Without the boundary of this fence, Daisy, my golden retriever, would (no doubt) get even CLOSER to this buck than you see in this image. From her perspective, I have little doubt that the fence “stands in the way” of much fun! The truth is, the fence–a boundary–keeps harm out (deer can be deadly) and keeps what is worth protecting safe within–safe from straying.
This week, you will develop your plan including having a good look at your own boundaries relative to your Thin Within journey. We will use a lot of Barb’s material to help with this. Before you go on over to her site, though, I want to lay some ground work.
Please watch this short (4 minute) video first:
To register for this week’s class Wednesday at 3:00pm Pacific Time (OR the digital recording), please visit this link: http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E956D880834D3A NOTE: When you select a password, please do NOT forget it! It will be necessary for you to access the class AND the digital recording after the class is over!
Take a moment to jot down in your journal (or think about) what you think is true about boundaries. Do you believe that they are there to protect you? To keep OUT influences that could damage you? To keep you IN, from wandering off on a path that would be destructive for you?
Or are you more likely to consider boundaries with resentment–as something that denies you something as if “God is holding out” on you?
Ask God to show you the truth about boundaries. Jot down what he impresses upon you. You might want to put them in your index cards if you are using them: “What is true about boundaries in my life.”
IMPORTANT: When I reference you to a page at Barb’s site, please know that there is a TON of incredible material there. For the purposes of our study, though, I will include the links here each week for any of the pages that are “vital” to our study this summer. The other links, you are welcome, of course, to explore. But please know that with so much wonderful material at her site, you can spend HOURS on it! ALL of it is good. Do what you feel God leading you to do of course, but any page that I think is foundational to our study here this summer, I will include as you will see below. For this week’s assignment, please be sure to do any of the linked pages that I include.
This has several parts to it, so please spread it out over the week:
1.) In her post under THE PLAN, Barb links you to her post about boundaries. You can read that or not, but most of the information that you need is likely to be in the video above. So if you are short on time, you don’t need to read it.
2.) She also includes a link to a post on secondary boundaries. Unless what I have shared in the video is “murky,” you probably don’t need to read that post either. If you are short on time, I think you will be ok without reading that, though it is definitely helpful! For our purposes, if you are uncertain about what might help you to maintain your primary boundary of 0 to 5 eating, you can use the Keys to Conscious Eating. Keys 1 and 8 are the primary boundary. Keys 2 – 7 are ideas for secondary boundaries. If you are using a set of spiral bound index cards or using a binder ring with index cards (whatever your method), then you might want to write down on a card “MY PRIMARY BOUNDARY: _________________.” And on another card “MY SECONDARY BOUNDARIES: ____________________” I don’t recommend more than 2 or 3 secondary boundaries and you can add new ones or change them as you go.
3.) Barb also has a link to Renewing the Mind Goal. THIS ONE, IS IMPORTANT TO OUR STUDY this summer. In fact, it is foundational to our summer study. So please DO read it and do the activities. (Yes, I just included the link to the same page THREE times. I don’t want you to miss it, that this is important.) There are lots of great links even in the post on the renewing of the mind goal. Again, the links to other posts are helpful, but not vital, so if you are short on time, don’t do them. If you are using a set of index cards that are hole-punched or spiral bound, then write your Renewing of the Mind Goal down on your cards. If you aren’t using the cards, that is ok. But I suggest you jot it down somewhere. NOTE: In our online class last week, we had the pleasure of having Barb Raveling in attendance (you can still get the recording of the class if you want). I realized as she shared that my way of thinking about the renewing of the mind goal was different than what she speaks of in her blog. Maybe *both* can work. My way of thinking of it has been to pick something that you know you need to think differently about, like, for instance, “I need to think differently about having sweet foods after lunch and dinner.” What I want to think instead about desserts is that “I can live without desserts.” Another one might be, “It takes less food than I think to satisfy me.” So my goal is to change my thinking about dessert or about portions. Barb’s use of it is helpful in being quantifiable…”I will renew my mind twice each day about dessert/portion size.” You can use a combination of both ways of thinking if you like or just use Barb’s mentioned in her post!
4.) Under her heading THE CHALLENGE, you can have a look at her post about 8 Questions to Ask When You Don’t Want to Renew Your Mind. This isn’t required, but it can be EXTREMELY helpful. (I have not included the link because I will include the link to the pages directly only if they are foundational to our study.) I have written these 8 questions down in my card set as I think they are so good.
5.) Do her ASSIGNMENT in her Day One post, including her #2 item: Working With God on Your Goal.This was originally intended, I think, for New Years, but it is helpful to our summer study. All of this work right now is to lay the foundation for our summer study. Doing this work will be very helpful. Future assignments (starting next week) won’t be as lengthy (I think!).
6.) Continuing on her Day One study, you will want to complete the Following Your Boundaries Questions questions. PLEASE don’t skip this set of questions as, again, this is foundational to the rest of the summer. In fact, you might want to keep these questions handy. Any time you find yourself not wanting to adhere to your 0 to 5 boundaries and your secondary boundaries, pulling out these questions can help you get focused again, willing again!
7.) I would love to hear from you in the COMMENTS below about any of the following:
What is your Renewing of the Mind Goal?
What secondary boundaries have you selected that will support your primary boundary of eating 0 to 5?
Which of her renewing of the mind tools will be helpful to you?
8.) If you would like, attend the class this Wednesday at 3pm-4pm Pacific time to discuss this material. The class costs $5. If you can’t attend, but want the digital recording of the class, the cost is the same. Both those who want to attend the class live and those who want the recording only, will need to register at http://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E956D880834D3A
This is another great song for your Renewing of the Mind playlist! I hope you enjoy!
“Waiting For Tomorrow”
Maybe tomorrow we’ll start over
Maybe tomorrow I will finally change my ways
Said the same things yesterday
Don’t know why I’m so afraid
To let you in
To let you win
To let you have all of meCan’t spend my whole life wastin’
Everything I know I’ve been given
‘Cause you’ve made for so much more than
Sittin’ on the side lines
I don’t wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could’ve been betterEveryday’s a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrowMaybe today I’ll start believing
That you’re mercy is really
As real as you say it is
It doesn’t matter who I used to be
It only matters that I’ve been set free
You rescued me you’re changing me
Jesus take everything
Can’t spend my whole life wastin’
Everything I know I’ve been given
‘Cause you’ve made for so much more than
Sittin’ on the side lines
I don’t wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could’ve been better
Everyday’s a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow
Oh, I’m makin this my moment now
To grab the hand that’s reachin down to save me You saved me
And I’m makin this my moment now
To grab the hand that’s reachin down to save me You saved me
Can’t spend my whole life wastin’
Everything I know I’ve been given
‘Cause you’ve made for so much more than
Sittin’ on the side lines
I don’t wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could’ve been better
Everyday’s a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow
I’m gonna grab the hand that’s reachin down
And I’m not gonna wait until tomorrow
Oh, tomorrow
What is really holding you back? Will you choose to reach out to God’s hand, reaching for you and “do” tomorrow…NOW? 🙂 What will that look like for you?
Are you wondering what study we are going to do next here at the blog?
Are you hoping that you can get support for your Thin Within journey this summer?
Look no further! 😀
Here is a short little video blurb about it…
Starting Monday, just TWO DAYS away, June 17th, we will begin!
I want to revisit Barb Raveling’s material in her “Weight Loss Bible Study” which I think would better be named a “Renewing of the Mind Bible Study!” LOL!
I may not be using her material in order so check in here on Mondays for the week’s assignment. I am going to supplement and augment with some of my own material so I hope this will result in a study that is vital, transformative, and life changing while supporting you on your Thin Withinjourney!!
Here is how it will work:
Each Monday, I will post a video and assignment. Sometimes there may be a sound file as well or instead. I may send you to Barb’s blog for the assignment that you will do.
Additionally, and this is what I am SUPER excited about…I will be offering an online class to focus on whatever the topic of our Monday study is for that week. The classes right now will be set for Wednesdays at 3pm Pacific which I know doesn’t work for everyone, so you will be able to listen to/watch the recorded version of the class! You can sign up to attend and/or sign up to get the recording of the class instead! Isn’t that awesome? I have to pay a monthly fee for this service, so I have to charge each person for the classes/recordings. But I am charging the smallest fee the service allows of $5 per class. I hope you find that reasonable (and it is cheaper than a Weight Watcher’s meeting, right? LOL!)
Anyhow, I hope you find this a wonderful way to support you on your Thin Within journey.
Each week, you are welcome to post your questions that you hope will be addressed during our online class, too. More on that on Monday.
During the week, don’t be surprised by seeing posts only on Mondays (with the week’s study assignment), Wednesdays, and Fridays. I am working on developing some new resources to support people on the Thin Within journey, including a 30-day online challenge and a God is Doing a New Thing retreat that I hope to offer! So I don’t anticipate posting here as often during the summer.
I am so excited! I hope this works out well!
Monday, June 17 – Focus is on What IS the Renewing of the Mind and Why Should I Do it?
Wednesday, June 19 at 3pm Pacific – Online Class to discuss our subject.
Thank you so much for your concern (and prayers) for me after you read Thursday’s blog entry. God reached down and definitely pulled me up. Your kind texts, emails, and calls are cherished.
What do I do when I am in a situation like this? When I find myself face first in the bag of Oreos, chips, or wandering aimlessly in the kitchen looking for something…anything, really…?
Music is something that God has used to reach out to me. Music bathes my mind with his truth. I have to pick the right music, of course. I literally have taken a song and played it over and over and over again so that I get the words going through my mind ALL the time–on purpose.
I want to be able to say “I can’t get that song out of my head.” Especially when it has words like Mandisa’s Lifeline song. Look at these words–a prayer to God:
Here I am
Drowning in a sea of my own choices
Holding a hope by a thread
Yeah
I’m looking round, I’m calling out
Fear pulls me down
When the waters rush over my head
Chorus:
You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can’t seem to breathe in
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
How many times
How many turns
Will it take till I learn
You reach for me in my need
Yeah
And when I cry
I know that I’ll faithfully find you
When life comes crashing on me
You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can’t seem to breathe in
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
You’re there in my brokenness and my distress
My rock when I’m strong or when I’m powerless
You hold me in rushing tides when waters rise
And I’ll always find
You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can’t seem to breathe in
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can’t seem to breathe in
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
Writers: Kevyn Gammond, John Pasternak, Michael Chetwood, Francesco Nizza, Paul Lockey
Copyright: Sound And Vision, LLC
When I am backed up against a wall, when I am emotionally drained, when I am angry and know that I need to give a heartache and my response to it to God, sometimes, all I can do is listen to music. Songs like this one wash over me again and again. I do that on purpose. Some might call it brainwashing, but when it is TRUTH, I think that is a wonderful way of changing my thoughts to be pure. I use the words like these, then, for my meditation, as a prayer to God, adding my own words. I end up waking up during the night with these words on my mind, too! It is an awesome way to invite God to renew my mind, to change my thinking. HE is WAY bigger than any memory of my past or any heartache in my present. WAY WAY bigger.
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8
Here is the song so you can enjoy it. I hope that it transforms your thinking, too.
If I want to act differently…like sustain behaviors that support my godly goals of eating 0 to 5…then I have to believe differently. Like in this case, I have to believe that it takes less food than I wantto eat to sustain me. Or I have to believe that I don’t need to be on a strict calorie-counting diet and exercise program in order to release weight.
If I am going to believe these things, I have to stop the thoughts that I have that “rehearse” the lies I believe over and over again. I have to replace the thoughts that are based on lies (or half truths) with God’s BIG T Truth.
So how to do this practically:
If you catch yourself with a runaway thought, you want to stop it as soon as you notice it. For instance, let’s say you have the thought “I need something sweet.” BINGO! A potentially runaway thought that may take you on a wild train ride and derail your godly goals. By stopping this runaway thought and taking control of it, you can inform yourself with the truth. In this situation, here are some truths that may be good ones to think about:
I don’t need something sweet. I merely want something sweet.
If I still want something sweet when I am hungry, I can have it then.
Will eating something sweet now (outside of my hunger/satisfaction boundary) satisfy what is really going on here? Probably not.
If I eat this (outside of my boundary) what next? Will this lead to me heading farther and farther off the track?
I don’t need anything sweet and if I busy myself with something else to do, my thought about eating will subside and go away.
If I don’t eat outside of my boundaries, I will have the joy of obedience and the peace that comes from making a great choice.
Etc!
In the video clip below, we see the sharks take a “pledge.” They start with an “affirmation” of truth…what they want to believe. They speak the truth to themselves hoping that it will cause them to act differently. You can see that they really are a hopeful bunch who get the idea that telling themselves a truth that they want to believe might affect their actions!
(Note: This video clip is mostly for comic relief. LOL! I hope it makes you laugh. Although something went awry with this approach for Bruce and his friends, it can be effective for us!)
What are some beliefs you have that cause you to act in a way that counters your godly goals?
What are truths you can tell yourself instead?
What is a practical way you can incorporate this “telling yourself the truth” into your daily life before other thoughts run away with you?
