Passion or Patience?

Have you heard of the Marshmallow Test?  Ultimately, it is a test between instant and delayed gratification.  "Do you want 1 marshmallow now or can you wait for 2 marshmallows?" If you want to see it in action check out this video: The Marshmallow Test by Igniter Media 

This is a simple illustration between settling for good rather than waiting for the best.  In this case, the best would be 2 marshmallows rather than one.  Who doesn't want 2 marshmallows, right? 

I was reading the classic Pilgrim's Progress this week, where I ran across two characters Passion and Patience.  Passion pursued the passions and rewards of this world and immediately gratified his desires according to the here and now.  He spent all that he had on the present world and was left with nothing but rags.  On the other hand, Patience waited knowing that there were better things to come in eternity and his rewards were everlasting.

God warns us in His Word of the passions of this world.  He tells us to walk in the Spirit, so we won't fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  He tells us to store up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust won't corrupt, and thieves can't break in and steal.  He also tells us to invest our time and actions into eternal things that will withstand the fire at the judgment day. 

Our empty and idle actions are like wood, hay, and stubble and will burn up because they are of no eternal value.  We need to be living with an eternal purpose with actions that are as gold, silver, and precious stones that will withstand the fire and become purified.  So let us take heed of the lessons of Passion and Patience.  If you pursue your passions according to your flesh and this present world, you will enjoy your reward for your labor in this world and have nothing in the world to come.  If you have patience and an eternal purpose you, will store up everlasting treasure that will be enjoyed in the life to come.  I pray that I am serving others with an eternal purpose.  What is your choice, temporal passions or patience for eternal treasures that are out of this world?

Walking in Faith,

Settling for Good rather than God

"A good thing becomes a bad thing when it replaces the best thing."

Good versus Best
I do a lot of good things.  I don't do a lot of better things.  My motives for doing and not doing these things vary from  pride, selfishness, fear, worry, and a whole laundry list of more things.  God has been gently calling me to himself through a variety of people and circumstances.  He has provided for me in ways that I can't explain except that it was ALL Him.

Settling for Good rather than God

God showed me on Sunday through Saul turned Paul's testimony the significance of a "good" person's testimony.  Saul was a Jew, a Hebrew of Hebrews from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee very knowledgeable of the Jewish scripture and laws.  He was zealous for his beliefs so much so that he was willing to stop anyone that opposed his beliefs.  He was a "good Jew."  He was faithful and devoutly religious.  He followed all of the rules.  He did what he knew was right.

But God...
God interrupted Saul's religious devotion and law abiding goodness and showed him His abundant grace through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  God introduced the relationship that could if he chose to follow.  Saul gave up all of his accolades and accomplishments in his Jewish faith for the relationship he gained through Jesus.  Saul died to his rules and regulations and emerged as Paul, a sold out devoted follower of Jesus Christ with a real, relationship with God.  Paul was so changed by this relationship that he counted his previous life as a loss.  Nothing. Waste. (Dung in the KJV, which we all know is...poop).
My "good" is nothing without God.  It is waste.  I can't do anything without God.  I rely on God for my next breath.  I need to choose God rather than settling for my own "good."  I hope this is encouraging, and please don't settle for your good when God has what is best for you.  Draw close and be willing to trust Him and obey Him.  He is truly the best.

Walking by Faith,

More than a Number

It was January 29th, just a normal Sunday.  I hopped out of bed and onto my scale.  The number that I had been working so very hard for appeared on the screen. I had lost 100 pounds!  I did it!  I didn't feel much different.  I was excited but hesitant to shout it from the rooftops because I didn't want to jinx it.  That Friday, I weighed in at the nutrition club I attend and the magic number had disappeared.  I wasn't quite there yet, so I kept it quiet.  Shortly after my victory at home, I found a new number.  I went shopping for pants for a new job I was starting and a dress for some upcoming events.  That new number was a size 6.  I purchased pants and a dress in a true to me size 6!!!  I never ever imagined in a million years that I would fit into a size 6.  Due to some Valentine's chocolates and some unnecessary snacking, the number on the scale has increased a few pounds, but I am claiming January 29th as the date I reached my goal of 100 pounds gone (my size 6 still fits).  I did it! I really did it. Today, I had the opportunity to "shout it from the rooftops" by sharing my story on stage at our local Herbalife Success Training Seminar in front of over 400 people.  It lasted about 15 to 20 seconds, but it was so awesome to share how far I have come.

This journey has been long, 10 years in fact, and it is still not over.  I am here to say that I am more than a number.  God has given me the strength to persevere this far.  I have overcome so much more over the last 10 years that a scale can't measure.  I am stronger and happier than ever. I am becoming more confident.  I have a desire to help others with their own journeys, and I am doing so.  God has blessed me with skills to teach, and my passion is to teach kiddos how to be healthy.  I don't want any child to feel the way I felt as the fat kid.  God has a plan and purpose for everything.  It is time for me to use what He's given me to bless others around me.  I want to lead others to Him first and foremost, and then teach them how to get healthy in order to serve Him at their best. 

Walking by Faith,

The Pearl in Me

I recently learned about the different Gem personalities.  I am a Pearl with some Emerald in me.  I am a feeler, make everyone happy, organized chaos kind of girl.  I walk cautiously and decide carefully.  I think and think and think before I act.  I start something with good intentions and fail to follow through.  Hence this blog with lots of advice that I don't even apply to my own life.
I would tell you that all of that is about to change, but you will probably say, "I'll believe it when I see it."  Me too.  I am a continual work in progress.  I want to act. It is time for me to sow seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I have to plant in order to reap the benefits of my efforts.  If I do nothing, I should expect nothing.  You reap what you sow.  You get what give. Plant carefully, and don't forget to plant.
Here's the link to the Gem Personality Test if you are curious about what gem you are: What Gem are You?

Walking by Faith,

"O, Ye of Little Faith..."

In the past few weeks, I have had grand feelings about taking leaps of faith and trusting God with my life and circumstances and almost within the same thought I second guess it all.  I think, "Lord, this doesn't add up. Will I have enough?  What did I get myself into?  This is not what I expected."  Then I dive into his Word, and I am convicted and comforted at the same time by these words:

"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:30-34).

I have nothing to fear. God has everything under control.  My job is to seek the kingdom of God.  Do the best I can today, because today has enough problems, and it is all that I have until God blesses me with a new day.  It is so simple to do and simple not to do.  Do what you can for God's glory.  He knows what he's doing, just do your part.

Walking by faith,

Day 2

The day started well but ended with the Valentine's day munchies.  I did accomplish the following though:

• 30 minute at home workout
• Decent breakfast of protein packed oatmeal and 1/2 of a post workout shake
• Team meeting at work
• Day 2 in the classroom-still learning
• Felt the Valentine love from a few of my new kiddos
• Good dinner but I gave into some Valentine chocolate and some cookies
• Received my first legitimate Herbalife check!!! Yay!

This is a good starting point.  I will learn from my mistakes, move forward, and never give up.

Walking by Faith,

Day 1 of the Best of My Life

Today was Day 1.  I have stepped out in faith this year with a new job.  A new harvest of kiddos.  I plan to do right by them.  This is day 1 of  Action toward my goals.  I am no longer going to sit on the sidelines of life and let it pass me by.  Here are a few of my first steps.  They will be small to begin with, but I will take them.  
My day as follows:

• at 5am I had a snack and quiet time
• At 6am, Fit camp for an hour
• Gym-Cardio for 20 minutes
• Began my first full day in my classroom
• Began this blog post and fell asleep typing

These are baby steps.  No more talk.  It's time to walk the talk.   I look forward to see where my decisions take me this year.  

Walking by faith,

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
~Hebrews 11:6