something (like food)?
1Corinthians 6:12 "I have the right to do anything," you say - but not everything is beneficial...."
Jeremiah 2:11-13
Philippians 3:18-20

Good Food Eating Questions
6. Are boundaries easy to follow or do you usually have to give up something to follow them?
    No, they are not for me. I had to give up sugar completely or would have failed in the "sweet" department. I usually can't stop at one cookie per day.

"Taste for Truth"
I wrote my opening paragraph today before I read today's chapter, "When the Scale Doesn't Move." It happened to me yesterday, too. Do you think God is at work here? *smiles*
Barb says, "What I want is a miracle. A nice, steep, diagonal line on a weight loss graph, always heading down in a nice, orderly fashion." (Me, too!) "What is up with the flat line - or even worse- those weeks when the scale goes up?"
   1. It's probably water weight. (I have a serious problem with this myself)
   2. The body is taking a little break before a big leap the following week. (I can only hope!)
Whenever we have unrealistic expectations about weight loss it can cause feeling of frustration and rebellion. We need to put on our amour of God (read those Bible verses) and be tough on ourselves.
WE CAN DO THIS!!
Keep up a good attitude.
Renew Your Mind.
Keep Your Boundaries
State Your Truth

According to the following Bible verses, how should you handle the trial of seeing a high number on the scale?
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 8:28
Galatians 6:9
Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4:11-13

"If the scale is starting to frustrate you, weigh in less often."
(I think I need to do this. I weigh in every day and it does get frustrating when the scale doesn't move or goes up.)

Gratitude

1. Counselors 

2. Doctors

3. Special "me" time

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

Blessings,

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 11

Welcome to Day 11 - Losing Weight is Hard Eating

The scale is moving is the right direction again and I only have one pound to be back to my 5lb. loss.
I don't have patience for this. I'm one of those dieters that think I should wake tomorrow and be my goal weight. I want that magic Alice in Wonderland pill or drink! I want that magic Bible verse that will just melt off this fat overnight!
It didn't go on overnight, so why do I feel it should come off overnight? *sigh*
Oh, those lies!
Patience, Grasshopper.
I will NOT give up.

From "Taste for Truth," - Is skinny really necessary?
Barb talks about struggling in high school to make the dance team and as an adult, she has had to unlearn some bad habits and lies she felt through the growing up years.
1. "My worth is not determined by a number on the scale."
2. "Who I am on the inside is more important than who I am on the outside."
3. "I don't have to live up to the expectations of others."
(Amen to #3!)
"God cares more about your character than your appearance."

Bible Study
Do you feel like you have to be skinny? Why or why not?
Not skinny, but I need to lose weight to a be a healthier diabetic. My A1C numbers would be better and easier to control if I lost some weight.
Bible verses to help.
Psalm 27:15
Psalm 46:1-2,7
Romans 8:28
Phil 1:6
5. According to the following Bible verses, what would be a better option than worry?
Matthew 6:33-34
Philippians 4:6-7
Philippians 4:11-13

Let's go to Barb's blog for some "food for thought."
https://barbraveling.com/2012/07/09/following-boundaries-is-hard-eating/

How do feel when you see those headlines she talks about?
For me, they only re-enforce my wanting of the magic pills, drinks and Bible verses.
We want it to be easy!
And when it is not, we want to give up!
BUT, we will NOT give up this time!
Renew your mind.
Keep your boundaries.
State your truth.

"Life Should be Easy" Bible Study.
1. Did God ever say life would be easy?
   No. Bible stories about people were rarely easy.
2. If not, what did it say?
   John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
(Now there is a verse we can hold on to and help us through this!)
I encourage you to answer all the questions under "Life Should be Easy" and "Losing Weight is Hard."

All of the studies so far have been inspiring, but I have to say that today's study was very powerful for me and has left me hopeful and encouraged. Thank you, Barb Raveling!

Gratitude

1. This weight loss Bible study

2. Accountability partners

3. God's word to keep me focused

Re-read John 16:33 above.

I'm going to make another Bible verse card with this one!

Blessings, 

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Loss - Day 6

Welcome to Day 6 - Entitlement Eating

Raise your hand if you have ever said to yourself, "I deserve (am entitled) to eat this."
*raises hand*
Another one of the many lies we tell ourselves.
We really do need to be nicer to ourselves.

Before we get into Barb's study I want to talk to you about:
Water.
Are you drinking enough? At least 6 - 8oz per day? I'm trying very hard to do this.
It has been proven it helps with weight loss.
Sometimes people think we only need it in summer when it is hot, but that is not true. Most keep their houses pretty warm in the winter and it is just as important to keep hydrated, especially if you are exercising. My Day Planner has little bottles at the bottom that I am coloring in as I drink them, You can set up any method that will help you remember to Drink Your Water. Many health benefits are involved, too but you already know that. :)

Back to the study.
Have you made your boundaries yet? Barb asks us to do so today if you haven't already. I made mine, have you?  Without boundaries it is harder to stay on track. It's all about boundaries, commitment and sacrifice.

Quote from Taste of Truth:
"One of the reasons we don't like boundaries is we are afraid of failure."

So true. Failure is a scary word and thought. Nobody wants to fail, least of all me! So why do we sometimes set ourselves up to fail? Let's make a commitment to keep our boundaries. Day by day re-commit to them. Today, I WILL keep my boundaries. Pray about it.

These verses will help you accomplish your goals and keep your boundaries.
Romans 13:14
1Corinthians 6:12
1Timothy 4:7
James 4:6
1Peter 1:14-16
Choose one to memorize and call it your own.

Entitlement Eating - Barb's blog
https://barbraveling.com/2012/07/02/weight-loss-bible-study-day-6-entitlement-eating/
Go read Day 6. I'll wait. :)

Barb says, "Give up the whole idea of entitlement."
Really? That's a tough one in the culture we live in today, isn't it? Barb shows us how to do that by getting a biblical perspective. Read Mark 10:35-45 and answer the questions under Bible Study. James and John really didn't know what they were asking, did they?

Entitlement Eating Questions
Let's look at 1, 8 & 9
1. What do you want to eat? Chocolate.
8. What will your life and body look like a few months down the road if you develop the habit of consistently following your boundaries? Thinner and healthier
9. When you think of all you'll gain, will it be worth the sacrifice? Absolutely!!

I'm sorry there is no Verse Mapping and the post is late today.
I was called out of town unexpectedly.

Blessings,
Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study - Day 5

Welcome to Day 5!!

Day 5 - "I have to be skinny" eating

With this new year/beginning I have added living intentionally and mindfully to my list of goals. I think it will help me keep focused on my dieting and health as well as other areas of my life.

Intentional living - I will eat healthy and exercise
1. Menu planning
2. Exercise daily

Mindful living -
1. I will eat sitting down and concentrate on eating.
   A. This is important. So many times I eat on the fly and think about other things and I forget that/what I have eaten.

Quote from "Taste of Truth."
"We are lawless and rebellious when it comes to food."
Are you?
I know I am. That's why I need to diet. lol
What does say Paul about rules/laws in 1 Timothy 1:8-9?
"...that the law is not made for the righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious."
That would be me. Lawless and rebellious when it comes to food.
Go read Barb's blog for Day 5.
https://barbraveling.com/2012/06/29/weight-loss-bible-study-day-five-appearance-eating/

I related to "You feel like you have to lose weight. Not just for your health, but for your over all state of acceptability and enjoyment of life."
Bible Study questions
1. Why do you want to lose weight?
  For my health and to feel better about myself
2. Do you feel you have to be skinny to be acceptable?
   Not skinny, but I need to lose weight to feel better about myself.
3. I answered this one privately, but I do have someone in my life who does not like me being overweight. It makes it hard to have a good self-image.

Verse Mapping

1Peter 1:14-16
(NIV)
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
"Be holy, because I am holy."

(KJV)
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust in your ignorance:
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written;
"Be ye holy; for I am holy."

obedient - compliant - dutiful - law-abiding - duteous

conform - obey - observe - follow - accept

ignorance - unenlightenment - foolishness - idiocy

holy - sacred - hallowed - saintly - pious

Commentaries

~~Barnes' Notes on the Bible
As obedient children - That is, conduct yourselves as becomes the children of God, by obeying His commands; by submitting to His will; and by manifesting unwavering confidence in Him as your Father at all times.

~~Nelson's Bible Commentary
Believers should not pattern their lives after the desires that control them when they did not know God's ways.

On the left side I added some pictures of cookies and donuts with the partial verse from Psalm 73:26 - God is my portion forever. 

On the right side is a picture of fruit with the words: whole grains, veggies, lean meats. 

Always need the reminder. :) 

Gratitude

1. Supportive friends and family

2. Supportive scripture

3. A sunny day after days and days of fog!!

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,"

declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you

and not harm you,

plans to give you hope

and a future...

You will seek Me

and find Me

when you seek Me

with all your heart.

Blessings,

Deborah

Weight Loss Bible Study

Welcome!
Hope you enjoyed your holidays.

I've been thinking about goals for 2018 and the one I need to do most is what most people resolve to do in the new year...
lose weight.
How many times have we all made this resolution?
More than I can count.
Being diabetic, it is very important for me as well as people with many types of health issues.
So, I have the goal again to begin Jan. 1 and try to lose some weight.
I have found a new plan to follow on Barb Raveling's Blog called,
Weight Loss Bible Study. Here's the link:
https://barbraveling.com/2012/06/25/weight-loss-bible-study-day-one/

(Link below)**

Following Barb's plan, I have made my:
1 ."Renewing of the Mind Goal"
2. Set my boundaries
3. Stated the Truth

My "Renewing of the Mind Goal" is to think before I eat anything and plan my meals.

My "Boundaries" are:
1. Eat smaller portions
2. Eat more fish (not hard since I love the stuff)
3. No sugar for the first three weeks. (I will look at this boundary again at the end of the three weeks and will decide if I need to continue with this.)

My "Truth Statement" is I need to lose weight to be healthier.

Barb's plan is not a meal plan, (we all know how to lose weight) it is a spiritual plan set up to help us keep our goals through Bible study. There are scriptures to help us remember that God is on our side and he has a plan to prosper us. *

I will also be verse mapping some of the verses and probably adding art, because that is what I like to do. *smiles*

I will be posting about this for the first three weeks of my journey.

Barb also has a couple of books to go with the study.
I bought this one: **
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Truth-Weight-Bible-Study/dp/0980224314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467823884&sr=8-1&keywords=taste+for+truth

This one is also available:
https://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2RT4J4BTGC73HFR39TMP

She also has an app you can download for your phone that you can find on her website.

Okay! Who is with me?
Leave a comment below if you would like to join me.
See you Jan. 1, 2018!!

Gratitude
1. Our Savior
2. God's plan to prosper us
3. Biblical help with goals

*Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord...
plans to give you hope
and a future....
You will seek Me
and find Me
when you seek Me
and find Me
with all your heart.

Blessing,
Deborah