REALITY CHECK

While I was sitting in the meeting observing the power of motivation going on in the room for everyone wanted to loose weight. Some of the defeated ones shared, "I had peer pressure and ate things I shouldn't have, I can't do this! This is so hard! I am sick of eating this way! I gained this week! I'm not going to be able to reach the goal! 

The theme for the meeting was "Realty Check", lickety-split I realized this could apply to anything in life and God would agree.

You know me and the mind space. You know the place between your two ears. Maria Kondo has the house organization and I have the mind organization. LOL!

I have always taught 2 Corinthians 10:5,  in the Message version it states we use our powerful God tools to smash down warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into a life shaped by Christ.

So many warped philosophies for pretty much all our worldly concerns, like loosing weight, self-doubt, self-improvement, addictions...to name a few. We get quick loose thoughts, emotional and impulsive about so many of our struggles. Even in the instance of diet we have to listen to God.

My training is awareness, acceptance, action, available.

Weight watchers asks:

1.  What is an unhelpful thought you are having right now?

2.  Do a reality check like ask:  What would you tell a friend about the unhelpful thoughts? Where did the thought come from? Are you willing to learn to take this opportunity to cope?

3.  What will be your new helpful thought?

For the third one I replace my thoughts with reassuring words from Jesus. I discover that in everything He wants to be involved and help. He wants us to trust Him and not give up. 

In every day life we will have strong mind space days and weak ones. It's ok! Tomorrow is a new day. Don't give up!

I just loved this and was very excited to get some time to write.

This was a fast track to freedom. Stop, destroying yourself with thoughts. Jesus knows there is a battle and He is willing to help you, bring everything to Him in prayer!

GARDEN FULL OF FLOWERS

When I enter a garden in season I expect or want; not sure if I expect or want; both I guess, but anyway,
I want:
A sweet aroma to feel as if I entered a new realm. Yes!
I want:
Vibrant colors; something to look upon that catches my eye. invigorates my heart.
I want:
Intricate flowers that are complex; made up of many patterns. An orchid is an example of intricacy.
Intricacy can be related to size and shape also.
 I want:
To see new life. The dead to be pruned out. The green leaves to be vibrant and alive.

What do you like, want, expect?
When I pay money to go into a garden I think they are successful when the weave all of the above into it. I would give a good review on Yelp! lol!

I read today that a visit with God should be like being in a "GARDEN FULL OF FLOWERS"!
The images that popped up in my head; what a great analogy.
A visit with God should not be like entering a field full of stubble.

Stubble; the ugly part of grain left behind when the garden is finished and dead.

I expect or expectantly, want to enter the realm with God, it is a beautiful place to coexist with Him.

In my mind I will have a preconceived idea that no matter what; with God it will be beautiful and a refuge where I regain my strength.

How about you? Do you know this place, have you been there, are you reassured that something magnificent will occur?

Or maybe you are wondering? Does a place like this really exist?

go to youtube.com
Oh Come to the Alter by ELEVATION WORSHIP

Allow the lyrics to take you to your place with God. Where is it? Garden, church, alter, an art gallery, epic coffee shop...where? I just know as I invite you to enter it. It will be a sanctuary; a sacred place!

Lord, help me to find a sacred place where I can renewed!...Amen In Jesus precious name.

"The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places (Habakkuk 3:19 NASB)."

I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain! (Hab. 3:19 MSG)

FEAR LESS; FEARLESS; WE ARE FEARLESS

Any way we put it from this title; is a huge yes, because of JESUS

We may feel surrounded by battles, but really we are surrounded by Jesus.

The true Savior of the world.

Let us praise and worship Him today.
That is how we fight the battles!

PRAISE be to the GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Eph. 1:3

HGTV PRAYER-HOUSING PROBLEM

Though the the cash flow is limited,
and many must downsize,
though there is no open floor concept,
the closets are not organized, the yard is not professionally landscaped,
the laundry room is on the lower level, the water is well...


If a modern day Habakkuk (nothing is known of the prophet himself from the bible), name means, embracer, because of His love for God, was writing for HGTV publishers he could write the above.

Habakkuk, 607 years before Christ, wrote, a defense of God's goodness and power in the existence of evil.

Habakkuk 3:17 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

What would your contemporary heart cry before God today?

I thought about this from so many angles. I have heard of godly mom who cried out about the horror of her slain son in a high school shooting...yet in the of hurt cry she recites something similar to Habakkuk...I will rejoice in the Lord.

Habakkuk's courage to praise because of Faith in God. I asked God today.
Vaccinate me with this courage regarding my own stuff going on, help me to put it into perspective.
Maybe today you could be honest with God about the evil you are seeing all around you and how it affects you...then try and end with I will rejoice in you Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Amen.

I am not saying HGTV is like God, but they do help people resolve their housing problems, just as God directs us to have faith, make my heart, Christ's home.