Life-Saving, Life-Giving

     A rose bush that had grown "out of control" had been a burden to me the past few years. I took some advice and pruned it this year, cutting it back to a little nub of a thing. That was February 12, 2013. It now it is sprouting new limbs and I have hope that it will survive and replenish itself.

     That's how I feel sometimes about this weight loss journey. Cutting back, pruning the unhealthy habits of a few years gone bad. God will show me the way to see things differently as I continue this journey. How to stay fit and trim is a goal with which I'm looking forward.  
      "The Rest of the Story" is: I haven't lost but one pound on this "diet" but, I have lost inches. Now a size lower than when I started, feeling good again is a something that makes me happy.  I am not "starving" myself to oblivion and back and feel good physically and mentally.
       Learning to exercise and not being a "couch-potato" is a joyous experience. When the sun is shining down on my being, a whole new world is opening up to me, as I walk in the park. It can open up to you as well. God is ever present in His creation. "Spring has sprung!" is an old saying, that warms the heart. Grass and flowers grow to a new depth in our hearts as we observe them.
         Learning to walk daily with the Savior is life-saving, life-giving experience. Keeping His word close at hand is a life-saver also. "Keeping his Word in my heart is an ever present help in trouble." (paraphrased Psalm 119:11) I praise God every day for being by my side. Without Him I am nothing. Keep trying, keep the faith and a whole new world will open unto you.

My Journey Can Be Yours

Today I have decided to write my weight loss journey. Some will come, some will get lost but please follow me on my journey. March 9, 2013.
Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today I decide I can eat less. Sounds noble, yes? It's not as tough as it sounds. Relying on God for reassurance, "You can do this, I promise" (Philippians 4:13 Paraphrased by me.)
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13b NIV).
"Therefore lets look forward and forget all that lay behind, pressing on toward the mark God is leading me to accomplish." More Philippians.
I eat because the clock on the wall tells me it's time. I must stop this rhetoric with my self. I must say the "right' things, "think" the right things and change old habitual thoughts to  new.
Most people know the do's and don't of good eating habits. It is just a matter of following them. Most people can lose a few pounds only to regain them. Keeping it off is another matter. And that is my strategy today. Learning to walk the walk and talk the talk of good eating habits and sticking with it.
I am also reading a devotional book, "Unglued" by Lysa Terkeurst. Follow me on my journey:

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right, hand and sys to you, Do not fear; I will help you." ISAIAH 41:13.
Like Lysa, "I feel broken. I vow to do better at 8:14 a.m. and 3:37p.m. and 9:04 p.m." Various times of the day we are worn down from daily activities. We may think this is not the right time. It's now or never. Jesus promised to remove our sins as far as the east is from the west. And we CAN say now is the time.
Please help me, Lord be lifted up in my hour of need. I'm reminded of the hymn, "Lord Lift Me Up To Higher Ground."