I AM

 I had a little extra time this morning so after I read my Jesus Calling I went on to the Bible verse  at the bottom of the reading.  It was Exodus - God talking to Moses and Moses asks basically, hey what is your name?

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

I always wondered - did Moses hear it wrong - was it Ian - maybe God did have a name - maybe it is Iam

I am not sure what God has sent me into this world for and that is part of my Lenten Journey this year. 

My journey is not about giving anything up, it is finding what God wants me to find. Did you find it yet?

Ash Wednesday 2026

Turn from evil, and do good, and dwell in the land for ever. For the Lord loves justice; he does not forsake his faithful ones. (Psalms 37:28–29) 

Turn from evil -- it could be a person, a group, or a bad habit. And do good.   There are so many people that need help from monetary to a simple smile.   For the Lord loves  justice, oh man I am not sure he is pleased with us right now - BUT remember he does not forsake, or forget his faithful ones.

I have been going through some issues lately.  One is a person I truly need to turn away from.   Plus some health issues that recently cropped up.  I think it is time for me to just stop, drop and pray.  

I need guidance and as I travel through Lent, I will take you along.

The great hope of Ash Wednesday is that God’s compassion does not fail.

Today is when we sit among the ashes of our life gone. Think of things we did wrong and how we are going to change our life around and do them right.

Today we stand and brushes off the ashes, brush or comb our hair, wash our face and move forward in the right path..  Searching scriptures that will help us on that personal journey.

For me:

Guidance for Dealing with Manipulative People

The Bible encourages believers to:

• Be discerning: Recognize flattery, deceit, and hidden motives (Proverbs 26:24-26, Proverbs 12:5).
• Maintain integrity: Live honestly and transparently, avoiding manipulation yourself (Proverbs 12:22, James 1:22).
• Set boundaries: Keep distance from those who cause divisions or lead others astray (Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 15:33).
• Rely on God’s protection: Trust in God to deliver from deceit and evil (Psalm 91:1-2, Psalm 34:7).
  By understanding these verses, believers can navigate relationships with manipulative individuals wisely, protecting their hearts while responding with love and truth.

Amen

Searching the Scriptures

1 Peter 4:

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Trials, challenges and tribulations will come your way - they are inevitable.  But it is how we face the challenge is where we as Christians to rejoice.  Well, that is not so easy - I know where we first go. Its oh, heck no I am not doing it.  Or maybe WHY God why.  

I just got a list of procedures, and when I looked at it - I thought - Oh, hell no.  But really in the scheme of things, it is minor.  I don't want to do them.  But I will do them.  My first thought though, honestly was maybe I should retire.  I am tired of this crap but then there are other obstacles like money.  So, I shall pull up my big girl panties and face the day, this is nothing compared to the sufferings of Christ, but he did it for us.  

And sometimes, we need to give God glory for the minor challenges of life.  He still walks with us, even in the little matters.  And then he is there for the bigger ones. 

With everything that is happening in the world right now you might find it harder to be a Christian.  There may be a future time where you are cursed for being one but know that in the Power of Christ you are blessed and the Holy Spirit is with you.  Do not give in to the demons of the world.  Remember who you are in God and that God is with you 24/7.

Finding the Holy Spirit

 I was lucky.  I found God and Jesus when I was very young.  I need someone in my young life who loved me unconditionally and they found me.  I enjoyed Sunday School - there wasn't a Sunday I didn't go unless I was sick.  

Now though all I see on social media are meditation sights, alternatives to the Holy Spirit basically.

Even though I found Jesus early - I am talking under 10 years of age, there were times where I felt that heart rush of finding him again.  Once in July of 1977 - you see my born-again friends convinced me that on 7/7/77 the world as we knew it was ending.  I was prepared I took Jesus as my savior and well, the world didn't end,

There have been motivational speakers who have made the heart flutter to and each time I know it's the Holy Spirit reminding me that it is there.   

Why does it seem like a society we are moving away from God - the whole half time show debate was so unnecessary - we have had plenty of things happen in the half time shows that were controversial.  Has politics split this country so bad that we can't love anymore.   

I liked the half time show - so what if I don't speak Spanish - there was great dance music - I never understand half the singers anymore - sure sign I am getting old.  

My favorite part - Lady GAGA.  I love her.

So much fun.  Why can't we just have fun anymore. Everything seems to cause a problem.  

Well, I am going to try to follow the Holy Spirit this month.  Reflect on Lenten Readings.  Maybe share a few here.  That is how this blog started.  

Back in 1969 John Lennon did a song entitled "Give Peace a Chance"  The song champions for the cessation of war and the promotion of peace among all people in the world.

He was calling for love and tolerance in a bid to achieve world peace.  He was calling on all peoples to put an end to the trifle differenced that have caused so much pain and suffering and embrace a united front that aims at promoting love, unity and peace.

That was 1969 - I guess we haven't changed at all.

Earth, Wind and Fire

As I drove to work this morning the news was filled with "natural" disasters.  A quake in Mexico and Hurricane Maria.  We have been having terrible fires out west - that's what made me think of Earth, Wind and Fire.  As a Christian, should I be scared?  I never thought so, I never believed that the world would "end" in my time because my Grandmother always told me it was.  All the time, this was it - that was another sign and guess what - I am still here.

Indeed, we are told in the Bible that the time is near, but that was written over 2000 years ago.  But that is why we are always suppose to be "good" Christians and practice was Jesus taught us, so that we are prepared.  

When I read - from Matthew - " For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes." you gotta wonder.

Instead I feel that we have been poor Stewards.  God left us the earth and basically, we have trashed it.  We done things that have caused it.  I believe in global warming.  I have seen us get better, we have put guidelines out there that helped with air pollution, but there is still so much damage out there.  

I won't go into all, you know what they are.

So what is the answer, I don't have it. 

All I can do is pray.


Dear God:
We have been poor caretakers of this earth, help us to realize this and be better humans.  
I pray for healing Lord, all those who are suffering losses in all these natural disasters.  
I pray for love Lord, that we may truly love our neighbor and not fight them.
I pray for leaders of all the countries may they be discerning.
I thank you for all we have and I pray blessings on those in need
I pray this all in Jesus name. Amen

Debbie Downer or Lucy Liftup

It's no secret that I have been feeling down lately.  I would even venture to say that I am feeling depressed.  Not clinically, not a forever depression, but blue.  Like I like to tell my BFF, Cathy, that I have  "the old man sitting on the corner singing the blues kinda blue".

Most of it comes from my job  I am currently part time and that just doesn't help to pay the bills, which just makes me sad.  Then I search for a new job and I don't feel qualified for anything or maybe I should say I am scared to try.  Then when I do go to work I have 8 hours of work to do in 4.  I feel rushed, I have a lot of pressure to do it right but mistakes happen and that upsets me.

So when anything gets to be too much for me I turn to the Bible and God for help.  I looked up scriptures on depression, but next to it was discouragement and despair and I thought, yeah that's it.  I found Psalm 3:3
But You O Lord are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head.

The "lifter of my head".  I love that, I feel like I have been walking in despair with my head down, and although there are downers in life, there are also lifters.  So, who am I - a Debbie Downer or a Lucy Lifter.

I would say that most days I am trying to be a Lucy, but today I was a Debbie.  I let a crowd get to me, I let people talking to me and asking me questions unravel me.  I became a downer until someone pointed it out (Tammy) and showed me the positives in my negatives. 

Don't tell Parke

Let me give you a situation that has arisen here at home.  Two love birds are building a nest in a window I have above my back door.  I see new life and I am excited that they chose my door.(Lucy Liftup)  Parke on the other hand sees, in his words, "Two pigeons that are going to shit all over the back porch." (Debbie Downer) Parke has been constantly chasing them and destroyed there nests, but as I type this blog they are flying back and are building the nest again.  Every so often as I look up I see a feather here and there and I smile. 

Lastly let me share this from my Everyday Life Bible -

"When people disappoint us, God wants us, instead of becoming discouraged and depressed, to decide to lift up our heads and eyes and look at the possibilities, not the problems around us, trusting Him to lead us into an even better situation--because He has one for us."

No matter what, I have two choices 1) to quit 2) to keep on going.  If I keep on going I again have 2 choices - either to live in constant depression or to live in hope and joy.  Hope being the key word for me there.

Do I feel better now that I wrote it all down. No, it is a work in progress.  Baby steps.   But now I don't feel so alone.  Not quite as scared.  I have hope and I have God, the lifter of my head.

I Surrender All - Listening to God

John 6: 66

Yes, John 666 - says

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

What? They turned their backs on Jesus and no longer followed him? Did this really happen and when. Well, let's look at John 6. First Jesus feed the 5000 with two fish and 5 loaves of bread. Then Jesus walks on water. Miracle after miracle Jesus does and then turn away. It was the next teaching that offended them.

John 6: 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life.49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

The Jews began to argue - how can this man give us flesh to eat. They took it literal. They couldn't understand that the way to the Father was through the Son.

The disciples even tell Jesus this in verse 60 - "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” But Jesus tries to explain to them - The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

But it is at the point some followers fell away - the twelve stuck with Him - even the one who will go on to betray Him.

Surrender the Flesh - Live in the Spirit

Easier said then done. Sometimes when I study, or listen to some uplifting music, or especially go on a retreat - I experience a Spiritual high. All is right and I am going to march forward with the Holy Spirit marching before me and I can do no wrong, right until life happens. Yup - the road is paved with good intentions.

For too many years I lived in the flesh and not the spirit - I did what made me happy, but in truth I was not happy. I couldn't find happiness as I went dating from man to man. I wasn't happy at work and I wasn't even truly happy at church.

One time I went to a Baptist Church's special Woman's Conference - I went up front for a special hands on healing time. When I got to the preacher - she blew into my face and said you - you have a gift from God. What gift I thought - my thought was don't tell me I have a gift-tell me what the gift it. Around the same time I went to a psychic, not that I really believe in them, but I use to love seeing this one lady who was a particular funny character. She looked at me and said, oh....you have the gift. So now I got THE gift, but I still don't know what the gift is.

I am still not sure what this gift is that they both talked about, but I try to use everything God has given me. I teach Sunday School, I sing in the choir and I write - I write this  blog and sometimes I just write for myself. Is that my gift, I guess God will let me know.

What's my Mission

Some people have a mission and they try to pull you into their mission. I found that to be true with a recent sex trafficking committee at my Church. I think is was just a thought that if there is a committee - Bev will be on it. But I didn't feel the call to be on this committee - others did and I am glad.

I just listened to the Pope talk to Congress, and I love this Pope and his call to help the poor is wonderful.

I think God instills in everyone a different mission or ministry. If we all had the same gifts I think that would be boring - I think God gives us different gifts so that we can all work for the good of God and the community.

Maybe mine is teaching, but you never know who you can teach on a day to day basis. Not all learning happens in the classroom.

Surrendering

Surrendering it all to God, might be the hardest yet easiest thing to do. The trouble with me is that I didn't get this until my 50's - I say so many times to God, why couldn't I have know this earlier. And He simply says, "You were not ready".

How do you surrender - Let go and let God.

Rick Warren says it best - "You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don't have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more."

So let's pray

Dear God:

I am nothing with out you, I surrender all to you, instruct me, show me the way, and better still help me to listen to you. Every day in Every way. Thank you Lord, for being with me. Thank for the blessings you give me everyday and may my eyes and heart be open to seeing them. Amen

Intimate time with God leads to a Peaceful Mind.

Peace is the Love of God and the receiving of the Grace of God.

Finding this peace can sometime be quite a feat.

James 1:21 tells us - "So get rid of all uncleanliness, and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness and in a humble spirit receive and welcome THE WORD which implanted and rooted in your hearts contains the power to Save Your Souls.

Back to the word.  The only way to learn it  is to get those Bibles out and study the word.  It doesn't even have to be a specific part of the Bible.  Maybe you want to study a particular topic - use the guides that in the back of the Bible to help you do that.  Either way read the Word daily.  I like to use a daily scripture book by Joyce Meyer to start my day,

The Word can save.  I wish I would of known this so may years ago, I believe my life would of been so different.

Take this scripture - James 1:19 - Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to take offense and to get angry.

I should say this scripture over to myself every day - I am so quick to anger sometimes.  Lately I have been getting better.

Plant the word deep in your heart and water it daily and let it grow!


Prayer:

Dear God:  I  have made a decision that whatever it takes I am going to have peace in my life.  Help me find it and hold on to it.

 Amen

What I Learned on my Vacation - Part 2

Peace is a quiet heart.

Peace comes with your relationship with God.  Relationships with people can be anything but peaceful.

I hate to hear the phrase "Go in Peace" and you might think that odd, but let me tell you a story. I once knew a women who could push all my buttons.  She once was a friend, who held a position of some authority.  But she abused our friendship.  She would work me up to a frenzy, until I was so angry I could not handle it anymore.    Before I would get to the point of hitting her,  I would walk away and she would say - "go in peace" she knew that became an additional button to push on me.  Our relationship became anything but peaceful.  She was mentally abusive and cruel.  We need to get away from people like this.  I finally did.

Around God we have perfect peace.  The more we study and learn the more peaceful we can become.

Now let me tell you a funny story.

After my 3 days in Hershey at the Joyce Meyer Conference I came home with this great peace.  I came to work, which can me sometime be a tense and stressful place to work.  We have a co-worker who makes everyone angry with her lax work ethic.  She comes and goes when she pleases and the rest of us must work 8 to 5 and if you a few minutes late you hear about it.   So on my way to work I prayed to continue the peace I was feeling.  A funny thing happened.  First when the first incident happened I turned and calmly said; "You know I was thinking about this and if this causes so much unrest maybe we should go to the boss and tell him and if he doesn't do anything about it, so be it, but we would at least get it off our chest."   Later, when another incident happened and people were getting a little loud I said, "I won't let this bother me, if she wants to act that way, ok, but I am not going to act that way."

Around 3PM the girls in the office said "OKAY, THAT'S IT - NEXT YEAR YOU STAY HOME AND WE ARE GOING TO HERSHEY TO SEE JOYCE, YOU ARE JUST WAY TO CALM"

So, I have been sharing my thoughts with them and I think it has helped, just a little.  Little baby steps though are the best sometimes, to take.

Luke 5:16 - But He (Jesus) Himself withdrew (in retirement) to the wilderness and prayed.

You see, even Jesus made sure He had alone time.  He ministered to the people, but he also would step away to be alone and pray.  If Jesus could do this, then so can we.  And when I say ALONE, that is without your phone, facebook, TV or your tablet.  Intimate time with God leads to a peaceful mind.

Prayer:

Dear God - I find Peace in Loving you Oh God, I am ready to receive your Grace. Amen

What I Learned on my Summer Vacation

I was excited for my annual trip with the girls.  The car was packed, the women in place and off we went for 3 days to Hershey, Pennsylvania, the home of chocolate.  But it wasn't chocolate that we were anticipating - we were excited to see Joyce Meyer at the Giant Center.

Each year we make this annual trek to Hershey to hear Joyce.  Each I learn something new and I hope it makes me a better Christian and person.

This year she announce a new book coming in the Spring called Overload - about stress - we all cheered - I mean, who doesn't have stress.  Then I found out something great - and, that is we all have peace - really.  How do I know - Jesus said so.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you my (own) peace I now give you and bequeath to you.  Not as the world give do I give you.  Do not let you hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.

So STOP allowing yourself to be agitated or disturbed by outside forces,  Jesus left us peace - we need to use it.

Just knowing this has helped me immensely.  When I feel like my peace is being stolen by a person or by situation I just think "Peace I leave with you"  It's here - it's real  - SO

DO NOT BE

troubled
afraid
agitated
disturbed
fearful
intimidated
cowardly or unsettled because Jesus GAVE US PEACE.

Pursue God's peace and refuse to live with out it.

PRAYER

Dear God - You gave me peace through your Son Jesus, help me to find it - in my mind, in my soul and in my heart.
Amen

Jesus said........"GET UP!"

John 5: 1-8

5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

When I teach this scripture to children I teach it as a miracle that Jesus performed. But if I were to teach this to adults there is soooo much more to learn. First - the backdrop of the story. There is pool surrounded by columns outside of a gate. Lots of people who were crippled, blind or with other problems waited around the pool until the "waters stirred". It was thought that an Angel of the Lord would dip their foot into the water causing the stirring and that the first one in was healed.

Now, if that was true today and I could dip my legs into a pool and heal them instead of contemplating knee replacement you would bet that I would have my butt as close as possible to the pool and I would try my best to get in that pool first. But here lies this man for 38 years. Really 38 years?? I have a bff who says to me, when I want to give the man with a sign asking for money to eat, a dollar, "Where did he get the paper and the sharpie to write that sign?" Well, I have to ask, how did the man get to that spot outside of the gate. Did someone bring him each day? Did he live there for 38 years - who fed him - did he beg for everything - 38 years. You mean to tell me in 38 years he couldn't crawl closer. I would have - I would of been hanging over the edge just waiting.

So now here is the interesting part. Jesus says to the man, knowing his plight - "Do you want to get well?” and the man replies "Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.

How many times do we make excuses for our conditions. Oh, I would loose weight, but it's so hard. I would be in better health if someone would exercise with me. I would be on time if you would give me a call to wake me up. I would join a Bible Study Group, but I am so busy. On and on we go, too busy, don't want to do it alone, to hard, to difficult, not smart enough, not pretty enough and anything else you can think of.

BUT - what does Jesus answer - “Get up! (notice the exclamation mark) Pick up your mat and walk.” No excuses, in fact it was the Sabbath and technically picking up his mat was work but if Jesus said to me GET UP you better believe that I would get up. No excuses says God.

We build up excuses for ourselves, for our plights in life, whether their major or minor. We hide behind them.  It is easier to believe an excuse than the truth. The truth being that we are either full of self-pity, self-loathing or just lying to ourselves and others completely.

An Epiphany

How many of us are that man on the mat. How many of us would rather live a less healthy, happy or fruitful life because it is easier to do nothing than it is to do something. I had an Epiphany of sorts with my own weight loss problems. My Pastor on Easter said that which enslaves us keeps us from God. And it is true for me. God didn't intend for me to be overweight. He intends for me to be healthy and to treat my body as a gift from Him. Yet I snack, over eat and don't get enough exercise and YES I make my excuses. My knees hurt, I am addicted to chocolate and I am to tired, I work all day. I realized on Easter that I was enslaved to my weight. Chocolate was my master. Since Easter I have lost 5 pounds, but it hasn't been easy. I was doing good for about 10 days and then I started slipping - I am hoping writing this gets me back on track.

What do I do now?

How do I stop making excuses.  Pray.  Starting everyday with a prayer is helpful - as I talk to God I regroup myself. I ask for help. I don't buy snacks and don't bring in candy to work. I GOT UP off my duff and even walk the dog, bad knees and all.

I picked up my mat and I am walking with it and if it gets too heavy, I will turn to God for help.  

Which is first THOUGHT, WORD or DEED

Last week our Pastor gave a sermon on doing good deeds - the point being that a Christian should be doing them as a result of being a Christian and not doing the good deeds to become a Christian.


This morning I meditated on What is a Christian -  thought, word or deed.  Years ago I use to say that I was doing "all this" (activities at church, helping or doing service) to get a plaque until I read a very good article in The Upper Room that said it wasn't about the plaque, the awards or the picture with your name under it.

So, I thought, what is it - Are you a Christian in thought, word or deed?

First there is the word - Christian - meaning: of, relating to, or professing Christianity or its teachings.  So if you believe is Jesus, and that through Him as your savior you have eternal life with Him in heaven, you are a Christian.

But now the thought.  What does being a Christian  mean in your everyday life.  Do just attend church when it is convenient or on a holiday? or do you go every Sunday?  Do you study the Bible at home? Attend a Bible study?  Do you pray?  These are the thoughts that come with being a Christian.  It doesn't stop at the door on the way out of church on Sunday.  It continues into your everyday life.  I personally love Lenten or Advent books that I can read daily during those special times.  I keep them on my kitchen table to read with my morning coffee and barrage of morning medications.  I got so use to them that I usually have a book on my table all year long that I can read or study from when I get that moment of quiet.  Something precious in our very busy daily lives.

Now for the deeds, they should come naturally. If you see someone who needs help it should be automatic for you to stop and help them.  A smile should be on your face to strangers because an unhappy Christian is an oxymoron.  The deeds do not have to be big at all, just being nice to people, pray for them and being a positive happy person should radiate out from you and infect others.

You should be able to joyfully give of your fruits to others who do not have.  We should be happy to donate to the food banks or shelters and not judge those in need.  

I don't need that plaque anymore, I still hope that the room Jesus went ahead to prepare for me is beachfront; but I find more joy in helping than a piece of wood could give me any day.  

Prayer  -Lord God, may we be grateful for out lot, and compassionate towards all those who are suffering every kind of distress at this difficult time.  May we hold back nothing and hasten to be the ministers of prayer and mercy, like the disciple of HIM who went about doing good in times of need - Amen. 

The Daniel Plan - Detox - This was not the week to do it

What a time to start the detox plan of the program.  Let's see what I have gone through so far.  My mother's birthday and her choice to eat at - the Chinese Buffet.  Donut Day and having been given homemade fasnachts.  My group at church called Friendship Circle, where there was an over abundance of great food and a birthday cake that I bought for my mom.

Now if you know me, you know that my favorite food is store bought birthday cake.  I don't know why - probably the icing is my favorite thing.   But one thing I have to remember it's not about the food, it's about the fellowship.  We had great laughs last night, I had great Italian Veggie Soup made by Nancy - I had 2 bowls of it. So tasty.  I did have some noodles and a piece of sausage, but I ate turkey kielbasa with sauerkraut and let's just say that kind of cleaned out the system.  But I did have a piece of cake and a fasnacht later and I did have 3 pieces of candy at the meeting.  Oh well. Today is another day.

Luckily I read the wrong day in my devotional this morning entitled "Trust God One Day at a Time".  The Lord's Prayer says "give us our daily bread".  We are to trust God for today and not worry about tomorrow and at the same time I need to let go of yesterday.

AND YES, I am drinking a cup of coffee today.  Sorry - after a late night at church I needed a java jolt this morning to get started.  It is like the nectar of heaven to me this morning.  God made coffee beans for some reason right?  I did discover though that I do like a few teas out there.  My favorite so far is Egyptian Licorice Root by Yogi - it is sweet and curbs the cravings for sweets.  Maybe I should have taken that to Friendship Circle.  Oh well, today is another day - I brought all good food today for breakfast and lunch and tonight there is a Daniel Plan recipe made for supper.

So, I might not
loose a ton of weight this week, but with friends, fellowship and faith I am rich.  God gave me lots of blessing to count.  Take time to count yours.....may you run out of numbers.
God bless.

Daniel Plan Day 1 of Detox - Just Kill me Now

No, not really - I just thought I grab your attention.  However, I really don't feel like myself and it might not be the Daniel Plan and instead,  new medication which I started today.

I went to Hackman's last night for the Daniel Plan Program and really enjoyed working with a small group of ladies from the area, we got to know each other and prayed for each other.  When we were in the large group we watched a video from Rick Warren and others.  Today we were to start the detox.  That's no grains and dairy, since they are the ones that cause the most inflammation and in addition to that no alcohol and no caffeine.  So as I sit here and sip my second cup of green tea dozing off, I can tell you I miss my coffee.

Today wasn't my day though, I started with a smoothie.  Memo to self - do not freeze the banana - I had the world thickest, almond milk, hemp seed, chia seed, protein powder, raspberry, banana smoothie know to man.  I had to microwave it to drink it.

Secondly, we went out for breakfast around noon.  I had a garden omelet-- forgot to tell the waitress no green peppers so I ended up picking them out of my omelet.  You cannot imagine how many green peppers are in an omelet until you pick them all out.

And lastly, today is my mom's 80th Birthday and as a tradition we go out to the Chinese Buffet.  I tried to stick with veggies and protein, but most of it was either drenched in sauce or butter.  I did eat a few things I shouldn't have but I skipped the annual donut ball for dessert.

So, it's around 7pm and I am as tired as dirt and could probably sleep for the rest of the night.  My eye is twitching, my knee hurts, which means so much for the new medication.  Tomorrow will be another day.  Oh yeah, we have breakfast at church tomorrow, but that's ok - I can have eggs......I will bring my green tea bag.  So here's to raising my cup for a better day tomorrow.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Getting back on Track

I was doing well on the Daniel Plan - then it snowed and I started to eat M & M's.  Like a bear fattening up before a winter's hibernation, I thought that M & M's would somehow help.  But they didn't.  I ended up gaining 4 of the 5 pounds back that I lost and started to feel blah again.

To my encouragement though, I received in the mail and by email a flyer from Hackman's that they will be doing a Daniel Plan meeting at Hackman's starting February 21st.  Yahoo, and I will be attending.

I did find a few interesting things along the way though, I found out that if I truly give up processed sugar and sugar substitutes that I sleep through the night.  I don't have to get up and go to the bathroom, like I have for years and it takes me about 3 days to get the sugar out of my system.  I learned to make recipes with quinoa, barley, lentils and buckwheat and I now drink my coffee black and love it.  If I miss soda I drink club soda with a little juice in it for flavor. 

So why the slip up, human nature, I didn't rely on God's power to help me through, instead I thought I could do it alone and failed.  So I started again yesterday with success and continue through today.  Tomorrow's the test - work is where I fail the most, stress does me in.  So I will make sure I pack enough healthy options tomorrow for lunch and snacks.  Got some pea pods yesterday - love my pea pods and hummus. 

Today I also realized something, during Pastor Mike's sermon.  He said, "Jesus came to chase away the darkness"  and I think I have been suffering from a little "darkness" called the winter blues or SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder-not a severe case but I feel like this has been the longest winter I ever experienced, and I think part of that is because of my legs.  I have Osteoarthritis in both knees.  My right leg which has always been the "bad leg" finally was doing pretty good after a series of shots.  So now my left left has decided to turn to the dark side and become the "bad leg"  hurting even worse than the other leg and after hurting it further on Saturday morning and crying lots Saturday afternoon I have come to the obvious conclusion that I need to loose weight.  Not to look good, not to be sexy, but to be able to walk. 

Well, as I write this - I see snow again.  I was out in the kitchen adding tons of fresh veggies to a pot roast and packed my pea pods for lunch.  For a snack I am having some nut crackers and for dessert tonight I am going to have an apple with maybe a little almond butter on it along with a cup of green tea.     I think when I get to heaven I am going to ask God why He couldn't of have made quinoa taste like chocolate.

John 1:    ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
 ***This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine!****   Shine on.

The Daniel Plan - so far so good

In case you wanted to know how I am doing on the Daniel Plan I have lost 5 pounds so far.  I am finding it easier now that I pretty much gave up sugar and artificial sweeteners.  I did split a cupcake with bff, Jaime last night at a birthday party - but I had to - it was a Shady Maple cupcake.  I wanted to try it and I did and I confess - it did make me a little hungry for some more sweets when I got home so I did have a piece of candy but I did not go berserk. 

I am now addicted to hummus with pea pods, smokehouse almonds thanks to bff, Rami (I know I should be eating raw almonds but these are so good) and now also to Blue Diamonds Nut Crackers again smokehouse flavor. 

Today was another couple of hours spent cooking for the week.  This week my mom is eating with us, she usually likes to eat out in the afternoon with friends but her car is in the garage and she is forced to eat with me.  We had turkey chili yesterday and we are having pot roast today.  Monday is chicken fingers (home made I might not coat mine at all and just have chicken strips) with Ancient Grains and broccoli.  Tuesday is Spaghetti night, I baked meatballs, lean ground beef with chia seeds, garlic and lots of Italian seasonings.  I personally don't eat spaghetti, gives me heartburn so I will have plain pasta with garlic and olive oil and lots of veggies.  Wednesday is one of Parke's favorite, skinless chicken thighs with white beans and cherry tomatoes.   So I am set for most of the week.  Oh, also in the picture is my breakfast which is cream of rice with brown rice, apples, raisins, walnuts and lots of cinnamon.  I just scoop out a cup and add a little almond milk.  Yum.

I need to get on the exercise bandwagon yet.  I am not lazy, just can't find the time.  This week I should have more time in the evening to at least to do a little something.  Of course, I got some exercise toting totes to the attic this weekend. I am sure that burns a few calories. 

So that's your update - I am still reading the book and learning as I go.  I need to really study it more along with starting the journal.   Remember - read your labels, if you can't pronounce something, you shouldn't be eating it.

"You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat” (Matthew 5:6, MSG).

The Daniel Plan - Will Parke protest?

Parke always says to me that when I am on a diet, he is on the same diet since I change the way I cook.  The Daniel Plan is all about cooking.

Before I use to come home and say what elegant side dish would you like and I would choose from the countless noodle, potato and rice packets on the shelf - you know, the ones where you add butter or margarine, some water and milk and you think you are cooking.  But the Daniel Plan wants you to read the labels, if products have stuff you can't pronounce, forget it.  So yesterday I spent a couple hours in the kitchen preparing some of our meals for the next 3 days.

Tonight we are having mini meatloafs, with brussell sprouts and a side dish of wheatberries/lentils/brown rice. Which will probably be a lunch for me since lentils are a protein.  Don't tell Parke that I am making the meatloaf with chia seeds and oatmeal, the side dish is going to be enough for him to comprehend.

Tomorrow's dinner is actually from Facebook I think -

Chicken Parm Casserole.  I baked chicken, diced tomatoes and sauce (no sugar added) together - tomorrow I will add croutons and Mozzarella, not really on the Daniel Plan but a girls gotta party sometimes.  The side will be whole wheat pasta and some green beans.

Then Wednesday, Turkey burgers with Quinoa Pilaf (which smelled delicious!!!).  I know I am pushing the envelope here with the healthy side dishes, but who knows, maybe he will like them, then again maybe not.

In the meantime I had fun cooking.  Not missing the sugar anymore and a lot less brainfog.  I think that is a good thing.

  "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank...”  Daniel 1:8

The Daniel Plan - Sugar Shock

Being a long time Weight Watcher Fan, I know the evils of sugar, so I substituted it with the pink stuff in my coffee.  I also drank a little coffee with my flavored creamers.  I LOVE my flavor creamers but after reading some sugar facts and trying to follow the Daniel Plan guidelines I learned a lot more that I bargained for.

Some sugar facts - The hunter-gatherer population ate about 22 teaspoons of sugar a year.  Now the average American consumes that in a day.  In the 1800's we ate about 5 pounds per year.  Now we average 152 pounds a year.

In the section entitled the Four Hormones of the Apocalypse the first two items  to cut were sugar and white flour. Go cold Turkey, and cut out all artificial sweeteners.  They key word is artificial.  Stevia is okay.  So what do  I go out and purchase - Pure Via Stevia, WRONG, guess what the ingredients in PURE Via are - first thing, ready, dextrose,  ummmmm, that's SUGAR.  Next ingredient-Reb A, what is Reb A you ask?

Rebaudioside A has the least bitterness of all the steviol glycosides in the stevia plant. To produce rebaudioside A commercially, stevia plants are dried and subjected to a water extraction process. This crude extract contains about 50% rebaudioside A; its various glycoside molecules are separated via crystallization techniques, typically using ethanol or methanol as solvent. This allows the manufacturer to isolate pure rebaudioside A 

<sup>Don't you love the ethanol or methanol as a solvent part.!  Next is cellulose powder - which from their site states:  cellulose fibers are extracted from wood and refined through multiple mechanical and chemical processes involving acids and bleaching agents.  So let me get this straight - my Pure Via Stevia is actually sugar with a chemically produced extract of the Stevia plant along with wood chips.  

So for now I am skipping the wood chips and drinking my coffee black, just wait until I tell you next time what I learned was in my creamers.

Genesis 1:  29</sup> 
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.

The Daniel Plan - 40 Days

Right before Christmas I got an email from God that said...Wait - you don't believe me?  Okay, so it wasn't directly from God - but it was from Hackman's, close enough.  Here is what happened.

Before Christmas I received a lovely Christmas card with a gift card in it for Hackman's.  My mind suddenly raced to the gifts that I wanted to get for other people at Hackman's but there was a note in the card that said, "make sure to spend it on yourself". Oh, alright.  Then the very next day the first email I received was from Hackman's about the new book from Rick Warren entitled, "The Daniel Plan", 40 days to a Healthier Life.  

So now you see what I mean by a email from God.  I have been trying over the years to get healthier, but I seem not to make much headway.  I joined Weight Watchers.  I had success about 30 years ago on the plan loosing almost all the weight getting down to 142 pounds only to gain it back. I rejoined about 10 years ago and lost 20 pounds and have kept it off, but got stuck.  So was this Divine Intervention?  Was this book going to be what I needed?

Rick Warren is a pastor, author, etc. who wrote the popular bestselling The Purpose Driven Life, which I enjoyed doing with my book club, so this immediately peaked my interest.  Also contributing to the Daniel Plan are Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mark Hyman.  So I decided to go get the book.  I walked into Hackman's, I picked it up.  Looked at it.  Put it down.  I thought maybe this isn't the book for me.  I walked around, looking for something else and there was ANOTHER display with the book in the back of the store, looked at it again, flipped through the pages, put it down. BUT a nagging thought in my head said BUY THE BOOK DARN IT!   So I did.

Once I actually sat down and started to read the book I immediately liked it.  How can you not love a book that starts out,  Chapter 1, page 1 - "Wow! Everybody's Fat!  That was Rick Warren's thought as he baptized 827 adults by immersion, which meant lowering people under the water and then lifting them back up.  He realized that not only was his congregation carrying extra baggage but he thought "But I am fat too!"  and that's what led him to do this book.    Well darn it,  I am fat to.  My knee hurts, I have high blood pressure controlled with medication,  and I suffer from brain fog.  This book celebrates the 5 F's.  FAITH - FOOD - FITNESS - FOCUS and FRIENDS.

I  am going to share what I learn from the book and my challenges along with hopefully some successes.  I am starting slow, and I will share that  tomorrow if I get a chance to blog.  So far it has certainly opened my eyes.  One thing I know, I can't do this alone, and in life we never have to do it alone, we always have God.

Food for thought:

Proverbs 16:9 says:  "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it." (MSG)  

Power, Love and Self-Discipline

Don't you love when you can't remember something so you write it down - but then forget where you write it.  I did but them I remembered that I wrote it on a tissue, which I threw it in my purse and then couldn't find it among  all my tissues. I eventually found it and  I wrote down  2 Timothy 1:17 to look up for this blog. But when I did looked up it made no sense at all because the scripture I should of wrote down was 2 Timothy 1:7 - duh.

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

Self-discipline, self-control - I lack it.  I am good up until lunch and then it is a down hill slide the rest of the day.  BUT the Spirit of GOD has given me this.  I really don't lack it I just don't use it.   He has given you and me the POWER!

Power is such a strong word - I was going to put the definition here but it was quite lengthy - some of them are:  1) ability to act or produce an effect   2)  legal or official authority, capacity, or right  3) a controlling group 4) physical might  - and it goes on and on.

One definition that I found very interesting  was an Order of Angels.  "Celestial Hierarchy:    a traditional hierarchy of angels ranked from lowest to highest into the following nine orders: angels, archangels, principalities, powers, virtues, dominions, thrones, cherubim, and seraphim."  Who knew.

Back to self-discipline -  I really need to pray, pull, tug on that power, love and self-discipline God has given me instead of letting snacks & chocolate take control.

So I say, Get behind me demon food!  Oh wait - that's where it all went.

In conclusion p
ray today for whatever power you need, I will  and have a great day.