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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

DO YOU WANT IT?

He sat by almost 4 decades sitting by waiting for a 'healing' waiting for a 'deliverance' waiting for a 'breakthough'.  Hoping day by day that someone would come along and 'help him' to get where he thought the answers were.  He had heard the answer is in this fad or that fad or this remedy or that remedy just seeking and searching but not finding.  Then Jesus asked him a simple question that unlocked a rhema moment for me...'Will you be made whole?'  Wow.  It can't be that simple, um, I mean...I've been doing this and doing that but, trying all I could, even when no one would help me, I couldn't do it, I've been 'trying', such and such is my 'weakness', 'it can't be my fault' and the excuses continue (wo is me...yeah, I hear me)  But Jesus says in so many words, 'the jig is up' if you want it, GET UP, PICK UP YOUR COMFORTABLE PLACE and WALK in your VICTORY.  OUCH...and AMEN. 

Because my first thought was, dang...that was kinda cold Jesus.  I mean he was 'trying'.  He showed up, day after day hanging out by the water, waiting for his 'turn'.  Didn't that count for something?  GET UP, TAKE YOUR BED AND WALK!  Plain and simple, if you want it, like Nike - JUST DO IT.  As much pity as I wanted to have for the main character in this biblical story, what helped me the most is, even though he'd been going there almost 4 decades, even though he'd been waiting for the 'healing' to come by the troubling of the water, even though I thought, how could he already have his healing and be so 'short sighted' as to not operate in it, even though I figured (now that of course I knew the end of the story) that he may have been his own worst enemy, even though all of these things about him may be true the best part is that when he GOT it he GOT IT!!!

Even though it took him almost 40 years to get his breakthrough moment it was HIS!  It did not have an expiration date on it.  God had set aside his healing for him and maybe he had missed it all those years but it was still HIS and when his mind was opened up and he was called to action he was able to WALK in his healing!  in his deliverance!  In his VICTORY!!   (John 5:1-18 paraphrased)

This gives me great encouragement.  I know I get 'stuck' in my 'waiting' and 'looking' for the miracles of God.  Looking at the scale and seeing the same number that I thought would be gone forever.  I got a tremendous breakthrough just realizing that even in my own limited thinking, beliefs and understanding even I can't NEGATE what God has for me!  I can however, DELAY it.  That was what stuck out to me as well.  I'll keep thinking on this as I MOVE into the destination that God has promised.


Recipe:
Confetti Pasta (I just called it this cuz its so colorful:)
1 cup of twisted rice noodle rotini - cooked per package directions
1 strips pre-cooked chicken breast
2 shrimps
1/2 turkey sausage (left overs work nicely for the proteins)
1/4 c red onions sliced thin
1/4 c yellow, red, green onions sliced thin
3 cherry tomatoes (halved)
1/4 cup of tomato sauce (jar sauce works fine, choose low sodium)
parsley garnish

Spray a non-stick pan with Pam and pre-heat.  Stir fry the veggies until onions are translucent.  Toss in the proteins.  Top on the pasta and put the sauce on top.  Garnish with parsley.  DELICIOUS and it takes about 5 mins to make from start to finish.  You can make it for the family also.  I like to make everyone's separately because no one likes the same 'stuff' in their pasta so you can add or leave out whatever you want. YUMMY!!! and QUICK!!!
Extra Recipe:
Breakfast Smoothie
Pineapple - Mango YUMM
4 oz - Almond Milk
2 oz - Frozen Pineapple
2 oz - Frozen Mango (Trader Joes has BOTH this week and they are JUST frozen fruit and sooooo sweet!)
2 pkts of splenda (to taste)
couple ice cubes

Blend and enjoy!  If you need a carb, u know me, just add oatmeal or cream of wheat.  You can use a protein powder if you need a protein, but I just eat a piece of chicken strip with mine:)

Prayer:  Lord, help us to walk in the victories you have given us.  Help us to walk into the promises of God and the purposes you have given us.  We thank you for your grace that allows us to get into the game and walk in our victory no matter what point we finally GET IT.  It doesn't matter how old we are or how far behind we may feel, when we allow you to be the wind beneath our wings we are able to take flight and SOAR!

In Jesus name we pray.  Amen!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

WAIT UP!!!

Is 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


It may feel like you are just treading water. You may feel like, your efforts are in vain. Just 3 short months ago, I was ready to give up on all of it. My weight - life period, everything...I just felt like I had done all I could do and nothing was working. It was time to throw in the towel, accept my failures and resolve myself to accept, maybe I was just meant to be 'fat' or at least 'fatter' than most.

It was devastating to me. I don't like to fail. I turned to God, this time filled with my desperation, and I asked Him, to do something. I had prayed before and always go to God, but the weight...I kind of asked Him 'along' for the ride. I didn't surrender it all to Him. It didn't seem serious enough. I mean, people had 'real' problems He needed to deal with. But it got REAL to me so I CASTED it - to Him and actually, let go.

The 'wait' started. That didn't mean doing nothing, it meant doing 'everything' I could and 'expecting' God to do 'everything' He could.

Wait on the Lord - with an EXPECTANT spirit and be found doing all YOU can and He will answer prayers.

Congratulations Time!!

SAN T. - wait for it...wait for it............6 INCHES and 2lbs in 2 WEEKS!!! That must have been you on page 43 of Jet magazine!! You better WORK!!!

Cossandra S. - Out shopping? Running errands? Can I stay on plan...YES I CAN!! You go girl. Way to stay committed to your goals. AWESOME!

Priscilla W. - YOU GO GIRL!! down 1 more lb!! Every bit counts. You get it slim. Stay on track - you got this!

Recipe:

Roasted Butternut Squash (thanks for requesting this one Jennifer)

1lb squash - peeled and cubed (big chunks - Harris Teeter sells them ready to cook)

Butter flavored Pam cooking spray

3pkts Sweetner (Stevia/Splenda - your preferred brand)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Butter Bud - sprinkles (to taste) - I don't use this on mine personally. It tastes good without it to me.

On a cooking tray or sheet, spray with Pam and arrange squash on sheet. Spray squash w/Pam and sprinkle sweetner, nutmeg and cinnamon on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 mins (until golden brown and fork tender).

Serve 1/2 c serving as a carb A. I found that I love it anywhere I'd normally have a sweet potato, just to break up the monotony. I've eaten it with breakfast, dropping it cold in my peach smoothie for a creamy texture. Get creative. I'll send the peach squash smoothie recipe out tomorrow. Enjoy!!

Prayer: Lord, let me be an instrument of your peace. Help me to bring love and encouragment and support to those connected to me. Bless and cover each one of these people and strengthen them with your power. Raise up the holy spirit in each of us and use it to encourage and support us in our goals and efforts to be whole, healthy and productive vessels for your kingdom's work. In Jesus name. Amen!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Lost it? Find it!

How did you manage to lose it? 

In the process of spring cleaning the temple of the Lord, the priest Hilkiah, 'found' the book of the law (2 Kings 22:8.  I found that statement very odd.  My first thoughts were, 'where they do that at?'  LOL.  I mean, we are talking about the 'temple of the Lord' right?  Surely, if they don't know where ANYTHING is at, they know where the 'Book of the Law' is kept right?  Notsomuch.  So of course my second thought was, how irresponsible is that priest.  I mean, he is a priest right?  His job, among other things was to meditate and read the 'Book of the Law'.  I got real upset with Hilkiah.  What a lazy, irresponsible priest he was.  He had one job.  And here he is, acting all brand new, talking about 'I found the book of the law'.  I thought, 'shoot, I would have kept that information to myself'.  I would not have put my irresponsibility on blast like that.  ssshhhhhhhh.....our little secret Lord.  But not Hilkiah.  He ran out and got Shaman, the scribe and told him.  I thought equally odd that Shaman didn't know where the 'Book of the Law' was either.  I thought it was his job to 'scribe' it.  He oughta know where it was too, shouldn't he? 

Then the Shaman went to the King and read the book to King Josiah.  The young king was MOVED into action.  That changed my thought around.  Nothing would have ever happened if Hilkaiah had not exposed his irresponsibility.  So as I read, I said - ouch Lord.  How can I move forward if I don't admit - even to myself - my own mistakes.  So funny, I had managed to put Hilkiah and Shaman in all kinds of irresponsible, untrustworthy, inconsistent categories but I was overlooking my own short comings.  Hiding and pretending not to know or that no one would notice.  I needed to own my own mistakes.  These 8lbs didn't come back because they missed me.  They came back because I put down the instructions that I had been walking in that made me successful in the first place.  Just like the children of Israel (in this case - Judah as the kingdom's had split).  I had gone off to do my own thing.  Thinking (or not thinking at all) that I would be able to maintain the same results WITHOUT putting forth the same efforts.

IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

Joshua told the people what God told them to do.  (Joshua 1:8).  Meditate, day and night and DO all that is written therein.  THEN you would have good success.  (paraphrased).  Josiah returned to those directions and began with a vengence.  FIRST, to humble himself to God.  Then to propel himself into action.  Getting rid of everything that was a detriment to his success.  Not just putting it out but COMPLETELY destroying anything that was contrary to God.  We have a program that has worked for us.  We have seen the success.  We can get back on track.  Go, look for your back to eden 'book', put it into action.  Clean house and remove anything that may hinder you. Put the temple in order.

April 9th is our next 'Pray in Weigh in'.  I'd like to add a brisk walk/jog Downtown to that. 
We can meet at 9am @ RCM to weigh and then make our way to Morehead and back for some exercise and fellowship.  If anyone needs to get a new copy of their materials, just send me an email - thatchl@yahoo.com and include your body type and I'll send it back to you.  If anyone needs some one on one time, give me a call, email or text.  We can do this.  We can be the Josiah generation. 

Congratulations time:
Cheryl R. - DOWN 10 LBS!!  I'm proud of you.  That exercise has definitely helped to get that weight moving in the right direction. 
Lisa T. - Down 3lbs (since yesterday!!!) Jogged 10k today in 1.5 hrs!

Reminder:  Get that water in!  It will work WONDERS to jump start your results. 

Prayer requests:
Lane Family - pray for the covenant of marriage.  Marriages are under attack and God alone is able to preserve them.  Ms. Wilhelmina - pray that God continue to increase her stregth.  She is already an overcomer!!  Porsha - pray that God give her special, special blessings as she celebrates her birthday and continues to grow into the woman of God that He has created her to be.  Kisha - Pray that God gives the angels charge concerning her as she takes her trip to the Holy Land.  That He keep her family in perfect peace and health until she return.  Barbara - Pray for traveling mercies.  Judy - Healing, complete and total!

Prayer: 
Lord, continue to strengthen us to recognize the tricks of the adversary.  Help us to be able to twart him at his own game by calling him out and asserting the dominion you have given us over him.  Encourage us to seek your face daily for strength, direction, peace, help and refuge.  Remind us to lean not to our own understanding but to acknowledge you and let you direct our path.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.