Day 4 -Respect

DAY 4 -RESPECTING YOUR BODY

Therefore, brother, by the mercies of God,
I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
-Romans 12:1 HCSB

FOCUS FOR TODAY
If you're not determined to be the master of your body...
then you might just become a slave to your impulses.

So, it's ironic that this devotional is about respecting my body.  Monica brought home a PURE EVIL chocolate cake with Reeces cups on top... my impulses took over... and I had a piece.  :-/  She was telling me about one of her co-workers that is lactose intolerant and cannot eat anything with milk in it... in a way she is blessed.  I drink the lactose-free milk 'cause I am slightly lactose intolerant... but I just started realizing that when I eat baked good or chocolate I don't feel so good afterwards.  I guess if I paid more attention to how I feel when I eat certain foods (...junk foods...) then I probably would not eat them as often!!

We only get ONE body... and most of us take it for granted.  If we respected our bodies and treated them as "temples" that belong to God... I believe that their would be a lot less sickness and diseases!

Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love;
break up your untilled ground. 
It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and
sends righteousness on your like the rain.
-Hosea 10:12 HCSB

Our body is like armor,
Our soul is like the warrior.
Take care of both
& you will be ready for what comes.
-Amma St. Syncletice

Eat to live, and not live to eat. -Poor Richard's Almanac

A time-tested formula for success:  Have faith in God & do the work.  There is NO shortcuts to any place worth going.  There are simply no shortcuts to a healthy lifestyle.

GETTING HONEST
Make notes thanks God for the body He has given you.

Okay so this is a very hard part for me because I don't love very many things about my body. 
*I like my blue eyes
*My hands and feet (strange I know)

*A small frame...that one day I will actually be able to see.
...Yeah... umm that's about it.  I guess I need to work on loving my body more.  God thinks it's wonderful because this is the way He made me...

-My summer classes officially start on Monday!  I am super excited!  I am taking Weight Management & Nutrition... how much more perfect could this be... these classes go hand in hand with each other & exactly what I need at this time in my life!  Although, I definitely should NOT have waited until the very last minute to get my books.  I ordered one online and praying it comes in EARLY next week!!

-Please pray that I will get financial aid for the fall... and enough to cover all of my classes!!  Last time I was at UT Tyler... I had to pay around $1,000 and books out of pocket... so I am praying that God will watch over this and provide for me, like he always does.

-On the way to work the other day they were talking about the book Crazy Love.  After I get through with this devotion book.  I am definitely buying that book!  I am super excited to read it!  It sounds AMAZING!

-Vacation has officially started! :D  I am totally looking forward to having a week off from work!!

Day Three

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

DAY 3: Don't Go On A Diet, Change Your Lifestyle 

FOCUS FOR TODAY:It takes wisdom to me moderate;
Moderation is wisdom in action.

When I started Weight Watchers in 2009, I didn't change my lifestyle completely.  I did start cooking healthier foods and started working out, but I have fallen back into all my old habits.

Your current weight is the result of the number of calories that you have taken into your body versus the number of calories that you have burned.  A healthier strategy, of course, is to pay more attention to the nutritional properties of our foods and less attention to their taste.

When we focus too intently upon weight reduction, we may make weight loss even harder to achieve. <--That's my problem.  I am making this way too hard!

Instead, we should eliminate from our diets the food that are obviously bad for us and we should eat more foods that are obviously good for us. <--And yet, it seems SO easy to do this... to eat more fruits and veggies & eat less fried food and sweets... WHY!? Why do we make this SO hard?!  Why do I make this so hard?! :-/

It's not that some people have willpower and some don't.  It's that some people are ready to change and others are not. -James Gordon, M.D.

^My brain has a disconnect!  One part of it wants to change and wants to live a lifestyle of a personal trainer... but the disconnect comes when actually putting that in action.

You can look at your calorie count in the same way you might look at a bank account.
Every mouthful of food is a deposit and every activity that requires energy is a withdrawal.
If we deposit more than we withdraw, our surplus grows larger and larger.

-John Maxwell

We are all created differently.  We share a common need to balance the different parts of our lives. -Dr. Walt Larimore

Failure is the path of least persistence. -Anonymous

If you're a woman who sincerely seeks the abundant life that Christ has promised, you must learn to control your appetites before they control you.  The sooner you acquire the habit of moderation, the better your chances for a long, happy, abundant life.

Are you running short on willpower? If so, perhaps you haven't yet asked God to give you strength. If your willpower has failed you on numerous occasions, then it's time to turn your weaknesses over to God.  if you've been having trouble standing on your own two feet, perhaps it's time to drop to your knees in prayer.

WORKING IT OUT
ALL HANDS ON DECK

If you're trying to reshape your physique or your life, don't try to do it alone.  Ask for the support and encouragement of your family members and friends.  You'll improve your odds of success if you enlist your own cheering section. <--This is what I am trying to do with this blog.  I have tried to do it on my own for so long, and have failed.  I don't have a work out partner to push me a little bit further.... so it's really hard to make it to the gym when you are only accountable to yourself.  I'm having to freeze my account for the summer so that I can use the extra $ to put towards paying for my summer classes.  I really don't want to because I really want to get back involved with my "family", but sometimes we have to do what we don't want to do to make it.  Since I will be at UT Tyler starting this summer I will be able to use the HPC again and take classes there.  I am pretty excited about that tho!  Maybe I need a change of environment and to get out of my comfort zone to make this change I am praying that will happen!?!  And maybe I can start doing the workouts I have planned to do!  Angela, I am coming back.  Although you may not believe it because I have said that before and still hasn't happened, but I would never be a traitor! :)

One thing I NEED to start doing is walking the dogs again.... but now it's harder because I have 2 dogs instead of just one.  It's a whole lot harder to walk these two crazy kids by yourself... but I'm guessing that if I actually walk them more often then they wouldn't be so insanely crazy hyper when they actually get to go on a walk!?

 

If we are wise, we must learn to temper our appetites, our desires, and our impulses.  I need wisdom!

There forever, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.  The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house.  Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. -Matthew 7:24-25 HCSB

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. -James 1:5 HCSB

GET HONEST

Make notes about aspects of your life that will be improved when you eat more moderately and exercise more regularly.

*Lose weight
*Gain confidence
*Have more energy
*More balance = less stress

Okay, so I wasn't going to add this, but since I am getting honest, I feel guilty for not including it.  For lunch today... I got Chick-fil-a... and if that isn't bad enough... I got a small shake... :(  I'm so ashamed of myself... Okay that is all... :-/


PRAYERS:-Get involved in church again, consistently.
-Walk the dogs.
-Stop making losing weight so dang hard.
-Trusting in the Lord.  Giving him all my problems.  Actually letting Him help me.
-Be able to pay for summer classes & pay my grandma back the $ I owe her.
-Financial Aid for the fall!!!  I need enough to be able to cover all my tuition or I'm going to have to probably take out a loan... which is the last thing I want to do.  But I am trusting God to provide.

Day Two

Late post today.  Started working for Julie, so I didn't get home til later than usual.  I went to bed earlier last night than I did the night before, but I am more tired today!  Doesn't make sense.

More lyrics... 'cause it's easier to express myself this way and what I'm thinking...

Francesca Battistelli is my FAVORITE!!  

It's Your Life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
your heart beats for
It's an open door
It's your life

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be that lights the way

Talk In The Light -DC Talk

I keep trying to find a lifeOn my own, apart from you

I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring my sickness under control

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?

I despise my own behavior
This only servers to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior....

It's my life... and I despise my own behavior....
After a long day... I gave in... and ate bad for dinner! :-/  I feel guilty for eating out... and it's a bad behavior that I want to change... and it's only day 2 and I haven't done very good at all.

Day 2: Your Partnership With God

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God --all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. -Romans 5:11 NLT

FOCUS FOR TODAY:Your journey toward improved health can be,
And should be, a journey that you make with God.

If you sincerely wish to create a healthier you --God is anxious to be your silent partner in that endeavor, but it's up to you to ask for His help.

God does not intend that we abuse our bodies by giving into excessive appetites or to slothful behavior.  :-/ He has instructed us to protect our physical bodies to the greatest extent we can.

CHALLENGE: To resist those unhealthy choices by every means you can, including prayer.  

Take time each day to have a personal training session with God.  Don't be a woman who's satisfied with occasional visits to church on Sunday morning; build a relationship with Jesus that deepens day by day.

Okay, this is where I need MAJOR PRAYER... to get back involved in church.  I haven't been consistently attending church since before October 2009.  There was an incident that happened that month, (that I will not post on the internet), some of you may know what I am talking about, it is the reason I got Sassy.  That was by far the scariest night of my life.  I became a VERY bitter and angry person.  I have finally forgiven this person, but I am still stuck in the funk that occurred after this incident. (If that makes any sense at all!)  I stopped going to church, because I felt like no one cares about me.  And honestly, I still feel that way.  Alex, always made me feel special when she went to Friendly, but now that she has gotten involved with a different church, and I don't feel special anymore.  Yeah, I KNOW this sounds dumb!  I KNOW I'm not going to church for the people, but for God.  But it still feels good to feel as though you are wanted.  I have STRUGGLED with for over a year and a half.  I have tried to get back involved, but I have fallen into a very lazy routine.  And now that I have gained all this weight... NONE of my church clothes fit anymore and nothing looks good anymore. (Yes, this is just an EXCUSE)  But when I don't feel pretty, I don't want to get dressed up and go anywhere. :(  It really sucks!  I have "planned" to go to church on Sunday's... but then Saturday nights... I'm just like... I want that ONE day to sleep in, to relax, and I end up not going.  I have been convicted of this awful habit, but I'm not able to change it on my own. *Another prayer request I have... pray I get back involved with church and the growth of my relationship with my brothers & sisters in Christ & God himself!*

FOOD FOR THOUGHT START SLOWLY & USE COMMON SENSE

Don't starve yourself. ...this is definitely NOT my problem.  My problem is, I eat WAY too much & don't exercise nearly enough.  I consider myself to be a Binge Eater.  I eat when I'm not hungry, also related to my emotional eating problem & I continue to eat way after I am full.

Now the god of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you. -1 Peter 5:10 HCSB

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, not things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39 HCSB

THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD'S SUPPORT

Measure the size of the obstacles against the size of God. -Beth Moore

God uses our most stumbling, faltering faith-steps as the open door to His doing for us "more than we ask or think." -Catherine Marshall

Once we recognize our need for Jesus, then the building of our faith begins.  It is a daily, moment-by moment life of absolutely dependent upon Him for everything. -Catherine Marshall

God will never lead you where His strength cannot keep you. -Barbara Johnson

When you load your plate until food falls off the edge, do you feel obligated to eat every last bite?  I know I do, especially when eating out.  I'm not a fan of taking food to-go because I rarely eat the left overs, so I usually just finish it because I don't like "food going to waste".... but when I do eat ALL that food... I just feel miserable because I am STUFFED.  My goal next time I go out to eat... first off, choose a healthier option, but to eat slower (I usually eat fast, which in turn causes me to eat more)... which I lose all the "weigh" around. :)

Poor eating habits are easy to make and HARD to break, but break them is a must.  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a journey, not a destination, and that journey requires discipline.

If you desire to improve
your physical well-being and
your emotional outlook,
increasing your faith
can help you.-John Maxwell

GOD'S PROTECTION

In a world filled with dangers and temptations, God is the ultimate armor.
In a world filled with misleading messages, God's Word is the ultimate truth.
In a world filled with more frustrations than we can count, God's Son offers the ultimate peace.

WORKING IT OUT
It's Up to You

The benefits of exercise are both physical and emotional. BUT no one can exercise for you; it's up to YOU to exercise, or not.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
-James 4:8 HCSB

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH
It's the BEST-Selling Book for ALL Time for a Reason

"The Reference Point for the Christian is the Bible.  All values, judgements, and attitudes must be gauged in relationship to this Reference Point." -Billy Graham

Make certain that you're an avid reader of God's best-seller, and make sure that you keep reading it as long as you live.

GETTING HONEST

Make notes about the times in your life when God has protected you and led you our of danger.  (Then prayerfully ask God to help you make the spiritual and physical journey to improved health.)

-The one thing that comes to my mind, is that night in October of 2009.  God was watching out of me and my friends/family.  I didn't sleep at all that night, every single noise woke me up, and living in an old house, everything makes a noise.  I, along with Monica and my grandma could be dead because of one persons very stupid, very selfish mistakes!  It took me a LONG time to forgive him because of what happened.  I was SO angry & hated him that night I said that I would never forgive him for being so stupid. (And thinking back on that night, my eyes fill with tears)  I became VERY co-dependent on others.  I did not want to sleep in my house alone. (My grandma was here, but what if something else happened, she wouldn't be able to defend herself), so I made Monica stay over many many nights.  I can honestly say that I am more afraid of the dark NOW then I ever have been before.  Almost every night, especially the nights I am creeped out by strange sounds, I ask God to place His hedge of protection around my house.  But because that horrible night, Sassy was brought into my life! <3  I never knew it was possible to LOVE a pet SO much!!  I would NOT trade her for the world!!  She makes me smile on the worst of days and I can't be mad at her when she does something wrong... she gives me those awful puppy dog eyes and my heart melts all over again!!  I NEVER EVER EVER want to experience a night like that again, but I am so grateful my baby girl is in my life!!

 ::God sent me an angel disguised in fur to remind me of love::
(A picture frame with that quote &picture is hanging on my wall in my room. 
I CANNOT help but smile when I look at it! 
How can someone NOT fall in love with that face!?) :D

 That is all for day two.  Hopefully tomorrow will go a lot smoother.  It's payday! :D ....yay.... except all my money is going towards gas and paying for my summer classes. *Always please pray that I will be able to finish pay for my summer classes by August, when all the money is due!* Summer classes cost over $2,000 and that does not include books.  So basically ALL my $ will be going towards that, and I'll probably still have to get my Gma to help me out.  My tab just continues to add up... I'm only in debt to my Gma and it's stressing me out!! :-/ 

Thanks for tuning in.  I know my blogs are spectacular and have a lot to offer, but I hope at least someone is reading it, sending up prayers & maybe it will help one person out.

Day One

June 1, 2011

Surprisingly enough, today has been really good so far!  Just on my way to work listening to 89.5 I was completely blessed by the music being played!

You are God alone

You are not a god
created by human hands
You are not a god
dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god

in need of anything we can give
By your plan, that's just the way it is

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
-You Are God Alone by Phillips, Craig & Dean

When I start to think about God and how He was just HERE and created every thing out of NOTHING... It hurts my head.  I can't comprehend it... but I guess that is how it is supposed to be!

Strong Enough -Matthew West

You must think I'm strong

To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me

Forgive me if I'm wrong

But this looks like more than I can do

On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be

everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

For both of us

Well, maybe

Maybe that's the point

To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally

Finally at rock bottom

Well, that's when I start looking up

And reaching out

Cause I'm broken

Down to nothing

But I'm still holding on to the one thing

You are God

And you are strong

When I am weak

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength

And I don't have to be Strong enough

Stronger -Mandisa

Don't sink your head
It's gonna end

God's right there

Even if it's hard to see Him

I promise You that He's still there

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever
Things can only get better
Believe me this is gonna make you
Gonna make you stronger

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let me hold your hand
Go on and fall into the of arms Jesus

'Cause if He's strong in His Word
He'll be faithful to complete it
He's strong when you believe
He knows how much it hurts and
For sure He's gonna help you get through this

Listen to the Sound -Building 429

Are you in over your head?
Are you on water so deep you're drowning?
Do you think you've been left, and there is no one to feel your hurting?

Well everybody has been there and everybody's felt lost
If you're in over your head
Lift it up

 

Listen to the sound of hope that's rising up over your old horizon
And listen to the sound of a new beginning of this is where the old is ending

I hear you say you're alone
I hear you sayin' that you'll never make it
I've got to tell you, you're wrong 'cause I have been down this path you're taking

You'll never know what Faith is 'til you don't understand
Sometimes it takes the silence to finally hear His plans

 Okay, so that I was just on the drive to work!  

I can't remember the last time I had a good cry... and to anyone who knows me I usually cry at way too much.  I had always hoped that I couldn't cry anymore... but it happened... and I don't like it.  Call me strange, I KNOW!  I've been praying that God would break me.  I have hardened my heart towards everyone.  It's just easier to NOT feel anything then to acknowledge all the bad stuff going on around me.  I have been hurt WAY to much in my life... which I am sure will come out during this blog at one time or another.

"Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me.
When will my reflection show who I am inside?"

Maybe  that is why things suck a lot... because I've chosen to ignore my problems instead of dealing with them.  It's becoming apparent that I can no long ignore them because they are taking over my life.

A comment from Melanie...

Samantha, it's wonderful! ♥ If I can help, let me know! I totally understand, relate and feel your story! You got a GREAT support group! MY one piece of advice that I can share is this: Get lost in someone else's story (while being ACTIVE). Each time I look into someone else's strength and desire for great achievements, I find myself accomplishing more than I dreamed of! YOU are doing it, keep up the FAITH. ♥

I was trying to think of someone that has an incredible story of determination, courage, and faith... the first two people I thought of were Sherri & Kristi.  They were both in very bad car accidents & are both very special to me.

Kristi has been a dear friend of mine for the longest time.  At the end of the first semester of our senior year, she was in a very awful car accident that left her in the hospital for months in a coma.  People all over the world were praying for her.  We never gave up praying for her or having faith that God was going to heal her body.  And God did just what we were asking Him to do.  He healed this precious girl.  She was, and still is an amazing miracle.  She has an incredible testimony!  God is using her in so many ways.  She is such a leader at church.  She has a passion for the Lord and people.  She is college and taking classes... which at the time of the accident, no one would have guess she would have come as far as she has.  What the devil meant for bad, God has turned into good.  

The next time I think things are awful and don't seem to be getting better... Kristi is a wonderful example of determination... she NEVER GAVE UP!  She pushed through having to do physical therapy and learning how to walk again. 

Thank you Melanie for making me realize that I am blesses and can do anything if I just believe in myself and rely on God's strength.

We tend to ask for the answers and it's starring you in the face.
We tend to over look the signs to choose what we want to see!
–Angela Davis

 

And that is only the beginning of what today's post is about. :)  Here is awesome quotes, Bible verses, and things I have learned today from my devotional.

Day 1: 21 Days to a New and Improved YOU

 

FOCUS FOR TODAY:
When you form a deeper relationship with God, you can start establishing healthier habits, starting now.

During the next 21 days, you will be asked to depend less upon your own willpower and more upon God’s power.  When you form a working relationship with the creator, there is NO limit to the things that the two of you, working together, can do!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Very big portions make very little sense

Most restaurants serve big portions, most are high in calories, sugar, and fat.  You will probably eat healthier meals if you prepare those meals at home instead of eating out.

Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. -3 John 1:2 HCSB

Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from god? You are no your own, for you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20 HCSB

THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR HABITS

You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. –John Maxwell

He, who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones. –Thomas a Kempis

If you want to form a new habit, get to work.
If you want to break a bad habit, get on your knees.
-Marie T. Freeman

FORMING HEALTHY HABITS

 First, you make your habits, and then your habits make you.  If you sincerely desire to improve your spiritual health, you must honestly examine the habits that make up the fabric of your day.  And you must abandon those habits that are displeasing to God.  If you trust God, and if you keep asking for His help, He can transform your life.  If you sincerely ask Him to help you, the same God who created the universe will help your defeat the harmful habits that have heretofore defeated you.  So, if at first you don’t succeed, keep praying!  God is listening, and He is ready to help you become a better person if you ask Him… so ask today!

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Every step of the way, through every triumph and tragedy, God will stand by your side and strengthen you… IF you have faith in Him.  When you place your faith, your trust, indeed your life in the hands of Christ Jesus, you’ll be amazed at the marvelous things He can do with you and through you.  So strengthen your faith through praise, through worship, through Bible study, and through prayer.  And trust God’s plans!  With Him, ALL things are possible!  He stands ready to open a world of possibilities to you... IF you have faith.

If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all. –Isaiah 7:9 HCSB

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. –I Corinthians 16:13 HCSB

For we walk by faith, not by sight. -2 Corinthians 5:7 HCSB

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. –Hebrews 11:1 HCSB

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH:
Integrating God’s Word into your life

God intends for us to integrate His commandments into every aspect of our life, and that includes our physical and emotional health, too.

“You can build up a set of good habits so that you habitually take the Christian way without thought.” –E. Stanley Jones

NOTES TO YOURSELF (AKA GETTING HONEST)

Make notes about the health habits that you’d like to establish –and the unhealthy habits you’d like to change –during the next 21 days.

Healthy Habits:
-Eating more fruits and veggies!
-Cooking healthier meals.
-Reading my Bible more!
-Working out!
-Walking the dogs!

Habits to break:
-Watching too much tv/being lazy!
-Not taking care of myself!

-Binge eating!

 

Okay well that was more than enough for the first day!  At least for the next 21 days I will be posting something everyday, so check it out!  Thank you for the encouragement so far!  PLEASE keep it coming!!