I'm starting a new study this week with Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies.
The book is "Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future" by Derwin L. Gray. Join in! It is not too late. In fact, if you don't have the book yet, you can read the first two chapters at Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies page.
The above is the first verse of the week for the study. I figure I'll put it everywhere I can so I can nail that all down in my head.
I decided to take the study because honestly, labels have run my life. I am the ever present work on self-esteem and self-doubt. I have the knowledge that God has a perfect plan for my life, and I know that the slip ups and rough parts have a purpose. I think I need to move beyond some of those things of the past in order to get there.
Here's a little bit about the book:
Is your life limited by labels the world and other people have used to define you?
Labels you have internalized and apply to yourself every day. Labels like Afraid. Or Addict. Orphan. Damaged Goods. Failure. Maybe even Religious. These labels might be sewn into your life with such tight little stitches that they feel like a part of you. They feel like they define you. But that’s a lie. If you let Him, Jesus can remove those old labels and tattoo new ones onto your soul. Then you’ll begin to see yourself as God the Father sees you. The limits will be lifted, and your life will be transformed. It’s the truth. Join Pastor Derwin Gray on a fascinating journey into what can happen when you offer your head, your heart, and your hands to the only one who can offer you truly limitless life.
Because I am taking this study through Proverbs 31 Ministries, I am using a link to their site to give a purchase option. I think that it is only fair since this study, other than the book, is free.
*I'm a sucker for sunsets. They make me think of rest.
This week has been a week of ups and downs. Ups as I overcame some real lows and downs which basically covers all those lows I had to overcome. Thanks to God, I did. But it was rough at times. Here's the skinny:
1 - Gym steadiness. I had a renewed vigor about hitting the gym five days a week, and made a real dent in that goal. I am already at four (I took Wednesday off so I could work on show prep) and I am actually feeling pretty good about it all. I am very glad to get my circuits done for the week. Tomorrow will be simple cardio and some weights. I can handle that. What I want to get back into is taking advantage of red light therapy. With winter kicking in, I can use the benefits, but the fact is, once I am done with working out, I just want to go home...
and have a sandwich.
Which brings me to number two
2 - Trigger time. I have been reading "The Total Money Makeover" by David Ramsey, and one of the things I have gathered so far is I need to look at my triggers and stumbling blocks so I will be aware and prepared when they come up. This works well both financially and food wise. So I have taken to writing out things when I start to feel my trigger rear their ugly heads. Like when I am up late at night. That is the time where all bets are off and I grab a bowl of chips (better than the bag but not good enough). This week instead of grabbing the chips. I wrote in my food journal what I wanted, when I wanted it, and what I was doing at the time. I looked up the calories and wrote that down too. I did still end up snacking, but instead it was on a small cube of pepper jack cheese. This is my new custom. I am hoping that this kind of food logging will help me make better choices and start to see my own stumbling blocks better.
Stumbling blocks like clothes shopping
3 - Dressing room crisis. I honestly had no intention of hitting a dressing room any time soon. I am feeling quite chubly, but I had to go to Goodwill to find a solid colored top because we had photos scheduled for our station. My boss and actually our photographer prefers us in solid colored tops, and since I don't have one that fits that isn't a t-shirt, I had to invest. I invested with Goodwill, and frankly I hated every moment of it. Actually every moment of the dressing room. While there I discovered that I have gone from everything looking good on me, to some things looking good on me, to some larger sizes looking good on me, to pretty much being inches away from simply bawling because nothing looks good, but some things look the least bad. I kind of felt like I hit my "rock bottom." At least on the weight loss level.
The great thing about hitting rock bottoms in anything is, the only thing left is up.
4 - More time in God's word. As rough as parts of this week were, I found real strength when I reached into God's word, my prayer journal and reading the devotional "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young. I do not read it every day, but I read it often. This week, I had some really tough moments and I actually read one devotional three days in a row. For some reason I kept forgetting to move the ribbon book mark into a new spot. Okay...I actually think there was a specific reason why I kept coming upon the same devotional page, I really needed to get that I need to trust God. Trust that He is working.
I do. I am.
Verse that hit me the most this week:
Jeremiah 30:17
"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the LORD, "because you are called and outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.
What I am looking forward to:
Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Study begins on Sunday! I am off my rock excited about it! This will be my third study, and we will be delving into "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst. There are lots of women all over the world signed up. I believe the last count was over 36,000! You can learn more by heading over to their site here.
How was your week?
Another goal for 2014 is to get a handle on weight and fitness. This week I began working with "The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer" to go along with my reading of "Never Say Diet" both by Chantel Hobbs.
So here is a bite-sized look at the upcoming four weeks (including this one):
1- Go to the gym five days a week and do 30 minutes of cardio each day and three days of circuit training (I belong to Planet Fitness and they have a nice 30 minute circuit section for this).
2- Do not diet. Just be sure to eat breakfast each day. Don't worry. I will be worrying about food intake later. Too often I have tried to do it all at once and failed miserably. This time I am going to focus on one thing at a time. Consistency in working out and not skipping meals is my first step.
3- Starting January 14th - Begin Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Study with "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst. I have already downloaded the book to my Kindle (I have the book floating around the house somewhere), I picked up a "Craving God" devotional (only $5 right now) at Family Christian Store, and last night I ordered the Made To Crave Journal and Conference Call Bundle. It is an investment, but worth it for me (and I did save quite a bit on the devotional). I have participated in the conference call portions of all the studies that I have been in, and it has been invaluable for me. I need all the extra support and motivation I can get.
4- Measure myself. BLECH. This is all a part of my goals. As much as I want to look at the scale constantly, I know that it will depress me. So I have promised to weigh in once a week and measure as well. The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer has a place for all of that so I am using it to keep me honest. :)
How are you working on your goals? Are you breaking them down? Do you have any fitness goals for this year? Any suggestions for how to stay committed?
*Remembering a MOST lovely view in Carmel from our 2nd honeymoon.
So for 2014, I really want to make a stronger effort in my relationship with the Lord. I know that I need time with Him. I see the results when I am kind of floating about on my own. It can start off okay, but then a storm of some sort hits and BLAMMO!!!!! I'm knocked on my tushy.
The thing is I know that spending time with God isn't going to keep the storms away. They will still come, but I will see them for what they really are...TEMPORARY. I will also see myself for who I am...A LOVED CHILD OF GOD.
Now...before I get with the planning, I do want to celebrate the victory I have had with my time with God.
This year I joined two online Bible studies with Proverbs 31 Ministries. The first was with Lysa Terkeurst's book "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God." It was so eye opening for me! I really do feel that I received so much direction from God through that study. I definitely drew closer to God, developed a stronger prayer life, and I learned new ways to study God's word via verse mapping (pretty awesome!!!!).
I also joined the online Bible study with Proverbs 31 Ministries that used the book "A Confident Heart." This was such a big one for me. On the outside, I look like I have it all together. On the inside...YIKES. I really had a hard time with my place in His world. I am still a work in progress here, but what a blessing this study was to me as well. I learned so many things and the most important was with how I compare myself to others. Renee shared how a friend told her that when we compare ourselves to someone else, we compare out insides to someone's outsides. Talk about a losing battle! This was my first time also being involved in the online study with special Facebook groups too. What a great way to study! It was nice getting a chance to open up to one another on an even deeper level.
I was also getting up extra early in the morning to spend time with God in prayer and study. That kind of slowed down, but I am going to recommit. For now, I am going to get up 20 minutes early and stick with that and increase my way up to an hour early. I love my sleep so this has been a challenge. That is why I decided to go for 20 minutes. It is a small start, but I am looking forward to making it. :)
Do you spend time reading and studying the Bible? Do you follow a routine? What works for you?
PS --- I am starting another study soon. The book for this one is "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst. I am really looking forward to it!
