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My Christmas “to do” list includes cleaning for holiday guests, shopping for last-minute gifts, and baking treats. Actually, I am closer to being done than I have been in years past. In all this rush, I fail to celebrate Jesus, the reason for the this season. Busyness distracts me and keeps me from truly worshiping Him. Romans 12:1 is “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worshipRead More →

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I cram as much holiday cheer into December as I can. We had two parties last weekend and several more this week. My goal to create matching stockings did not happen this year.  I quit looking at Christmas Pinterest boards because I am done stressing over perfection. I spend too much money and time shopping for that perfect gift. On top on holiday stress, my everyday struggles threaten to rob my Christmas joy. God’s strength carries me through any trial I face.  Isaiah 40:29 is, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015).  His power isRead More →

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I feel more prepared for Christmas than I have in years past. My house is decorated both inside and out.  As I read my Advent devotional this morning, I finally get that I need the time before Christmas to prepare my heart for God. Normally, I spend the month of December rushing around, trying to decorate, buy gifts, plus go to parties. I stress and forget why I am celebrating. Isaiah 40:3 is, “Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, ‘Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!  Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!’” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2915).  IRead More →

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Leftover pie and cookies from last week tempts me.  This year, I did not overeat on Thanksgiving Day.  However, I am getting careless and continue eating after I am full.  I don’t want five, or even one, pound of weight gain for Christmas. Instead, I need to lean on God for strength to only eat when I am hungry. Romans 12:2 is, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing, and perfect. (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015)  GodRead More →

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God has blessed me with everything I have.  I am not rich, but have everything I need.  Sometimes I forget to thank God for being my provider.  This causes me to take Him for granted. God commands us to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 is, “Always be joyful.  Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). Being joyful and thankful helps me to trust and depend on God.  He commands me to be joyful and thankful so I think less of myself.  As I list things to be thankfulRead More →

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My selfish desires get me in trouble.  Instead of enjoying what is in front of me, I seek meaningless wants. I focus on my selfish desires instead of God. My time and effort are wasted when I grab things I don’t need.  My mind continues to lust for more as greed fills my heart. Psalm 20:4 is, “May he grant your heart’s desire and make all your plans succeed. (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015)  God helps me to find the true desires of my heart.  He shows me how my dreams fit into His will for me.  Surrendering my selfish will to Him helps me to be satisfied withRead More →

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November is a month to be grateful for blessings in our lives.  This year I am not seeing as many “Today I am thankful for …” posts on social media as I have in the past.  I am guilty of  taking God for granted.  This leads to trouble, because I rely on my own strength instead of His. Psalm 69:30 is, “Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015).  Thanksgiving is a traditional time to give God thanks for every blessing. God desires we praise and thank Him all the time, instead just one day out ofRead More →

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Sometimes I get discouraged and want to give up. I focus on negatives and overlook good things in my life.  Even though I am eating less, I have not lost weight.  I see little progress on my writing goals.  I forgot God has delivered me from food. Isaiah 40:28 is, “ Have you never heard?  Have you never understood?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). God nudges me to press on when I feel like giving up.  Food givesRead More →

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I don’t feel like writing this week.  God has called me to share my journey by writing weekly posts to this blog.  If I wrote when motivation hit, I would post a new entry every other month.  Instead of trusting God, I am wasting time looking for solutions.  My eating is no longer as clean as it was a few months ago. Keeping this blog helps me to be honest and confess overeating. Romans 5:3 is “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”  (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015). God helps me faceRead More →

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My brain shifts to worry when I face stress.  Worry brings misery and never helps me solve problems.  I assume the worst possible ending will happen.  Anxiety steals my sleep, distracts my work, and tempts me to overeat. Matthew 6:25 is, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”  ( Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011). Jesus tells me not to worry.  When I choose to worry, I go against His commands.  I think Jesus tells me not toRead More →