The Bread of Life

Walking with Jesus: To the Synagogue to Teach
Luke 13:20-21: Jesus teaches the Parable of the Leaven

In these verses the Kingdom of God is described as yeast that penetrates the dough. It talks about how a small amount of leaven will affect a whole mass of dough. This parable wants us to realize the power and influence a "small" amount has.

So the question is, how can I apply this application to my life? I was reminded about the time a few months ago when I received a "starter dough" with a recipe from a friend. Each day I had a task to do to the dough. Some days the recipe instructed me to "knead" it. Other days I had to "feed" it. But each day for 10 days I had something I had to do with the dough so that the leaven would continue to grow and not die. At the end of the 10 days, I had 3 "starter bags" of dough to give away, one to keep to start the whole process over again and one that I could bake into yummy sweet bread.

So what does this story have to do with the verses for today. I believe this is what these verses are saying to me. That for the "leaven" to be active in my life each day I must do the following:
1. Each day I must keep my eyes fixed on Jesus;
2. Each day I must despise the things of this world;
3. Each day I must remain in God's word;
4. Each day I must look forward to Christ's return but continue His work while I wait;
5. Each day I must continually listen to and for the voice of the Holy Spirit;
6. Each day I must be willing to suffer for the cause;
7. Each day I must fight against evil;
8. Each day I must defend the gospel;
9. Each day I must put on the full armor of God;
10. Each day I must "give away" Christ's love to other so that it can grow in their lives. And someday I will be able to be in the presence of The Bread of Life. Until then, I will keep Walking toward the goal my Savior has for me.....

Standing Firm

Walking wit Jesus: To the Mount of Olives
Mark 13:11 Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit

11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.... 13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Verse 13 tells us to stand firm to the end. Perseverance in the faith and endurance in our loyalty to Christ is a scriptural definition of the kind of faith necessary for final salvation.

Standing firm takes perseverance when this world is beating you down. It is so easy when that is happening just to curl up and wish the world would go away. But that gets me in trouble because that is when I tend to eat for comfort, not exercise and to put another layer of bricks on the walls around me. It is truly a vicious cycle. Trying to change and to tear down these walls is such hard work but again my Heavenly Father is asking this of me and He didn't say it would be easy. He just keeps saying "Trust me my child, trust Me"....

A special friend shared this with me and I loved it. You know the song "Jesus loves me this I know"? Well she saw a sign that said..."Jesus knows me this I love". Is that not cool. Say it again "JESUS KNOWS ME THIS I LOVE".

I am praying that that saying will be my comfort today and what I put into my month will just be what I need to sustain me and no more as I keep taking these tiny tiny steps forward......

Square Peg in a Round World

Walking with Jesus: To Capernaum
Mark 9: 49-50: The Value of Salt

49 "Everyone's going through a refining fire sooner or later, 50 but you'll be well-preserved, protected from the eternal flames. Be preservatives yourselves. Preserve the peace."

Luke 14:34 says, "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its tastes, how can its saltiness be restored?"

In the notes of one of my Study Bibles this is what it says...As salt is valuable to give flavor and to preserve from corruption, believers and the church must be godly examples in the world and must resist the moral decay and corruption evident in society. (1) Churches that become lukewarm, quench the power of the Holy Spirit and cease to resist the prevailing spirit in the world will be "thrown out" by God (2) They consequently will be "tramped by men"; those who are lukewarm will be destroyed by the ways and values of an ungodly society....

Yesterday was not a good day for me. I felt "tramped by men". My heart was broken. I could have so easily "trampled" back but God answered the prayer of a desperate woman to show Christ love to them. If I would have done what I "felt" like doing, I would have quench the power of the Holy Spirit and my Christian example would have been much less than "lukewarm". Today is a new day. It is my chose on how to live it. Am I going to give in the worldly ways or am I going to continue to be a "square peg in a round world"?

Father, give me a tender heart today. Let me do loving things that surprise even myself. Let me stop daily to talk to people who need a good word. Let me mend what is broken and to touch what needs to be loved. Make me more aware of the tiny surprises that are scattered like secrets all around me. Let me notice such things as I have forgotten, and those persons of whom I have grown weary with. May I see them in a new way so that I have a new word for them. As I busily set out to do the large tasks, my I find more time for small celebrations. Jesus, give me the grace to live out each day as though it were a gift. Holy Spirit, surprise me often. Then let me show my great surprise as I keep walking.....



“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4 (NIV)

Walking with Jesus: Through the Villages in Gennesaret
Mark 7:1-8: The disciples eat with unwashed hands

1 The Pharisees, along with some religion scholars who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around him. 2 They noticed that some of his disciples weren't being careful with ritual washings before meals. 3 The Pharisees - Jews in general, in fact - would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing, 4 with an especially vigorous scrubbing if they had just come from the market (to say nothing of the scourings they'd give jugs and pots and pans). 5 The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, "Why do your disciples flout the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?" 6 Jesus answered, "Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull's-eye in fact: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it. 7 They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, 8Ditching God's command and taking up the latest fads."

This morning I have sat here and read and reread this scripture over and over and over again. I would type and then delete it and type some more only to delete it again. Although I know that God cares about every detail of my life even this stronghold of unhealthy, this morning I have to focus on so much more. I think the best thing for me to do today is just let the scripture speak to whoever reads this blog.

Lord, forgive us when we are so wraped up in man made rules and fail to see You. Forgive us when we use the latest fads and fluff to get Your message to the lost....

Touching the Hem

Walking with Jesus: On the West Bank of the Sea of Galilee
Mark 5:25-34; Luke 842b-48: Jesus heals the woman with a hemorrhage

I love The Message version of Luke...
Jesus went with him, making his way through the pushing, jostling crowd. 43 In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. 44 She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus' robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. 45 Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When no one stepped forward, Peter said, "But Master, we've got crowds of people on our hands. Dozens have touched you." 46 Jesus insisted, "Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me." 47 When the woman realized that she couldn't remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story - why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed. 48 Jesus said, "Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!"

Jesus was in a large crowd. There were many people "touching" Him but there is such a difference in just touching someone or touching someone with all the faith in the world. As a woman, I can't imagine what this woman went through those twelve years. Did all the people call her by her given name or when they spoke of her did they just call her the woman with a hemorrhage and everyone would know who they were talking about? She had tried everything, had spent all she had to find healing. I'm sure during these twelve years, she must have physically felt awful. I'm sure the town she lived in didn't want to have anything to do with her because they probably thought it was catching. Do you think she heard them "talking" about her? I wonder how did her family treat her.

This got me thinking about my own life. I too have "tried everything" to get healthy. Every program there is I probably have tried it. I know how cruel people can be because of my weight issue. I have heard them talk and laugh and call me names. I deal with that just about everyday at work from people who go to church! So I can relate big time with this woman who had the hemorrhage (oh how I wish I knew her name).

On the other hand, my family loves me but just wants me to be healthy. They have been nothing but supportive. Example of this support was a few weeks ago when I had to tell Kristen I couldn't run the race with her in May. You had to sign up before the first of December and I knew that this process of me getting healthy was taking longer than I had wanted it to. That was a sad day for me to have to tell her I wouldn't be running with her.

But sometime this summer I told her I would have my own mini marathon. Here is my new plan...from our house to our farm is about 13 miles. So my plan is to run from our house to the farm. Now here is where I get teary eyed. Kristen said, "Mom when you are ready to run it, I will run it with you". She couldn't have said anything more meaningful to me. As a mother, that is something I would ponder in my heart as long as I live. I'm going to believe, like me, this woman with the hemorrhage had someone special in her life that was helping her through this difficult time. And as I keep going through this process I will continue Touching His Hem as I keep Walking with My Jesus....

"Trust Me"

Walking with Jesus: Arrives on the West Bank of the Sea of Galilee
Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 Jesus restores Jarius' daughter to life

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.


The Bible often speaks of the sick touching Jesus or of Jesus touching the sick. It was the contact and presence of Jesus that mattered. His touch has healing power because He sympathizes with our weaknesses and is the source of life and grace. Our responsibility in seeking healing is to draw near to Jesus and to live in His presence.

The daughter of the Jairus had died. Jesus' response was to encourage the father's faith, even in this seemingly hopeless situation. Throughout history, believers have placed their trust in God even when it seemed as if all was lost. In such times, God gave the necessary faith and delivered His people according to His will and purpose.

Am I, today, in the need of the healing touch of the Great Physician? Absolutely! Christ is counting on me to draw near to Him and to live my life in His presence and not of this world. Am I in a season of my life when things seem hopeless? Absolutely! Do I want to throw up my hands and give up? Absolutely! But Christ IS COUNTING on me. He is saying to my spirit today "Trust Me". If, like me, you are going through some hard "stuff" just remember to trust the only one who should be your Savior...Keeping walking with Jesus......

Questions to Ask Myself

As I reflect on this past week I must ask myself, are the seeds I am sowing going to create a harvest of health and well being? This old body of mine is a marvelous and intricate machine that gives me signals such as hunger, fatigue or loneliness. Am I willing to listen and to pay attention to the signals that my body is giving me? Am I caring for my body and treating it as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Am I nourishing my body with nutritious foods that fuel and protect my vital organs and body systems? Am I feeding my spirit with God's word?

I know that if I sow the seeds of healthy habits, overtime miracles can happen. I know that weight loss could result in a decrease of blood pressure. I know that regular exercise can help alleviate depression. I know that healthier eating habits can result in better blood sugar control. I am sure that regular prayer time can bless me with a stronger and much more intimate relationship with my God and Creator. The list could go on and on.

All this reminds me of one of my favorite life chapters...Ps. 63,
1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 9 They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.....

Crying out to Jesus

Walking with Jesus: In the Country of the Gerasenes
Mark 5:18-20 "...and the man who had been possessed...begged him that he might be with him...and he went away and proclaimed...how much Jesus did for him, and everyone was amazed."

Meditation: Saying Yes to God (part 2)

...or what if our Pentecost prayer went more like one of these?

"Lord, set me on fire with the Word and with the passion for saving that You gave to the disciples; empower and impel me so remarkable that the trail of my way through Your world looks like a path scorched by Your justice."
or
"Lord, transform my life and send me out so mightily that satan will have no choice but to spend a lifetime of wilderness days trying to turn me back into myself again."
or
"Lord, soak me so wet with water of baptism that as I walk among the thirsty of the world, many are splashed by the drops of life-giving grace that fall from me as I pass."

But then again, one would not want to really pray prayers like that would they?. One would have to be a little crazy to utter such outrageous petitions. After all, how could we be sure God wouldn't just answer with a mighty YES, and then where would we be?

Regardless of the prayers I pray today, I know that the Lord still loves and forgives me just the way I am. But I want to be the best person I can be for my Savior. I want to be sold out to Jesus with every aspect of my life including the food I put into my mouth and the exercise that I do.

Am I going to be more hungry for him or am I going to keep finding my comfort in food? When am I going to be desperate enough? Luke 6:21 says, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied." In the Message Bible is says, "You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry. Then you're ready for the Messianic meal. You're blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning." And in the Complete Jewish Bible it says, ""How blessed are you who are hungry! for you will be filled. "How blessed are you who are crying now! for you will laugh. Wow! That gives me such hope. I am desperately crying out to Jesus through this journey and I know in the end I will laugh!!! To God be the glory as I am taking small but forward steps with Him....

Saying Yes

Walking with Jesus: Crosses the Sea, into the Country of the Gerasenes
Mark 5:5: 1-13: Jesus heals the man possessed by demons

Meditation: Saying Yes to God(part 1)

The prayer that many hear in churches on Pentecost goes like this:
"God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as You sent upon the disciples the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon Your Church and open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of Your love, and strengthen our lives for service in Your kingdom...."

That's a very nice prayer. I mean, who can argue with "open our hearts" and "strengthen our lives"? The prayer asks very large things in very comfortable phrases. Certainly, this prayer lets us sound like we are saying yes to God--but without taking any unnecessary chances.

But what if our Pentecost prayer went more like one of these:
"Lord, grab me out of my safe life and compel me to heal and teach and reveal Your love so powerfully that I am scorned by the complacent, feared by the unjust and hated to death by the children of darkness."
or
"Lord, rip open the sky and mark me with a fire of conviction so eternally sure that the very walls of unbelief and hatred and prejudice crumble before me."
or
"Lord, storm me with the wind of the Spirit; seize me and soar with me up and away from the minor crises that fasten my sight on the ground; fire my eyes with a vision of what Your Spirit/Wind/Fire loose in my world could tear down, and heal, and make new."

I guess the question for today is "Do I want to continue to be safe? Do I want to be comfortable? Do I want my life to look like it has or do I want to go deeper? Do I want to soar higher?" Nine years ago I prayed that "whatever you want me to do God, I will do. Where ever you want me to go, I will go". Is it time to be bold again? Is it time to say Yes Lord? Is it time to pick up the pace and instead of just walking with Jesus, maybe it is time to jog....

Crying out to Jesus

Walking with Jesus: Crossing the Sea of Galilee
Mark 4:39-41: Jesus calms the disciples' anxieties

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?" They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!"

Meditation: Miracles

Is God in the tears of statues or in the tears of a starving child? Is God in the loud claims of healers or in the cries of a lonely widow afraid to go out of her home? Is God in the Jesus-like markings on the side of a building, or bomb and shell craters in a town that has seen war? And if God is not in those, is God not miraculously, marvelously and wonderfully present in the giving, the loving, the acting and the doing that offers food, comfort and protection to those who weep and wonder and live in fear?

It is easy to look for God in magic moments. It is also easy to forget the presence, power, and purpose of God that we see every day in the thousands of miracles affecting the world.

"Do you seek Jesus who was crucified?" asked the angel at the tomb. "He is not here, He has risen. Go and tell..."

Jesus is still not confined to our expectations, whims or wishes--for signs and wonders. Jesus is alive and at work in the world, in my life. How can I, today, tell others about him? Sometimes actions speak louder than words so what is my actions going to be today? With so many people struggling with being unhealthy, am I going to be an example today to others or am I going to just give up because it is so hard? Am I going to remember that today the same God who calmed the wind and the sea can help me with this stronghold in my life? I'm crying out to Jesus to help me just take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time and if need be one second at a time. I must keep moving forward no matter how hard it is or how long it will take. I must go through this mountain because for to many years now I have just went around and around it. Time to move forward and to keep Walking with Jesus.....

Taking a Nap

Walking with Jesus: Crossing the Sea of Galilee
Mark 4:35-38: Jesus takes a nap

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"

The meditation: Miracles
There was this elderly man who cornered a preacher at a dinner after a funeral. He told the preacher that he had the latest information. That there where people who had been able to locate pieces of Noah's real ark on Mt. Ararat. The preacher mumbled something about interesting speculation and tried really hard to make his way to the grieving family. But the old man pressed on. He told the preacher that some people think that it's impossible that the ark would be there after all these years. But that this time they had found it. The old man went on to say that when they proved what they had found, that people would have to believe. Wouldn't they?

Signs, wonders and miracles still fascinate. A priest prays and his statures weep. Pictures of Mary seem to shed tears. An image of Jesus seems to take shape on a cheese sandwich, in a cloud, or an old building. And people come for miles to stand in wonder. Something in us seeks to prop a faltering faith with even homemade miracles.

Perhaps God is into nifty marvels. Maybe God reveals His presence in pieces of the ark and tearful statues. But perhaps the signs of the Spirit's presences are more mundane.

Am I like those people who travel miles to see these marvels? Or am I going to believe in My God who spoke the clouds into being, who spoke everything into existence? My God who has named each star in the sky? My God who knew me before I was even a tinkle in my parents eyes!!!

Okay now the nap part...My favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon is to curl up on the couch with my blanket and rest. After working hard all day, Jesus was weary, and He went to the stern of the boat and fell asleep. Most of us need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. To be sleep deprived can affect one's immune system. During this busy season of the year, just remember the reason for the season and also arrange a time in your busy life to allow time for sufficient rest.

Keep Walking with Jesus....

The Seed

Walking with Jesus: On His Journey to Jerusalem
Mark 4:30-32 Parable of the Mustard Seed

30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."

'He is an artist, a dear friend. He peeks, looks around, notices, sees things twice. I asked for a story for a memorial garden. John thinks, then speaks briefly. "Some seed has to be frozen before it grows." He told of leaving a beechnut seed in the refrigerator and forgetting. The seed was frozen through the winter. It grew. Freezing breaks open the protective shell. We talked. "Some seed has to be frozen to break the shell and grow. Some seed has to go through a forrest fire."

My mother soaked some seed in water before planting. Here seems to be one of the many stories Jesus might have told which were never recorded. Seed has a shell. When broken by water in a dry land, by fire of Pentecost, or the cold of winter, it will grow.

It is true, all things work for the good when we TRUST God. The seed will grow through heat or cold or flood. TRUST THE MAKER OF THE SEED. Talk with someone who went through fire, or a hard cold spell in his or her life, and ask what good came of it.'

I couldn't have said it better!!! Lots of times I am the seed with the hard shell not wanting anyone to get to close, not wanting to feel "hurt" again. For years now I have worked on this. For years God has spoke two words into my spirit. Those two words are "Trust Me".

Have you ever felt like you have taken major steps forward in your life and the something happens and you feel like you now are two steps back? Was that God trying to break this shell that I have built up around me? Was this God putting me through fire to try to burn the shell off? Was this when God had me in His refrigerator trying to freeze me so that the shell would break open? Why am I trying to hold on to this shell so hard? Is it because it is what I know, it is because I'm comfortable?

I'm tire of this way of living. I am choosing to believe God. I want to break out of this shell and run like the wind. Okay maybe not like the wind but a gentle breeze!!! The other day I was so frustrated by my progress but today I'm excited!!! I'm walking with Jesus with my head held high and shedding pieces of my shell as I go.........

Harvest time

Walking with Jesus: Preaching Beside the Sea
Mark 4:3-9, 26-29 Parable of the Sower

3 "Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. 4 As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. 5 Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, 6 so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. 7 Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. 8 Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams. 9 "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

26 Then Jesus said, "God's kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man 27 who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows - he has no idea how it happens. 28 The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. 29 When the grain is fully formed, he reaps - harvest time!

Jesus uses this parable to tell how the gospel will be received in the world. Three truths may be learned. 1. Conversion and fruitfulness depend on how one responds to God's Word; 2. A mixed reaction to the gospel by the world. Some who hear will not understand, others will believe unto salvation but will later fall away, still others will believe unto salvation, persevere and bear fruit in varying degrees.

The big question is where do I stand in these truths? I know I can only persevere with God's strength. Again Deut. 30:11 comes to mind....What you are commanding me today is not too difficult for me or beyond my reach.....What's God asking of me today? Am I listening? Am I preparing for the harvest?


I'll leave you with this prayer. Not sure who wrote it but I like it....

Dear God,
When there is a harvest,
let me sow an offering.

When new growth is trampled flat,
let me sow a seed of hope.

When days are dim,
let me sow a light.

When nights are much too dark,
let me sow a promise.

When a heart is broken down,
let me sow a kiss of peace.

When minds are tightly shut,
let me sow a dream.

When a soul needs one more breath,
let me sow a seed of love.

Keep Walking with Jesus.....

Our Great God

Be the Light

Walking with Jesus: Preaching Beside the Sea
Mark 4:21 The Light of the World

...Jesus went on: "Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a washtub or beneath the bed? Don't you put it up on a table or on the mantel? (The Message)

Jesus often taught his followers in parables, using things that everyone experienced in their everyday lives. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World" and because of His death and resurrection, we too are to be lights to the world. So the question is am I being God's light in my world? Is my stronghold of unhealthy dimming my light to my family, my workplace and in my world? Am I being all that God wants me to be?

They say that the firefly only lights up when it is moving forward. Am I moving forward or am I just at a stand still? I get so frustrated when I try so hard and still seem to be stuck. Right now I have so far to go down this road that I can't see the end but I know that I know that I will persevere and when I have passed this test, I will receive the crown of life that God has promised to me. I must remember that I am a child of God, His treasured possession. I must remember that He created me in His own image, He chose the day for me to be born. I must remember that He has a plan and a purpose for my life and when I remember those things I don't have to be able to "see the end" because I will keep walking by faith with my Jesus with His light shinning through me....

Holy Habits

Walking with Jesus: Up the Mountain to Preach (Sermon on the Mount)
Matthew 5:6 Jesus blesses those who seek spiritual fulfillment

I love what Matthew 5:6 says in The Message, "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."

Holy Habits are really important in our lives, in my life. These "Resurrection Routines" are things I do regularly that keep me focused on the Lord and the people around me. These habits are not ends in themselves, but rather ways for me to really keep my perspective in line. Some Holy Habits for me are: regular prayer time, worship time, taking of the Sacraments, a change to intentionally tell my testimony to someone, listening to Christian music or talking with and listening to a friend.

Thank you Lord for my Holy Habits. Father, help me to review them in my mind. Am I doing all I can do or is there some activities that you want me to give up and to replace them with more of you. Father, today I pray that you would be my strength. Help me to make healthy food choices. Help me to get in my steps. Father, I pray that you would help me to make holy habits and healthy habits today so that I will be better prepared to participate in Your abundance. Father, mostly I pray that I would hear and listen to what you are telling me. Help me to Keep Walking and focusing on You more and more........Amen and Amen!!!

Hope-filled Day

Walking with Jesus: Up the Mountain to Preach (Sermon on the Mount)
Matthew 5:7, 9:13 Jesus blessed those who show mercy

Hints for a Hope-Filled Day
1. Today I will not strike back. If someone is rude, impatient or unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.
2. Today I will ask God to bless my "enemy". If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual.
3. Today I will be careful about what I say. I will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip.
4. Today I will go the extra mile. I will find ways to share the burden of another.
5. Today I will forgive. I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
6 Today I will do something nice for someone. I will reach out and bless the life of another.
7. Today I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged. My smile, my words or my expression of support can make the difference to someone wrestling with life.
8. Today I will nurture my body. I will eat less; I will walk my extra steps; I will thank God for my body.
9. Today I will grow spiritually. I will spend a little more time in prayer. I will find a quiet place and listen to God's voice.
10. Today I will celebrate forgiveness in Christ....even when I don't live up to the other hints listed above.

Keep Walking With Jesus......

Family Tree

Walking with Jesus: Up the Mountain to Preach (Sermon on the Mount)
Matthew 5:5 Jesus preaches about those who are powerless

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of daughtership. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (NIV)

The first hearers of this text knew that one of the deep losses for slaves was their sense of family, lineage and ancestry. Slaves did not have a last name. They carried a mark that designated to whom they belonged, but their belonging was a matter of property, not love or blood, history or future.

This is not our story. We are not slaves to our relationship with God. When we emerged from baptismal waters, we emerged with a new last name. In baptism, we were not marked as a matter of property, but of love and blood, history and future. Our relationship with God is not about slavishly pleasing. We are welcomed as children and heirs of God's abundance. In baptism, we were publicly claimed and named Christian.

With the last name "Christian" we have an eternal and purposeful value to God and the universe. We did not receive a spirit of slavery that would launch us into a stance of fear. Rather, we received a spirit of adoption so that we might face the world from the security of belonging---to the Creator of the whole universe.

Romans 8:15 in The Message say it this way....This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"

So the question is, Am I a slave to food and to unhealthy? The question is, What's next, Papa? I think the first thing I have to do is to remember who I am. Remember what my last name is since I have given my life to Jesus Christ. My name should not be just Marilyn Smith anymore. It should be Marilyn Smith Christian. Am I living up to that name. Am I living up to my names potential? Am I remembering that I have the same power in me as Jesus had when he came back to life after three days. Am I remembering that I am not powerless when I plug into The Source? Am I remember whose I am? Am I honoring that name with every bite I take and every step I make?

What God is commanding me today is not too difficult for me or beyond my reach. Deut. 30:11

Keeping my eyes focused as I keep walking with Jesus......

New Beginnings

Walking with Jesus: Up the Mountain to Preach
Matthew 5:4 Jesus preaches about those who mourn

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (The Message)

Having lost people who were very close to me in the last couple of years, its hard to find joy and laughter when you are hurting and mourning. Before I always thought that it was so wrong for people to be laughing at a wake but as I grow in my faith I know that the sadness is beyond words and have shed many tears. But I now see God's new beginnings in every ending. How can I not be happy for my loved ones when I know whose they were and where they are.

A few weeks after my dad passed, I had a dream about him. (I love it when God speaks to me through dreams!) I was missing dad like crazy and God showed me, through a dream, that he was having the time of his life. I was standing along a road and saw my dad. He was in a hurry, trying to put on his shoes. I told him he should stop so that we could tie them and not fall. He told me that he would be okay and that he didn't have time, he had to go. He had a grin from ear to ear and was laughing and having fun. I got such peace from that dream.

So what does this have to do with getting healthy? Do I believe that the same God who could give me such peace through a dream because he knew His child was hurting, couldn't this same God help me with eating right and exercising? Do you sometimes think that you can't talk to God about the "small things"? If I don't give Him and talk to Him about every part of my life, have I really given my whole heart to Him?
Is He not interested in ALL my struggles? I hate it when people put God in this neat little box but am I doing the same thing? Ouch!!!

I think I had better "assume the position" and give it ALL to the One and Only who can handle it all and who wants too......Keep Walking With Jesus

Peacemakers

Walking with Jesus: Up the Mountain to Preach
Mark 3:13, Matthew 5:9 Jesus preaches about peacemakers

The meditation was so good today, I couldn't have said it any better so I will just write what it says( except I change we to I)....

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"

"How would I describe the peacemakers Jesus called blessed? I might imagine them to be the people who walk gently through life, quiet the fuss around them and leave everyone happy in their wake. Would these be the ones Jesus calls the children of God?

Probably not. Jesus Himself was hardly a placid presence in His world. Certainly He healed many and no doubt kissed a few babies in His day. But He also flipped tables in the temple and publicly chastised the religious leaders. He was not above using a bit of sarcasm to make a point, and He tended to hang around with people of questionable reputations. He openly challenged the prevailing rules of His tradition. Jesus' kind of peacemaker focuses more on justice and less on pleasing powerful people or mindlessly maintaining tradition. Jesus' kind of peacemaker has a vision of a world that reflects God's mercy and God's justice for the whole creation. And, like Jesus, this kind of peacemaker is committed to a deep and lasting peace, even if it is very costly.

Can I find the courage to be such a peacemaker? Could I risk reputation, confidence, security or comfort for the sake of the good news of God's love for all? When I am full of the Spirit, when I am at my faithful best, I will. And when I fall short as I will, I can trust that Jesus will welcome me all the same, forgiven and blessed."

I'm reading The Shack and this paragraph really stood out for me..it says

"..if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my (God's) purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."

Is my trying to be healthy something that matters to God? I believe it is. Do I believe everything I do (and say) could change a heart or a life. Yes and it will make me much more aware of every word that comes from my mouth and every action that I do. God has a purpose for my life and I believe He wants me healthy so that I can accomplished what we has for me. Can I find the courage to get healthy? Can I find the confidence, security and comfort while going though this long journey? I say long journey because I know that it won't happen over night. And when I fall short, will I let that be the end and give up or will I trust that Jesus will pick me up and let me start over? Hebrews 10:35-36 says, "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Keep Walking with Jesus......

Going Back Home

Walking With Jesus: From the Mountain, Back Home to Nazareth
Mark 3:31-35 Who is my family?

I never really thought about how the land looked that Jesus traveled. This land was and is filled with so much natural beauty. This week in my reading from Mark, I walked with Jesus in the grain fields, up the mountains and along the seashore. I tried to envision the area with its exotic trees and lush flowering plants. I went on the net and googled Jordan River and the pictures were beautiful. I even saw pictures of people getting baptised in the River. (Sandy A. if you reading this...) How cool is that!!!

All this got me thinking. We have beautiful sites here in old southern Indiana but am I being to "busy" to notice. There are spectacular things to see all around us, but am I going so fast I don't notice them anymore. How sad is that.

I am always thinking how stressful life is but am I the cause? I have a choice. I want to replace stress with gratitude. Ps 105 says 1 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! 2 Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! 3 Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! 4 Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. 5 Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered - 6 O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen. 7 He's God, our God, in charge of the whole earth.

For what am I grateful to God for? Am I really noticing His works? I have to take that first step. I have to remember that it is my choice. I have to begin. (Just like getting healthy!!)

Have you ever noticed the joy in your dog when the leash comes out for a walk? How easy it is to please them!

Ever notice the smell of rain quenching an especially hot and dusty day? How cleansing and renewing it is!

Shut your eyes and remember the touch of someone you love. Imagine the creativity when God said, "Let there be touch".

Also with the title "Going Back Home" what about the Holiday's coming up, am I dreading them or am I going to cherish each and every moment spent with family and friends.

And last help me remember the sweetness of forgiveness between me and another. God's forgiveness is even more pure and freeing because there are no strings attached, just love. God is there someone I need to forgive?

Thank you God, for just so many things! Help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other so that I may Keep Walking With My Jesus.....

Mountain Top

Walking with Jesus: Up the Mountain, Near the Sea
Mark 3:13-19 Jesus appoints the apostles

3:13
He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together.

Is that not cool. Jesus is not asking us to go it alone...He is climbing with us!!!

3:14
He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word
3:15
and give them authority to banish demons.
3:16
These are the Twelve: Simon (Jesus later named him Peter, meaning "Rock"),
3:17
James, son of Zebedee, John, brother of James (Jesus nicknamed the Zebedee brothers Boanerges, meaning "Sons of Thunder"),
3:18
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite,
3:19
Judas Iscariot (who betrayed him).


Sharing the Gospel should never be a job...It should be our JOY! To me sharing the Gospel is not only speaking but it is also my actions. It may mean that I have to turn my other cheek (Matt 5:39) time and time again. It may mean when someone pushes me to my limit and I really want to yell at them that I smile and walk away. It may mean to say my peace in a loving and caring way when I really want to never speak to them again. It may mean to forgive someone (even if they don't ask for it) who as wounded me. Sharing the Gospel is being Christ like in every situation that I face.

The question for today is, how is the Lord enabling me to share my joy in the Gospel ? Please Lord help me not to forget to look around to see how the Lord is sharing that joy with me today--through other people and events!!

Authority and power was given to the Apostles but we too have that same authority and power. Even over a stronghold of unhealthy!!! I know this but am I living up to that power? Am I tapping in to that full power? I can't let the "evil one" take away my joy or my power today. God has called me to "Go fight the good fight" and "to be all we can be". To put on my big girl panties and to be a brave and mighty warrior for Him. To run the race....

Remember laughter and joy are good for the soul and especially remember to keep Walking with Jesus....

To Church

Walking with Jesus: To the Synagogue on the Sabbath
Mark 3:1-6 Jesus heals the man with a withered hand

Jesus went into a church where people were just waiting for Him to "do wrong". Well, wrong in their eyes. The message Bible says "the Pharisees had their eyes on Jesus to see if He would heal him (the man with a withered hand), hoping to catch Him in a Sabbath infraction." Has "the church" changed much from back then to now? Shouldn't church be different from the world? Aren't we as Christians called to be different? Aren't we suppose to live our lives different from the secular world?

I heard a sermon from the church that my mom and brother attends and it said that today's church seems to be all about man-centered, psychology, physiotherapy, seeker-friendly, feel good, happy happy church where you never hear about sin or the cross, just happy happy all the time. Are we called to be only an inch deep and a mile wide? I want to go much deeper with my Lord and Savior. I want ALL He has for me. Don't you?

As a believer, my every activity is to bring God glory. Whether we are at our jobs, cleaning toilets or even getting healthy, we, no speaking for myself, I must honor God in ALL that I do. That means with every bite I take and with every step I make.

The harder I try to "get healthy" the more roadblocks that the "evil one" puts into my path. But I want to bring God glory so when things are going great, I WILL PRAISE HIM. When I stumble, I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAISE HIM. When I fall, I know that my God will be there to pick me up and dust me off as I will continue to Keep Walking with my Jesus and to PRAISE HIM THROUGH IT ALL......

Walking through the Grainfields

Walking with Jesus: Through the Grainfields
Mark 2:23-27

This was the meditation: "...let me sow an offering."

Dear God,
When there is a harvest,let me sow an offering.
When new growth is trampled flat, let me sow a seed of hope.
When days are dim, let me sow a light.
When nights are much to dark, let me sow a promise.
When a heart is broken down, let me sow a kiss of peace.
When minds are tightly shut, let me sow a dream.
When a soul needs one more breath, let me sow a seed of love.

Having grown up as a "farm girl", I love being out in the fields. I miss the days that I spent there. I miss the sounds, the smells and yes, even the hard work. It always amazes me how you plant such a tiny seed and how it grows into a bountiful harvest. The seeds I planted during this time were a lot bigger than a mustard seed that Jesus talks about in Mt 17:20 which says "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

For me "getting healthy" is a huge mountain. One that some days I think I will never get past. I must change that way of thinking because I know that with God, nothing okay say it out loud, NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME, if only I look to Him. That's what God's words promises me. Where is my faith when it comes to this stronghold in my life? It is so frustrating!!!

These past weeks have been difficult. Did I make my goal of steps each day, no. Did I beat myself up for it, yes. Did I just want to quit, you betcha. As I start this week I need to make changes. Maybe I need to use this exercise time as a time to reflect and praise God for the day (instead of thinking it is just one more thing I have to do). Wouldn't that be a wonderful offering to the Lord! Maybe that is the answer. Could I have been focusing to much on myself when I should have been focusing on Jesus. This could be a great opportunity to strengthen both my body and my spirit as I make improvements in my physical and spiritual health. So that is my goal for this week...to use my exercise time as an opportunity to pray and build my relationship with my Lord and Savior. And the plus factor maybe that I find the time passing more quickly as I walk and that I may be more refreshed when I am finished.

Not only Walking With Jesus but focusing totally on Him.....

Dinner Guest con't

Walking with Jesus: To Levi's House for Dinner con't
Mark 2:17-20 Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous

Meditation: The Lord's Food

The cross-offered, risen Word still comes to fill us where we are emptiest, hungriest--where we have discovered the inability of calories to nourish our inner selves.

There where we are filled with sounds that fade,
with hopes that disappear,
with dreams that dissolve,
with good intentions gone astray,
with promises to ourselves broken,
with self-constructed missions designed to give life meaning
that seem to circle into zeros.

Come and eat here at this table.
Take your spirit's fill.
Here is the wine and bread without price.
Here is the free gift of sweet-tasting freedom---of the fullness of forgiveness
and hope that are eternal.
Here, finally, is the meal of your life--for your life.

You are what you eat? Perhaps. but even more, here at Christ's table, we are nothing at all until we have eaten.

Am I learning the good health requires more than simply eating right and exercising. Am I making time for prayer and meditation every day?

Walking with Jesus through this journey....

Dinner Guest

Walking with Jesus: To Levi's House, for dinner
Mark 2:15 & 16 (The Message Bible) Jesus eats with sinners

15 Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.

16 The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: "What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riff-raff?"

The meditation talks about "you are what you eat". I'm thinking if that is true then I must be the garbage dump! For years now I have eaten when I'm nervous, relaxed, together with family & friends, alone, busy, tired. It saddens me to say that it has become my comfort. As in verse 16 "What kind of example is this?"

The question I'm facing now is "Am I ready to move closer into what the Lord is calling me to?" Am I willingly to leave some things behind. I know that God will not share my time and attention with other "gods". And yes this even includes necessary and good things like food.

This is a fine line because on one hand food can become an idol in my life but I don't want to go to the other extreme and let getting healthy become an idol either. God doesn't want to share me with anything or anyone that takes my eyes off Him. He wants ALL of me.

I have taken the easy road for years now. It's time to tear down the roadblocks and keep Walking with My Jesus.......

Back Home

**Reason for not posting yesterday.....Yesterday was spent traveling to Barnes Retina Institute to get my checkup. Needless to say after the testing, I don't see very well for the rest of the day. No being on the computer or reading or this was really sad, no being outside (and yesterday was so beautiful). My eyes got a clean bill of health, will I shouldn't say that b/c they aren't healthy but there hasn't been any changes...Thank God!!!

Walking with Jesus: Jesus Returns to Capermaum
Mark 2:1-12 Jesus heals a paralytic brought to Him by the man's friends

Jesus had returned back home to Capermaum and word got out that he was there. The Bible says a crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out to listen to Jesus teach the Word. How cool is it that this man had four friends who would stop at nothing to get him to Jesus. It's sad in this era of e-mail, online shopping and test messaging. we seem more detached than ever before from our family, friends, and neighbors. I wonder if today people would take the time to get "their friend" to where Jesus is? A better question is, would I take the time? I need to support and I need the support of my friends and family. Overcoming problems and celebrating blessings is always easier with support from others. I am so thankful for the people who have supported me as I start this long journey of getting healthy. Your kind words and encouragement means the world to me....

Keep walking with Jesus.....

Traveling throughout Galilee

Walking with Jesus: Traveling Throughout Galilee
Mark 1:39-45 Jesus heals a man with leprosy

As I look back at my week, I was surprised to see how many steps I actually took. I have to tell you, I expected more, a lot more. I understand that taking time to exercise or making time to be physically active is a journey, just like many other challenges in my live. But I want it now!!! Although I didn't meet my goal steps each day, I must stay focused and refuse to give up. I must look at the fact that I did make progress.

Isaiah 40:31..."I will soar on wings like eagles; I will run and not grow weary, I will walk and not be faint."

Today's meditation was a prayer. I couldn't say it any better....

Lord, I come into Your presence seeking a gracious blessing. But I dare to ask for an outrageous portion of Your grace. I ask that You not simple equip me but that you chase me out into Your world.

Make me a person of vision who looks not in but out, not back but forward, not down but up, not at what cannot be done but what might be accomplished by Your Spirit.

Make me someone who seeks mountains, not valleys, narrow paths instead of wide and easy ways, sending places instead of resting places, starts instead of finishes, horizons instead of waysides, tomorrows instead of yesterdays.

Give me running shoes instead of wool-lined slippers, alarm clocks instead of sleep switches, gas pedals instead of brakes, coaster wagons instead of armchairs, sailboats instead of sandcastles, binoculars instead of microscopes, jogging suits instead of lounge pajamas.

Make me a person who startles even myself with the power that You give. For all I do is moved by Your breath, enveloped by Your Spirit, filled with the wind of Your grace and resounds to Your glory and not mine.

Give me wings to fly like eagles. I pray in Jesus' name and Amen.

House Guest of Peter

Walking with Jesus: To Peter's House
Mark 1:29-31; Peter's mother-in-law restored to serve

Meditation: Life before Death
You may find it odd that as soon as Peter's mother-in-law was healed she began to serve. But listen, as people of God who believe in Christ, we also believe in a life after death. Right? When life is hard, I have caught myself many times saying "Lord, just take me now". But as God's daughter here on this earth, shouldn't I also believe in a life before death! If I am a daughter of God, then I should believe that I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in this life, in my world right now, rather than waiting until I get to Heaven. I should be looking forward to eternal life in the future but I should already be enjoying it right now.

There is this song I sang growing up and some of the words were "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..." but if that is our mindset than am I missing the mission that my Lord has for me right now?

So today I'm asking myself "What am I doing for Jesus today? Am I just content to wait for eternal life or am I looking to make a difference in the name of my Yahweh Rophe (The Lord who heals). Am I content to wait for my "new body" in Heaven or am I going to treat my body as a temple of God that it is here on earth?

Health Tip: 7 Ups for a New Day
* Wake Up-Begin the day with the Lord. It is His day. Rejoice in it.
* Dress Up-Put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.
* Shut Up-Watch your tongue. Don't gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.
* Stand Up-Take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good.
* Look Up-Open your eyes to the Lord. After all, He is your only Savior.
* Reach Up-Spend time in prayer and Praise. (p-praise, r-repent, a-adoration, i-intercession, s-self, e-everyone)
* Lift up-Be available to help those in need-serving, supporting and sharing.

Keep Walking with Jesus.....

From the Beach to God's Church

It's time to leave the casual, relaxing and blissful beach. One last look at the beauty and the warm blue/turquoise waters. Can you hear the waves? I sure can. It's hard to leave a place that you love. A place where you are so relaxed and feel so free. But it is time to move on to the next stop.

Today's title is Walking with Jesus: To the Synagogue in Capernaum. Scripture is taken from Mark 1:21-27 (message) where is tells us how Jesus casted out an unclean spirit. I am praying that Jesus will cast out the unclean spirit of unhealthy for me and even though I know He could do it in an instant or it could be a process or He could choose not to do anything, I am believing that He will allow a process for me and am looking forward to the quiet walks with just my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The meditation is taken from Ps 51: 1-2, 6-7, 10-23....
1 Generous in love - God, give grace! Huge in mercy - wipe out my bad record. 2 Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. 7 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.. 10 God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. 11 Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. 12 Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! 13 Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.

Even though verse 8 and 9 was not in the meditation here is what they say....
8 Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. 9 Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health.

Let me paraphrase. Tune me in to "step"-tapping songs, set this once-broken "body: to dancing, "yes river dancing". Don't look too close for blemishes, "GIVE ME A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH"!!!!

I promised Him today that I would "dance" again. Don't you just love it when God speaks through His Word to you personally. I do!!!

Keep Walking with Jesus.....

Three Days on the Beach!!!

Well, I finally got my new pedometer on Friday night. To set it you had to use a very tiny screwdriver which we didn't have at the house until Marc came home from the farm late Saturday afternoon. So I didn't start wearing it until Sunday. After wearing it Sunday, I don't think my original pedometer ever worked right!!! So today I am starting over with my three days of wearing it and getting a new average. Which means I get to camp at Three days on the Beach!!! My all time favorite place in the world.....

Walking on the Beach

Title for today is Walking with Jesus: Walking by the Sea of Galilee. Scripture is taken from Mark 1:19-20 (from the Message) where Jesus calls James and John to be followers. How Jesus was walking down the beach and saw the brothers. They were in their boats mending their fishnets. How right off, he made the offer to them and the text says "immediately" they left their dad, their boat and hired hands and followed. That is the kind of person I strive to be. That when Jesus calls, I know His voice and I immediately response.

The meditation is continued from yesterday's poem...I want to follow, Lord. But have You set me on the wrong way? Was I not meant for things other than plowing a path through the same old tasks that need to be done again? Was I not meant for more than pushing though the stubborn ground so that others could enjoy the fruits of new life? Was I not meant for bigger and better things than clinging to a plodding plow? When I follow You, Lord, is this the way? I will follow you , Lord--on this same day. I will follow because I know no other way. But more importantly--I ask You to follow me. When my eye strays to the greener in the nearby meadow, or when my ear longs for the laughter I think I hear from over the hill. Then I will depend on You to follow me, Lord. And set my hands anew on the plow, and give me the joy of knowing that my hand is exactly where You and I both want it to be. I WILL FOLLOW YOU, LORD.

Ouch!! Double ouch. If you have known me for any length of time then you know that my job is doing the same old stuff everyday. And yes, I complaint about it alot. There are many days (okay every day) I ask myself why am I in this job. I really get so weary doing the same old same old each day. I often see "greener" jobs in the nearby meadows and I often hear the "laughter over the hill" and I long to feel that I am being useful. I am so sorry Lord for complaining about my job all the time. I pray that you would set my hands anew of the plow and that I would find the joy of knowing that my hand is exactly where You want me to be. I WILL FOLLOW YOU, LORD.......

Following

Today is called Walking with Jesus: To the Fishing Boats at the Sea of Galilee. The scripture is Mark 1:16-18 where Jesus calls Simon and Andrew.

The meditation starts out with Luke 9:42 which says Jesus said, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God". Those are difficult words for a well-intentioned but sometimes stumbling follower like me. The meditation also had this poem: I will follow You, Lord--put my hand to the plow, shape my will to the contour of the handles You have given me. Set my feet on the furrow, my eyes on the marker at the other end of the field. Set my heart to the task of turning the earth so that others can plant and water and harvest.

I grew up in the fields, planting and harvesting so this really made me reflect back on those times. It reminded me of how hard of a job that was but also how rewarding it was when the work was complete. I believe God is trying to tell me that even when this gets hard (and for anyone who has eating issues, you know what I'm talking about)that in the end it will be so rewarding and worth it all!!! Reminds me of my birth verse James 1:12...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

YES, LORD, I WILL FOLLOW.....

Yesterday my step counter stopped working(go figure. So until I go shopping tomorrow I will not be able to know if I made my steps or not but I'll keep walking with Jesus with or without a step counter.........

Desert Heat

Today's devotional was called, Walking with Jesus: From the Jordan River into the Desert. The scripture was Mark 1:12-13. I read it out of the message Bible and the title of this passage was call "the test". I also say that if God is giving you a test and you don't pass it, that you will keep taking the same test over and over again. I'm so tired of this test, I want to make an A+ so that I can move on to the next level with God. How about you?

Speaking of tests, the grade I would have received yesterday would have been a D. At 10 p.m. last night I looked at my step counter and saw I had not made my goal. My soul was telling be to go walk on the treadmill but physically I was done. I am not going to beat myself up for not making my steps. I just have to come up with a better plan. As much as I don't like getting up early, I think that it would be a better plan for me to do that and get in my 2000 steps before I actually start my day. I never know what my day is going to bring and I really didn't like how it made me feel last night knowing that I didn't get my steps in. If I make the sacrifice and get up earlier, even just a half hour, then I won't have to think about it for the rest of the day. That's my plan......

Okay back to the meditation: Desert Heat. It talked about how the temptations provide a window for us to see the intense soul-searching, inner struggles of identify formation, surrender and commitment to God's will with which Jesus wrestled. For me, I have wrestled with being unhealthy for years. I read once that it takes a month or so to form a new habit so is these next 40 days gong to be my wilderness journey? The temptations that Jesus was faced with apply to us also. The "evil one" wanted Jesus to change stones into bread (focusing on physical need), gaining easy dominion over the world (focusing on ego-power need) and testing God (focusing on spiritual need). I too need to focus on my physical need by every time I want to eat asking myself if I'm really hungry or am I wanting to feed a deeper need and do I want just to stay in my warm bed or get up and get "stepping"? The ego-power need is one that I don't struggle with because I am way more comfortable being "behind the scenes". My spiritual need takes time and planning and there are someday where I struggle with this. So these next 40 days and nights will probably be a place that will be extremely hot, with a lack of water, and few places of shelter for me. A time when I will wrestle with physical, spiritual and emotional trials because the "evil one" doesn't want me to get out of this vicious cycle that I find myself in. I to must use scripture to get through and when I do, God will send angels to attended to me......

Keep walking....God didn't say this was going to be easy!!!

Walking Wet

Today's was entitled "Walking with Jesus: Into the Baptism Waters of the Jordan River. The scripture was Mark 1:9-11. The meditation talked about how we as Christians should be walking soaking wet in this world. That sometimes we are met with the chilling winds of injustice and intolerance. But that God has chosen each of us and it may not make sense to us, to walk wet in the world, to be so immersed in the waters of baptism that the water clings to me (us) like a soaked baptismal garment, to let the water drip off of us to sprinkle life on those who do not even know they are dry and dying but that is what we are called to do.

I thank God that in spite of my sometimes broken will, against the wisdom of the world that too often claims me, against the desires and dreams that too often hold me--God allows me (us) to have a heart that is a "river of living water" as He promised.

The health tip for the day talks about how water is life-sustaining: whether it is the water of baptism that signals the changing of lives or drinking water that refreshes and hydrates the body. It asks the question "How much water do you need every day?" To keep hydrated you should take your body weight in pounds and divide by 2 and that is how many ounces you should drink every day. If you are in dry climates or very active you should drink more. I don't know about you but it seems to me that if I try to drink that much water I will never get anything done except going to pee......hum....that may get my extra 2000 steps in each day!!!!

I did get my steps in yesterday but it was hard. I was on the treadmill at 9:30 last night counting my steps!!!

Keep Walking with Jesus......

From Nazareth to the Jordan River

I spent the last 3 days logging my daily steps. At the end of each of these days, I would think to myself "Are you kidding me!!! That's all the steps I made today!!" It was a real eye opening experience to see how many actual steps I made. I won't share how many but there is lots of room for improvement!!! So now that I know my average, I have added 2000 steps to that total and that will be my goal each day for the next week. The one thing that I know about these 2000 extra steps is the fact that I will have to "plan" on getting them in each day. So now my chose is what do I give up? What in my daily routine doesn't need to be there? I'm at a fork in the road and depending on which way I go will determine if I am successful on getting healthy. I could take the road that is easy and not make any changes or I could take the road that will be very challenging and run the race that God has called me to run. God didn't say that it would be easy but He did say that in the end it sure would be worth it!!.

Today in my Bible study the scripture was from Mark 1:2-7 called Walking with Jesus: From Nazareth to hear John the Baptist at the Jordan River. (Someday Sandy, we will go there and walk that path!!!) The meditation was called "ON A MISSION". It talked about this young pastor in a small congregation and how he set out a calculated plan designed to increase attendance and enlarge the membership. Planned all these "programs" but all his planing didn't work. One Sunday a gritty old farmer joined the church. His gruff, crude speech irritated and embarrassed the pastor. The pastor even wished that the old farmer would find another congregation to attend. During this time the old farmer would pick up people and children in his broken-down van and take them to church. As the months passed the church became full of new faces. And in his deepest moments of reflection, the pastor knew that the old farmer was making it happen. This old farmer who was unqualified by worlds standards, unkempt, loud and irritating. One day the pastor ask the old farmer, "how do you do it?" and the old farmer was puzzled. He said "I don't know, I just know I must do it....

As I start this season of my life, I also know that I must do it. I have tried all the "programs" and none have worked so I am going back to the basic. Duh!!! Something as simple as adding steps to my day, keeping my focus on Walking with Jesus.

Turning Plan into Action

I know it has been forever since I have blogged. I'm always finding a reason not to get moving. Reasons like "I don't feel good", "It is still dark", "It's too hot" "Mom had surgery and is in the hospital so that takes up my time", "I just don't want to today", "It's to hard", "I can't" and the list could go on and on.

The following is a couple of paragraphs from the Bible study He Speaks to Me that I am currently doing. It said "God considers preparing for worship important. He speaks to those who follow His instructions. This doesn't mean that He gives us a specific plan for worship or a picture of exactly how that worship should look, as He did in the building of the tabernacle. Instead, He instructs us in how to plan for opportunities to worship Him. Of course we have to turn that planning into action. After the birth of her second child, my friend Shundria took up running with aspirations to run a marathon. To prepare, she joined a group and worked with a trainer. He gave them a running schedule, but Shundria had to implement it. Just as God gave Israel a plan to follow, God gives us a plan. But we must prepare ourselves to complete it" OUCH!!!

So I asked myself "Whats your plan, Marilyn? Are you just thinking about it or actually doing it? Then God reminded me that God has a purpose for this temple of mine but I have to do my part...duh.

So a couple of weeks ago my precious friend Amber emailed me this program called America on the move and wouldn't you know it that yesterday I received it in the mail a day after the Bible study. The first 6-weeks book is called Walking with Jesus. Is that not cool. The goal of the program is to increase your activity level by 2000 steps a day, to consume 100 fewer calories a day and to eat three servings of low-fat dairy a day. It also incorporates an inspiring spiritual dimension. The programs wants me to work on my physical health goals but it also allows me to be inspired by daily Scripture readings and meditations to follow the routes from the Bible. For me today is day 1. That just means that I wear this thing to count my steps. I do this for 3 days. Then I will average my steps to determine my basline steps and then add 2000 steps to that and that will be my goal of steps each day.

NO MORE EXCUSES, MARILYN. IT IS TIME TO TURN THE PLAN INTO ACTION......

***The following post will be some of my own words and some words from the book I am following***

Praise and Worship

Last night a group of us ladies got together and just worshiped our Abba Father. It was so good just to be free to worship however God was telling each of us and knowing that no one thought we were going over the deep in. This past week has made me reflect on my birthverse and it is James 1:12. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trails because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." No matter the trails or tests in our life all we need to do is to keep our focus on the One True Light. He is The Light in this dark, depraved world.

I will be able to tell my group that I walked/worked out 3 times this week. Oh, Father let me past this test!!!!

My New Theme Song for this Season of My Life

Painting Pictures of Egypt

This is my theme song for this season of my life. I have been in Egypt far to long and I am so looking forward to my Promised Land.....okay it won't let me download it so I'll keep trying to figure it out..............

*UPDATE* I couldn't figure out how to add the video to this post but I did add it to the next one.

Third Times a Charm???

Last night Marc, my dog Sandy and I went to the park t walk. I have to tell you that I was dreading it because I had hurt my back at work and didn't know how walking would affect it. I have to say that Sandy had a great time but I on the other hand did not. I could only get the old body to walk 20 minutes. Even then I had to stop twice and stretch my back. Turning over in bed last night was sure a task too!!! I'm at work now but sitting isn't helping. I need to go to the chiropractor but at this point I don't want anyone touching my back. I know the old saying "no pain no gain" but this is much worse than just being sore. I'm sure this is a scheme for the "evil one" to throw me off course so please if you read this say a little prayer for healing for me and that I won't get discouraged and give up (again).

Also to my girls, Kristen and Shaya, who start their first days of school. Just remember that you may be the only "Christ" these kids see....

Weekend of Roughing It

Friday afternoon Marc and I decided to go camping at the boat club. There is not many times in August that it is cool enough to go tent camping so we decided to take this opportunity. We haven't been there since Brian's accident and death. We thought we would try it for one night and ended up staying the whole weekend! The weather was beautiful and it gave Marc and I time just for ourselves with no distractions, which was nice. I feel so close to God when I can just appreciate nature. Saturday afternoon we went on a hike. There were lots of hills to climb and the road was a new road which made for some difficult walking. We were back so far into the woods that it was a little scary. It was a hard 30+ minute hike. My goal was to walk 3 times this week (before Wednesday) and hopefully I will get in 4 since this is only Monday!!!

There Is Only One Me

I read this a few months ago and I can't seem to get it off my mind....

The Universe contains over 125,000,000,000 (one hundred twenty-five billion) galaxies.

And there rests in the Heavens over 70,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (seventy million trillion) stars.

Among these you will find our sun 864, 300 (eight hundred sixty-four thousand three hundred) miles wide

Orbiting it. Earth. Home to over 6,600,000,000 (six billion six hundred) people.

And though we are like a grain of sand in the cosmos, the Lord of the universe cares for us like we are the only one!!!

The Lord not only cares for all that but he cares deeply for me. Not just the big things in my life but every little detail of it. Amazing.

911 On Speed Dial

Well after work today, Sandy and I drove to mom's to mow her yard. I mowed while Sandy enjoy playing with Moe. Got home around 8ish and did some things around the house. All the time thinking I needed to get outside and start my walking. Finally around 9, Sandy and I went for a walk!! I put 911 on my speed dial just in case. We only walked for 20 minutes but that is 20 minutes more than yesterday. 20 minutes may not sound like a lot but its a start for me. With God's hlep maybe tomorrow I will be able to walk 25 minutes!!!

Running Begins With Walking

Hebrews 12:1 says, Therefore, since I am surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let me throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let me run with perseverance the race marked out for me.....Last night at Bible Study, after months of feeling like I have been free falling, I had a break through. Praise God! God showed me that I do have a great cloud of witnesses to help me here on this earth. I have been around and around and around and around again this mountain of unhealthy but last night I finally feel like I can run through that darn hill and get to the other side. I know it is not going to be an easy journey but I'm relying on God's strength and know it will make the journey bearable and worth the race. I am excited to see what He has in store for me on the other side!!! My goal this week is to walk, okay lets be real, crawl 3 times. I just have to remind myself that I have to crawl before I can stand, stand before I can walk and walk before I can run.