My little man is growing up!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Cravings
I wanted to update you on how my lent challenge is going. So far it going great! I was never really one to be sitting at home and decide I was craving fast food, it just happened when I was out and about and did not prepare ahead of time. Since I knew it would be a struggle, I make sure to pack a small bag with snacks and bottled water. It's been very rewarding holding out this long.
Today was a slightly different story. I cannot say what brought the thought into my mind exactly. Maybe it was just the subtle way the enemy tempts me. But I could not get a sonic diet coke out of my mind. Even though it's not "food", it was one of the things I chose to give up. It was happy hour, and my craving almost had me. I'm not really sure what stopped me, other than not having cash and the charge showing up in view of my accountability partner. I really wanted to persevere because this was not just beneficial for me, but it was a promise I made between myself and God. I don't want something as small as a soda to get in my way. If I can't stop the little things, how can I even begin to stop the big things.
I heard a song today that I have fallen in love with. It says
"Look at all the pretty things
That steal my heart away
I can feel I'm fading
'Cause Lord I love so many things
That keep me from Your face
Come and save me"
It's really a beautiful song by Tenth Avenue North. It speaks to the heart of the matter. If you've read my blog recently, you've seen me mention my Daniel bible study by Beth Moore. We've talked about how we are engulfed in this 'Babylonian' culture. Babylon says "I am, and there is no one besides me." It emphasizes love of self. Oh the things we do to make ourselves happy. I'll be the first to say that I tend to make myself feel better before I think about others. Most of the time the saying is true, you know the one that says "if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy". Yep, that would be me. Grumpy momma bear. If I'm not happy, my husband and children are the first to feel the effects.
That all being said, I want to banish the little things, that keep me from searching after His face. I want my first reaction to trouble to be spirit and not flesh. Also, and since I don't believe in coincidence, I've been told by two people to read a book by the name of "Made to Crave". I can only imagine that it will tie in perfectly with my current spiritual/mental/physical journey. I love the way God works, don't you? Coincidence is just another way God shows us he is in control of it all. All in His timing. Goodnight friends
Today was a slightly different story. I cannot say what brought the thought into my mind exactly. Maybe it was just the subtle way the enemy tempts me. But I could not get a sonic diet coke out of my mind. Even though it's not "food", it was one of the things I chose to give up. It was happy hour, and my craving almost had me. I'm not really sure what stopped me, other than not having cash and the charge showing up in view of my accountability partner. I really wanted to persevere because this was not just beneficial for me, but it was a promise I made between myself and God. I don't want something as small as a soda to get in my way. If I can't stop the little things, how can I even begin to stop the big things.
I heard a song today that I have fallen in love with. It says
"Look at all the pretty things
That steal my heart away
I can feel I'm fading
'Cause Lord I love so many things
That keep me from Your face
Come and save me"
It's really a beautiful song by Tenth Avenue North. It speaks to the heart of the matter. If you've read my blog recently, you've seen me mention my Daniel bible study by Beth Moore. We've talked about how we are engulfed in this 'Babylonian' culture. Babylon says "I am, and there is no one besides me." It emphasizes love of self. Oh the things we do to make ourselves happy. I'll be the first to say that I tend to make myself feel better before I think about others. Most of the time the saying is true, you know the one that says "if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy". Yep, that would be me. Grumpy momma bear. If I'm not happy, my husband and children are the first to feel the effects.
That all being said, I want to banish the little things, that keep me from searching after His face. I want my first reaction to trouble to be spirit and not flesh. Also, and since I don't believe in coincidence, I've been told by two people to read a book by the name of "Made to Crave". I can only imagine that it will tie in perfectly with my current spiritual/mental/physical journey. I love the way God works, don't you? Coincidence is just another way God shows us he is in control of it all. All in His timing. Goodnight friends
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
My Lent Challenge
I don't follow many religious traditions, but in this season of my life I feel called to observe the season of Lent. Lent is about 40 days long, from ash Wednesday (tomorrow) leading all the way to Easter. It represents the time that Jesus spent in the desert tempted by satan. It is a time of preparation - through prayer and self denial - leading up to the Easter celebration, where Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day.
I know that God has been leading me to a closer walk with Him. I also feel that I need to prepare my heart.
There are many things that I could choose to give up and sustain from. I'm sure that there are loads of things that I should sustain from. But due to my nature, I'm not going to attempt something that will be so hard that I loose focus of my original task. I don't want to make it so easy that I also loose focus of my goals. I also don't want to make this a diet, although I am giving up a type a food.
I choose to sustain from fast food and any variation of it during my 40 (46 some odd days) until the lent season is over. This includes my visits to sonic during happy hour for my route 44 diet coke w/vanilla. Ouch. That's going to be a bit painful.
God is opening my eyes to the things of our Babylonian culture. (I've been taking the Daniel Bible study with Beth Moore, I may get into more details later, but let me tell you: It is an eye opener!) Anyhow, back to my commitment. I am choosing to abstain from fast food for many reasons. Don't misunderstand me, it's not something that I indulge in everyday. However it is a thorn in my flesh, especially the unhealthy choices I make. I feel that it will be enough of a temptation that it will try and hinder me in this slightly-longer-than-a-month long test. The idea is to pray whenever I feel tempted. I know that this will lead me to a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior. Right now I desire and hunger to know Him. To be in His word daily and digest the wisdom he pours out to my soul. I cannot begin to tell you what all He has done for me recently, but I pray that one day He will give me the words to voice my story. A story that gives Him all of the glory.
The reason I am blogging this is because I want to be completely honest and I need accountability. So check in on me if you feel led to. And I'll make sure to update you at least a few times a week on my struggles, prayers and how the whole challenge is going. If I accomplish this task (All things are possible with God Matt. 19:26) I can't claim that it's because I was strong enough to hold out (because eating has always been one of my biggest downfalls), but I give all the glory to God in advance. Only through Him all things are possible.
I know that God has been leading me to a closer walk with Him. I also feel that I need to prepare my heart.
There are many things that I could choose to give up and sustain from. I'm sure that there are loads of things that I should sustain from. But due to my nature, I'm not going to attempt something that will be so hard that I loose focus of my original task. I don't want to make it so easy that I also loose focus of my goals. I also don't want to make this a diet, although I am giving up a type a food.
I choose to sustain from fast food and any variation of it during my 40 (46 some odd days) until the lent season is over. This includes my visits to sonic during happy hour for my route 44 diet coke w/vanilla. Ouch. That's going to be a bit painful.
God is opening my eyes to the things of our Babylonian culture. (I've been taking the Daniel Bible study with Beth Moore, I may get into more details later, but let me tell you: It is an eye opener!) Anyhow, back to my commitment. I am choosing to abstain from fast food for many reasons. Don't misunderstand me, it's not something that I indulge in everyday. However it is a thorn in my flesh, especially the unhealthy choices I make. I feel that it will be enough of a temptation that it will try and hinder me in this slightly-longer-than-a-month long test. The idea is to pray whenever I feel tempted. I know that this will lead me to a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior. Right now I desire and hunger to know Him. To be in His word daily and digest the wisdom he pours out to my soul. I cannot begin to tell you what all He has done for me recently, but I pray that one day He will give me the words to voice my story. A story that gives Him all of the glory.
The reason I am blogging this is because I want to be completely honest and I need accountability. So check in on me if you feel led to. And I'll make sure to update you at least a few times a week on my struggles, prayers and how the whole challenge is going. If I accomplish this task (All things are possible with God Matt. 19:26) I can't claim that it's because I was strong enough to hold out (because eating has always been one of my biggest downfalls), but I give all the glory to God in advance. Only through Him all things are possible.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
San Antonio Quickie
When one finds oneself on a very long car ride
with two three rascals
one doesn't have to look far to find entertainment.
Friday, March 4, 2011
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