Saturday, August 25, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
SPIRITUAL DETOX DIET
I got on the scales the other morning and noticed that my weight has slowly crept up. Ten pounds??? NO WAY! How did that happen? But, unfortunately, the scale doesn't lie.
Now, some people will tell me that because I am now officially over the "40 Mark" (I am 43), it will become harder to lose and maintain my weight and that weight gain is just a natural thing in this stage of my life.
I do not accept that! So, I started scouring around for some quick detox diets (you know, the ones that will guide you on what to eat and not to eat to flush impurities from your body). Most call for more water, fruits and vegetables. Not just ANY fruits and vegetables, mind you. There are specific ones that contain more water and nutrients to help your body rid itself of built up impurities. Believe it or not, there are some fruits and vegetables that will sabotage your plans.
How can we apply this spiritually to our lives? How about a "Spiritual Detox Diet"? The Bible tells us about the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."
How are you feeling spiritually? Tired? Worn down? Bloated? Heavy? When was the last time you looked at this verse? I mean really, REALLY looked at this verse? Can you look at each of these "fruits" and see how each is being applied to your daily life?
Every now and then, our spiritual lives need a good cleansing, one that will get rid of impurities that have built up over time, many of which we are often unaware of. Is it time for a Spiritual Detox Diet? Is it time for a spiritual cleansing? The answer for me is YES!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)
Now, some people will tell me that because I am now officially over the "40 Mark" (I am 43), it will become harder to lose and maintain my weight and that weight gain is just a natural thing in this stage of my life.
I do not accept that! So, I started scouring around for some quick detox diets (you know, the ones that will guide you on what to eat and not to eat to flush impurities from your body). Most call for more water, fruits and vegetables. Not just ANY fruits and vegetables, mind you. There are specific ones that contain more water and nutrients to help your body rid itself of built up impurities. Believe it or not, there are some fruits and vegetables that will sabotage your plans.
How can we apply this spiritually to our lives? How about a "Spiritual Detox Diet"? The Bible tells us about the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."
How are you feeling spiritually? Tired? Worn down? Bloated? Heavy? When was the last time you looked at this verse? I mean really, REALLY looked at this verse? Can you look at each of these "fruits" and see how each is being applied to your daily life?
Every now and then, our spiritual lives need a good cleansing, one that will get rid of impurities that have built up over time, many of which we are often unaware of. Is it time for a Spiritual Detox Diet? Is it time for a spiritual cleansing? The answer for me is YES!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)
Monday, August 6, 2012
I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILLS
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from
whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm121:1-2
***********************************************
A couple of weeks ago, this pastor's family finally got to go away for a WHOLE week! It was wonderful. We haven't been able to do that for a couple of years. Trying to coordinate between my work schedule and things that are happening in the church (deaths, sicknesses, etc) is very difficult.
We chose to go all the way to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge this time. It is about a nine to ten hour drive (depending on how many times the boys had to stop!) for us.
We absolutely love the mountains. But I noticed something right about the second to the last day of our stay.
We had been so involved in all of the activities that these two towns had to offer, that we hadn't once looked up at the mountains that surrounded them (see picture below).
Isn't that the way we are with life sometimes? We get so involved in or overwhelmed with looking around at what is going on in our life that we forget to "look up unto the hills" as the Psalmist said, look up to God. We don't exactly forget that, "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth", per say, we just kind of put it to the back of our minds.
Some Christians aren't on their knees as much when things are going well for them. They don't really get serious about praying until something drastic happens. Oh, they still pray, just not as fervently or maybe as frequently.
We need to always remember our God, in the good and bad times. We need to remember to lift up our eyes and hearts to God, thanking Him for His constant blessings and help in our lives. He is there with us through the good and the bad-ALWAYS. He will never leave us or forsake us. But we need to always keep those lines of communication open.
What an eye opening life experience this was for me!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)
Isn't that the way we are with life sometimes? We get so involved in or overwhelmed with looking around at what is going on in our life that we forget to "look up unto the hills" as the Psalmist said, look up to God. We don't exactly forget that, "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth", per say, we just kind of put it to the back of our minds.
Some Christians aren't on their knees as much when things are going well for them. They don't really get serious about praying until something drastic happens. Oh, they still pray, just not as fervently or maybe as frequently.
We need to always remember our God, in the good and bad times. We need to remember to lift up our eyes and hearts to God, thanking Him for His constant blessings and help in our lives. He is there with us through the good and the bad-ALWAYS. He will never leave us or forsake us. But we need to always keep those lines of communication open.
What an eye opening life experience this was for me!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
VBS TODAY!
Our 2012 VBS is today. I am SO very excited! Please help me pray for the workers and the children.
I did something different this year and did not go with any particular curriculum. You see, by the time we have our VBS program, which is usually the last Saturday in July or the first Saturday in August, the children have already been to several in the area, and "know" the different programs, so they are more easily bored because they've already "been there and done it".
Well, today, they are going to learn about the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, along with life in Biblical times (food, clothing, shelter). They will also learn about the order of the encampments of the Israelites. For instance, did you know that they always camped the same way around the Tabernacle according to their tribes? There were four camps, in which were three tribes.
Everything that we have studied in preparation for this VBS regarding how the Tabernacle was set up, how the services were performed and how the Israelites set up their camps has confirmed that God wants everything done decently and in order. We can also see the symbolism of His plan of salvation for us.
There is so very much more to tell, but I have to get ready to go. A report and LOTS of pictures to follow!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth
I did something different this year and did not go with any particular curriculum. You see, by the time we have our VBS program, which is usually the last Saturday in July or the first Saturday in August, the children have already been to several in the area, and "know" the different programs, so they are more easily bored because they've already "been there and done it".
Well, today, they are going to learn about the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, along with life in Biblical times (food, clothing, shelter). They will also learn about the order of the encampments of the Israelites. For instance, did you know that they always camped the same way around the Tabernacle according to their tribes? There were four camps, in which were three tribes.
Everything that we have studied in preparation for this VBS regarding how the Tabernacle was set up, how the services were performed and how the Israelites set up their camps has confirmed that God wants everything done decently and in order. We can also see the symbolism of His plan of salvation for us.
There is so very much more to tell, but I have to get ready to go. A report and LOTS of pictures to follow!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth
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