Overcoming Selfishness

By Cami Checketts –

My baby is almost ten months old. I’ve worked hard since he was born to lose the “baby weight.” It hasn’t been easy but I’m finally back to my pre-pregnancy weight. But for some reason that hasn’t been good enough. I keep thinking, “Just five more pounds,” which is silly because I’m usually the first one to preach that the number on the scale is just one indicator of good health and you should really focus on how you’re feeling, how hard you’re working, and if you’re confident with how you look.

My younger sister finally called me out. Here’s the gist of what she said (or at least what I heard). “You’re so focused on your body being perfect. You have four children. Grow up.” I think she might have said it a little nicer than that, but then again maybe not. Here’s where her advice gets good: “It’s one of the devil’s tools to make us think that we’re not good enough. If he can convince Christian women to first of all have no self-confidence because they’re not ‘perfect’ and second make them selfish enough to spend all their time trying to be ‘perfect,’ look at what he’s accomplished.”

She is right. Instead of focusing on my family, my spirituality, serving others, and bettering my corner of the world, I was caught up with myself—how I was looking, when I was going to fit in more exercise, what I was eating.

As always, it comes down to balance. Of course we should take care of our physical bodies. We all know we can accomplish the Lord’s work much more effectively if we are healthy and strong. But if any of you have gone past the point of healthy—to obsession, it can be a real concern.

Turn to the Lord for help. He cares about you in every aspect of your life. And don’t be afraid to ask family and friends to help keep you on track as well. My husband, boys, sister, and many others who love me keep me focused on the important things in life.

However, the most important thing for me to do is to ask each day what the Lord wants me to do, instead of what I want to do. If I listen to that answer, I’ll never go astray.

 

Meditating on God’s Word Might Even Help You Lose Weight!

By Julie Morris –

Joshua 1:8 says that if you meditate on God’s Word you’ll be prosperous and successful. Millions of people in the U.S. are trying to lose weight, but lacking success. If you’re one of them, why don’t you try meditating on God’s Word as you begin each day? I can tell you from personal experience that this has really helped me to get rid of my unwanted extra pounds, and keep them off.

Here are some ways to meditate on scripture that just take three or four minutes. Why don’t you give them a try?

#1. Write a letter to God Read a portion of the Bible expectantly for a few minutes every day–knowing that God will speak to you through his Word as He promises. Write the verse you choose on the top of the page. Then write God a short letter telling him how this verse applies to you personally that day.

#2. Write a letter from God Rewrite the passage as if God were speaking to you personally about the particular problems you are facing that day. Here’s an example of writing a letter from God concerning Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Start with your name: _____________, I am talking hold of your hand right now and telling you not to be afraid. I am going to help you with this problem with (your husband, money, kids, losing weight, etc.).

#3. Picture the passage Draw a simple cartoon to help you picture what God is saying to you in his Word. When you draw, you use the right side of your brain and when you write words, you use the left side. When you write and draw, you use your whole brain so it really makes the verse sink in!

#4. Write a structured meditation Answer the following questions about the passage:

• What promise(s) is expressed or implied? How can you claim that promise personally?
• What command(s) is expressed or implied? How can you commit to the command?
• What do you want to say to God about this?

Try meditating on Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) using this structure. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

• What promise(s) is expressed or implied? How can you claim that promise personally?

Discipline produces righteousness and peace later on. I need that!

• What command(s) is expressed or implied? How can you commit to the command?

(Implied) Be disciplined.

I will quit snacking between meals—especially eating in front of the TV every night.

• What do you want to say to God about this? Here’s an example:

God, I’m sorry that I haven’t been disciplined in my eating. I need to take better care of myself. Please give me the willingness to be more disciplined. Thank you that I have joined this weight-loss group so I will be encouraged by the other members and learn more about how to eat in a healthy way.

Meditating on Scripture will help you to be successful in many ways. It even might help you lose weight!

Make Today Count…No Matter What

By Cami Checketts-

At my local gym an older gentleman comes with his bottle of oxygen strapped to his back. When I watch him lift weights, I always think “That’s how I want to be when I’m in my 70s.”

I’m impressed by so many different people. A friend with breast cancer who not only keeps running, but is training for an ultra marathon. A 60-plus year-old lady who is in better shape than most 20 year olds. My husband who finds time to exercise even though his schedule is overflowing with work, church, and family responsibilities (not to mention that lengthy honey-do list). An expectant mom I see on the treadmill every day, walking through the pain (As the mom of an eight month old, I remember that pain all too well!).

In exercise and other areas of life it is extremely easy to make excuses: too busy, too tired, I’ll do it tomorrow. How often do we say these things? “Tomorrow I’ll visit my elderly neighbor.” “With my next paycheck I’ll donate more to charity.” “Tomorrow I’ll eat healthier.” “After things calm down I’ll be more fun with my children.” All great intentions, but today is the only day we have.

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44 KJV). Today is the day to be the person we want to become. If we wait for tomorrow we may miss opportunities to serve, love, and grow.

As I relate this back to exercise, I think it’s easy to put off doing something that we know we should do, something that will not only improve our health but make us feel fabulous. Don’t put off the important things. Make time today to exercise. Make time today to serve. Make time today to show your family and friends your love. In our modern age it’s easy to waste time. Don’t do it! Get out and do something to better yourself or help someone else. No excuses. Make each day count, no matter what. I promise you won’t regret it.

Aging and Fitness: Finding Balance

By Don Otis –

Life is full of surprises; unknown twists and turns that affect our health, our finances, jobs, and even our relationships. The one certainly is that getting older levels the playing field of life. Whether you are 35 and pine for the days when you could run like the wind, or 70 and wish you could climb a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing, age makes a difference in our abilities and performance.

In past columns I have stressed key points of fitness such as consistency and intensity. Our tendency is to start and stop diets and fitness routines. We have talked about the importance of finding a physical activity you enjoy and making it a regular part of your week. In other words, making an appointment with yourself and sticking to it.

 

There are so many studies and statistics and so much marketing that it’s easy to get caught up in all the confusion about what to eat or not to eat. I am not a nutritionist, and I am the first to admit it. Still, most of us know what’s good for us or not-so-good. I believe the Bible teaches us the importance of moderation and balance in all areas of life. As I have aged, I notice my muscles don’t recover as quickly. After a hard workout, my quadriceps can be sore for a couple days. That never happened in my 20s, 30s or even my 40s. Now, however, it is part of what I have come to expect so I take protein shortly after most workouts to help muscle recovery.

If you are active, you have noticed some other issues—shrinking muscles and lack of elasticity. In other words, stretching becomes vital you age. And for those who have back problems, learning to lift properly (use your legs, not your lower back), can make a difference. For lower back strain, focus on building your core—the part of your body that gets the least amount of attention. By building your abdominal (stomach) muscles, you give support for the upper body which often overcompensates when put under a physical workload.

It comes as no surprise that as we age our metabolism changes too; it decreases. We burn fewer calories in simple everyday chores. In a country where almost 70 percent of men are overweight or obese, igniting your “engine” (metabolism) through activity is not just a good idea; it will determine your longevity. And our children are no better off. For children who are obese at age 20 (defined as 30 pounds or more above normal weight), their lifespan is cut by an average of 13 years.

As Christians we know that this world is not our home. Except for Enoch and Elijah, I know of no one who has cheated death. The time we spend on this sphere is short and making the most of the equipment God has given us is an act of stewardship. Accept that your body is always changing and make it part of your life to accept what you can’t change but to make the most of what God has given you.

Experience Your Own 15-Minute Miracle!

By Julie Morris –

If you knew that you could spend just 15 minutes a day—and it would change your life in incredible ways—would you do it every day?

I discovered almost 30 years ago how to start my day in a brand new way, and I have been amazed at the results: I have been able to do things that I thought were impossible! Because I seek the Lord first thing every morning, I have lost my harmful extra pounds and have kept them off. And I’ve lost most of the worries that weighed me down as well. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not.

Here’s what I do:

I have a prayer journal—a loose-leaf notebook with 5 dividers and lots of notebook paper. I write in my journal during those 15 minutes so I can stay focused and take advantage of every second.

Section #1 Prayers. I spend 3 minutes using the ACTS structure of prayer so I come into God’s presence with ADORATION, CONFESSION, THANKSGIVING and last, SUPPLICATION (intercessory prayers). Before I started using this type of prayer format, I spent most of my time asking God for things, or heaven forbid (!), telling Him what to do.

Section #2 Organization. I spend 3 minutes looking at how I did the day before to see if I have been off track. On my Monthly Activities Sheet I record how I spent the day before (I write the date in the left margin and record activities for each day of the month on one line per day). During the 3 minutes in my Organization section, I also write what I ate the day before, and I write down how I did with other weaknesses.

Section #3 Journaling. I spend 3 minutes journaling about my problems. I have found that in this section I am able to cast my cares on the Lord—not the refrigerator, pray about the problems that I will have to face that day and plan how I will handle them.

Section #4 Meditation. I send 3 minutes meditating on a verse. I choose the verse as I read ½ chapter of the Bible each day and find one verse that stands out. I consider this verse a letter to me from God and respond by writing Him a short letter (2-3 sentences) about what His Words mean to me that day. There are many other ways I meditate on Scripture. I’ll tell you about them next month.

Section #5 Memorization. I spend 3 minutes memorizing an encouraging Bible verse. I write it in this section of my notebook. Then I put it on an index card and take it with me to study while stuck in traffic, in line at the grocery store or waiting on hold when I’m on the phone. During my memorizing time on the following days, I continue to work on this verse until I know it well, but I keep it in my memory section to review from time to time. I have learned lots of ways to make memorizing fun and have found that memorizing Scripture is the best way to get God’s Word from my head to my heart.

I have discovered that when I have a daily quiet time in this manner consistently each morning, my days go so much better. I am able to rely on God’s power—not my faltering willpower. I am directed by His Word—not driven by my circumstances, and I am guided by Him—not my feelings or worldly desires. Email me at julie@guidedbyhim.com if you want to know more about how to experience your own 15-minute miracle.

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