There is so much to talk about… i don’t know where to start.
Maybe i’ll give a line-up of potential blogs i want to write so that i am held accountable to them…
I just got back from GA and trying to get back into the swing of things… figuring out work, projects that the Lord has put on my heart to do, exercising, family and friends…. it’s a lot to juggle… but i am Equipped and Ready to start!
Getting back from the Race was SO incredibly hard. i can’t even tell you what it feels like to travel the world, to see so much, be going, going, going… around community of family. MANY people, who love and encourage you. Who notice when something isn’t quite right, and ASK… care. Are willing to stick with you to help pull you out of the muck… then to be dropped off at… “HOME”… by myself at the house… able to go out I suppose. But not really WANTING to. Just down. WHAT HAPPENED? Who am I? What am I suppose to do now Lord? Is this it?
Project Searchlight. PRAISE GOD for this “new” program that AIM is offering for post-racers. Help shed some light on our lives.
So we get that we are “wrecked for the ordinary” we are spiritual beings living in a human world… we are not suppose to “look” the same as the world… but to Trust in God, to WALK by FAITH instead of us always taking control on our own… where success isn’t measured by status and money, material gain and the best looking _______ whatever. I will seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33
This doesn’t have a 401K attached to it, it doesn’t come in a Sunday Service Box, and it most definitely doesn’t cost me my sanity of working 4 jobs and giving no thought to God’s will for my life.
We learned so much at project searchlight. We were able to live in community again, to live with a family and live like a family. There were relationships that were built and some that were strengthened. The presence of God was welcomed every morning and testified of His goodness and faithfulness every night. The Spirit moved and I was blessed to have caught a wiff of His sweet scent, His beautiful and colorful character.
I was surrounded by brothers and sisters all after the heart of God and the will for our lives.
The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.
Asking the questions of: What it was we were made for, what makes us tick, what gives us energy, what challenges us and what brings kingdom every step of the way? People came alive with the HOPE OF THEIR DREAMS BEING REALITY. There is so much HOPE in Christ Jesus… it’s ridiculous.
One of the most important ways you can tell if a dream or a vision is from God is that it will always be bigger than you are. –jentezen franklin
God’s visions become reality and God’s dreams happen!
So… what’s on this heart of mine? (here’s a question I was asked in my per-project searchlight homework…)
What do I daydream about?
Daydream? What does that mean? I dream of being like Joyce Meyer. Which means a lot of work, surrender, ups and downs, but all little or big practical experience in which God uses to pass on to others. To show what it looks like to obey, to hear Him and listen, what total desperation is, what peace and prosperity is, what the application of the Word in our lives means and how it’s done. I dream of being well spoken and inspiring to others who are “IN” what God has brought me “OUT” of… ALWAYS giving Him the glory… no doubt. I want them to know where to go… what’s possible… and how creative and loving our Lord is. I dream of having a “voice”…
So. God is working on that “voice” thing… teaching me a lot! But the part that I am not as confident in is the appearance thing. Not speaking out of a spot of hopelessness, please don’t hear that… I speak from a spot of complete AWE in how God has changed my heart, spirit and mind. I have a current goal of losing 40lbs. Yes. Ladies and Gentlemen… I do have that to lose. Believe it or not. This is NOT unrealistic… I have been healthily at this goal weight before… and I hope to get back to it. LORD WILLING! Here’s what’s exciting, and challenging. I am going to do it the way GOD INTENDED… with HIS help, and HIS guidance, HIS hand over every step of the way. THIS is my current dream. And believe you, me… this is MUCH BIGGER THAN MYSELF.
1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
I have not treated myself in such a way. Truly honoring God by taking care of myself. I have worked out, dieted, “LOOKED HOT” for myself and my own gain. It’s time to get healthy, God’s way and for His kingdom in mind. How is His kingdom affected by me losing weight you wonder?
I love a quote I have no idea where it came from…
IS A HEALTHY YOU.
This is SO true! So first and foremost before I try and bite off things, plans, and projects that are bigger than myself… I need to get healthy. This alone is the biggest challenge of my life. HA you think traveling the world, tenting for months at a time, no showers, crappy food, and really uncomfortable living conditions is tough!?!?! NOPE… saying “NO” to brownies, and ice-cream when I am not truly even hungry is… or staying OUT of the refrigerator when I just want to eat cuz I’m BORED… that’s what I call HARD!
He’s going to help me through it. Not Weight Watchers, Not Diet Pills, Not the latest Quick Fix… NOPE… shear Will and Determination for LIVING RIGHT BEFORE MY LORD…
Calling out the LIES that I hear, day to day… the ones that tell me “You can’t do this, you would have already lost the weight already”
“what makes you think you can lose it now, it’s never worked before”
“You can “GO OUT” what are people going to think of you, putting on weight after being out in the world, weren’t you suppose to lose weight while being gone?”
BLAH – BLAH – BLAH – BLAH – BLAH – BLAH – BLAH…
So what the Lord has me doing, is creating
Daily Disciplines,
to Draw Closer to God,
and Drop the Weight on the Way! ®
I am working on a calendar / interactive journal thingy… as I go about this process and hopefully will have it published and sold stores some time. I don’t really know what’s going on… all I know is God is having me document the process, using a template to find freedom, peace, joy and hope in Him… this template doesn’t even have the word “WEIGHT” on it… that’s secondary to getting closer to the Lord. Like I said… I am seeking Kingdom first and TRUSTING that God is going to be faithful as HE always is… and will give All He wants to give me after.
Dr. Jeff May of Total Health Advantage here in Jordan, is a close “buddy” of mine. He is going to be launching a program called, “BODY BY GOD” and I am looking forward to being a part of this. Funny thing is… is God had put this journal/lose weight thing on my heart prior to what Jeff introduced to me. So I will be doing my journal thing and working on the Body By God program as well…
Here is a brief snip it of what the 40 day program is about…
The Body by God plan combines tips on time and stress management with low-impact aerobic exercise, basic weight training, and a diet based on low-fat, unprocessed “Foods by God”: whole grains, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables. (“Foods by Man,” on the other hand, are those that have been refined, pasteurized, and packaged-anything resembling a Ho Ho, Cheeto, or Slush Puppie-and are to be avoided.) Lerner promises “incredible health and outrageous happiness” for anyone who adheres to his diet-and-exercise program, which he boldly proclaims-as the one God intended for us to follow.
He says. “We’re reminding people that the body is a vehicle for serving God.”
A client of Ben Lerner’s (founder/creator) mentions…
“You know, Satan always tries to keep you off track,” Dick begins. “Satan doesn’t want you here tonight to hear this message of healing-that’s why you got the flat tire on the way here, and that’s why the kids were wailing in the backseat. But we have people here who refused to give up.
(just mentioning DISTRACTIONS in life)
“Of course if you weigh 500 pounds, God still loves you. But can he use you? If David had carpal tunnel syndrome, could he have thrown that stone? If Moses was overweight, and he had back problems, could he have led people out of the desert?”
True. True.
So anyway!
I love the highlighted red part… body is a vehicle for serving God.
That’s what I am after right now. In the process of this goal I hope to continue Interior Painting and doing design work… CALL ME or email!!! I plan on waitressing come spring… end of March… and working on a book about all the Love Notes My Lord gives me…
A lot going on… I feel ALIVE… even given the added weight… the Lord has changed my heart, renewed my mind, and given me hope that my struggles aren’t just for myself but for a greater cause called
HIS KINGDOM!
Thanks for listening.
