Tag Archives: Father

The First 100 days – day 20 – 20%

WOW! 20% done.  1/5 of the way there.

If this were a marathon, 20% is 5.2 miles….of 26.

If this were an ultra-marathon, 100 miles…this wouldn’t even be the first 26 miles.

Of the people that start the HURT (Hawaiian Ultra Running Team) 100 race, over 20% or so finish.  But that is like 21, 22, 29 out of 100!

In my 100 days, I’ve already fallen very behind in my Bible reading.  I’ve had to compromise on my Daniel Fast because I need more protein, and I am not getting enough from plant protein.  I’ve missed one day of 30 minute movement, because I was so sore from the previous day’s walking on the beach.  I’ve messed up my continuous 100 days.

So – quit.  Why bother? What’s the point?  I’m behind on the race! I can’t catch up!

Ah – diets…a good example of quitting.  I have no idea how many other people start diets and then give up because they mess up…BUT, me, well, I know I do.  “I ate two cookies, I might as well finish the bag so they aren’t a temptation tomorrow!” HA!

Millions of people make New Year’s Resolutions on Jan 1, and by Feb 1(at the latest) they are broken. Hmm, how did they get broken?  Did they fall off the mantle, and crash to the tile floor?  Oops!  No. They weren’t broken, like some accident, they were thrown away.  Sometimes gently, sometimes with full angry force, thrown against the wall with screams of ‘I CAN’T DO THIS!’.  But even that scream didn’t BREAK the resolution…the next day broke the resolution, the resolve of the person.  Waking up, with the headache, the stomach ache, whatever, and thinking “I’m a failure.”  THAT BROKE THE PERSON’S RESOLVE!!

Then there are the little voices in our heads from childhood, and the photos on the magazines of those that kept their resolve and lost 100’s or more…or tackled the Appalachian Trail – barefoot…or climbed a volcanic mountain – while erupting…or whatever.  “Wow – that person really had resolve(self-control, will-power)!”

Maybe. Every person that succeeds first fails. Repeatedly fails. The difference is that they get back up, and do it again, and again, and again, until “Oh look! they made it to the top of the mountain!”.

20% doesn’t seem like much.

  • 20 days doesn’t even make a new habit! (referring to, “it takes 21 days of consistent behavior modification to create a new habit”).
  • The majority of 20 year olds will not make it to be 100 year olds.
  • 20% of a year is 2.4 months…January is only 1/12th, 8%!
  • 20% of the way to my son’s house is 229 miles.
  • 1 in 5(or 20%) of people having gastric bypass surgery will develop severe complications or death.(this was told to me by the doctor that was going to do my gastric bypass – I passed!).
  • 20% off is a good discount, right?

The value of 20% depends upon the circumstances to which it refers. The other way to look at it is, if I were on my way to my son’s house, I would be 229 miles closer than when I started.  If I lost 20% of my weight, that would be 50 pounds.  THAT’S A FIRST GRADER! And losing 50 pounds would almost get me half way to my goal weight! That 20% would be almost 50% of my goal.  50% is a BIG percentage!

What value is your life? And what in your life do you value?  We’re told it’s shown by our priorities.

Priorities….what is the number one thing in my life?  I say Jesus, but then I yield to the flesh (or someone inviting me to play a game on facebook, or take me out to dinner, or whatever excuse to turn me away from my focus).

Rom 7:15-17 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

Rom 7:18-20 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

This is Paul writing – one of the most devoted followers of Christ.  He was chosen by Christ…not by men, after Christ’s death and resurrection.  Paul shares the story in  Acts 26.  Paul struggles with doing the right thing! Paul lists all his fleshly credentials in Phil 3.

I want to do the Bible reading in 90 days…to wash my mind with the water of the word in the first 90 days…but I fail.  I choose to watch stupid TV shows.

I want to move for 30 minutes of every day.  I have a dog that needs a walk every day.  I have videos that would get 30 minutes in every day. 30 minutes out of 1440 a day = 2%.  I struggle with just sitting down – and doing nothing.

I want to eat right – to take care of my temple(a blog coming) and to glorify God and feel better.  I still struggle with wanting whatever is sold to me in commercials, magazines, or even store flyers!

I feel better when I eat right, move right and read right.  I thought that positive reinforcement should strengthen my resolve!  I feel sick when I eat ice cream.  That type of negative reinforcement should strengthen my resolve. 

THEN TELL ME WHY AM I CRAVING CHICK-FIL-A  PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE CHIP MILKSHAKES?

These photos were my true confession last November…for my 1 time guilty pleasure.  Yeah, right.  Then another, and another, and another…all through the season.  In fact, I even ate one on Dec 31, as my last peppermint chocolate milk shake….like my last meal.  I got terribly sick!  My stomach told me that ice cream is NOT my friend.  And still, we drive past it, and I think, hmmm, do they still have them?

I missed 1 day of movement during this 20 days. 5%

I am 3 days behind in the Bible Reading – 15% of what I’ve supposed to have read.  3% of the whole 90 day reading plan. And it only takes 30 minutes…or 2% of my daily quota of minutes!

So, I’ve messed up…in this 20% of my 100 days.  I am tempted to quit.  Until I do the math.

DO THE MATH!

People die because they eat the wrong stuff and don’t move. It cuts down a person’s odds for living any kind of life. Just read the statistics for heart disease, diabetes and such that often comes hand-in-hand with life choices.

Christians fail to grow into Christ by not reading His word.

Ps 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Pro 29:18 Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.

People go to hell because they don’t know the Lord. Matt 7:21-23

We struggle.  Period.

Rom 7:22-23 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

At first glance, Paul’s writing here is depressing!

Rom 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

THANK GOD WE HAVE THE ANSWER!

Rom 7:25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

HERE IT IS…THE BIGGIE!

Rom 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

AMEN! HALLELUJAH!!!  PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Rom 8:10-11 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Jesus said “It is finished.”  There’s a period at the end of his statement.  He IS the author and the finisher of our faith.  All we have to do is run the race.  And if we fall, he’ll pick us back up…I said, HE’LL PICK US BACK UP!!! and then, we brush ourselves off, and keep on running.

The one that doesn’t make it in is the one that never got in the race, or the one that quit and walked away.

It doesn’t matter how many times we fall down, what matters is that we keep putting one foot in front of the other…working and walking towards glory, closer and closer each day.

Do I sin like I did when I was 18 and in the Navy? No, sir!

Do I sin like I did when I was an exhausted mom of 5 toddlers?  No, Ma’am!

Do I sin? Yes sir and ma’am, every day.  But by the grace of God, my sins are forgiven, and I …..well, I’ll say it with Paul:

Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

All that matters, once you have that saving relationship with Christ, is that you get back up after you fall down.  Grab a hold of HIS words for you, and cling to them like they are your life, for they are.

When the devil comes around to condemn you…find your scripture to answer with.  If that’s what was good enough for Jesus did, then it’s good enough for me!(tic)  We are seated in the heavenlies..we have been given the victory…let’s not give it away, whether in life, health or spiritual walk.  Jesus bought this victory because he said we were worth it – we are worth it because HE chose us – therefore this race is worth running, to the very end.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Rev 2 and 3 talk about all the rewards for overcoming…and holding fast to the end.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

What is 20%?  What is 50%? What is 80%? What counts is where we stand on the day we meet Jesus face to face.  I’ve written about races before…the crown isn’t to the first…but in our race, everyone that finishes receives a crown..the crown of life. These verses were written by the same Paul that talks about having trouble with his flesh.

1 Cor 9:24-25Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

1Cor 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Christianity is a race.  A race is hard work. It takes training.  It takes a plan.  It takes daily, bringing yourself under subjection…which means that something doesn’t want to submit! The race isn’t to the strong…or the pretty…or the most vocal.  The race is to those that keep on keeping on…until the end. To Him that overcometh…..

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jude 24-25 Now unto Him that is able to KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. AMEN!

I know this one is VERY long…but I hope it’s been worth it for you, it has for me.  I’m going to complete day 20, and walk on to day 21.  Then, on day 21, I’m going to walk step by step, until I wake up to day 22.  And I’ll just keep doing that over and over until I see Jesus!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check my goal, walk 30 minutes.
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – I’m going to reset my program.
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check – 1 more days!


The First 100 Days – day 19 – at a loss for words

As my friends know, I’m rarely at a loss for words.

As my closer friends know, I’m rarely at a loss for words to speak about the Lord and what He has done in my life.

Today – I’m at a loss for words.  When I think of what God has done in just a short year…to enlarge the borders of my tent with mobility, strength and energy…I am at a loss for words.

I am blessed by all that the Lord has done. He has made this lame woman walk ‘on the water’, by the water, on the sand.

These photos are not so good…but this is my praise dance in the water, on the beach at Galveston:


So, here I am, thrilled that I could walk long enough to get a blister.

So, here I am, thankful that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me.

I may love to walk in sand, but my feet are planted on the Solid Rock.

I hope yours are too.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – I’m still in Joshua – behind a book
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check – SATI walking for 30 minutes
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check – 2 more days!


Almighty Music Video

I went to a conference and met a young man that is using his talents to further the Kingdom of God, and ministering to young people about courtship, and standing up for the unborn.

His family has produced this amazing music video.  Please watch.

Abortion stops a beating heart.

I am ProChoice.  Before the baby, it’s a choice.  After the baby, it’s a responsibility.

For more information go to Almighty Music Video.

If you are pregnant, and need help – they have links there.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

The First 100 Days – day 11 – I want to be like Mike!

Do you remember the commercials years ago where everyone wanted to be like Michael Jordan?
The Original:

The Remix:

Ok, what does that have to do with the Bible? Or a 50 year old, 5’2″, 250 pound me?
This quote:

I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. ~Michael Jordan

or this quote:

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ~Michael Jordan

Michael was looked over in his sophomore year for basketball. He was 5’11’ and deemed too short to play.(Wikipedia) He eventually grew to 6’6″.

I’ve read that he spent hours practicing foul shots.  I can’t find that right now, but the point is, Michael Jordan is what he is because of talent AND tough practice. And he was practicing before anyone even though the was good enough.

Real sports practices are tough. Just ask any football player doing “three-a-day’s” in August heat! My husband says they come home beat…then turn around and go back.  Why? Because they want to be the best.

I know the girls I coached in soccer didn’t like the running around the fields, after school…even in the cold and wet.  But it paid off in our 1-8 record! Ok, so I was given the unwanted team, the under-dogs, under trained, under provided for, and made fun of at every game. We won our last game…against the top team.  Why? Because we practiced.  We trained.  We talked soccer before the game, during the game, after the game, and of course, at practices.  Those girls were never so happy, as when they were jumping up and down, on that cold day, having won, their one and only game.  Priceless. No one grew up to be a Mia Hamm, but I pray that victory stayed with those girls forever.

Exodus 31:1-5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.

God chose someone – filled them with the Spirit of God – to be creative, to have talent.

Ex 31:6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

KJV says it this way: And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

Then Moses went back and said – Hey Bez and Aholiab…God says you know what you’re doing, so you’re gonna oversee and build all the stuff for the Holiest place on earth!(Ex 35:30-35)

Who, ME? God called me out by name?Um, people have died when He called out their names!

The creative force upon the water in Gen 1:2 was poured out upon men.

Ex 36:2(NIV) says this Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.

God even included those that were willing to do the work….just hold that thought.

God put within Bezaleel and Oholiab(Aholiab) special wisdom by His Spirit to be able to do special tasks for HIS Kingdom.  Skills, ability and knowledge have been placed within these two for the glory of God.  But where had they been practicing these skills? In Egypt!

Matthew Henry doesn’t believe that any Israelites would have been used to perform this special work in Egypt…so, therefore, it was a supernatural impartation. But when Aaron created the golden calf, he had some sort of engraving tools and knew how to do so.  So, in my humble opinion, I believe that these men learned their skills at the hands of the Egyptians, who would not have desired to do such lowly tasks as creating the furnishings for themselves.  They had slaves to do that.  This does NOT deny the fact that giftings are imparted by the Holy Spirit.  Only that some giftings come from the heat and pressures of life.

In Germany, the Jews continued to do the special crafts under the iron fists of the Nazis.  In America, slaves did the elaborate sewing for the women of the plantations. In Africa, the slaves work with the diamonds from the mines. In a German cell, Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote his beautiful memoirs.

WE are the diamonds that God is working on.  WE are HIS workmanship, WE are His crowning glory of creation. A naive person cannot be considered wise, because they are prevented from knowing the wisdom that comes from knowledge and choices.  A diamond does not become a diamond, unless it goes through heat, fire, and pressure.

My husband has been reading a book called Outliers:The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell.  The book is about how talent really doesn’t matter as much as putting forth the time and effort.  What he’s shared with me has been very interesting. Many of the people we consider greats in our time were people with the time, the opportunity, and the willingness to apply their aptitude to something, and it later turned out great.  Bill Gates is one example.

Through the years of being a slave to Pharoah, Bezaleel learned something, and when the time came, God called upon him and said “build my tabernacle”.  And he did.  And he oversaw and taught others to do the same.  The sad thing? Bezaleel never entered the promised land, and of course, never saw the Temple(built much, much later).

I have a friend who has suffered with many things in her life.  She is an amazing artist.  I know that there were years where she was housebound, a slave to her physical issues.  On Feb 6, 2011, she has an art show.  God has blessed her with talent, and I’m sure that her time in that slavery had an impact on her art.

Beethoven was deaf.

Michelangelo went nearly blind painting the Sistine Chapel.

Though my struggles with slavery to trauma, tragedy, and terror, I learned to paint.  People have said that God has given me this talent, and I assume that would indicate God putting His Spirit upon me.

  • I can’t jump like Mike.
  • I can’t run like Eric Liddell.
  • I can’t kick like Mia Hamm.
  • I can’t write music like Handel, Mozart or Beethoven.
  • I can’t paint upside down like Michaelangelo, and
  • I am not a skilled scientist like Leonardo DaVinci.

But I can do what God has given me.

Matthew 25 starts with the tale of the foolish virgins.  They all had oil to begin with, but five foolish ones didn’t do what it took to have oil to take them all the way through the night.

Then, the parable of the talents.  Each person was given something, and told to make something of it before the master returned.  No one knew when the master would return.

When the lacking virgins returned, they were late to the wedding, and the bridegroom said: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.(Mat 25:12)

moral? Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

What happened with the servant that just hid his master’s coin in the ground?

  • Matt 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant,
  • Matt 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.
  • Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

That is a high price to pay for not cultivating the talents that God has given me.  Did you hold the thought about those willing to do the work? Here’s where that comes in.   It is my heart’s desire to hear a different phrase from my master when He comes.

Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.(Matt 25:23)

The ones that did the work were blessed AND ENTERED INTO THE MASTER’S/BRIDEGROOMS JOY!

Bezaleel died with the others in the 40 years wandering. He never entered into the physical promised land.  I don’t know if he’s in heaven or not, but we know that only two lived to go into the promised land – Joshua and Caleb.  I can’t imagine working with my hands to create the home of God here on earth, and not following through to get to see the promised land.  Well, actually, yes, I can.

I have hidden the talents that God has given me for long enough. I painted one painting that stands out, and then I basically stopped.

This year is about coming out of the darkness, and bringing things into the Light.  But, like Mike & Eric Liddell, I need to acknowledge that God has given me gifts.  AND like Mike and Eric, I need to practice the talent God has given me.  I believe that Bezaleel was chosen because he was given a talent by God, and he had practiced it, and was skilled when the time came to create for the temple.  I believe that every one of us has a talent.  What’s your talent?  Is it still hiding under a bushel?

Shine down Your light on Me! ~ Sandi Patti

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only Wise God our Savior be glory and honor, dominion and power both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – check-tackling Numbers
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check – I made lentil soup!

The First 100 Days – day 8 – Is it Worth it?

Day 7’s blog was about how day 6 was messed up.

I’ve made commitments for parts of the 100 days:

  • moving for a minimum of 30 minutes
  • write a blog a day
  • Read the Bible in 90 days
  • T-Tapp Moves for 50 days
  • Fasting PG and higher Movies & TV for 30 days
  • Fasting for Food – 21 days – especially Fast Food

I’ve done this for 7, going on 8 days – and I am amazed at what hold these things have on me!

  • Oh, let’s just run in and get a soda
  • Let’s stop and pick up a cone
  • Let’s get a peppermint chocolate shake before their gone!
  • Let’s go sit at a restaurant and talk(not fast food, but eating out)
  • Let’s go watch a movie(instead of sitting and talking AT HOME)
  • I’m too tired to do (a 2 minute) T- Tapp(the pull of the recliner/couch)
  • I’ll read “People”, newspaper, email, bills, and run out of time to read my Bible.

Is it worth it?

Fast food – we figure we’ve spent an average of $400 a month.  That’s down from the almost $1000 we spent at our very worst(while food rotted in the refrigerator). But that’s a good start on groceries for many families!  What could we do with $400 a month?

Moving – Yes, I have FMS/CFS.  Yes, I have Periformis Syndrome. Yes, I have IT band issues. Yes, I have had 3 ankle surgeries with another indicated.  Yes, I have a whole person to lose before my poor legs and back are relieved of abnormal pressure.  But, I do move to go to the bathroom – why not move 2 minutes in a HoeDown, or 8 minutes in a MOREChair workout, or 15 Minutes in a MORE workout?(see T-Tapp) What changes could happen by just moving?

Bible Reading – what am I going to lose by giving up current events? What can I gain by washing my mind with scriptures?

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is

  • love,
  • joy,
  • peace,
  • longsuffering,
  • gentleness,
  • goodness,
  • faith,
  • Meekness,
  • temperance:

against such there is no law.

Temperance:/ˈtɛmpərəns, ˈtɛmprəns/ –noun

1. moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.
2. habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors.
3. total abstinence from alcoholic liquors.

Ok – one fruit is described as:

moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.

Self Control.  That is what other versions translate this word as. And the rest of the definition of temperance is:

habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors.

I don’t use alcoholic liquors much – so, that part, I have down.

The HABITUAL moderation in the INDULGENCE of a NATURAL appetite or passion.

1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Whether I like it or not, I am in a RACE.

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And, God asks a very specific question:

Jer 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and [if] in the land of peace, [wherein] thou trustedst, [they wearied thee], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

RUN WITH FOOTMEN? I’M NOT EVEN WALKING WITH FOOTMEN! I need a plan – I need a training plan!

1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Temperate in all things.  Self-Control.  FOR AN INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN!

Paul also wrote this about striving for the mastery:

Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Here are some words from Paul’s last days:

2 Tim 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

It isn’t about fasting fast food – it’s about bringing my body under the control of my spirit. It’s about bringing my spirit under the Lordship of the Holy Spirit.  It’s about hiding God’s word in my heart that I might not sin against Him!  It’s about pressing on, for an Incorruptible Crown.

There are many, many blessings to obeying God’s laws.  I’m finishing up Exodus, and into Leviticus, and from this point, at 50 years old, with the science we have now..wow, those were very good laws!  Follow those laws now, and you will be far away from all the sickness and disease that flows in our country!  You will be healthy, wealthy and wise,  just by bringing yourself under the Lordship, and wisdom of Jesus Christ, shown throughout the Word of God.

This brings me to a verse, that was my saving verse in boot camp. First, a story.  God gave me a scholarship to Ohio State University for art and music.  BUT, I had such a low self esteem, I felt HE was wrong, and I joined the Navy instead.  On the third day of boot camp, I fell during a run.  I hit my tailbone, and snapped back damaging some other discs, and hitting my head.  I spent a week, paralyzed from the waist down, in the boot camp hospital.  The diagnosis was 5 slipped discs, and two fused discs now, in my neck.

When the swelling went down, and I could walk again, I begged my boot camp Petty Officer to let me back into the unit, rather than be set back the week I’d been in sick bay.  This was UNHEARD OF, but she said yes.  I had to complete PT every morning and every evening – am run, pm pt, am pt, pm run and so on and so forth.

In the midst of this, I repented. I knew, I KNEW that this was a direct result of my disobedience.  And the Lord reminded me of a song I’d sung in a Christian youth ministry:

They that wait upon the Lord

Shall renew their strength,

they shall mount up with wings as eagles,

They shall walk and not be weary,

They shall run and not faint.

Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord to wait.

When we got to the last weeks of training, I had passed my PT, and I had encouraged others with this verse.  Therefore, I was chosen to paint the symbolic unit cinder block on the wall outside the barracks door. On that block I put Isaiah 40:31:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

Even though I’d messed up going  into the Navy, by leaning on the Lord, it was worth it – and to be able to paint His word on a US government building was the crowning glory!

When I look at my wimpy list, I have to think of Sarai – promised a son in her VERY old age.  She laughed.

Gen 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

Who am I leaning on to bring my flesh and spirit under subjection? In whom am I putting my faith? Apparently, in my flesh, and that’s no good.  Jer 32 really puts into perspective where my faith should focus.

I need to wait upon the Lord – He’ll renew my strength!

I need to hide the word in my heart – it will keep me from sin!

I need to run the race set before me – because there is an eternal crown waiting for me…just because I finished! Here is how one earns the crown, how one runs the race:

James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

It will be worth it all, enduring temptation to be ready to run with the horsemen – and here is a song to enjoy – as a prayer for today!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi



  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – catching up!
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 days – day 7- Messed UP!

As part of our choice to remove the darkness and run toward the light, we made some commitments for the first part of the year.

One was to put no evil thing before our eyes, as David vowed:

Ps 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:

Solomon had something to say about it:

Prov 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Well, we decided to watch a movie…and I am not saying that everyone should stop watching movies…though, if we are honest, how many of them fit the above criteria? My purpose for this example is OUR commitment to not put any wicked thing before our eyes – a 30 day fast to see what has a hold on us, and what helps us to grow closer to the Lord. And, we MESSED UP!  We even messed up our schedule – we stayed up way past midnight to watch a series of movies that did not glorify the Lord!

I felt so bad…and the visuals I had to deal with were, well, wicked. And I cried out for forgiveness.  I can’t get those hours back.  I can’t stop my memory from working, but I can ask God to wash away the sin, and cleans me.

Ex 29 is the consecration of the priests – through Aaron.

  1. First, they are washed with water – in the door of the tent of meeting…Public confession of uncleanness. Ex 29:4
  2. Then, they were given special garments for worship. Ex 29:5
  3. Then, they were given crowns(mitres) upon their heads Ex 29:6
  4. Then, they were anointed with oil(Ex 29:7)
  5. And then, the sacrifice:

Exodus 29:10-14

  • 10 “Bring the bull to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.
  • 11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
  • 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.
  • 13 Then take all the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.
  • 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its offal outside the camp. It is a sin offering.

I know that Jesus was the perfect sin sacrifice.

  • The priests put their hands on Him.
  • He was publicly flogged, though he needed no cleansing.
  • He was publicly killed, though he did no wrong.
  • His blood flowed out, to pay the price for MY sins.

Heb 9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

There is nothing I can do to wash away my sins, Ps 51 cries out for forgiveness…I need to

  • come with the sacrifice of a contrite heart(Ps 51:17)
  • wash myself with public confession (I confess here)
  • put on the garment that Christ has purchased for me
  • and receive the cleansing blood of Jesus
  • And I am allowed to enter into the presence of GOD!!!

Leviticus 16 talks about the ‘holy garments’

Isaiah 61:3 says that part of the reason Jesus came was:

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

This is what Jesus read, when HE announced His ministry as told in Luke 14:8. But there’s more.  When the perfect sacrifice came – He came to:

  • The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me
  • to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to
  • bind up the brokenhearted,
  • to proclaim liberty to the captives,
  • and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
  • To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
  • and the day of vengeance of our God;
  • to comfort all that mourn;
  • To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
  • to give unto them beauty for ashes,
  • the oil of joy for mourning,
  • the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
  • that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Is 61:1-3)

Sacrifices for our sins was NOT for us to feel guilty, and mope and be in fear…it was to release us from bondage, to proclaim that we belong to the LORD, to cloth us with praise, anoint us with the oil of Joy, and to plant us, to root us into the Vine so that we may produce eternal fruit – with great joy!

Forgiveness is a JOYFUL thing!

  • I messed up.
  • I was sorry to disappoint my Abba
  • I asked for forgiveness, washed with my tears
  • He gave it immediately, totally, and completely.
  • He washed me, so that I am whiter than snow!

Is 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Eph 5:25-27 even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1Pet 1:17- 21 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

If you want to learn more about the beauty of the grace of Christ’s sacrifice, I recommend reading Romans chapters 5 & 6. But I do want to point out that just because we have grace, and forgiveness, it does not give us a license to sin.

Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

The joy that there is a sacrifice does not trump the fact that I belong to God, and if I love Him, I will (attempt to) keep His commandments.(John 15:10; 1 John 2:3; 1 John5:2-3;)

Jesus said it so simply :

John 14:15 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15 NIV “If you love me, you will obey what I command.

This is not to burden us, but to release us from the burden of sin.  Christ’s yoke is…well, here’s how Jesus said it:

Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

His commands are not heavy, nor burdensome. Bearing the correct yoke makes all of life easier, and even a joy.

John 14:21(NIV) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

What greater joy to know that even though we are inclined to fall, we have a safety net.  While 1 John 2:1 says IF any of you sin…we all know in our hearts that we are going to mess up.  We try and try, but we keep stumbling like a toddler learning to walk.  God knew this.

The priests had to go through washing, and stuff every time they went into the tabernacle, or temple.  Over and over again.

We are the temple of the Holy Ghost – but we need to get washed up on a daily, sometimes minute by minute basis!  But here’s a promise I am so glad a friend shared with me:

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee: Fear Not, I will help thee!” Is 41:13

It is preceded by another great declaration promise by the Lord:

“Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Is 41:10

With God on my side, ready to complete the work He began in me, I can rest within my Yoke of Jesus, I can be at peace beneath the burden that Jesus puts upon me.

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the glory of His presence with exceeding joy, The only Wise God and our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24-25

Thanks for joining me on this journey, and remember to keep your lights shining on the hill where your heart lives!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – check
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 days – day 5

I awoke this morning to a call from our daughter in Germany, to see our grandson awake.  I got to hear his coos, gurgles and squeaks, and he even listened to my voice.

It was wonderful to get to see him. And his mommy is looking so good, 5 weeks after having a baby.

It’s been rough having a new grandbaby in Germany, and not being able to be there for my daughter while she went through pregnancy, birth, and now new mothering.

When Jacob saw Joseph, after years of thinking he was dead, he almost passed out. (Gen 45:26)

It was rough for Jacob to handle the first child of his most beloved bride Rachel, was dead(Gen 44:27-31).  I think he had an idea that the other’s did something(Gen 42:4), but the depression affected the rest of his life.

Joseph was made a slave, then a prisoner…because his brothers didn’t like the dreams God had given Joseph.  Maybe Joseph was a bit arrogant – but the boys had other reasons to hate him – he was dad’s favorite!

When Jacob dies, all the other boys come to Joseph and basically, kiss up. Then Joseph lives out what he’s learned over the however many years as a slave in a foreign land: Gen 50:19-21

19: And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for [am] I in the place of God?

Well, yes, actually, he was, sort of. He was the ruler of all of Egypt, and he had all sorts of power.  BUT he knew who he was…and now, he is humble.

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

The things that were done to Joseph were horrible.  Reuben said he’d cried out to his brothers to save him as they handed him over to the Ishmeelites.  We know what happens in prisons to young men now, and I’m sure there was a lot of fear.  But,

  • IF the boys had not thrown him in the pit
  • IF the boys had not sold him to the Ismeelites
  • IF Potipher’s wife had not accused him
  • IF the baker and cupholder hadn’t forgotten for two years
  • THEN Joseph would not have been there to save Jacob’s line!

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

.WE KNOW..why? because of Joseph, because of Abraham, because of Isaac, because of Jonah, because of Nehemiah and Esther and Ruth!  WE KNOW because we have their stories.  They didn’t have the Bible to read…they only had faith to trust in God. WE HAVE THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD! We are without excuse!

Joseph had changed.  He had learned to humble himself.  He had learned to forgive.  And the fruit of that forgiveness is displayed in what he did next:

Gen 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

I have struggled with God not allowing me to go to Germany to be with my daughter.  I have been angry with God for not healing me so that I could travel – to Germany, or to Ethiopia for a mission trip. I have been grumpy.

  • I am not a slave.
  • I am not a prisoner.
  • I am not abused or mistreated.
  • I may be struggling with a spiritual famine!

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:14 – 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Joseph is the perfect example of forgiveness, yes.  But he is also the perfect example of getting a right attitude, by looking at circumstances through God’s eyes.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Joseph is considered a type of Christ, and his forgiveness of his brothers is so extreme…it reflects the extreme forgiveness that Christ gives all of us – WHILE WE ARE YET SINNERS!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And the great thing that Christ has done, is

2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 2:9-10 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

It’s by HIS mercy, that HE orchestrates our lives(the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord), to complete the work He began in us.  And all we are to do is to let His light shine in us, and then in turn let that light shine from us to all we meet.

Joseph made a huge impact on his family. Because of Joseph, we have the story of God! Joseph was sacrificed, and then “raised up” to save the remnant of God.

Jesus was sacrificed, and raised up, to save those that choose to believe. He has made a HUGE impact on the family of God!

Forgiving myself, and letting go of my anger at God, accepting the plan He has for my life,  allows me to have joy in the skype visits with our grandson. Sacrificing my plans to yield to the Father’s plans, brings peace and contentment to my life. This will have a HUGE impact on my home life, and my mental health!

And I can then sleep in heavenly peace!

May the Lord bless you and Keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace! Num6: 24-26

In His hands and under His wings, watching for His light in my life,

~Christi

100 days of movement – check

100 days of blogging – check

90 days of Bible reading – check(next is Exodus!)

50 days of T-Tapp – check

21 days of Fasting for Food – check

The First 100 Days – day 4

In the secret
in the quiet place
in the stillness You are there
in the secret
in the quiet hour i wait
only for You
‘cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your vioce
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

i am reaching for the highest goal
that i might receive the prize
pressing onward
pushing every hindrance aside
out of my way
‘cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

I”m confused by the SonicFlood Version – talking about quiet place, and it’s SO LOUD and Fast!

But the Words…

I want to know you, I want to hear your voice…this is my heart cry! I want to touch you, I want to see your face, I want to know you more.

I’ve been thinking about Psalm 91 this morning…

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

DWELLS – an action – a choice to dwell in the secret place, and THEN we will ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty.  But FIRST we must choose to DWELL there.

I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

SAY – I will SAY – ALL of Christianity has to do with confession.

Rom 10:8 – 10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The rest of Ps 91 is a confession of faith in God, until you get to verses 14 – 16. This is God Almighty, Yahweh, Jehovah, Abba, talking:

Because he(me) hath set his(my) love upon me(Abba),therefore will I(Abba) deliver him(me):I(Abba) will set him(me) on high, because he(I) hath known my(Abba’s) name.

He(I) shall call upon me(Abba), and I(Abba) will answer him(me): I(Abba)will be with him(me) in trouble; I(Abba) will deliver him(me), and honour him(me).

With long life will I(Abba) satisfy him(me), and shew him(me) my(Abba’s) salvation.

I have responsibility to seek God’s face! Seeking is another post.

But, I have to choose to be in the secret place, I have to choose to abide in the vine, I have to choose to SAY HE IS MY GOD – my refuge, my strength.

Jesus said, in Matthew 10:32-33

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

This really lays down how important it is to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and to say of our God, He is our refuge and strength(a very present help in trouble – another psalm!).

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and may God bless you for doing so!

Jesus is Lord, He is my God, my refuge and strength, and I choose to seek His face, and dwell in the secret place, and desire to abide in His glory.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Please consider sponsoring Christi in Fasting for Food at $21 for the 21 day fast.  All money goes to Compassion.


The First 100 days – Day 1

In addition to the 100 day of movement, 90 days of Bible Reading, 21 days of Daniel Fast for Compassion, I have also committed to Beth Moore’s 24 Bible verses in a year.
Living Proof Ministries

Today, I sat by a lake.
Today, I stopped thinking about the verses I should memorize.

I woke up in the middle of the night, 12/31/2010 or 1/1/2011…I don’t really know. The verse that spoke loudly to me, loud enough to wake me was this:
Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ps 119:105
We have been convicted that we are to choose LIGHT and LIFE this year, rather than Darkness and Death.

We have been convicted to remove anything that is darkness, does not conform to the image of Christ, does not help us to grow in the image of Christ, and does not bring health to our bones, from our lives.

Genesis 1:16 & 18
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.
Gen 1:16 KJV/BLB

We are the lesser lights(the moon), living in the darkness of this world, and we are to shine our light (reflection of the Greater Light, the sun/Son) in the darkness.

So, this is our theme this year:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 KJV/BLB

My memory verse:

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25 KJV/BLB

I’m totally blessed with what the Lord has set for me…I’m ready for the challenge.

Daniel Fast starts tomorrow, 1/2/11
100 days of moving – check
T-Tapp – 2 sets Hoe Downs – Check
90 days Bible – Gen 1-16 – check
100 days of Journaling – check

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Ps 63:7 NIV/BLB

Have I lost my FREEDOM?

This is based on a conversation I was having online with some friends, based on how the first time we do something, we seem to be able to choose to say yes easier, and it’s harder once we slip.

One person asked, did we lose our freedom? Here’s my comments:

Theologically, we have not ‘lost’ our freedom, because Jesus said ‘it is finished’ when He completed the work on the cross.
Obviously we are not free from our flesh – because we are here, not in our resurrected bodies with Christ!

I am so thankful to be going through this with you all  because you all have a heart for the Lord based on the promises in His word.  YOU GET IT!

We can call gluttony what it is – sin. Put a knife to your throat rather than eat the King’s dainties.

Proverb 23 KJV/BLB

We can call procrastination what it is – laziness, go to the ant thou sluggard!
Proverb 6:6 KJV/BLB

We can encourage each other to get back up, brush yourself off, and start all over again (another ant theme).
High Hopes

I’ve read so many posts in the last few minutes, I don’t remember which one said ‘doing it on our own’ –
Ever notice how there is a gift of grace and mercy waiting when you first get angry at someone?  Well, for me it works this way.  I am given a choice – and it’s like I’m on a fence, and I could fall either way – one way into the fire of anger and hurt, and the other into the cushioned arms of the Lord.  But if I choose the Lord’s side, I don’t get to defend myself!  I don’t get to give them a piece of my mind!  It took years, yeeeaaarrrrrsssss, to get to that point in my walk, that before I sinned, I could see the choices.

This year, doing T-Tapp with ya’ll has made the choices more obvious for me.  Sit in the recliner(my ankle/foot/hip hurts) or get out the chair and the dvd and do something that might get something moving.
Or worse: sit on the recliner and watch stupid movies to distract my brain from the pain, rather than reading God’s word, listening to His music, and entering into His presence.  yeah, I’ve been a wimp…a wheelchair wimp – even when I haven’t been in the wheelchair!

The veil has been torn open.  We all see clearly what our sin/s is/are, and now we have a choice. Like the alcoholic has to choose, sometimes minute by minute…I choose life, not death; I choose health, not death; I choose breath, not death.

A dear friend wrote something on her FB status that goes like this:
“I’m living the next five minutes
like they were my last five minutes
’cause I know the next five minutes
may be all I have.
After the next five minutes
turn into the past five minutes
I’m taking the next five minutes
and starting all over again!”

What can you do with five minutes?

What excuse would you give for adultery?
What excuse would you give for stealing?
What excuse would you give for child abuse?
What excuse would you give for murder?

I have spent 20+ years making excuses for my health – and undermining God’s plan for my body.  I have been fighting God with my eating!!!

I have been fighting God with some of my personal issues.
I have been fighting God with my choices to not fall off the fence on His side.  While there is a scripture that says “if they’re not against me, they are for me” – there is another that says ” if they are not for me(or with me) they are against me.”

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30 KJV/BLB

One was because those that had heard, but weren’t of the ‘organized’ followers were baptizing…and Jesus didn’t have a problem with it.

The other is Jesus speaking about being part of HIS flock, and being of His Spirit and lists those that are not with God as his enemies.

I do not want to be any where near a place that I could be called an enemy of God.  I want to stay WAY WAY away from that line!
I also don’t want to be one of the foolish virgins…not prepared, not able to wait because they ran out of oil(juice, fuel, energy).

This year, T-Tapp and diet are taking on a whole new spiritual dimension for me.
AND IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!  YES YOU!!! (my dear T-Tapp Sisters)
Thank you –  for being with me, so that when I have fallen on the wrong side of the fence, ya’ll are there to remind me, 1John1:9 KJV/BLB – come on back up on the fence and try again.
We HAVE a high priest that is familiar with our weaknesses – AND He stands before the throne of God so that IF any of us sins, He is the propitiation of our sins.

God knew it all along – and from the supernatural prophetically fulfilled birth of the baby Godman, all the way to Calvary, and His resurrection – God had a plan.  And just like with the intricate detail in fulfilling every prophecy about Christ’s birth…he is fulfilling every intricate detail of our lives, as He had planned from before time began.  AND He has planned everything down to the tiniest detail, to fulfill the volume of the book!  Rom 8:28 is followed by some great verses!
God does not think we are failures.
God knows what HE has in store for us!
God has provided everything we need to be the glorious temples He intends, we just need to pray, believe, trust, and push past the flesh.

I just got a vision of Eustace, when he was a dragon, because of his greed(glutton is a lot like greed, right?).  He couldn’t cut the dragon flesh off, no matter how hard he tried.  But when he asked Aslan, Aslan slashed through the flesh, and helped him get it off.(Voyage of the Dawn Treader – read the book, I was disappointed in the movie – by Disney).

Anyway – I have a dragon suit of gluttony.  I have tried and tried to get it off of me.  I have tried to do it for Jim, for the kids, for Jesus, for me…and ‘I’ can’t do it.
I need to go humbly to the Lord, EVERY DAY if necessary, and ask Him to deliver me from this fleshly prison.

This is my focus for the next year.
I hope you will all be here with me on this journey.
I love you ladies so much!

~Christi

PS – 1/1/2011 –
In reading Genesis 12, I realized that God blessed Abram BEFORE Abram told Sarai to lie to the Pharoah, and started the whole deception, fleshly attempts for protection and procreation.  God blessed Abram, even though he messed up!