Well, I've done it again. I've let life's changes interrupt my spiritual life. Don't get me wrong - I've prayed and thanked God for several things, but I still feel disconnected. And it shows. I am quickly angered by little things. My patience level is low. The words out of my mouth are not loving, but rather snippy. My thoughts consist more of to-do lists instead of meditations on the Lord.
Throughout scripture, we are reminded to remember the Lord - His deeds, miracles, commands, and words. When I've read these scriptures in the past, I've thought to myself, "well, of course, who could forget the Lord?" Now I know from experience. It's not that I've forgotten about Him, but I've neglected Him. Through my negligence though, I have forgotten to praise Him when times are tough and to pray to Him through a difficult situation. At one point this week, I even asked myself "what's wrong with me?" That's when the Spirit reminded me - "You haven't been seeking the Lord."
In Numbers 15:38 - 40, the Israelites are commanded to "make tassels on the corners of your garments with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them...(NIV)" That gives me an idea - make something to physically remind me of the LORD and his commands and to stay connected.
Staying connected requires more than just a reminder though, it requires work on my part. I need to set apart time for prayer and worship, meditation on the LORD and His words, and reflection. I need to do what Brother Lawrence did - practice the presence of God. I need to seek the Lord.
I can't wait for my life to settle down before practicing His presence because life may never settle down. In fact, as the past few weeks have shown me, I need to stay connected to the Lord at all times. Otherwise it's not pretty.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Turned Upside Down
Two and a half years ago, my family and I relocated to another state. This was a difficult move during a difficult time. Of course, like most people, I questioned the wisdom of this move. Two and a half years later, I thank the Lord for His wisdom.
When I decided to stay home and raise my children (two years before the move), I stopped writing. Actually, I was burned out. I figured writing was something I did before kids and I was fine with that conclusion. Looking back, I realize I slipped into a rut. I got stuck in the daily routine. Running errands, doing chores around the house, paying bills, and so on. I didn't notice this though until we moved.
Relocating to Colorado in December 2007 definitely shook me out of my routine. It forced me to leave my comfort zone and meet new people. I no longer had extended family nearby to help me with the kids. I also had to learn how to drive in snow and find new routes. I had to find new places to shop for groceries and clothes. Most importantly, I realized, through lots of prayer, that I wasn't living my entire purpose. Yes, God made me to be a wife and a mother, but He also created me to write. That is the talent He gave me. When reviewing Proverbs 31, I noticed the woman completed her purpose. She was a wife and a mom, but she also used her talents to help her family (see Proverbs 31:16 and 24).
As a result, I joined a writer's group, started a year-long review of the creative writing process, started this blog, and even submitted an article for publication (though it wasn't accepted). I even joined the madness of NaNoWriMo and tried to write a 50,000-word novel in a month.
Now, we have moved back to where we were originally. The past few months have been a bit chaotic, and I look forward to setting a routine. I know routine is a good thing (particularly with kids), but I need to be awake for the process. I even need to shake it up now and then to avoid settling. I carry the lessons I learned in Colorado and am excited about applying them here. I feel my passion for writing again. It took a move to another state to shake up my life and I'm grateful for it.
When I decided to stay home and raise my children (two years before the move), I stopped writing. Actually, I was burned out. I figured writing was something I did before kids and I was fine with that conclusion. Looking back, I realize I slipped into a rut. I got stuck in the daily routine. Running errands, doing chores around the house, paying bills, and so on. I didn't notice this though until we moved.
Relocating to Colorado in December 2007 definitely shook me out of my routine. It forced me to leave my comfort zone and meet new people. I no longer had extended family nearby to help me with the kids. I also had to learn how to drive in snow and find new routes. I had to find new places to shop for groceries and clothes. Most importantly, I realized, through lots of prayer, that I wasn't living my entire purpose. Yes, God made me to be a wife and a mother, but He also created me to write. That is the talent He gave me. When reviewing Proverbs 31, I noticed the woman completed her purpose. She was a wife and a mom, but she also used her talents to help her family (see Proverbs 31:16 and 24).
As a result, I joined a writer's group, started a year-long review of the creative writing process, started this blog, and even submitted an article for publication (though it wasn't accepted). I even joined the madness of NaNoWriMo and tried to write a 50,000-word novel in a month.
Now, we have moved back to where we were originally. The past few months have been a bit chaotic, and I look forward to setting a routine. I know routine is a good thing (particularly with kids), but I need to be awake for the process. I even need to shake it up now and then to avoid settling. I carry the lessons I learned in Colorado and am excited about applying them here. I feel my passion for writing again. It took a move to another state to shake up my life and I'm grateful for it.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I'm Back - For A Little Bit
I wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about you. We are in the process of relocating from one state to another and it has taken more of my time than I thought it would. We are out of one house and waiting to move into another. Meanwhile, we are staying with family. Prayerfully, the process will be complete by mid-June.
I am thankful for this move. It brings us much closer to family and old friends. I'm also sad though as I had to leave new friends. It's moments like these that I'm thankful for our current technology. Though I can not meet my friends face-to-face for coffee, I can use Skype and drink coffee while web-chatting. It's almost the same thing - just missing the hugs.
I plan on posting a few more times before the move into the new house. I've missed blogging (and writing in general) and hearing from you quite a bit. Just a head's up though - I will probably take a couple of weeks off when we move so I can focus on bringing order to my house. Please be patient with me.
Thanks for your understanding!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tending to Personal Issues
I have decided to take a break from posting for awhile. We have had some stuff come up that needs my attention. It's nothing major like illness or anything, but it still requires a lot of my time. I hope to be blogging again within the next month, so please check back soon.
God bless you,
Joanna
God bless you,
Joanna
Friday, February 19, 2010
Road to Health, Part 2: Health Food vs. Diet Food
Throughout the twists and turns of my journey to health, I hit a fork in my road. Do I want to just be skinny or do I want to be healthy?
A couple of years ago, I joined a weight-loss support group. This certain group also sold their own food in grocery stores. My favorite was their snack cakes. If I ate really well, I could eat two or three snack cakes. One day, I decided to read the ingredients in these tasty morsels and was shocked at what they contained. Sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, enriched, bleached flour, and so on. This seemed to contradict the information they were teaching in their meetings. It also contradicted what a lot of nutritionists were teaching as well.
Too much sugar can lead to diabetes. Partially hydrogenated oils clog arteries and raise cholesterol levels. Enriched, bleached flour has no nutritional value and can also lead to diabetes. Were these little snack cakes worth my health?
That's when I made my decision to be healthy. I've been far from perfect, but now I'm conscious of it. I've been looking at different ways of eating - low-carb, high-protein, vegetarian, and so on. I think I've come across a way of eating that will benefit myself as well as my family. It's called "clean eating." Basically, you eat fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and lean meats. They should be minimally processed and no artificial anything added. It's a new way of eating and like I said, I'm not perfect. It's a slow process, but I have seen results when I do stick to the clean eating plan. I lost weight and my skin cleared up. I had more energy and was ready to start the day, instead of waking up groggy. Now that I'm feeling better, I plan to resume this plan.
What's your opinion regarding health food and diet food? I'd love to hear it.
A couple of years ago, I joined a weight-loss support group. This certain group also sold their own food in grocery stores. My favorite was their snack cakes. If I ate really well, I could eat two or three snack cakes. One day, I decided to read the ingredients in these tasty morsels and was shocked at what they contained. Sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, enriched, bleached flour, and so on. This seemed to contradict the information they were teaching in their meetings. It also contradicted what a lot of nutritionists were teaching as well.
Too much sugar can lead to diabetes. Partially hydrogenated oils clog arteries and raise cholesterol levels. Enriched, bleached flour has no nutritional value and can also lead to diabetes. Were these little snack cakes worth my health?
That's when I made my decision to be healthy. I've been far from perfect, but now I'm conscious of it. I've been looking at different ways of eating - low-carb, high-protein, vegetarian, and so on. I think I've come across a way of eating that will benefit myself as well as my family. It's called "clean eating." Basically, you eat fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and lean meats. They should be minimally processed and no artificial anything added. It's a new way of eating and like I said, I'm not perfect. It's a slow process, but I have seen results when I do stick to the clean eating plan. I lost weight and my skin cleared up. I had more energy and was ready to start the day, instead of waking up groggy. Now that I'm feeling better, I plan to resume this plan.
What's your opinion regarding health food and diet food? I'd love to hear it.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Road to Health Part 1: What Health is to Me
After being sick for the past two and a half weeks, I've had plenty of time to think about health. In times of frustration, I even thought about bargaining with God: "If you make me well, I will do more to be healthy." I stopped short of making the bargain because I fear failure. Maybe it's not really a fear, I just know from my past that I usually fail at this task.
And that's where my problem is: I depend upon myself and not the Lord. I'm learning that health has to do more with my total package: spirit, mind, and body. I am an emotional eater. I eat when I'm stressed, angry, and depressed. A vicious pattern occurs when I emotionally eat. I feel some emotion, so I eat to numb myself. Then I feel guilty for eating, and eat again. What's wrong with this picture? Aren't I, as a Christian, supposed to depend on the Lord for my strength and comfort? Instead, I take matters into my own hands, with disastrous results.
Here is what it looks like to depend on the Lord: Once I relay my feelings to the Lord, my mental state will change because my spirit feels peace. Once I feel peace, then I will no longer feel anxious and want to eat. I may still have some of the emotional energy left, but that is when I should go for a walk and pray.
I know, easier said than done. This is my thought though: Just as my vicious pattern of emotional eating became a habit, then after some conscious effort and lots of prayer, the new spiritual pattern should become a habit as well. The Word of God offers me hope: "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established," (Proverbs 16:3). Also, Proverbs 16:9 says "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." You see, if I dedicate myself and my plans to the Lord, He will establish my path for me. One more bit of encouragment comes from Psalm 118:7: "The LORD is on my side as my helper."
Health to me is no longer the idea of looking great in a pair of skinny jeans. Rather it is being physically, mentally, and most importantly spiritually healthy in the Lord. It is allowing myself to feel my emotions and handle them in a spiritually mature manner. A mountainous journey lies ahead, but I know the Lord will not only set my path for me, He will be there every step of the way, helping me overcome my obstacles.
And that's where my problem is: I depend upon myself and not the Lord. I'm learning that health has to do more with my total package: spirit, mind, and body. I am an emotional eater. I eat when I'm stressed, angry, and depressed. A vicious pattern occurs when I emotionally eat. I feel some emotion, so I eat to numb myself. Then I feel guilty for eating, and eat again. What's wrong with this picture? Aren't I, as a Christian, supposed to depend on the Lord for my strength and comfort? Instead, I take matters into my own hands, with disastrous results.
Here is what it looks like to depend on the Lord: Once I relay my feelings to the Lord, my mental state will change because my spirit feels peace. Once I feel peace, then I will no longer feel anxious and want to eat. I may still have some of the emotional energy left, but that is when I should go for a walk and pray.
I know, easier said than done. This is my thought though: Just as my vicious pattern of emotional eating became a habit, then after some conscious effort and lots of prayer, the new spiritual pattern should become a habit as well. The Word of God offers me hope: "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established," (Proverbs 16:3). Also, Proverbs 16:9 says "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." You see, if I dedicate myself and my plans to the Lord, He will establish my path for me. One more bit of encouragment comes from Psalm 118:7: "The LORD is on my side as my helper."
Health to me is no longer the idea of looking great in a pair of skinny jeans. Rather it is being physically, mentally, and most importantly spiritually healthy in the Lord. It is allowing myself to feel my emotions and handle them in a spiritually mature manner. A mountainous journey lies ahead, but I know the Lord will not only set my path for me, He will be there every step of the way, helping me overcome my obstacles.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Road to Health: A New Series
I am starting a new series about health. I've been researching topics regarding health and food and am trying to apply some of these principals to my family's way of life. I want to explore the responsibilities, if any, a Christian has in taking care of her body. I also want to discuss preventative healthcare vs. our current way of looking at healthcare.
I've battled with my weight for numerous years. When I was younger, I wanted to lose weight so I would look like the skinny models in the fashion magazines. Now I want to lose weight for other reasons - health, energy, and obedience. I also want to model healthy eating habits for my children so they won't grow up with the same issues.
I look forward to sharing this information with you. I also look forward to hearing your thoughts as well.
I've battled with my weight for numerous years. When I was younger, I wanted to lose weight so I would look like the skinny models in the fashion magazines. Now I want to lose weight for other reasons - health, energy, and obedience. I also want to model healthy eating habits for my children so they won't grow up with the same issues.
I look forward to sharing this information with you. I also look forward to hearing your thoughts as well.
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