Our Deepest Fear

Nelson Mandela - 1918 - 2013

There is a question of who actually said this quote below... of whether it was Marianne Williamson or Neslon Mandela.  No matter the case, I can truly see that this would be something that would be right up Nelson Mandela's alley, in what he would think, say, and have lived.  For he was all about being who we are called to be and not letting fears have victory over us but being more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. While I don't know much about him, I know and understand that he was truly a great man and God has done great things through him.  His example has been rooted in this world and has touched many lives.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God!

Your playing small

does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened and shrinking.

So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine.

As children do.

We were born to make manifest

the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us.

It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, 

We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

~Rest in peace~

Nelson Mandela

Praising God - NO MATTER WHAT!

O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

~ Psalms 107:8 ~

If we complained less, and praised more—we would be happier, our state of mind would be more balanced, and God would be more glorified.
Source: http://www.youdevotion.com/morneven/december/1
Let us daily praise God for common mercies—common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them—we are ready to perish! Let us bless God for the eyes with which we behold the sun; for the health and strength to walk abroad; for the bread we eat; for the clothing we wear. Let us praise Him that we are not cast out among the hopeless, or confined in prison among the guilty. Let us thank Him for liberty, for friends, for family associations and comforts. Let us praise Him, in fact, for everything which we receive from His bounteous hand, for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed.  
But, beloved, the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love. God’s redeeming acts towards His chosen people, are forever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged. We have been led to the cross of Christ—our shackles of guilt have been broken off; we are no longer slaves—but children of the living God, and can rightly expect the period when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Even now by faith we wave the palm-branch and wrap ourselves about with the fair linen which is to be our everlasting array, and shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer? Child of God, can you be silent? Awake, awake, you inheritors of glory, and lead your captivity captive, as you cry with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul—and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” Let the new month begin with new songs!

Love The Dreams That God Has Dreamed For You

He has His angels working on your behalf to fulfill it

For the past few months, I've had my church praying for me to continue walking in the path that the Lord set for me... and they still are because the battle isn't over.  You see, God has given me direction about something that is difficult for me to follow in dealing with my future.  It requires major sacrifices and is a difficult road to tread, but I've been following it anyway because I know that God loves me and knows what is best for me. I have been tempted to go outside of His will, and have done so, because of my own heart & desires. I knew the struggle that I was having and prayed that I would have the victory over it. 

Well, I am glad that I had my church praying for me. This past month was one of the hardest to overcome in dealing with that temptation. Sometimes I failed, but lately I've had victories step-by-step.  Too often we can reason away why it is okay to go in another direction or accept other people's advice who don't know the Lord, because although we have submitted to His will in our mind, we have not surrendered the heart to His will.

Sometimes people, especially those who are not Christians, will question you of "how do you know it's God speaking to you" OR "how are you so sure that you understood what He said or what He meant".  IT IS WRITTEN that "Spiritual things are Spiritually discerned.  If they do not have God's Spirit within them, they will never understand.  They will also question "Are you sure that it is God's voice that you heard and not the devil's?"  The Bible says that Christ's "sheep hears His voice."  That means that the ones that are not His will not know His voice, hear it, understand it, etc.  People can cause you to doubt if you listen to their doubts.  That is a definite way satan will use others to knock you off the path God has chosen for you.  He even tried to do it with Jesus in the wilderness... His comments were "IF you are the Son of God..."  He kept trying to put doubt in Christ also and has succeeded in putting doubt in others about Christ not being the Son of God.

YOU know what direction God is leading YOU to follow.  Don't let other's lack of faith or doubt be yours!  Stand fast and listen to HIS voice.

As I practiced singing a song called "I Will Listen", I realized that I have not learned to love the dream that God has dreamed for me... that I am only going by head knowledge to follow in that dream instead of a heart love for it, not because of the fear of failure... but the fear of success... and the sacrifice it requires. Now is that saying something or what?!  I didn't even know that about myself until recently. I prayed every step of the way over the past few months, but was also fighting God every step of the way also, while trying to do His will.  I was still hanging on, but still trying to keep a will of my own.  I promised that I would follow through with this dream God has for me a long time ago and have been following it.  

However, it was soooo hard this past month to stick to the pledge I made.  I realized that I hadn't learned to love the dream that God has dreamed, although He is the one who is having His angels work it out for me. 

The prayer that my church prayed corporately, and individually, helped me to make it through the temptations each day and overcome day-by-day, step-by-step.  It helped me to make the right decisions even though I had to break my own heart to do it.  God opened my eyes to see that I was trying to do it in my own strength. So, one day this month (and a few other times), I dropped to my knees and pleaded with God to teach me to love what His plans are for me even if I don't know them... or quite understand them. I had to re-commit to what I pledged and I have to daily re-surrender my will, once again, to His will and pray that my thoughts, once again, will be transformed and taken captive to His thoughts.  

Is it a struggle any longer?... OF COURSE IT IS! and it is very painful and will be for a long time. But, it is one where I am not fighting myself so much because He is now putting a love for what He has planned for me... in me.  It doesn't mean that it is going to be easy, but, when I was stepping outside of His will, my flesh was at war against my mind and my heart was at war against my spirit.  God is balancing me out once again so that all of me is working together for His glory.  Praise Be The Lord!

I remember an even greater sacrifice that His Son, Jesus Christ, made for me.   It wasn't easy for Him and He even prayed that if it could pass... that it would. However, He surrendered and made the greatest sacrifice that any could ever make.  Knowing that, how can I fight against any sacrifice that my God asks of me when He gave so much to save me.  Oh, how I love the Lord! 

Thanks to everyone that prayed for me these past few months. Your prayers helped to strengthen my resolve and helped me to make it through! Please keep praying for me because the battle isn't over yet and the war isn't won yet in me. But, I know that the battle isn't mine, it's the Lord's and therefore, although I am still in it, I know what the outcome is.

I've attached the song that I sang during a recording called "I Will Listen"... and yes, it is me singing. ENJOY! AND BE ENCOURAGED TO LOVE THE DREAMS THAT GOD HAS DREAMED FOR YOU! :)

Which WAY Will You Choose?

God knows what we have need of before we even ask it and provides it sometimes even when we don't ask!  I am going to go over 3 needs.  

1.  Some months ago, my karaoke machine died and I bought a new one that cost twice as much.  It turned out to be junk and gives me all kinds of problems and it is too late to return it!  I needed a karaoke machine for the Praise Jehovah Music Ministries that God is doing through me.  

2.  I also teach piano and a friend asked if I had an extra keyboard that she could use so that her son could continue with piano instruction and practice at home.  I already loaned the extra out to a student, so I didn't have one available for her.  

3.  I am in martial arts and hopefully will be getting my blackbelts by the end of the year.  I had need for certain weapons that I would have to eventually purchase as I progress in the field of Martial Arts.  However, because of finances and extra bills from having shoulder surgery, I wouldn't have been able to purchase these items.  I hadn't even prayed about these 3 needs yet.

Well, I had an experience last week.  My Sensei called me during a time that I wasn't feeling well since I was just on my way home from PT to ice my shoulder.  He figured that I could use a couple of items since he knows that I do music, thus he invited me to come and purchase a keyboard at a yard sale just around the corner from my house because it was for a cheap price.  I really didn't want to go because I hurt so bad and just wanted to lay down and ice.  However, I hold him in high esteem and therefore listened to his leading and decided to go.  When I got there, it was a surprise!  I was soooo blessed to see my original Sensei visiting back from china and I was soooo blessed with all 3 groups of things that I needed.  The Lord provided a music keyboard and 2 keyboard stands, & a microphone stand.  My sensei said that he had held these here for me, as a gift.  I didn't have to pay for them!  I was so pleasantly surprised.  As I was gathering the items, I commented to myself that now all I needed was a karaoke machine.  He said, "we have one right there!"  I was even more surprised.  Then, I began seeing some martial arts items.  I picked a few out along with some other music instruments for my kids in piano class.  Then, to top it off, he put an encouraging magnet on my car as a surprise for me.  It said, "Future Black Belt"!  I would not have received these wonderful blessings, including the encouragement, if I hadn't listened and gone where I was being requested to go.

The Master Is Calling

When God, our master calls, do you listen?  Do you hold Him in high regard?  Do you go where He is leading?  OR do you miss out on the wonderful plans that He has for your life because you chose to go a different direction?

So often we keep questioning what to do and where to go when God has already mapped it out for us and shown us. Sometimes, it isn't that we are trying to figure it out.  We know His leading and it may be as plain as a direction sign in the street.  It is usually because we haven't surrendered to go in the direction He leads and therefore are trying to make a decision on a different direction.

Each one of us have a specific plan and purpose for our lives.  God has made plans for you before you were even conceived in your mother's womb.  

There is a purpose for your life!

There is a reason that you are here living at this moment, at this time, on this ball called earth that is spinning in 1 specific direction.  You have a reason to be here and a plan to fulfill in your life.  What that plan is... only you and God knows... and sometimes only God knows but we will know if only we follow in the direction that He is leading.  We will know only if we listen for the Shepherd's voice, to take the time to hear what He has to say... or to see what He wants to show us.  God usually will not show the destination and all the winding roads all at once.  If we knew what we would have to go through to get to our final destination... or to fulfill the final plans that God has in store for us, we may be overwhelmed and/or fearful to complete the task set at hand.  We have to be willing to take one step, and then another step, and then another step, walking by faith.  With each step, we are advancing closer and closer to the goals that He has set for us to accomplish.  You may not be feeling well, you may be scared, you may be doubting... follow anyway!  

Don't let circumstances decide what your situation'll be

The lesson learned from the yard sale story above is:  We must always be willing to go where God leads because He has a plan and a purpose for leading you in that direction.  If I hadn't gone to the yard sale as requested, I would have missed out on those many blessings and... I wouldn't have received those things that will be a blessing to others.

Jeremiah 29:11 says:  I know the thoughts that I have toward you.  Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God has a plan for your life.  Will you walk in that plan?

Freedom & Liberty

INDEPENDENCE IN TWO WAYS

Today is a day that we celebrate our freedom & independence from England, thus becoming our own country, our own nation, a special people, a people free to worship according to as their conscience allows.  But, what does this freedom really mean? Is it the liberty to act and behave as we want? To sleep with whom we want without the benefit and blessing of marriage? To steal, kill, and destroy however we want? To accept God, not accept God, not believe in God, or just say He doesn't exist at all?

What was our nation founded upon? Was it founded upon believing that God speaks to each individual's heart & conscience? … Or that we don't need a human mediator because Christ is that mediator between us and the Father?

Jesus says that no man comes unto the Father lest the Father calls Him. Whosoever... chooses to believe in & accept His Son as Lord and Saviour, we would be His adopted child, heirs of a Godly inheritance and eternal life.

Let's look into this Lord and Saviour a bit.

“Lord” is a master. The one whom you give obeisance to. The One whom you surrender all to... even your very life if necessary. The One whom you obey completely... even when you don't understand the reason for the command.

Romans 6:16 says, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants to obey, you are that one's servants whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” “But God be thanked that though you were servants of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” “And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.”

Luke 6:46 Jesus says, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”..... LORD!

“Saviour” is someone who saves or rescues... a preserver of life. The One who sacrifice all to save you... even His very life. The One who showed us what it means to obey completely... even when He prayed for another possible way... but surrendering all... including His will, to His Fathers will so that you can be saved.

John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”...........SAVIOUR!

In order for us to be saved, we must believe and accept Jesus as BOTH our Lord & Saviour. We must accept Him as the one who died for us and saved our lives forever and because He saved our lives, we belong to Him as servants. Therefore, we must surrender ourselves wholly and completely to Him, as our Lord, that we will obey Him completely.

Too often He is accepted as Saviour but not as Lord. That is what people are calling “Carnal Christians” now. Friends, THERE IS NO SUCH THING! Being a Christian means you are Christ-like or representing Christ. You have surrendered all that you are, all your hopes, all your dreams, all your desires, all your sin, all your will, everything to Him and to His will because He saved you. His Spirit begins working in you, changing you to become more like Him... spiritual.. not religious. Being “carnal” means you are un-surrendered to Christ. You have not accepted Him as your Lord in whom you will obey, therefore are still a part of the world... the flesh. These are opposite one of another and can NEVER be joined together as a unit. Either you are fully His because you accept Him and surrender all to Him or you do NOT accept Him fully as Lord & Saviour and do not surrender all to Him. It is that simple. Carnal and Spiritual cannot co-exist. One has to die! The question for you is... will it be the Spirit... or will it be the flesh?

These are those who say let us wear our own things... do our own things... but be called by Christ's name... Christian. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.

Christ made us free from the condemnation that came from sinning. As true Christians, Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”... OPPOSITES!

Exodus 19:5, 6 says, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation...”.

Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”.

Yes, we are free as Americans! A special people and a great nation! But, we are even more free as Christians! A peculiar “treasure”! A holy “nation”! A kingdom of priests!

Today, is a high day for me. I celebrate 2 things... living in a free country to be able to believe in God according to my conscience while living in the pursuit of happiness.  But, I celebrate even more, living free because my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ freed me from the curse of sin, freed me from the condemnation & guilt that I deserved, took my sin on himself so that I may be free, ever changing me, and allows me to abide with Him forever, and gives me the joy that only He can give that no one or no circumstance can ever take away! People say "Freedom" & "Liberty" is a state of mind.  You see, I don't need to hang on to the guilt of my past because Christ has made me free.  I say, lets live in that state of mind as Christ meant for us to!

John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Folks, today is Independence Day for our country, the United States Of America. I celebrate this day for that reason... and

I am proud to be an American!

When I woke up this morning, God reminded me of an even better freedom & liberty that I have in Christ Jesus... and

I am proud to be a Christian!

ANGER, BITTERNESS, & RESENTMENT

Well, since my blog is dealing with assisting individuals how to live life undefeated, I think that it is best to have an introductory realizing that the only way we can live life undefeated is first by believing in the someone who already has given us the victory over all things… That someone is Jesus Christ our Lord and our Saviour. Lord, because He is the Someone that we choose to follow and obey… Saviour, because He died in my place, in your place… where we are guilty of death, he died that death for us so that we can live. As I write these posts, they will almost always relate to a relationship with God and His Word, the Bible and where it doesn’t, please acknowledge what was mentioned at first that it is only by that relationship that we can overcome all things.

When I say living life defeated, I mean allowing the cares of this world to decide what kind of person you will be and what your actions will entail, what you think, and what you desire. Allowing the bad and ugly in this life to beat you down to where you stay down and choose not to get up again. That is living a defeated life, giving up, and surrendering.

Now, there are many things that can cause us to live a defeated life: anger, bitterness, and resentment, unconquered temptations, low self esteem, fear, loneliness, depression, childhood hurts, addictions, and many more. We are going to cover many of these items in the following posts. Our first set will be Anger, Bitterness, and Resentment. As we learn to conquer our anger, bitterness, and resentment, we build a new state of mind for ourselves.  

Anger – The basic emotion of extreme displeasure or exasperation in reaction to a person, a situation, or an object. The synonyms to anger are annoyance, irritation, fury, rage, antagonism, resentment, incense, inflame, madden, ire, outrage, steam up, tick off… there are so many definitions for it. I wanted to list a good amount so that you understand that “Anger” comes under many names.

Bitterness – marked by intensity or severity; accompanied by severe pain or suffering; exhibiting intense animosity; harshly reproachful; marked by cynicism and rancor; expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret. Synonyms of bitterness are: acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, and sore.

Resentment – a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury. Synonyms of resentment are: grievance, grudge, or keeping score.

When we are angry, be it for a good reason or not, for a long or short period of time, it effects us, mentally, physically, spiritually, and of course, emotionally. Anger can cause negative reactions and situations in a relationship when expressed unconstructively. So, we want to learn how to get rid of our anger, whether it has plagued us for all of our lives or is a sudden issue. As we learn these techniques,  our state of mind will also change thus allowing us to overcome even more.  Tomorrow, we will cover the 7 steps that should be taken to deliver us from anger, resentment, and bitterness.

1. Admit that you are angry. Be honest to yourself and with God. Don’t try to hide your genuine feelings. Heb. 4:13; Eph. 4:26

2. Discover why you are angry. (This may require you to look into your past or speak with a counselor.) Gen. 4:6

3. Although it is ok to be angry for a good reason, don’t let your emotions control you. (Prov. 16:32; Eccl. 7:9; Prov. 14:29)

4. Give your anger to God. Remember angry words stir up anger in others. (Prov. 15:1; Ps. 37:7, 8).

5. Forgive others who have wronged you, even if they haven’t asked for forgiveness, nor apologized. Because the purpose of the forgiveness is for your sake not theirs. Since God has forgiven you for what you have done to Him, ask Him to give you forgiveness for what others have done to you. (Eph. 4:32; Lk. 11:4; Col. 3:13)

6. Forgive yourself for things you have done and for being angry. (1 Jn. 1:9)

7. Deal with anger quickly. Don’t let it accumulate. If you need to ask someone’s forgiveness, do it. (Eph. 4:26)

Now, while we know that there is nothing wrong with being angry for a good reason, it is the holding on to anger that gives us the trouble and isn’t good according to Eph 4:29-32. You see, anger progresses into resentment and resentment progresses into bitterness. So, if we avoid holding onto the anger, the other 2 will take care of themselves. These things cause us not to be able to move on in our lives. It holds us back from accomplishing our plans and goals and even more so is a stumbling block from fulfilling what God has planned for us. Let's have a new state of mind, one that is free from such vices.  Let’s stop the devil in his tracks today by letting go of any anger, resentment, and bitterness thus allowing ourselves to live life victoriously.

Join me again for other posts & please feel free to comment.

IS SUCCESS REALLY ALL IN THE ATTITUDE OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND THINK?

We, as a people, like to put others on pedestals and think that they must have something that we don't have and are very special unique people.  In a sense, you are right... they are very special and unique... but so are you.  They do have something that many folk DO NOT have.

1.  They have confidence in themselves that they can do it.
2.  Many have a belief in God that keeps them going.
3.  They believe in their calling.
4.  They act on their calling.
5.  They stick to their calling even when it seems like all else is failing.

You've heard time and time again of stories where people struggled to accomplish their goals.  Actors were broke, hungry, homeless, and with a support system because of where they relocated to.  When all of a sudden, they are in the right place, at the right script reading, doing the right thing, for the right people, carrying through their purpose.

Singers were going from church to church or from wedding to funerals to seminars to bars to clubs to lounges around and around in circles and nothing seemed to be happening.  When all of a sudden, they are in the right place, at the right audition, doing the right thing, for the right people, carrying through their purpose.

Doctors and pathologists who are searching for cures for terrible diseases at every turn seem to be failing.  When all of a sudden, just the right mix happens, at the right timing, doing the right combination, for the right disease, carrying through their purpose.

MOST PEOPLE DO NOT GET WHAT THEY WANT OVERNIGHT!

It takes ambition, persistence, hard work, a steadiness, a foundation for your belief, and definitely a sense of humor.  You must have an attitude about accomplishing your goals.  You have to decide that you will do it!  You may go broke like Dave Ramsey did a few times... or even get broken as athletes do.  You might get harassed from those who are jealous of your pending success.  You may run and be weary and cramping in the side like a sprinter, but they keep going to reach the prize that is in their hearts!  They may be losing the race, but it is what they believe in and about themselves that keeps them going to the finish line to complete what they started!

DOES WHAT I THINK REALLY MATTER IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE?!

MOST DEFINITELY!  If it didn't, some of us wouldn't be here because of abortion running rampant if someone didn't step forward and began fighting for what they believe.  If it didn't, most of us would still be slaves to a taskmaster if someone didn't step forward and so "NO!"  If it didn't, alot of us would not have the opportunity to vote like we want, pray like we want, believe like we want, live like we want!  

You see, what you think about something, decides your feelings and behavior towards it.  When you truly believe IN something that you want to do, you will put forth YOURSELF, whole heartedly, in accomplishing that which you believe.  Obstacles will get in the way, as they always do.  Still, as you keep the belief in it, you will act on that belief.  You will fight for it!

MY TESTIMONY:

I was guest singer at a church this past week and an elder/friend in the church mentioned about how long we've known each other.  (23 years)  He mentioned about how far I've come in dealing with the pain, heartbreak, disappointment, and brokenness that life had dealt to me. Another church member/friend mentioned how far I've come from being in the wheelchair for the 8 years and walking in 6" heels (they were 3").  How he's seen me coming from his physical therapy to being able... to being ABLE!  Then another person spoke about how far I've come.  It embarrasses when people talk about me positively because I don't know how to take it because it feels like praise to me and I just want to praise the Lord.  As I thought about what they were saying, an urgent desire sprung up in me to let people know that what brought me through is the same thing that can bring them through anything and everything.  Now, I haven't accomplished all that I believe God has in store for me yet.  However... God. That's it... God.  A good friend of mine put it this way.  He said that I'm tenacious.  He's right.  If I believe it, I hold on to it like a bulldog locked on a throat.  I hold tight to God and what He know, believe, and feel about me.  You see, God says that I am special...  since I believe in what God says, therefore, I KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT I AM SPECIAL.  God says that I am strong and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Therefore, I KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT EVEN WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG because I am NOT depending on my own strength now.  I am depending on His and His is an everlasting and all powerful strength.  Jesus persisted and endured through to His calling and purpose on this earth.  We have the same thing available to us that He had.  All we have to do is believe it and claim it and then go forward to accomplish it  BELIEF REQUIRES ACTION!

HOW DO OTHERS DO IT?!?  AND CAN I DO IT TOO?!?

The way many people have accomplished soooo much is that they fight for it.  They are everyday people just like you and I.  The only difference is that they hung in there tightly grasping to what they believe and they succeeded in the purpose for which they fought!  You have the same ability that they have, hold on to your beliefs and hold on to God's hand who will guide you in the right direction in dealing with those beliefs.  If you do this, you will see such a great change happen in your life that you will be amazed.  People will look at you as they look at these other people who succeed and wonder... "How'd they do that?  They are so special!  They got it all together."  

JUST KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE SPECIAL AND GOD HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE TOO... NOW GO FORWARD AND ACT ON THAT BELIEF!

ENJOY THE SONG ABOUT BELIEVING:  

UPDATE ON MY 

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Well guys, I am still working on it.  My New Year's Resolutions are below and then I will tell how I am accomplishing it so far.

1.  Lose 20 pounds and keep it off.
2.  Communicate better with family and friends
3.  Draw closer relationship with God

LOSE 20 POUNDS

Now, before I tell you how I'm losing it, I want you to understand how difficult it is to lose weight for myself... because of certain health issues.  I have some physical ailments that causes me every day to have some kind of pain:  muscle, skin, nerve and colon pain in all different areas of my body.  So, it hurts to move.

So, what weight have I lost and how am I losing it?  Well so far I've lost about 7 pounds.  With me, because of the hypothyroidism, it is almost impossible to lose weight unless I go to the extreme because my metabolism is soooo slow.  I usually will tell people that it is soooo slow that I don't have one... : ).  So, this is what I've been doing.

1.  I started a 40 day fasting and prayer with my church:  At first I started just juicing vegetables.  It lasted for about a week and then I got seriously sick and was taken off of the fast by my doctor because of a stomach virus, flu, and bronchitis.  My body needed more to heal.  So, I had to change my fast to similar to a Daniel diet but not as strict.  I've been sticking to that and it is day 23 of the prayer and fasting.  So, my diet is healthier because I'm not eating as much fast foods, fried foods, and snacks.  I'm eating more vegetables, fruits, grain, and nuts.  Also, I love to eat in the middle of the night.  It can be 2-3 in the morning and the night owl starts to snack!  So, I've curbed my eating time to no later than 10:00 p.m.  That may still seem late to a lot of folk, but for me, if I make if too early, then I know that I will fail!

2.  Drink water:  I've been double checking the amount of water to be sure that I'm getting it.  I still don't get enough and am working on that.

3.  I've been walking about 3-5 miles, 2-3 times a week, for the past year.  So, I've been continuing that.

4.  I've been doing martial arts for 2-3 hours 2-3 days per week for the past 1.5 years.  So, I've been continuing that.  I've added doing some martial arts practicing at home for 1 hour about 2 days per week also.

5.  I've been doing Zumba for 1 hour, 2 times per week for the past 2 years.  So, I've been continuing that.

6.  As you see, I'm a night owl... and an early bird.  I can stay up late and my body will wake me up early.  Well, that isn't good if you are trying to lose weight.  It is a known fact that when your body gets the night time rest that it needs, it is able to burn the fat and function more efficiently.  So, I make sure that I'm in bed by 12 midnight... yes that is early for me who was an insomniac... and my body wakes me up between 5:30-7:30 a.m.  That is more rest than I use to get.  Now, I get between 6-7 hours depending on the season.

Even though I've been doing all this working out... I've been at a plateau for the past 6 months in not losing any weight.  I had to add the fasting and prayer to go to the extreme for it to start kicking in again.

As you see, every day I am doing something physical.  Does it hurt... YES!  But if I don't move, it becomes more difficult to move and more difficult to accomplish my goal.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MOVE!  It is said that you should actively move atleast 15 minutes every day.

Join me next time and I'll share with you how I'm doing in keeping in communication with family and friends.

Ciao!

WHAT NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION HAVE YOU MADE?

What is a resolution?  A resolution is a firm decision or vow that we make to ourselves to do or not to do something.

Have you decided to eat better, lose weight, exercise, get in a relationship, get out of an unhealthy relationship, get married, study more, get closer to the Lord?  Whatever it may be, make sure that your resolution isn't a illusion.  Don't just cross your fingers and hope that it will happen!  Life is what you make it, so make it happen!  Be sure that you make it something believable, attainable, and realistic so that you have a chance in achieving your goal.  Here are some hints on achieving a successful resolution.

1.  Pray about your resolution to be sure that it is a vow to yourself that should be made.  It isn't good when we make useless and damaging vows... either damaging to self or to others.

2.  Make a baby steps priority list to help you to know where to begin and to stay on track.

2.  Check it off as you do it.  This will allow you to see where you've come from, how far you've gotten, and reminds you where you're going.

3.  Every morning upon waking up, re-commit yourself to fulfill this resolution.  Speak positive affirmations about what your plans are and how you are going to go about accomplishing it that day.  Speak it into existence.

4.  Believe it, believe in it so that your actions reflect that belief.  If you don't think you are going to succeed... YOU WON'T!  If you believe you will succeed, you will put all your efforts to do it and therefore the likelihood of you succeeding is exponentially greater... YOU WILL!

5.  Revise your priority list as needed and review it daily as a reminder of the promise that you've made to yourself.

So, what resolution are you going to make?  Make it and then don't give up.  I listened to a sermon today that said "Stay On Board".  It was about not giving up on God and on your faith when things get crazy hard.  Things will definitely, at some point this year, get crazy difficult that will cause you to want to give in and give up.  You may think that the entire world has caved in upon you and that everyone has abandoned you.  DON'T GIVE UP!  Don't let the cares of this world knock you off of your resolution.  So often we don't succeed, not because we planned to fail but because we failed to plan.  So, make yourself a plan and keep going.  Stay on board with your decision and believe that you can make it through.  You will be surprised, when you come to the end of the year, at how much you achieved.

I HAVE 3 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS:

1.  LOSE AN ADDITIONAL 20 POUNDS AND KEEP IT OFF.

2.  DRAW CLOSER TO THE LORD.  I ALREADY HAVE MY PRIORITY LIST IN MIND.

3.  KEEP BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. 

I shared these with you because that will cause me to be more alert at being accountable to myself to follow through.  If I remember, I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing on them.

SHARE WITH US WHAT YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION IS BY COMMENTING ON THIS PAGE!  IF YOU NEED A PRAYER PARTNER OR ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER TO HELP YOU, LET ME KNOW.