Hi, everyone! Wow! We are hitting the trail running…or it seems that way to me. Let’s see how it works this week if we have as a very tentative goal, that of reading and working through three chapters–chapters 3, 4, and 5. I think this is a bit ambitious for me personally…but let’s see what happens! Let’s each go at the pace God directs us personally!
Here is the video for this week. I apologize that it is about 5 minutes long. I get excited about this stuff…
As you read chapters 3, 4, and 5 (or whatever the Lord leads), please do the following:
- Keep adding to your list of attributes of God and the way he relates to you, His child.
- Take time daily (or more often) to pray praises to Him and thanking him for these attributes on your list, asking him to make them more real to you. (I give an example of this in the video.) Praising and worshiping him in faith even if you struggle feeling the reality of these things makes a HUGE difference in our perspective and our walk on this journey (for our entire lives!)
- Keep asking HIM about which “tools” mentioned in the book you should use right now. The tools can be tools of grace, but some of us need some more distance from dieting charts and graphs before we can use them that way. Just keep asking Him.
- Invite HIM into your eating. If you make eating a time of fellowship with the Lord, I believe that the keys to conscious eating will (super)naturally become a part of it…for instance, if you say, “Lord, thank you for this food…thank you for providing tasty fuel when my body needs it,” you are likely to get a check in your spirit if you are NOT at a “0” yet! Ask the Lord to help you to get to know your body’s physical signals and then use what you learn to praise and exalt GOD, not the food, not the “good job” you are doing This is HUGE! It made all the difference in the world for me and will again! 🙂
- As you consider each bite of the food and the swallow of the beverages you choose, again, focus your attention on and praise the Lord. Tell him how wonderful the tastes and textures are and then ask him to help you not to eat more than you NEED. I like to “offer” back the last couple of bites of any food I have been enjoying. Even if I took a very small portion, I can give back something to him. Typically, I have found that giving up those couple of bites doesn’t keep me from a comfortable “5”…and it sure helps to curb my tendency to be greedy. It is one way I keep my flesh in check, I guess (but it isn’t a law!) The fact is, I can get more to eat if, in 20 minutes I still feel hungry. I feel like I am most in the heart of God’s will when I delight in HIS creativity, HIS provision during my meals…It is ALL about HIM! 🙂
Remember most of all…if you focus on HIM and HIS greatness, you will experience a satisfaction in your soul that NOTHING else can touch! There are *reasons* we are drawn to food when we aren’t physically hungry and, often, at the heart of all of these reasons is a big emptiness that God alone can satisfy. If we develop an ability to focus on Him, praise Him, pray to Him, we will find that those things that lure us to food when we aren’t physically hungry will fade! Honestly! Not only that, but a lot of other challenges in our lives will fall into their rightful place. It is the “Seek first His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well” principle again!
If you have time and feel led, I do hope you will post here what God shows you in your time with Him. Or post the link toyour blog entry if you are doing it that way. I don’t want to miss any of it!
Big hugs to you! Oh, how you thrill his heart! 🙂
I just love the videos. It makes it seem that we are actually sitting together face to face. God is so good.
I just love the videos. It makes it seem that we are actually sitting together face to face. God is so good.
Hi, Heidi,I just wanted to say THANK YOU. This is just what I needed to hear today. Especially I think the "you are not a failure" even though we do fail at times.And about condemning myself as I fear messing up!This is all hard, because my heart is getting pruned. Just as it needs to be.I am trying my best to keep up with you all. I did finish my chapters for last week and need to work on my attributes list. Thank you again for taking the time to mentor us in this. Cher (CherHim)
Hi, Heidi,I just wanted to say THANK YOU. This is just what I needed to hear today. Especially I think the "you are not a failure" even though we do fail at times.And about condemning myself as I fear messing up!This is all hard, because my heart is getting pruned. Just as it needs to be.I am trying my best to keep up with you all. I did finish my chapters for last week and need to work on my attributes list. Thank you again for taking the time to mentor us in this. Cher (CherHim)
Thanks, Heidi! I've really enjoyed even just this last week. It's been so special to link to other ladies' blogs and get to fellowship, if you will. The Holy Spirit takes care of the body – even if it's separated by thousands of miles!While in this study I am simulateously in a ladies's study locally in Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" on the Psalms of ascents. Both studies focus on the journey WITH God and TO God. I"ve written more about it here:http://sisepuedetestimony.blogspot.com/2009/06/psalm-120.htmlAlso, I enjoy the video spots. Do them as the Lord leads! We don't want our facilitator to get worn out! 🙂
Thanks, Heidi! I've really enjoyed even just this last week. It's been so special to link to other ladies' blogs and get to fellowship, if you will. The Holy Spirit takes care of the body – even if it's separated by thousands of miles!While in this study I am simulateously in a ladies's study locally in Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" on the Psalms of ascents. Both studies focus on the journey WITH God and TO God. I"ve written more about it here:http://sisepuedetestimony.blogspot.com/2009/06/psalm-120.htmlAlso, I enjoy the video spots. Do them as the Lord leads! We don't want our facilitator to get worn out! 🙂
Thank you for doing this. It is such an encouragement to me. I've had guests from the USA. I didn't do as well as I wanted, but I didn't do what I usually do either. The thing I struggle with the most is eating foods that are not good for my health. I know that when I don't eat them, I feel better, but I keep eating. 🙂 I want victory so bad!!!! I'm keeping at it and trusting that it will come.
Thank you for doing this. It is such an encouragement to me. I've had guests from the USA. I didn't do as well as I wanted, but I didn't do what I usually do either. The thing I struggle with the most is eating foods that are not good for my health. I know that when I don't eat them, I feel better, but I keep eating. 🙂 I want victory so bad!!!! I'm keeping at it and trusting that it will come.
So…how's everyone doing with their eating? Things went really well here during the day, but then DH came home late from work and I was getting hungry so I had a small snack before dinner. Then I wasn't really at a 0 when dinner time came around…but I ate anyway…and ofcourse as it often happens with me, because I wasn't really hungry when I started…it was more difficult to know when to stop. Sigh!
So…how's everyone doing with their eating? Things went really well here during the day, but then DH came home late from work and I was getting hungry so I had a small snack before dinner. Then I wasn't really at a 0 when dinner time came around…but I ate anyway…and ofcourse as it often happens with me, because I wasn't really hungry when I started…it was more difficult to know when to stop. Sigh!
Hi, Essy. I had a great start with my eating yesterday…and my plans for a mid-afternoon time of reading my TW book were derailed. I got bitter about it! I think that resulted in me copping an attitude. Boy, I am so easily driven and tossed by the wind, it seems. I see lately that I am easily irritated by some things. I have to structure my life so I can say NO to some things…and then go with plan A no matter what…The idea of BEING STILL and knowing HE is God mid afternoon is really helpful for me to be sure to recommit to godly goals for the rest of the day. I start the day well as I enjoy time with him before the family is up, but mid-afternoon, I need a "booster." Yesterday, I definitely did!
Hi, Essy. I had a great start with my eating yesterday…and my plans for a mid-afternoon time of reading my TW book were derailed. I got bitter about it! I think that resulted in me copping an attitude. Boy, I am so easily driven and tossed by the wind, it seems. I see lately that I am easily irritated by some things. I have to structure my life so I can say NO to some things…and then go with plan A no matter what…The idea of BEING STILL and knowing HE is God mid afternoon is really helpful for me to be sure to recommit to godly goals for the rest of the day. I start the day well as I enjoy time with him before the family is up, but mid-afternoon, I need a "booster." Yesterday, I definitely did!
Heidi,Thank you so much for the videos, I watch them periodically, until the next one comes. THey are so encouraging.God has blessed us all and when I think about those blessings, I am encourage to be more honoring of him. But, sometimes for me, I get busy and then forget to engage those thoughts. I pray that I stay more in tune to his nudging.YOUR BLOG and videos have been a great help. I love the book and all your notes too.God Bless you, you are a true gift.Madaline
Heidi,Thank you so much for the videos, I watch them periodically, until the next one comes. THey are so encouraging.God has blessed us all and when I think about those blessings, I am encourage to be more honoring of him. But, sometimes for me, I get busy and then forget to engage those thoughts. I pray that I stay more in tune to his nudging.YOUR BLOG and videos have been a great help. I love the book and all your notes too.God Bless you, you are a true gift.Madaline
I seem to do well when it is all going according to plan…but can get thrown off kilter when the slightest un-expected thing happens. I need to remember that the Lord wants to use those moments for His glory too…maybe even more so. He showed me a while back that it is in those moments that He is carrying me (a la foot prints in the sand)…and I just feel out of sorts because I mistakenly feel more secure with my feet planted on the ground…instead of flying high in His arms. Kind of sad when I look at it that way.
I seem to do well when it is all going according to plan…but can get thrown off kilter when the slightest un-expected thing happens. I need to remember that the Lord wants to use those moments for His glory too…maybe even more so. He showed me a while back that it is in those moments that He is carrying me (a la foot prints in the sand)…and I just feel out of sorts because I mistakenly feel more secure with my feet planted on the ground…instead of flying high in His arms. Kind of sad when I look at it that way.
I just re-viewed the video today and it spoke so clearly again to my heart re: self-condemnation. Although I knew it's a bad habit I don't think I realized how bad it was until I started TW and I dare say it will take some time to stop. I also have no idea how to not make it about me and the diet. I try to keep looking to Him when I catch myself, but… I wrote this long post on my blog but then deleted it before I had finished because it just felt like whining. I'll try to get back there today & be more productive.Heidi — I cannot stress how important your videos are in adding SO MUCH to this study. You truly illuminate the subject matter in such good ways that clearly reach me. Thank you.Essy – I hear ya on blowing with the wind! I had an incredibly stressful Sun. afternoon after a terrible row with my teen aged son where I ended up walking out of the house just to get away from the stress even though it was raining! That night, like clockwork, I overate, but mostly because I was so exhausted I couldn't think straight. That still derails me.Whew! What a journey!Laura
I just re-viewed the video today and it spoke so clearly again to my heart re: self-condemnation. Although I knew it's a bad habit I don't think I realized how bad it was until I started TW and I dare say it will take some time to stop. I also have no idea how to not make it about me and the diet. I try to keep looking to Him when I catch myself, but… I wrote this long post on my blog but then deleted it before I had finished because it just felt like whining. I'll try to get back there today & be more productive.Heidi — I cannot stress how important your videos are in adding SO MUCH to this study. You truly illuminate the subject matter in such good ways that clearly reach me. Thank you.Essy – I hear ya on blowing with the wind! I had an incredibly stressful Sun. afternoon after a terrible row with my teen aged son where I ended up walking out of the house just to get away from the stress even though it was raining! That night, like clockwork, I overate, but mostly because I was so exhausted I couldn't think straight. That still derails me.Whew! What a journey!Laura
Hi, Laura. I am so glad that you are getting something from this…and the videos, too. I am still a bit insecure about the video thing, but feel like it makes such a difference for me to SEE and HEAR others…so if it helps, I don't want my pride (of looking or acting like a dork on camera) to keep me from using it! God is GOD!
Hi, Laura. I am so glad that you are getting something from this…and the videos, too. I am still a bit insecure about the video thing, but feel like it makes such a difference for me to SEE and HEAR others…so if it helps, I don't want my pride (of looking or acting like a dork on camera) to keep me from using it! God is GOD!