Monday, July 30, 2012

Oh My Housewife

On our road trip, we took a small detour to Charlottesville, VA to visit Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson.  He is one of Ks favorite.  She filled in much information about Sally and how he promised his wife he would never remarry.  (And last to touch on this subject, she didn't know the details about Sally, just that she was his house slave, believed to be the daughter of his father-in-law).


Enough of that history.  In the upstairs of the museum, they had on display different items the Thomas Jefferson household would use.  I was looking at some silver spoons when a lady next to me exclaimed she had never seen that definition to housewife before and insisted her husband come read.  


This grabbed my interest was well.  When they moved on, I slid over to take a look.  It was a handy dandy little sewing kit.  Made mostly of scrape silk and lace.  Below is a picture I got off the internet, not what I saw at the museum.  You can get more information on making a housewife here.





I recently took up the task of finishing all the Jane Austen books.  I have read my favorite Persuasion many times.  I set out on Emma.  That leaves me two books to complete my reading.  


After the little mishap with Elton and the arrival of Jane Fairfax, Emma visits the Mrs. and Miss Bates.  

  • "Thank you.  You are so kind!" replied the happily deceived aunt while eagerly hunting for the letter.  "Oh, here it is, I was sure it could not be far off;  but I had put my housewife upon it, you without being aware,"


It was fun to know what she referred to.  When I read Jane Austen, I often have the dictionary close by for all the words I haven't seen in literature before.  When I'm finish with her complete works, I look forward to reading some fiction based on her books.

Friday, July 27, 2012

All I ever needed

I awoke to peace.  I wonderful night rest behind me and a day full of promises lay before me.  I received another blessing from God the night before.  He sent another messenger to confirm what He and I discussed the previous day.  


Peace and comfort surrounded me.  My first thought of the morning is how blessed I am.  How I have more than I could ever need.  And in that, I should unclutter my home and life of things I thought I needed and really just wanted to fill the space. 


Not that I'm hurrying the next few weeks, but watch out, when school is back in session, the things in our house will shrink.  I'm looking forward to it.  He has plans for me.  Until I'm ready to step into those plans, He wants me to do the best I can right here, right now.  That is take care of my family and home.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

You are Perfect


For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.  Hebrews 10:14

Jesus made you perfect, you can not do it on your own.  I am forever grateful for His sacrifice.  I love the Hebrews passage.  You are perfect in God’s eyes for Jesus covers our sin.  And in your walk with God, you are being made holy.  It does not say you are holy.  It says you are a work in progress.  If a person doesn’t see the potential in you that God sees, don’t try to prove it to them.  Let God be pleased with you.  He loves you.  Trust God in His work. 


The series this week I wrote to someone who has a lot of junk in her head and recently returned to God after a long time going her own way.  I love this person dearly.  I hope I do justice by her with God's truth.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

God's perfection



He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
    upright and just is he.  Deuteronomy 32:4

You are God’s work, His creation.  He loves you.  In this Deuteronomy passage, it says His works are perfect.  This means you are perfect.  God didn’t make a mistake in creating you.  You may have chosen not to follow Him for a time, not made wise choices.  But listen clearly - you are not your choices.  Everyone ever created by God has made bad choices.  Romans 3:23 says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.   This isn’t just you who didn’t make wise choices, but EVERYONE.  You are not alone in this, we all need Jesus as our redeemer.


The series this week I wrote to someone who has a lot of junk in her head and recently returned to God after a long time going her own way.  I love this person dearly.  I hope I do justice by her with God's truth.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Health update

I'll interrupt my regular posts for a quick health update. 


Bad news:  My IT band continues to hurt and has asked it's friends surrounding it on both sides to join in.  I don't remember the names of these small muscles, but I know they are there.  I trudge on with stretching, using the foam roller and ice as needed.  I know this is progress.  


Good news:  I was successful to the fast God called me to.  I didn't eat meat for about a week.  What I fasted for was answered, praise God.  However, I'm not eating meat like I did before.  It isn't appetizing anymore.  The real test was cooking bacon for my family.  I persevered and did not eat any. 


On that note, I'm a pound down and I'm good with that.  I tried some new strength training exercises (see bad news as to some of the results).  I felt those moves for a couple days.  I like them and will continue doing them, just being gentle with this body of mine.  


I have a busy week, as my MIL is visiting this weekend.  Our guest room is Kabingo's (the cat) room in general.  I have lots of hair fluffs to vacuum up.  Which also reminds me he needs another hair cut.

God Loves Me



But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved.  Ephesians 2:4-5

God loves you.  When you are struggling, repeat God loves me to yourself.  This Ephesians passage is just one of many that declare God loves you. 

When you feel you need to prove yourself to others - God loves me.
When you reach out to others who only point out your mistakes - God loves me.
When you want to search for the thing that will fulfill you, connect with you (food, physical contact, internet, TV) - God loves me.

The series this week I wrote to someone who has a lot of junk in her head and recently returned to God after a long time going her own way.  I love this person dearly.  I hope I do justice by her with God's truth.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Follow Daniel

I go back and forth on not eating meat.  At times I'm totally grossed out by meat.  Other times it doesn't bother me.  I don't get it.  (I mean meat as something that was living and now is not, not beef).  


Recently our church discussed the use of fasting to draw closer to God.  With my hypoglycemia, I'm not ready to do a full fledged fast.  I do think a time spent following Daniel fast is feasible.  I go back and forth on what is "right".  I know ultimately it's about freeing up time to spend with God, to be in His word, to pray, to listen. 


I wasn't sure I would do a Daniel fast.  Then I noticed last week I hadn't had meat all day.  So that has progressed to several days.  I will admit that I haven't really looked up what everyone calls a Daniel fast.  I even saw a web page the list foods that were OK.  No, I'll just skip the meat for now and call me happy. 


One thing I love is cucumber and avocado wraps.  I sprinkle a little salt and white wine vinegar on top.  The protein in the avocado keeps me full. 


My body is adjusting, so I feel hungry more often.  I use that reminder to pray and praise God for what He is and will do in my life.

I am more aware of what I'm eating, how much and protein combos.  Checking off my fruits and veggies before extra carbs.  Before tea, I need three mugs (18 oz. each) of water.  That doesn't include my cup of caffeine first thing in the morning.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Oh the pain

I've posted before on my tendency to take over.  God's way is great, but my way will be better....how could I have ever thought that?  Sad, but true, I have.  Oh, how I've suffered for it.

Several years ago I decided to ignore the hamstring pain and keep the stretch, going deeper.  I spent several months on the couch while healing.

Spring 2011 I enjoyed jogging 2x a week and seeing nice results and ability to jog longer distances (just over a mile).  But I decided I could get fit faster, go longer and added in 1 to 2 x additional jogging.  Only to have my hip hurt tremendously through my vacation.

Summer 2011 I focused on biking, yoga and doing all the yard work.  I didn't push myself to hard though.  My back went out in the middle.  I finally went to a PT spent two months learning how to keep my muscles in line.

The PT stretching routine became my sole source of exercise over the past school year.  When we went on our vacation at the beginning of June, the hiking up the side of mountains did me in.  My hip flamed up again.  

I prayed for direction on my hip pain.  Did I need to go to the PT again?  What exercise did I need to do?  What physical service could I endure for my Lord if my hip flamed up?  However, God answered the prayer about my back pain, I trust Him for the hip pain a well.

It happened He lead us to go to a store that sells wholesale clear outs (not sure what you call it for new stuff that was clearanced out by other companies and bought by this company).  For a third of the price at a sports store, I found a foam roller.  I learned back with my hamstring was pulled that a foam roller could be used.  However, I couldn't find an affordable one and didn't want to spend money that I didn't know if it would be well spent (relying on my own reasoning).  

I snagged the roller.  At home I did my own rolling, which of course wasn't how I was suppose to do it.  In quick research lead me to bodyspex.com.  In the first video I watched, Jai mentioned that if anything causes a lot of pain means I could have tightness, scar tissue and issues with the muscles.  

This lead me to learn about the Iliotibial Band and IT Band Syndrome.  This is precisely what is causing my hip pain.  Most times this syndrome causes pain called runner's knee, which I suffer minorly from.  However my pain is the hip pain over the greater trochanter.  I also develop Trochanteric Bursitis from overuse.

OK, have I made you go to sleep with this information?  Well I have endured more pain with this foam roller.  I know I'm making progress.  I know I will, after months, maybe years of rehab, regain an active lifestyle with endurance to do it.  The roller is God's blessing to answer my question for my hip pain.  With this syndrome, there is no hurrying the process.  I'm willing to endure, to suffer the pain with the hope that it will soon be healed enough to start jogging again.  God is good!

Video is also helpful.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Obedient journey

God has motivated me with actual goals - which I usually avoid.  Goals He will bless since He called me to it.


Weight by numbers.  

I am currently 157.6 lbs.  For the past few years I've maintained between 150 and 153.  Until school starts again for K, I will work without a food journal.  In the past I am more successful with a food journal.  For me, I struggle with knowing when I am full.  I want to learn more about this.  To be aware of how I feel.  To ask before eating "Is this the best for me?" 


Phase 1 - get back to 150  lbs.
Phase 2 - get to 145 lbs.

Body movement.

I need to regain muscle.  I'm stretching everyday to keep my back and leg pain away.  That has helped me keep some tone, but I know I'm not doing enough.  I also need to get back to some aerobics.  I would love to get back to jogging and I'll post more on that later.

Current schedule (to school starting) - walk a lap 3x a week with K, get my weights out and start a simple routing at least 2x a week.  


After school starts, I'll reassess my advancement and make the adjustments needed.  A few years ago, I was able to jog 2x a week and do strength training 2x and maintain my health.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Confession of a glutton

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  Romans 7:14-20




This passage from Romans 7 came to mind recently.  I pray that God's will to be done in my life.  I thought I was obedient to what He asked me to do - pertaining to not eating sweets.  I can give you a list of reasons on how I am obedient to this calling.  However, I am neglecting the habitual sin of gluttony that I deal with.  I want to be done with this sin, yet I pick it up over and over.  I look forward to the day when I am done with it.  Perhaps today is that day.  Only God knows.  


I have gained weight over the past few months.  I'm up a few pounds.  In normal circumstances, most wouldn't fret over a few pounds, but for me, it is a sign that I'm not paying attention to the sin in my life.  After some investigation I have found:


  • I stopped drinking all my needed water.  Although replaced mainly with unsweet decaf tea or coffee, it still isn't water.  My UT isn't happy about it either. 
  • I switched to my summer breakfast of raisin bran (replaced oats).  Based on how much I ate, I added over 200 calories to my day.  The reasoning that it's high in fiber just doesn't cancel excess calories and I was oblivious.
  • Since I'm not eating sweets, I upped my simple carb intake.  Remove the bread, pasta and crackers from my reach.
  • I skipped adding veggies to our menu.  Went for some sort of potato instead (carbs??).
  • I let my workouts to go far and few between.  With the drought and heat wave this summer, my normal outside summer workouts (aka yard work) is non-existent.


So when I explored all this, I remembered the above verses.  I thought how I don't want to compromise.  I want to be in God's will.  Before I'm in God's will until it conflicts with the easy way out, or the second helping of food or reading a book.


So, I'll share over the next few post how God has lead me on this issue.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Becoming Martha


My mother-in-law let me borrow Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World. 

God convicted me that I became a Martha the last few hours at camp.  Through a series of happenings, our group was delayed in packing up.  Being the youngest group, each child needed help.  Those picking up our bags were waiting and we we’re still in the process to get things together. 


It became a blur and I was barking out orders.  Well, maybe not barking out orders but I was demanding.  I allowed the stress of the moment get to me and things were no longer fun. 

Of course, I have hope, as the Martha and Mary story goes on, Martha changes.  I know this was a valuable lesson for me and I hope not to forget it.  Since I’m prone to have the Martha attitude, I must be on guard that I choose the right thing. 

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.   Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Give me a J

This was the start of one of our camp songs.  I thought I had something to automatically post while I was away, but didn't.  I need a spend some time writing or this blog will dry up soon.


We had a blast at church camp.  There was a lot of things that happened this year to try and throw off our schedule.  Our fearless leader kept changing and plugging along to get the lessons in.  Our host were great, food was yummy (according to my girl).  We hiked, swam, sung, ate, climbed rock wall and went on walks.  I was able to sleep too, which is a big improvement.  And praising to God for being able to serve His children in this way and even had a gal in my group ask Jesus into her heart!


I would post a picture too, but I'll take the lazy approach today.

Who began will Finish


 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

Once you accept Jesus in your heart, you are His.  He will never abandon you.  He will never leave you.  He is a gentleman, so if you choose not to follow His ways, be in His blessings, He will allow you to do that.  But you are always His.  When you seek Him, He will gently work to make you Holy.  If you feel you are treated roughly, that is our enemy who does not want you to change from worldly ways.  He makes you doubt.  He makes you think God doesn’t care for you, that no one cares for you.  But take heart.  God is gentle, loving, kind, faithful, merciful and graceful.  He will give you all that you need.  He loves you.

Other verses that speak of God's love for you:

  • Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).
  • How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7).
  • Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love (Psalm 48:9).
  • But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever (Psalm 52:8).
  • But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).
  • Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).
  • "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
  • The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).
  • The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
  • For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
  • Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends John 15:13).
  • As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love (John 15:9).


The series this week I wrote to someone who has a lot of junk in her head and recently returned to God after a long time going her own way.  I love this person dearly.  I hope I do justice by her with God's truth.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

God of this City

Our recent visit to a metropolis was wonderful and exhausting all in one.  It is a lot bigger than the city I live near.


Being somewhat submersed into the culture, I was over come with the need of God to truly be in the lives of the people.


I was sadden by behavior of grown adult.  Sadden they don't know a better way - God's way.


The statues of great men and all they accomplished without a mention of their source of strength - God.


The pro-choice advocacy poster.


The homeless who carried all their owned in backpacks


The assault of evolution in the museums.


This city is not alone.  There is a hope.  For God is there.  He is working - through His people, His church, His power.  The battle is being fought for this city.  


You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of these nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness

You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are
 
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God greater things
Have yet to come
And greater things
Are still to be done in this city greater things
Have yet to come
And greater things
Are still to be done here 

~Chris Tomlin

Monday, July 2, 2012

The World through God's Lenses

I've enjoyed opportunities to observe people and think of why they do what they do (compassion).  I have thought over several post analyzing what I saw.  I couldn't bring myself to posting since it either felt like I was judging or gossiping.


In talking it over with God, He showed me that had I not been so close to Him, I would have been oblivious of the message He wanted me to observe.


When it comes down to it, it isn't about what these people did or didn't do, but in what God wants to make me aware of that could tempt me.  He wants me to seek application from Holy Spirit revelation in every situation.  When I make God the center of my life, every moment is an opportunity for application. 

I am thankful for His perspective.  Since it helps me observe with compassion, therefore pray with compassion.  I can see the real need, not what they are wanting.  And in doing so, I may be blessed with the opportunity to speak God's wisdom to them.  

Some questions I've asked myself and will ask as I continue to mature in Christ:

Do I demand or do I encourage?
Do I seek control or do I teach?
In parenting - do I get in the way of K being dependent of God?
Do I seek fulfillment in the world when the only thing that can truly satisfy is spending real time with God? 
Do I seek my own way to the point that I am inflexible to the needs of others?
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