Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 19 of 21

If you're feeling exhausted, you need to recharge your spiritual batteries. Get more sleep, get regular and sensible exercise, eat right, and turn your problems over to God. And, the greatest of these is "turn your problems over to God."

We all have moments and suffer through tough times. Today was one of the worst for me in a long, long time. Too much to do, too little time to do it.

After reading today's lesson, I was reminded of Beth Moore saying it is no mistake that God has perfect timing in the messages He gives to me. Everyday, and especially today, I need to take time to focus on God, His love, and ask Him for the wisdom to prioritize my life and give me the strength I need to fulfill my responsibilities.

The best source of energy is, of course, God.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 18 of 21

Today's lesson is all about spiritual health and spiritual growth. The good news is our spiritual journey lasts a lifetime. God is never done with us. He gives us direction, wisdom, perspective, and courage if we open our hearts to Him. We are either becoming more like Christ or less like Him. There is no neutral position with God.

I can remember the first time I asked God to come into my life. It was in 1963 and I was at the LA Coliseum listening to Billy Graham. I knew then that it was the right thing to do. Trouble is, I didn't "feel" anything different once I got home.

Many years later, I attended a Joyce Meyer conference and asked (again) for God to come into my life. I immediately felt different, but didn't really know what to do. So I took Joyce's advice and started going to a Bible teaching church. I have been going to Oak Haven ever since.

At Oak Haven, I "feel" different. I am currently doing a Bible study titled "Living Beyond Yourself - Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit" by Beth Moore. On the first night of study, Beth said it is not a mistake that I was there. God has timed this message for my needs and my concerns, even though Beth wrote it ten years ago. There are 15 women in this study and God is meeting all of our needs.

The point of this little trip down memory lane is that it confirms that I am on the right journey and that it will never be over. I am learning and growing and becoming. Just like I am supposed to.

"A Christian is never in a state of completion but always in the process of becoming." ~Martin Luther

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 17 of 21

Today's lesson is about emotional health. Oh, how I could have used this years ago. At one point in my life, I was an emotional wreck. Somehow, I got better. As I've said before in these posts, my life could have been so much better, so much easier, and I could have been so much happier had I known God and all He has in store for me.

In order to truly have all that God has promised, we need to be emotionally healthy. We need to have relationships that enrich our life and also allow us to enrich the lives of our loved ones. I can remember being so depressed, angry and sad. Now, what used to bother me just rolls off my back. I did learn (maybe it was with age) that there are some things you cannot change no matter how hard you try so why bother. It's so much easier to just accept, or at least be neutral, to things that bother me. I still worry about a lot of things, but for the most part, I save my energy when it comes to worrying about something I have no control over. And, I've learned to turn my worries over to God in prayer. He hears prayers and He answers them with the right answer - every time.

Here's my favorite quote from today's lesson:

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." ~Corrie ten Boom

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 16 of 21

Perspective and Balance.

We are responsible for our health and the care of our body. To do that, we need balance in our life. We can't be workaholics and expect to be physically, emotionally, or spiritually fit. We must also take time to relax and enjoy.

Everyday, we should pray for a sense of balance and perspective. We can have balance by spending 5-10 minutes with God everyday. If we don't have that, we must reorder our priorities. We also need to talk with Him throughout the day. He is always there, whenever we need him.

"Prescription for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow down your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after more pleasure, more hobbies, and more social entanglements." ~James Dobson

I listen to James Dobson on Faith Radio and he always has good advice. I enjoyed this quote from the book and hope you did too.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 15 of 21

"The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken." ~Samuel Johnson

Today's lesson is about addiction. Our society is highly addictive simply because of supply and demand. The number of addictive substances is growing, they are available and affordable. An addiction doesn't have to be to illegal substances. Some people are addicted to fast food. And, lots of people have experienced addiction and lived to tell about it. Help is available and a cure is possible.

Ultimately, I am responsible for controlling my appetite. I formed the habits, I can break them. I must guard my heart against dangerous temptations and life-sapping addictions…or else.

Addiction destroys.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 14 of 21

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." ~Mark Twain. Isn't that the truth!

Speaking of the truth, this whole thing is do darn hard for me. As a "late-bloomer" in my Christian life, I know that God has a plan for the whole world and for me. I know I should pray. I know I should take care of the body I have.

I have also learned that God's plans are not always crystal clear. And, that I have to be patient, keep praying, and keep seeking His will for my life.

So, I would have to say that I know a lot. Why, why, why is it so difficult? Most of my friends have heard me say that I could teach Weight Watchers. I really think I could. But, I can't follow the program. Why have I given myself permission to go ahead and do what I know I shouldn't?

I don't have the answers to my questions. But God does. I will not give up and I know He won't either.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 13 of 21

Physical health is a choice.

It's easy to blame other people. But, fast-food restaurants and food manufacturers didn't force me to eat their food. Or, to sit on the couch and watch TV instead of exercising. Blaming is easier than fixing. Criticizing others is easier than improving ourselves.

My body. My responsibility. My decisions.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 12 of 21

Oh boy. After the past month today's topic is way overdue. It's about getting enough rest. I can't remember if I posted this yesterday, I know I thought it, I have to stop burning the candle at both ends.

Here are several ideas for getting the 8 hours of sleep each night that are required:

Reduce caffeine or eliminate it from your diet.
Prepare for sleep about one hour before bedtime by putting yourself into a calmer state.
If you can't fall asleep right away, don't lay there worrying about not getting sleep. Get up and read until you're tired. Or write down your worries and an action plan to solve them.
Establish regular sleep patterns.
Get some regular exercise.

I seriously plan to put these ideas into action. Almost every night I lay awake with thoughts and worries running through my head.

I loved this quote from the book. "Have courage for all the great sorrows in life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep. God is awake." ~Victor Hugo

One of my favorite quotes is "Be where you're at when you're there." Somehow that quote has a new meaning for me now. Rather than worry about work when I'm in bed trying to sleep, I'm going to get up, write down my worry, and go back to bed for some required sleep. I don't want to spend another night worrying about not getting any sleep. And, I don't want to be at work stressed or overwhelmed because I'm tired.

Now I lay me down to sleep. It's a great feeling knowing God is awake.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 11 of 21

God has given us the Bible so we can know Him, His promises, His power, His commandments, His wisdom, His love, and His Son.

Today's lesson is about the power of daily worship and meditation.

For almost my whole life, I didn't know there was an instruction manual for living. Sure, I knew the 10 Commandments. But, sadly, I didn't know that God's Word was an instruction manual. Oh how different my life would have been had I known.

I thank God every day that I finally got it and am developing a relationship with Him. God's word has the power to change every aspect of my life.

My Bible Study group has been rescheduled out two weeks. Although that made me happy because I've been burning the candles at both ends for a few months now, I also know that I have to put God first in my life. I can't wait for two weeks to put structure into my life when it comes to Him. Quiet time with God's Word must be a priority on a daily basis.

Lord help me to put You first, always. AMEN.

P.S. I know that if I do, I will become the person You always wanted me to be. And, I know that would make both of us happy.

Food, Fitness and Faith - Day 10 of 21

I know, it's been awhile since I've posted. Like many other things in my life, these 21 days are turning into months. But, I will finish each lesson. I may not do it the way it's intended to be done, but it will happen.

It will take discipline. Discipline in my thoughts and discipline in my actions. Discipline to exercise. Discipline to eat right. I hate the word discipline.

But, today I learned that discipline is the means to take control of my life, rather than letting my life control me. So, being the "controlling" person that I am, why is it so hard?

I spent the better part of the past week at our cabin celebrating Dean's 50th birthday. There were lots of laughs and a great time was had by all celebrating 50 years of one man's life. But, then the party was over and I started thinking about how fast time goes by. At best, I have 2-3 decades left. Sounds like a long time, but if it goes as fast as the last 2-3 decades, it'll be over way too soon.

Today's lesson tells me that Proverbs has the words of wisdom that I need to get control of my life. If I take them to heart, I can become a more disciplined person. For the next 31 days, I plan to read one chapter each day.

I am not afraid to die. I know that I will spend eternal life in heaven. I know that because I believe God. Therefore, I must believe what He says and the Bible calls for discipline. I guess I don't hate that word after all.