I'm not as bad as...

Ephesian 4:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

I'm not as bad as _________________. Well, I could have done ______________. At least I don't __________________. As much as I'd like not to admit, I catch myself thinking this way. A sort of 'minimizing' way that I use to give myself 'wiggle room' for the things that I want to do instead of what I ought to do.

The thing is, if I'm only concerned about doing 'as much as' or 'as good as' ___________ then I should only expect to 'grow as much as' or become 'as good as' ______________ and I call myself standing the line for 'exceedingly, abundantly, above all I could ask or even think'! Doesn't that mean I have to do my part? I believe it does. The end of that scripture plainly says 'according to the power that worketh in you (in me)', so I gotta work my power. What power? I don't have much power. I can barely get out of bed on time in the morning. I can hardly push myself to work out. I can only inconsistenly keep cuss words out of my mouth. What is the power then? Keep reading...'which is in Christ Jesus'. He's so awesome! Even when its about what 'I' have to do, He's still right there, picking up all the slack. The source of my strength, the strength of my life. With all of that, when it comes time to look around for a role model or a mentor or someone to model myself after - it would behoove me to use him.

That being said, as competitive as I am, I've always been honest with me about me. I know my limitations. Jesus is just too lofty a goal. I won't set myself up for failure. At least those are the conversations that go on in my mind. Vestiges of my old self. The me that just didn't measure up. The me that couldn't do anything right. The me that went through life for years feeling unwanted and undervalued. That me is still in there - as much as I'd like to believe she's gone forever. But I have the responsibility to nourish her each day and encourage her and remind her that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. I have to remind her that God would not lie to her. He told her that she is only a little lower than the angels. She has dominion over the creatures of the earth. She has the power of life and death in her tongue. Yeah, I talk to her like she's separate from me sometimes.

She hides in the corner of my mind, afraid that the 'me' out front is just doing too much. How could "I" think that 'we' can be this? Well, I could yell at her. I could try to shut her up as I have so often before. But I've learned that if I don't comfort her and earnestly coax her out of her fear, she will gain strength and she will become the 'me' that I used to be.

Love you. Nurture you. Talk to 'you' and tell yourself all about yourself - your True Self. Your New Self. All about the things that God has said about you that you may not even fully believe yet. Build up that reserve so that when your 'me' is cowering in the corner, you can love on her (or him) and remind her of who she is and whose she is.

Congratulations time!
Judy D. (Charlotte, NC): Girl!! You are down 1lb and 5 inches!! in only 2 weeks! You had already made your weight goal and now you tightening and toning! Aye Mami! Do it girl!!

Vangie H. (Charlotte, NC): Hold it down! Down 2.35 inches in 2 weeks! You are doing it. Stay consistent and keep going. How awesome is it to look 10 years younger than your driver's license photo - I mean DAG what a difference!!

Dr. MJ (Charlotte, NC): That's what's up 'slim'! Down 3 more pounds and 2 inches...keep going. You are almost at goal and already FABULOUS!

LeKisha L. (Charlotte, NC): You have garnered your commitment to yourself and you are doing it! Already down 9lbs! I can't wait for your next weigh in to see how much more progress you are making. Walk it out!!

Porshe D. (Charlotte, NC): I'm so proud of you!! Down 1.2 lbs and almost 3 inches! Sexy, sexy! You look marvelous!!


Prayer: Lord, show us how to begin to exercise encouraging self talk that will nurture and empower us to be all that you desire us to be for your kingdom. Lord, remind me that I am what you say I am and no other opinion has any value, not even my own. Keep us in perfect peace and let us keep our minds stayed on you. Show us your wisdom and help us to rightly divide your word so that we may be able to STAND. Your Word is our strength and your love our encourager. Cover us O Lord. We love you.

Special prayer: Lord, we ask you to send your healing to our sister Maria. As we stand in the gap for her and her sister Judy, we know that you hear our prayers and pity every groan. We thank you in advance for the manifestation of your power. The miraculous healings that are already taking place in her body. We bind up cancer, in the name of Jesus. We thank you Lord for reminding us that you have given us dominion and power to tread upon serpents. We thank you for the authority to speak life and healing. We thank you for giving us life and life more abundantly. We receive her healing. In Jesus name. Amen.