Saturday Sabbath

Get Fit Friday- 100 Day Challenge

Often times I feel as though I am going in circles. There are things that I want. I talk about them. I even write about them.

Then I get distracted.

Later, I remember what I want. (often forgetting that I even wanted it before)

I talk about it. I even write about it.

Then I get distracted...

Maybe you find yourself in this pattern too. (I think it's called repetitive compulsion.)

I am worn out with not accomplishing anything. It is self defeating and emotionally exhausting. I want to break this pattern. I want to make changes, not just discuss them. Yesterday's "Thoughts" were about how Satan had me in bondage two ways. First, he had me believing I was responsible for others' actions (is that pride?) and secondly, being focused on what I couldn't change, he had me blinded to the things about me that I CAN Change. This naturally lead to the question... "So, What can I change... and WHY haven't I changed it?"

In the process of, well, processing this, I came across the following idea:
When you are interested, you do what is easy and convenient.
When you are committed, you do what ever it takes.

I also read another little something that really got my attention...
it can take 100 days to make a permanent change.

Am I willing to give a bit of effort for 100 days to remove the destructive patterns in my life in order to have something better?"

Ironically,  I will turn 46 in just over 100 days.

Seems like a natural place to put a plan into action, don't you think?

Between today and next Friday, I am going to take time to seriously decide what I want my life to look like. I'm going to prayerfully consider changes I need to make.  I'm going to commit to whatever it is for 100 days, with day 1 being August 17.


Big hugs!
K

Thursday's Thoughts on...bondage...and freedom

A verse comes to mind... Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

and another.... The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

I am quick to say that Satan is my enemy. I say that I fully understand that his ONLY objective is to devour me. I say that I know that his only mission is to steal, kill and destroy...

yet I underestimate the lengths he will go to to accomplish this. I look for BIG things...HUGE temptations... affairs, murder, stealing...huge things. This is one of Satan's best covert operations... we are deceived into thinking that he only works in the big things... destroying marriages, taking jobs, all those sorts of things. In reality, he does his best work in the little details... a little lust here, a bit of anger there, stirred together with a white lie or two mixed in with some seemingly harmless gossip...pepper it with a dash of unforgiveness and a sprinkle of self-righteousness.. and there you have it.. one defeated, miserable, beat down, unproductive, stale, stagnant Christian with all the joy sucked right out of his/her heart, leaving nothing but a sour faced scowl and bitter attitude.

Satan absolutely does not care one tiny little bit WHAT keeps you in bondage, so long as you stay there. While I know he will go to great and elaborate lengths to destroy a person, he will also use seemingly insignificant things if that works in his favor.

Satan had me in bondage 2 ways; I took responsibility for others' actions and attitudes while overlooking my own. Satan had me so caught up in feeling responsible for things I couldn't change, that I neglected the things I could change.

When my responsibility to others was put into perspective (see last week's "Thoughts"), I began to see the many ways I could actually change myself... all the ways I was REALLY broken... and all the ways I could improve myself that are not at dependent on the actions, opinions, or attitudes of others.

This is exciting to me.

It is always encouraging to have light shown on the plans of my enemy. Thankfully, I know who I follow, who will lead me in paths of righteousness...

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" - Jesus (That's the rest of John 10:10, referenced above.)

I don't want a mediocre, defeated, empty life. I want life to the full.
I don't want to feel helpless to the moods and attitudes of others. I want to embrace and cultivate the one relationship in which my value and worth are found... my relationship with Christ.

These words are from one of my fave worship songs..

Chains fall

Fear bow

Here, now

Jesus, you change everything

Lives healed

Hope found

Here, now

Jesus, you change everything

Here is the video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU771D5AYWE

Enjoy!

Much love and big big  hugs!

K

Wednesday's Weekly Recipe - Pasta Salad

Easy and delicious Pasta Salad recipe that takes only minutes to make and is perfect for any get together including BBQs and holidays. (Is a great make-ahead dish)


Prep Time 15 minutes
Refrigerating Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
16 oz box pasta (you can actually use any pasta for this. I am a fan of bow tie)
16 oz bottle Italian dressing
(you can add any of the following or add your own fave veggies. Some even put ham or pepperoni or mozzarella balls and Colby cubes in their salad. Totally versatile.)
1 can black olives
Parmesan cheese
chopped tomatoes
Chopped sweet pepper
Chopped Water cress
chopped cucumbers
Broccoli (bite size florets)

 Instructions 
1. Cook pasta as directed on package.
2. Drain and rinse with cold water.
3. Add desired amount of olives, cheese and whatever else you want to toss into your pasta.
4. Pour at least half of your Italian dressing and mix well.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Pour additional dressing (as much as you want) before serving.

ENJOY!

Tuesday Tips and Tricks: Quiet Time

As promised on Friday of last week... tips on setting up for a productive quiet time...


First, let the term "Quiet Time" guide you. This is a time for you to quiet your thoughts, put away your to-do list, and rest in God.

I only know me, so I will share what I have done to help me have an uninterrupted space of time with God...

Choose a place. This needs to be somewhere comfortable and relaxing.
I like the end of my couch close to the window. There is a bookshelf against the wall that is the perfect height to rest a cup of coffee. There are wind chimes in the tree just beyond my field of vision. They make the most soothing music, compliments of the morning breeze. There are  humming bird feeders hanging from the eaves of my back porch and bird feeders in the tree just beyond the porch, as well as in the trees along my back fence. The birds make the most beautiful music in the mornings. From my spot on the couch, I can enjoy all these sounds, watch the tiny humming birds flit to and fro, and watch the sun dance through the tree leaves.  The roof over my back porch is metal, so on rainy days, i am serenaded by an entirely different, but equally soothing song. All of these soothe my soul, quiet my mind, and remind me of the majesty of the Creator who gives me such perfect gifts each day. Everything about my place points my heart and thoughts toward God. Make sure that your place, where ever you choose, does this... points your heart and thoughts toward God.

Make sure you have what you need.  Honestly, the only thing you NEED is a Bible (in a translation you can read and understand). Please understand that the purpose of this whole thing is to draw closer to God. If you are reading a Bible that is written in a way that you do not understand, it is not helping you achieve the goal of being closer to God...even if the fancy words and phrases do seem "holy." The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to us... it is meant to be understood. (post for another day)
I do have other things that I regularly use. I mentioned my bookcase earlier. I cleaned it off this weekend and set it up with all the things I use during my quiet time. I have a basket that holds my Bible, my Sunday School book, and whatever other materials I have for teaching. I also have my daily devotional there. I ALSO have a Bible Reading schedule.. because sometimes opening the Bible and starting to read is not very productive. I have zippered pouch with (too many) colored Gel Pens for journaling. If I am reading a book, it will be on the shelf as well. Other than that, it is pretty clear. Oh! I do have a lamp. Sometimes it is nice to sit in the near-darkness of the morning and the lamp gives me enough  light to read by if I don't want to turn on the overhead light. I also get a large cup of coffee, my morning cereal, or a glass of juice or water... whatever I'm consuming that morning, so that I am not tempted to get up in the middle of my conversation with God to pour myself a bowl of cereal.

Quiet your mind. Turn off the TV, Radio, and silence the phone. Relax.
I usually have to make an effort to quiet my thoughts and focus on God. I often close my eyes and take several cleansing breaths. I will pray, asking God to bless the time with Him. I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in my life that is a barrier between me and Him. Then I rest in the quietness for just a moment. I wait and see if anything comes to mind. Sometimes it does and I need to do a quick Google search on Scripture on what ever it is to get me started in my Bible reading. Other times I simply do the reading I have for the day. The point is to empty my mind of everything that isn't focused on God.

I feel like everyone's quiet time is personal and should reflect who God created them to be. Some people sing, some draw, some write. Some sit stone-still, eyes closed, carrying on a conversation with God inside the privacy of their mind while others lie face down on the floor and weep. Honestly, the whole thing was awkward for me at first. I think that's why I utilized journaling from the beginning. It was easier for me to write to someone I couldn't see than it was to talk to someone I couldn't see. Over time, the whole thing has become quite natural.

Find a time where you will not be distracted or interrupted. This is perhaps the biggest challenge for most everyone I've talked to about having a time set aside for God. Most people will tell me that they simply do not have time. Neither do I. If I am going to have uninterrupted time with God, I have to schedule it...and if I want no distractions, I have to plan for it. I get up before anyone else...or I stay up later than anyone else... or both. The only way for me to be free to focus all my attention on God is to be alone. That's either when my people are asleep or out of the house.

Many people say that they talk to God in the car because that is the only time they are alone. Others say it is in the shower. These are both well and good and I often do both... but it isn't the same as my time alone with God, sitting together on my couch by the window, listening to the birds and wind chimes and watching the sun dance through the leaves on the trees. There is something special about my time alone with God. It soothes my soul, calms my fears, and...allows me to rest. It is different than the times I pray during the rest of the day.


I'd love to hear about your Quiet time set up.

Much love and big big hugs!
K

Monday Motivation

Sunday Scripture - John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

What does this mean to you?

I meditated on this for several days last week during my quiet times. 

Know what stuck out to me?

"I do not give to you as the world gives."

How many times do we look for God to bless us in "worldly" ways? Financial security, good grades, affirming relationships, good health, career we enjoy and that pays well... all these things are "worldly" blessings. They bless us now... while we are on this side of Heaven.

So If God does not give to us as the world gives, what then does He give? 

He gives us HIS peace. The peace that passes all understanding. Peace when we lose the job. Peace when the test results are not what we wanted. Peace when we lose some one we love. Peace when there is more month than money. Peace when we KNOW we "should be" freaking out.

So often I ask for things that will bless me now. I am trying to focus on LOOKING FOR the ways GOD gives... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control are the gifts we are given when we become Christ Followers. I am looking for these to grow in my life. 

I'd love to know your thoughts!

K