So, I didn't think I was doing well with this one. I'm not doing it the way I had planned, but I am doing it. One of my devotions today talked about prayer and made me realize that I pray a lot more than I thought I did.
Here is the devotion, it's from www.youversion.com and it's from the "Lifetime Daily Devotions" Day 170:
What is Prayer?
Now there was a certain man at Caesarea names Cornelius,
a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man,
and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many
alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.
- Acts 10: 1-2
Cornelius "prayed to God continually." How did he do that? We are told to "pray without ceasing" in I Thessalonians 5:17. How can we do that? We have so many other things to do--other activities and responsibilities. I don't understand, but then maybe I don't understand just what prayer is?
Prayer is simply recognizing/acknowledging the presence of God in my life. That recognition may come in times of stress or times of joy; at a funeral or at a wedding. It may be acknowledged through a song, through reverence, through meditation, or through constant communication with Him during my day. It may come as I consider the heavens, the song of a bird, the aroma of the flowers around me, or the soft touch of an infant's hand.
Jesus put considerable emphasis on secret prayer but gave us no instructions about when to pray or specifics about where to pray, except in our own secret place at times. And that "secret place" may be the swing in your backyard, your closet, your car, your bike, your bed, or your bathroom. It might be where you sit when you visit the Botanic Gardens or in your jail cell. The only requirement is acknowledging His presence--He is here with me as I talk to Him right now!
Matt. 6:6 - But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
Luke 5:16 - But He slipped quietly away to deserted places for prayer.
Mark 1:35 - And in the early morning while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.
Many of us have been taught that saying your prayers just before you go to bed at night is the right time. Or going to the "Prayer Room" for your assigned hour; meeting with others on Wednesday night for "prayer meeting." To think that prayer is limited to an idyllic setting as I kneel by my bed, prostrate myself at the altar or in a dedicated hour is to radically limit my relationship with my Companion. Prayer is simply talking to God through an avenue opened to us because of His Son and spoken through the Holy Spirit.
Conversations with God (prayer) can take place on the gurney as you're heading for surgery, in the courtroom as you sit there listening, realizing that your marriage is falling apart, in the office taking dictation, or in an important company meeting.
The more time you spend with someone sharing your thoughts, your dreams, your burdens--the more at ease you become with that person. Well, the more time we spend "talking" to the Lord the more comfortable we become in His presence. We can do this "without ceasing." We can "pray continually."
What is prayer? Prayer is the "lifeline" of our faith, our passport into God's presence, and our common denominator with Him, the One who loves us beyond our wildest hopes or expectations and understands all of our idiosyncrasies. Who else could possibly hold that position? Talk to Him. Praise Him. Tell Him that you love Him right in the middle of the cereal aisle at the grocery store!
_________________________________________
So, I do little popcorn prayers throughout the day. This morning I actually spent about half my drive to work praying. I often pray while driving - when I see an accident or an emergency vehicle go by, when I'm feeling irritated by another driver, when I see other drivers irritated at others. I also pray a lot in the shower. I've found that my shower prayers are more focused. I'm not really thinking about anything during my shower...I know, it's weird, but it works for me.
I'm also reading "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore which teaches/shows you how to pray Scripture. I'll post another little thing in a couple of days about prayer...it's good. :)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Progress
During the month of January I lost 6 lbs. I'm at that weight right now, that always seems to stick...I think of it as my plateau weight. It's always where I seem to stay for quite awhile and often maintain at this weight. I'm hoping to push through it, even if it's just getting some walks in regularly and maybe, even, doing a regular routine on the weekend...until next month when my goal is to start exercising daily. I've already got my workouts planned through an app on my iPod, Workout Trainer by Skimble...it's free, but there is a paid version that gets you more stuff. I'm happy with all the basic stuff that it comes with (with the exception of the robot voice, but what can you expect for free?). :)
I am a member at Spark People, although I don't really do much there, besides read articles. Anyway, I thought the article that was emailed today was pretty good. It's titled, "When Numbers Aren't Enough". You can read it here.
I also forgot to mention that I'm reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst again. Although this time, I'm doing it as part on an online group through Proverbs 31 Ministry. If you want to know more, check out Melissa Taylor's Made to Crave blog here (you can access the rest of her blog there too, I'm just pointing you directly to the Made to Crave part).
I am a member at Spark People, although I don't really do much there, besides read articles. Anyway, I thought the article that was emailed today was pretty good. It's titled, "When Numbers Aren't Enough". You can read it here.
I also forgot to mention that I'm reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst again. Although this time, I'm doing it as part on an online group through Proverbs 31 Ministry. If you want to know more, check out Melissa Taylor's Made to Crave blog here (you can access the rest of her blog there too, I'm just pointing you directly to the Made to Crave part).
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
January 2012 Goals Update
Since January 2, 2012 I have logged my calories every day for all my meals and snacks. I even tracked my calories on those days I didn't want to (because I knew I was over). I tracked them anyway and now I know what to expect next month. I will be prepared for whatever comes my way so i don't go over my calories like that - it was several days in a row and unrelated to anything, except eating out and not choosing the right thing.
February starts my daily prayer. i will get up when my husband gets in the shower and do at least one of my daily devotions and start my day with prayer. At the end of the day, I will do another daily devotion and end my day with prayer.
February starts my daily prayer. i will get up when my husband gets in the shower and do at least one of my daily devotions and start my day with prayer. At the end of the day, I will do another daily devotion and end my day with prayer.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Mother's Day & Father's Day
I know it's a little early, but I've had some inspiration.
Here are the cards for the parents this year:
I used the embossing sleeves that come with the Texture Boutique to emboss the card. Red card stock for one side and white for the other. I pop dotted the oval that the tulips are stamped on (this is a discontinued Stampin' Up stamp). Just added my one Happy Mother's Day stamp and voila!
I got my inspiration for this card from Hero Arts. You can't really see it in this picture, but I did print out a ruler on the yellow card stock. I used The Craft Lounge's Nailed It stamp set for the tools. White card stock and a Happy Father's day stamp (stamped in black Staz-On ink) is attached with duct tape. The gray and red/white card stock is part of the Paper Studio's A Boy's Universe pad.
I also made a male birthday card similar to the father's day card, but I used Versamark ink and embossed it in silver.
Here are the cards for the parents this year:
I used the embossing sleeves that come with the Texture Boutique to emboss the card. Red card stock for one side and white for the other. I pop dotted the oval that the tulips are stamped on (this is a discontinued Stampin' Up stamp). Just added my one Happy Mother's Day stamp and voila!
I got my inspiration for this card from Hero Arts. You can't really see it in this picture, but I did print out a ruler on the yellow card stock. I used The Craft Lounge's Nailed It stamp set for the tools. White card stock and a Happy Father's day stamp (stamped in black Staz-On ink) is attached with duct tape. The gray and red/white card stock is part of the Paper Studio's A Boy's Universe pad.
I also made a male birthday card similar to the father's day card, but I used Versamark ink and embossed it in silver.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2012 - New Year, New Trust
So, last year, I resolved to memorize Philippians 4....that did not happen. I didn't even attempt to do it. I actually forgot about it. I did this because I couldn't come up with my one word (www.myoneword.org).
This year, my one word is trust. There are so many people and things to trust in, I need to put my trust in the right people and things. Trust... where do you put your trust? what are you trusting in?
Since 2012 has already started and, I'm sure, many of you have your resolutions all ready to go and have started working on them already. I am still working through mine. I know what I'm already working on. So, without further adieu...
Part of my problem with New Year's resolutions is that I set too many goals all at once and lose sight of those goals. I'm not letting that happen again this year. I'm tired of gaining and losing the same 10 lbs., starting the year exercising and then stopping three weeks in, doing a daily devotion and skipping an entire week, etc. This year I'm making 30-day goals and then adding to them. After all, doesn't it take 30 days to form a habit? (or something like that?) Hopefully this will help me work through them and build up the habits I want for a healthy lifestyle change.
I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was appropriate to put in this post.
Here is another one that I may attempt one month.
2012 Goals
January: tracking my calories daily. I use the MyFitnessPal app on my iPod. i usually only track breakfast and lunch and skip writing down dinner, but this year, I'm doing it all (breakfast, lunch and dinner...even that one Frango Mint). While tracking my calories, one calorie item I am working on weaning myself off of is added table sugar. I usually take 2 tsp. of sugar in my coffee, since the beginning of January, I have only been doing 1 tsp. My goal is to work my way down to 0 added table sugar in my coffee.
February: pray and get up earlier - maybe the same time as my husband (since he gets in the shower first, this time would be uninterrupted). I have a daily devotion that I do through the youversion Bible app on my iPod, but I severely lack in my prayer time. I'm not consistent. I would like to set aside at least 15 minutes/day to spend praying about what's going on in my life, the lives of my family and friends, as well as the world and what I'm learning about in God's Word.
Lent: February 22-April 5 is Lent. I am not Catholic, but I find that it is a good practice to give up something. After all, Jesus gave himself for me, the least I can do is give up something I enjoy during this time. So, during the Lent season, I will not be drinking soda. (And, hopefully, I will have given up added sugar to my coffee be then too.)
March: exercise...daily. Every day I must do some form of exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. I need to decide if I'm doing this in the morning or evening, but whichever i decide, it will always be the same. I will update this post with the time of day at a later date (before February). I am looking into getting a treadmill - so if you know anyone with a foldable treadmill for a good price, keep me in mind. :)
April: Eat one vegetarian meal per week...besides pasta.
May: goal
June: goal
July: goal
August: goal
September: goal
October: goal
November: goal
December: goal
Analyze what may be behind bad eating habits and lack of exercise and address those issues as you come up with your weight loss plan. Observe and write down certain circumstances, attitudes and habits in your life that may threaten your maintaining a healthy weight. As you create a diet and exercise plan, consider changing certain variables that may be a hindrance to you, or come up with coping mechanisms for things you can’t control. - Source
Original Publish Date: 1/15/2012
This year, my one word is trust. There are so many people and things to trust in, I need to put my trust in the right people and things. Trust... where do you put your trust? what are you trusting in?
Since 2012 has already started and, I'm sure, many of you have your resolutions all ready to go and have started working on them already. I am still working through mine. I know what I'm already working on. So, without further adieu...
Part of my problem with New Year's resolutions is that I set too many goals all at once and lose sight of those goals. I'm not letting that happen again this year. I'm tired of gaining and losing the same 10 lbs., starting the year exercising and then stopping three weeks in, doing a daily devotion and skipping an entire week, etc. This year I'm making 30-day goals and then adding to them. After all, doesn't it take 30 days to form a habit? (or something like that?) Hopefully this will help me work through them and build up the habits I want for a healthy lifestyle change.
I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was appropriate to put in this post.
January: tracking my calories daily. I use the MyFitnessPal app on my iPod. i usually only track breakfast and lunch and skip writing down dinner, but this year, I'm doing it all (breakfast, lunch and dinner...even that one Frango Mint). While tracking my calories, one calorie item I am working on weaning myself off of is added table sugar. I usually take 2 tsp. of sugar in my coffee, since the beginning of January, I have only been doing 1 tsp. My goal is to work my way down to 0 added table sugar in my coffee.
February: pray and get up earlier - maybe the same time as my husband (since he gets in the shower first, this time would be uninterrupted). I have a daily devotion that I do through the youversion Bible app on my iPod, but I severely lack in my prayer time. I'm not consistent. I would like to set aside at least 15 minutes/day to spend praying about what's going on in my life, the lives of my family and friends, as well as the world and what I'm learning about in God's Word.
Lent: February 22-April 5 is Lent. I am not Catholic, but I find that it is a good practice to give up something. After all, Jesus gave himself for me, the least I can do is give up something I enjoy during this time. So, during the Lent season, I will not be drinking soda. (And, hopefully, I will have given up added sugar to my coffee be then too.)
March: exercise...daily. Every day I must do some form of exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. I need to decide if I'm doing this in the morning or evening, but whichever i decide, it will always be the same. I will update this post with the time of day at a later date (before February). I am looking into getting a treadmill - so if you know anyone with a foldable treadmill for a good price, keep me in mind. :)
April: Eat one vegetarian meal per week...besides pasta.
May: goal
June: goal
July: goal
August: goal
September: goal
October: goal
November: goal
December: goal
Analyze what may be behind bad eating habits and lack of exercise and address those issues as you come up with your weight loss plan. Observe and write down certain circumstances, attitudes and habits in your life that may threaten your maintaining a healthy weight. As you create a diet and exercise plan, consider changing certain variables that may be a hindrance to you, or come up with coping mechanisms for things you can’t control. - Source
Original Publish Date: 1/15/2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Come As You Are
That is a title of a song, not just by the popular '90s band Nirvana, but by a Christian group known as Pocket Full of Rocks. You can read the lyrics or listen/watch the video below.
I heard the song on the radio this morning on my way into work and it got me thinking...we can come to Jesus, no matter what. Your past doesn't matter...if you've had sex before marriage, murdered someone, said a bad word...you can still come to Jesus. He's not a big bully looking down upon us. He loves us and wants us to come to Him, He wants to help us carry our burdens. His arms are open wide and waiting for you to come to Him, no matter what's in your past, you can bring it to Him.
Matthew 11: 28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” With all the day-to-day, I don't know about you, but I often feel weary, I worry about tomorrow and what the future brings. Rest, that is something I long for. Which brings me right into my next verse,
I Peter 5:7 tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Whatever is troubling you, no matter how big or small, bring it to Him. If there is something in your past that you are ashamed of and nobody knows about it, you haven't told anyone...Jesus knows. You can bring this burden to Him. He wants you to come to Him. He is there, listening, waiting...for you. All you have to do is call upon him, confess your sins, and, if you haven't already done so, accept him into your heart. here is a short prayer you can pray: Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.
Just remember, nothing is too big or small for Jesus to help you through. That little disagreement with your spouse/significant other/child/co-worker, a hand gesture while driving (or road rage), stealing...Jesus can handle anything you bring to Him.
Watch the video here:
LYRICS: COME AS YOU ARE
He's not mad at you
He's not disappointed
His grace is greater still,
than all of your wrong choices
He is full of mercy and he is ever kind
Hear his invitation, His arms are open wide
You can come as you are,
with all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart,
bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are
Louder than the voice that whispers your unworthy
Hear the sound of love,
that tells a different story
Shattering your darkness and pushing through the lies
How tenderly he calls you,
His arms are open wide
You can come as you are,
with all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart,
bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are
You can come as you are
You can come as you are with all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart,
bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are
I heard the song on the radio this morning on my way into work and it got me thinking...we can come to Jesus, no matter what. Your past doesn't matter...if you've had sex before marriage, murdered someone, said a bad word...you can still come to Jesus. He's not a big bully looking down upon us. He loves us and wants us to come to Him, He wants to help us carry our burdens. His arms are open wide and waiting for you to come to Him, no matter what's in your past, you can bring it to Him.
Matthew 11: 28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” With all the day-to-day, I don't know about you, but I often feel weary, I worry about tomorrow and what the future brings. Rest, that is something I long for. Which brings me right into my next verse,
I Peter 5:7 tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Whatever is troubling you, no matter how big or small, bring it to Him. If there is something in your past that you are ashamed of and nobody knows about it, you haven't told anyone...Jesus knows. You can bring this burden to Him. He wants you to come to Him. He is there, listening, waiting...for you. All you have to do is call upon him, confess your sins, and, if you haven't already done so, accept him into your heart. here is a short prayer you can pray: Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.
Just remember, nothing is too big or small for Jesus to help you through. That little disagreement with your spouse/significant other/child/co-worker, a hand gesture while driving (or road rage), stealing...Jesus can handle anything you bring to Him.
Watch the video here:
LYRICS: COME AS YOU ARE
He's not mad at you
He's not disappointed
His grace is greater still,
than all of your wrong choices
He is full of mercy and he is ever kind
Hear his invitation, His arms are open wide
You can come as you are,
with all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart,
bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are
Louder than the voice that whispers your unworthy
Hear the sound of love,
that tells a different story
Shattering your darkness and pushing through the lies
How tenderly he calls you,
His arms are open wide
You can come as you are,
with all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart,
bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are
You can come as you are
You can come as you are with all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart,
bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are
Thursday, December 29, 2011
When the End Goal Seems Too Hard
This was today's title for the Daily Devotion on Proverbs31.org. Check it out here.
With New Year's a few days away, I'm sure your thinking resolutions...as am I.
1.) I've been trying to lose weight for years, only to stay the same or fluctuate between certain numbers. This year, I'm going to lose the weight and keep it off.
2.) I've also already started working on my language...too often I find myself letting a swear slip from my tongue. Recently my daily Bible reading convicted me of this.
You can read the verse below or you can find it here at biblegateway.com
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
With New Year's a few days away, I'm sure your thinking resolutions...as am I.
1.) I've been trying to lose weight for years, only to stay the same or fluctuate between certain numbers. This year, I'm going to lose the weight and keep it off.
2.) I've also already started working on my language...too often I find myself letting a swear slip from my tongue. Recently my daily Bible reading convicted me of this.
You can read the verse below or you can find it here at biblegateway.com
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
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